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CNY giveaways for Progresif customers

Progresif Sdn Bhd is handing out free giveaways to celebrate the Chinese New Year festivities.

Customers will receive a traditional red packet and mandarin orange across all Progresif branches throughout the Sultanate.

Progresif Head of Consumer Rahimah binti Kisut, who welcomed customers at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex branch yesterday, said in a statement, “We are taking this great opportunity to thank our customers for their endless support, understanding and feedback as we work towards the early endemic stage. Progresif has pride itself on being driven by a customer-centric mentality that prioritises their daily experience with our products and services. We cannot wait to continue our journey together this year.”

Meanwhile, Head of Customer Experience Edna Nurafeeqah binti Abdul Ghani Luah handed over gifts to customers at the Times Square Shopping Centre branch.

“Our stores play a crucial role in keeping customers connected always. We would like to thank our colleagues for their hard work and commitment in prioritising customer needs above all else. Progresif is powered by people with hearts,” she said.

Alongside their strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) pillars for education, arts and culture, Progresif has been pursuing entrepreneurship and environmental initiatives since it was established.

In support of one of its four CSR commitments, ‘Progress for Arts and Culture’, Progresif continues its yearly tradition of supporting local artists during every festive season. This time, it is collaborating with five artists from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) to produce Chinese New Year packets.

Artists Lim Sye Wen, Norhadi Ibrahim, Ridhwansabri Haji Hashim, Fuad Danny and Fatin Afiqah helped to create designs that embody the characteristics of the Tiger, to celebrate strength, boldness, and resilience in the community for the festive season.

Progresif subscribers will receive the packets when they pay their bills, subscribe, switch or re-contract to Progresif across all branches, while stocks last.

ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show customers receiving festive giveaways at Progresif Sdn Bhd branches. PHOTOS: PROGRESIF SDN BHD

Medvedev can be spoiler as Nadal aims for 21st Slam

MELBOURNE (AFP) – Rafael Nadal is chasing a record 21st Grand Slam crown in today’s (4.30pm Brunei time) Australian Open final but Daniil Medvedev is once again ready to act as the spoiler.

The Russian world number two upset Novak Djokovic in last year’s US Open final to prevent the Serbian’s calendar Grand Slam bid and scuppered his attempt to move ahead of Nadal and Roger Federer on the all-time list of men’s major winners.

Apart from the 21st major title, Nadal is also bidding to become only the fourth man to win each of the four Grand Slams twice.

At 35, he will be the third oldest man in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam title, behind Ken Rosewall and Federer.

“For me at the end it’s about more than all these statistics, it’s about being in the final of the Australian Open one more time. That means a lot to me,” Nadal said.

Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his Australian Open semifinal match against Matteo Berrettini. PHOTO: AP

“To me it’s more important to be in the final and fight to win another Australian Open than the rest of the statistics for the history of the sport.

“I am facing my most difficult rival of the whole tournament in the final.”

The quirky Russian is relishing the chance to block Nadal getting to 21 majors ahead of his “Big Three” rivals, as he did with Djokovic four months ago.

“It’s a great rivalry. I’m happy to have the chance to try to stop one more time somebody from making history,” Medvedev said after reaching his second straight Australian Open final.

He lost to Djokovic last year. “I’m just trying to focus on doing my job. Of course, I’m not lying, I know what’s happening, I know what Rafa is going for. I knew what Novak was going for.”

While much of the sentimental interest is in Nadal’s remarkable comeback from last year’s injury-ravaged season to reach his sixth Australian final and 29 overall in Grand Slams, Medvedev is still standing after a turbulent tournament.

He had to negotiate the explosive Australian Nick Kyrgios and a partisan home crowd, come through two long sapping battles in the heat with Maxime Cressy and Felix Auger-Aliassime before overcoming frosty rival Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-final.

Each time the 25-year-old Russian has found a solution in his 17 and a half hours on court. He now has one more problem to solve in Nadal.

“I think it’s gonna be a great battle, probably a physical match. Rafa likes to drag people into long rallies. I like it too,” he said. “Rafa, we know that from the first till the last point he’s gonna fight his best, and that’s what I’m gonna try to do also.”

Nadal leads Medvedev 3-1, with the Russian losing to the Spanish leftie in his first major final at the 2019 US Open over five sets.

“Now I have the chance to play him a second time. First one was a close one, an epic one,” Medvedev said.

“I’m gonna try to prepare well, and need to show my best, because that’s what I took out of the three finals that I had before, that you have to do better than 100 per cent to win.”

It has been an extraordinary effort from Nadal just to get to the final of another Slam.

He is having to modify his game to compensate for a degenerative bone disease in his left foot that ended his 2021 season last August.

Envoy applauds ASEAN strategic vision

James Kon

ASEAN carries a strategic vision using a pluralistic and flexible approach to problem-solving with always a staunch reference to the rule of law. For France, a country in search of a better balanced multipolar world and takes into account the shift on Asia of the centre of tomorrow world economy, ASEAN is an essential organisation, central in Asia as well as central across the Indo-Pacific.

This was said by Ambassador-Designate of France to Brunei Darussalam Bernard Regnauld-Fabre who is also the Patron of the French Bruneian Business Association (FBBA) during his talk on ‘The French and European Union visions for ASEAN and Indo-Pacific’ during the Business Talk ‘The Road Towards Post 2025 ASEAN Community’ organised by FBBA yesterday.

“For the European Union (EU), ASEAN is a very important organisation with credible multilateral institutions.

“EU has invested a lot in its bilateral relations with ASEAN from 2014 to 2020, EUR800 million have been mobilised within the framework of Team Europe with a special focus in a programme to fight covid-19.”

At the Foreign Affairs Ministerial meeting on December 1, 2020, the ambassador-designate recalled that “a major step was recently achieved with the upgrading of EU-ASEAN relations into a strategic partnership with 20 dialogue and cooperation mechanisms. The EU is now on equal footing with the eight other strategic partners of ASEAN”.

Stressing on the importance of Indo-Pacific, he said, “Indo-Pacific countries together with the EU accounts for 70 per cent of global world trade of goods and services.

“The EU appreciates ASEAN’s efforts to build a rule-based regional architecture.”

Regnauld-Fabre said, “Indo-Pacific is a priority of the French presidency of the EU, President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission Vice President Joseph Borell.”

He said an indo Pacific Ministerial Forum to tackle global challenges, connectivity and digital issues and security as well as defence will open in Paris on February 22, for all 27 members of the EU as well as Indo-Pacific states including most of ASEAN members.

Ambassador-Designate of France to Brunei Darussalam Bernard Regnauld-Fabre. PHOTO: JAMES KON

Hong Kong govt offers hamster reparations

HONG KONG (CNA) – The Hong Kong government said on Friday it would compensate pet shops trading in hamsters after ordering a cull on the rodents last week over fears they were spreading COVID-19.

The city’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said it would offer a one-off payment of up to HKD30,000 (USD3,850) to shops affected by the culling of all hamsters on sale and tracing of people who had recently purchased them.

They also banned imports.

“All these measures have affected the business of local pet shops selling hamsters,” the department said in an announcement, adding that payments would be made from the government’s anti-epidemic relief fund.

Last week, Hong Kong authorities enraged pet lovers with an order to cull more than 2,200 hamsters after tracing an outbreak to a worker in a shop where 11 hamsters tested positive.

A pet store remains closed after some pet hamsters were tested positive for the coronavirus in Hong Kong. PHOTO: AP

People who had in recent weeks bought hamsters – popular apartment pets in the congested city – were ordered to surrender them for testing and what the government described as “humane dispatch”.

In recent days, thousands of people have offered to adopt unwanted hamsters amid a public outcry against the government and its pandemic advisers, which the office of Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam called irrational.

The link between hamsters and human transmission remains inconclusive, but government officials have said the crackdown was still needed as a precautionary measure.

Hong Kong has for months pursued a “zero-Covid” strategy, making it one of the most isolated major cities anywhere, with flights reduced by 90 per cent.

It is currently grappling with an Omicron outbreak however, with the government on Thursday announcng that it would extend citywide restrictions until February 17.

Schools, playgrounds, gyms and most venues are shut, while tens of thousands of people must do daily coronavirus tests.

Campaign winners take home iPhone 13

Rokiah Mahmud

A prize presentation was yesterday held for Pocket, a ThreeG Media Sdn Bhd product that conducted a giveaway campaign from December 1, 2021 to January 20.

Pocket representative, Business Solutions Manager Yamin bin Haji Mokim, and Standard Chartered Bank Retail Products and Digital Head Jacky Kian Kee Teo presented prizes to the winners during the event at Two Sons Café in Kiulap.

Following a live lucky draw on January 22 via Pocket IG Live (@pocket.com.bn), winners were picked through a random draw. Over 10,000 entries were received.

Muhammad Asnawi bin Haji Ahmad won an iPhone 13 from Pocket, while Chong Hwa Chiok bagged an iPhone 13 from Standard Chartered.

The campaign allowed users to gain entries to win an iPhone 13 by spending at participating Pocket merchants. Additionally, Standard Chartered Bank cardholders gained extra entries to win an iPhone 13, sponsored by Pocket’s partner, Standard Chartered.

Pocket is the first cashless payment mobile app in Brunei Darussalam capable of linking multiple bank cards, allowing users seamless payment to Pocket merchants.

Additionally, the app allows users to pay by scanning the QR code at storefronts or make payments remotely by selecting a Pocket merchant’s name in the app. Alongside this, the biller function allows merchants to request a payment remotely (issuing a digital bill) to the user. To date, over 20,000 Brunei residents and 250 plus merchants have registered on the Pocket app.

Winners Muhammad Asnawi bin Haji Ahmad and Chong Hwa Chiok in a group photo. PHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUD

Japan to watch WHO probe of director’s alleged racism, abuse

TOKYO (AP) – Japan’s government said on Friday it will watch the World Health Organization’s (WHO) investigation into staff complaints over racism and abuse by a top Japanese official at the agency but denied it inappropriately received sensitive vaccine information from him.

Meanwhile in Geneva, France’s diplomatic mission said that if the allegations are proven to be true, the possible consequences include the termination of the WHO director’s contract. An investigation by the Associated Press (AP) this week found WHO staffers alleged that Dr Takeshi Kasai, the United Nations (UN) health agency’s top director in the Western Pacific, engaged in unethical, racist and abusive behaviour, undermining WHO’s efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic, according to an internal complaint filed last October.

The complaints were also emailed to senior WHO leaders last week and describe a “toxic atmosphere” with “a culture of systemic bullying” at WHO’s regional headquarters in the Philippines. Recordings obtained by the AP also showed that Kasai, who heads a vast region that includes China and Japan, made derogatory remarks about his staff based on nationality during meetings.

World Health Organization Regional Director for Western Pacific Dr Takeshi Kasai. PHOTO: AP

Adhere to CNY guidelines: Minister

Rokiah Mahmud

Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar advised the public, in particular the Chinese community, to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) outlined by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) during the festive season.

The minister said this during a press conference yesterday.

“If they plan to visit their elders and parents, they are encouraged to take the antigen rapid test (ART) prior to the visit. This also applies to parents and elders before welcoming visitors into their home,” said Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham, adding that everyone must bear the responsibility of keeping everyone safe to enjoy the celebration with a peace of mind.

“Nonetheless, hosting open houses is still not allowed and are restricted to close family only. The lion dance, however, can be carried out but the guidelines must be observed,”
he said.

The minister also said, “Information on Chinese New Year guidelines can be obtained at the MoHA’s website.

“For those who are unwell, it is advisable to refrain from making house visits and opt for video calls to convey well wishes instead.

“For those having the flu, the ART must show a negative result. The negative result does not mean that they can visit or host an open house, as the flu virus is also contagious and they may infect those who are not well or with a low immune system.”

Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said, “It is important for the public to play their role and take responsibility to protect not only themselves but also their surroundings so that everyone remains safe and healthy.”

Singapore labour market continues to improve

SINGAPORE (CNA) – Total employment grew “substantially” in the last quarter of 2021 with more residents and non-residents being hired, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in its Labour Market Advance Release on Friday.

Total employment rose by 47,400 in the fourth quarter, compared to the decline of 2,400 in the third quarter. Resident employment grew at a faster pace and non-resident employment increased for the first time in two years, the report said.

The increase was broad-based across all industries and is partly due to seasonal hiring for year-end festivities in industries such as food & beverages and retail. Employment grew in these sectors for the first time after consecutive quarters of declines.

“We expect the labour market to continue to improve in 2022, driven by an overall easing in domestic COVID-19 restrictions and the resumption of international travel,” said MOM in a media release.

“However, recovery to pre-COVID state continues to be uneven across sectors, and uncertainty remains over the trajectory of the virus.”

People walk near the Merlion in Singapore

Resident employment – covering Singapore citizens and permanent residents – continued to grow in sectors such as information & communications and financial services.

For non-resident employment, there was a “considerable” increase in the construction sector after declining for nearly a year.

Total employment in construction rose by 15,800 in the fourth quarter last year, according to preliminary figures.

Over the quarter, the number of unemployed residents fell from 83,000 in September to 75,800 in December 2021.

For the full year, a rebound of 40,800 in total employment is expected in 2021 after a sharp contraction in 2020. While resident employment rose in most sectors, the accommodation sector still saw declines due to travel restrictions.

In December, there was a 0.1 -percentage-point decline for overall unemployment, from 2.5 per cent to 2.4 per cent. The citizen unemployment rate dipped from 3.5 per cent to 3.4 per cent. The resident unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.2 per cent.

Over the year, the annual average unemployment rates showed significant declines, but they remained about 0.4 percentage points higher than before the pandemic, said MOM. The overall unemployment rate fell from three per cent to 2.6 per cent.

For residents, the rate decreased from 4.1 per cent to 3.5 per cent; and the citizen unemployment rate fell from 4.2 per cent to 3.7 per cent. Quarterly retrenchments are also expected to fall, and the number of retrenchments over 2021 is expected to reach 7,820, a “sharp drop” from 2020 when there were 26,110 layoffs.

MOM said it continues to observe “optimism” among companies on hiring expectations in the quarter ahead. About two-thirds of companies said in December last year that they had plans to hire.

“However, there was greater caution when it came to wages,” said MOM.

Only a quarter of the same group of companies polled in December intends to raise wages within the upcoming quarter. This remained lower than in June 2021 (32 per cent), signalling “continued caution in companies’ sentiments regarding business costs”.

The Labour Market Report 2021, to be released in mid-March, will provide more details, such as resident and non-resident employment, sectoral breakdowns, number of job vacancies, labour turnover, and re-entry rates among retrenched residents.

Barty breaks 44-year hoodoo to win Australian Open

MELBOURNE (AFP) – An imperious Ashleigh Barty became the first Australian to win her home Grand Slam in 44 years yesterday, halting the charge of fearless American Danielle Collins in straight sets.

The world number one was 5-1 down in the second set but came storming back to win on a tiebreak and sweep past the 27th seed 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) to be crowned Australian Open champion in front of an expectant Rod Laver Arena crowd.

It was a third Slam title for the 25-year-old after her breakthrough French Open success in 2019 and Wimbledon last year, joining Serena Williams as the only active players to win majors on all three surfaces.

She achieved the feat with Christine O’Neill, the last Australian man or woman to win in Melbourne, watching in the stadium.

O’Neill won the title in 1978 and told reporters before the match, “I’m probably her (Barty’s) biggest fan. I’d be happy to hand it over to her because she’s so deserving of it.

“She is an absolute thinker, she’s a craftsperson, a bit like a chess player with how she constructs the points.”

Ashleigh Barty holds the Australian Open trophy. PHOTO: AP
Ashleigh Barty plays a backhand return to Danielle Collins during their women’s singles final at the Australian Open. PHOTO: AP

There were fears she might be overwhelmed by the weight of expectation, but the Australian has dealt with intense pressure before, none more so than at Wimbledon last year.

Winning at the All England Club was the one trophy she wanted more than any others, and she handled the occasion with aplomb.

She applied the same tactical acumen with the resurgent Collins, who has enjoyed a new lease of life after surgery last year for endometriosis left her pain free, storming to her first two WTA titles.

She countered the 28-year-old’s power-hitting and big serves with her dizzying array of slices, pinpoint serving, speed and a seamless forehand, but she had a major fright.

Both players comfortably held their early service games, offering few chances as they got a feel for each other.

But Collins was employing her powerful groundstrokes and they were causing trouble.

She worked the first deuce with Barty serving at 2-2 and a wayward forehand handed her the opening break point of the night.

The Australian, though, held firm and served out with an ace.

She then stepped up a gear and put pressure on the Collins serve to earn her first break point with a net volley, and the American double faulted under pressure to go 4-2 behind.

With the crowd roaring her on, Barty raced home 6-3 in 32 minutes.

But Collins wasn’t done and came storming back, breaking Barty for 2-0 in the second set – a fate the Australian has suffered just once before this tournament.

Collins fended off two break points to hold serve and while Barty made a statement by winning her next service game to love the American was pumped up and broke again for 5-1 as the top seed sent down two double faults.

Barty was in deep trouble but incredibly found a way back, breaking for 2-5 with some crisp winners then breaking again for 4-5 as Collins floundered serving for the set.

She forced a tiebreak and was always in charge to collect her fourth victory in five encounters with Collins and make history for Australia.

Fury, Whyte to meet in UK for heavyweight belt

LONDON (AP) – Tyson Fury will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title against Dillian Whyte in the United Kingdom (UK) this spring after promoter Frank Warren won a purse bid for the bout.

Top Rank, Fury’s United States (US)-based promoter, and Warren’s Queensberry Promotions announced the deal on Friday, concluding months of drawn-out negotiations over the unbeaten Fury’s future. Warren is paying just over USD41 million for the rights, according to WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, making it the richest purse bid in boxing history.

Fury (31-0-1, 22 knockouts) took to his social media platforms to herald the deal for his first bout since his dramatic 11th-round knockout of Deontay Wilder last October in Las Vegas, completing their entertaining fight trilogy.

“Big GK is coming home, I’m coming home!” Fury sang, referring to his nickname, the Gypsy King. “Cannot wait. Me and Dillian are going to put it on the line.”

The date and location of the bout aren’t certain yet, but Fury’s announcement confirmed he and Whyte (28-2, 19 KOs) plan to meet in the spring somewhere in the UK. Fury is a Manchester native, while Whyte was born in Jamaica and moved to Britain as a child.

Fury and Whyte squabbled for weeks over the split of fight revenue, and heavyweight stars Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk got involved in the discussions while promoters considered several options for the four heavyweights’ next steps.

Joshua was offered money to step aside from his contractually obligated rematch with Usyk to allow the Ukrainian three-belt heavyweight champion to unify the titles with a fight against Fury.

Joshua lost the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) belts to Usyk in September.

But the negotiations ultimately led to a new challenge for Fury, who hasn’t fought in the UK since August 2018. Whyte is the mandatory challenger for Fury’s belt, and he is getting his first world title shot.

“Dillian Whyte got what he wished for,” Top Rank boss Bob Arum said. “I look forward to Tyson Fury defending the heavyweight title in one of the biggest all-British showdowns in boxing history. The Gypsy King is coming home.”

Tyson Fury hits Deontay Wilder during their heavyweight championship boxing bout in Las Vegas last year. PHOTO: AP
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Borneo Bulletin is the leading English daily in the country. It was first published by Brunei Press. Today, Borneo Bulletin has become the foremost source of information on local and foreign affairs, and the region’s business news.

© 2013 Borneo Bulletin Online - The Independent Newspaper in Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak

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