SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – South Korean rescuers yesterday pulled a body from a heap of rubble at the construction site of a 39-floor building that partially collapsed four days earlier in the southern city of Gwangju. More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) – North Korea yesterday fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles in its third weapons launch this month, officials in South Korea said, in an apparent reprisal for fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration for its continuing test launches. More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.
BEIJING (AP) – China further tightened its anti-pandemic measures in Beijing and across the country yesterday as scattered outbreaks continued ahead of the opening of the Winter Olympics in a little over two weeks. More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.
JAKARTA (AFP) – A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Java island yesterday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, as buildings were reported shaking in the capital Jakarta. More details in Saturday’s Borneo Bulletin.
Azlan Othman
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam stressed on the importance for the Officer Cadet School (OCS) to remain relevant to produce high-calibre Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) leaders, with emphasis placed on military training and leadership.
In a titah during the Sovereign’s Parade for the 20th intake of officer cadets, held at the Parade Square of the Defence Academy, RBAF in Kampong Tanah Jambu yesterday, His Majesty said the OCS should also place emphasis on embracing spiritual values, ensuring army personnel possess strong discipline based on the basic values of RBAF and Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy.
“With the 81 new officer cadets today, Alhamdulillah, the OCS has now produced 606 army officers from 20 intakes,” His Majesty said, adding that after completing the year-long training, they are now ready to shoulder the responsibility as officers and young leaders of the RBAF.
The monarch thanked parents and guardians for their support and prayers for the success of their children while in training, noting that the OCS is an important platform to shape characteristics of military officers at RBAF.
“The OCS of the Defence Academy is now able to accept the enrolment of officer cadets from friendly nations, particularly from the region, allowing them to pursue officer cadet training in the Sultanate. This opportunity will not only enhance the existing defence diplomacy, but will also boost the OCS of Defence Academy RBAF’s profile, both regionally and internationally,” His Majesty said.
The monarch also expressed gratitude for RBAF’s continued contribution and commitment, serving as an institution always ready to fulfil the trust of upholding peace and security in the nation.
“This is proven with the RBAF, along with other government and non-government agencies, playing a core role in curbing the spread of COVID-19. I hope such noble efforts can be contributed continuously,” His Majesty said.
His Majesty – accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and His Royal Highness 920 Major (U) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen – was welcomed upon arrival by Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof and RBAF Commander Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat.
The monarch received a royal salute and inspected the parade, commanded by 1071 Captain Muhammad Azmi bin Abdul Latif. The ceremony proceeded with a march-past by officer cadets and continued with the presentation of awards to the 20th intake’s best officer cadets.
The awards presentation preceded with a Sword of Honour presentation to Officer Cadet Awangku Mohammad Qamarussalihin bin Pengiran Mohammad Saifuddin, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Syariah Islamiah from Al-Azhar University, Egypt.
The Sword of Honour is bestowed by His Majesty to an officer cadet who has excelled and secured the highest overall achievements in basic military training (academically and physically) and in all training and leadership aspects.
His Majesty presented the Best Academic Award to Midshipman Nurharzelah @ Nurfazelah binti Yakub, who holds a Master of Science in Management and Technology from Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB). She received the award based on her overall academic results throughout the course.
The Best Military Skills Award was given to Officer Cadet (U) Dayangku Rabiatuladawiah @ Dayangku Sarimah binti Pengiran Radzuan, who holds a Bachelor in Mathematics from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). The conferment of this award was based on her excellent achievements in all areas of military skills.
Meanwhile, the Best in Physical Training Award was presented to Officer Cadet Aabed Zul-Fadhlee bin Haji Abdul Hamid, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from UTB, in recognition of his outstanding physical training achievements.
Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik was called out three times from the parade, before the event continued with a Doa recited by Acting Director of RBAF Religious Department (JAMA’AT) Commander Haji Ainolnizam bin Haji Ibrahim.
The monarch received a pesambah from the newly-commissioned officer cadets, centring around the theme Qaidah Marunah which translates to resilient leader.
The ceremony continued with the Majlis Junjung Ziarah with the newly commissioned officer cadets and their families, before concluding with a group photograph session.
A total of 81 officer cadets – 50 male and 31 female – were commissioned yesterday, 46 of whom were commissioned as Royal Brunei Land Force officers; 19 as Royal Brunei Navy officers; and 16 as Royal Brunei Air Force officers.
Rokiah Mahmud
Six families who were victims of a flood in December last year and a family whose house was ravaged by fire this month received financial assistance from the government through the Community Development Department (JAPEM) yesterday.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin handed over the financial assistance during a ceremony at Citra Budaya Hall.
Six houses in Kampong Junjongan were flooded due to heavy downpours last December 4 to 8 and a house fire occurred in Kampong Mentiri on January 9 at 12.50pm.
Izah Azahari
The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) organised a Surah Yaasiin and Tahlil ceremony at the Royal Mausoleum for Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam, Al-Marhumah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman and Al-Marhum His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim to mark its 101 years of establishment.
Commissioner of Police Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali was the guest of honour.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sulaiman bin Alidin and Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohamad Amirruddin bin Haji Tunjang were also present.
The event began with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah Yaasiin followed by Tahlil led by Police Headquarters Gadong Surau Imam APO Sergeant 6472 Mohammad Yusri bin Haji Abu Bakar.
Azlan Othman
The Ministry of Health (MoH) announced that the blood stocks at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital Blood Donation Centre and blood banks at all district hospitals are low.
The ministry called on the public to donate blood and those wishing to visit the blood donation centres are encouraged to book a slot through the BloodKad app.
Operation hours at RIPAS Hospital blood donation centre are 8-11.30am and 1.30-4pm from Monday to Thursday and Saturday; 8-11.30am and 1.45-3.30pm at Suri Seri Begawan Hospital; and 9-11.30am and 1.30-3.30pm at Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Hospital.
There will also be blood donation campaigns at Unicorp Sdn Bhd tomorrow from 9am-3pm; Tricor (B) Sdn Bhd on January 20 from 10am-2pm; Maju Motors Sdn Bhd on January 22 from 10am-2pm; and Health Promotion Centre on January 29 from 9am-1pm.
Azlan Othman
Some 26 Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) personnel organised a cleaning campaign at Nuri Muslim cemetery to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) on Wednesday.
1146 Lieutenant Madya Muhammad Farasul Wa’ie bin Wadi led the campaign assisted by 11641 Chief Petty Officer Haji Lamat bin Mohd Zin. Kampong Belimbing Acting Village Head Daud bin Jihan and village consultative council (MPK) committee members also participated.
Meanwhile, RBN religious teacher Mas Ismandi bin Hassan led the recitation of Surah Yaasiin and Tahlil.
The United States (US) Embassy in Brunei Darussalam concluded a two-day virtual training on human trafficking prevention yesterday for over 40 Bruneian investigators, prosecutors, police officers, and government employees.
The trafficking in persons (TIP) training was held in commemoration of US National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11 with the support of the US Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the US Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking Prevention Unit.
The training included discussions on employers retaining workers’ passports, living standards for migrant workers, abuse of household employees, victim identification and protection, and the Palermo Protocol, to which Brunei is a party of.
