James Kon
Some 3,807 orphans registered under the Community Development Department (JAPEM) received donations at the National Level Donation Presentation to Orphans at the International Convention Centre in Berakas yesterday, to help ease the financial burden, especially with Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations a few weeks away.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) through JAPEM organised the ceremony with cooperation from the Brunei-Muara District Office under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD).
The recipients comprise 2,456 orphans registered in the Brunei-Muara District, 594 in Tutong, 584 in Belait and 173 in Temburong.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad was the guest of honour.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Al-Quran verses by student of Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Hassanil Muhtadi Al-Siddiqi bin Drs Haji Ismuhadi with the interpretation by ITQSHHB Chik Akbar @ Dimas bin Ahmad Hilmi.
The event continued with the recitation of Tahlil, Doa Arwah and Doa Selamat led by Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Mosque Affairs Officer Muhammad Tsuufiy bin Haji Abdul Wahab. The ceremony continued with the presentation of the BIBD Excellent Student Incentive Awards Scheme to 14 orphans who achieved excellent results in ‘O’ Level, Primary School Assessment (PSR) and Religious Education Certificate examination in 2022.
The prizes were handed over by BIBD Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Junaidi bin Haji Masri followed by the presentation of donations to representatives of each District Office.
The presentation of donations in the other districts will be announced on a later date.
The ceremony will be held simultaneously at Pusat Insani, Seria for orphans in the Belait District, Tutong Sports Complex in Tutong District and the Main Hall of Pekan Bangar Community Hall Complex in Temburong.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad and his spouse, with the BIBD’s Managing Director and CEO as well as Brunei- Muara District Officer Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim and his spouse with BIBD Deputy Managing Director Hajah Noraini binti Haji Sulaiman handed over the donations to the orphans.
The donation is a contribution through a combination of the JAPEM Orphans Fund, the Brunei-Muara District Orphans Fund, and BIBD. From the total amount, BND380,700 is from JAPEM Orphans Fund, BND57,105 from the Brunei-Muara District Orphans Fund and BND190,350 from BIBD.
Legislative Council members, permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries at the MCYS and BIBD senior officials were also in attendance.
