A former welfare officer at Sultan Mohammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School pleaded not guilty yesterday to committing criminal breach of trust involving B$2,898 in monthly students allowance that was to be paid to eligible students of the school.
Hj Kamis bin Hj Gadong, 62, appeared before the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate's Court yesterday, unrepresented.
The defendant denied committing the offence at the school sometime between September 2001 and June 2002, an offence that is punishable under Section 406 of the Penal Code, Chapter 22.
If found guilty, the defendant faces imprisonment for a term that may extend to five years with a fine.
The defendant who is also preferred with an alternative charge that carries a lesser sentence, also pleaded not guilty to that charge.
He was alternatively charged with dishonestly misappropriating a total sum of $2,898, being the monthly Students' Living Support Allowance (Elaun Tunjangan Hidup Penuntut) that was due to eligible students of the school, sometime between September 2001 and June 2002, an offence under Section 403 of the Penal Code, Cap 22.
The offence carries an imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or a fine, or both.
The trial will commence in April next year.
DPP Hjh Anifa Rafiza binti Hj Abd Ghani will be producing 40 to 45 witnesses during the trial, while two witnesses will appear for the defendant.
Pending trial, the defendant is released on court bail of $5,000 or two local sureties.
Friday, 23 October 2009
FILIPINA FINED FOR ALCOHOL POSSESSION By Amie PDH. Taken from Borneo Bulletion in October 22, 2009
Filipina fined for alcohol possession
By Amie PDH IshakA Filipino woman was yesterday fined B$750, or to serve a month in prison in default, in the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate's Court after being charged with possession of uncustomed goods.
Macapil Huqueriza Lina, 40, who resides in Kg Katok, Jln Muara and works as a tailor, was found with 24 cans of Tiger beer and one bottle of Premium XXX Tequila Gold when Customs preventive personnel raided her rented room after receiving a call from Immigration Enforcement officers on July 29.
After further investigations, the defendant admitted that all the alcohol belonged to her friend.
The defendant was, however, unable to locate the purported owner of the alcohol and failed to produce valid Customs clearance forms for the drinks.
The estimated total value of the alcohol is $58, and all the goods were to be forfeited to the state.
By Amie PDH IshakA Filipino woman was yesterday fined B$750, or to serve a month in prison in default, in the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate's Court after being charged with possession of uncustomed goods.
Macapil Huqueriza Lina, 40, who resides in Kg Katok, Jln Muara and works as a tailor, was found with 24 cans of Tiger beer and one bottle of Premium XXX Tequila Gold when Customs preventive personnel raided her rented room after receiving a call from Immigration Enforcement officers on July 29.
After further investigations, the defendant admitted that all the alcohol belonged to her friend.
The defendant was, however, unable to locate the purported owner of the alcohol and failed to produce valid Customs clearance forms for the drinks.
The estimated total value of the alcohol is $58, and all the goods were to be forfeited to the state.
LIFE MADE EASY WITH DST COUNTER AT POST OFFICE by Amin Hosni. Taken from Borneo Bulletion in October 22, 2009
Convenience and customer-friendly service are the ultimate goals that service-providing organisations strive to achieve, be it the private or public sector.
With this in mind, the Department of Postal Services and DST Communications Sdn Bhd (DST) signed a contract that, as of yesterday, allows DST Prima registered customers to pay their monthly bills at post offices located in all four districts.
The availability of DST bill payment counters at post offices adds to the numerous payment counters of other agencies that include electrical, water, land transport (renewal of driving licence) and TelBru, making life easier for members of the public.
The signing ceremony was held at the Bunut Post Office and saw Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications Hj Mahmud bin Hj Daud as the guest of honour.
Signing the contract on behalf of the government was Postmaster General Hj Abdul Kadir bin Tengah, while Corporate Development Officer Hj Marsad bin Hj Ismail represented DST.
In his speech, Hj Abdul Kadir said the launch signifies a joint commitment between the management of the Postal Services Department and DST for continued cooperation at every service level with the main purpose of providing convenience to the public and stakeholders.
Hj Abd Kadir noted that as a government agency with goals of providing the best services to the public, the Department of Postal Services is very committed and will continue to provide a more efficient and systematic marketable service for the convenience of the public and stakeholders.
"The Ministry of Communications' vision of 'excellence in communication' is a challenge in terms of becoming a highly efficient business centre, thus, a public-private partnership is essential," said Hj Abdul Kadir, adding that competition no longer tops the agenda, but more importantly, it is the cooperation between two institutions that will be more beneficiary for both parties.
The Postal Department said the move is part of its objectives in creating postal counters (post offices) as the centre, where numerous bill payments can be made for public convenience, especially for those living in rural areas such as Labi, Telisai and Lumut.
With the availability of the service, the public is able to make DST bill payments while at the same time make water or electricity payments at post office counters.
With this in mind, the Department of Postal Services and DST Communications Sdn Bhd (DST) signed a contract that, as of yesterday, allows DST Prima registered customers to pay their monthly bills at post offices located in all four districts.
The availability of DST bill payment counters at post offices adds to the numerous payment counters of other agencies that include electrical, water, land transport (renewal of driving licence) and TelBru, making life easier for members of the public.
The signing ceremony was held at the Bunut Post Office and saw Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications Hj Mahmud bin Hj Daud as the guest of honour.
Signing the contract on behalf of the government was Postmaster General Hj Abdul Kadir bin Tengah, while Corporate Development Officer Hj Marsad bin Hj Ismail represented DST.
In his speech, Hj Abdul Kadir said the launch signifies a joint commitment between the management of the Postal Services Department and DST for continued cooperation at every service level with the main purpose of providing convenience to the public and stakeholders.
Hj Abd Kadir noted that as a government agency with goals of providing the best services to the public, the Department of Postal Services is very committed and will continue to provide a more efficient and systematic marketable service for the convenience of the public and stakeholders.
"The Ministry of Communications' vision of 'excellence in communication' is a challenge in terms of becoming a highly efficient business centre, thus, a public-private partnership is essential," said Hj Abdul Kadir, adding that competition no longer tops the agenda, but more importantly, it is the cooperation between two institutions that will be more beneficiary for both parties.
The Postal Department said the move is part of its objectives in creating postal counters (post offices) as the centre, where numerous bill payments can be made for public convenience, especially for those living in rural areas such as Labi, Telisai and Lumut.
With the availability of the service, the public is able to make DST bill payments while at the same time make water or electricity payments at post office counters.
Monday, 12 October 2009
DISTRIBUTION OF ZAKAT FUNDS FOR POOR AND DEBT-RIDDEN By Waleed PD Mahdini. Taken from Borneo Bulletion in October 6, 2009
The Islamic Religious Council of Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Religious Affairs, in a press release issued yesterday evening, has informed the public that an official 'ceremony to distribute documents of Zakat funds to the poor community (asnaf Fakir Miskin) and those who suffer from debt (al-Gharimin)' will be held Wednesday at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre, Berakas.
According to the press release, a total of 4,084 heads of poor and debt-ridden families nationwide will receive the Zakat funds distribution documents. The figure comprises those that have qualified and are listed as Zakat recipients until July 31, this year.
The press release also stated that the Coordination Committee for the Distribution Ceremony is requesting that all the respective recipients to attend the function at the venue before 7am on Wednesday with their invitation cards and their individual passes that have already been distributed to them.
The attendance of every respective recipient is required at the distribution ceremony, the press release emphasised.
The event signals the tangible response to the numerous queries posed by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam about the distribution of funds from the Zakat collections to those in need.
Distribution of Zakat funds for poor and debt-ridden
By Waleed PD Mahdini
According to previous figures cited, the total collection of Zakat as of 2004 stood at $239,631,073. But five years on, figure must have increased.
The distribution of the Zakat funds comes under the responsibility of the Islamic Religious Council, which directly assesses, manages and distributes the funds. As such, with the staggering amount that was cited way back in 2004, the Islamic Relgious Council has a huge role and responsibility to ensure that the Zakat funds are completely, fairly and systematically distributed to every single member who falls within the six categories of the poor, as prescribed by Islam.
Islam advocates that there are six categories that are entitled to receive the Zakat funds, which include the poor community (Fakir Miskin), tithe collectors, Muslim converts (Muallaf), the redemption of slavery, Fisabilillah, Ibnus Sabil and debt-ridden families (al-Gharimin).
According to the press release, a total of 4,084 heads of poor and debt-ridden families nationwide will receive the Zakat funds distribution documents. The figure comprises those that have qualified and are listed as Zakat recipients until July 31, this year.
The press release also stated that the Coordination Committee for the Distribution Ceremony is requesting that all the respective recipients to attend the function at the venue before 7am on Wednesday with their invitation cards and their individual passes that have already been distributed to them.
The attendance of every respective recipient is required at the distribution ceremony, the press release emphasised.
The event signals the tangible response to the numerous queries posed by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam about the distribution of funds from the Zakat collections to those in need.
Distribution of Zakat funds for poor and debt-ridden
By Waleed PD Mahdini
According to previous figures cited, the total collection of Zakat as of 2004 stood at $239,631,073. But five years on, figure must have increased.
The distribution of the Zakat funds comes under the responsibility of the Islamic Religious Council, which directly assesses, manages and distributes the funds. As such, with the staggering amount that was cited way back in 2004, the Islamic Relgious Council has a huge role and responsibility to ensure that the Zakat funds are completely, fairly and systematically distributed to every single member who falls within the six categories of the poor, as prescribed by Islam.
Islam advocates that there are six categories that are entitled to receive the Zakat funds, which include the poor community (Fakir Miskin), tithe collectors, Muslim converts (Muallaf), the redemption of slavery, Fisabilillah, Ibnus Sabil and debt-ridden families (al-Gharimin).
CUSTOMS FOILS BID TO SMUGGLE ALCOHOL by James kon. Taken from borneo bulletion in October 5, 2009
More than 560 bottles of alcohol, with an estimated value of $4,824, were seized by Enforcement officers of the Royal Customs and Excise Department Saturday night when they foiled an attempt by a foreign national to smuggle in the contraband from a neighbouring country.
Sixteen enforcement officers stopped a saloon vehicle in the vicinity of Kuala Lurah and searched it. Officers found inside the vehicle 204 bottles of wine and 360 bottles of alcohol hidden in boxes and wrapped in newspaper.
The foreign man, aged 28, behind the wheels of the car was detained and will be charged under Chapter 146 of the Excise Order 2006.
The bid to smuggle the contraband into the country was successfully foiled following many hours of surveillance by the Royal Customs and Excise Department.
The department urged the public to report any smuggling activities through the Customs hotline 8714422 or 2382422.
'TSUNAMI ' SHAKES UPBRUNEI LITERARY SCENE by Rosli ABidin Yahya.Taken From Borneo Bulletion in October 5, 2009 t
The first female recipient of Southeast Asia (SEA) Write Award for Brunei Darussalam in 23 years, Hjh Norsiah Hj Abd Ghafar or Norsiah, left for Bangkok, Thailand yesterday evening to receive the award with recipients from other countries in the region.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports cum Chairman of Judging Committee for SEA Write Award 2008-2010 Dato Paduka Awang Hj Jemat bin Hj Ampal; Acting Director of Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) cum Deputy Chairman Judging Committee for SEA Write Award 2008-2010 Hajah Aminah Hj Momin; past recipients of SEA Write Award; and staff of DBP were present at the airport to bid farewell to Norsiah.
She is receiving the award based on her collection of short stories "Tsunami Di Hatinya" published by DBP this year.
The DBP director in an interview said she was happy to see Norsiah as the first female recipient of SEA Write Award, which had been dominated by male recipients since Brunei sent its first writer - Dato Paduka Hj Muslim - to accept the award in 1986.
"I am very happy because female writers in Brunei can now share the stage with the best writers of the country.
"I hope it will inspire other female writers to do the same in future," she said.
She said writers are important to a society as they usually incorporate the local culture and lifestyle in their writings, so foreign readers may find this interesting.
She added writers advertise their country, its philosophy and vision through their writings.
"The young generation of this country will not know about the culture and lifestyle of their ancestors decades ago without writers describing them in their books.
"I hope from now on reasons associated with (lack of) female writers such as child-bearing and looking after their families could be erased as they should try to find free time to write and be on par with male writers here," she said.
While in Bangkok, Hjh Norsiah will be busy attending various events and activities related with SEA Write Award - entitled SEA Write Week - culminating in a Gala Night where she and recipients from other countries in the Asean region will accept their awards from a member of Thailand royalty at the Royal Banquet Hall, Oriental Hotel.
Born on April 24, 1952 in Seria, Hjh Norsiah holds BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from University of Surrey in 1978 and MSc in Clinical Chemistry, University of London in 1997.
She has written various books including "Pengabdian", which is being used as literature textbook in secondary schools in Brunei. The novel also won her first prize in the Novel Writing Competition to commemorate Brunei's Independence.
She said she was happy to break into the male bastion and hoped her effort would inspire other budding female writers in the country.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports cum Chairman of Judging Committee for SEA Write Award 2008-2010 Dato Paduka Awang Hj Jemat bin Hj Ampal; Acting Director of Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) cum Deputy Chairman Judging Committee for SEA Write Award 2008-2010 Hajah Aminah Hj Momin; past recipients of SEA Write Award; and staff of DBP were present at the airport to bid farewell to Norsiah.
She is receiving the award based on her collection of short stories "Tsunami Di Hatinya" published by DBP this year.
The DBP director in an interview said she was happy to see Norsiah as the first female recipient of SEA Write Award, which had been dominated by male recipients since Brunei sent its first writer - Dato Paduka Hj Muslim - to accept the award in 1986.
"I am very happy because female writers in Brunei can now share the stage with the best writers of the country.
"I hope it will inspire other female writers to do the same in future," she said.
She said writers are important to a society as they usually incorporate the local culture and lifestyle in their writings, so foreign readers may find this interesting.
She added writers advertise their country, its philosophy and vision through their writings.
"The young generation of this country will not know about the culture and lifestyle of their ancestors decades ago without writers describing them in their books.
"I hope from now on reasons associated with (lack of) female writers such as child-bearing and looking after their families could be erased as they should try to find free time to write and be on par with male writers here," she said.
While in Bangkok, Hjh Norsiah will be busy attending various events and activities related with SEA Write Award - entitled SEA Write Week - culminating in a Gala Night where she and recipients from other countries in the Asean region will accept their awards from a member of Thailand royalty at the Royal Banquet Hall, Oriental Hotel.
Born on April 24, 1952 in Seria, Hjh Norsiah holds BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from University of Surrey in 1978 and MSc in Clinical Chemistry, University of London in 1997.
She has written various books including "Pengabdian", which is being used as literature textbook in secondary schools in Brunei. The novel also won her first prize in the Novel Writing Competition to commemorate Brunei's Independence.
She said she was happy to break into the male bastion and hoped her effort would inspire other budding female writers in the country.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
ZAKAT FUNDS DISTRIBUTED TO 4,084 HEADS OF FAMILIES By Lyna Mohammad & Waleed PD Mahdini. Taken from Borneo Bulletion in October 8, 2009
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to award the documents of zakat funds distribution to 4,084 heads of families under the poor community (Asnaf Fakir Miskin) of which 190 were recipients under the debt-ridden (Asnaf Al-Gharimin) category.
It was held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas. Accompanying His Majesty at the momentous event were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Prince 'Abdul 'Azim, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik and HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen.
Upon arrival, His Majesty and the royal entourage were greeted by the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, as well as other members of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council.
Shortly after the arrival of the royalty, the ceremony began with a recital of surah al-fatihah and a doa was read by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Aziz bin Juned.
His Majesty then delivered a titah in which the monarch expressed his pleasure for the historic golden day for the country's first concerted step towards making poverty eradication a reality. The monarch then consented to personally hand over the zakat documents to each of the 4,084 recipients.
Also present at the event were members of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council and officers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other government departments.
It was held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas. Accompanying His Majesty at the momentous event were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Prince 'Abdul 'Azim, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik and HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen.
Upon arrival, His Majesty and the royal entourage were greeted by the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, as well as other members of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council.
Shortly after the arrival of the royalty, the ceremony began with a recital of surah al-fatihah and a doa was read by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Aziz bin Juned.
His Majesty then delivered a titah in which the monarch expressed his pleasure for the historic golden day for the country's first concerted step towards making poverty eradication a reality. The monarch then consented to personally hand over the zakat documents to each of the 4,084 recipients.
Also present at the event were members of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council and officers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other government departments.
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