The Daily Brunei Resources

MCG comes into force
August 15, 2017

| Azlan Othman |

BRUNEI began official implementation of the Motor Claims Guidelines (MCG) for motor vehicle accidents yesterday.

The guidelines were introduced to “speed up the clearing of accident scenes and expedite the settlement of insurance claims,” according to Acting Director of Land Transport, Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud yesterday.

It is normal to see – in the event of an accident in this country – motorists from both lanes slowing down their vehicles to check and have a look on who is/are involved in the accident, and this creates traffic jams, causing employees to arrive late for work,” Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal pointed out.

“On average it takes a maximum of 110 minutes to disperse an accident. This includes contacting the police, conducting of accident assessment by the police, waiting for the tow truck, and placing the vehicle on the tow truck.

“Accidents will not be covered under the MCG if they inv…

Brunei has unique advantages with regional countries and beyond
August 14, 2017

| Danial Norjidi |

BRUNEI is an important member of Asean, as well as an active promoter and contributor to regional peace, development and prosperity.

This was said by Yang Xiuping, the Secretary-General of the Asean-China Centre (ACC) in a speech during the Trade Dialogue on ‘Asean Beyond 50: Benefits, Opportunities and Challenges’ at the International Convention Centre in Berakas over the weekend.

She said, “Brunei has unique advantages in economic cooperation with the regional countries and beyond.

“In recent years, encouraged by the Belt and Road initiatives, more and more Chinese investors are cooperating with their Brunei counterparts in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, energy, logistics and other areas which have achieved fruitful results.”

“The ACC would like to cooperate with friends from Brunei and other Asean member countries and its dialogue partners to further promote Asean-…

The Brunei Hall in Paddington was first used in 1977. This news from Borneo Bulletin dated 6 August 1977 tells the story:

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Super hostel makes Brunei students feel at home… it’s the most luxurious in Britain

AUGUST 6, 1977 – There is a part of Brunei in the heart of this huge city which is a showpiece to other countries.

This is the five-storey Brunei House, a palatial building and by far the finest student hostel in Britain.

New arrivals in England immediately feel at home after walking through the glass doors as they are almost bound to see some familiar faces from Brunei.

The building accommodates up to 170 students, with at least 100 usually in residence. But it is not merely a hostel. It is more of a social gathering point for all Bruneians in Britain, with the busy restaurant serving up to 270 meals at a time.

Situated in a quiet square in Paddington, and only a short walk from Hyde Park, the hostel was formerly an American hotel which the Brunei Government bought for $2.9…

Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam
Policy Statement 1/2017
Date: 19 Zulkaedah 1438H/ 10August 2017M

Global and Regional Economic Developments

1. The global economy continued to expand, though at a relatively moderate rate. Growth in the U.S. is likely to accelerate in Q2 2017 following an under trend performance in Q1 2017. Growth and near-term growth prospects have improved in the European Union and Japan. Among Asian economies, the economic expansion in China remained close to trend, while India's economic performance improved, further benefiting from the decline in inflation.

2. The prospects for modest near-term acceleration in economic growth in the environment of still supportive monetary policy have improved investor sentiment in the financial markets. Some commodity prices have recovered albeit still below their cyclical highs. Crude oil prices remain at moderate levels, driven by developments in crude inventories and supply dynamics among OPEC and non-O…

Royal Regalia Building declared Asean Landmark
August 9, 2017

| Hakim Hayat |

THE iconic Royal Regalia Building in the capital was officially declared as an Asean Landmark in a colourful ceremony last evening, which was also held to mark the 50th anniversary of the 10-member country bloc.

Present as the guest of honour was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof who is also Chairman of Asean Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) 2016-2017.

Top diplomats from Asean member countries and its dialogue partners were also present.

Hundreds of spectators witnessed the event held in front of the Royal Regalia Building that was lit in a colourful laser light show to mark the occasion.

Welcoming the guest of honour and special guests were the beating of the traditional ‘hadrah’ and a traditional dance, followed by a vibrant procession led by the musical band from the Prisons …

‘Ketuanan Brunei’ – A historical perspective
August 7, 2017

| Dr Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong, Senior Special Duties Officer, Secretariat Office, Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) Supreme Council |

BRUNEI is one of the oldest Malay empires that has existed since the Sixth Century, according to historical Chinese records.

Few of the well-known empires in the Malay world include Funan, Campa, Langkasuka, Old Kedah, Negeri Gangga, Angkor, Jambi, Pan-Pan (Kelantan), Sriwijaya and Tanjung Pura.

The majority of these empires were influenced by Hindu-Buddhism, but were later introduced to Islam by the third Khulafaur Rashidin, Saidina Uthman bin Affan in the Seventh Century, with Islamic influence spreading throughout Asia to the Far East.

Through the pages of Brunei’s history, it is acknowledged that we had practised a monumental tradition of monarchy for over 1,400 years – a legacy where the Brunei government had influenced the Malay civilisation before the advent of Islam.

This…

Commission set up to uphold competitiveness
August 7, 2017

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 has consented to the establishment of the Competition Commission of Brunei Darussalam, an independent body that is mandated to promote business competition in Brunei Darussalam economic landscape through the enforcement of the Competition Order 2015.

The Prime Minister’s Office announced that His Majesty also consented to the appointment of
Dato Paduka Eddie bin Dato Paduka Haji Sunny as the Chairman of the Competition Commission, together with six members of the commission. They are
Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah, the Permanent Secretary (Industry) at the Prime Minister’s Office; Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; Haji Abdullah Soefri bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saifu…

LATEST LIST OF PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND DEPUTIES IN BRUNEI (5 AUGUST 2017) (Including updated list of titles since the award ceremony on 15 July 2017)

New Deputy Permanent Secretary at Prime Minister’s Office
August 5, 2017

BY COMMAND of 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, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that His Majesty has consented to the appointment of Pengiran Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra, Director of Electrical Services, Department of Electrical Services at the Prime Minister’s Office as Deputy Permanent Secretary (Power, IT and E-Government) at the Prime Minister’s Office, effective today, 12th of Zulkaedah 1438 Hijrah corresponding to August 5, 2017.

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PERMANENT SECRETARIES

Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
Dato Paduka Haji Jamain bin Haji Julaihi (Energy)
Dato Paduka Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman (Economy and…

Thai Deputy Minister of Education praises Brunei’s education system
August 5, 2017

| Azlan Othman |

BRUNEI Darussalam’s bilingual education system, with its combination of secular and religious schooling, drew admiring remarks from Dr Krissanapong Kirtikara, Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Education.

Dr Krissanapong who is also the Chairperson of the Princess Maha Chakri Award Foundation (PMCAF), was in the country recently to meet this year’s potential recipient of the foundation’s prestigious award.

“Brunei Darussalam has embarked on a very good bilingual education system incorporating Malay and English in early childhood. In addition, the combination of religious and secular education in Brunei Darussalam has also attracted the interest of Thai educational authorities,” he told the Weekend Bulletin, when asked about his meeting with officials from Brunei’s Ministry of Education.

“Thailand needs this kind of approach in education,” he added.

Dr Krissanapong also broached the …

Strong Islamic philosophy key to be finance hub
August 3, 2017

| Danial Norjidi |

BRUNEI Darussalam’s key competitive edge towards becoming an international Islamic Finance hub lies in its strong Islamic philosophy, which is embedded in its way of life and naturally contributes to the purity of the country’s Islamic finance.

This was stated in a sabda yesterday by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD), during the opening ceremony of the Brunei Darussalam Islamic Investment Summit 2017 (BIIS 2017).

“The global and regional economic environment has changed dramatically over the last 10 years, bringing with it new risks and challenges. Against this backdrop, the Islamic finance industry has seen extraordinary growth and has continued to evolve,” His Royal Highness said.

“Acc…

His Majesty urges youths to be active
August 2, 2017

| 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 urged youths to be active, not passive.

“Don’t just know how to count your days,” His Majesty said delivering his titah at the 12th National Youth Day celebration at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday, adding, “We want youths who are lively and fill their times or days with welfare activities and not let them be empty or pass by just like that.

“Using your time wisely is crucial… youths now fill their time with too much fun. If we let our youths have too much leisure, then this is very bad for the future.

“The country may face a problem of lack of competitiveness to face various challenges,” His Majesty said.

“Producing quality youths is no doubt an investment. It requires the commitment of all parti…

The Real Origin of Monopoly Game

BBC wrote recently about the above which you can link for yourself here. If you are too lazy to go there, here is the article by Kate Raworth:

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28 July 2017 ‘Buy land – they aren’t making it any more,’ quipped Mark Twain. It’s a maxim that would certainly serve you well in a game of Monopoly, the bestselling board game that has taught generations of children to buy up property, stack it with hotels, and charge fellow players sky-high rents for the privilege of accidentally landing there.

The game’s little-known inventor, Elizabeth Magie, would no doubt have made herself go directly to jail if she’d lived to know just how influential today’s twisted version of her game has turned out to be. Why? Because it encourages its players to celebrate exactly the opposite values to those she intended to champion.

Born in 1866, Magie was an outspoken rebel against the norms and politics of her times. She was unmarried into her 40s, independent and p…