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Once again, AITI is supporting Brunei Darussalam’s premier ICT event, TechXpo 2011, which is held from 27th to 30th October 2011 at the International Convention Centre, Berakas. The AITI pavilion, on a larger scale than last year, promotes the functions and roles of AITI as a telecommunication industry regulator, national radio frequency spectrum manager and developer of Brunei Darussalam’s ICT sector.

The pavilion consists of a gallery whereby the public can get an insight of the functional groups of AITI which are responsible for AITI programmes and initiatives. Among the successful initiatives profiled are AITI’s Grant Scheme, ICT Competency Programme and the recently concluded Brunei ICT Award 2011 competition. The public can also learn about Radio Frequency Spectrum Management in Brunei Darussalam, licenses issue by AITI, type approval for radio and telecommunication equipments, consumer information such as International Mobile Roaming Rates when traveling overseas and others.

A live demonstration on how unauthorized radio and telecommunication equipment can affect normal TV broadcast was also showcased. Another section of AITI pavilion hosts the products and services from AITI Grant Scheme and Market Creation Scheme recipients. These companies are Mars Enterprise, John Harith Technology Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Indah Sejahtera Development Services Sdn Bhd, Crescent Sdn Bhd and MEXT-G communication services.

AITI is also holding a quiz whereby members of the public could stand a chance to win the top prize of an iPad 2. The 2nd and 3rd prizes of the quiz are a 1TB and 500GB hard disk respectively. The public only need to tour the AITI pavilion to learn more about AITI and participate the quiz. Correct entries of the quiz will be channel to the Grand Draw which will be held on 30th October 2011, Sunday at 5pm at the AITI pavilion.

HRH Princess Hjh Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah visited the AITI pavilion yesterday at TechXpo 11

HRH Princess Hjh Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah being briefed on AITI’s role in Brunei

The Minister of Communications also paid a visit at AITI’s pavilion

Hadi Iskandar explaining the visitors on AITI’s role in Brunei

Oh yeah, if you happened to be at their pavilion, do answer some raffle quiz.. Who knows you might win yourself an iPad2 😀

You can randomly pick one of the questions but you need to get the questions right

The answers are all here… So make sure you can get them right 😀

Even representatives from BEDB gave it a shot

One of the AITI Grant Scheme recipients, John Harith, explaining to the visitors on RFID

You can also read testimonials of AITI employees

This month and the following month, the topic on iPhone 4S won’t be about its specs and of course, Android fans especially Samsung fanatics would like to battle this out in terms of specs (yawn, yawn!!)). The hot topic would be the price tag of the 4S. Interested parties are more concerned of the price of the 4s and the hunting season begins for the best price available at their own convenience.

My friend and I have decided to source one from Singapore as it would be economically cheaper given the time frame (at least November). Of course, if you were to get one now in Singapore of phone vendors, the price tag is still quite high unless you actually pre-ordered from their Apple official store or you were one of the few hundreds to queue up at M1 (first-come, first-serve basis).

My friend’s shop MegaFoto at Far East Plaza is selling 4s 64G at BND 1850 with GST and they do have stock in hand and due to the shortage supplies of 4S, hence the mark up price for 64G which has a difference of at least BND 600 if you were to order from Apple (Singapore) website (BND 1,238) and currently all the stocks for 16, 32 and 64 are not available.

Last Thursday midnight, hundreds queued up to get hold of the 4s. Some were willing to work in shifts and one of them became the first M1 Customer to own an iPhone 4S. Images of the queues are taken from Singapore Yahoo News.

A screenshot from Singapore’s Apple website

The prices at Singapore’s Apple website. However, there’s no stock to pre-order just yet. The waiting game begins.

A good way to kill time by reading Steve Jobs autobiography

The long queue last Thursday at Singapore

Did you know the 4S made it to Brunei last 18th October? Though I have to say it was an unofficial launch and hence the price was staggeringly high.. The first batch of 4S for 16G was selling at BND 1,888 and units were sold out in a matter of days.

Now it’s almost end of the month and for sure, the price has dipped slightly. QQ estore is selling 4S 16GB for BND 1,688 (a 200 dollar drop from a week ago). Incomm price is still higher than QQ with a price tag of BND 1,738. I’m not sure how much DeeJay Home Video is selling though. But this goes to show the level of demand of 4S against the shortage supply of 4S in Brunei.

These have been a debatable issue where “tweeps” were complaining on the super high prices set on 4S at local vendors. The only rationale that I can think of is the price you willing to pay while there’s stock. The longer you wait, the cheaper it gets. Simple!!! Give it till December or January 2012. I’m pretty sure the prices will be competitive and way cheaper.

Screenshot of QQ estore. Click to enter website

Screenshot of Incomm. Click to enter website

Royal Brunei Catering (RBC) is hosting the sixth Malaysian Food Festival; a multi-cultural showcase of traditional culinary delights. The official launch of the festival, which took place at the Airport Restaurant in Berakas, was attended by the guest of honour, Deputy Minister of Finance, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Bahrin bin Abdullah, in his capacity as the Chairman of Royal Brunei Airlines. Also present was the Acting High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Agus Salim Haji Yusof.

During the ceremony, RBC General Manager, Awg Hj Omar Ali bin Hj Mohd Daud, in his welcoming remarks, conveyed his gratitude to RBC’s loyal partners, the High Commission of Malaysia and Malaysia Tourism for working closely with RBC to make the food festival a reality yet again.

Furthermore, in his speech, he said that RBC will continue their food promotions over the next couple of months by featuring Middle East cuisines and an International Dim Sum Food Festival, which are scheduled to take place in November, 2011 and January, 2012 respectively.

Dato Paduka Awg Hj Bahrin then officiated the festival by striking a gong, which was followed by the exchange of souvenirs between Mr Agus Salim and Awg Hj Omar Ali. The ceremony was enlivened with a performance by the ‘Raja Teh Tarik’, Meor Razali.

Deputy Minister of Finance, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Bahrin bin Abdullah gracing the Malaysia Food Festival

RBC General Manager, Awg Hj Omar Ali bin Hj Mohd Daud, delivering his welcoming remarks

Satay Kajang (from Kedah), Udang Masak Tumpoyak (Perak), Baked Chicken in Bamboo (Sarawak) and Crab Chilli (Sabah)

Malaysian Sushi

Mr. Jack the caricaturist is back by popular demand

The festival, which runs between October 27 and November 9, will see various popular signature dishes from various Malaysian states such as Briyani rice from Johor and sour and spicy fish from Melaka among many more. During the two-week promotion, patrons will have the chance to enjoy the lunch (12pm-2pm) and dinner (7pm-10pm) buffet at the Airport Restaurant daily at BND19.90 per adult and BND10 per child as well as BND 29.90 per adult and BND15 per child respectively.

In addition, the Malaysian Food will also feature at the Season’s Restaurant where it focusses on ala carte menus. In conjunction with the festival, two Malaysian – the ‘Teh Tarik King’, Mr Meor and Caricaturist, Mr Jack – were flown to the Sultanate from Kuala Lumpur to entertain all diners during the lunch or dinner buffets.

Patrons are also eligible to win 12 lucky draw prizes sponsored by Tourism Malaysia, Ri-Yaz Hotels & Resort Sdn Bhd and Century Travel.

Exclusive discounts will be made available for BIBD cardholders during this promotional period with MasterCard Gold owners enjoying 10 per cent discount, while MasterCard Classic and debit card owners can enjoy eight per cent off their dining bills. For reservations and information contact the Airport Restaurant at 2339207 or 2331853 and Season’s Restaurant at 2422291/2. Text by Rokiah Mahmud of Bornoe Bulletin

Teh Tarik King, Mr Meor will be showcasing his teh tarik skills

Team work counts and all of them making a difference to make Malaysian Food Festival worthwhile at Airport Restaurant

Final day is 9th November

Royal Brunei Catering organized a prize presentation for the “KENALI MAKANAN KITANI (KMK)” and RBC Courtesy Campaign at The Airport Restaurant on 28 October 2011. A joint effort with Brunei Tourism and Royal Brunei Catering, the “Kenali Makanan Kitani” (KMK) was brought to Seasons Restaurant started from 27 September till 10 October 2011.

Diners for the KMK were entitled to Special Draw with great prizes during the promotional period. Three winners won the 2 days 1 night stay at Matan Homestay. The winners were Fauziah binti Haji Ahad; Hajah Azamah binti Dato Haji Mohd Salleh (on behalf by Lilibeth Arabani) and Harina binti Haji Abas (on behalf by Haji Ramli bin Haji Abas). Prizes were presented by RBC General Manager, Haji Omar Ali bin Haji Mohd Daud .

One of the winners – Fauziah binti Haji Ahad

After the KMK prize presentation, there was a prize presentation for RBC Courtesy Campaign. Royal Brunei Catering Sdn Bhd (RBC) has successfully started its Courtesy Campaign, “Serving with a Smile” from 27 September 2011 at various outlets including The Airport Restaurant, Seasons Restaurant, Emperor’s Court, Dynasty Restaurant, Poolside Café, RBC Express Fast Food outlets, Ministry of Finance Cafeteria, The Airport Cafeteria, Coffee Garden, Goldstone Ballroom at Centrepoint, Manggis Ballroom at Hua Ho Manggis Mall, Hospital Catering Services, Outside Catering, RBC Laundry & Dry Cleaning Services and RBC Aircraft Catering Centre.

During this campaign, dining customers are invited to fill in the campaign forms and nominate the most courteous staff upon paying at the cashier counter. Customers who have submitted the completed nomination forms will get a chance to WIN WEEKLY PRIZES such as Dining Vouchers and RBC Dining Privilege Card.

One of the winners for RBC Courtesy Campaign – Datin Hjh Norsham bte Hj Ahmad Yunos

There were 20 customer winners for the month of October. Each of them won one Buffet Lunch voucher for one person of Malaysia Food Festival which is now being held at The Airport Restaurant from 27 October to 9 November 2011.

The RBC Courtesy Campaign customer winners who won prizes from the respective outlets were: