Charles Rex de Silva, 74, passed away two days ago in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I’ve known him during his years in Brunei Press and I had a few conversations with him in his office. He was such a humble person, serving his profession back then as editor-in-chief of Borneo Bulletin (1990 to 2011). You will be dearly missed especially those who have worked with you. You have left a good legacy in Borneo Bulletin. Image taken from Facebook. RIP Rex.

Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Rahman bin Pengiran Seri Indera Pengiran Haji Ismail, Chairman and Executive Committee Secretary and also as Chairman of the Working Committee (centre) during the press conference for 2015 Brunei Darussalam Karting Championship. Image courtesy of Khairil Hassan of Borneo Bulletin.

This is a yearly event that’s happening this weekend. It’s the final leg of the 2015 Brunei Darussalam Karting Championship and this time it will be a 3-day event starting this Friday. This is one of the days where the capital of Brunei Darussalam will be transformed into a race-track.

The Go-Kart event is also in conjunction with the 45th Anniversary of Bandar Seri Begawan and it is organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (BSB Municipal Board) with the collaboration of Brunei Darussalam Go-Kart Association and D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd.

The practice session will be happen on Saturday 21st November near the Royal Wharf while the official race will take place on Sunday 22nd November. On Friday, there will be activities for the public to enjoy at the Taman SOAS such as fly fox, retro car show, music competition, frisbee competition, bouncers and many more.

As for the Frisbee tournament, the registration is still open and you can contact Adib at 8796851 or 8903654.

All these were announced yesterday during the press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs led by Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Rahman bin Pengiran Seri Indera Pengiran Haji Ismail, Chairman and Executive Committee Secretary and also as Chairman of the Working Committee.

There was also safety briefing for the public who will be at the vicinity of the race track. You will be advised not to cross the race track during the race and practice session.

Also for you info, there will be road closure as well. Do refer to the illustration below. The road closure will start from 2pm Saturday to 8pm Sunday.

So where can you park? Parkings at Jalan Cator, Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and PGGMB Building and also a few areas like Jalan Bendhara will still be opened for the public. Just be careful not to park illegally because I ended getting a summon for parking illegally two years ago *oopsy*

Parking for VIP invitees will be at Jalan Roberts and Jalan McArthur while Committee parking will be at Commercial Centre Building and Storey Park Building.

Invitees’ parking will be at Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah across Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, TAIB, Electric Department, Main Post Office and Lapau.

Road closure starting Saturday. Illustration by The Brunei Times.

The Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Managing Director of BIBD, Hjh Noraini Hj Sulaiman (L), presenting the winning trophy to Hj Saiful Rizal Pehin Dato Hj Ahmad, the champion of the Open Gross category during the prize presentation ceremony for the BIBD Perdana Banking Invitational Golf Tournament 2015 at The Empire Hotel & Country Golf Club. Image courtesy of Adib Noor of The Brunei Times.

Smiles were all around as close to 100 clients of BIBD took part in the BIBD Perdana Banking Invitational Golf Tournament 2015 which took place yesterday at The Empire Hotel & Country Golf Club.

The tournament was organised to foster stronger relationships between BIBD and its customers in the Perdana Privilege, Corporate and Institutional Banking segments.

On hand to present the trophies to the winners of the day was the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Managing Director of BIBD, Hjh Noraini Hj Sulaiman.

The top winners of the day included Hj Khairul Jamaluddin, who was the champion of the Open Nett category, while Hj Saiful Rizal Pehin Dato Hj Ahmad topped the Open Gross category.

Wong Kai Tee was named the champion of the Senior Nett category while Dato Paduka Sheikh Adnan was named the Champion of the Senior Gross Category.

The Deputy Managing Director of BIBD thanked everyone for their support and participation in the tournament, and took the opportunity to recap on the excellent year BIBD has been having in 2015.

To find out more about BIBD’s products, services and promotion visit its official Facebook page here www.facebook.com/bibdbrunei or log on to www.bibd.com.bn www.bibd.com.bn or eget in touch with the BIBD contact Centre at 2239191. Text courtesy of Adib Noor of The Brunei Times.

Colour runs have been a popular gimmick as of late. Last Sunday, another one took place organised by SEAMEO VOCTECH with the motto “Ikhlas Run With Colours” and an amazing BND 17,830 was raised. The colourful event carried the theme “Run… Share and Care” and it aimed to bring the community together to create a colourful and fun event where the runners were in for a colourful treat being sprayed with coloured powder. Around 2,000 participants took part in the event.

The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation Regional Centre for Vocational and Technical Education and Training (SEAMEO VOCTECH) said on its website that the run is one of the activities lined up for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of SEAMEO and the 25th anniversary of SEAMEO VOCTECH.

It was good to know that the money raised was channeled for the Special Education Unit under the Ministry of Education’s IKHLAS initiative where the guest of honour, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman, Minister of Education, handed the mock cheque to Pg Sarimah Pg Hj Ahmad, Head of Special Education Unit. The other beneficiary was Brunei Olympics Council.

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Reggie See, General Manager of Brunei Press Sdn Bhd, in his welcoming remarks at the 60th anniversary event this afternoon. Image courtesy of Vincent Pao.

Borneo Bulletin has turned 60 and it’s the only newspaper that has lasted quite long in Brunei Darussalam. Who doesn’t know Borneo Bulletin? It’s one of the strongest brand in the Sultanate and perhaps the most read newspaper publication. The circulation is in the region of 20,000 at least on weekdays and higher on weekends.

Wednesdays and Saturdays are always popular because of the opinion sections where the public can express their thoughts on certain issues and hoping the relevant parties will reply accordingly on the next opportunity.

Because of their high circulation, their advertisement costs are higher than other publications and it has always been the preferred choice because of the reach it has. If I’m not mistaken, a full colour advertisement on Borneo Bulletin will cost in the region of BND 4,000 or lesser depending on the frequency. A quarter page in black and white will costs in the region of BND 400 and of course, the rates are more expensive on weekends (Do correct me if I’m wrong).

One of the respected person I have engaged with from Borneo Bulletin was Rex deSilva who left the company a few years ago. He was the Editor in Chief of Borneo Bulletin and he was one of the most beloved individual and he was working in BB for 21 years before heading to the States. His influence has definitely shaped where Borneo Bulletin is right now.

Reggie See, the General Manager of Brunei Press Sdn Bhd, is now spear heading Borneo Bulletin under Brunei Press Sdn Bhd to greater heights as he aims at giving back more to the community with their corporate social responsibility initiatives.

I have an avid reader of Borneo Bulletin and I have established great relationship with my media friends who have helped me along the way too. I would like to acknowledge the media people that has assisted me along the way too – Aziz Idris, Dean Kassim, Lyna Mohd, Rokiah, James Kon, Hakim Hayat, Bahyiah Bakir, Azaraimy, Danial, Syazwani, Fadhil Yunus, Azrol Azmi, Fadley Faisal and a few more that I can’t think of. Thank you so much and I am very appreciative of your help.

Keep on growing, Borneo Bulletin and let’s continue the great friendship we have between each other and help spread the news to the eyes of the public for the good and the better of our community. Happy 60 😀

Below are pictures taken from my friends’ instagram on their event this afternoon, held at the Indera Samudra Hall, The Empire Hotel & Country Club.

Vincent Pao and Reggie See posing for the camera

Representatives from Royal Brunei Technical Services. Image courtesy of @amar606

Representatives from Baiduri Bank. Image courtesy of @maurina

Representatives from JPMC. Image courtesy of @akdanny2821

Reggie See with the media from Borneo Bulletin. Image courtesy of @hkmhyt

The entertainer of the day – Fakhrul Razi. Image courtesy of @hkmhyt

The Big 60. Image courtesy of @siews

Representatives from Interhouse Company with Puan Hazizah, Deputy General Manager of Brunei Press and David Chen. Image courtesy of @siews

Gerry Sim of HSBC. Image courtesy of @gerrysim71

Representatives from DST. Image courtesy of @donajohan

Fakhrul Razi and his band. Image courtesy of @fakhrul_razi_

My suckmed buddies were there. Image courtesy of @maurina

Goodies from the event. Image courtesy of Vincent Pao.

A great moment picture here in today’s Borneo Bulletin. The Prime Minister of Timor Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao serving drinks to guests even to the Minister. What a humble guy 🙂