Press release from Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam. Have you heard of financial scams? They are scams involving deposits, money transfers and credit card transactions. Although some financial scams are too good to be true, there are many people that still become victims.

These are the common financial scams in Brunei:

1. Get-rich-quick scheme: a plan, which offers high returns or dividends not usually available through traditional investments. The focus of such schemes would be to obtain deposits without a valid product or services which will be used to pay returns or dividends to earlier investors. The scheme may take the following forms:

  Ponzi scheme

  Pyramid scheme

  Gold investment

  Land-banking investment

  Forex trading

2. Credit card scam: Scammers calling victim’s phone pretending to be a bank officer informing that the victim’s credit card is suspected of crime. For verification purpose, the victims will be deceived into providing their credit card details.

3. Job scam: Scammers pretending to offer a job in their organisation. However, in order to secure the job offer, the victim must pay an upfront fee.

4. Lottery and competition scam: Scammers send out an SMS blast to would-be victims informing them of prizes they have won in competitions organised by some big companies and are advised to pay an entrance fee.

5. Inheritance Scams: Scammers assume the role of lawyers or representatives for a recently deceased distant relative or wealthy benefactor leaving a large inheritance usually in cash of which is to be distributed amongst them at an agreed percentage.

6. Internet love scam: (LOL, never been duped by this before) By creating fake profiles, fraudsters have managed to exploit the other users by pretending to develop an intimate and personal relationship with their victims.

The grand prize for the Open Category to top off with the BND 1,200 cash prize

AMBD believe that it is important to educate the public and raise their awareness to protect innocent people from becoming unfortunate victims. Show your support and creativity by creating a short video on financial scams awareness!

Well, there’s a good incentive for you to join!! Because the winners will win awesome prizes. For the Open Category, first place will win BND 1,200 cash prize with a GoPro Hero 4 Silver Edition, second place will win BND 900 cash prize with Sony Handycam while third place will win BND 600 with Sony HDR. There will also be student category with cash prizes for top three winners – BND 1,000, BND 750 and BND 500 respectively.

I won’t spare much details here but you can download the PDF form for eligibility and other information. Good luck and the deadline for submission is 30th October 2015.

Dai Kichiji, Senior Manager, Consumer Imaging & Information Group, Regional ICP Sales & Marketing Division, Canon, Her Excellency Madam Noriko IKI, the Ambassador of Japan and Vincent Goh, Deputy Managing Director of Interhouse Company (Canon Brunei)

Guest of honour having a tour of the revamped showroom at Canon

Interhouse Company, the sole distributor of Canon in Brunei, launched their revamped showroom at Jalan Tutong this morning. The highlight for me was definitely trying out the Canon EOS 5Ds *wowwieeee* This camera packs a punch and you will need a bigger memory for your SD or CF card because it can shoot up to 50 megs. The only downside is I don’t have the budget for the new EOS 5Ds and I’m still content with the 5D Mark III which has been useful for the past two years.

During the launch this morning was the guest of honour, Her Excellency Madam Noriko IKI, the Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam. Also present were Dai Kichiji, Senior Manager, Consumer Imaging & Information Group, Regional ICP Sales & Marketing Division, Canon and Vincent Goh, Deputy Managing Director of Interhouse Company (Canon Brunei).

Among the invitees were the business partners of Interhouse Company such as Brunei Press Sdn Bhd, Hua Ho and Plus+ Magazine to name a few and not forgetting the loyal users of Canon photographers.

The ribbon cutting was performed before entering the newly renovated showroom. You will be able to see the new Canon DSLRs, the Canon lenses, printers, compact cameras, calculators and many more.

What most of you will be looking forward to is the upcoming Canon Photomarathon 2015 which will take place on 27th September 2015 and the venue will be at Star Lodge Hotel. For more information, you can click here and don’t forget to register because the first prize is a Canon 7D and there will be a grand winner where you will attend a photo clinic in Japan.

Congratulations to Interhouse Company on the showroom.

With the senior management of Interhouse Company and invited guests

Looking for a PIXMA printer?

You can try out the Selphy printer too.

The ladies checking out the compact Canon cameras

My busy industrious friend who also works at Interhouse Company

The durable and reliable printers from Canon

I have yet to try this beast – Canon EOS 5Dsr

I’ve been eyeing on this camera. Yes or no? But I’m still happy with my 5D Mark III.

Hasmin testing the Canon EOS 5Ds. What a beauty!!

Check out the calculators too from Canon

So ladies and gents. Start registering for the Canon Photomarathon 2015.

Group photo of Interhouse Company with loyal customers

Get Connected through ICONIA

Click image to enter Citroën Brunei 

  

BIBD’s latest promotion

Top up tia. Click image to enter website.

 

Click image to enter ICON Design Store website

 

The collection pack for the much anticipated Royal Brunei’s The Great Race is happening next week. I will be only participating in the 3km race and just spend time taking some photos around for coverage purposes. The responses have been very exceptional, considering that this is Royal Brunei Airlines’ first attempt in organising a run.

By the way, for those who wants to donate, please click through this DonationCard_BW.pdf to download the Donation Card and bring it during the Race Kit New Collection Dates.


Or if you appoint a representative to pick up on your behalf, pleas click through this THEGREATRACEAUTHORISELETTER.pdf and fill up the authorisation form for your representative to bring during the Race Kit New Collection Dates below.


Have a good week ahead and see you on the 17th & 18th October at Royal Brunei Recreational Club.

Loving this top from The Great Race. Maybe the t-shirt design for a run I’ve seen

 

The winner of each category will win a Canon EOS 70D

This competition has been growing in popularity and I’m glad that this has become a yearly event (a big thanks to Interhouse Company) for making this possible. This year, there will be something extra in terms of prizes. Yes, the usual prizes will definitely be there but there is a new catch. There is a Grand Prize category and the winner of this will have the bragging rights of attending a 9-day photo clinic in Japan. Awesome!!!

The great thing is that the eventual winners of the respective categories are not guaranteed the grand prize as the individual participant will be judged based on the all the three categories and judged as a whole. This is a great initiative for the participants to showcase their talent and you will never know if you will be the chosen one to represent Brunei in Japan.

I won’t spare much insight on this competition as the rules and regulations are given below in this post. Good luck to you all.

CANON PHOTO MARATHON BRUNEI 2014

Date: 19th October 2014 (Sunday)

Venue: Star Lodge Hotel

0800hrs – Start of Registration and collection of competition apparel

0900hrs – Announcement of Theme 1 and commencement of competition

1700hrs – Announcement of winners and prize presentation (subject to change based on judging process)

1. The Canon Photo Marathon Brunei 2014 (“Event”) is an event open to all.

2. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis subject to receipt of a valid registration.

3. All information including personal information submitted by the participant to Interhouse Company. (“Organizer”) in connection with the event shall become the property of the Organizer. The participant is deemed to have given the Organizer authorization to use such information for any purpose (including market research, planning, data-processing, statistical and risk-analysis, research, fund-raising).

4. The Organizer reserves the right to cancel the event at any time without notice. In the event of such cancellation, the Organizer shall use reasonable efforts to inform the participant prior to the date of the event.

5. The stated event timings are subject to changes.

6. Participants must abide by the competition rules, and by any decisions made by the Organizer.

7. Participants under the age of 18 must obtain parental consent

8. The Organizer reserves the right to use any submitted photograph for any purposes without compensation to the participant.

9. The Organizer reserves the right to disqualify any participant who has infringed any of the competition rules.

10. Decisions by the Organizer and competition judges are final. No queries will be entertained.

11. Only photos taken by conventional digital cameras accepted.

12. All nationalities are welcomed.

13. By participating in the Event, the participant is deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions.

The participants of the Canon event back in 2012

The event took place at Radisson Hotel two years ago

The winning photo by Adam in the Street Scene category

Competition Process

1. Participants will receive Theme 1 at approximately 0900hrs on 19th October, 2014 at the Event Venue.

2. Participants must submit ONE picture deemed suitable for the Theme before the assigned deadline.

3. Theme 2 will be announced immediately after the deadline for Theme 1 submission has lapsed.

4. Theme 3 will be announced immediately after the deadline for Theme 2 submission has lapsed.

5. The Top three prizes will be awarded for each Theme.

6. Grand Prize will only be awarded to participants who have submitted photos for all 3 categories and will be judged as a whole.

Competition Rules

1. All participants must wear the Canon apparel and ID provided during the event.

2. Participants can only use conventional digital camera during the Canon Photo Marathon, Brunei 2014.

3. All photographs submitted MUST be in JPEG format and sized to approximately 5MB.

4. Storage format accepted are CF / SD / MMC / XD / MS formats. Participants using other formats must supply their own relevant adaptors / drives for use during the submission of entries during the event. The Organizers will not be held responsible for the inability to read / download images.

5. All photographs will be judged based on the following criteria:

– Relevance to theme

– Creativity in theme interpretation

– Use of colors and light / shadows

– Composition of photograph

6. All submissions for each Theme must be completed before the announced allocated deadline. The Organizer reserves the rights to reject any submission once the deadline has lapsed.

7. All submitted photographs must be taken on 19th October 2014.

8. Submitted photographs must not be altered by any editing software.

9. Participants must submit their entries personally. No proxy submission by any participant is allowed during the Event.

10. The Organizer will not be responsible for providing photographic equipment including camera, spare batteries, lenses or additional memory cards. All participants are expected to come prepared with all their photographic equipment.

 

Audi driving instructor Mr. Nicolaas Smit from South Africa explaining to the audience before the AUDE began

TCY Motors as the sole dealer/importer for Audi in Brunei launched its inaugural 3-day Audi Urban Driving Experience (AUDE) at the ‘Pusing Lagi’ car park in Jerudong Park two weekends ago. I was fortunate enough to experience the sessions and big thanks to TCY Motors for giving me the opportunity. It also gave me a new perspective about Audi cars especially those with quattro and also the technology that Audi has.

The exclusive event was a road and ‘track’ based safety driving tutorial and vehicle product demonstration via dynamic exercises such as ABS Braking and Gymkhana or Slalom event. Road Drive featuring the recently launched Audi A3 Sedan is an extended vehicle test-drive highlighting the 5-mode Audi Drive Select vehicle setting feature which changes the vehicle driving behavior according to the type of driving conditions.

AUDE’s aim is to educate Audi owners or drivers in general, by using physical “hands-on” tuition, primarily how to react in emergency maneuvers in the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) braking exercise.

Gymkhana or the Slalom exercise practices safe high speed handling, and helps demonstrate and educate the traction grip abilities of Audi’s ‘trademark’ quattro four-wheel drive system compared to that of a vehicle without quattro. This was actually my favourite part of the entire session because you get to compete/race against one another for fun and yes, it was addictive.

An experienced Audi driving instructor Mr. Nicolaas Smit from South Africa together with Mr. Richard Sorenson from Audi Singapore were invited to plan and facilitate the dynamic driving exercises to ensure the highest safety standards are observed for the participants which mostly include Audi owners and invited guests only.

With involvement in the motor industry since 1999, Smit is also member of the Guild of South African Motoring Journalists and has hosted a motoring insert on the Lifestyle Show on SAFM since 2007.

The organizer intends to hold the AUDE annually in one form or the other to highlight the capabilities of Audi vehicles and as a treat for its loyal customers.

My best pick among the Audi brand is definitely the Audi A7 which has the quattro. Just simply awesome!!!

I love this session – Gymkhana or the Slalom exercise

I am amazed by the power of the Audi A7 which is equipped with quattro

The Audi A6 was the other car that was competing against the Audi A7

My partner in crime during the test drive session

Cool passes for the drivers 😀

The ABS Braking session

The ABS Braking session was kinda tricky but shows how great the braking system is on Audi

I also test drove the Audi A3 and went for a road drive using all the different modes such as Dynamic mode

John Tan taking care of the Audi A3 test drivers

Certificates given to all Audi test drivers with Audi driving instructor Mr. Nicolaas Smit from South Africa together with Mr. Richard Sorenson from Audi Singapore

Another lucky participant to experience the test drive

The Saturday morning session. There were six sessions in all.

 

Acer Liquid Smartphones

Check out Acer Liquid smartphones

Icon Design Store

Click to enter website

Royal Brunei Airlines

Click to enter website

Want to win a GoPro Hero 3+? Check out #kickItBrazil Peugeot Brunei competition. Competition starts 12th May. Click image to enter Facebook page for more details.

Click image to enter BIBD website

 

Visit Jati Transport showroom today for the new line from Mercedes-Benz – A 45 and CLA 45 AMG

Wow, wow, wow!! I was totally impressed by the two new cars being showcased at Jati Transport Showroom this morning – the Mercedes-AMG A 45 AMG and CLA 45 AMG. You can check out both these awesome models today only at the Jati Transport Gadong Showroom. For the first time in the company’s history extending back over more than 45 years, Mercedes-Benz’s performance brand is offering two high-performance cars powered by a four-cylinder engine.

Apparently both models are currently fully booked for the year as these models take time to build especially the engines. According to a representative from Jati Transport, there is only one engineer who will concentrate and dedicated to building the engine and there are around 40 engineers who are dedicated to that. So you can imagine the time spent in building the engine. All the engines will have signatures of the engineers to give it a more personal touch. Jati Transport shared that around 20 bookings between the two models have been made for Brunei and the next batch will have to wait till 2015.

So below are the press release for both the Mercedes-AMG A 45 AMG and CLA 45 AMG.

Two figures show that the A 45 AMG and CLA 45 AMG hold pole position in their displacement segment: the newly developed AMG 2.0-litre turbo engine is the most powerful series-production four-cylinder turbo engine in the world. A maximum output of 265 kW (360 hp) and up to 450 Newton metres of torque are unmatched by any other mass-produced turbocharged four-cylinder engine worldwide. The power density of 133 kW (181 hp) puts the AMG high-performance turbo engine on par with the world’s most powerful super sports cars.

The high output and torque coupled with the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive fitted as standard make for extremely dynamic performance: both the A 45 AMG and the CLA 45 AMG complete the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and have a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited).

The basis for these impressive figures is provided by the high-tech package put together by Mercedes-AMG. As a high-performance engine belonging to the BlueDIRECT family, the AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine features spray-guided direct petrol injection via piezo injectors positioned centrally in the four combustion chambers with an injection pressure of 200 bar. The combination of multiple fuel injection and multiple spark ignition improves fuel utilisation and increases thermodynamic efficiency substantially, leading to low exhaust emissions.

Visit Jati Transport showroom today only to see the Mercedes-Benz A 45

The back view of the A 45

Checking out the engine of the A 45

The AMG engine

Specially handcraft at Mercedes-AMG Germany

The interior of the A 45

Mercedes-AMG addresses the essential challenges concerning the response of small-displacement turbo engines by means of a twin-scroll turbocharger, maximum derestriction of the exhaust system and an innovative injection strategy. The twin-scroll technology provides for a more spontaneous build-up of charge pressure, making effective use of exhaust gas back pressure, exhaust gas temperature and exhaust gas impulse. This results in a swifter build-up of torque right from the lower rev range. As a positive side-effect, the twin-scroll technology also benefits fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. With a maximum charge pressure of 1.8 bar, the AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine leads the field in this respect, too.

The AMG sports exhaust system features large pipe cross-sections and an automatically controlled exhaust flap: this technology, which is familiar from the SLK 55 AMG, reconciles the two apparently conflicting aims of tangible dynamic spirit and hallmark Mercedes comfort on long journeys. The flap is continuously adjusted by map control according to the power called up by the driver, load status and engine speed. During powerful acceleration, the tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system emit an exciting sound. Despite their design similarities, each of the two models has its own specific sound: as a powerful compact car, the A 45 AMG sounds even more throaty than the CLA 45 AMG in a direct comparison. The four-door high-performance coupé’s engine sound is more understated so as to make the ride an even more pleasurable experience for the rear passengers. An AMG performance exhaust system with exhaust flap is available as an optional extra for both models. Those opting for this system will experience an even more emotive and full engine sound.

Like all the AMG eight- and twelve-cylinder engines, the new AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine is assembled entirely by hand according to AMG’s traditional “one man, one engine” philosophy – as shown by the AMG engine badge bearing the signature of the responsible engine fitter.

The new Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG

The back view of CLA 45 AMG

CLA 45 AMG

Check out the rims

The side view of the CLA 45 AMG

A 45 and CLA 45 AMG

 

 

Follow them on @sinhuphuat instagram and stand a chance to win Meguiar’s Ultimate Protectant. Draw date 31st May 2014.

 

Vincent Goh, Deputy Managing Director of Interhouse Company and Lau Soon Tiong, Manager of Hua Ho Manggis with the new Canon cameras

So you prefer an SLR or a compact camera from Canon? Interhouse Company just launched their new cameras – EOS 1200 DSLR and the PowerShot G1X Mark II and it was launched by Vincent Goh, Deputy Managing Director of Interhouse Company at the Hua Ho Manggis Mall. I’m a huge fan of Canon and I’ve always been upgrading my cameras though it only serves for my social media updates and my blog but it is still worth the investment. I’m actually interested in the Canon 70D after playing around with it from Azim Kassim and Joana Tan.

By the way, both these new cameras pack a punch and I’m quite surprised by the price of the EOS 1200D DSLR which is only in the region of below BDN 700 and this is a pretty competitive price indeed. The EOS 1200 D has an excellent high ISO performance and for entry level, this is pretty easy to use and master. Perhaps the downside I saw is the slow burst mode which will not suit me well. But hey, the price for this camera will probably draw in more customers especially the newbies. Do check out the models at the Hua Ho Manggis Mall at the ground floor area.

Vincent Goh in his welcoming remarks

Vincent Goh and Lau Soon Tiong unveiling the new cameras

Vincent Goh with his invited guests

The Canon EOS 1200D

The G1X Mark II is kinda expensive but it’s the best G series of the Canon PowerShot. It has a 14 MP quality and sports a 28-112mm F2.8-5.8 lens and able to capture a 1080p video recording at 24fps. is a new premium compact camera with a large CMOS image sensor and a fast lens. The metal-bodied G1 X Mark II has a 1.5-type multi-aspect sensor, a 5x f/2.0-3.9 lens zoom lens, full manual controls, shooting mode dial, 3-inch tilting LCD touchscreen with 1,040K dots, built-in flash and a flash hot shoe, DIGIC 6 processor, wi-fi and NFC connectivity, ISO range of 100-12800, full HD movie recording, 14-bit RAW image capture, 31 AF points, focus peaking function, and dual lens control rings. The Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II is available in black.

You can get this model for BND 1,069 and it comes with a 8GB memory card and a camera bag. You can read more in-depth reviews of the G1x MK II review here.

Lau Soon Tiong of Hua Ho Manggis holding the Canon PowerShot G1X Mark II

Canon PowerShot G1X Mark II selling at BND 1,069 with a 8GB memory card and a camera bag

Selfies with Interhouse Company management and a reporter from a Chinese newspaper during lunch after the launch