The ground breaking ceremony which took place two days ago. Image courtesy of James Jon of Borneo Bulletin.

Cho Won-myung, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam (right) handing over a token to guest of honour Hj Adnan bin Haji Mohd Jaafar, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Image courtesy of James Jon of Borneo Bulletin.

Korean Embassy will be having their new chancery. Chancery means office or department of a chancellor. Apparently this is a 5 year project of the new chancery and also the ambassador’s residence. There was a signing agreement between South Korea and Brunei Darussalam for the lease land for the construction of premises on June 5, 2012.

Currently their embassy and residence is located at Jalan Muara. So when the project is completed by October 2016, the Korean Embassy will shift their embassy and residence at Jalan Kebangsaan.

The ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the new chancery was officiated by Hj Adnan bin Haji Mohd Jaafar, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade who was the guest of honour. Accompany him was Cho Won-myung, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam.

Located in a separate plot of land, the chancery has a total land area of 4,250 square metres while the ambassador’s residence has a total area of 6,070 square metres.

The contractors and subcontractor involved in the project are Setia Makota, Soosung Engineering and Gemilang Latif Associates.

According to the Ambassador, this will be the first property owned by the Korean government (in Brunei) and this is a symbol of the bilateral relationship between two countries. He believes this will play an important role as a centre for cultural exchange, people-to-people interaction, business and political communication.

Now I just hope there’s a direct flight to Seoul in the near future 🙂

The new Korean Embassy Chancery (office) to be completed by October 2016. Image provided by the Korean Embassy in Brunei Darussalam.

The new Korean Embassy Chancery (residence) to be completed by October 2016. Image provided by the Korean Embassy in Brunei Darussalam.

Alice Chan of Concepts Technologies, Haniza Zakariya, the country manager of Microsoft Brunei and Mr. Vincent Pao, General Manage of Concepts Technologies during the announcement of the Microsoft Distributorship recently. Image courtesy of Concepts Computer.

For the first time in the existence of Microsoft (Brunei), they have given the local distributorship to Concepts Group of Companies which will be under the flagship of Concepts Technologies. For many years, there have been one distributor in Brunei Darussalam but this time round, Concepts Group of Companies have been chosen as another distributor because of their exceptional track record in Brunei Darussalam for the past 15 years.

A few days ago, Haniza Zakariya, the country manager of Microsoft Brunei and Mr. Vincent Pao, General Manage of Concepts Technologies had a press conference to announce the official distributorship of Microsoft. Haniza believes that the leading IT retail company can help tap in the Brunei economy and increase the productivity of Microsoft. She also believes that despite the economic setback (oil prices and budget cuts), technology is still relevant as everyone uses it.

This is a strategic move by Microsoft Brunei as Concepts Technologies will be able to create an ecosystem through means of hardware, software, training, licensing and many more. I believe this will also help to drive and educate the public on the copyright issues.

Since year 2000, Vincent Pao has a strong philosophy that he won’t sell pirated software or sell his Acer computers with a pirated pre-install Windows or Microsoft office despite the fact back in those days, the local consumers prefer pirated softwares over original ones. He has maintained that commitment to this very day and still continuing.

Furthermore, Concepts Commercial Suppliers was given a certificate of recognition for selling genuine Microsoft software. Only two companies in Brunei Darussalam achieved this recognition and Concepts Computer was one of them. This was awarded back in December 2014 and to achieve this award is no easy feat due to the high piracy in softwares in Brunei alone.

The beginning of lasting relationship between Microsoft and Concepts Technologies. Image courtesy of Concepts Computer.

The man behind Concepts Group of Companies and Microsoft will be distributed under the flagship of Concepts Technologies

Last December, Concepts Commercial Suppliers got recognized by Microsoft for continuing selling genuine products in Brunei

During the launch of Microsoft Office 365 earlier this year

Mr. Pao has a vision for Concept Technologies to become a trusted and reliable distributor and serve their strategic partners and resellers and this, in turn, will give more confidence to the consumer end. The product of Microsoft are as always reliable and has become part of our daily lives. The extra step now is to educate those who are still using not genuine softwares of Microsoft.

I believe with the track record of Concepts Group of Companies, Mr. Pao and his team will continue to educate the end users and also maintaining their standards in selling genuine products.

Now with the distributorship entrusted to Concepts Technologies, the IT resellers and agencies can get their Microsoft softwares from Concept Technologies. This is one of the biggest milestone for Mr. Pao and his team.

Microsoft Brunei has definitely chose the right decision in trusting Concepts Technologies’ capabilities and most importantly, the work ethics between partners. Congratulations to Mr. Vincent Pao, the founder of Concepts Group of Companies and the distributorship of Microsoft products award was well deserved.

Finally new information that they have canceled the Under 18 for men and replaced it with Women’s Doubles Open.

The deadline to register for the badminton tournament organised by the Korean Embassy in the Sultanate has been extended. The initial deadline was 10th April which is actually today.

Bruneian and Permanent Resident men and women who are interested in joining the tournament should submit their registration forms for the “Korean Ambassador’s Cup 2015” — which are available at the Korean Embassy or online at http://brn.mofa.go.kr — not later than April 13 to the embassy.

The tournament, in conjunction with Brunei’s 31st National Day, will be held from April 17 to 19 at Pusat Belia in the capital and is divided into two categories: Men’s Double Open and Women’s Double Open. Yay!! Good news for the ladies as this is the latest information given to me by the Korean Embassy.

Prizes for the winners include return tickets to Korea, cash prize and a winner’s cup. Now that’s a good prize right? Just find the right partner and fly away to Korea. Just a note: Only the Men’s Double Champions will fly to Korea.

For further details, please contact Korean Embassy (Feroz) at 2330250 or 7188166.

 

David Atthowe, founder of Nomadic Lion, making a special appearance last Sunday

He has been in the country for a week now or more. This is second official visit to Brunei and his aim is to share their documentary on their 5 month journey in “Walking Borneo”. The premier screening of the documentary “Berjalai: Walking Borneo” was held at i-Lotus last Sunday. The video presentation described their 2,250 KM journey across Borneo.

Nomadic Lion is no stranger to Brunei after making an impact in Brunei last year. The video was 35 minute adventure by Nomadic Lion and they share the discoveries along their journey. The documentary also wants to give the audience and viewers a similar experience on what they went through. Just imagine this documentary as the google of Nomadic Lion’s journey as all the questions are being answered.

One particular thing that they found of Brunei culture that we don’t take notice is the story of “Kecapi”. It is actually a traditional Sape from the Dusun tribe of Brunei, a uniquely Bruneian instrument with its distinct musical note. Did you know there are only 2 Kecapi players left in Brunei?

David Atthowe, founder of Nomadic Lion, was honoured to premiere the documentary in Brunei because of the love and the support that he has been getting. Brunei is one of the countries he felt connected with.

During the premiere of the documentary, the guests were also entertained by Irama Bahtera, Brunei’s finest traditional music group. During Walking Borneo Nomadic Lion fell in love with the sound of the Sape, a traditional lute instrument originally from the Kayan and Kenyah tribes. Faddie Tokching completed the musical journey by performing a solo Sape performance followed by a pioneering experiment combining Sape with a Gambus.

David is here in Brunei for the week or so visiting schools and colleges across the country for a series of motivational talks and to share their experiences with the youth of Brunei.

Nomadic Lion have named their documentary “Berjalai – Walking Borneo” in honour of the Iban tradition of Berjalai. Berjalai is a traditional part of Iban culture; a journey in search of knowledge, wealth and experience. In the olden days a young Iban man would leave the longhouse and make a Berjalai, travelling long distances often on foot, just like the journey of Nomadic Lion.

Berjalai: Walking Borneo the full story, an 8GB USB Flashdrive is available now exclusively in Brunei for $20. The USB includes the full documentary, out takes, music videos, 14 track music and a digital photo album.

Anyone wishing to purchase the USB can get in contact with Nomadic Lion Facebook www.facebook.com/nomadiclion or whatsapp at +60109343114

Group photo with the musicians

The green, the yellow and the red

Catch Nomadic Lion at OGDC (Saturday) and KB Sentral (Sunday)

 

Roasted Lamb

Do try out the Oriental Buffet Dinner at Seasons Restaurant and it’s held every Thursday and Saturday (dinner 7pm to 10pm) until 30th May 2015. You will get a taste of some oriental dishes regionally from Thailand and Vietnam.

The Oriental Buffet Dinner — which is held every Thursday and Saturday from 7pm to 10pm starting April 2 until May 30 — features popular dishes from the region such as Thailand and Vietnam. The variety is always great the Seasons buffet and you can expect dishes such as Thai Glass noodles, Jelly Fish Salad, Nyonya Laksa Noodle, fried rice in lotus leaf and Chinese Beef stew to name a few. Guess what? The menu was created by the local chefs Hj Mohammad Khairul Anuar Abdullah and Md Sharoni Hj Hosani.

The dish that impressed me is the roasted lamb, hands down 😀 Perhaps is the way they have marinated the lamb and the meat itself is tender. Highly recommended.

The buffet is priced at $25.90 for adults and $15.90 per child (five to eleven years old). Royal Brunei Catering (RBC) Dining Privilege Cardholders, on the other hand, are entitled to 10 per cent discount off the total bill during the promotional period.

Seasons Restaurant is located at the Second Floor of the Centrepoint, Gadong. For more information or reservations, please call Oscar at 8912470 or the eatery at 2422291.

Fried rice on lotus leaf

Butter milk prawn

Chicken

Egg tarts

Nyonya laksa