20th anniversary celebration and it’s exclusive for Netcom Members from 27th to 29th November

Group photo with the the Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong with management of KBSentral Property Management and government officials at Sentral Shopping Centre

The guest of honour receiving a token of appreciation from Hambali Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohd Salleh, Executive Director and Tan Kah Boon, Managing Director

Guest of honour signing the plaque after the launch

Finally it’s officially opened. Yes, I’ve visited the premise a few times before and it looks promising for walk-in customers and patrons of Sentral Shopping Centre (@KBSentral). What you see in Times Square Shopping Centre is slightly similar to KB Sentral – shops, eateries of similar brands, cinema and hotel (Garden Sentral Hotel). So it’s good to have an actual shopping centre physically in Kuala Belait.

The grand opening was officiated by the Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong and he also toured the premise including Garden Sentral Hotel & Service Apartment. Though it was a simple launch with some “gulingtangan” and “silat” performance, it was a successful launch.

I could sense that the minister was impressed for the business it is offering to the community of Kuala Belait. He took some time touring around Jaya Supermarket and even interviewed the local workers (some part-timers) during the tour. To date, 80% of the working force under KBSentral Proprety Management are local and this is a good way in giving back to the community by having more local employment opportunities.

Abby Lim, the General Manager of KBSentral Property Management said in her welcoming remarks that there are almost 30 establishments under one roof and it’s a good avenue to host events and activities. Recently they held a few interesting events such as the Spelling Bee Competition, Job Fair, blood donation drive and they also have their first Sentral Lucky Draw.

Now speaking of lucky draw, Sentral Shopping Centre has started its 2nd lucky draw campaign and this time with more amazing prizes. The ongoing campaign will end next year on 25th June. You can stand a chance to win cars and even a semi-detached house.

For more information on KB Sentral Shopping Centre, you can reach them at 333 9889 or email them at kbsentralmarketing(a)gmail.com. Congratulations on the launch, Abby and team. Good job!!

Abby Lim, General Manager of of KBSentral Property Management delivering her welcoming remarks

Interesting silat demonstration

The confetti to mark the opening of the premise

The invited guests yesterday during the launch

One of the service apartment room at Garden Sentral Hotel & Service Apartment

The quick tour of the service apartment

One of the superior rooms at Garden Sentral Hotel and they have a school holiday promotion of BND 88 nett per night with free breakie for two pax. Now that’s a good deal indeed and plus you can enjoy discounts at Delifrance, Pastamania, Sushi Tei, Waroeng Penyet and All Season.

Guest of honour paid a visit to Progresif Cellular and welcoming him was Paul Hyde, the CEO of Progresif Cellular

Bob Gill, Chief Sales Officer of Progresif Cellular explaining the concept and the product of their company

The Minister touring around Jaya Hypermart

The Minister sampled the healthy drink from Beesket

This is the pool area of the Garden Sentral Hotel & Service Apartment

The Minister having a dialogue with the local employees

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is also at @KBSentral. Did you know that the CBTL app has been downloaded by 10,000 subscribers? (60% are IOS users)

The CBTL mascot

The guling tangan

 

In the paper’s yesterday

In the paper’s yesterday

I knew this is gonna draw a lot of mixed reactions. Actually it was even mixed at all. The comments were 95% negative when I posted this message on my social network. This was to do with the recent directives from the Municipal Board where businesses were to shut down by midnight. Many wanted answers and legitimate reasons to why on such ruling. The Ministry of Home Affairs didn’t hold any press conference but issued statement to the media and in the end of the day, there was a slight u-turn in the statement and now apparently some restaurants can still operate after midnight.

In today’s The Brunei Times, it was mentioned that restaurants are still confused about the guideline. This reminds me of last year’s confusion on the attire and clothing before the implementation of the Syariah Law. Now it’s about small businesses that are operating after midnight. Some have mentioned that they haven’t received any letter from the Municipal Board on the confirmation for the request of extended hours. Let’s hope this issue can be resolved for the benefit of the community and let’s not forget that Ramadhan is just around the corner and these businesses need to prep themselves.

At least, this is some leeway for restaurants and the public that there’s a high possibility for restaurants and convenient stores to operate past midnight.

Posted on @thebruneitimes social media before the actual full details

 

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah in the training session with the Brunei U-23 team. Image courtesy of Yee Chun Leong of The Brunei Times.

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah with the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam and the Brunei U-23 team before flying off to Singapore

A talent in the making. He had trials in Arsenal in the youth academy two years ago before signing a youth club deal with Chelsea early last year. Today he is representing Brunei in the upcoming SEA Games but I have yet to see on the field or in any football matches just yet. He plays upfront and his inclusion to the under-23 football team is a huge boost for the country. He naturally plays wide in attack.

He is no other than Faiq Jefri Bolkiah and he seems upbeat for the competition. According to his interview with The Brunei Times, he will focus on his physical presence and speed and he aimed to work hard both defensively and offensively. He is pleased to play along the ranks of the DPMM FC players such as Azwan Ali Rahman.

Brunei will take on Vietnam on 29th May in the Round Robin Group B, followed by Loas on 31st May. Their third match will be against Timor-Leste on 3rd June before they face Thailand on 6th June and on their final match will be against Malaysia on 8th June. Good luck to the Brunei u-23 team in the SEA Games.

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah was the Brunei Chelsea Supporters Club (BCSC) at Papa Chelsea Shed last weekend. Image courtesy of BCSC.

Group photo of the BCSC in celebration of Chelsea’s crowning of the Premier League. Image courtesy of BCSC.

Chelsea supporters taking photo with Faiq Jefri Bolkiah. Click image to enter BCSC Facebook Page. Image courtesy of BCSC.

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah signing the youth deal with Chelsea FC last year. Image courtesy of @RYO_cleverfish

Faiq Jefri Bolkiah in action for the U-18 Chelsea FC. Image courtesy of @fjbolkiah

 

Review of The Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies. Starring Rano Iskandar with his regular co-host @delgoh

 

15 competitors from Busiido Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Club scored a total of 32 medals at the recent BJJ and Submission Grappling Headhunters Challenge in Sabah.

The team, which included 2 women, and 2 competitors in the kid’s category, from the club’s fledgling kids program. Over the two day competition, which had gi and no gi components, the club scored 10 gold medals, 7 silver, and 15 bronze.

According to Assistant Head Coach Danny Gapar, who led the contingent, the club had been preparing for the last 3 months for the competition. Part of their preparations  included inviting BJJ black belt Alexsandro “Leke” Machado to conduct a three-day BJJ seminar which included intense preparation for the competitors.

“I’m pleased with the overall performance of the team in this competition. It just goes to show that the growth and standard of BJJ in Brunei is steadily rising,” he said. “Everyone has been working hard, training 6-7 times a week, preparing for this. A few of the fighters have cut weight to go down a weight category, and there were a few who were competing for the first time,” he said further.

“This is also the first time we featured kids in any competition, as our kids programme is fairly young, having been established in the past year, so it will continue to improve.”

Busiido Mixed Martial Arts is based in Kiarong.  More information about the club can be found on their Facebook page and instagram account : Facebook.com/BusiidoBJJ

 

It’s such a pity this performance has officially been canceled in Brunei Darussalam

[Quote from Magiclee Entertainment]: Dear all Brunei Sungha fans,

We regret to inform you that Sungha Jung performance is now officially canceled due to the show not being approved by MoHA and even after we re-apply to mention about the fan base that are waiting for him anxiously, the results were still the same.

We would like to sincerely apologize to you as it is not something we anticipated as we have been looking forward to the event as much as all his fans.

Nevertheless, all of those who have purchased tickets will be refunded, due to our current event we are busy with, we will be proceeding the ticket refunds starting the 5th of January 2015.

We will announce the location of where you can get your tickets refunded. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

The announcement will be done through this fan page. Thank you. Dated: 16th December 2014 [End quote].

For more information, you can visit Magiclee Entertainment Facebook page for more updates especially on the refunds.