Brunei Darussalam hosted the Asia Mountain Bike (MTB) Series 2018 at the Berakas Forest Reserve Recreational Park last weekend. Registration for the race is open to all Asian riders (as per passport). Points are collected through a series of races hosted by different Asian countries sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

Brunei is the eighth Asian country to host the Asian MTB Series this year that began in Philippines in March and will end in Tambunan, Sabah, Malaysia. Prior to Brunei, the race was held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. All races are sanctioned by the UCI or National Cycling Federation.

One of the aims of the race is to provide a platform for Asian riders to gain racing experience and UCI points while creating more arenas for mountain bike riders to compete.

The Brunei edition of the Asian MTB Series 2018 is co-organised by BDCF and Wonderworks Management Services in conjunction with the Brunei December Festival 2018.

One of the sponsors of the event was Peugeot (Brunei).

The Light Tunnel leading to “The Story of Lights” at Jerudong Park

Step into your favorite Aesop fables with ‘The Story of Lights’ at Jerudong Park held in conjunction with Brunei December Festival 2018. It’s the first time Brunei’s premier tourist destination has organized an outdoor light exhibition since re-launching in 2014.

‘The Story of Lights’ is held alongside other December activities organised inside Jerudong Park, which include Movie Nights, ‘Animals in the Park’ and Interactive Games.

For ‘The Story of Lights’ – visitors are greeted by a light tunnel which leads into an illuminated open book, setting the scene for the five Aesop fables depicted. The Lion and The Mouse, The Peacock and The Crane, The Tortoise and The Hare, The Ants and The Grasshopper and The Fox and The Goat.

The Aesop fables are scattered around the lagoon area, Double Carousel and Children’s ride area. As ‘The Story of Lights’ opening book reads, “It is important to keep alive the enriching habit of reading in order to gain the unfathomable treasure hiding and stored in the books which a person’s best friends do not deemed anything but always give knowledge and wisdom.”

‘The Story of Lights’ believes that ‘today’s readers will be tomorrow’s leaders’. Children are encouraged to read more, learn more, which will ultimately lead to better lives. Children at a very young age need to stimulate their imagination, explore and discover the magical world of books.

To enliven the holiday period visitors can also enjoy 30% off (terms and conditions apply) once they complete 10 questions from one of the interactive games – an activity booklet. Clues for the questions can be found all around JP. Vouchers are available from the ticketing counter once all 10 questions are answered correctly.

‘Animals in the Park’ is also back! This time with an expanded area for new animals such as black palm civets, geckos and a falcon. Not forgetting the reptiles, iguanas, tortoise, birds of prey and floppy-eared rabbits which are also on display.

JP Movie Night is held on the 8th, 22nd and 29th December. The movies are screened outdoors at the JP Colonnade. To enjoy your experience visitors are recommended to bring picnic mats or blankets to sit on. Find out what films are showing by following Jerudong Park on social media.

Visitors can get more out of Jerudong Park this December with Combo Deals. ‘Yellow’ Combo or the Entrance Combo deal is only $16 and includes, Interactive Games, ‘Animals in the Park’ and ‘The Story of Lights’. To enjoy all the rides, waterpark, ‘The Story of Lights’, ‘Animals in the Park’ and Interactive Games visitors can get the ‘Grey’ Combo Deal: $27 for local adults and $21 for local children.

Jerudong Park would also like to inform visitors who have purchased tickets before the December period to purchase top-up tickets to enjoy ‘The Story of Lights’ and ‘Animals in the Park’ in order to enter. For more updates follow Jerudong Park on social media on Instagram at Jerudong Park and on Facebook at Jerudong Park Playground.

Check out the illuminated open book concept feature Aesop fables

Every spot has a story behind it and children can learn messages from the short story series

The Animal in the Park area at Jerudong Park

Parrots at the “Animal in the Park” section

There’s an eagle at the “Animal in the Park” section

If you are interested to go for the Combo Grey package and ideal for families

10 lucky shoppers who swiped with Baiduri cards won a Shopping Spree promotion at Sim Kim Huat Supermarket and Department Store, Airport Mall

With the conclusion of the second month of the ‘Win a Shopping Spree” promotion, Baiduri Bank, in collaboration with Sim Kim Huat Supermarket and Department Store, hosted another round of winners in a shopping spree earlier today. The event was held at Sim Kim Huat Supermarket and Department Store in Airport Mall.

Between 1 September to 31 December 2018, with every BND50 paid using a Baiduri Bank issued credit or debit card at participating outlets, cardholders stand a chance to win a shopping spree worth BND200. Cardholders who spend a minimum of BND100 in a single receipt will receive a complimentary shopping bag. In addition, all Baiduri cardholders will enjoy a 10% discount on department store items.

At the event, the 10 lucky winners for the month of October, were flagged off for their spree by Mr Lim Kian Chiong, Head of Card Business, Baiduri Bank.

Another 10 winners will be selected for November and will be announced next month. To be eligible to enter the monthly draw, simply spend a minimum of BND50 in a single receipt and pay using a Baiduri credit or debit card. The promotion ends on 31 December 2018.

Terms and conditions of the promotion can be viewed on Baiduri Bank website at www.baiduri.com under the Promotions section, or on the Baiduri Bank mobile app – Baiduri Deals. For more information, customers may also contact the Baiduri Bank Customer Helpline at 2449666.

Baiduri Bank is one of the largest providers of payment products in Brunei, and holds franchise to four major card brands – Visa, MasterCard, American Express as well as the UnionPay. On top of cashless convenience, Baiduri credit and debit cards come with an array of benefits, such as exclusive rewards and offers, easy instalment plans as well as ability to accumulate Bonus Points for the Baiduri Instant Rewards programme.

To be in the know of Baiduri promotions, the public may stay updated by following Baiduri Bank Group on Facebook and Twitter or Instagram @baiduribank.

Kingston Beverage & Creamery Sdn Bhd team with members of the press

One of the press shortlisting a monthly winner

Kingston Beverage & Creamery Sdn Bhd conducted the All New Pepsi Max Taste monthly draw at its office at beribi recently. There are 10 finalist that have been drawn by the member of press for the upcoming Prize Presentation on the 23rd November 2018 (Friday) that will be held at Soon Lee Megamart, Lambak Kanan.

The 10 finalist will be contacted to present on that day to participate in mini games challenge for their prizes. The prizes for the monthly draw are 7 nos of Pepsi Hamper worth B$50 and Shopping Voucher worth of B$100 for 3rd Prize, B$200 for 2nd Prize and B$300 for 1st Prize.

Other participants are still in chance to win the unforgettable 2nos of Turkey Tour Package for 2 pax with allowance as Grand Prize, 2 nos of exotic Dubai Tour Package for 2 pax as 1st Prize and a lot other great prizes.

The All New Pepsi Max Taste Lucky Draw 2018 which runs from October 1st till December 31st will be also collaborating with Ayamku, KFC, MarryBrown and PepperLunch as part of their draw. This means that consumer will be able to participate for the draw when they consume at these participating food outlet.

The participating brands for the draw are Pepsi Products which is includes PEPSI BLACK, Pepsi, Pepsi Twist, 7up, Assorted Mirinda and Revive. PEPSI BLACK, the new cola with no calories is one of brand highlight for this campaign. With its MAX TASTE ZERO SUGAR, Pepsi Black comes in 330ml, 600ml and 1.5L bottles available for your choice in the market.

To participate in this All New Pepsi Max Taste Lucky Draw 2018 is as simple as 3 steps. STEP 1: Purchase any value pack SIX (6) tins/bottles 330ml/600ml/1.5L Pepsi Products in a single receipt. STEP 2: You will need to answer: All New Pepsi Black contains zero sugar? “True / False”. STEP 3: WhatsApp details to +673 8300 833 with clear picture of the original receipt, or you can submit your participation via Kingston Instagram @kingstonbn with terms and conditions apply.

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Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism (2nd from left) during the memorandum of Agreement between Royal Brunei and Sarawak Tourism Board held recently

Meeeowwww!!!! It’s back again!! After a 4 year hiatus, direct flight from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuching is back!!! The previous connection was via MASwings which stopped its operation back in October 2014. Royal Brunei ever flew to Kuching and its first flight was back on 15th May 1975 while its last flight was 28th July 2011. So it’s good to see that Royal Brunei has finally re-commencement its flight services to Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, starting 28th December 2018.

A signing of memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between RB and the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) was held yesterday, aimed on offering bi-weekly flights between Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuching and vice versa.

Present was the guest of honour, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism. Present during the MoA were Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Sharzede binti Datuk Haji Salleh Askor, CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board and Karam Chand, CEO of Royal Brunei.

“The signing of the MoA between the Sarawak Tourism Board and Royal Brunei Airlines bears great importance to both our capitals,” said Sharzede binti Datuk Haji Salleh Askor, CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board. “First, it symbolises the start of the many collaborative efforts between our two capitals which will bring about sustainable socio-economic growth for both Sarawak and Brunei with tourism as a significant contributor, as well as strengthening the friendship between our people.

“Secondly, the Sarawak-Brunei tourism collaboration, especially with the strengthened connectivity between the two destinations, will increase the competitiveness and attractiveness as twin tourism destinations to capture tourists around the regions and the world, especially making Kuching more accessible to our focus markets including Melbourne, Shanghai and London, which augurs well for the marketing of the destination.”

RB will fly to Kuching on December 28 using the RB A320, with the route operating twice weekly before increasing to four times a week by February 3, 2019.

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The signing of the memorandum of agreement

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Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports speaking during the press conference

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Karam Chand, CEO of Royal Brunei, on a side note, mentioned there will be no changes in scheduling for BSB to KK with the arrival of their competitor this coming January

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Hj Muhammad Safwan bin Hj Awang Sulaiman the grand winner receiving the prize from Vincent Goh, Deputy Managing Director of Interhouse Company

He may not be placed in any of the top 3 categories of the Canon Photomarathon 2018 hosted by Interhouse Company but Hj Muhammad Safwan bin Hj Awang Sulaiman bagged the grand prize of a ticket to Japan for the Canon Photomarathon Asia Champion 2018.

Around 400 participants signed up for Sunday event that lasted 8 hours before the winners were announced. This was probably the biggest turnout of all the Canon Photomarathon organized by Interhouse Company.

At the same time, Interhouse Company also unveiled their latest product which I’m also eyeing at – the Canon EOS R. Yum, Yum… It’s a pretty solid camera and the first mirrorless full frame EOS from Canon line-up. It is also supported with new RF lenses and you can still use the current/older EF lenses with a mount adapters.

Congratulations once again to the winners of this year’s Canon Photomarathon 2018.

Team Interhouse Company did it again, year after year. Kudos on the great show once again!!!

The audience waiting for the results

Safwan Sidek and Ruby Chong also competed this year

The emcee Zayn entertaining the audience with his charm as usual

The top three winners of the Bandarku Ceria category

Hamdilah Kamaludin – 1st for Bandarku Ceria Theme

Saifulizam Zambor – 2nd for Bandarku Ceria Theme

Muhammad Abdul Malek Ridwan – 3rd for Bandarku Ceria Theme

Winners of the Local Delicacy Theme

Azman Yakob – 1st for Local Delicacy Theme

Azman Yakob Masadezam Masle – 2nd for Local Delicacy Theme

Nicolas Tju – 3rd for Local Delicacy Theme

Winners of the Creativity Theme

Qawi Zulkipli – 1st for Creativity Theme

Michael Ruiz – 2nd for Creativity Theme. My favourite photo of the lot.

Julian Lysee – 3rd for Creativity Theme. The only lady among the winners.

Hj Muhammad Safwan’s photos that made him the grand winner

The Strike Promotions’ first ever hybrid K1 and Boxing event was a huge success on the first day until the incident happened in the evening on 10th November 2018 at The Airport Mall

STATEMENT FROM STRIKE PROMOTIONS. As we and most people have probably seen videos that were showing an altercation during Strike Battle of Pride Event. An individual came into the airport mall and instigated and assaulted someone while the competition was still ongoing. A struggle ensued and the participants and gym owners intervened by trying to separate them, Nurhidayat and some of the Khalifa MMA members who appeared in one of the viralized video acted bravely to attempted to hold back the individual. The altercation ended swiftly and the event proceeded smoothly with the participants and crowd enjoying the rest of the evening with fun filled action pack bouts.

Unfortunately due to this incident we have been told to cancel Sunday day 2 events and the finals bouts. It is with great regret and disapointment that the hard work and efforts of all the participants who have been training for months and months, organising committee and crew members who have been planning and working towards this from early this year and the foreign participants who came all the way to Brunei to participate cannot do so. The altercation was very minor and ended swiftly but it was enough to go viral and it was blown out of proportion to the point we are not allowed to continue the event.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank every participating teams and players who took part in the tournament and the organizer have decided to refund all the main event ticket sold, please contact info@strike-promotions.com to claim your refund.

We are deeply affected by the outcome from last night’s incident as it has tarnished the beautiful effort and hard work of everyone from the management to the fans who came in droves yesterday to support the event. Again we sincerely apologised to everyone who got involved and who are affected by this.

Insha Allah our next step is to work with the relevant authority on providing the best safety and security measures for our future tournament and we will take last night’s incident as a learning lesson to grow this beautiful sport called combat Sports in this country.

On the positive side, the local athletes was able to compete in the pre-liminaries and gained some valuable experience. The event was a platform to identify athletes for future SEA Games and future events to help bring back pride from international games.

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Latest info: The organizer Strike Promotions have lodged a police report and include the footage of the incident that have gone viral. The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) confirmed the report and it has already taken statements from spectators (witnesses) and the victim of the altercation.

Strike Promotions also have taken legal action and cooperating with the RBPF for future investigation. It has confirmed that the RBPF have arrested the individual, named Herdy Wandy bin Yussof, who was involved in the altercation last Saturday.

The police warned that it is an offence under Section 159 (Affray) of the Penal Code Chapter 22 to cause public disturbance through unwarranted brawls.  If guilty, offender is liable to an imprisonment term of up to three years and a fine.

Effective 01 November 2018, Syarikat Lian Tong & Anak-Anak will be providing chartered bus services to Sarawak and Sabah.

Need to travel via Miri Airport?
Shopping in Miri & Kota Kinabalu?
Road Trip to Kota Kinabalu with stopover from Limbang to KK?

The bus is equipped with 32″ LED TV and GPS Android System for their passengers ‘comfort.

Call them now for booking at (673) 2444555 and early bird discounts applicable subject to terms and conditions.

Whatapp (673) 8910888.

Happy Campers during the FZ Summer Camp

Fitness Zone is organizing the FZ Holiday Camp 2018, a fun and exciting multi-disciplinary holiday camp experience where participants can develop their skills in sports, dance as well as the creative arts. Open to participants between ages 5 to 15, the holiday camp will run from 27 November to 16 December.

Fitness Zone introduced a similar programme in July this year, whereby campers got the chance to try out different sports as well as join classes in baking, dance, music and art. The upcoming FZ Holiday Camp will include a new component which is creative writing and storytelling. Another addition is the progression-type classes where campers will be able to focus on developing specific skills of their choice.

The integrated approach to the programme during the FZ Holiday Camp gives each participant the chance to try something new and have fun discovering their talents while also engaging their bodies and minds. The daily programme is arranged in a way that there will be up to four different types of classes, which allows campers to get physically active, play in teams and harness their creativity.

“Our children’s mental health is more important than their grades. Through these initiatives, we want to promote social interaction that leads to them having confidence in themselves,” said Wu Chun, Managing Director of Fitness Zone. “Let’s remember it’s better to build a child than to try to repair an adult,” he added.

The Fitness Zone Holiday Camp 2018 is a collaboration with OMNI Sports International, Jo Art Gallery, Yippy Tunes, The Energy Kitchen and Heartwrite Co.

During the three-week camp, participants will be able to choose between participating on a walk-in basis or get 3-day, 5-day or 7-days packages.

For the schedule and registration, visit tinyurl.com/FZHolidayCamp or call 8199301.

Creatively engaged with art classes at Jo Art Gallery

Yippy Tunes offering vocal and music classes

OMNI Sports offering various types of sports to children

Baking as well at Energy Kitchen

Symphony Music’s Joyful Kids Montessori School Graduation programme which was held last Sunday at Manggis Ballroom.