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I shall be on hiatus for at least a day. So a word of alert to the readers of RA as I will be spending more time in the air traveling to the States with a bunch of media with Royal Brunei representatives to view the Dreamliner Boeing 787 in Seattle. Right now I’m documenting this post in my 5 hour pitstop room at Park Avenue Changi which is a decent boutique hotel and it’s just like 10-15 minutes away from Changi Airport.

I will spare more details and more write up on our trip pretty soon and I’m hoping there is Wifi on Delta Airlines which provides Wifi access on certain routes. But I doubt our flight will provide such service but if it does, that will be awesome!!! Anyway, stay tune for more updates.. I’m about to check out of the room to catch the 5:30am flight transiting Narita, Japan before heading off to Seattle.

Man, I feel like a zombie now……

The guys from the media heading off to Seattle. Thank you, RB

My companions for the next few days

Thank you, RB, for the drink and dates to break the fast

My meal on board

Finally a group photo of the whole crew that’s heading to Seattle

I like the rooms at Park Avenue Changi. I wonder how is it per night. And we only stayed here for 5 hours before heading off to airport 😮

Click image to see more of Netcom Computer House from their Facebook Page

 

New and bigger things at ICON Design Store. Click to enter

 

Grand Raya Package at Peugoet and promotion ends 15th September. Click image to enter website.

 

One of the popular places for breaking fast – Tasek Brasserie!!

 

Click image to enter website

Follow @pazzionbrunei on FB and IG. Do click on banner to see more more of the shoes from Pazzion

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam last night reminded organisers of public events, especially sports events, to take into account and respect prayer times and stressed that events should not be scheduled at times that make Muslims neglect obligatory prayers that they must fulfil.

His Majesty delivered a titah to mark the National Level Nuzul Al-Quran 1434 Hijrah celebration (Revelation of the Quran) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas recently.

Also present at the event was HRH Prince Abdul Malik as well as other members of the royal family.

His Majesty also consented to present prizes to winners of various categories of the Final Stage of the National Competition for Memorisation of Al-Quran and its Interpretations, including the Category for MABIMS member countries.

Nine-year-old Ak Mohamad Khairul Hakimin bin Pg Mohammad Aminuddin emerged as the champion of Category ‘A’.

His Majesty presents the trophy to nine-year-old Ak Mohamad Khairul Hakimin. Photo by Dean Kassim of Borneo Bulletin

In the titah, the monarch reminded that reading the Quran and performing the -daily prayers are fundamental towards ensuring the continuity of the nation’s social life. “Without them, our existence will be weak and lifeless,” His Majesty said, adding that neglecting it is not acceptable.

When planning any form of activities, His Majesty said prayers should not be secluded. “Do not overlook this, because if we do so in this respect, it means that we are inviting the curse from Allah the Almighty,” His Majesty added.

His Majesty cited a recent event dubbed “The Run”, which according to the monarch received participants for registration from as early as 4am. ‘At 4.40am participants were asked to assemble for a warm-up session which began at Sam which was followed by running events, including entertainment. Only at 8.30am the guest of honour arrived and followed by other events it finished by 9.30am,” His Majesty said.

“Looking at the schedule, wouldn’t it be strange if someone asked where was Subuh prayer? Because Subuh prayer at that time was at 4.43am, whereas events had already commenced before the prayer and went on throughout the day,” His Majesty added.

With thousands of participants at the event, His Majesty said it is undisputable that the majority are Muslims. “Where were they during the Subuh prayer? Where were their thoughts on during the call for prayers?” His Majesty rhetorically asked.

His Majesty also questioned the roles of the organisers and leaders involved in the event, asking why were they not there to rectify the situation and why didn’t they take the issue seriously.

“Amazingly, people could still laugh, despite the reality that thousands of youths, men and women failed to perform the Subuh prayer, despite knowing the fact that it is priceless performing two ‘raka’at’ of the Sunnat Subuh prayer,” His Majesty added.

His Majesty hoped that it will not be repeated again, reiterating the need for event organisers and leaders to be more vigilant in planning for events that involve their staff and members of the public.

“They need to evaluate and ensure that plans are in line with Islamic teachings, because if they are contradicting, doesn’t this mean that we are insulting ourselves and our religion?” the monarch asked.

Earlier in the titah, the monarch reminded that the Quran is the greatest miracle and also the theme of the Nuzul Al-Quran celebration this year, “Al-Quran as the Source of Strength”, referring to a firman by Allah the Almighty in Surah al-Hasyr, verse 21.

The verse, His Majesty said, highlights the supremacy and vigour of the Quran. “If we embrace it as a constitution for life, its force will undoubtedly emerge to the believers.”

His Majesty said we must unyieldingly hold on to the Quran, embrace its laws and take heed from its reminders. “With this, Insya Allah, we can attain the real aura and vigour. I want to see everyone fluent in Al-Quran reading, so our nation will together attain strength.”

Referring to the Compulsory Religious Education Order 2012 which was enforced recently, His Majesty hoped that in doing so, all our younger generation, particularly our students pursuing higher education overseas would no longer be Al-Quran illiterate nor unable to perform the daily prayers. Image courtesy of Dean Kassim and text courtesy of Hakim Hayat of Borneo Bulletin.

The recent marathon last June “The Run”

 

Sometimes it is great to know institution running educational competition such as essay writing and drawing competition with a particular theme that relates to a growing trend in a country. The issue with road safety is still a huge problem in Brunei and the authorities are doing their best to see how they can go about improving the situation through means of education. So I thought the Essay and Drawing competition organised by AITI for schools is one way of the best way in educating the students on road safety.

Well, it was part of the World Telecommunication and Information Day (WTISD) theme this year which is “ICTs and Improving Road Safety”. The competition was organised by AITI with the support from the Ministry of Communications, the Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Council, Telekom Brunei Berhad (TelBru), Data Stream Technology Sdn Bhd (DST) and B.Mobile Communications Sdn. Bhd.

The Guest of Honour was Yang Mulia Awang Abdul Mutalib Bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohamad Yusof, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Communications, Chairman of AITI, and Chairman of the Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Council.

Haji Jailani bin Haji Buntar, Acting Chief Executive of AITI, delivered the welcoming remarks. In his welcoming remark, he mentioned, “It may seem strange to talk about how ICT can relate to the improving Road Safety. But, that’s not the case in today’s world where ICT is an enabler in our daily lives including to improve the transportation (such as cars) which we use to commute. A variety of “driver assistance” technologies are appearing on new cars, which will not only take a lot of the stress out of driving in traffic but also prevent or minimize many accidents.

The competition was launched on 11th May 2013 and was opened to four categories:

• Lower Primary Level Category which was opened to students in Year 1 to Year 3. Titled: “Don’t Use Mobile Phones While Driving”.
• Upper Primary Level Category which was opened to students in Year 4 to Year 6. Titled: “How Can ICT Improve Road Essay Writing Competition
• Secondary Level Category which was opened to students in Year 7 to Year 11. Titled: “Technology Can Improve Road Safety. Discuss.” (700 – 800 words).
• Tertiary Level Category which was opened to students in the tertiary level. Titled: “The Future of Technology and its Impact Road Safety. Explain.” (between 1000 – 1200 words).

Group photo with the winners

She couldn’t believe she won a Samsung S4

One of the winners of WTISD

Ashley Kho, a third place winner

A proud young winner

Ain’t this cute?

First place winner of the drawing competition in the lower primary was Siti Nurhaziqah bte Hj Md Ali Hanafiah of Stella’s School who took home an Apple iPad and $300 cash prize. Muhammad Fahmi Waiz bin Hj Junaidi of Tungku Brunei III Primary School and Noor Um’mi Hasana bte Hj Abd Zamri came second and third respectively. Each received $200 and $300 cash respectively.

In the upper primary drawing category, the first place winner was Siti Nursyafiyah bte Jefri from Sultan Abdul Mubin Sg Besar Primary School who took home a Samsung Galaxy Tab and $300 cash prize. Tee Gi En from Seri Mulia Sarjana and Noor Muhd Asa bin Salim from Dato Marsal Primary School bagged the second and third prizes winning cash prize of $200 and $100 respectively.

Meanwhile, the first place winner in the secondary level category essay competition, was Siti Nurizzatul Najibah bte Muslim from Pengiran Anak Puteri Masna Secondary School who won a Samsung Galaxy S4 and $500 in cash. Second place went to Ana Kairunnisa Fernanda Afonso bte Metusin of Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri with $300 cash followed by Md Amir Putera Razzaqharfan Hakeemuddin bin Hj Yacob from Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College with $200 cash. Contestants were required to write an original essay comprising 700 to 800 words.

In the tertiary level essay competition, Adeline Liew Wei Ying of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) ranked first followed by Ak Abd Qawi bin Pg Hj Aliudin also from UBD and Ashley Kho Yeun Jeun of Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College. Prizes were a Dell Inspiron 3421 Laptop and cash prizes of $700, $500 and $300 respectively.

Certificate of participation from schools

Simon Mark Lynch from CfBT Education Service receiving a memento from the guest of honour

Some of the drawings from the competition

One of the winners, Siti Nursyafiyah bte Jefri with her dad

Viewing the gallery

The mascots for WTISD

 

Grab the special promotion of the Acer Iconia A1-810 for only $228 and they will also give a 3 year warranty for limited time only until 30th July at Concepts Computer

The latest Acer Iconia A1-810 is the best of the lot so far. Before was the Acer Iconia B1-A71 and that was a big seller from Concepts Computer. Now with the new model, it sports an 8-inch design running on Jelly Bean.

According to General Manager of Concepts Computer Vincent Pao, the Acer Iconia A1-810 is just another step by Acer and Concepts Computer to deliver to the growing demands of the consumers. So far they have brought in 1,000 units of the tablet which 600 units in stock and the remainder coming on the way.

Ok, here’s the great thing if you buy from Concepts Computer. The Acer Iconia A1-180 comes with a 3 year warranty and the price tag of$228 is a special promotional price which ends on 30th July. Concepts Computer is also extending their opening hours from 9am to 9pm until 30th July for the convenience of the customers. So do grab this opportunity before the price of the Acer Iconia A1-180 goes back to the market price and also the warranty will only go back to one year unless you purchase an addtional warranty at $108. So for this 3 day promotional period, you can purchase the Acer Iconia A1-180 for only $228 plus a three year warranty which is a superb deal.

Acer Iconia A1-180 is equipped with a quad-core processor and 1GB RAM and this is also the first tab that has a back camera too.

For more information, customers can visit the nearest Concepts Computer showroom, where Concepts will be having their Month End Specials, with its extended opening hours from 9am to 9pm from today until July 30. Customers can also call 2233551/2233552 or 2448102/2448103. If you want to know more of the specs, you can see here.

The feel of the Acer Iconia A1-180

The back camera of the Acer Iconia A1-180

The warrant that comes with the Acer Iconia A1-180 and for a limited time only, you can get an addtional 2 years warranty for free when you buy the tablet where the proomotion ends by 30th July

600 units in stock with 400 more coming on the way

 

I tell you it’s not easy carry all the plaques and the medals from the winners from Brunei from their recent performance at WCOPA 2013. More them soon. I’m still super amazed by very own local talents.