His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik in the group photo during the relaunch of the newly refurbished BIBD Headquarters in the heart of the capital. Accompanying His Royal Highness were Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Hj Bahrin bin Abdullah, Minister of Development cum BIBD Chairman (2nd from left), Yang Muliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Hj Suhaili Hj Mohiddin, Chairman of BIBD’s Shariah Advisory Vody and its subsiadiaries and Shariah Appeal Court Judge (left) and Javed Ahmad, Managing Director of BIBD. Click image to enlarge.

His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik launching the event this morning at BIBD HQ

His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik graced the launch of the newly refurbished BIBD HQ in town this morning. He was greeted by Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Hj Bahrin bin Abdullah, Minister of Development cum BIBD Chairman.

The Chairman made his welcoming remarks on the build up to leading to the launch of the refurbished headquarters of BIBD. He shared about the processes and transformations from the times of IBB (Islamic Bank of Brunei Berhad) and also The Island Development Bank which later merged with Islamic Development Bank of Brunei in 2005 and rebranded as BIBD (Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam).

The current HQ consists of three floors. As you can see that each floor is designated to cater for different purposes. The ground floor will be for counter transaction services, the second floor for financing services and third floor will handle BIBD’s Corporate Banking division. The dedicated floors are easily accessed through means of lift for the convenience of the customers.

The main branch also provides four ATMs, two Cash Deposit Machines (CDM), a Cheque Deposit Machine along with an internet kiosk to provide speedy and seamless banking transactions even after working hours.

According to Javed Ahmad, the Managing Director of BIBD, the relaunching of BIBD HQ symbolises the Bank’s journey into becoming a modern, world-class financial institution and marks the completion of an intensive rebranding exercise that started in 2013.

As of now, there are 15 branches of BIBD which are strategically located across the country. Furthermore, BIBD has a dedicate 24-7 Contact Centre and also an active BIBD online services and let’s not forget their BIBD Mobile application to make transaction seamless for BIBD customers.

Congratulations once more to BIBD on the event this morning as everything went pretty smoothly. So have you bank with BIBD yet?

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik cutting the ribbon to make the occasion

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik toured the ground floor of BIBD HQ

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik in the group photo with BIBD associates

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik viewing the video presentation on the changes of BIBD

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik being briefed on the history and milestone of BIBD

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik being briefed on the corporate customers of BIBD

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik signing the plaque

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik receiving a pesembah from the chairman of BIBD

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik with the other ministers during refreshment

Chairman of BIBD, Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Hj Bahrin, in his welcoming remarks

At the tent outside BIBD

The Chairman was happy with the success of the event

Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud, the former chairman of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD)

Pg Shamhary Pg Dato Paduka Mustapha, Managing Director of Brunei Shell Marketing was present too

Dermot Mannion, Deputy Chairman of Royal Brunei Airlines, was among the invited guest

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My brother @a_munim_ with mom during the cake cutting last Saturday

He’s a big fan of Mercedes-Benz too

Oh yea, we both support Liverpool too 😀

A good celebration last weekend.

Pg Mohd Nasir Pg Anak Ja’afar with the associates of Jati Transport Sdn Bhd (Mercedes-Benz Brunei) at Appreciation Day yesterday at Beribi showroom.

Last year it was raining. Yesterday was a different story. Jati Transport Sdn Bhd had its Appreciation Day for their customers who have supported the company. As you know that Jati Transport is the main distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Brunei Darussalam. They recently launched the new V-Class last week which was well received from the Brunei market.

Hundreds showed up in the heavily packed event where customers bring their families and friends to celebrate the occasion at Jati Transport showroom in Beribi. There were catering from Radisson Hotel, London Kebab, satay joint and everyone’s favourite, Mr. Softy ice-cream. There were also face painting, animal show, life sketch drawing and of course, the Photo Booth by @meinaboxbn, the most popular spot of the lot.

Present during the Appreciation Customer Day were Pg Anak Hj Ja’afar Ibni Al-Marhum Pg Pemancha Pg Anak Hj Mohd Alam, Executive Chairman of Jati Transport, Mr. Andrew Chiam, Executive Director of Jati Transport, Alfred So, General Manager of Jati Transport and Pg Mohd Nasir Pg Anak Ja’afar.

You can follow their updates on Facebook or instagram @mercedesbenzbrunei and they are quite updated as well.

The long queue at Mr. Softy

Andrew Chiam enjoying his ice-cream

Huge crowd yesterday at Jati Transport Beribi showroom

@cheahong2012 caught by surprise by my shot :p

Face painting for the kids and even adults

The crowd eyeing on the iguana

Loads of lamb spit from Radisson.

You can take photo with the eagle

Sketching portraits for the guests

Family shot at the photo booth

The happening Photo Booth @meinaboxbn

Betty and her baby at the event

Lots of kids got their face painted

Good music throughout the event

Some of the guests yesterday

Talk on safety especially when it comes to tyres

You’re the man 😀

Congratulations to Rafiyuddin aka Rupert and Siti Hazrena (Rena) on their niche yesterday

The bride being escorted to the nikah ceremony

Rupert was calm and he recited the whole sentence in one breath… very quickly

The bride smiling from a distance

Where the groom meets the bride

The customary kissing-the-hand of the groom

Rupert being briefed by Abang on how to stay calm and cool

The cast of Othello from PTE Meragang. Kudos to Rabi’atul Adawiyyah (in red and black) because you really pulled the show and played the role of Iago exceptionally well.

I’m familiar with Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth and Hamlet. But not so much on Othello. The ones I have mentioned are plays by William Shakespeare and I’ve seen different movie adaptations except for Othello. Hence I was intrigued when the English Literature team of PTE Meragang conducted a few shows with their version of Othello. I wasn’t too familiar with the language of Shakespeare but it will take me a while to digest so it was helpful that the organiser handed out synopsis of Othello for the benefit of the audience.

I must say I was impressed with the quality of the students, showcasing their acting talents. There were also students with the assistant of teachers involved behind the scenes such as at the lighting, props and make-ups. All in all, there were 55 students involved from Lower Six and Upper Six (English Literature students). They were well-prepared in advance before the show as they had examinations prior to this.

The adaptation play was directed by Siti Zuliana bte Hj Masri, a teacher from the English Literature of PTE Meragang. The second show was special as parents and families were able to catch the stars of the day. According to Hjh Soriana Salwa Hj Mornie, Head of the English Department, PTE Meragang, the show was a follow up of the British High Commission sponsored Othello workshop which was previously conducted at Repertory Theatre in Singapore as part of the school’s Shakespeare Education trip back in April. Now they have taken the initiative and give it back to the community. Thumbs up to the direction of the school and the students in making this possible.

Once again, I’m truly impressed with the students of PTE Meragang and those who worked behind the scenes, they too play important roles. Thank you to Adree for the heads up and also to Sharon Ong for saving a seat for me 😀

The character Othello played by Syed Ibrahim Faris Malai Hj Abd Hamid (right) was commanding on stage

Dk Siti Basyirah as Desdemona and Asyraf Amin as Cassio showed their charisma on stage and we were drawn to their chemistry

This scene reminds me of Pulp Fiction 😀

The bedroom scene

Picture opportunity with the cast

Picture opportunity with the cast

Picture opportunity with the cast

It was a full house show last weekend

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Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Rakiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Jeffriah at the SMSS’ graduation ceremony yesterday

I’ve missed the event yesterday because I was attending another lecture on entrepreneurship by Mark Brown. Congratulations to Fatin, Ijah and Muazzam on their graduation and award ceremony from Seri Mulia Serjana School (SMSS) and it’s the 17th edition and the event took place at The Rizqun International Hotel.

In attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Rakiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Jeffriah. The guest of honour was Pg Ayup bin Pg Hj Othman, the Acting Senior Special Duties Officer, Private Education Section, Ministry of Education.

Congratulations once again 😀 I’m a proud brother and uncle.

Ijah receiving her certificate from guest of honour

Fatin receiving her certificate from guest of honour

Congratulations Muazzam for receiving bronze on his academic year

Two plays will be happening this week and early next week. One is an adaptation from Shakespeare’s Othello and the other is inspired by a local with the play entitled “Jong Sarat”.

The first play I will brief on is the Shakespeare’s Othello which will be performed by the students from the English Department Literature Team from Pusat Tingkatan Enam (PTE) Meragang. It will be happening tomorrow, Thursday 26th November and 28th November at 10am at the Lecture Hall, PTE Meragang. You can get tickets (only $1) by contacting 710 7876 or 813 0577.

I’m most likely to come for one of the shows of Othello. I’m a big fan of broadway and plays and to see our local students perform is something I’m appreciative about. It’s a good thing that there’s an avenue for students to showcase their talents, let it be actors or those behind the scenes as they all showcase their talents and abilities in the creative industry. Kudos to the team and the organiser.

So come let’s support the future generations of our country by supporting the play. You can also follow their updates on Facebook (/ptemeragang) or instagram @ptemeragang for updates.

Jong Sarat. Next up is SEEDS’ 7th play to date. SEEDS stands for Students’ Extracurricular and Educational Dramatic Society and this was formed back in 2008 under Sekolah Menengah Awang Semaun with the help of Brunei Amateur Dramatic Society (BADS). These are also initiative from students and teachers in helping to nurture and unleash their creativity and talents to the eyes of the public.

They had a preview last evening and unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend. Here’s the thing though. I won’t be able to make it even for next week’s dates of Jong Sarat (The Dream that changes everything) as I already committed in doing my speech and role for Toastmasters. My apologies in advance for this matter. I’ve attended previous SEEDS play before and I was amazed. I trust they will produce another fantastic show.

Get your tickets for either of these production nights:
30th November 2015, 7pm
1st December 2015, 7pm

Tickets are available at Sekolah Menengah Rimba for the following days and times:-

Wednesday 25th November:
7pm-9.30pm

Friday, 27th November:
3pm-9.30pm

Kindly contact for more information (via message only):
Telegram: telegram.me/seedsjongsarat
Whatsapp: +6738678673

You can also follow them on their website www.seedsbrunei.com or Facebook Page or instagram @seedsbrunei and if you are on instagram, just see their updates on #seeds7

The cast of Jong Sarat #seeds7

The musicians of Jong Sarat #seeds7

The Props designers of Jong Sarat #seeds7

Get your tickets now for Jong Sarat