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Published by the Department of Information 15 JANUARY, 2007 Prime Minister’s Office VOLUME 22 ISSUE 25 Heritage : Cloth Weaving, renowned skill passed down through generations In Brunei : Temburong District, the green jewel of Borneo Colour : Abundant of flora at flower market Explore : Kg. Ayer, Venice of the East Bukit Shahbandar Forest Recreation Park ukit Shahbandar Forest which is considered as a activities. There are a number recreational parks developed Recreation Park is a 70- significant achievement if you of shelters provided to have a by the Forestry Department. Bhectare stretch of rolling managed to climb all of them. barbeque, as well as an open- The Forestry Department had verdant hills designated for However, one hill is enough air hall for you to conduct an developed forest recreational jogging, hiking and cycling. It is for a newbie as the route and activity, a fishing pond as well parks as a response to also a popular spot for picnics distance is equivalent to a 15- as some mini educational increasing public demand and gatherings. minutes walk. games such as the wooden for outdoor recreational Bukit Shahbandar Forest Bukit Shahbandar is maze. opportunities. Recreational Park record accessorised with good public The park was the venue for According to the high visitation rates almost facilities where among others, one of Southeast Asian Games department, aside from daily compare to other forest a convenient huge parking (SEA Games) event in 1999 providing the public with recreational parks. Among lot is erected to cater the and the First Brunei Marathon venues for outdoor activities, the factor contributing to this number of guests, a number of in 2005. This park is also the forest recreational parks is its location that is easily stalls for thirst quenchers and frequently chosen as venue are also used as vehicles to accessible. The park is located restrooms. for brisk walk for ministries and promote awareness on, and along the Muara-Tutong This park is also known as departments activities. appreciation of, nature and highway, which is about 15 good place for family’s leisure The park is one of the forest forests among the public. to 20 minutes drive from the capital. The park is also near to the Brunei’s most grand accommodation, the Empire Hotel & Country Club. This park has nine hills Aerial view of the park with huts located at various points to rest 2 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM NEWSLETTER . 15 January 2007 COVER STORY: Shahbandar 1 PALACE NEWSROUND 4 BRIEFLY: Brunei soon to have second university 12th ASEAN SUMMIT 5 HERITAGE: Cloth Weaving 6 &7 BRIEFLY 8 DID YOU KNOW THAT../ CALENDAR / BRUNEI IN BRIEF / HOW TO GET TO BRUNEI? 9 IN BRUNEI: Temburong 10 &11 COLOURS: Flowers Market 12 NEWS 13 &14 &15 EXPLORE: Kg Ayer 16 &17 BRUNEI’S OWN CUISINE: Jala 18 FOCUS: Orchid Garden Hotel 19 BACK COVER: Songkok 20 Editorial Team Chief Editor Haji Amer Hamzah POKAPDSS HAJI AWANG ZAKARIA Editor Sastra Sarini Haji Julaini Journalists Hajah Noorhijrah Haji Idris Aida Hidup Hajah Apsah Haji Sahdan Layout Hajah Zaianit Haji Noorkhan Photographers Photography Division of Information Department Online Haji Ariffin Mohd. Noor Subscription Distribution Unit Tel. (673) 2383400 Fax. (673) 2382242 Printer Borneo Printer & Trading Sdn. Bhd. General Inquiries (673) 238400 (ext 322/302) Information Department www.information.gov.bn Information Gallery www.infofoto.org.bn BRUNEI DARUSSALAM NEWSLETTER is now available online www.bruneinewsletter.info and email us at: [email protected] BRUNEI DARUSSALAM NEWSLETTER . 15 January 2007 3 His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces granted an audience at the Istana Nurul Iman for Laksamana Tan Sri Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Anwar bin Haji MohdNor, the Malaysian Chief of Defence on January 6. Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha granted an audience at the Istana Nurul Iman for Puan Sri Datin Siti Hapsah binti Omar, spouse of the Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces on January 6. 4 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM NEWSLETTER . 15 January 2007 Brunei soon to have its second university ISTANA NURUL IMAN, January 1 and the platform for such development is sector to be bolder in crossing borders – Brunei Darussalam will soon have its education, added His Majesty. His Majesty and exploring bigger and wider market. second university, established in August also hoped that the establishment of this this year. University will become a symbol of the “In other words, private sectors need nation’s Islamic glory and will also play to be more competitive and dynamic,” This was disclosed by His said His Majesty. Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah a role in producing Islamic scholars. The Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, The Sultan and first batch of the students for the university His Majesty also touched on the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is expected to start in August this year. country’s international relations. Brunei in his New Year titah. Darussalam will continue to be involved Prior to that, His Majesty’s titah had “The university will be known as in world organisations, such as United touched on the public and private sectors. Nations, ASEAN, OIC and others. Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali,” said According to His Majesty, public sectors His Majesty. Dialogue, said His Majesty is the method are not only providing services, but also that Brunei will always hold in settling As a small developing country, Brunei as facilitator to the nation’s development. any problems, particularly in avoiding will not neglect human development; The sovereign also called upon the private disputes. ASEAN Leaders in a group photo during the Retreat Session at the 12th ASEAN Summit, outside the Shangri La Hotel, Mactan, Cebu. Brunei welcome move to realise ASEAN Community 2015 vision CEBU, Philippines, January 13 – His Special Session during the 12th ASEAN will contribute towards the effort to create Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Summit, the ASEAN leaders agreed to Community ASEAN Economy. Mu’izaddien Waddaulah, Sultan and hold the mass campaign to eradicate HIV/ Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam AIDS disease. To realise that campaign, His Majesty then lauded the BIMP- welcomed the move to bring forward the International Community and Non- EAGA report “Heart of Borneo” and realisation of the ASEAN Community Government organisations were called to hoped some parts of the Heart of Borneo 2015. cooperate. designed are a heritage site. With the community, it would present His Majesty the Sultan and Yang At the end of the Summit, the leaders greater opportunities, especially in Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and agreed to issue a joint statement on the attracting investment and business in other ASEAN leaders also adopted one Third Brunei Darussalam Indonesia- the South East Asia region, as well as to Convention and four Declaration in the 12 Malaysia- Philippines East Asean Growth strengthen the economic relations with th ASEAN Summit. Area Summit. dialogue partners. They were ASEAN Convention on His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed His Majesty made the titah (royal Counter Terrorism; Cebu Declaration Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and speech) at the 12th ASEAN Summit On The Blueprint of the ASEAN Charter; Trade signed the MoU on behalf of Brunei along with leaders from others ASEAN ASEAN Declaration on Protection and Darussalam. Promotion of the Rights of Migrant countries held at the Shangri La Hotel, His Majesty also welcomed the Mactan, Cebu. Workers; Cebu Declaration Towards a Caring and Sharing Community and Cebu commitment from the members of the At the summit, His Majesty expressed Declaration on the Acceleration of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in building his satisfaction that there had been Establishment of and ASEAN Community the ASEAN Community and ASEAN significant progress in efforts to implement by 2015. Union as long term vision. His Majesty the decisions and programmes especially said EPG’s proposals on strengthening on the proposed establishment of an His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Asean as an organisation was very crucial ASEAN Charter. Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam also for Asean’s future. attended the BIMP-EAGA Summit. At EPG Group was created during the The Heads of State and Government the summit, His Majesty said that the th of the ASEAN also agreed for the region availability of transportation which is 11 ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, to fight and eradicate HIV/AIDS. In the easy, faster and secure in BIMP-EAGA Malaysia in December 2005. BRUNEI DARUSSALAM NEWSLETTER . 15 January 2007 5 Heritage – Cloth Weaving loth weaving (bertenun kain) is a tradition that started from the reign of Sultan Bolkiah, the fifth Sultan of Brunei. It is one of the cottage industry that still exist in Brunei Darussalam today besides plaiting (mostly for baskets, accessories made Cof rattan). In the past, weaving would take place after daily chores such as house keeping and cooking were done. The activity, dominated by women, was one of the ways to past their time while waiting for their husbands to get back from their own routines who were known to be fisherman and blacksmiths. Today, Brunei’s weaving products are among the best with high quality which has gained international recognition. In order to sustain the tradition, the government in 1975 established the Arts and Handicraft Training Centre as a centre providing courses on various traditional handwork skills such as weaving, silverwork, brass work, plaiting and songkok-making (traditional head-gear). The centre had produced many graduates that most of them had started their own enterprises. Normally the cloth is worn during ceremonial events at the palace or ceremonial hall (lapau). The cloth is also made into traditional wedding dress, and recently, as a part of the local university and institution’s graduation gown.