Published by the Department of Information FEBRUARY, 2009 Prime Minister’s Office VOLUME 24 ISSUE 2 Royal speech on 25th National Day HM: Call to change mindset and attitude BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, February roads in Brunei was only 160km long, 22 – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal with a small number of houses, schools, Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, The one hospital and a small number of Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei literate people. Darussalam said that there is a need to The late Sultan focused on fulfilling change our mindset and attitude and several basic necessities such as strengthen our moral base and ethics health and education facilities, in the bid to stimulate growth and construction of houses, roads, electric achieve excellence as a country. power station, communication system His Majesty said these in his titah and developing the oil industry, (royal speech) to mark the 25th agriculture and fisheries. The National National Day of Brunei Darussalam Development Plan had successfully which was broadcasted nationwide provided peace and harmony to the through radio and television. citizens of this country. Earlier in his royal speech, His His Majesty also highlighted on the Majesty said that development importance of an educated human process of this nation begun more than resource. This is important as this 25 years before its independence. The country is a small country with a small direction of the nation’s development population. A quality human resource PHOTO: PG. HAJI BAHAR OMAR was created through the vision, is the deciding factor for a country’s His Majesty delivers a titah in conjunction with the 25th National Day of Brunei ideologies and hard work of the capability to enjoy prolonged Darussalam. nation’s statesmen and intellectuals. progress. He further said that his late father, His Majesty further said this is why achieved full independence. Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien education has never been neglected. As a result of these development Sa’adul Khairi Waddien is an The underlying principle is clear, that is efforts, until the era of independence, acclaimed statesman known as to produce intellectuals with expertise it had drawn the development to a Arkitek Brunei Moden (Architect of in various disciplines where it is hoped wider extend. It brought meaning to Modern Brunei). One of the greatest to see the rise of credible leaders, ‘complete achievement’ when we deeds of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar thinkers and entrepreneurs. also entered international relations. ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien His Majesty also spoke on the With the grace of Allah The is the launching of the nation’s first mutual understanding and friendly Almighty, Brunei Darussalam has five-year National Development Plan relations that Brunei has forged with established relations to many nations in 1953. As an early investment, an many countries, saying that it brings in a harmonious and understanding amount of $100 million was allocated about a “complete achievement”, manner. to enhance the program to modernise and expressed the Sultanate’s The nation also owns a number of Brunei Darussalam in a big and wide appreciation towards friendly higher academic institutions along with scale. nations that have always given their enjoying modern telecommunications During that time, the total length of cooperation, particularly since Brunei and other developments. Brunei Darussalam celebrates 25th National Day BERAKAS, February 23 - A grand celebration took place on February 23, 2009 to mark the 25th National Day of Brunei Darussalam. The spectacular event took place at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium involving more than 18,000 people in the march pass from 108 contingents ranging from the public and private sectors, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. Present at the celebration were His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar and other members of the royal family. The highlight of the celebration saw a colourful field performance involving 4,900 people displaying various human graphics and creative movements. This year’s celebration carries the theme ‘Mature Nation’. NEWSCONTENT Their Majesties on official visit to Sabah Royal visit to flashflood affected Royalty attend Silver Jubilee banquet 4 5 areas 6 th Brunei Darussalam’s National Day 7 14 ASEAN Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand 9 SOAS Memorial Lecture 10/11 Silver Jubilee Celebration 2009 Brunei Shell Refinery achieves world Brunei records the Largest Serving of 13 14 HRH presents prizes to ‘Think Big’winners standard excellence 18 Grilled Satay In The World EDITORIAL Advisory Board: Proof reader: Awang Haji Mahmud Haji Masri Hajah Norpisah Md Salleh ([email protected]) ([email protected]) Editor: Online: Sastra Sarini Haji Julaini Haji Ariffin Mohd.Noor ([email protected]) ([email protected]) FEBRUARY 2009 l VOLUME 24 ISSUE 2 Sub Editor: Photographs BRUNEI DARUSSALAM NEWSLETTER Photography Division of Department of Information is published monthly by the Department of Hajah Noorhijrah Haji Idris Information. 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([email protected]) VISIT US ONLINE www.information.gov.bn/bdnewsletter EMAIL US AT: [email protected] 2 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM NEWSLETTER / February 2009 PALACE NEWSROUND � o p q � � � His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on February 10 presented diplomatic accreditations at the Istana Nurul Iman for: n Brunei’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Pehin Datu Inderasugara Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mohammad Yusof bin Abu Bakar. o Brunei’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Hamid bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad Yassin. p Brunei’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, His Excellency Dato Paduka Haji Kamis bin Haji Tamin. q Brunei’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the Russian Federation, His � Excellency Dr. Haji Emran bin Bahar. His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam also received diplomatic credential’s at the Istana Nurul Iman on February 10 from: PHOTOS: PG. HAJI BAHAR PG. HAJI OMAR HERNIE SULIANA HAJI OTHMAN � Non-resident Ambassador of Republic of Cuba to Brunei, His Excellency Carlos Alfredo Amores Balbin. � Non-resident Ambassador of Denmark to Brunei , Her Excellency Vibeke Rovsing Lauritzen. � Non-resident Ambassador of Mongolia to Brunei, His Excellency Putrevjav Gansukh. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Senior Minister at Prime Minister’s Office received audiences at the Istana Nurul Iman from: PHOTOS: MASRI OSMAN n o n The new non-resident Ambassador o Brunei’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, of the Republic of Cuba to Brunei His Excellency Pehin Datu Inderasugara Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Darussalam, His Excellency Carlos Awang Haji Mohammad Yusof bin Abu Bakar; Brunei’s newly-appointed Alfredo Amores Balbin on February Ambassador to the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Pengiran Dato 11. Paduka Haji Abdul Hamid bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad Yassin; Brunei’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, His Excellency Dato Paduka Haji Kamis bin Haji Tamin; and Brunei’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the Russian Federation, His Excellency Dr. Haji Emran bin Bahar on February 16. BRUNEI DARUSSALAM NEWSLETTER / February 2009 3 NEWS Their Majesties at a state banquet hosted by the Governor of Sabah. PHOTO: ABDULLAH HAJI AWANG DAMIT Their Majesties on official visit to Sabah KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, February 4 – His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty The Raja Isteri were on a two-day official visit to Sabah, Malaysia starting February 3. Accompanying Their Majesties were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bulqiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz. Their Majesties’ itinerary began with attending a luncheon hosted by Sabah Chief Minister, Yang Amat Berhormat PHOTO: PG. HAJI BAHAR OMAR Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman and wife, Yang Amat His Majesty at a briefing on Sabah’s tourism industry and Berbahagia Datin Seri Panglima Hajah Faridah Haji Tussin Sabah Development Corridor. held at Spice Island, Marina Golf and Country Club, Sutera Harbour Resort. On a separate itinerary, His Majesty received a briefing on Sabah’s tourism