Good rest.

Salam, good day. So far how was your holiday? I hope you do enjoy the long weekend and December holiday especially for those who is spending their time with their beloved family. No matter if you are on holiday abroad or domestically, lets hope the strong bonding among the husband and wife, the kids with their parents etc will last forever. Also, keep in mind that holiday doesn't means shopping freely. But shopping is only part of the holiday and we should only prioritizes the important goods. We should always remember that the new season of school is coming up, I'm sure it also needs large sums of cash for the registration process. Let's make 2011 a memorable year and prepare our self in heading to the new calendar ahead, Tawakkal;)

Have you ever heard of a Fes-Retro boutique? Now they are officially opened at Times Square, 1st floor. It sells football jerseys, football teams merchandises, collector's items, futsal boots etc. Compare to their previous location, Fes-Retro@Times Square is much more convenient and stylish. More stories on The Brunei Times Borneo Bulletin ranoadidas 

Today's The Brunei Times

100 % local staff (Image rano360.com).

Today's Borneo Bulletin

The first time ever after almost twelve years, I've got myself a football jersey. This was a gift from the management of Fes-Retro to me (thanks Mr Effendi with Mrs Effendi & Mr Habry). I really appreciate this gift and will keep and don this jersey with pride. Why after almost twelve years I didn't don any football team's jersey? Since I joined RTB and being a radio and tv football pundit, the first thing to prevent is being bias. So during the time, I never bought any jersey. Be it on radio or tv, I never publicly told the audience I'm a fan of Liverpool FC. Although I revealed it now on bruneidaily.blogspot, but I assure you that I will not bias to any particular team on my show. Insya Allah:)

Love forever.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to send a message of condolences to the family members of the victims of the recent tragic road accident in Tuaran, Sabah that involved the loss of lives and injuries to a number of passengers from Brunei Darussalam. 

In the message, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan expressed his great sadness upon coming to know of the accident and extended his condolences to the family members of the victims involved and hoped that they would be patient, and also prayed that the souls of the victims would be blessed and placed with the pious. For those who were injured, His Majesty prayed for their swift recovery. 

Following the incident, His Majesty commanded the Ministries concerned including the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, other Ministries as well as the relevant authorities in His Majesty's Government to play their roles in assisting the victims involved. In this regard, His Majesty issued a command for Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, the Minister of Finance Two (II) in the Prime Minister's Office, and Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports who is currently also the acting Minister of Health as well as the Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces to go to Sabah, Malaysia in order to make all necessary arrangements to resolve this matter. 

His Majesty also issued a command for all facilities including the costs of medical treatment for the injured and the transportation of the bodies of the victims back to Brunei Darussalam by aircraft to be borne by His Majesty's Government. 

A chartered bus carrying a group of Bruneians on holiday was involved in an accident in Sabah. According to a report by a Malaysian newspaper, New Straits Times, the accident occurred at the Ranau-Tamparuli Road near Kampung Kaporingan. 

The bus was travelling from Tawau towards Kota Kinabalu rolled twice on the road after the driver lost control of the vehicle, grazed a tourist bus in the opposite direction before coming to a stop about 30 metres away, when it crashed into a tree by the roadside. The group arrived in Kota Kinabalu last Friday and travelled to Tawau where they also spent the night yesterday. They were on their way back to Kota Kinabalu to spend another night before resuming their return journey to Brunei Darussalam today. RTB is currently updating information on the incident.

His Majesty The Sultan And Yang Dipertuan Of Brunei Darussalam, 

our caring monarch.

Taken from foreign newspaper, The Star.

Whilst this also came into my attention on the sports page. 'Crocs' defeat 'Rhinos' 1-0 in a highly-anticipated pre-season friendly. I do miss footballing travel! When Sarawak meet Sabah, it was a classic as it was Selangor against Singapore!

Prior to checking-out.
After a year long of hardwork, now it's time to get rest!

Holiday.

Taken back in 2009 at Jalan Besar Stadium

Salam, good day. I know a I'm a bit late but yet the joyful mood is still on! DPMM FC is back into the S-League challenge for next season. After two years absence, I'm sure Brunei's only professional club need to work hard to get back to full fitness. Under the head coach of Vjeran Simunic, the confidence is very high but we still didn't know the strength of other teams. According to a news posted on DPMM FC's website, Simunic has  stated the biggest problem for the team is the lack of competitive games. Despite this,the coach believes that they can attain what they want in the near future. Oh, I can't wait:)

(L-R) Pg Waslimin and Rene Komar.

We gonna miss Rene!

I hope Shahrazen Said will be back with his sharpness

Pg Sallehudin (6) thanking DPMM FC's supporters at Choa Chu Kang Stadium. They are RBAF's personnel who are then attending a course at SAF.  

Talking about DPMM FC's import players, both Rene and Hamed are inducted in the Hall of Fame!

DPMM FC's supporters during an away match against Balestier Khalsa

Ivan Jerkovic is another superb import player! Due to lack of competitive match, I hope Subhi able to get back to his best.

Sweet left foot of Sairol Sahari will be one of DPMM FC's weapon

Supporters at Toa Payoh Stadium

The Head Coach and The Captain

Once again Wardun Yussof will be playing a major part in the team

Yep, we are going to see this again!

 

December is holiday!

The kids seems enjoying their time!

Toughest yet memorable.

Salam, good day. It’s good to be back with the family after more than a week on assignment abroad. Foooh...I was a bit of a surprised when given this job because soon after return home, I will be on a holiday. This is the rezki and a responsibility as a servant which I should obey.

 

Alright, have you ever heard of a place called Samarinda?

Samarinda is the capital of the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. The city lies on the banks of the Mahakam River. It is the most populous city in East Kalimantan with a population of 726,223. Although it is the capital of East Kalimantan, some government institutions such as the Police, Indonesian Army District VI Of Tanjung Pura, and Pelabuhan Indonesia (Port Transportation) are located on the island. The city also has a bridge connecting its river banks, Mahakam Bridge. The city center is on one side and the other side is named Samarinda Seberang.

Long before, the cousin of mine have a told me a story of Samarinda. His team of army has visited Samarinda for a military exercises and trainings. Meaning they do have an army camp there and talking about Indonesian army, they are one of the best with one of the toughest training offered.

To go to Samarinda, you should take a connecting flight from BSB either to Singapore or Jakarta, then straight away to Balikpapan (Brunei used to have a direct flight from BSB to Balikpapan long before). It took you a three hours drive from Sepinggan International Airport, Balikpapan to Samarinda and it is very challenging journey! Haha...me myself vomitted more than five times along the way! It was a quick shifting drive and they are very daring too.

It was a memorable journey yet the toughest one, which has cemented in my memory. Local Samarinda’s have told us, once you have drink the water of Mahakam River (main source of drinking water here), one day you will come back here again:)

Soon after landed at Sepinggan International Airport, all the passengers are transfered from the tarmac to the airport terminal by a shuttle bus.

Our aircraft 

Hmmm...I prefer watermelon *lol* 

The RTB Crew stretching their tired legs at Jalan Diponegoro, Samarinda. (L-R) Pg Faizal Pg Salim, Linggat Kelai, Zulhilmi Osman and Irman Emran.

Taken infront of our hotel 

It ain't easy to drive a car here, very tight and very dangerous.

120% focus needed! 

The lady in green scarf was just hit by a fast running bike *pity her*

About food, I'm a bit choosy. We went all over to look out for the cleanest eatery and the best food and this is one of them, Dapur Desa Restaurant. Good place for food but a bit cozy. 

RTB personnel at work 

At the media centre. Funny things about this place, day 1 to day 3 no nothing provided. Day 4 they installed a pc. Day 5, a chair and a table. Day 6, they put on a banner upfront "Borneo Games 2011, Media Centre" and also they put in a sofa. They promise us an internet connection, but until the very last day the internet seems invisible. But being a media personnel we never complaint, we know the problem they are facing. Media members are professionals who is always doing their job to the end, no matter the problems or obstacles they are encountering. The job has to be done!

Golden athletes of Maziah Mahusin and Ak Hafiy Tajudin Pg Rositi. 

Team Kempo Kensei's 

(L-R) Rahim Osman (cameraman), Shahir (driver), Linggat Kelai (cameraman) and Dhani (driver) at Mal Lembuswana, Jalan Siswondo Parman.

Our hardworking film editor Irman Emran 

One good place for muslims attire 

With Brunei's tennis ace Aiman Abdullah, Segiri Tennis Club.

The Boss is gobbling his Ayam Penyet *pure*

Al-Intsar Mosque, Samarinda. 

This fund box is keep on moving from one to another

Masjid Al-Amin, Segiri. I like this mosque, cute, clean and comfy... 

Sheikh Mahmuddin Mosque, Plaza Mulia, Samarinda. This mosque is located on top of a shopping mall. They do perform Jumaat prayer here too. 

"Disini susah mau parkir mobil pak..." 

Exclusive interview with the Chef de Mission, Mariam Ulat of JBS. 

Editing for the last item. Hmmm who is that on that small monitor? 

It's feeding time 

Palapa Satellite Transmitter, Samarinda. 

The guy in red is Ade Rahman and behind me was Pak Harno 

The panoramic view of Sungai Mahakam soon after Subuh prayer (I was trying to play with my shutter, hehe very bad pic). 

 The very last day over there, I've wrote a poetry...

"...Gagah Mahakam Sungai Ternama

Membelah Bumi Di Timur Kalimantan

Mohon Diri Ku Undur Kota Samarinda

Ku Mampir Ke Sana Andai Ada Kesempatan..."

Kicking start our quick stop in Singapore with Kambing Merah at Jalan Sultan 

The aftermath yehaaa... 

Later, a quick visit to Royal Plaza on Scotts's surau to perform jamak 

Hmmm, currently Singapore is very crowded and very noisy...December! 

Scene at Orchard Road 

Yummy... 

At Grand Park Orchard. Such a gimmick! The guys is standing all day long, their job is just to smile and ready to take a picture with passers by. A ladies puller... 

Infront of the Paragon 

At the lobby of Royal Plaza on Scotts 

Photographers from the Information Dept,

(L-R) Shahrizal Said and Pg Bahar Pg Omar.  

I took this pic for my kids at Changi International Airport