Great encounter...great comeback as well.

Artist at work...saucy nando!

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Salam, good day. What a wonderful morning after a great night of football! Liverpool FC with their worst start of the season has silenced the severe critics they had after thumping Manchester United 2-0 at Anfield. Injury doubt Fernando Torres scored the opener twenty minutes after the interval, collecting his ninth of the season. David Ngog hit the second goal in the stoppage time. With Steven Gerrard sidelined due to a groin problem, the Reds doesn't seem looking for his service though. In other results; Bolton 3-2 Everton, Manchester City 2-2 Fulham and West Ham 2-2 Arsenal:)

It's getting worst.

Labuan Quits Borneo Games Football Event Dropped

Bandar Seri Begawan - The football event for the third Borneo Games 2009 to be held in Brunei Darussalam at the end of next month has been dropped after the Federal Territory of Labuan suddenly withdrew its participation.

Despite having already agreed to take part during the head of delegates meeting for the 3rd Borneo Games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on Oct 10, the Federal Territory of Labuan sent a letter stating its non-participation.

The letter did not state any reason for the withdrawal. After the news in the last meeting that the Brunei Darussalam Football Association had been suspended by FIFA, Malaysian teams from Sabah and Sarawak had declined although the Borneo Games has no affiliation with AFC or FIFA.

With only Brunei and Kalimantan participating in the football event, it does not have the mandatory three teams to compete. Without football, this year's Borneo Games will comprise nine sporting events badminton, lawn bowling, cue sports, gasing (top spinning), hockey, athletics, pencak silat, sepak takraw and tennis.

Athletes from Sabah, Sarawak, the Federal Territory of Labuan, Kalimantan and Malacca, the host of Sukma 2010, and host Brunei will be contesting in nine events. (Borneo Bulletin)

I wish so...insya Allah.

Bumper fruit harvest this season

According to John Keats, one of England's' greatest poets, autumn is a season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.

Brunei has its season of fruits and this year, we seem to have a bumper crop. The trees are laden with rambutans, taraps, longans and durians.

Fruit season is also a time when mums, dads and the kids pile into their Kijangs or Avanzas and head off for a few hours of fruit picking on their lands or in the jungle, where there is an abundance of fruits ripe and ready for picking.

When roadside fruit stalls spring up every few hundred yards along Brunei's major roads, you know it's fruit season in Brunei. The local fruits are succulent, nutritious and delicious. Health food never tasted so good.

Everyone has their own favourite fruit, but there is no doubt that durian, "the king of fruits", is Brunei's favourite. It has a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of a great many Bruneians. The seeds of the durian can also be eaten, but you must cook them first. We had a durian at home yesterday. I hope to be able to move back into my house in a couple of days!

My personal favourite is the rambutan or hairy fruit. They seem to be extra juicy this year. My wife told me that the seeds can be eaten raw.

After eating one, I decided to check that out. According to Wikipedia, the seed is mildly poisonous when raw, but can be eaten when cooked. Well, so much for that! I hope I last long enough to see this article in print. (Borneo Bulletin)

Brand new ride.

Unemployment still a major concern

The number of Bruneians seeking jobs has climbed in recent months as the Local Employment Section of the Labour Department has confirmed that it received some 4,700 applicants struggling to find employment from January to August this year.

In the past week alone, the section said it received 300 new applications with many searching for jobs in administration, but most of the unemployed still prefer to work in the public sector.

However, according to Haji Mohd Ideni Hj Ahmad, Assistant Commissioner of Labour, locals are slowly but steadily opening up and are taking up opportunities provided by the private sector.

In an interview with the Bulletin, Hj Mohd Ideni said most private companies working in cooperation with the local employment section in search of employees look at an applicant's willingness to work more than his/her qualification.

"An applicant's willingness to work is one of the major driving factors that an employer considers in a potential candidate. Even if an applicant has a primary six qualification, but if he/she is determined and willing to work, it catches the employer's attention.

"It's a different story if the position offered requires high qualification and an under qualified applicant applies," he quickly added.

He said the Local Employment Section is trying to create awareness not only among job seekers but also the private sector.

Hj Mohd Ideni urged those in the private sector to inform the section on jobs that they offer.

Commenting on the employment figures, the assistant commissioner said of the 4,700 applicants it received throughout the year until August, only 189 got jobs in the private sector.

"It's hard to state the actual figures. The 189 could be under-calculated because some employment-seeking cardholders do not inform us once they get jobs. So, we do not know if the numbers are higher," he added.

Hj Mohd Ideni also advised private companies to look into the public-private partnership initiative as it would help job seekers find employment directly or indirectly.

Yesterday, the Bulletin witnessed first hand the high demand for employment at the Job Centre in the capital. Unemployed locals were seen sending in applications, queuing in long lines waiting to get interviewed while some were looking at advertisements on the bulletin board for vacancies.

The Job Centre, which is now located in the capital behind the Brunei Hotel, was relocated in September 2008 from its previous place at the Immigrations headquarters.

The centre's functions include counselling, training, advertising and interviewing job seekers. (Borneo Bulletin)

What tomorrow will brings?

The emcees Harun & Fadzillah

Guest singer Uji Rashid

Bintang Radio previous winners
(From left: Isamudin, Ampuan Rosnahwati, Ampuan Nur Hafizah Hanum & Khairul Nazri)

Line up of judges

(From left: Cico Harahap, Norhayati, Rosman & Abdullah)

Men's category champion Ak Shahminan

Ladies category champion Nuraqilah Maidin

The most awaited moment...

The emcees in conversation with one of the contestant...

...and the grand finale.

Bandar Seri Begawan - Ten contestants took turns in the limelight to belt out their songs at the final rounds of the Bintang Radio 2009 last night organised by Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB).

In the men's category, Ak Shahminan Pg Ahmad claimed first place for a crowd pleasing performance, winning himself $2,000 and a trophy.

His performance received a standing ovation from the audience as he sang Menyulam Kasih.

Second prize went to Mohd Ruzaimi Mohamad, 21, while third prize went to a member of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Hj Zul Azmi Hj Mohin.

In the female category, Nuraqilah Maidin gained herself the title of the top female singer of the night's competition after belting the song Burung Pungguk.

The female singer also won similar prizes to Ak Shahminan for her efforts.

Suzann Maidin was named first runner-up of this year's contest while 20-year-old Siti Fairuz Hj Ibrahim grabbed a safe spot at third place.

The first runners-up of both categories received trophies and cash prizes of $1,500 whereas the second runners-up received $1000 and trophies. Consolation prizes of $800 and trophies were also given to the remaining finalists.

On hand to present the awards to the winners was the guest of honour at the event, Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, Pg Abdul Hails Pg Hj Shahbudin.

Ak Shahminan and Nuraqilah will be representing Brunei at the Nyanyian Bintang Klasik Nusantara 2009 which will be hosted by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) in Kuala Lumpur next month.

Previous winners of Bintang Radio of recent years, Mohd Khairul Nazri Hj Johari, Ampuan Nur Hafizah Hanun Ampuan Hj Yaakub, Ampuan Rosnahwati Ampuan Hj Yaakub and Isamuddin Samsudin were also present last night to perform during the finals prior to the announcement of this year's champions.

The audience was also treated to guest performances by Malaysia's evergreen singer Uji Rashid, who sang several of her own hits of the 70s and sang duets with each of the past Bintang Radio champions.

In a statement by RTB's Acting Director Pg Hj Mahari Pg Hj Abd Rajak, this is the eighth year that the Bintang Radio contest has been held since its revival in 2002. (The Brunei Times)

Allah bless.

Salam, good day. Alhamdulillah, first of all I would like to thank my family, my kids (Zahra', Sa'adah & Abdul Aziz), friends, colleagues, long time no sees, for the wishes on my facebook's wall, sms, calls, greetings and dedications. How old? *I prefer to keep it in secret* Oooh...i still feel young nonetheless *hehe* However, all have been great to me. Also, happy birthday to my beloved wife Saraya Abidin which also falls on the same day as me. Today also mark our 6th wedding anniversary too. If you wish to add me on facebook, please add my nick Adi Zulhazmi Mohammad Salleh. Thanks again, Allah bless:)

Unpredictable.

Day of joy for Zakat recipients

The smiles on their faces said it all.

Successful applicants who were promised a cut of the multi-million-dollar financial aid from Zakat collection finally had their share banked into their bank accounts yesterday.

In His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's Titah last Wednesday, the monarch said that these shares were meant to lessen the burden of the less fortunate by providing them with a better, more comfortable life.

From as early as 6.30am yesterday, people armed with files of certificates and documents stating their entitlement had gathered outside a bank in the capital.
When asked what she would do with the extra money, Dayang Rosnah of Kampong Ayer told the Bulletin that her priority was to buy food and supplies for her house.

"I will also use the money to settle my debts," she said.

An elderly man, Awang Abdullah, express his gratitude to Allah the Almighty and His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for easing his burden.
"It has been a while since I had this much money on hand," said the 68-year-old man as he flicked some 50-dollar notes. "Some of this will be used to pay off my debts, while the rest will be kept for a rainy day."

A single mother of two, Hjh Rokiah of Berakas, meanwhile, said that she would receive $30,000 in financial aid from the fund.

However, there were a few sad faces, as they were not able to withdraw the money from the bank due to "procedural mistakes". Some had attempted to withdraw the money from account that was currently under the name of the head of family, either their mother or father.

Bank staff reassured the Bulletin that this matter could easily be resolved as long as the head of family can write a letter authorising one of their relatives to withdraw the money on their behalf.

Some people who visited the bank early yesterday morning were saddened to hear that their accounts had not been updated. They were told to come back after noon to see if the money had been banked into their respective accounts.

However, many people are still confused as to how much they would be allowed to withdraw each month.

It is understood that the funds that are banked into their resistive accounts can only be withdrawn each month to the amount of no more than 1/12 (one-twelfth), 1/36, 1/48 or 1/60 depending on their category.

"I'm still in the dark about this arrangement," said Shamsuddin, a retiree who was told by a bank staff that he was not allowed to withdraw more than $1,000 yesterday.

Understandably, this is one of the mechanisms to prevent any of the recipients form spending the money like water.

His Majesty expressed his hope that the recipients of the shares would use the funds wisely and "avoid an extravagant and wasteful lifestyle" in last Wednesday's titah, which was delivered during a presentation ceremony for the 4,084 heads of families from the poor community.

Out of the 4,084, 2,313 were from Brunei-Muara District, 573 from Tutong, 749 from Belait and 259 from Temburong. Some 190 people were categorised under the al-Gharimin (debt-ridden) category.

The Bulletin has learnt that with the Zakat or monthly assistance, the 4,084 families will no longer be categorised as "poor" and will be removed from any list for the next couple of years.

The financial assistance should be sufficient to cover their basic foodstuff necessities, daily spending money, their children's education and rent for housing.

Meanwhile, recipients from the al-Gharimin category will be receiving funds to settle their outstanding housing debts up to January 31, 2009.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the outstanding housing debt stood at $2,325,296.38, and the money is owed to Housing Development Department, Ministry of Development and Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation. (Borneo Bulletin).