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Brunei gets a mega telly deal
By Jacky Lim & Rijal KK

Pehin Isa declares open the Kristal-Astro service. Photos: Hj Md Said

Last night's photo of two Permanent Secretaries at the PM's Office, Pehin Dato Hj Yahya (R) with Dato Hj Hazair during the Kristal-Astro launch.

Pehin Dato Haji Awang Isa, Special Advisor to His Majesty and Yang Di Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam cum Minister of Home Affairs last night officially launched the Kristal-Astro service at a colourful ceremony at the Orchid Garden Hotel in the capital.

This unique service will provide local TV fans with a mega media deal that could match any other similar service in South East Asia.

Subscribers will have access to over 30 digital television and radio channels.

These include Astro Ria, a general-entertainment Malay language channel; Astro SuperSport, which carries "live" sports telecasts particularly of European soccer; and Astro Wah Lai Toi, a general-entertainment Chinese language programme.

All programmes on KRISTAL-ASTRO will take into account the unique religious, cultural and social values of the people of Brunei said Dato' Hj Badri Hj Masri, Director, MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd (MBNS), at the launch of KRISTAL-ASTRO.

He also said, KRISTAL-ASTRO subscribers will be able to access a whole range of interactive services.

MBNS and KRISTAL will be working together to develop new multimedia services such as home banking, home shopping, distance education and share information which would be made available to KRISTAL-ASTRO subscribers in phases, commencing in the middle of this year.

Saifulbahri Bin Pehin Dato Haji Jaya the Managing Director of Kristal who spoke at the ceremony said the DST Group will continuously looking into the need to provide enhancement programmes by doing continuous strategic analysis while playing a major role in Brunei Darussalam and regional Multimedia Industry.

The joint venture of KRISTAL - ASTRO will strengthen the good relationship between the Government and the people of both Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia that have coexisted very cordially he added.

He said Kristal will always be closely monitoring the growth of the broadcasting industry in Brunei and will always be committed to provide various consumer choice for TV & Radio programmes in association with Brunei Darussalam culture and values.

The CEO of KRISTAL-ASTRO Sdn Bhd, Haji Matnarudin Ibrahim gave a brief background of both companies in the function and a five minutes audio-visual was also presented to the audiences.

Meanwhile Kristal-Astro was later declred open at Kompleks Setia Kenangan, Kg. Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan by Dato Paduka (Dr) Awang Haji Ahmad Haji Jumat, Chairman, DataStream Technology Sdn Bhd.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin