Anti-Smoking Drive Stepped Up
By Hadi DP Mahmud

Bandar Seri Begawan - The State Mufti Department and the Ministry of Health's Welfare, Social and Sports Corporate Body (WSSCB) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for publishing the English version of the book, Cigarettes and Smoking', which aims to highlight that smoking is prohibited in Islam.

The decision follows the success of Malay version of the State Mufti's edict on smoking, 'Rokok dan Merokok', which was released three years ago.

About 1,000 copies of Cigarettes and Smoking will be published by the health ministry's WSSCB, which will also bear the cost. The State Mufti will provide the necessary material for the book.

"The `haram' or forbidden rule on smoking (as stated in the State Mufti's edict on smoking) is not a small matter as it concerns the Muslim masses. The choices that smokers make is not just about 'to smoke or to

care about health', 'to smoke or to care about life', but also whether it is a sin or a reward - meaning that not smoking will earn you rewards while smoking is a sin," said Dato Paduka Ahmad Bukhari Pehin Siraja Khatib Abu Hanifah, Director of Administration at the State Mufti Department in his speech at the MoU signing.

The book contains wide debates and discussions from mu 'tabar (Muslim) scholars, as well as contemporary and health experts on the issues of smoking. Backed by syar'i and scientific evidence, the English version will be able to reach a wider audience in the society.

"The dissemination of the edict on smoking is a landmark and masses need to be informed about it. The edict will get more exposure through the English version," he said. Dato Paduka

Ahmad Bukhari said that during the International Seminar on Tobacco or Health (held in Brunei in 2002), World Health Organisation experts, scientists and Muslim scholars have resolved that smoking was dangerous to health, it contains about a thousand different poisons, and therefore smoking is just like consuming poison.

"When it was clear that smoking poses danger to the body and mind, and that the harmful consequences cannot be taken lightly, therefore the haram or forbidden rule on smoking had to be implemented."

Achievers Receive Certificates By Debbie Too

Bandar Seri Begawan - Some 71 students of the Paduka Seri Begawan Science College yesterday received awards and certificates for their excellent academic achievements in various examinations last year. Special certificates were also presented to exemplary students who excelled in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.

Out of the total recipients, 62 students were awarded for their achievements in last year's Secondary three government exams, the PMB, GCE `O' Levels, Lower Secondary six, the AS and the 'A' Levels examinations.

One of the students who received a special certificate for exemplary performance was the daughter of His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Yang Arnat Mulia Pengiran Anak Na'afiah Khairul Bulqiah, who excelled in Physics while two others were awarded for their excellent '0' Level results. Faezul Rahim Jasdi, obtained 8 As and 1 B, and Nur Aminah Izzati Mohd Nor, who got 9 As.

Pg Hajah Sarah Pg Hj Kamaluddin, the college's principal said, "In other schools, students are awarded if they achieve 8 '0' levels (of any. grades), however at the Paduka Seri Begawan Science College, we set a much higher standard, whereby we award students who got really excellent results.

Last year 51 students of the college had passed their 'A' levels examination have been granted scholarships to further their studies overseas and the rest are now undergoing courses at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

On hand to present the awards and certificates was Hj Ismail POKPS Dato Paduka Hj Hashim, the Director of Planning from the Brunei Economic and Development Department. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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