I refer to Borneo Bulletin's "Health" section dated March 14, 2005, featuring Health Day News "Poverty May Raise Mental Illness Risk", I am intrigued by the findings, hence, would like to share my personal view on the topic in the context of our country, Brunei Darussalam.

I quote, "The poorer one's socioeconomic conditions are, the higher one runs the risk for mental disability and psychiatric hospitalisation" according to researcher Christopher G Hudson of Salem State College in Massachusetts.

In the same article, it reports that in the current issue of the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, they found a correlation between risk of mental illness and unemployment, poverty and inability to afford housing. I further quote "The findings offer strong evidence that low socioeconomic status may have a direct impact on the development of mental disorders".

I am in full agreement with the findings on the one hand, but on the other hand, if I were to put it in the context of our country, there are some uncertainties.

In view of how fortunate we are in a country where "poverty" is rarely heard of for the fact that the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is providing such good care for its people, why are so many mentally unsound individuals loitering around in the public out there.

It would be interesting to find out the background of this particular group of individuals whether or not they have been treated for their mental illness at any point in their lives; or perhaps to do a research on the topic to see if the findings would be similar to that of the above.

In the event of these "mentally unsound individuals" been treated for their illness at any one point in their lives (not ruling out the possibilities of relapse), and "poverty" is not an issue on these individuals' lives, could it be the lack of rehabilitative facilities in our country resulting in them loitering around in the public; that the social and psychological aspects of their lives are not being taken care of?

- Concerned Public

Once in a while, I like to take my family to dine-out, usually at fast-food outlets.

On a rainy Thursday evening, my family and I decided to have dinner at a fast-food restaurant in Lambak, Berakas.

It was about 9.45pm when we entered (closing time10.30pm), and a young female at the counter served us.

After giving our orders, we sat down and waited. When the food came, I discovered the chips to be cold, so I requested for them to be replaced with fresh ones.

Surprisingly, the staff at the counter reacted in a rude manner as if I was asking for something impossible!

After she sent the chips to our table, which was right in front of the counter, she continued with her work at the cash register.

There, she started to bang coins on the counter as well as the metal-clips inside the cash register machine.

We were shocked by the rude behaviour shown by her.

With that, we lost our appetite to eat since she decided to continue with her tantrums and all of us were annoyed and irritated by the noises made purposely by her.

What I want to point out here is, frontliners (like her) should be given ample training in Public Relations especially in courtesy regarding how to attend to customers, regardless of the mood they are in.

- Irritated Chicken-Lover

Somebody has to intervene to clear the mess at Kuala Lurah.

All the parking spaces have been taken away at the border. No reason has been given but I suspect it is to stop the cross border 'walkers'.

We could be sensible and build car parks at the border, allowing all people the freedom citizens of the world are entitled to.

The freedom to transit borders without interference. The freedom to think for oneself and make decisions based on one's inner sense of logic, belief, honesty and justice.

At present the policy of pushing the parking spaces back from the border is simply make things more confusing and dangerous.

- KLAS

I have been staying at Spg 16, Kg Jln Telenai Beribi, over one year, and facing a major problem of flooding during rainy days.

It occurs because the landscaping of the nearest land. Since Dec. 2003, the land was already shaped but there is no drainage or fencing.

Because of this happening, the neighbouring houses have been facing this flooding for a long time. Please authorities do take action to stop the flooding.

We have pictures showing how flooding damage our goods in a rented house.

Also a lot of insects and even snakes creep in with the flood water during heavy rain.

- SKA

I am writing on behalf of all the fellow travellers who were taking the RBA flight to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, March 23.

The flight was supposed to depart at midday but was retimed to four hours later.

Some of the travellers were not informed and had made their way to the airport all the way from Kuala Belait early in the morning.

Only at three check-in counters opened and the queue was so long, it took approximately more than 20minutes for each traveller to be issued a boarding pass.

A group of us were told that the flight was 'overbooked' and there were no seats left for us.

One could imagine the scene; some of them furious as they were holding assigned seats, some of them had a flight to connect to, some of them had young children, etc. We were told that we could be 'transferred' to the next flight which departs in two hours and most of us had no choice as we were already there.

We thought the flight would depart on schedule but the flight was nowhere to be seen.

After another delay and the flight finally departed at 2030hrs and it was nearly midnight by the time we got to the hotel!

We had planned our trip well in advance to be well-rested for the next day and due to all these delays, our trip was spoilt.

We used to be proud of our national airlines but lately, the service and the schedule is causing concern .

- Disappointed Flyer

We would like to refer to the opinion 'Bullied by a ticket attendant' written by Unhappy, KB issued in the Borneo Bulletin on February 19, 2005.

First of all the Kuala Belait and seria Municipal Department would like to thank Unhappy, KB for his/her complaint.

However in order for the Department to take action on this matter we would advise Unhappy, KB to come forward or call 3342895/3330780 (Complaint Coordinator) to assist us in further investigation.

Consequently, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome those who have had similar experiences to contact us in order for the department to further improve/make good its services to the public.

- Kifli bin Hj Azahari,
Assistant Municipal Secretary,
Kuala Belait and Seria Municipal Department

First of all, what makes you think you are victimised? Who victimised you to get a Pass only?

A credit needed in Malay for enrollment to Six Form has not been not a secret.

Many know that as a fact.

Find ways to improve to a credit level before your next sitting. That way, you stand a better chance during a 2nd intake, if any.

You may feel sorry and miss your friends but the bright side is that you graduate with greater maturity. Good Luck.

- Emmy

First the newspaper report that we are the regions highest users (ie Wasters) of water , then the next day we read that we are also the region's highest debtors!

These are not reports to be proud of but instead are to be ashamed of. Wastage of water is evident in our daily lives.

The cost of water in Brunei is very cheap so little value is placed on it.

We are in debt because as the Imam said, we live beyond our means. We spend more than what we earn each month.

Our eyes get bigger than our pockets!

We want all the luxuries in life, big fancy cars, the big TVs, Hi-Fi sets and other gadgets, fancy furniture and other house furnishings, humongous houses etc.

Bank loans and hire purchase is great - we can own these items and show them off to our family and friends, then default on the payment and let the companies repossess the items.

I see so many unhappy Brunei faces when I go out to the local coffee shop etc.

Parents with many kids in tow, a baby on the hip or in a gloomy faced amah's arms, the parents sour- faced and I wonder why our people here, who have so much given to them by the government still look so unhappy.

I see people in our neighbouring countries who do not have fancy cars, or wear beautiful clothes nor laden with jewellery, yet they are still smiling and looking happy.

The attitude is so different and obvious on the faces.

Is it because we who already have so much are yet not satisfied and want more, believe we deserve more, hence the indebtedness and gloomy faces?

Is it because our neighbours who have to work for everything, because nothing is given to them free, appreciate what they have earned through own hard work?

I think people who have worked hard for what they have do appreciate their gains.

Perhaps the Imams can enlighten us.

- Ashamed Bruneian, BSB