Borneo Bulletin Opinion
| Water Services Dept
regrets KB ordeal We would like to thank "Waterless In KB" for his comments regarding the water supply in Belait District, which was rationed from 5pm on Monday, February 6, 2006. To set the records straight, the power failure at our water intake station in Badas was discovered at 8.55am on Monday morning. Action to reinstate the pumps was taken immediately when the power could not be activated. By 5pm of the same day water rationing was executed. The Department supplies water from Sungai Tujuh to Lumut except for BSP housing in Seria and Panaga. By the morning of February 7, 2006 1. Water supply to Kg Kayu Ara and Kg Sungai Tali, Lumut was resumed. 2. Water supply for the public in tankers was provided at our Office compounds in Nakhoda Ragam, Seria and Lumut (where the elevated water tanks are). 3. Water supply in tanks was provided at "Balai Raya", and along Jalan Sungai Liang - Tunggulian near Perumahan "TOL tersusun" until 10pm. 4. Water supply was delivered continuously to hospitals and mosques. Power supply to the affected water intake point was resumed by 7.30pm of February 7, 2006 enabling the treatment plant to be fully operated. Within one hour, all pumps supplying KB, Seria and Sungai Liang districts were fully operational. Reports showed that most of the houses in Seria & Kuala Belait received water by 9.30pm. Since it takes some time for the water pressure to build up, housing on high ground and high-rise buildings may have experienced their water supply and usual pressure delayed. We wish to sincerely apologise to everyone affected by the event for all the inconveniences caused and thank them for their understanding and support. W especially wish to thank BSP for providing immediate support when we were in need and we promise you that we, with the support of Electrical Department and the Ministry of Development, strive to continuously improve our services so that we can supply potable water without any interruptions. We would also like to take the opportunity to request your assistance and support to not waste water, a valuable resource and one of our basic needs. We are very sorry to know that "Waterless in KB" has had negative experiences in our country. If you are still having any water problems please contact us at 3334206. - Senior Executive Engineer - Public Works Department, - Kuala Belait |
| Why not fly national
flag from airport to Bandar? Our Nation celebrates the joyous occasion of its National Day on February 23 and the people usually prepare themselves months ahead for it. Flag raising ceremony is the first event that takes place weeks before the main event. The Government's effort to motivate people of Brunei to get into the patriotic spirit is greatly appreciated. Everyone is encouraged to raise the National Flag on houses and buildings. As a citizen of Brunei Darussalam, I will be more proud if the authority concerned could expand their efforts in motivating people of Brunei Darussalam on patriotism by keeping our National Flag raised together with our National Day slogan along the Highway (Labuhraya Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah) from Airport to Bandar Seri Begawan, so that citizens who return from overseas abroad will feel the national spirit and foreigners who visit our country Brunei Darussalam during the month will appreciate our culture and patriotism. I think it will not be too costly for our Government and Private Sector to put our National Flag and banners up at every lamppost along the highway during this month of our National Day Celebration! - Loyal Citizen |
| Everyone in Brunei
must fly National flag With Beunei's National Day just round the corner, by right we should all be flying the national flag by now. However I noted that there are still many private houses and dwellings rented-out to foreign workers in Mumong and Pandan areas, Kuala Belait that had not done so. Bruneians generally welcome foreign workers to this country. As such we would greatly appreciate if Brunei Darussalam's National Day is given the same respect they give their own. - Amat Patriotik |
| How about waiving
mobile transfer fee in case of death? Recently my mother passed away. My handphone number and my late mother's, were still active with bills paid up to date. However I received a phone call from DST Recovery Section advising me that I had to come in and either terminate my line or transfer the line to my name. When I asked why, the reply I got was "because she is dead". Firstly, it seems to contradict the slogan DST "Cares". In handling such a sensitive issue they should show they "cared" by at least expressing their condolences before they got down to business. Secondly, in such circumstances, should the family member wish to continue using the line, DST could at least waiver the transfer fees. The amount I paid to transfer the line to my name was equivalent to fee required to take up a new line. Is it fair to treat your long standing customers, whom I might add are not debt owing, in such a manner? Exceptions should be made and charges waived in the case such as the demise of a family member. Thirdly, the following day though I did make my way to the DST counter, I received another phone call from Debt Recovery! How annoying is that? They really should do something about their customer care service and at least try to live up to their slogan. - Frustrated Customer |
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Give a reason for Easi users be
happy |
| Political parties
wake up to cartoons After several years of silence, the political parties in Brunei show some reawakening in the case of depicting the Prophet (SAW) in cartoons (BB February 4, 2006). Imagine this: A cartoon of a Rabbi with blood dripping from his mouth after bludgeoning a small Palestinian boy with a knife shaped like the Star of David - the caption reads "The Devil's Chosen Ones". I wonder if people around the world would just consider this free speech? Of course, some would condone or agree with one, two or all three, while others would say "it's free speech", although they "find it offensive and in poor taste". But do you honestly think media such as the BBC, Le Monde, or any media outlet in Copenhagen would pick these cartoons? The outrage around Europe calls it freedom of speech to have a cartoon of the Prophet . The double standard the West has set for the rest of the world is disgusting. We live in a foolish bubble where we think we are free to say or do whatever we want without consequences. Where are the pictures of the dead soldiers, the dead women and children in the Western media? Some governments won't allow it and other media outlets just fear a backlash. If Denmark, Norway, France, Germany and the rest of Europe believe in the freedom of speech, it should include all instances and all religions. These nations seem to carelessly defend their hypocrisy and reinforce a double standard that alienates Muslims and desecrates the Muslim faith, under the guise of free speech. - Party Cardholder, BSB |
| Thanks for lighting
up the road I am very pleased to see that speedy action has been taken up by the concerned authority to install new lampposts around the Seria-Lumut highway from the Lumut main entrance leading up to the U-turn. Helpful reflective signboards have also been installed along the way. It is very much appreciated by the residents and road users here and we hope for more future improvements. - Lumut Resident, AK |
| Horrified by rude
drivers I'm very much aggravated by the attitudes of some drivers at UBD. This has always happened during the morning rush hour queues and when things seemed to be out of control. Many UBD drivers are being inconsiderate. Instead of lining up in the queue, many of these drivers simply drive to the front of the line and jump the queue at the T-junction (near UBD's entrance), taking advantage of the wide space available. This is very dangerous and it could also cause accidents. It also slows things down a lot and makes the queue longer. Lately, we see more and more drivers are jumping queues. Last Monday, I encountered a very rude driver. I was the third car in the queue, waiting to turn left to UBD at the T-junction, after having waited for more than 10 minutes. The queue was long, and this driver's car was just beside mine, on my right heading straight ahead. I thought he was going straight but when the car in front of me moved, he suddenly swerved to the left and jumped the queue in front of me. Had I not applied my brakes on time, our cars would have collided. When I blared my horn to tell him what he did was wrong, he then slowed his car, stared at me in his side mirror, gave me a face gesture and blared his horn back at me. He then accelerated to UBD. It's unimaginable that one would witness such rude attitude from UBD people and it was very embarrassing. This person obviously has not grown up. Nobody wants to be late, be sensible and considerate to those who have arrived before you and who are lining up in the queue. I believe UBD security personnel could alleviate the situation by monitoring the morning queue at the T-junction near the entrance to UBD from 7.20am to 8.10am, and prevent inconsiderate drivers from jumping the queue. There's a more important job to do than simply standing outside the security post at UBD entrance and waving at oncoming drivers every morning. - Shocked Student |
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