Borneo Bulletin Opinions

Borneo Bulletin Opinion

Curfew culture won't work

I do agree with the opinion writer who said that curfews are not the real answer to the so-called teenage problems, mainly loitering and getting enticed by wayward elements.

One cannot expect the law enforcers to tail youths and rope the midnight strollers all the time.

It is up to the parents to ensure that their young ones are disciplined and guided in basic behaviour and avoid bad elements that may be waiting to prey on the gullible.

But to generally call for a curfew on all young people to be in their beds at midnight or thereabout sounds ludicrous in this time and age.

Is it not an infringement on one's freedom or right?

I have seen young people behave decently and with utmost responsible manner in most areas late at night. Some are seen having coffee in innocent conversations or hooked on to their laptops as they lounge in coffee shops and restaurants.

If there are unruly elements, the law enforcers will surely deal with them appropriately.

But it would be counter-productive to call for a curfew culture for the youth.

Many parents may not agree with me, but many others I'm sure will agree with this logical reasoning of mine.

Thank you for the forum you provide us to voice our views.

- Teen Parent. BSB

When is the term break?

I'm writing to the Ministry of Education, if they could enlighten me on the next school term holiday.

In the wake of the HFMD outbreak, please advise us on when is the 2nd, 3rd and final school term holidays?

As the current 1st term holidays were extended, the school schedule was affected and in order to accommodate lessons that were left behind, what is the contingency plan by MOE and Ministry of Religious Affairs?

As with any student, we anticipate very much on school holidays for reunions with the family or possibly plan for an overseas holiday. This will help my parents apply for their annual leave during such school holidays in advance so they will not shirk away from their responsibilities at work.

- Concern student

Speed freaks play havoc on KB beach

The beach in Kuala Belait is a great attraction to the people who live here. Late in the afternoons, on most days and early in the mornings at the weekends, people of all ages can be seen enjoying themselves, walking, jogging, cycling, paddling or swimming in the sea. The beach is a place where it is safe and healthy to walk and do some exercises, away from the endless traffic and exhaust fumes on or near the roads.

At least this is how it should be. However, the beach in Kuala Belait is increasingly being used like another main road, with some drivers treating it like a motorway or a rally track, hurtling along it at break-neck speeds.

It is only a matter of time before someone gets badly hurt or even killed, unless something is done to stop this practice.

Why should people who are trying to do some healthy exercise in pleasant surroundings have to endure the presence of cars belching out fumes, polluting the atmosphere, to say nothing of the risk of being involved in an accident.

A few years ago, there was a law stating that it was illegal to drive motorised vehicles on the beach and offenders were punished with a fine of $100. In those days, it was extremely rare to see any such offenders. The current situation, which is clearly getting worse, begs the question; does this law no longer exist or is there simply a failure to enforce it?

- Beachcomber, KB

Netkad blues

I just want to keep it short and simple here. Netkad, with your slogan of surfing smarter or whatever, it seems to be the most expensive excuse for a dial up connection.

The lines are busy and disconnections are so frequent. The speed is slow and sluggish, while sending an online form can be a hassle.

Sometimes the page expires and you have to do it all over again.

It is so unjustifiable, so illogical and so expensive. For $10 you get a bad connection for 7 hours. I guess that this will fall into deaf ears. But hopefully miracles will happen.

- FeelCheated

Where's customer service?

Last Saturday, I went to the post office at the Old Airport Berakas to renew my driving licence.

I was looking for the renewal forms but unfortunately these were not placed at the desk where they used to be for customers to collect.

There were no notices telling where to get the form. So I decided to pick my number, as the counter was really busy with clients.

By the time my turn came up, I approached the counter and told her that I was there for my driving licence renewal. Then I got scolded in front of other customers for not filling up the form.

I replied back by telling her that the forms had not been provided at where they used to be.

And what I got was another annoying answer "Kalau kami ampaikan sana abis KAMU ambil sampai abis kertas kami!!" So she passed me the form rudely and I kept calm and proceeded filling up the form and took another number.

I hope the relevant authority can take action to improve the system and improve the customer services, especially train the staff on basic things on how to make a 'welcoming face' for their customers.

- Juggernaut

Play to the end

Last time I sent an appreciation letter for RTB2 in the opinion column you published it as RTB instead of RTB2.

RTB said RTB2 is in a different department, a new channel. So this time it's for RTB. Please make sure to play your programmes until the end of the story. For instance last week's Malcom In The Middle had no ending.

- Angels2211

Compromise on women's sports

So who decided that there was to be a classification for sports? As far as I can remember, playing sports has been for all ages, all sexes, all races, etc.

There has never been discrimination in sports. So what is a man's sport and what is a woman's sport and on what grounds are they based on?

Football is a sport related to men but when did it become an 'only men' sport? It has been said that women can't play football or other sports that make us seem 'manly'.

How can you be so sure that women play like the men do even in football? And even so, what about sports like Silat, Taekwondo or Karate?

Those sports involve acts of battle and if I'm not mistaken, women don't battle.

Yet, we sent a woman to represent the country for Silat in the SEA games and even received a gold medal of which we are proud of.

Why just pick on just football and tug-of-war?

Any other explanations why women can't play football? Maybe because the outfit t-shirts and shorts aren't allowed in this Muslim community?

Has anyone seen the women play football? Yes, there are t-shirts and shorts but some women do use their headscarves and tights and they do cover their Aurat properly.

And may I remind you; the winner did not wear a headscarf when she won the gold medal for this country. So football isn't allowed because the women wear shorts but swimming is?

Sending Brunei swimmers off to competitions to represent Brunei dressed in their swimming suits is allowed? Not only in regards to women, even the men in their swimming trunks.

That's not even covering up half their Aurat.

Even in Saudi they allow all sorts of sports and they have more strict Islamic laws than they have in Brunei and so they provide separate facilities for all sexes. Women have their own swimming pool and men have theirs.

Why has Brunei not done so? Of course it is costly to build sports centres but there are ways around that.

You could just specify certain days for only women to use the facilities, for example the swimming pool could be only open to women on some days and the rest of the days of the week, the men can use it.

Same goes for the fields, the stadiums could be open to women to play football on certain days, and the rest for the men.

Things don't have to be stopped, there is always a way to compromise. Or is this just merely about discrimination?

- A Discriminated Footballer

Improve that answer service

This is a complaint about the telephone services of a certain reputed bank.

I called the general support line to inquire about a problem I encountered recently.

When I called, I was asked to press 1 to speak Malay, press 2 to speak English. But the language spoken is Malay. If a non-Malay speaker called this number, how could he know to press 2 for English?

Some improvements would be desirable.

Okay, after pressing 2, then you have to press 1 again for credit card section. So I pressed 1 as it is related with a credit card problem. Sorry! The line was passed to KL and after I gave my credit card info, then the guy said sorry if it's the Brunei credit card then he had to pass me to Brunei.

Okay, he passed me to Brunei credit card centre. Then I told my problem, she could not solve my problem and let me wait for at least 50 seconds. I could not have been waiting from KL to Brunei for a few more minutes. Hopefully the telephone calls are not charged.

Please let me know if it is so. Finally, I got the answer but it's after a few minutes. Time to improve the system, I guess.

- KK

How clean are school facilities?

Back to school on Monday? HFMD?

Is the atmosphere safe enough for young kids to mix around with other kids?

I strongly hope the relevant authorities/ health would be able to confirm first by visiting the schools to check on their "hygienic toilets".

I am pretty sure, and many would agree, the conditions at these "rooms" aren't that pleasant especially with blocked toilets and sinks contaminated with germs.

Imagine kids aged 5 years and below who may try placing their hands on the blocked sinks.

Some schools have been conducting cleaning campaigns and all, but what about the other schools, especially the nursery and kindergarten whose students are below 5 years old?

Please ensure that all these toilets are kept totally clean all the time.

- Worried Parent

School funds

I refer to the recent report in your paper with regards to a private school in BSB.

On numerous occasions, a number of concerned parents have raised various issues regarding collection of funds to meet class expenses.

So far, I have not seen any circular to that effect.

Only recently my son had asked me for $3 for the purchase of curtains, brooms and cleaning materials for the class.

Since there are no receipts issued for these funds collected, then who is responsible for the funds?

I am particularly concerned about the statement from the MoE that as a private school it tries not to interfere in their affairs. This statement is rather lacking in consideration for parents.

The MoE is responsible for all schools and this should include this particular school. The MoE should do a study of the school and its parents to get to the bottom of this mess.

- Lost of Pride, BSB

Ministry clarifies

The Ministry of Health would like to draw your attention to the headline made in the Borneo Bulletin, Thursday 16th February 2006 by MK Anwar entitled 'Noodles, tofu from Indonesia safe, says MOH'.

With reference to the press statement issued by the Ministry of Health on February 15, 2006, on formaldehyde and malachite green, it made no mention on the country of origin of products and it was clearly stated that the noodles and tofu sold in Brunei Darussalam are safe for consumption.

Therefore the Ministry of Health would like the headline to be corrected.

- Awang Yusof Amba
- For Permanent Secretary
- Ministry of Health

Support for imams' call

I fully support the views of the imams to ban women from playing football.

I mean, how can they compare with Beckham or Ronaldinho who are men? They are just wasting their time! Who's going to watch them?

I also do not want my future wife injured in football or hockey. I mean, have you felt the hardness of hockey balls? They are like concrete! One whack from the balls and bones will crack or break. How can they take care of our children and the house then?

They should also not use heat as a reason for taking their tudong off. It is against their religious obligations. They should play something like netball, where they can still remain covered up.

- Concerned