Borneo Bulletin Opinion
| Missing
out on e-opportunities The Internet service is, if used well, a great tool for information gathering. This is especially helpful for those who are studying and I believe the government also encourages people to be more internet savvy. To achieve this, there has to be a reliable and affordable broadband service. The espeed broadband service that we have in Brunei, in my opinion, is way too expensive (B$98/month excluding telephone rental) on just a mere 256K line. If we compare this to the UK (according to a friend who is currently doing his attachment there) broadband costs him only B$100 for a super fast 4Mb line and that is including cable TV (like Astro). At the same time, a friend from a neighboring country said he only pays around B$40 for a 1Mb line. It is time our ISPs improved their eSpeed services. The B$98 service needs to be reviewed. Both ISPs should consider increasing their bandwidth to maybe a 1Mb line for a service that costs this much (but at the same time leaving the usage allowance open-ended). At the same time, a number of other packages must be introduced to encourage people to take up broadband service. Cheaper services could either be at speeds less than the 1Mb service proposed above (but certainly not any slower than the current 256K) or they could be capped in terms of usage, after which subscribers would pay a surcharge of a few cents for every 20MB or so that they download. While cheaper packages may look like a loss of revenue for the ISPs, surely they are losing even more by not attracting lower end subscribers to their services. Invariably, once some of these people sign on with an "entry-level" package, they will, in due course, upgrade their subscription to a higher level package. I would hope that now that our major telecommunications provider has joined the ranks of private enterprise in Brunei, it would be more reactive to the market (as it was recently with a free broadband modem offer). The company is now responsible for its own marketing and so free from the need to seek approvals for every move it makes. I hope therefore, that the people of Brunei will see very soon several more broadband packages available, catering to various markets in terms of speed and price. - e(xpensive)speed user |
| Damaged
fence causes distress On January 21, 2006 at around 3 pm a serious incident occurred in and around my home. While working on my computer I heard a sudden explosion, the screen immediately blacked out and smoke began spewing out from my monitor. I earlier noted a contractor working outside my house and when I went to investigate, I found that a tree they had been cutting had fallen and hit the main power line. On further investigation I noticed no safety procedures were in place. While falling, the tree hit the power line damaging my fence in the process. I checked my appliances in the house and found that some of them were dmamaged, too. This incident resulted in not only my personal property being damaged but also initiating a blackout in the whole area. And as a result of this incident I would like to request the relevant authorities to fully investigate the matter and to advise me on whom to seek compensation for my property, and the future safety aspects of the contractor in question. - Waiting for Compensation |
| Silent
flood sufferers Recently I read about residents living in Kilanas complaining about floods due to blocked drainage and potholes. I feel great sympathy for their plight as I know how they feel. We have just moved to a house in Jangsak where we unfortunately get flooded regularly due to the same problems. Sadly, all our complaints seem to be ignored and we have the thankless task of cleaning mud out of our garage and surrounding areas frequently at present due to the heavy rains. I am asking again for other residents to act responsibly and to ensure their drains are not blocked and appeal to the the authorities to implement a clean-up campaign in this area, please. - Frustrated Householder |
| Wishing
Brunei's players will do the country proud Everyone hopes for a blessing for the DPMM FC team playing in the M-League 2005/2006 tourney, and it is hoped that the fans would expect that this season may be another glorious one for us all, winning the Malaysia Cup once again. Nonetheless, this coming Monday shall prove whether the team, DPMM FC, could tame the 'Bujang Senang', which I predict with mistakes done by the team, may not be a sweet dream, although it looks like (as if confirmed by the DPMM FC) surely will be in the May-Cup tourney. The sweet dream is meant to win our last game! By simple arithmetic, Sarawak shall have another three games (as of your BB May 11 and your BB has had no updates so far, nor could I see from any Malaysian papers). So even if Sarawak wins two matches and gets drawn again with our team, it would still be a 'great' opportunity for us to be in the Malaysia cup tournament. I believe people, especially fans and supporters of DPMM FC, out there may have the same opinion as mine. On the other hand, if Johor wins the final match, and Sarawak only wins and draws one, Sarawak will surely be out of both the Malaysia Cup tournament and play-offs for next Season's Super League! On 'Semangat Borneo' I wish to see both DPMM FC and Sarawak in the May Cup this time and I am anticipating that both would again be in the final, like it happened in 1999 "renung, renung, fikir-fikirlah!". To conclude my opinion this time, being 'very keen' to see Brunei in the best standing for soccer, particularly the May-Cup tournament, I again say that we must at least target a draw if not win this Monday. All are aware that in Round two and the last six matches for Round three. DPMM FC had shown their best performance and I wholeheartedly wish them the best and congratulate them for their endeavours. Kudos to you all. Last but not least, DPMM FC must be in the Super League next season and Brunei Darussalam played by the DPMM FC team shoud try their very best to reach the final of Maycup this season. Sarawak and Brunei are neighbours in Borneo Both vying for Malaysia Cup is not that new Sporting spirit shall be the 'motto' Either one to win is a pride for two. - Mohd. SHN, Roadside Analyst |
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No interest in appointments |
| Student
health will be closely monitored against HFMD This is in response to "Why This Haste To Re-Open Schools?" written by 'Concerned Parents' dated April 8, 2006. With regards to the Hand Food and Mouth Disease (HFMD) outbreak, any decision to close or reopen schools is based on advice and recommendations from the Ministry of Health. Relevant divisions in the Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health, work closely with the Ministry of Education in monitoring the health of students and cleanliness of schools. Active case surveillance is carried out in schools whereby schoolchildren are actively screened for signs of HFMD. Appointed HFMD teacher coordinators from every school are educated through health talks given by the Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health, on how to recognise the signs of HFMD, together with the supplementation of posters and leaflets. Any suspected students with HFMD screened in the school will be referred to a doctor for diagnosis. For further clarification on this matter, the Ministry of Education advises the writer to directly contact: - Officers-In-Charge, Operation Room HFMD, Ministry of Education, Block C, 4th Floor, Room C404, Old Airport Road Berakas BB3510, Bandar Seri Begawan Or contact telephone number. 2380880 / 2382396 during office hours. |
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'Walking With The Beasts' contradicts religion Has anyone watched "Walking With the Beasts" on Monday evenings after the 5.45pm news on RTB? This programme shows and suggests what it was like thousands of years ago, on how animals probably looked like, what they ate, and how they went through evolution. It also shows how humans evolved from non-human forms. And this is exactly the point where censor authority should exercise power. As a Muslim country that works to instil a correct understanding of humanity and the teachings of Islam, and not to mislead young Muslim children, we must not confuse our young children with the Darwin theory. Programmes that may imply such a theory should not at all be introduced to the young audience, especially when they are of "documentary" type. The showtime, i.e. early evening, also indicates that the targeted audience is young children. It probably would be more tolerable if programmes such these are of "cartoon" type. - Sincere Viewer |
| Who will
these bridges be named after? It is nice to see that the two new bridges in Gadong have been given official names and duly displayed there. Also do not forget other bridges like the 'Edinburgh Bridge' which was officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh during his first visit to Brunei. There is also the 'Clifford Bridge' as well as several others. However, the two bridges near the Jublee Park crossing the Sungai Kedayan River have not been named and not even given an official opening. Likewise I believe the new bridge across the Tutong River has not been named nor officially opened, either. - J.A. |
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