The hysteria incident which has been highlighted recently in the media has caused major concern among parents.

In the mind of the public many questions are left unanswered. What could have caused this incident to take place in the peaceful land of Brunei?

When it comes to the area of spiritual realm, nobody really has answers.

But as parents it is our responsibility to know what our children readg and also watch. These materials will eventually influence their mind and also spirit.

Could it be coincidence that the first hysteria incident actually happened just within a week after the latest Harry Potter book was launched in Brunei? If the parents bother to check the contents of the book, it actually has an element of witchcraft.

Does this book act like some kind of manual or guide for the children to practice witchcraft, especially Harry Potter and all of his magical acts?

The book creates an element of mystery and excitement for children who are ignorant of the dangers of dealing with spiritual world and indirectly they are dragged into this when characterised their hero intending to experiment with something they have not experience before.

The other elements that can influence their minds are the numerous horror movies which have been showing recently in the cinemas.

One of them for example was "Amityville Horror". I do not need to stress that the content is obviously dealing with what is unnatural.

This desire to experience something that is not natural causes their spirit to act as a medium for the unnatural to take place.

Probably the parents' of the affected pupils should check the root cause of the problem by looking into the books, games or even the movies that the children have been recently exposed to at home.

The next best things to do is to destroy, burn or get rid of this elements or even surrender them to their spiritual leader, in the hope that it will bring a cure to the problem which has troubled the minds of parents in Brunei.

- Concerned Parent

Long ago, the capital of our country, Brunei Darussalam, was known as Bandar Brunei. However on 4th October 1970, it was renamed Bandar Seri Begawan.

This is how it is still called.

Perhaps it would be a good idea if the authorities concerned could form a special committee to celebrate every year those who were born on that particular date regardless of their nationality.

- Abu Bakar Othman

Three months ago, a few friends of mine in Kuala Belait, were complaining that they had problems with their E-speed2 connections.

One of them said that the technicians of Belait Districts took more than two months to attend to the problems.

Three weeks ago, I also encountered the same problem with our E-speed 2 connection.

At first we thought that some maintenance work must behapenning, so we ignored the problem and waited patiently for quite sometime before taking steps to file our complaint on 121.

We diligently made calls to 121 almost everyday.

The operators could only tell us that they had forwarded our complaints to the technicians. Till now, no action has been taken.

Aside from highlighting such a problem; I would also like to make an inquiry.

We've been paying a monthly subscription fee for E-speed2 connection, yet we're unable to use it.

As I mentioned that the service broke down for more than three weeks, does it mean that we do not have to pay for the subscription during the course of technical problems?

My friends said that they are paying the monthly subscription although they were unable to use the service.

We, as subscribers have taken steps to report the problems. We hope that the relevant authority can look into this matter as soon as possible.

- Pathetic, KB

After reading various opinions on the setting up of SPCA in Brunei, I would like to share with the BB readers of a kind deed done by my friend.

She loves animals and hates seeing animals ill-treated in anyway whatsoever.

One of the kind deeds that she does is, to bring home kittens abandoned at her office or at some rubbish collecting area.

Now she has many cats but not of the prestigious expensive imported Persian variety.

I salute her!

But how long can she carry on saving abandoned animals, which to my knowledge is very costly (food and medical expenses).

So most of us sincerely hope that the relevant authorities will help us out in setting up the SPCA in Brunei soon.

Do good while we are still alive.

- Mengharap
- Berakas

Shocked by rudeness at local stationery shop

Friday is a good and holy day for all Muslims, but I was so unlucky as I gave into anger on that day.

Well, it was Friday the 19th at about 11.30am. I went to a stationery shop in the capital with my daughter and a friend.

My first impression of the shop was that it was a good stationery shop which was why we stopped there, in the first place.

I had never visited that shop before.

After my daughter paid for a magazine, a pack of coloured pencils and a telephone recharged card of $20 value, she came rushing to me.

As I checked the items, I found that the recharge card was not in a plastic cover.

I went to the shop myself and asked for the receipt which the cashier showed me.

He wrote the first three digits of the serial number in the receipt but failed to say sorry for double punching a $20 credit.

Meanwhile, I also searched the floor in case a card had fallen out of the plastic bag.

I did find a card and gave it to him.

Then he abruptly, put his palm on his forehead and uttered the world "gila" (crazy) and forwarded it to my 12-year-old daughter.

He also accused me of calling him a cheat, which I never did.

Good Grief!

After seeing his gesture and rudeness, I really lost my cool and told him not to treat customers this way.

To me, he owes an apology.

I wonder if he was trying to bully me because I was a woman?

If I was a man, would he have treated me in such a manner?

I honestly do not condone rude words uttered before children.

- Furious Local Mom, Kiulap

Refering to the article 'Water Woes' published in the Saturday edition of the Borneo Bulletin dated August 6, 2005 which complains of smelly water in Kg Sibulu, Temburong, the Department of Water Services has taken immediate action to investigate the water condition in that area.

Water samples were collected from the houses in Kg Sibulu as well as the water storage tank supplying water to the area on August 6, 2005.

The samples were brought to the laboratory for analysis and the water supply pipelines were flushed and cleaned.

The water was found to be suitable for consumption contrary to what was written in the paper.

The department would also like to clarify that no complaints were received from the residents of Kg Sibulu as reported.

Following further investigation, Kg Sibulu is known to experience 'low water demand' and 'slow water flow'.

This is due to only a small number of residential houses in the area.

Contrary also to the report, Kg Sibulu has a network of water pipes and not supplied by containers.

For immediate rectification, the department has carried out some configurations to water valves along the pipeline.

The department has also planned for additional pipe works in the area to ensure that the water flows at a desirable rate.

The Department of Water Services continues to thank the public for highlighting their water concerns and the department's Hotline 140 remains in operation to receive any complaints.

- Awang Abu Hanipah bin Haji Talip,
- Assistant Director of Water services,
- For the Director,
- Public Works Dept,
- Ministry of Development
- Bandar Seri Begawan