Borneo Bulletin Opinions

Borneo Bulletin Opinion

Make it easier for job applicants

I would like to suggest to all Departments to make it easier for the public when offering them job opportunities.

We all know that after submitting our application forms/letters, the first thing we would expect to receive is a letter of acknowledgement, acknowledging our application.

Secondly, if selected or short-listed it would be a letter asking us to come for an interview. And thirdly, the last letter would be to inform us whether or not our application has been accepted or not.

Some Departments however skip the first step to save time. Here are my proposals.

1. After they post their letters to call us for the interview, they could still give us a call to ask whether or not the letters have reached us. If the answer is no, then they will inform us on the phone about the interviews. They will tell us the time, date and venue. And then, a day before the actual day is mentioned, they will call again to remind us of the coming event.

2. They call us a week before the interview, and ask us to come to their office to retrieve our letters ourselves.

I do believe that this would be more effective because it is we who personally acknowledge and retrieve the letters.

For many years, these two methods have been practised by some departments. Last week (first week of October), I received a 'second letter' from a Govt department informing that I have failed at the interview.

My question is, "Where was the 'first letter' asking me to come for the interview?"

Of course I immediately went to the respective Department and explained the whole situation. I told them that I did not receive the first letter.

Then an officer showed me a copy of the first letter that was supposed to have reached me by the first week of August.

The recipient's address that was printed on the first letter was the same as that on the second letter that I received. But my question is, "Where did my first letter go?"

In the past, I have heard about some incidents at the Postal Department over delays in delivery etc.

Is history repeating itself again?

Had I received the first letter asking me to come for the interview I could be employed by now.

- Disappointed Applicant

No change in the timetable during fasting month

I would like to voice my disappointment for the current dilemma all UBDians are facing at the moment where the timetable for lectures/tutorials remain the same during the fasting month.

In the past three years, there was an important and strict notice in the early semester saying there should be no classes allowed or allocated personally during 12-2pm slot because during fasting month, all afternoon classes from 2pm will be advanced to 12pm for the convenience of students who are fasting.

Last year, my course mates and I who had classes at 2pm until 6pm before the fasting month had the classes advanced to 12-4pm, much to the delight of the students.

This year, my course mates and I have classes at 4-5pm and some other classes even at 5-6pm currently - with no change during fasting month.

It is such a burden, we ourselves are tired already by then, and we have to rush home quickly and even break our fast in the car.

I'm not sure whether there would be a changes or not in coming weeks, but please, do advance the classes!

- Tired and Stressed Out

Concern over electronic waste

We are very concerned of the increase of electronic wastes in Brunei, especially waste from old computers.

When old computers are thrown away, they are treated as any other rubbish, and are dumped into the landfills at Sungai Akar.

This can create hazardous problems to our health and the environment as a whole. This is due to the fact that they contain heavy metals such as lead from solders, cadmium from batteries, arsenic and mercury, which can leach and contaminate the ground water. It is believed that one computer monitor alone contains 1kg of lead.

Therefore, we appeal to the general public to please recycle their old computers and print cartridges in order to save our environment.

Print cartridge collection points are found in a number of computer vendors in Brunei.

As for old computers, they can be sent to a recycling facility. Some of these facilities can actually arrange pick up services for the convenience of the public.

In addition, we also hope that computer vendors in Brunei will consider collecting and recycling old computers from their customers.

- Friends of the Environment

Motorist suffers daily nightmare on the road in Jangsak

I am a resident of Simpang 845 of Kg.Jangsak. This Simpang has been in a sad state for ages now.

I believed many pictures on the condition of the Simpang have been published in the past but sadly the Simpang has still not been repaired.

The huge potholes and the rough surface of the road had often made me to think twice about even going back home.

It's a motorists' nightmare in other words.

But since the other way to my house is via Simpang 1128 of Kg Kilanas - which is also beginning to deteriorate and since I refuse to subject myself to pass 'squatter settlements' in that Simpang, my use of Simpang 845, is definitely not by choice.

I'm appealing to the authorities concerned to do something about Simpang 845 of Kg. Jangsak really soon.

- The Queen of Simpang 845

A word of thanks

St James's School thanks all the parents, participants, teachers, government seconded teachers, sponsors and the Board of Governors for all their support and extra efforts in bringing out the artistic talents of the children and developing their self confidence and self esteem at the Musical Variety Show 2005.

Without your support and understanding, we would not have been able to achieve our vision and mission.

- Principal, St James's School

Trains would be a blessing for regular KB-BSB commuters

I appreciate the vision that has been forwarded by the Visionary expat (BB Opinion 24092005) on how he sees Brunei in a crystal ball. Visionary Expat mentioned about a railway linking all the districts.

I also agree with Weary Commuter's opinion (BB Opinion 08102005) who opted for a safer and comfortable train ride.

But I am struck by Anti-Train's opinion (BB Opinion 12102005) on the subject. I am not denying that some of his views are valid but it can be worked out.

I am of the opinion that "Why would such a small country like ours need trains?" is such an understatement.

There are countries that are smaller than ours in land size that have trains. e.g Singapore.

Yes, Anti-Train will talk of population. But Brunei population is and will be growing. And I don't think Brunei lacks engineers. Brunei has a lot of them. It's only their expertise and experience that we lack.

Anti-Train also suggested that most people in Brunei can afford to buy cars.

Since when? Who knows what restrictions on car loans are next on the agenda?

And she also suggested that loans to buy car are easily available through bank and government. Well, not everyone is a civil servant.

Revenue from trains operation is not limited only to ticket sales. Revenue from advertising can supercedes the revenue from ticket sales if intelligently managed.

I am a commuter to BSB from KB every single working day. That is why having a commuter train would really-really be a blessing if it becomes a reality. It would reduce the probability of road accidents.

Allows us to save some money. We can catch a small rest in the cabin perhaps after a long day, or read magazine etc. We couldn't have that luxury while driving on a Brunei road, could we?

- Audi-S4

Getting serious about yo-yo

Recently I read in the Borneo Bulletin about kites or "main Kikik" and yes, flying kites is an old traditional activity but sometimes flying kites can be dangerous as we see in the photos in the website but there is one more traditional game which is "yo-yo" (the second oldest traditional game in the world).

I know that most of the people say that yo-yo are toys (which are said to only go up and down) but to me and some of my friends, they are not just toys but are a sport. Yo-yos come in many shapes and sizes. It's a sport which uses not only your hands but depends on the player's eye accuracy and endurance.

What is special about it? The special things are that one can do many kinds of tricks with just one yo-yo (around 100+ tricks); there has to be no age limit (young and old can both enjoy it); you can buy it at any toys shop or store nearby. It's a bit cheap in Brunei but most of all if the price goes up its because they could be made of high quality material or parts. It can be flown indoors or outdoors; some professionals say it can relieve stress and it works for me.

No electrical power is required.

There are also some dangers which one could be aware of.

Sometime children can get caught around the strings (It's not a game fort for 1 to 6 year old children); sometimes the strings can snap easily when it is not carefully used and can cause the yo-yo to fly (beware of the flying plastic object).

Beware of some of the small objects inside the yo-yo which can be easily swallowed by children. Players too can have an injury by one's own yo-yo so beware. There was a yo-yo competition back in the 1970's or 80's in Brunei and my uncle was the first prize winner during that time. then it wasn't shown in Brunei until now.

But now, our neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore are starting to expands the interest in yo-yos and even have their own websites. I have a question for the kids in Brunei. Have they lost interest in traditional games or have new generation games like Internet games or video games completely taken over their interests?

- Yoyo Fan