Hawkers generate business that contributes to the nation's coffers and at the same time provide jobs, particularly to those in low income sector of our society.

If our hawkers could be taught hygienic ways of preparing food and keep their trading areas clean, the industry could take on a fresh look.

They also need to be regulated and disciplined and provided with sites that do not hinder traffic flow.

The local authorities have not given sufficient attention to this small industry that has great potential for growth and may contribute to the reduction of unemployment.

Red tape and elements of corruption have dogged this industry far too long.

With proper hawker sites, licensing and supervision, we can make our hawker sector comparable to those in our neighbouring countries.

Licenses should be approved speedily, hawkers could even be sent for training, inoculated and supervised regularly to ensure a healthy growth.

- Arha, BSB

Lost bags are an embarrassment to the Airlines and passengers alike.

The lighting in the baggage sorting area at Brunei International Airport has not worked for weeks.

How are the employees supposed to provide a good service with such poor working conditions.

If the maintenance teams are unable to cope with the workload then maybe the relevent authority would like to seek an alternative.

The passengers should not be allowed to suffer due to shoddy work.

- In the Dark

My company was recently awarded some projects and therefore there was a need for expanding our workforce.

After trying a few times, we managed to get some local staff but they were not enough to handle the projects so we turned to some foreign contract staff hoping that they would be able to assist the local staff gain the much needed experience and handle the projects in the future.

Unluckily, my request to employ foreigners was turned down twice and due to insufficient manpower, the client terminated our contract and awarded it to a foreign company.

Without enough contracts, we had to terminate the services of our local staff - leaving them without employment too.

Meanwhile one of the local staff also left the company saying the government has finally allocated a job in the public sector for him - yes another problem that we faced while employing government sponsored graduates.

The story does not end here. The foreign company that was awarded the contract started employing staff from their own country (two of these foreigners were those who were shortlisted for employment by us) and work on the project.

It is a sad situation that we, a local company, lost out to a foreign company and at the same time, did not get the opportunity to have technology transfered from the experienced foreigner to the local people.

I fully agree that we need to depend less on foreign workers but looking at the few e-government projects that were awarded recently, they were all given to foreign companies (yes, with local silent partners) and work was carried out mostly by foreigners.

Last point to the relevant departments, don't ask us to contact anyone else for clarification.

During my application, I requested to see the officers to explain the situation but the officer just said, 'employ locals only'.

- Unemployed Soon

My congratulations to the special people who have made a great achievement recently, climbing the highest mountain in SoutheastAsia, Mount Kinabalu.

I must say that these people are indeed Brunei's Unexpected Treasures.

You (the climbers) should be proud of your achievemen and for having made Brunei Darussalam and its people proud of you.

Simultaneously, your achievements should become an eye opener to other Brunei athletes to succeed in other physical and sporting events.

I also would like to take this opportunity to congratulate whoever was involved in organising such memorable event particularly the Pusat Ehsan of Brunei Darussalam.

The dedication along with the guidance, knowledge and the high spirits of those who participated contributes to the motto that I would like to adopt and remember as "cemerlang, gemilang tunjang warisan purih anak Brunei".

Syabas to all, not forgetting those involved in sponsoring the event.

- Mas Kelana HN

I am working in a garments factory in Brunei that employs a lot of foreigners.

Every time the workers have any irresolvable problems they would bring it to the attention of their respective embassy.

But there was this one instance when one of the embassies concerned did not even attempt to help the workers.

It was when a foreign worker complained to the embassy concerned about an employer who ill-treated him.

The respective embassy people had contacted the employer, but the employer somehow managed to find out the name of the employee who lodged the complaint too and fired him within 24 hours.

The respective embassy did not make any attempt to help the said employee, although he was in such a desperate situation.

Is this the purpose of an embassy?

Why is the embassy not protecting their own people?

- Disappointed Foreign Employee

Requesting better facilities in school

Most of us were glad to have achieved the requirements to enter a much desired school in the capital.

However, our efforts were in vain.

The enrolment into Form 6 centres followed the catchments area.

Those of us living far away from this school were transferred to other Form 6 centres.

Many of us have changed our original subjects mainly because they are unavailable or clash with other subjects like THS, EAS, ELL, ICT etc.

Some of us are doing subjects that are irrelevant or useless to our future careers.

Our school is insufficiently equipped regarding facilities, with an outdated library and so on. Majority of us are from coeducational schools so we are trying hard to adapt.

Though some have taken it badly, don't get us wrong, it's not that we are not grateful to be entitled for free education.

A new Maktab has been constructed in Lambak Kiri. A coed college boasting the most advanced & efficient facilities in Brunei.

There have been many rumours regarding the date of intake to this college.

Some say it will be operational earliest in June while others say next year. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Many of us are anticipating this move as soon as possible.

Maktab Sains has moved, so why can't we as well by June?

- Jose309

I have become somewhat accustomed to the mail being delivered late (and sometimes lost) to my home in the Rimba housing area.

I was expecting an important letter and taking precautions requested it to be sent by registered mail.

This I believed would ensure it being delivered safely within two weeks.

Four weeks went by before I was able to lodge a missing letter document to the post office for registered mail.

Imagine my smazement when the post office soon informed me that this much-awaited letter had actually reached Brunei a week after it was sent out.

It had been sitting in the post office for three weeks! The reason why it was not delivered: I own dogs! They just left it at that, and did not attempt to follow up or even inform me to perhaps pick up the letter myself from the office.

My dogs are kept caged at the back portion of my home.

The slot for my letters is located at the front of my home and my dogs would not be able to have any contact at all with anyone on the other side of the gate.

Now, I do understand that this is a Muslim state, but does my owning dogs mean I will not get any of my mail delivered?

Even my other family member has been waiting for mail since February. I hope the relevant authorities can at least, advise me on how I go about to make sure I can get my mail within a reasonable timeframe.

- Disappointed.

I, on behalf of other Brunei students studying at one of the highest education institution in Brunei, would like to express our dissatisfaction on receiving our allowance so very late.

- Disappointed