Borneo Bulletin Opinion
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Shouldn't those who caused damage pay up? I was very disappointed when watching the consumer advice segment shown on RTB news on Friday November 25, 2005 at 8pm and repeated at 10pm. I was not happy to hear that RTB's consumer programme's advice was to buy insurance to cover windscreen breakages arising out of projectile stones hitting motorist's windscreens apparently caused by grass cutting machines employed near public roads. Whilst it is sensible for motorists to buy such insurance, this advice should not be taken to exonerate the wrong doers, the grass cutters themselves and their employers. From my understanding, in situations described above there is an absolute liability in that stones don't normally fly on to windscreens from the roadside grass. When this happens persons causing such stones to fly are normally liable for the damage they cause, whether they do it carelessly or accidentally. In these circumstances the grass cutters themselves and their employers are responsible for paying compensation to motorists who suffer damaged windscreens. In other words, when the contractor says "where's the proof?" the motorist need only reply "The proof is in the damage to the windscreen which occurred in the vicinity of your grass cutters at the time that they were performing their work." I find that the advice given is not helpful to consumers and does not appear to be correct. The viewers expect proper and correct advice when it is purported to be given on television. Perhaps it would be wise in the future to consult with experts on matters such as the above. - Annoyed Consumer, BSB |
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Frontline staff at a department store can make or break its image Recently I decided to pop into a supermarket in the capital to buy some items. I should have realised that something was afoot when almost all cars were going into its underground car-park, but I persevered. While I can applaud its management for opening the basement parking to the public, did they consider the safety aspect of cars stuck in queues under ground for up to 30 minutes? Thank goodness there was no emergency for if there had been it would have been chaotic. Perhaps in future they should have a sign above ground that gives the status of the car park? To make matters worse I went to a store in the same complex where I approached a staff member for assistance. In reply to my question she said "Don't have". Since it was a chain store I asked her to contact the other stores to see if they had the item. She begrudgingly made a call but the answer was the same. I finally escaped the underground car-park and made my way to another supermarket. I purchased some items and at the check out asked the staff member if they stocked the item I had been looking for in the previous place. She indicated that they didn't stock that item but she went and sourced another product with a similar name. I thanked her but said it wasn't what I wanted. She then asked me to write down the name of the product, my name and a contact number. I am only critical of two things here - staff who does not serve their customers and proprietors that cause unnecessary congestion and potential hazards. I look forward to many more visits to the second one - I will not be in a hurry to return to the first. - Enlightened Consumer, BSB |
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Serenading veteran athletes Let me start this piece with "Congratulations" to the Brunei Darussalam Veteran Athlete Association on their recent achievements in the 26th SMA Annual Track & Field Championship held in Singapore and following is a poem to serenade you all. Fourteen medals for 18 events Ten athletes did participate What a great success YOU veterans did 'N' what a good name Abode of Peace has! Three golds shining Nine silvers made it twelve "2" bronzes made it all a happy, glorious memory to those who won them! Now I know whom we should salute Say it "you are the Unexpected Hidden Treasures of Brunei Darussalam". What is written above shows that 'veterans' can now be literally translated into an asset to the nation's sporting calendar and therefore we should say that veterans have many talents and experience and urge Bruneians to remind themselves (especially veterans) that we should try and prove ourselves to be good Samaritans, especially for the sake of nation building. So veterans should now suggest a motto "Umur Bukan Penghalang" - Mohammad S.H.N, BSB |
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teachers asked to report to Private Education Section We refer to the matter raised by Justice Liberty entitled "Why aren't we paid on time?" published in Borneo Bulletin on 12th November 2005. The Private Education Section wishes to advise unpaid private school teachers including the writer to bring along relevant documents such as Employment Contract or Terms of Engagement to: The Private Education Section General Director of Education Office 4th Floor, Block D Ministry of Education Old Airport, Berakas Tel. No.: 2382621 - Head of Public Relations Unit - Public Relations Unit - Ministry of Education - Bandar Seri Begawan |
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Being unwilling neighbours to
unscreened labourers |
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Additional payments or fee increments must be approved by Ministry This is in reference to the letter from Disappointed Mum entitled "Why is this school charging so much?" published in the Opinion Page of Borneo Bulletin and Have No Fear Have Your Say! BruDirect.com on 16th November 2005. According to the rules and regulations of private schools' registration, any additional payment or fee increment must have approval from the Private Education Section, Ministry of Education. The Private Education Section advises parents and members of the public including the writer to refer this matter to: The Private Education Section General Director of Education Office Ministry of Education Old Airport, Berakas Tel. No.: 2382621 - Head of Public Relations Unit - Public Relations Unit - Ministry of Education - Bandar Seri Begawan |
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for a job well done Recently, a burglary took place at the Continuing Education Section of the Department of Technical Education, Ministry of Education, where a computer and a scanner were stolen. The contacted police team - the BSB Police Station, in cooperation with the District Crime Team of the Berakas Police Station, responded accordingly. In a short time, their efficient investigative work resulted in the speedy recovery of the stolen items. In connection with this, the section expresses its profound appreciation to the Royal Brunei Police Force involved in the recovery job. Keep up the good work! - Continuing Education Section - Department of Technical Education - Ministry of Education |
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hasn't our student allowance come? Why hasn't our allowance come? What is taking the relevant authorities so long to process? Its been almost four months now since we started studying and our allowance still hasn't arrived. The funny thing is, only students who get their allowance through this 'particular bank' have not got their allowance out yet while students with other banks have been enjoying the benefits of their allowance for almost a month now. I think everyone would be content and patient if the relevant authorities could clarify this matter-soon. - Forgotten Student |
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