Borneo Bulletin Opinions

Borneo Bulletin Opinion

RBA says has stringent security checks, measures

Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) refers to the letter "PDA stolen from checked in suitcase", which was published in the September 14, 2005 issue of the Borneo Bulletin.

We are very concerned with the writer's allegations and have made relevant investigations.

However, our records show that no pilferage report on this incident was lodged at our Singapore or Brunei officers and hence, we are not able to verify the allegations made.

We would like to stress that Royal Brunei Airlines, in close cooperation with local airport authorities, has stringent security checks and measures.

The loading and offloading of baggage are fully monitored by airport security and closed circuit TV cameras.

As the writer may appreciate, airlines have no way of knowing exactly what items a passenger packs in his/her checked-in baggage as passengers are not required to declare the contents upon check-in.

It is for this reason that we don not recom-mend valuable items be packed in checked-in baggage. Should a passenger wish to do so, we suggest he/she considers purchasing travel insurance for the item(s) before checking it for a flight.

We hope this clarifies the writer's concern and we welcome the writer to contact our Customer Relations Department directly at 2339225 or 2341641 if he/she has further queries.

- Siti Diyana Abdullah
- Acting Head of Corporate Communications
- Royal Brunei Airlines

Lost wallet found, thanks to 3 boys for their honesty

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Ak Muhd Hanii Marzqqi Pg Habmali, Md Azim bin Abani and Md Hafiz bin Zamhari for finding my wallet on August 28, 2005 at the Panaga Club and handing it directly to the security guards on duty.

I am really thankful and pleased for they had demonstrated their honesty and kindness, which should be exemplified among Brunei youths.

They have done a great deed for me and I couldn't thank them enough for being such respectful youths.

Once again, lots of thanks to those three boys and of course the management and security guards of the Panaga Club, Kuala Belait.

- Jonathan

Free SMS, free MMS but sadly service is not

As we all know, new and better offers for mobile users were announced recently. Free talking minutes, free SMS and free MMS have been introduced by DST-COM for their Prima users.

I have never used the MMS service before simply because it's quite expensive. Now with free MMS and lower charges, I told myself to give it a go.

All I had to do was to configure the MMS settings in my handset. I went to DST-COM web site for help, but unfortunately they didn't have the guide for the model of my handset. They do have for other models.

So I called up 151, and asked for their assistance and they told me since my handphone is one of the latest models, they have not been able to update it on their web site and advised me to go to Incomm for help.

On the same afternoon, I went to Incomm and requested for their help. They told me I will be charged $5 for the services. I wasn't too happy because I had to pay $5 simply because DST didn't update its web site. But I agreed to and told the lady to write down the "step-by-step" instructions. She said "No". I told her I need her help to set up my phone so that I can use DST's MMS service. She said, she will configure my phone for $5 minus the written instructions. She also said that if I had bought my phone from Incomm, the $5 fee would have been waived.

What disappointed me the most was the lady was playing games on her handphone while talking to me. For how much do I have to shop first at Incomm before they can give me proper attention?

DST has announced new offers but do not tell us how to use them. And when I ask, I have to pay for that.

- OUCH

‘Invasion of the game' sad and disturbing

I refer to a sports story by Dannie Abu Basrah in the Borneo Bulletin dated September 8, 2005, "Mulaut FC fined, officials and players suspended".

I was astonished and at the same time sad to hear about this unwarranted behaviour, especially the "invasion of the game" by the supporters.

I do hope this incident did not involve match officials (read referees).

Recently, a match between Bahrain and Uzbekistan had to be replayed due to an error by the referee. Much has been said about football referees. The more we hear and see, the more negative perceptions we tend to cultivate against referees.

As far as Brunei's football is concerned, I do hope the referee association can look into ways and means to initiate efforts so that referees are respected.

One way is by conducting seminars and workshops to share the 17 rules referees have to employ in the field, against officials and if necessary against the public (supporters). I know this is a big project and it is easier said than done, but we have to start somewhere.

The other strategy is to make it compulsory for each and every player and official of all the clubs associated with the national football association to attend such seminars and workshops. Failure to do so, the national football association may revoke the registration of the concerned player or official.

Lastly, whether we love or hate referees, no referee means no football game. Referees are an integral part of the football system. In this age of high technology, sooner or later someone may create a robot to replace the human referee!

To all the referees be patient and please persevere for the good of the beautiful game.

- Veteran observer

RIPAS should sort out missing medical records of patients

I recall an experience at RIPAS Hospital not too long ago when I had to accompany my father-in-law, who was suffering from an asthma attack, to the casualty department.

After the usual filling up of registration forms and preliminary check up, we waited for nearly two hours before my father-in-law's name was called to see the doctor on duty.

After the doctor checked my father-in-law, he asked for my father-in-law's medical history. I told the doctor the information could be found from his medical records as my father-in-law frequently visited the clinic at RIPAS Hospital for diabetes, hypertension and heart problems. The doctor replied that they could not trace his file at the time. I noticed the doctor had only a single sheet of paper in front of him.

The doctor then asked my father-in-law to get nebulised as he didn't have his records to prescribe any medicine. He was asked to come again after eight hours for nebulisation.

When we returned after eight hours, my father-in-law's medical records were still not available and the doctor had only a sheet of paper to work with. Even the medical record of a patient who was sitting next to us was not available.

The doctor and the medical staff on duty did a commendable job in treating my father-in-law and they cannot be blamed for the missing records.

But why was the file not available. As he was a regular at the RIPAS Hospital, I found it odd that his file could not be traced. I appeal to authorities to improve the routing and movements of patients' medical records from one department to another so that they can be easily found for reference in urgent cases.

This is a serious matter as treating a patient without any referral or access to his medical history could mean taking a risk on the patient's health and life. I hope the RIPAS Hospital authority will look into this matter.

- Concerned

Why no first day covers?

It has been a year since the Postal Department has issued a first day cover. On an average, every year the department issues first day covers five to six times.

Since the Royal Wedding last September, the department has not issued another first day cover.

Why no new first day covers have been issued since September?

- fdc collector

Frustrated with road conditions

I am a regular commuter between Seria and Tungku. What really upsets me is the condition of the highway, mainly from Tutong to Tungku. Some parts of the road have few holes, are uneven and bumpy and quite rough especially on the slow lane.

I also noticed that roads near bridges are very uneven which can cause a sudden jolt while passing through. I feel these discomforts even though I am driving a new car and I am sure it would be worse driving an old one.

The conditions can affect the life span of the wheels and absorbers and may cause danger too. I hope that some actions can be taken to improve the conditions.

- Regular Commuter

e-Speed2 full of problems

I was an e-Speed1 user for many years before I switched to e-Speed2 because I had to move to a new address.

When I was on e-Speed1 I didn't have any complaints at all. The problem started when I was forced to switch to e-Speed2 because the lady at the counter told me that I could not transfer my e-Speed1 to another address so she asked me to terminate my e-Speed1 account and open e-Speed2.

My problems started from day one with e-Speed 2. Problem with logging in, slow speed (even though I have upgraded my subscription to a higher speed), and the service is always down.

I did not dare complain because I heard from many people that I will just be wasting my money and time complaining to e-Speed2 as my complaints will simply be ignored. So I just kept quiet and hoped the problems will be sorted out.

So please JTB, we subscribers are paying you from our hard earned salaries and nothing is being done from your side. Is it fair?

I think many people will switch to another broadband provider if there is one. Do you want that to happen before you start upgrading your services?

- Patient E-speed User

Hour reminder on Easi calls annoying

For many months now I've noticed that calls made by/to Easi numbers will be cut-off exactly on the hour mark for no reason.

This is extremely annoying and its purpose, whatever that is, has no justification. As DST and everyone else knows, to pick up a call costs an extra $0.20. I seek an explanation, better yet, rectification.

- Easi-ryder

Looking for typing, shorthand classes

I am currently working in the public sector as a "clerk, level 3". Recently, I came across a job advertisement in Pelita Brunei seeking an "Assistant to Confidential Clerk" and "Confidential Clerk", both of which requires certificates in typing and shorthand.

I do not have typing and shorthand qualifications and I wish to have them. I have asked people around but no one seems to have a clue about the availability of such classes. Maybe someone could tell me whom to contact that teaches typing and shorthand, especially in the Belait District.

- Desperate to find