"Frankly, I am not happy that my birthday celebrations have become an occasion to mass donations," said the benevolent ruler.

"The committee for the celebrations will make big plans and then lobby wholeheartedly for donations, (with) their main target being big companies and businesses," added His Majesty during yesterday's National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) meeting at the Fire and Rescue Department.

"It seems to be a heavy burden on the community," said His Majesty.

The monarch explained that those who donate will be given publicity through these donations, as they were publicised in the media.

These donations would then be received by ministers or other senior officials, as though the birthday celebration was just a field for lobbying donations, added His Majesty.

"Is this appropriate? Lobbying and campaigning so people are racing to donate for my birthday," questioned the monarch.

"Is everyone sincere or forced to do so?" His Majesty asked. The monarch said that such donations should not become routine or a trend that continues year after year. "Is the budget allocated not enough? How much more festive can it be? How much bigger can it be?" asked His Majesty.

The ruler explained that it was rather the smooth running of these celebrations which was important to him. His Majesty also emphasised that the budget should be taken into consideration during the early stages of planning.

The monarch disclosed that some of the sponsors of the celebrations were unable to pay the amount they pledged and thus, the government eventually has to cover the costs.

"Upon completion of the project, the companies will be asked to pay, but some of them will not pay. In the end, the government is required to pay," said His Majesty.

"Is this not a disaster? A disaster which burdens the government as well as causing difficulty for the people," added the monarch.

During the meeting, His Majesty also touched on the 21st Century Education System (SPN20, particularly on the subject of Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK). The benevolent ruler questioned why IRK was only a compulsory complement subject and did nor fall into the category of compulsory core subjects, along with Malay, English, Mathematics and Science.

The monarch found it "quite shocking" that IRK was grouped with subjects such as music and drama.

"Why is Malaya core subject? It is because it is written in the constitution as the national language," said the ruler.

His Majesty asked why this did not justify IRK to be made into a core subject, especially since Islam is the official religion under the national constitution.

With IRK placed in the same group as music and drama, the monarch noted how the former would lose out on preference over the other two subjects among students.

"If we refer to the psychology of humans, music and drama will definitely be more popular and appreciated by people, meanwhile IRK will be left behind," said His Majesty.

"Is this not a disaster, where our future heritage of an Al-Quran generation is disturbed by the teachings of music and drama?" said the ruler.

The monarch also criticised the slow response of the relevant authorities in realising the vision of increasing the country's self-sufficiency. "The country has been independent for some time, yet the level of sufficiency in basic food has only reached 3.12 per cent, as though nothing has been done," said His Majesty.

"Why is this not emphasised? Is it because we are afraid to make plans and take action until 1, myself, had to repetitively (stress) this message," said the monarch.

-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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Long Live HM
written by fatma wahab , July 15, 2009

Im just the outsider, but i believe there is a lot of corruption ongoing even among the company who donates and those make money such advertising company like sxxxxx and cxxxxxxx who make fool of the bruneian especially the two Ting brother who makes money out of it and make use of the labour force without following the rules and regulation..better check this ting they make a lot of puppets!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Catch those big shots!
written by Being Cheated , July 15, 2009

I'm sure it's not just corruption there.Even to gain a Yellow IC from the goverment too.Taking the Citizenship test doesn't make any effort nor sense at all if all the officers just hope for corruption money.I've got 3 frens who recently took the test,2 UBD graduate teachers whose holding a degree and one whose just finish her Form 4.After 6 months of all 3 party waiting,both the UBD teachers failed and that form 4 student pass it.How do they actually judge??Can anyone tell me that?I've heard of people saying,the officers just need corruption of around 10,000 and it's a life time gurantee.. Is this how the goverment of Brunei works?I wonder if the sultan to check those test paper mark by the HOD or whoever is incharged of this.

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