Bandar Seri Begawan - Delegates for the 32nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA) were hosted to a welcoming dinner at Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong yesterday.

The guest of honour was the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi bin Hj Mohd Yussof.

The welcoming dinner began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and welcoming speeches by the deputy minister; and the Conference Chairman and Acting Director of Prisons Department, Awg Hj Zainal Hj Ismail.

In his speech, Awg Hj Zainal noted that the conference will create better rapport and closer ties between each correctional officer from the different countries.

Earlier in the day, during the opening ceremony, Awg Hj Zainal pointed out that the presence of NGOs will promote wider cultures, knowledge and practices in regards to administering the prisons and the rehabilitation of inmates.

As the host country, he expressed hopes to keep delegates engaged in proactive and fruitful exchanges and share the necessary vision, knowledge and experience towards the betterment of corrections in each respective jurisdiction.

Delegates were also entertained with a series of performance by members of the cultural body of Prisons Department.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin