Local News Paper
Thousands partake in HSBC Walk Run Cycle charity event
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- Created on Tuesday, 05 June 2012 04:07
- Published on Tuesday, 05 June 2012 03:46
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HRH Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah (C) and Pg Seti Aminah Pg Othman (L), leading thousands of participants in the HSBC Walk Run Cycle charity event at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ’Ali Saifuddien in the capital last night. Picture:BT/Rudolf Portillo
Amir Noor
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, May 20, 2012
RUNNERS and cyclists painted the town red as thousands gathered for the HSBC Walk Run Cycle Charity Event in the capital last night.
Among the participants was Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah.
Equipped with reflectors and glow sticks, a total of 10,000 participants registered and joined the momentous occasion who livened the city's vicinity with vibrant lights and enthusiastic cheers.
The gathering point for the participants was the Taman Hj Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien prior to start of the event at 8pm.
The charity event started off with a small performance presented by the special needs associations Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, Centre for Children with Special Needs (KACA) and Society for the Management of Autism Related Issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) as a display of appreciation for the charity event.
Kicking off the event was the cycling category for 30km distance, led by Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar. This was followed with other cyclists participating in the 11.5km, 6km and 2km category.Meanwhile, participants of the walk and run category started off with warm up session of aerobics led by professionals from the Fitness Zone.
Leading the walk and run category for the 11.5km was HRH Paduka Seri Pg Pg Anak Sarah. HRH was accompanied by Pg Seti Aminah Pg Othman. This was followed by runners
of the 6km and 2km categories.As the runs went on, visitors and participants who finished early treated themselves to the numerous activities at the tents set up around the taman, ranging from food stalls to carnival games.
Prizes were awarded to the enthusiastic participants who went the extra mile in dressing up in costumes, either individually or together as a family, to add the fun factor into the occasion.
According to HSBC's public relations, some 2,000 more unregistered individuals were also reported to have joined the run as their part in supporting the cause and feel the thrill of the run. The HSBC Walk Run Cycle Charity event was aimed at not only to promote the social corporate responsibility of the bank but also a healthy lifestyle amongst the community which includes creating an atmosphere accessible to families as well.
The HSBC event was first introduced in 2008 dubbed the 'HSBC Heart of Borneo Cycling Challenge' and since then has expanded towards a much wider audience by opening other venues for participants to join and compete in, such as the walk and run categories.
Courtesy of
ITB donates to SMARTER
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- Created on Tuesday, 13 March 2012 13:31
- Published on Tuesday, 13 March 2012 13:26
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Jennifer Voon (2nd R) presented the mock cheque to SMARTER president Malai Hj Abdullah Hj Malai Othman (C). Picture: BT/Anwar Rosly
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, March 11, 2012
The group was led by ITB's Dean of Students, Jennifer Voon, who presented the mock cheque to SMARTER President Malai Hj Abdullah Hj Malai Othman.
The donation was collected from the Charity Walkathon and Fund Raising Sale, held in correspondence with ITB's Orientation Week held last year.
According to the treasurer of the Student Representative Council, Dk Nurul Aziemah Pg Hj Muizzuddin, it was their first group visit to the centre, giving students the chance to interact with the children by getting involved in their fun learning games and activities.
She reasoned that the activity would be eye-opening as it would give the students first-hand exposure to how the centre is managed.
She relayed a touching story of how she teared up upon seeing one of the children sing her one of her favourite songs. "Knowing and living it is entirely different," relates one of her colleagues.
Nurul Aziemah explained that the Community Service club looks to get involved with any activities that benefits the community, such as the recent clean up at Tungku Beach. The Voluntary club provides the manpower for such activities, from ITB students who are willing to give their spare time to assist with services to the community.
Courtesy of The Brunei Times
SMARTER to present 2nd musical theatre
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- Created on Friday, 09 December 2011 01:51
- Published on Friday, 09 December 2011 01:44
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SMARTER President, Malai Hj Abdullah. Low Kok Wai. - PHOTOS: AZIM KARIM
It was only months ago since their first concert and now they're coming back for more.
The individuals with autism will return in a musical theatre - Oddy's Quest II: A Journey in Search of A Home - on January 21 at the Indera Samudra Grand Hall of The Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong.
The concert is sequel to Oddy's Quest - Brunei's very first "Autism Musical" which took place in April this year where it garnered favourable reviews and support from every segment of the Bruneian community for the Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER).
Since then, the musical has "marked SMARTER as a dynamic non-governmental organisation that supports individuals with autism and their care-givers with progressive educational programmes and innovative public awareness initiatives".
Oddy's Quest II: A Journey in Search of A Home features more than 50 individuals with autism.
In this sequel, Oddy is back in school after his last adventure into the Magic Forest where he met the Old Wise One, and how he is feeling down as boredom sets in an environment where everyone is normal. He subsequently begins to blame everyone and everything in it, until a familiar voice appears in the guise of a Miss Wise.
She listens to Oddy's problem but tells him to do something about his situation instead of whining and sulking. She eventually advises him to embark on a journey in search of a place where he can feel at home, a place where he will be understood and accepted. He has yet to cross a magical highway to reach Yonderland as he meets strange creatures who can talk and do amazing things.
Malai Hj Abdullah Hj Malai Othman, SMARTER president in a press conference yesterday revealed that as in the first musical, the sequel parallels SMARTER's journey in real life as it prepares to move into a new location as of April 2012.
"We have to move out from our centre in Sengkurong, because there is a constraint in space", he said. "We need a bigger place to get our programmes and therapies going, we can't just let those people in the waiting list to keep waiting".
In its 10 years of existence, SMARTER has been struggling to accumulate enough funds to have their own building, especially with the growing number of members.
The president, who has a son diagnosed with autism himself, looks for a place of sanctuary and refuge for individuals with autism to find "comfort, relaxation as well as support and assistance they need" - and that is what the hero "Oddy" in the musical represents.
Tickets for the upcoming musical will be released on December 12 at $30 and $50, and those interested can purchase the tickets at any SMARTER centres and authorised organisation both in Belait District and Brunei-Muara District. Advanced bookings can also be arranged by contacting 8743777/8137771 or Emy Ruslena (Secretariat) at 2661830.
Low Kok Wai, the artistic director of the musical who was also present in the press conference said, "The story evolved as Oddy is now finding his way home".
"Home is not something that comes in the form of a building, or infrastructure, but it is where you feel comfortable and accepted, and that's what SMARTER is," he added.
The musical itself will showcase the potential of individuals with autism, as they will reveal SMARTER's journey towards self-independency in a vivid interpretation.
Unlike the first musical, the upcoming event is set to be a full theatrical concert, accommodating about 1,500 people in the audience.
"Expect more from us," said the SMARTER president, before saying, "accept us and embrace us, because SMARTER believes we can't wait for people to come, but instead we have to go out there and perform with what we can".
Courtesy of Azim Karim, Borneo Bulletin
SVNR Visits Brunei Autism Centre
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- Created on Tuesday, 22 November 2011 09:42
- Published on Tuesday, 22 November 2011 09:36
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SVNR students and members of BACA in agroup photo - AZIM KARIM
Bandar Seri Begawan - Another highlight in the welfare of Brunei's very own Society for the Management of Autism-related Issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER), the Nakhoda Ragam Vocational School (SVNR) instructors and students looked into ways and methods to better understand the needs of individuals with autism towards the realisation of SPN21.
They recently visited the Brunei Autism Centre for Adults (BACA), one of SMARTER's centres recently, and witnessed the organisation's huge commitment towards enhancing training and educational programmes for special needs individuals.
The delegation led by the school's principal Cikgu Pg Hamidah bte Pg Hj Hidup and her deputy, Cikgu Hj Mosli bin Mohamad was informed that BACA is part of SMARTER's initiatives to serve as a place to accommodate special needs individuals aged 12 and above who will attend the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Centre in Sengkurong for early intervention.
At BACA, the individuals are set to undergo various specific curricula and one of its teachers, Malou Lourdes revealed that a number of significant improvements could already be seen in the past few months as stated in monthly reports and IPP plan.
The delegation was later brought to tour the centre and observed the implementation of the programmes, whilst discussing future long-term plans.
According to the principal, the visit was parallel with the school's outreach programme, and SVNR is willing to assist or support the centre in terms of studying and training facilities that "might benefit or can be arranged according to the needs of the special needs individuals".
"I am impressed with the programme prepared and conducted by SMARTER, and we can actually work side by side and encourage other schools to initiate such visits to have a closer look into the organisation.
We should appreciate and respect what SMARTER has done," she said.
In another speech, the Deputy Principal, Cikgu Hj Mosli said, "Understanding autism is not easy.
One needs to understand and that's why I might come back here again and again."
Most of the students said that the visit made them learn to care and be more concerned and compassionate for others.
One of the instructors, Cikgu Ida Ayu said, "The visit was very beneficial as they are now aware of the need to provide better insight into providing and facilitating a programme which suits any individuals with autism and who should be given continuous support and care from the community in Brunei.
"I think they need a bigger space to operate, and the individuals need empathy more than sympathy."
Courtesy of Azim Karim, Borneo Bulletin
SKSWood Group organises tree planting ceremony
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- Created on Sunday, 18 September 2011 10:43
- Published on Sunday, 18 September 2011 10:40
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Guest of honour, Awang Mahmud bin Haji Yussof officiating the event as Mr Gary Tassel looks on.
Group photo of some of the participants during the tree planting ceremony in Andulau. - PHOTOS: HJH SAEMAH ZULKEFLI
More than 300 people participated in a tree planting ceremony organised by SKSWood Group in conjunction with the SKSWood Group Environment Day. The ceremony was held at the Andulau Forest Reserve (Ulu Badas) in Jalan Labi.
The programme was a joint effort between the Forestry Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and SKSWood under its Green Partnership Tree Planting Initiative. The aim of the activity was to show the company's commitment towards forest preservation and to support the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's effort to save the forest and environment.
The guest of honour was the Deputy Director of Forestry Department, Awang Mahmud bin Haji Yussof. Also participating in the event were Mr Gary Tassel, the General Manager of SKSWood and also co-chairperson of the event; senior government officials; officers from the Forestry Department; staff from the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam; students from Belait District; as well as personnel from BSP, BLNG and SKSWood.
The programme was held in conjunction with SKSWood Group's Environment Day celebration, which was celebrated on September 21. The theme for this year's celebration was "Be Future Friendly". A total of 3,000 "Tulong" and "Alam Batu" tree seedlings were planted in a five-hectare area.
SKSWood is a joint-venture company established in 2003 between Syarikat Kejuruteraan Sistematik Sdn Bhd, Petrokon Utama Sdn Bhd and Wood Group. SKSWood provides services such as project management, engineering and fabrication, construction, recovery and maintenance for the oil and gas industry.
Among SKSWood's achievements include eight million man-hour without accident, over 400 completed electrical equipment projects, certified 'A Best Class' in the PemBruneian programme and over 18,000 purchase orders served. SKSWood currently employs more than 330 personnel in its onshore and offshore operations.
Courtesy of Hjh Saemah Zulkefli, Borneo Bulletin