Since 1953
CONNECT WITH US
www.borneobulletin.com.bnTHE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, SABAH AND SARAWAK
B$1.00 | RM3.50
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020
VOL.24 | NO.239
LIFESTYLE
14
Brunei’s wait for the Olympics glory
FEATURES
22
Face mask: To wear or not to wear
WORLD
26
Malaysian MCO: Over 700 armed
forces personnel mobilised in Sabah
HOME
6
Teenager lost in jungle near
Limbang returns home
Number of cases
Number of deaths
Recovered cases
Brunei Darussalam
COVID-19 STATISTICS
As of 2 April 2020
133
1
56
The Ministry of Religious Affairs through the Department of Mosque Affairs in collaboration with
several fuel stations in the country distributed zikir and prayer books yesterday across the country.
Photo shows Acting Director of Mosque Affairs Haji Amir Hisham bin Haji Masri distributing books
at a drive-thru restaurant in Lambak Kanan. PHOTO: RAHWANI ZAHARI
(Full report on Page 4)
ZIKIR, PRAYER BOOKS DISTRIBUTED AT
PETROL STATIONS, DRIVE-THRUS
Brunei Darussalam continues to record a low
number of COVID19 cases, with only two
new con irmed cases yesterday, bringing the
current total to 133 people.
The latest developments of the COVID19
situation in the country were highlighted at
a press conference yesterday by Minister of
Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin
Haji Jaafar.
In giving details on the new cases, the
minister said, “Case 132 is a 40-year-old
woman, who is the wife of Case 103. She does
not have any recent travel history, and was
irst tested on March 24, which came back
as negative. However, she developed a sore
throat and the lu while under quarantine, on
March 30.
“Case 133 is a local man who lew back
to the country from the United Kingdom
via Singapore, on Royal Brunei Airlines (RB)
light BI424 with Seat 22A on April 1. He
Brunei records two
new COVID-19 cases,
four more recover
James Kon
developed a fever on March 16, while in
the United Kingdom; however, he did not
exhibit any symptoms while en route back to
the country.”
Continue to Page 3
In less than two weeks after the launch
on March 21, the COVID19 Relief Fund
collection surged to BND3,249,221.97
yesterday thanks to donations from
companies, associations, private agencies and
the public.
The latest igure of the COVID19 Relief
Fund was disclosed by Minister of Health
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin
Haji Jaafar in a press conference held
Over BND3 million collected for COVID-19 Relief Fund
James Kon
yesterday at the Ministry of Health’s (MoH)
Al-‘A iah Hall.
The minister expressed the ministry’s
deepest gratitude and appreciation, especially
to LSL Sdn Bhd for contributing to the
construction of the extension building of the
Molecular Diagnostic Unit for Respiratory
Viruses, National Vilorolgy Reference
Laboratory in Jalan Sumbiling.
He also thanked other contractor
partners including Trane Aire Sdn Bhd,
Daya Engineering Sdn Bhd, Amberhigh
Sdn Bhd, Beaver Engineering Sdn Bhd, Kha
Arkitek, Swee Sdn Bhd, Petar Perunding
Sdn Bhd, Supinda Electronic & Trading
Company, Razaco Transport Services and
Gaya Reka Sdn Bhd that also contributed
to the construction of the additional
building. The total cost of the construction
was BND569,348.
The minister conveyed his appreciation to
companies, associations, private agencies and
the public for their donations to the COVID19
Relief Fund.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd
Isham bin Haji Jaafar. PHOTO: AZIZ IDRIS
The COV I D 1 9 ou t b r e a k w i l l be
theoretically under control if there
are no new cases for 28 days to
one month.
“In theory, if there is no infection, we
have to wait for at least 28 days or one
month to declare COVID19 outbreak
under control,” said Minister of Health
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Ishambin Haji
Jaafar yesterday.
“We have to wait and see whether we
are successful,” the minister added.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham also
said,everymeasuresuchastravelban,social
distancing, prohibiting mass gathering
and self-isolation is equally important
in lattening the curve of COVID19 in
the country.
However, what is more important is the
whole of nation approach in measures and
steps to curb the outbreak and cooperation
of the public.
Continue to Page 3
COVID-19 can be
considered under
control if no new
cases for a month
Azlan Othman
The mid-year population estimate of
Br une i Da r us sa l am fo r 2019 was
459,500 compared to 442,400 in
2018. This represented a growth rate of
3.9 per cent.
This was stated by the Department
of Economic Planning and Statistics
(DEPS) which released the Report of
the Mid-Year Population Estimates 2019
presenting the population estimates
and key demographic characteristics of
Brunei Darussalam’s mid-year population
in 2019.
T h e p o p u l a t i o n c o m p r i s e d
244,500 males (53.2 per cent) and
215,000 females (46.8 per cent). The
sex ratio was 114 males for every
100 females.
Continue to Page 3
Brunei population
goes up 3.9pc,
reaches 459,500
Azlan Othman