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Home THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020 4
Azlan Othman
Brunei passport holders have free access
to 166 countries and territories and scored
high in terms of taxation.
But more needs to be done in personal
freedom and global perception.
The Sultanate ranked 47th globally
among 199, said a report released by Nomad
Capitalist on Tuesday.
The Global offshore consulting irm
ranked 199 economies in terms of passport
strength based on ive categories: Visa-
free travel, international taxation laws,
global perception, dual citizenship and
personal freedom.
The ranking relects Brunei passport
holders’ capability to travel to 155 countries
and territories.
In Southeast Asia, Singapore has the
most powerful passport with visa-free
access to 190 destinations and a high level
of personal freedom, followed by Malaysia
with 178 countries and Brunei.
Nine of the 10 top passports were
from Europe, with Singapore being the
only non-European country to break into
the top 10.
Sweden, Luxembourg, and Ireland are at
the top as the ultimate passports to hold.
All three passports earned an index
ranking of 114.
The worst passport belongs to
Afghanistan. This passport only allows entry
into 26 countries visa-free, its citizens are
often refused entry to a substantial number
of countries and also encounter substantial
hostility, its citizens are strictly forbidden to
hold other citizenships and also experience
less freedom.
Iraq is second-worst, with travel
permitted to 28 countries, low perception
from other countries and low levels of
freedom. Yemen is third from the bottom.
The Index ranks passports on ive factors
Visa-Free Travel 50 per cent; Taxation of
Citizens 20 per cent; Perception 10 per
cent; Dual Citizenship 10 per cent; and
Personal Freedom 10 per cent
The Index is the result of aggregating
data from nearly 20 unique sources, and
based on priorities.
Syazwani Hj Rosli
Some 150 congregants and Muslimah of the
Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Mosque (MRSB)
in Kampong Sungai Akar participated in the
‘One Week One Juzuk’ Programme through
Zoom yesterday.
The mosque’s ‘One Week One Khatam ’,
for each Halaqah conducted every week
for 30 weeks, was also held during the
virtual meeting.
Minister of Primary Resources and
Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin
Haji Apong in his capacity as the Patron of
MRSB also participated.
The event was to encourage the
participants to reciting Al-Quran and always
in Istiqamah in gaining greater rewards from
Allah the Almighty.
The programme is hoped to become a life-
long programme among the congregants.
Doa Penutup, Doa Keselamatan dan
Perlindungan Dari Wabak Khusus Untuk
Negara Brunei Darussalam and Doa
Peliharakan Sultan were recited by Imam of
MRSB Arif bin Haji Johari.
Rokiah Mahmud
The Fire and Rescue Department’s (FRD)
Operation ‘E’ branch handed over a
community service certiicate to Muhammad
Suhaibul Danial bin Dalim, who extinguished
an electrical ire on May 16.
It was presented by Commanding Oficer
ofOperation ‘E’ branchSeniorSuperintendent
Mohd Yudieswandy bin Bakar.
The Public Relation Oficer of Operation
‘E’ Branch was also present.
Muhammad Suhaibul managed to put
out the ire that engulfed a bulb holder us-
ing a dry foam ire extinguisher before ire
personnel arrived.
The FRD advised the public not to
overload electrical usage and switch off
unused electrical appliances; ensure
electrical wiring are in good condition;
and equip premises with ire extinguisher
(ABC powder type), ire blanket or battery
operated smoke detector. The public can
contact 995 for emergencies.
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) together with staff of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak
Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, Blood Donation Centre of the Ministry of Health conducted a
blood donation campaign to commemorate RBAF’s 59th anniversary. The drive aimed
to raise community awareness by donating blood and increasing supply at the national
blood bank reserve as well as to inculcate a sense of social responsibility among military
personnel. TEXT & PHOTO: ROKIAH MAHMUD & RBAF
Lyna Mohamad
Takaful Brunei recently introduced a Smart
Plan, an easy monthly payment plan that
allows customers to pay for their Takaful
contributions on a monthly basis between
terms of six and 12 months.
It is available at both its subsidiaries,
Takaful Brunei Am Sdn Bhd (TBA) and
Takaful Brunei Keluarga Sdn Bhd (TBK).
The introduction of the easy payment
plan serves to assist customers where
they are not required to provide any ad-
ditional documents.
The plan also ensures affordability
for elite Takaful Brunei products such
as TBA’s Prestige Comprehensive Motor
Takaful Package and TBK’s Takaful As-Syifa’
Gold Package.
Monthly Takaful contributions start
from BND300 to BND3,000 with a service
charge of BND40 or 18 to 24 months with
contributions starting from BND1,200
to BND6,000 and a service charge of
BND70. The plan is currently available to
only BIBD cardholders.
Both payment plans are available
with zero per cent interest rates, giving
customers the ability to systematically
acquire Takaful Protection more
economically while maintaining its full
coverage and beneits.
For example, a Takaful Protection that
costs BND600 would be participated
with a monthly cost of only BND50 for
12 months.
Customers are eligible for the plan when
they use their BIBD cards to pay for either
new Takaful Certiicates through the Takaful
Brunei Mobile App, TBA and TBK Call Centre/
WhatsApp or counters or for renewal.
To convert their payments to the
payment plan, customers can call the
BIBD Call Centre within one month of their
Takaful payment and request to change it
to BIBD’s Easy Payment Plan.
Congregants attend online religious
programme
Brave effort to put out fire recognised
Brunei passport among top three in SEA
Takaful Brunei introduces
Smart Plan
BLEEDING FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Commanding Of•icer of the Fire and Rescue Department’s Operation ‘E’ branch Senior
Superintendent Mohd Yudieswandy bin Bakar hands over the community service certi•icate to
Muhammad Suhaibul Danial bin Dalim. PHOTO: FRD
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong in his
capacity as the Patron of Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Mosque (MRSB) in a Zoom session with
other congregants. PHOTO: SYAZWANI HJ ROSLI