HM 74th Birthday

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A nation united against the pandemic
Unity
His Majesty has underlined the government’s and people’s efforts
to curb the pandemic outbreak and lauded initiatives undertaken to
contain the deadly virus.
Azlan Othman
As the world struggles to cope with an
unprecedented and escalating crisis
triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic,
Brunei Darussalam has emerged as
a shining example of preparedness,
concern and care for citizens and resi-
dents.
The first COVID-19 case was detect-
ed onMarch 9, 2020, when a 53-year-old
man tested positive for the coronavirus.
Following that initial case, the number
of new cases surged and, at time of
writing, has now reached 141 cases. As
of July 13, three COVID-19 linked deaths
have been reported.
The robust action by the Govern-
ment of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassa-
nal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni
Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifud-
dien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and
Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam
has prevented the further spread of the
deadly virus.
His Majesty has underlined the gov-
ernment’s and people’s efforts to curb
the pandemic outbreak and lauded ini-
tiatives undertaken to contain the dead-
ly virus.
In a titah to mark Hari Raya Aidilfitri
this year, His Majesty expressed plea-
sure that Bruneians are complying with
the rules and regulations amid the coro-
navirus outbreak.
“Normally, the celebrations be-
gin with Sunnat Aidilfitri prayers at
mosques, religious halls or suraus. This
year marks the very first time that the
Hari Raya tradition will not be observed,
as we are still living with the threat of
the coronavirus.
“Similarly, the open house tradi-
tion will not take place, in keeping with
the safety guidelines. Still, this does
not completely diminish the spirit and
meaningofHari Raya,” themonarchsaid.
“The occasion can still be embraced
by reciting the Takbir Hari Raya (prais-
ing Allah the Almighty) and performing
the Sunnat Aidilfitri prayer. The prayers
cannot be held at places of worship
in the usual manner, but it can still be
performed within the confines of our
homes with our families.”
The Sultan added, “We may not be
able to shake hands in greeting one
another, but there are other means of
communication. Is this not an oppor-
tunity for us to foster ties and connect
with family members and friends in
conveying Hari Raya greetings and ask-
ing for forgiveness?
“In accordance with the guidelines
set by the Ministry of Health (MoH), the
Hari Raya festivities can still be held
with close family members, such as our
children, siblings and parents. Large
families will need to adhere to the set
guidelines for gatherings, which is 20-
30 people at a given time.”
Additionally, in a titah to usher the
holy month of Ramadhan this year,
the ruler also said the current situation
should not prevent Muslims from fasting
and also said that it will allow us to re-
flect on virtues of patience and wisdom.
“This is not just felt in Brunei, in
fact everywhere around the world. For
a while, we are forced to postpone
our presence in mosques, suraus and
religious halls to perform the Friday
prayers and congregational prayers.
This is all done to prevent the risk of
COVID-19 infection.” His Majesty added
that with Allah the Almighty’s will, the
virus is seen to have been contained ef-
fectively. This, the monarch believes, is
because of the nation’s concerted pre-
vention measures and prayers that are
practiced.
Meanwhile, in a titah delivered in a
video conference for the Special ASE-
AN Summit on COVID-19 in mid-April
this year, His Majesty also highlighted
the need for ASEAN solidarity in facing
the unprecedented challenges brought
by COVID-19.
“Complementing each other’s ef-
forts, as well as sharing information,
experiences and measures taken are
important in strengthening ASEAN’s
coordination, in order to control the
spread of the pandemic in the region.
Equally important is managing public
information to avoid panic and counter
false news,” said His Majesty, through a
video link from Baitul Mesyuarah, Istana
Nurul Iman.
In tackling the COVID-19 pandemic,
the MoH has been transparent with daily
updates by the ministry through press
conferences in assuring the people of
Brunei that everything is under control.
Health Advice Line 148 has been
set up and can be contacted for fur-
ther information and latest updates on
COVID-19 cases in Brunei Darussalam.
Self-Assessment Tool via healthinfo.
is also introduced to help indi-
viduals self-assess possible COVID-19
symptoms and assist the government’s
initiative to provide real-time Govern-
ment dashboard.
Special Monthly allowance of
BND400 specifically for doctors, nurs-
es, paramedics, ambulance drivers,
volunteers, hospital cleaners, security
guards and all staff under the MoH, es-
pecially those working at the Raja Isteri
Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS),
National Isolation Centre (NIC) in Tutong
and quarantine centres is also allocated
by the Government of His Majesty.
This monthly allowance started in
March 2020 and will be extended until
the eradication of COVID-19 in Brunei
Darussalam.
Brunei, like other countries, has also
taken steps like a travel ban, restrictions
on public gatherings, and asking people
to work from home. Mosques and other
places of worship had been closed and
shopkeepers were asked to practice so-
cial distancing to prevent community
transmission.
In maintaining the well-being of the
public, the government constructed
the new NIC building in the Tutong
District to treat and monitor confirmed
positive-infected COVID-19 patients in
this centre.
An additional National Virology
Laboratory was also built in Kampong
Sumbiling, Bandar Seri Begawan, to
increase the capacity and accelerate
the testing process for COVID-19 in the
country.
Following the restriction of travel
across the Brunei-Sarawak border and
for the comfort of people residing in
the Temburong District, a bridge linking
Brunei-Muara District and Temburong
District has been opened to provide
easier access to Temburong District.
The bridge is open from 6am to 10pm
daily from Thursday, March 19, 2020.
Bruneian students studying abroad
were also asked to return to the coun-
try, although some opted to stay to con-
tinue with their studies or to sit for the
examinations.
In addition, applications to recruit
new foreign workers are temporarily
suspended.
Monitoring of product prices is
continuously conducted by relevant
government agencies for items such as
rice, sugar and other essentials such as
hand sanitisers and surgical face masks.
They also ensure that stocks of rice and
sugar are sufficient for the population’s
daily consumption.
In ensuring the affairs of consumers
are taken care of, telecommunication
services are also enhanced to meet the
increasing demand.
Bilateral negotiations between the
Postal Services Department, Brunei
Darussalam and Pos Malaysia, Malaysia
were also made and it was approved
for the Postal Services Department to
be a representative for item collection
in Pos Miri and Pos Limbang for recipi-
ents based in Brunei Darussalam. To fa-
cilitate the process of shipping and re-
ceiving of items purchased online from
abroad, the public is encouraged to use
their addresses in Brunei Darussalam.
Bruneians have also been united in
giving assistance. The COVID-19 Relief
Fund has been set up to enable the gen-
eral public to make financial contribu-
tion in tackling the pandemic.
To ensure school students contin-
ued learning during the long break fol-
lowing the closure of schools due to
the COVID-19 pandemic, schools con-
tinued to conduct Online Learning and
Teaching following the announcement
of school holiday in the month of Rama-
dhan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri as well as
the date for the beginning of the Sec-
ond School Term.
Religious and spiritual initiatives
have also been made. A total of 15,000
COVID-19 zikir and prayer books were
distributed to the government and pri-
vate sector in the country, while a soft-
copy of the book in PDF format is ac-
cessible by scanning the QR code or
through the website
In providing alternative service de-
livery, drive-thru initiatives were intro-
duced for service pension payments
and descendents’ pension to reduce
the risk of COVID-19 infection and pre-
vent congestion and overcrowding.
Old Age Pension payment is imple-
mented in two methods - through bank
as additional option and the current
option of payment made through pen-
ghulu and village heads.
Borneo Bulletin, Wednesday July 15, 2020 Royal Birthday SPECIAL