MAJESTY IN THE SKY

Transcription

MAJESTY IN THE SKY
JULY | AUGUST 2011
Inflight Magazine of Royal Brunei Airlines • July/August 2011
Muhibah_JulAug2011_Cover.indd 1
MAJESTY IN THE SKY
HIS MAJESTY SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MU’IZZADDIN WADDAULAH
www.bruneiair.com
15/6/11 12:06:34 PM
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IN THIS ISSUE...
10
20
26
58
COVER
His Majesty Sultan Haji
Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin
Waddaulah, Sultan and
Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam. Photographed by
Rudolf Portillo.
Editorial board
Advisor Royal Brunei Airlines
GM, Corporate Affairs Azhani Daniel
Editorial Russell Knox, Dian Idris
Editorial & production
General Manager Jacqueline W M Wong
Editor Anis Ramli
Editorial Assistant Kim Low
Studio Manager Ken Lau
Digital Media Designer Michele Tee
Coordinator Sa’adiah Hj Abas
Printing
Brunei Press Sdn. Bhd., Brunei Darussalam
Imagery & colour separation
Digital Impressions Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia
2
Publishing & sales
Digital Impressions
Lot 20010, Taman Alam, Jalan Telanai
Beribi, Gadong BE1118
P. O. Box 577, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8671
Brunei Darussalam
T: +673 2654 851
F: +673 2650 276
E: muhibah@digital-impressions.org
Advertising enquiries
Digital Impressions
Lot 20010, Taman Alam, Jalan Telanai, Beribi
Gadong BE1118
Bandar Seri Begawan BS8671
Brunei Darussalam
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F: +673 2650 276
E: dgtlexpr@brunet.bn
FEATURES
20
Wonderfully Wild
Melbourne’s Phillip Island.
26
The Penultimate Pastime
Shopping Singapore style.
30
Cultural Capers
Exploring Dubai’s heritage.
36
Traces of the Past
Old Shanghai uncovered.
44
Green Footsteps
Vacation with a conscience.
Muhibah is published by Digital Impressions. All rights
reserved. Copyright by Royal Brunei Airlines. Unsolicited
materials will be returned only if accompanied by a selfaddressed envelope and sufficient return postage. While every
reasonable care is taken by the editor, no responsibility is
assumed for the return of unsolicited material. The contents
of this magazine are entirely the personal views of the
author(s) and/or contributors and do not in any way reflect
the views or opinions of the publisher. The publisher disclaims
all and any liability to any person arising from the printing,
sale or use of the materials in this magazine. The Editorial
team reserves the right to edit and/or rewrite all materials
according to the needs of the publication upon usage.
Muhibah is complimentary for passengers on Royal Brunei
Airlines. It is also available on subscription at BND7 per copy,
excluding postage.
Alternatively, log on www.bruneiair.com for e-Muhibah.
MUHIBAH
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30
36
64
44
70
WELCOME ONBOARD
50
Best of Brunei
Patriotic Art
54
Keistimewaan Brunei
Seni Patriotik
04
Deputy Chairman’s
Message
06
Inside RBA
72
Selamat Datang
74
Brunei International
Airport
Motoring The Beetle, Volkswagen
75
Traveller’s Guide
In Person
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah
76
Route Map &
Destinations Guide
78
Abode of Peace
LIFESTYLE
58
10
62
62
The Buzz What’s New
64
Take 5 Malacca
70
Travel Diary
Media & sales representatives
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JULY | AUGUST 2011
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WELCOME ONBOARD DEPUTY CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
RBA First Officers
Zulkhair Abdullah and
Muhammad Al-Aqib
Hj Jamain trained as
part of the 38th and
39th Cadet Pilot intakes
respectively.
Dear Guests,
Welcome aboard.
On 15th July, Brunei Darussalam celebrates the
65th birthday of His Majesty, the Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty has
always had a keen interest in aviation and is a
certified pilot for both aeroplanes and helicopters.
In this issue, we are proud to have a feature on
His Majesty’s Special Achievement Wings Award
commemorating His Majesty’s 40 Years of Flight.
To support the development of commercial aviation
in Brunei, Royal Brunei Airlines runs a Cadet Pilot
training programme with the Scholarship Section
at the Ministry of Education. The programme
is designed to equip young Bruneians with the
technical skills, academic qualifications and flying
hours experience required to join Royal Brunei
Airlines as a First Officer. Since the start of the
programme in 1978, 108 graduates have passed
and flown the friendly skies.
Check out
eMuhibah at
www.bruneiair.com
4
On the destination front, if you’re in or heading to
Melbourne we would recommend paying Phillip
Island a visit. Just 90 minutes from the city, you can
get away from the hustle and bustle and immerse
yourself in nature, beautiful sceneries and vistas.
And don’t forget to imbibe the fresh seafood. Home
to a colony of fairy penguins and other wildlife,
visitors have been coming to Phillip Island since the
1920s. One of the highlights of a Philip Island tour
is watching fairy penguins suddenly appearing on
the beach as soon as it gets dark and then making
their way to their burrows inland. It is indeed a sight
to behold.
Meanwhile in Singapore, those who prefer
shopping should take a trip to The Shoppes at
Marina Bay Sands where international designers
have opened glittering new boutiques.
Finally, as you make your way further west for a
getaway, Dubai offers great options for getting in
touch with Emirati culture. Our article on Dubai in
this issue will bring you to the Sheikh Mohammed
Centre for Cultural Understanding that offers
visitors a unique glimpse of the city.
As always thank you for flying with Royal Brunei
Airlines.
With Warm Wishes,
Dermot Mannion
Deputy Chairman
MUHIBAH
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WELCOME ONBOARD INSIGHTS
Inside RBA
Roundup of Royal Brunei Airlines happenings
Royal Skies Prize Presentation
In May, Ms Wajihah Abas won a Royal Skies air miles award ticket
to Melbourne in The Empire Hotel & Country Club’s Mother’s Day
promotion.
RBA Manager Loyalty Marketing, Yasmin Jennifer Abdullah Chin,
presented the prize along with the hotel’s General Manager,
Desmond Acheson. Other lucky winners received a diamond ring
sponsored by Twinkles Jewellery, and vouchers from the hotel.
The Mother’s Day promotion at The Empire Hotel & Country Club
was sponsored by Baiduri Bank and supported by Royal Skies and
Twinkles Jewellery.
Royal Brunei Airlines
Partners with Amadeus
As part of Royal Brunei Airlines’ goal
to provide the best customer service,
the airline has partnered with leading
technology company, Amadeus, to power
the online booking service on our website
www.bruneiair.com.
Thanks to the new Amadeus internet
booking engine, purchasing tickets on
RBA’s website will be even easier and
more user-friendly.
Watch this space for more updates on the
improved online experience that will be
launched soon.
Pilot Career Talk
Sekolah Menengah Masin invited two
pilots from Royal Brunei Airlines to give
a career presentation on 30 May. Over
60 Form 4 and Form 5 students attended
to meet Captain Amir and First Officer
Izzuddin, who spoke about RBA’s cadet
pilot training programme which offers
training scholarships to Bruneian students.
6
MUHIBAH
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Royal Brunei Airlines
at the Sarawak
Travel Fair
Royal Brunei Airlines was proud to
participate in the recent Sarawak Travel
Fair in April. Launched by guest of honour
Dato’ Rashid Khan, Chief Executive Officer
of Sarawak Tourism Board, the fair was also
attended by Dato’ Abdullah Sani Omar,
High Commissioner of Malaysia in Brunei
and Jamilah Abdul Halim, Director of
Tourism Malaysia (Brunei), among others.
Royal Brunei Airlines promoted special
fares to Kuching while travel agents and
hoteliers promoted holiday packages
around Sarawak. The three-day event was
jointly organised by Sarawak Tourism Board
and Tourism Malaysia (Brunei).
Overlooking Kensington Palace and
Gardens is exclusive Cheval Thorney Court.
The business or leisure address for three
weeks or more. It offers a host of facilities
designed to enhance your comfort,
convenience and security. A place to stay.
A place to entertain. A place to call home.
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Designed for living and entertaining in the
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Palace Gate, Kensington,
London W8 5NJ
Muhibah205x260mm_JulAug2011.indd7 7
Cheval Hyde Park Gate
2 - 4 Hyde Park Gate, Kensington,
London SW7 5EW
Tel: +44 (0)20 7581 5324
www.chevalresidences.com
15/6/11 2:23:39 PM
Muhibah205x260mm_JulAug2011.indd8 8
15/6/11 2:23:42 PM
Dirgahayu
Our heartfelt congratulations
and warmest wishes to
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Sultan
dan Yang Di-Pertuan of
Brunei Darussalam on the occasion of
His Majesty’s 65th Birthday
Long Live
Your Majesty
www.dst-group.com
Muhibah205x260mm_JulAug2011.indd9 9
from
The Board Of Directors,
Management & Staff
15/6/11 2:23:53 PM
LIFESTYLE IN PERSON
Majesty
in the Sky
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, honoured
for his passion in aviation.
WORDS JACQUELINE WONG
IMAGES HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN’S FLIGHT
10
MUHIBAH
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LEFT TO RIGHT
His Majesty Sultan
Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah
as a young boy during one
of his early plane rides; His
Majesty, photographed in
1988, in the cockpit of his
personal helicopter, the
Sikorsky S76 (Spirit).
OPPOSITE PAGE
The Bandar Seri Begawan, a
mobile palace in the sky.
O
n a fine, balmy evening in May 2008, India’s Minister of
State for External Affairs, E. Ahamed, led a welcoming
delegation at Palam Indian Air Force Base in New Delhi
to receive one of the country’s very important guests. His Majesty Sultan Haji
Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of
Brunei Darussalam, was on an official four-day visit to India, His Majesty’s first
in over a decade.
As His Excellency Minister Ahamed was waiting for the monarch to disembark
from the royal aircraft Bandar Seri Begawan, he was getting increasingly
worried when His Majesty took a much longer time to appear. When Brunei
Darussalam’s head of state finally made an appearance, the monarch
explained to the bewildered minister that the delay was because His Majesty
needed some time to come out from the cockpit because he had flown the
aircraft himself – a Boeing 747!
For those unfamiliar with His Majesty’s deftness at piloting aircraft, Brunei’s
head of state is one of the world’s few royals who is not only able to steer
his country towards prosperity, but also his own fleet of aircraft. His Majesty
has flown himself through long haul flights for official visits and to scenes
of devastations for relief efforts, such as the tsunami catastrophe that hit
Indonesia’s Banda Aceh in 2004.
His Majesty’s passion for flying comes as no surprise if one were to recall his
early days. Flying since young and a pilot since the early 1970s, His Majesty
still finds immense enjoyment and freedom in flying; where the journey
provides him with a platform to unwind.
On February 2011, to commemorate His Majesty’s 40th anniversary of flight
achievements, His Majesty was presented with a Special Wings by Yang Amat
Mulia Pengiran Ratna Wijaya Brigadier General (R) Pengiran Haji Hasnan bin
Pengiran Ahmad, his flight tutor and also the Director of His Majesty the
Sultan’s Flight (HMSF). The conferment, which took place onboard the Bandar
Seri Begawan, one of His Majesty’s favourite aircraft, was in recognition of His
JULY | AUGUST 2011
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LIFESTYLE IN PERSON
Majesty’s tenacious passion in aviation. His Majesty was also presented with
a unique set of Propellers Cufflinks and a Certificate for Special Achievement
Award in the simple ceremony.
As a young prince, His Majesty used to accompany his father, the late Paduka
Seri Begawan Sultan Omar ’Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, to Brunei’s
remote interiors and villages. In the early 1950s, with no proper roads or
infrastructure to access these remote interiors, these royal visits were often
executed by propeller airplanes. The ‘flying’ visits later proved to be a viable
solution once His Majesty ascended the throne, fitting perfectly into his hectic
schedule while remaining in constant touch with his subjects and the progress
of the nation.
As far as aircraft preference goes, His Majesty is equally fascinated by both
rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Under the astute guidance of Yang Amat
Mulia Pengiran Ratna Wijaya Brigadier General (R) Pengiran Haji Hasnan, His
Majesty soon mastered the skills to pilot both aircraft. “His Majesty proved to
be an apt and attentive student. To be able to fly an aircraft takes fortitude
and courage. The fact that His Majesty is qualified to fly a wide range of
aircraft, including the Black Hawk, Sikorsky, Airbus and Boeing to name a
few, is indeed an exceptional and praiseworthy feat. It takes years of flying
experience for a pilot to master and be familiar with one aircraft let alone
many as His Majesty clearly has,” lauded Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Ratna
Wijaya Brigadier General (R) Pengiran Haji Hasnan, who today remains one of
His Majesty’s trusted aides.
Flying monarchs are not new to history. His Majesty’s love for flying was
very much like those of past royals such as the Prince of Wales (later King
Edward VIII). When he became King in 1936, he was also the first British
monarch ever to pilot an aircraft. There were also the late King Hussein of
Jordan, whose son and present ruler, King Abdullah II, is also an accomplished
helicopter and jet-fighter pilot.
Upon ascending the throne in 1967, His Majesty made increasing use of
aircraft for travel through the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). In January
1971, concerned that the increase in official duties were stretching RBAF’s
capacity to operate optimally, His Majesty took delivery of a Hawker Siddeley
748 for the sole use of the Royal Family (although it was deployed as a rescue
aircraft when not in use by His Majesty).
His Majesty’s first acquired personal aircraft was the Sikorsky S76 (Spirit)
helicopter in 1979. It was the most realistic of choices as a helicopter is more
flexible on where it can land, particularly with Brunei’s topography of narrow
coastal plains and hilly terrain. The Sikorsky S76 was also a fast and an agile
helicopter with outstanding capabilities.
With His Majesty’s increased use of aircraft for domestic travel and abroad,
His Majesty decided to form his own ‘aviation unit’. On September 1979, His
Majesty the Sultan’s Flight was formed as a royal aviation unit for the sole use
12
MUHIBAH
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BRUNEI INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
of His Majesty and the Royal Family. The individual
tasked with the huge responsibility to create and
run His Majesty’s first dedicated air unit was none
other than Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Ratna
Wijaya Brigadier General (R) Pengiran Haji Hasnan,
whose years and experience in aviation was deeply
valued by the monarch.
ABOVE
His Majesty piloting a Royal
Brunei Air Force Bolkow 105
helicopter during one of his
official engagements.
LEFT
His Majesty is all confidence
as he takes to the skies. This is
one of his early flights on the
Sikorsky S76 in 1980.
Today, the HMSF handles all air transport for
His Majesty and the Royal Family through an
immaculate fleet of aircraft that includes Sikorskys,
Black Hawks, Boeings and Airbuses. In the early
days, HMSF operated only through one hangar, a
heliport, and supported by a handful of personnel.
Through the years, HMSF has expanded to include
two additional hangars able to accommodate
international flights and His Majesty’s growing
fleet of aircraft.
Thirty years on, the original Hangar 1 continues
to handle His Majesty’s domestic travel operations
by helicopter while Hangar 2 has evolved into a
full-fledged ‘airport’, equipped with state-of-the
art facilities complete with aircraft maintenance
and repair facilities, refueling depots and ancillary
buildings. Meanwhile, Hangar 3 was handed over
to the RBAF, and subsequently to Royal Brunei
Airlines. HMSF itself grew from just a few staff to
500 employees, each one a dedicated personnel
with staff on standby 24 hours a day. With
various nationalities working together under one
department, HMSF is often fondly referred to as a
mini ‘United Nations’.
Since it began operations, HMSF has embodied
the spirit of partnership in aviation and avionics,
partnering the world’s best and reputed names in
the industry, including Lufthansa Technik AG, L-3
Communications, Air Routing International and
Flight Safety International. Aerospace giants such as
Airbus, Boeing and Sikorsky, who have been with
HMSF since its inception, remain very much a part
of the HMSF family.
His Majesty’s Special Flight Achievement Award
conferment could not have come at a better
time. As HMSF commemorates over 30 years of
successful partnerships and milestones in royal
aviation, His Majesty’s 40 years of flying is a subtle
reminder of a young man’s passion in aviation.
JULY | AUGUST 2011
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LIFESTYLE IN PERSON
Keagungan
di Langit Biru
14
MUHIBAH
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Kebawah Duli Yang Maha
Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah
merupakan segelintir Kerabat
Diraja dunia serta ketua
negara yang berkebolehan
memandu sendiri pesawat.
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka
Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang
Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam,
sememangnya terkenal dengan minat Baginda
yang mendalam dalam arena penerbangan.
JABATAN PENERBANGAN BRUNEI
TEKS JACQUELINE WONG
IMEJ DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS
JULY | AUGUST 2011
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LIFESTYLE IN PERSON
S
uatu lewat petang pada bulan
Mei 2008, Yang Berbahagia E.
Ahamed selaku Menteri Luar
Negara India telah mengetuai sebuah rombongan
di Pangkalan Tentera Udara Palam, New Delhi,
untuk menyambut ketibaan tetamu negara
yang penting. Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, berkenan
membuat lawatan rasmi selama empat hari ke
India, merupakan lawatan pertama Baginda sejak
lebih daripada satu dekad.
BAWAH KIRI
Bahagian dalaman bangunan
Hangar 2 menempatkan
beberapa bahagian dan unit
operasi PKDYMM.
BAWAH KANAN
Pesawat Boeing 747 dan 767
berparkir di dalam Hangar 2.
Platform teleskopik yang
serba canggih kelihatan di
infrastruktur siling Hangar 2.
16
Sementara Yang Berbahagia Menteri Ahamed
sedang menunggu Baginda berangkat keluar
dari pesawat Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan, beliau
merasa semakin gelisah apabila Baginda memakan
masa yang lebih lama daripada biasa untuk
muncul dari pesawat tersebut. Sejurus kemunculan
pemerintah Negara Brunei Darussalam, Baginda
menjelaskan kepada Menteri Ahamed yang masih
kelihatan resah serta bingung bahawa kelewatan
Baginda itu adalah kerana Baginda sedang
keluar dari kokpit, setelah Baginda sendiri yang
memandu pesawat tersebut – sebuah pesawat
Boeing 747!
Bagi mereka yang tidak mengetahui kemahiran
Baginda dalam menerbangkan pesawat,
pemerintah Negara Brunei Darussalam merupakan
salah seorang daripada beberapa Kerabat
Diraja dan ketua negara yang bukan hanya
mampu menerajui negara Baginda menuju hala
kemakmuran, tetapi turut mahir mengetuai
sebuah armada pesawat peribadi Baginda.
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri
Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin
Waddaulah pernah memandu sendiri dalam
penerbangan jarak jauh bagi beberapa lawatan
rasmi Baginda selain turut memandu sendiri
pesawat ke kawasan bencana alam dalam usaha
menghulurkan bantuan kepada mangsa bencana,
seperti bencana tsunami yang telah melanda
Banda Aceh pada tahun 2004.
Keghairahan Baginda memandu pesawat tidaklah
begitu menghairankan jika diteliti waktu remaja
Baginda sebelum ini. Pengalaman Baginda menaiki
kapal terbang sejak putera muda lagi dan juga
merupakan seorang juruterbang sejak awal
tahun 1970-an, Baginda masih teruja menikmati
keseronokan dan kebebasan semasa menaiki
pesawat; selama mana perjalanan membawa
Baginda, ia bagaikan menyediakan suatu tapak
bagi Baginda untuk bertenangan fikiran dan
menceburi minat penuh Baginda.
Pada bulan Februari 2011, sempena memperingati
ulang tahun ke-40 pencapaian khas penerbangan
Baginda, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal
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LUFTHANSA TECHNIK AG
ATAS KIRI
Membersihkan pesawat
merupakan tugas yang
berat di mana ia melibatkan
jentera berat termasuk
sebuah kren khas.
ATAS KANAN
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha
Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah,
Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan
Negara Brunei Darussalam
berkenan melawat Pangkalan
Lufthansa di Hamburg,
Negara Jerman pada Julai
1989, di mana Baginda
mengunjungi kemudahan
dan perkhidmatan yang
disediakan oleh Lufthansa.
Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan
Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam,
dianugerahkan dengan Sayap Istimewa (Special
Wings) oleh Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Ratna
Wijaya Brigadier Jeneral (R) Pengiran Haji Hasnan
bin Pengiran Ahmad, Pengarah Unit Penerbangan
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia atau PKDYMM
(His Majesty the Sultan’s Flight, HMSF) dan
beliau juga merupakan bekas tutor penerbangan
Baginda. Penganugerahan istimewa tersebut
yang berlangsung di atas Bandar Seri Begawan,
salah satu pesawat kegemaran Baginda, adalah
satu pengiktirafan khas ke atas minat padu
Baginda dalam arena penerbangan. Baginda
turut menerima satu set ‘Propellers Cufflinks’
yang direka khas unik dan juga Sijil Anugerah
Pencapaian Penerbangan Khas dalam upacara
yang diadakan secara sederhana itu.
dua jenis pesawat tersebut. “Kebawah Duli Yang
Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan terbukti
seorang yang berkebolehan dan pelajar yang amat
menumpukan perhatian. Membina kemahiran
dan kemampuan menerbangkan pesawat
memerlukan kesungguhan dan keberanian.
Kelayakan Baginda untuk memandu pelbagai jenis
pesawat antaranya termasuk Black Hawk, Sikorsky,
Airbus serta Boeing, adalah satu pencapaian
luar biasa yang wajar dipuji. Ianya memerlukan
pengalaman selama bertahun-tahun bagi seorang
juruterbang untuk menguasai dan membiasakan
diri dengan satu jenis pesawat apatah lagi
membina kemahiran mengendalikan pelbagai jenis
pesawat seperti yang jelas dimiliki oleh Baginda
Sultan,” itulah pujian yang diberi oleh Yang Amat
Mulia Pengiran Ratna Wijaya Brigadier Jeneral (R)
Pengiran Haji Hasnan, yang hari ini tetap antara
orang kepercayaan Baginda.
Semasa Baginda masih putera muda, Baginda
sering menemani ayahanda, Al-Marhum Paduka
Seri Begawan Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien
Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, melawat ke kampung
dan desa yang terpencil di pelusuk negara. Pada
awal tahun 1950-an, Brunei masih tidak wujud
jalan raya yang teratur mahupun infrastruktur
yang terancang yang menghubungkan kawasan
pedalaman, maka lawatan rasmi Kerabat Diraja
selalunya dijalankan menggunakan kapal terbang
berkipas. ‘Lawatan terbang’ ini kelak terbukti
menjadi pilihan yang tepat kerana setelah Baginda
menaiki takhta Negara Brunei Darussalam dan
kian padat jadual Baginda, ianya membolehkan
Baginda tetap berkesempatan beramah mesra
dengan rakyat jelata walau pun kesibukan, sambil
memastikan kemajuan bangsa dan negara.
Kaum Kerabat Diraja yang mempunyai minat
dalam penerbangan bukanlah suatu perkara baru
di dalam sejarah. Minat mendalam Kebawah Duli
Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan
Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah
terhadap pesawat hampir sama dengan para
bangsawan masa lalu seperti Putera Wales
(kemudian Raja Edward VIII). Tatkala baginda
menaiki takhta dan menjadi Raja pada tahun
1936, baginda juga merupakan raja Inggeris
pertama mampu memandu sebuah pesawat.
Begitu juga Al-Marhum Raja Hussein dari Jordan,
di mana putera Al-Marhum dan juga pemerintah
Jordan masa kini, Raja Abdullah II, merupakan
seorang juruterbang helikopter dan jet pejuang
yang bertauliah.
Di samping minat yang mendalam terhadap
pesawat, Baginda turut mengagumi keduadua pesawat jenis rotari dan pesawat bersayap
tetap. Di bawah bimbingan mantap dari Yang
Amat Mulia Pengiran Ratna Wijaya Brigadier
Jeneral (R) Pengiran Haji Hasnan, Baginda berjaya
menguasai kemahiran mengendalikan kedua-
Setelah menaiki takhta pada tahun 1967,
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri
Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin
Waddaulah meningkatkan lagi penggunaan
pesawat untuk penerbangan Baginda melalui
Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei atau ABDB
(Royal Brunei Armed Forces, RBAF). Pada
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JABATAN PENERBANGAN BRUNEI
LIFESTYLE IN PERSON
ATAS
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha
Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah
berkenan melihat secara
terperinci sebuah pesawat
jet di pertunjukan Aerobatik
Udara ‘Patrouille de France’
di Perancis.
bulan Januari 1971, menyedari kekerapan
penggunaan pesawat bagi tujuan rasmi Diraja
akan menghalang ABDB untuk beroperasi secara
optimum, Baginda secara rasmi menerima sebuah
pesawat Siddeley Hawker 748 untuk kegunaan
tunggal keluarga Kerabat Diraja (walaupun
pesawat itu juga dijadikan pesawat penyelamat
ketika tidak digunakan oleh Baginda).
Pesawat peribadi pertama yang dimiliki oleh
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri
Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin
Waddaulah ialah sebuah helikopter Sikorsky S76
(Spirit) pada tahun 1979. Ia merupakan suatu
pilihan realistik memandangkan helikopter lebih
fleksibel kerana ia mudah mendarat, sesuai bagi
topografi Negara Brunei Darussalam yang dilitupi
dataran pantai yang sempit dan tanah yang
berbukit. Sikorsky S76 juga sebuah helikopter
yang pantas dan responsif dengan kemampuan
yang amat mengagumkan.
Peningkatan dalam penggunaan pesawat untuk
penerbangan domestik dan juga antarabangsa
justeru memberi dorongan untuk Baginda
memutuskan menubuhkan sebuah ‘unit
penerbangan’ Baginda sendiri. Pada bulan
September 1979, Penerbangan Kebawah Duli
Yang Maha Mulia (PKDYMM) telah ditubuhkan
sebagai satu unit penerbangan Diraja khusus
untuk kegunaan Baginda sendiri di samping
keluarga Kerabat Diraja Baginda. Individu
yang diberi kepercayaan untuk memegang
tanggung jawab yang besar untuk membentuk
dan menguruskan unit penerbangan pertama
PKDYMM tidak lain daripada Yang Amat Mulia
Pengiran Ratna Wijaya Brigadier Jeneral (R)
Pengiran Haji Hasnan, di mana kepakaran dan
pengalaman beliau dalam bidang penerbangan
sangat dihargai oleh Baginda.
18
Pada hari ini, PKDYMM menguruskan semua
pengangkutan udara Baginda serta keluarga
Kerabat Diraja melalui sebuah armada pesawat
yang terjaga rapi termasuk pesawat Sikorsky,
Black Hawk, Boeing dan Airbus. Semasa awal
penubuhannya, operasi PKDYMM dikendalikan
hanya melalui sebuah hangar yang juga
merupakan sebuah heliport, dengan tenaga
kerja yang terhad. Bertahun kemudian, operasi
PKDYMM diperluaskan dan kini merangkumi
dua buah hangar yang mampu menguruskan
penerbangan antarabangsa dan juga memuatkan
armada pesawat Baginda yang kian bertambah.
Selepas 30 tahun berlalu, Hangar 1 yang
asal terus menangani operasi penerbangan
domestik menggunakan helikopter, manakala
Hangar 2 telah berkembang menjadi sebuah
‘lapangan terbang’, dilengkapi dengan alat-alat
kemudahan penerbangan canggih dan juga
perkhidmatan yang lengkap beserta kemudahan
penyelenggaraan dan pembaikan pesawat,
stesen mengisi bahan bakar pesawat, dan juga
bangunan sampingan. Sementara itu, Hangar 3
telah diserahkan kepada ABDB, dan kemudiannya
kepada Penerbangan Diraja Brunei. PKDYMM
yang pada mulanya mempunyai beberapa orang
kakitangan kini telah berkembang dan meningkat
kepada 500 orang kakitangan, masing-masing
berdedikasi beserta staf yang sentiasa bersiap
sedia 24 jam sehari. Dengan pelbagai kaum,
bangsa dan kewarganegaraan bekerja di bawah
satu bumbung, PKDYMM seringkali digelar
sebagai ‘Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu Mini’.
Sejak ia mula beroperasi, PKDYMM telah
mewakili semangat kerjasama dalam pengurusan
penerbangan dan avioniknya, dengan
menjalinkan perhubungan persekutuan dengan
beberapa organisasi terbaik dan tersohor dalam
industri ini, termasuk Lufthansa Technik AG,
L-3 Communications, Air Routing International
dan Flight Safety International. Firma pesawat
gergasi seperti Airbus, Boeing dan Sikorsky,
yang telah bekerjasama dengan PKDYMM sejak
awal penubuhannya, kekal menjadi sebahagian
daripada anggota keluarga PKDYMM.
Penerimaan Anugerah Pencapaian Penerbangan
Khas Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka
Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang
Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam disampaikan
tepat pada masanya. Sejajar dengan ulang tahun
memperingati penubuhan PKDYMM yang telah
lebih dari 30 tahun menjalinkan kerjasama dan
menjadi peristiwa signifikan dalam penerbangan
Diraja, pengalaman penerbangan khas 40 tahun
Baginda turut mengingatkan kita keghairahan
seorang anak muda dalam arena penerbangan.
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Dirgahayu
It is with utmost gratitude and sincere
appreciation on this most auspicious occasion,
Lufthansa Technik and the Lufthansa Aviation
Group send their most heartfelt birthday wishes
to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. We are indeed
proud, privileged and most honoured to have
been of service to His Majesty The Sultan’s Flight
and is assured of our continuous commitment
and dedication in supporting HMSF’s
flight operation and aircraft maintenance.
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WONDERFULLY
FEATURE
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NATURE PARKS AUSTRALIA
There’s something surreal when
nature is this accessible, but you’d
better believe it at Phillip Island.
WORDS ANIS RAMLI
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NATURE PARKS AUSTRALIA
FEATURE
S
peak of Phillip Island and the first
thing that comes to mind is its
adorable resident colony of Fairy
Penguins. Since the 1920s, when
two enterprising islanders began organising
nightly viewings of the penguins on Summerlands
Beach, the sunset spectacle has shaped Phillip
Island into one of the most recognisable tourist
attractions in Victoria.
NATURE PARKS AUSTRALIA
Naturally, this island 90 minutes away from
downtown Melbourne, has evolved into a wildlife
getaway for those looking for a few hours’ escape
from city life. Its natural tapestry that is both
rich and vibrant hides a myriad of surprises. The
wildlife lover will not be disappointed with Phillip
Island’s residents that range from the fluffy to the
cuddly, and the smiley to the scaly.
What’s interesting about the wildlife is that
whether you’re at the Penguin Parade, Seal Rocks,
or the Koala Conservation Centre, the experience
is as natural as they come. Wildlife guides are
quick to remind visitors that unlike a zoo, guests
are in the animals’ natural environment; the
animals are not brought in to see you, you are
brought in to see the animals.
In some ways, this reversal of roles makes the visits
even more interesting. At the elevated boardwalks
of the Koala Conservation Centre, built to allow
guests to burrow deeper and examine the koala’s
natural habitat, some visitors appear frustrated
when the koalas don’t appear on cue, forgetting
that they are the privileged ones to be allowed
into the marsupial’s environment and not vice
versa. So the pace slows down, the cameras are
up and ready, but it takes a little bit of patience,
and a good eye, to spot the furry animals – which
most time, being marsupials, don’t usually do
anything except sleep. As the centre is set upon
six-hectares of Australian bushland, guests can
also look out for wallabies, possums and echidnas.
One wallaby came exceptionally close to a guest,
which was an exception, seeing that it was young,
but just don’t expect them to scurry over to your
outstretched hands.
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NATURE PARKS AUSTRALIA
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Philip
NATURE PARKS AUSTRALIA
FEATURE
24
Likewise at the Penguin Parade, the viewing
platforms let visitors observe one of the world’s
largest Fairy Penguins (also known as Little
Penguins) colonies, although the ultimate
nature lover can view them from a private
beach strip with infrared goggles accompanied
by a naturalist guide. Every evening, thousands
of the penguins emerge from the sea and
march across the beach, passing hordes of
camera-toting visitors – and seemingly oblivious
to the commotion they invite – back to their
sand dune burrows. Some can lose their way
and end up in the visitor parking bay or even
beyond the centre’s compound, which makes
for an amusing vacation anecdote later, but
before you again offer them your outstretched
hand, be forewarned that these penguins are
wild animals and – they have a mean bite!
Slightly safer from the beaks of tiny penguins is
perhaps an outing to Seal Rocks, the breeding
ground and nursery for over 20,000 Australian
Fur Seals. An eco-cruise just under two hours
takes you along Phillip Island’s scenic coast
before the boat drifts within metres away from
where the Fur Seals play. Bring binoculars to
have a peek at the seals in their natural habitat
and you’ll find they are as curious about you as
you are about them.
Nature lovers will also enjoy strolls amid the
panoramic skies at Churchill Island, just off the
coast of Phillip Island, that also has a Heritage
Farm. This historic working farm offers plenty of
hands-on farming demonstrations of a bygone
era much to the delight of both kids and adults.
Sheep shearing, cow milking, blacksmith and
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A MAZE'N THINGS
PANNY’S AMAZING WORLD OF CHOCOLATE
Island
working dog demonstrations all come together amid pony rides
and an animal nursery, with its host of ducks and chickens, for a
typical farm experience. In the summer, the area surrounding the
farm overlooking the bay of Western Port and the surrounding
mangroves becomes a popular spot for picnics and family feasts.
The restored historic buildings, with one dating back to 1872,
surrounded by its heritage gardens and a fruit orchard, are simply
a joy to explore.
A MAZE'N THINGS
While Phillip Island has no shortage of friends with fur, fins
and feathers to entertain, other parts of the island play host
to a vast range of wholesome attractions. Panny’s Amazing
World of Chocolate may seem worlds away to be ensconced
in a nature and wildlife neighbourhood, but it does little to
curb visitors’ excitement. Inside the chocolate factory is an
interactive, hands-on exhibit area that lets you discover all
there is to know about chocolate and its production. There’s
a chocolate waterfall (that pours 400kg of chocolate every
three minutes!), a make-your-own-chocolate station,
and various chocolate portraits, statues and mini towns
to admire. Best of all, Panny’s is generous with its free
samples of Belgian chocolates, making this trip a treat at
all levels.
A few doors away at A Maze’N Things, you’ll be blown
away by the centre’s mind boggling and stimulating
optical illusions and exhibits. If you ever wondered
about the tricks to Honey, I Shrunk The Kid or
curious about gravity-defying acts, this is the place
to uncover the secrets and science behind it. Bizarre
but fun, it’s a stimulating excursion that can really
challenge the mind and more.
And what is an island without its glorious seafood?
A visit to Phillip Island is incomplete without a
stopover at Taylor’s Waterfront Restaurant. Its
seafood platter – pile-high with fresh lobsters,
prawns, mussels and more – is generously
portioned that you’ll unlikely to go hungry
again. What makes dining here even more
memorable is the view: Huge picture windows
provide some of the island’s best views across
a rugged coast that look down onto crashing
waves and a spectacular sunset. That is, if
you’re not staking out the penguins on the
same day …
Royal Brunei Airlines flights to Melbourne operate
four times weekly from Bandar Seri Begawan.
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FEATURE
The Penultimate
PASTIME
When it comes to shopping,
Singapore heads the list by reinventing the experience.
ION ORCHARD
WORDS SUMITHA CHANDRAN
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MARINA BAY SANDS©
THIS PAGE
Marina Bay Sands is today
Singapore’s signature
landmark.
OPPOSITE PAGE
Singapore shopping is all
about luxury, quality goods.
I
t’s not just about Singapore being a shopping haven that has
captured the imagination of many a-shopaholics. Rather, it’s the way
the city’s malls have been designed and presented to re-energise the
shopping experience. It’s what makes shopping in Singapore so exciting.
Take the example of Chijmes Hall, a former 19th century girls’ convent
transformed into a four-acre shopping arcade in 2007. Clever restoration
works – not to mention impeccable foresight on the city officials’ part – took
many of the nunnery’s original elements, including stained glass windows and
the convent chapel, to turn it into one of Singapore’s most distinct shopping
and F&B arcades.
More recently, Singapore’s shopping scene also matches the gusto in which the
compact city-state embraces its changing skyline. With the triple peaked Marina
Bay Sands and its surrounding structures fast becoming a signature of the city, it
was only apt to add a new shopping destination to the Marina Bay district.
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is a dazzling array of high end and luxury
boutiques covering over 800,000 sqft that mixes retail with restaurant space.
The unprecedented collection of brands includes new labels to Singapore
– and possibly Asia – such as Anne Fontaine, iROO, Marisfrolg, Moiselle, Zadig
& Voltaire.
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FEATURE
What makes The Shoppes even more exciting is the cosmopolitan air that
distinguishes it from the rest of Singapore’s malls. Here at The Shoppes, an
open design provides shoppers with breathtaking views of Singapore’s city
skyline. A central canal with sampan rides provides visitors a unique way to
orientate themselves with the stores. At press time, works are in progress
for the world’s first floating Louis Vuitton island, housed in a one-of-a-kind,
striking glass and steel Crystal Pavilion store. Incidentally, next door to it
is Paris-born luxury goods giant Cartier whose stand-alone boutique was
designed by renowned French architect Bruno Moinard, known for his skill in
employing light and space in creating welcoming yet luxurious environment.
PARAGON ATRIUM
PARAGON ATRIUM
After its facelift, Paragon
remains one of Orchard Road’s
premier shopping options.
Retail therapy aside, The Shoppes also pay tribute to some of the world’s most
recognisable names in celebrity chefs. Tucked amid its 300-odd collection
of renowned luxury brands and new, emerging designer labels are six new
dining concepts headed by Mario Batali, Daniel Boulud, Wolfgand Puck, Guy
Savoy, Tetsuya Wakuda and Singapore’s own Justin Quek.
While the Marina Bay area may leave one breathless with its shopping option,
the pulse of Singapore’s retail remains its iconic Orchard Road shopping belt.
Prior to it being the city’s shopping mecca, Orchard Road was a residential
area created for the Europeans and Eurasians living in the city. In the 1980s,
developers began pouring money into the strip, building huge malls that
continue to define the road today.
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But a lot has changed since the opulent Eighties when malls were nothing more than airconditioned fortresses devoid of character, let alone style. Today, many of the malls on
Orchard Road have been given a fresh lease of life, with new facades and more. Case in point:
Paragon. Its S$45 million facelift three years ago added not only a contemporary and elegantlooking facade, but three more floors of office and medical space as well as new stores.
MBS BOUTIQUE
Paragon itself is aimed at the well-heeled international visitors and fashionistas looking for the
highest quality merchandise. Its upmarket clientele include Gucci, whose flagship store enjoys
a looming five-storey shopfront presence. Elsewhere, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Tod’s and
Miu Miu provide duplex retail options, doubling the shopping experience for visitors.
MARINA BAY SANDS©
The Shoppes at Marina Bay
Sands is filled with a dazzling
array of high end brands.
Of course, a mention of Orchard Road will be incomplete without its latest landmark, ION
Orchard. With its unique free form design and shimmering ‘skin’, ION Orchard not only
glitters during the day, but comes alive at night when its living canvas of thousands of LED
lights light up at dusk. ION Orchard certainly adds a fresh vibe to the street and the retail
atmosphere with its electrifying design. Inside, there are over 300 retail outlets providing
the best shopping experience including giants of the fashion world: Christian Dior, Prada,
Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton, to name a few. Additionally, ION Orchard is also the
only mall in Singapore that offers a 5,600 sqft gallery space exhibiting Asian and Singapore
modern and contemporary art and design, making this mall a meeting point for all levels.
Royal Brunei Airlines flights to Singapore operate twice a day from Bandar Seri Begawan.
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FEATURE
CULTURAL
Capers
There is Emirati culture to
be discovered in Dubai!
WORDS EMMA RAMSAY
IMAGES SHEIKH MOHAMMED CENTRE FOR
CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING
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D
THIS PAGE
The Sheikh Mohammed
Centre for Cultural
Understanding was
established to break down
barriers between people of
different nationalities and
help understand traditions,
culture and religion of the
United Arab Emirates.
OPPOSITE PAGE
Walk through the unique
narrow alleys and beautiful
wind towers that adorn
the historical district of Al
Bastakiya.
ubai can be an extraordinary
place for the first time visitor.
Overwhelming, in fact, with
its excess on a grand scale juxtaposed against the
immediate experience of the Islamic world. As far
as first impressions go, it’s easy to conclude that
Dubai has no real culture outside the trappings
of a rich, consumer-focused, capitalist society;
but indeed, this is just the superficial Dubai that
most prefer to see. Beneath it all, Dubai really can
fascinate and captivate.
Increasingly, the Dubai Government continues
addressing the importance of culture awareness;
investing much into restoring culturally significant
buildings and areas, such as the souks and
Bastakiya. The government also encourages the
proliferation of Arab culture through various
projects, such as theme parks, and more recently,
the arts scene, where fairs such as the annual
Art Dubai has proven to be good, not only for
business, but also in sustaining the art and cultural
communities across the Gulf region.
Others, such as the non-profit Sheikh Mohammed
Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU),
only deepen the city’s role. It lets visitors discover
Dubai beyond the splendour of the malls, beaches
and mega skyscrapers. Guided by the banner
‘Open Doors, Open Minds’, the Centre offers
programmes that promote the understanding of
Emirati culture and raise awareness of Islam, the
country’s traditions and customs. In short, it tries
to give visitors an insight into Dubai as a city of
many layers.
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FEATURE
The Jumeirah Mosque is the only mosque in
Dubai open to the public and dedicated to
receiving non-Muslim guests.
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For non-Muslims in particular, the Centre has
proven to be an invaluable educational experience.
Twice a week, SMCCU hosts a Cultural Breakfast
event and Cultural Lunch, where guests enjoy a
traditional Emirati fare in a relaxed atmosphere
while having the opportunity to discuss with local
Emirati host, the Centre’s General Manager, Nasif
Kayed, on all aspects of Dubai culture and living.
It’s a great way to have a crash course on all things
Dubai and meeting like-minded individuals to
swap stories and gain insights.
The SMCCU also conducts walking tours which
take them to the area around the Centre known
as Al Bastakiya. Located on the west side of the
Creek in the Bur Dubai district, Al Bastakiya is also
one of Dubai’s oldest quarters. Once inhabited
by wealthy Persian merchants in the late 19th
century, the area has been painstakingly restored
by the government in the 1980s. Today, visitors
walk through narrow pedestrian alleyways
that snake around the district admiring local
architecture that includes wind-towered houses, a
distinctive feature of Dubai’s heritage landscape.
The wind tower, known as barjeel, was brought to
Dubai by pearl and textile merchants from Iran’s
Bastak region. Traditionally the number of barjeel
that a house has indicates the owner’s wealth.
Rising 15 metres above ground in coral-coloured
stone and rose-beige clay, the towers were
designed to catch cool breezes and direct them
to the lower rooms, providing ventilation and
reprieve from the Gulf’s hot weather. Conforming
to Islamic traditions, each house also has two
doors; the main entrance being larger than the
inner door. The smaller, purpose-built design was
to force male visitors to bend down and avert
their eyes from looking at the women as they
enter the home.
In March, Al Bastikiya’s alleys and courtyard houses
come alive with a communal fair of concerts,
films, exhibitions, and lectures promoting the best
of the United Arab Emirates’ contemporary art.
While the area has been preserved for the tourist
in mind, the conservation efforts are sensitive and
this remains one of the best places to experience
old Dubai.
The SMCCU also offers a one hour tour of the
majestic Jumeirah Mosque, the only mosque in
Dubai opened to non-Muslims. For those who
have never visited a mosque, this is certainly not
an opportunity to be missed. The mosque visit
provides an enlightening, educational look into
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FEATURE
Programmes such as the
Jumeirah Mosque tour and
Arabic class offered by the
SMCCU are designed to
engage visitors in Dubai’s
unique culture and Islamic
tradition.
Islam, allowing visitors to observe the washing
rituals Muslims perform before praying and
observe the prayer rituals. Guests are encouraged
to ask questions to facilitate constructive dialogues
during these excursions.
The Jumeirah Mosque itself is a fine example of
modern Islamic architecture combined with the
medieval Fatimid tradition. Built in 1978, it is
constructed of smooth white stone, elaborately
decorated and flanked by towering minarets
(the tallest in Dubai) and a large central dome,
34
all covered in geometric motifs and intricate
Arabic calligraphy.
In 2010, the Centre welcomed over 34,000
visitors at their cultural breakfasts, lunches and
walking tours. Plans to enhance its programmes
include opening a permanent Visitor’s Centre at
Jumeirah Mosque that can receive guests outside
tour hours. They are also planning to expand their
Mosque Visit programme by opening up more
mosques for public visits in both Abu Dhabi and
Dubai. This will certainly be welcoming news for
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visitors to Dubai as mosques are not only beautiful
structures whose architecture are to be admired,
but it will also help build bridges between Muslims
and the rest of the world in understanding the
peaceful nature of the Islamic faith.
More SMCCU cultural activities are also planned
across the Bastakiya neighbourhood including
a traditional desert venue for guests to visit and
enjoy an authentic and entertaining Bedouin Tent
experience. The Centre also operates Cultural
Partnerships with local companies to enhance
their current induction programmes for staff
residing in the United Arab Emirates. Each cultural
programme is unique, and incorporates SMCCU’s
‘Freedom to Ask’ principle under which no
question is off limits during any of the Centre’s
events. Indeed, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for
Cultural Understanding is a visionary operation
and a place where one can gain valuable insight
into the Emirati culture.
Cultural Breakfasts and
Lunches are a great way to
sample traditional Emirati
food in a relaxed gathering
while discovering Dubai’s
warm hospitality.
For more information, visit www.cultures.ae.
Royal Brunei Airlines flights to Dubai operate daily from
Bandar Seri Begawan and London.
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FEATURE
Past
Traces of the
Despite its haste to showcase a modern metropolis
to the world, Shanghai’s old neighbourhoods and
heritage buildings remain very much the city’s identity.
WORDS & IMAGES PETE WONG
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The Bund is also known as China’s Wall Street.
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FEATURE
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W
hen Mao Zedong’s revolutionary
army wrested back control of
Shanghai on 27 May, 1949, one
of the first things they did was to remove the vestiges of
Western imperialism. The Communist government took
back foreign-owned buildings and foreigners had two
options – to stay on in humbler premises or ship out, as
many did, to Hong Kong or back where they came from.
This reversal of fortunes is in stark contrast to that
fateful day of 29 August, 1842, aboard the British
warship HMS Cornwallis, when Qing officials were
forced to sign the Treaty of Nanking following China’s
defeat in the first Opium War. One of the outcomes of
the treaty was the opening of Shanghai, along with
four other ports, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Fuzhou and
Ningbo, to foreign trade. Many believed that day to be
the beginning of Shanghai’s modern history.
Under foreign administration, Shanghai grew to
become the most important trade and financial
centres in Asia in the 1920s. But the city was also
known for its vice: Opium dens, gambling halls and
brothels were commonplace.
Following the Communist takeover, the city was
purged of all sins. When it won the bid to host
Expo 2010, pragmatic city officials wasted no time
in transforming Shanghai into one of the most
modern cities in Asia. Many old neighbourhoods and
buildings made way for development. Areas such
as Pudong, east of the Huangpu River and lined
with futuristic towers and skyscrapers, perfectly
underscores China’s status as the world’s second
largest economy.
However, some developers later realised that there
was money to be made from Old Shanghai. Puxi,
west of the Huangpu River, is where the Bund and
its collection of old buildings are concentrated.
The Xintiandi district, for instance, became an
example of how an old neighbourhood can be
restored and turned into a tourist attraction.
Other similar projects would soon follow.
Pudong is a showcase of China’s rapid economic development.
It is possible to do a half-day walking tour to see
some of Shanghai’s heritage buildings. Begin
your journey at the Bund, Shanghai’s famous
waterfront, at The Peninsula Shanghai, possibly
the only new luxury hotel in recent years
allowed to be built at the Bund area. From the
hotel’s west entrance, turn left and you will see
the former British Consulate (33 Bund) which
was constructed in 1852 and rebuilt in 1873
after being partly destroyed in a fire. This
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FEATURE
CLOCKWISE
FROM
LEFT
The former Ro
yal Asiatic Socie
ty is now hom
the Rockbund
e to
Art Musuem;
Zhou Enlai’s fo
residence is no
rmer
w a museum;
the former Britis
Consulate at 33
h
Bund is one of
the area’s oldes
buildings; a tre
e-lined street
t
within Shangh
French Conces
ai’s
sion area.
40
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English-Renaissance styled building has Qing-style
arched windows and tiles and is considered one of
the oldest buildings on the Bund. Its classical English
garden, fully restored in 2010 in time for the Expo,
is open to public but the building itself is the private
premises for the Financiers’ Club.
The area around the former British Consulate, located
at the confluence of the Huangpu river and Suzhou
Creek, is believed to be the starting point of the
former British concession. The construction of the area
began in 1849 and there remains today five buildings
still standing. Considered to be key historical sites, they
are the former British Consulate (Building 1), official
residence of the British Consul (Building 2), former
Church Apartments (Building 3), the former Union
Church (Building 4) and the former Shanghai Rowing
Club (Building 5). You will come across these buildings
when you head east along South Suzhou Road.
The former Shanghai Rowing Club (76 South Suzhou
Road), designed in 1905 in a transitional style that
reflects both Victorian and Edwardian baroque
architecture, was almost completely demolished
despite public protest. By the time the developer
realised his folly, the building’s east wing, comprising
a half-timbered boathouse and its west wing which
housed a swimming pool, were already gone. What
remains standing today is a two-storey clubhouse
and a single arched wall of the west wing. Similarly,
the Union Church, built in 1886, was abandoned and
left to decay after a 2007 fire. Today, it is awaiting
restoration plans, as with many of this group of
buildings, under the ‘Bund Origin’ project, estimated
to cost US$150 million, involving renewing selected
historical buildings in and around the Bund area.
Buildings aside, Shanghai has other surprises for
history buffs. If Beijing has its hutong, then Shanghai
has its longtang, which are typically narrow alleyways
crammed with houses, built since the 1850s. The
entrance to a longtang is usually marked by an
elaborately decorated entrance called a shikumen
(stone gate). The longtang is an essential part of
Shanghai’s unique culture and identity but are
becoming a rarity as many were torn down to make
way for modern buildings. Finding one is difficult as
a genuine longtang community is scattered in small
parts of the city.
Perhaps the easiest way to find one is to follow the
tourist crowd to Tianzifang at Taikang Road. Here,
a cluster of old houses has been restored into cafes,
art galleries, crafts shops and boutiques. Today,
Tianzifang has earned its place on the ‘must-see’
checklist for visitors. Another place similar in concept
is the Xintiandi district at Huaihai Middle Road.
Between the two, Tianzifang is more authentic but
also more crowded with narrower alleyways, while
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FEATURE
FROM LEFT
ifang’s centuryXintiandi; Tianz
ts;
A shikumen at
and restauran
s
fe
ca
ed trendy
; Fuxing
ng
ifa
nz
old houses turn
Tia
at
d Shanghai
erings
experiencing Ol
its social gath
sly known for
Park is famou
tivities.
and leisure ac
CLOCKWISE
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Xintiandi has turned into an upmarket dining area. But at
both places, you will come away with an idea of Shanghai’s
unique longtang and shikumen.
Another area not to be missed is the French Concession.
Created in 1849, it lasted until 1946 and is known today as
the Xuhui and Luwan districts. The last few decades saw
rapid development which resulted in many landmarks and
colonial buildings in the area being torn down, especially
those with a questionable past. One of the casualties was
the Canidrome, built in 1928 for dog racing and as a club
for socialites. When the Communists took over, it served
briefly as a centre for public rallies and mass execution
of counter-revolutionaries. The building was renamed
the Shanghai Cultural Plaza and went on to become a
theatre, exhibition centre and flower market before
being demolished in 2005.
However, if you know where to look, you can still find
ivy-covered colonial bungalows and tree-lined streets
with a distinctive European flavour. Your first stop
should be Zhou Enlai’s former residence (73 Sinan
Road), a three-storey bungalow with a beautiful
garden that has been turned into a museum. Zhou was
the first premier of the People’s Republic of China and
also China’s most revered leader. Although the house
looks beautiful on the outside, the interior, reflecting
public diplomacy at its best, shows Zhou’s austere
living conditions during his time.
From Sinan Road, it’s a 10-minute walk to Fuxing
Park, a French-style garden and the best place for
people watching. In the early mornings, locals would
come here for their walks and tai chi routines. On
weekends, it’s a popular meeting place for a card
game or social dancing. Time magazine placed Fuxing
Park on its list of ‘10 Things to do in Shanghai’.
Back at the Bund, the stretch of heritage buildings
lights up at night offering visitors a nostalgic
glimpse into Shanghai’s glorious past. Two hotels
which offer the best vantage point to view this
spectacular sight are Pudong Shangri-La and
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai. The former is one
of the earliest hotels to be built in Pudong and
its warm hospitality and attention to details
are legendary. The Ritz-Carlton, located on the
top floors of one of the swanky Shanghai IFC
twin towers, is all glitz and glamour with room
interiors lined with gold trimmings.
With all the stroll into Shanghai’s storied past,
it’s not hard to imagine how the city was once
called ‘Paris of the East’. The city’s various
restored relics only seem to add to Shanghai’s
contemporary allure, courting a neverending
list of modern tourists and visitors.
Royal Brunei Airlines flights to Shanghai operate four times weekly
from Bandar Seri Begawan.
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FEATURE
Green
TRASH FASHION
In the Philippines, one woman has made
recycling fashionable. Through her nonprofit organisation, Jane Walker turns
glossy magazines and leaflets into beads for
necklaces, pendants, bracelets and earrings;
while ring pull tabs from canned drinks
and food are used to create chic handbags,
accessories and jewellery. Working with
marginalised families literally living off
Manila’s sprawling dumpsite, proceeds from
all sales of the products – available online
or through local retail chain, Kultura Filipino
– are re-invested into the livelihood projects
to improve their lives.
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s
p
e
t
s
t
Foo
WHALE WONDER
Located in the town of Kaikoura on New
Zealand’s South Island, Whale Watch is the
only marine-based whale watching company.
With a deep undersea canyon just offshore,
Kaikoura attracts an abundance of marine
life, the most famous being the Sperm Whale.
All catamarans used by Whale Watch are
specially designed, equipped with engines that
minimises underwater noise and toilets that
never pollute the sea. The skippers are also
able to recognise individual Sperm Whales
and only approach whales that do not mind
being approached. The company is also 100
percent Maori-owned, and a great example of
how an indigenous community can succeed by
managing tourism resources carefully.
www.whalewatch.co.nz
Going on a holiday doesn’t mean you
can’t do your bit to help Mother Earth.
WORDS KIM LOW
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FEATURE
GREEN STAY
Taking a stance against the world’s growing environmental
problems, Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay pulls its weight by
being proactive. Some of the green initiatives that they have
put in place include an upgrade to the air conditioning chilling
system to ensure greater energy efficiency, using the excess
heat from the air conditioning system to heat water, switching
to energy saving light bulbs, as well as setting up recycling
facilities for both their staff and guests. Guests are also
encouraged to help, by doing something as simple as reusing
their towels. Because of their commitment, Novotel Singapore
Clarke Quay became the first hotel in Singapore to be certified
by Green Globe, the international environmental certification
programme for responsible travel and tourism.
www.novotelclarkequay.com.sg
SUSTAINABLE SPREAD
Chef Justin North’s vision for Etch, his second restaurant in
Sydney, Australia, is to bring together good, uncomplicated
simple food at an affordable price. The cuisine is casual,
modern European with influences from southern and
regional France and Italy, and Spain’s Basque and Catalan
regions. The majority of ingredients used in Etch’s kitchens
are sourced locally from reputable farmers who embrace
the ideas of organic, ethical or sustainable farming
practices. The freshest of ingredients are chosen, with
selections heavily dependant on the seasons. Fruits and
vegetables are hand selected and all seafood are sourced
from local markets. North also ensures his fish and seafood
are sourced from local boats that catch sustainable varieties
and support local fishermen and fisheries.
www.etchdining.com
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PEDAL POWER
See the sights from a different perspective.
Cycling has become an increasingly popular
manner of travelling with tourists. Not only is it
a more eco-friendly way of getting around, it is
also a great way for you to enjoy the sights and
the environment. Based in Shanghai and Suzhou,
China Cycle Tours is a tour company specialising
in guided city and countryside biking tours and
takes visitors around on carefully chosen cycling
routes in both the cities and in the surrounding
mountains and countryside. Guides speak both
Mandarin and English, and the company also
provides customised tours for those interested in
travelling off the beaten path.
www.chinacycletours.com
HEARTFELT HOLIDAYS
In Malaysia, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in
Sabah works to rehabilitate orphaned baby orangutans that
are rescued from logging sites, plantations, illegal hunting
or from being kept as pets. Working with Orangutan Appeal
UK that provides funding for the Centre’s projects, the
orangutans are trained to be independent and able to fend
for themselves before releasing them back in the wild. The
Centre has an eight-week volunteer programme offering
an excellent opportunity for visitors to learn all about the
orangutans’ plight. Working with the Centre’s staff, duties
include helping and caring for baby and juvenile orangutans,
cleaning their nursery areas and cages, assisting rangers in
distributing food, and conducting field surveys, among others.
www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk
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FEATURE
ECOLOGICAL LIVING
The London-based store Eco Age stocks everything
from fashion and accessories to lifestyle products
sourced ethically and sustainably. Working with
local and international designers, Eco Age seems
to have everything. There are colourful recycled
wool blankets and delicate wall sculptures made
from organic materials; natural, all-purpose cleaners
and organic fabrics of natural dyes. They’re so
committed that they even harvest rainwater to be
used in the shop. Here’s a full-service, one-stopshop where you can find beauty, design, inspiration,
ideas, advice, and apply them for a green living.
www.eco-age.com
CONSCIENTIOUS DIVE
One of the longest operating dive centres in Thailand,
Kon-Tiki Thailand Diving & Snorkeling Center operates
in Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi and Koh Lanta. It emphasises
greatly on spreading care, knowledge and safety values
through its excursions. Every guest will learn something
new on each tour, which often integrates reef and
marine life. To preserve the ecosystem, guests are
advised against feeding the fishes, as it would affect
the ecosystem when the fish stop grazing on the algae.
Touching or standing on the corals are also not allowed,
as corals are one of nature’s most fragile organisms and
take several years for it to grow. For their commitment
towards the environment, Kon-Tiki has received a
number of accolades many times over.
www.kontiki-thailand.com
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Brune
www.bruneitourism.travel
Brunei
AD Tourism.indd 1
Muhibah205x260mm_JulAug2011.indd49
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8:59:22 PM
PM
15/6/11
FEATURE BEST OF BRUNEI
Art
Patriotic
Celebrating the creative works
and minds of Bruneians as they
mark the nation’s progress
towards globalisation.
WORDS ELAINE LIM
IMAGES BRUNEI MUSEUMS DEPARTMENT
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T
he nature of art lies in its emotional power to appeal across
all divides. It speaks to each person individually, taking off
where words fail. Art, too, has the ability to inspire and evoke
memories that exist in each of us. Above all, art brings people together,
uniting communities and, in the case of Brunei Darussalam, gathers the
nation as one as they mark the birthday of their beloved ruler, His Majesty
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
THIS PAGE
Name of Artist | Haji Md Abidin bin Haji Rashid
Title of Painting | Paronama
Media | Oil Paint
OPPOSITE PAGE
Name of Artist | Kassim bin Ismail
Title of Painting | Calapa
Media | Arkilik
Each year, Bruneians come together to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday,
rejoicing in the special occasion by partaking in the Brunei Art Competition
that draws inspiration from the celebrations. The event has taken place since
2006, with over 200 entries registered, and provides a unique platform for
Bruneians to communicate artistically the indisputable significance of their
monarch and the deeper patriotic realities that bind the people together.
Over the years, Bruneians from all walks of life have created a rich artistic
heritage in Brunei through the Brunei Art Competition, creating a robust
new platform that showcases their creativity and opening doors for them
to a wider audience.
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FEATURE BEST OF BRUNEI
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THIS PAGE
Name of Artist | Awg. Zakaria bin Omar
Title of Painting | Rantis Khalifah
Media | Acrylic
OPPOSITE PAGE, ABOVE
Name of Artist | Kairul Asri bin Tarip
Title of Painting | Padian
Media | Acrylic
OPPOSITE PAGE, BELOW
Name of Artist | Dk Siti Munirah bte Pg Haji Damit
Title of Painting | Pekan Tutong
Media | Oil Paint
This year, as the nation joins His Majesty in his
65th birthday, the competition takes on the theme
‘Brunei Darussalam: Hidden Treasure’. Split into
five categories, participants connect in a series of
themed sub-categories including two dedicated
specifically to His Majesty – ‘A Portrait of His
Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam or Members of the Royal Family’ and
‘The Ruler and His Subjects’.
While the competition is open to all Bruneians,
it nevertheless provides budding artists,
including school children, with the chance to
flex their creative muscles and a venue to grow.
Meanwhile, for more established artists, the
event is an outstanding opportunity to showcase
their work with the resources to support their
creative processes.
Spearheading this annual event is Yang Berhormat
Dato Paduka Haji Idris bin Haji Abas who has been
Chairman of the Brunei Art Competition since its
inception in 2006. The Brunei Art Competition is
also organised with support from Brunei Museums
Department in its role to provide a nurturing
avenue for local artists to further their art.
Perhaps what is a lesser known fact is that
the Brunei Art Competition was the result of
positive feedback from a similar art event held
in November 2000 when Brunei Darussalam
hosted the APEC Leaders’ Summit. The APEC
Young Artists’ Exhibition was an event organised
around the summit, held from November 15-17,
2000, at the International Convention Centre in
Berakas. Created to promote the involvement
and participation of youth in art, each of the 21
APEC member economies was invited to exhibit
an artwork, fitting the theme ‘Contemporary
Indigenous Arts – Discovering the Roots’, by artists
aged between 16 and 25. The exhibition was
officially opened by APEC Leaders and graced
by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.
While winners of this year’s Brunei Art
Competition receive between B$500 to B$4,000
depending on the category of submission, the
event’s significance goes beyond monetary value.
Many participants look forward to this annual
event as ideas and art from the competition not
only reflect the diversity of Brunei’s population,
but also contribute to its cultural education
and development by exposing the public to the
growth of local art. It is hoped that the Brunei Art
Competition will continue to inspire Brunei’s young
artistic community and set a new benchmark for
Bruneian artists to further their role in driving
Brunei’s rich artistic infrastructure.
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FEATURE BEST OF BRUNEI
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Seni
Patriotik
Meraikan hasil serta bakat kreatif warga
Brunei dalam menandakan kemajuan
negara ke arah era globalisasi.
S
eni mampu mencetus emosi dengan
daya tarikan yang tidak mengenal
jurang. Seni mampu memberikan
kesan yang berbeza kepada setiap individu dengan
menyampaikan sesuatu yang tidak mungkin dapat
digambarkan dengan kata-kata sahaja. Seni juga
mampu menjana inspirasi dan mencetus memori
dalam diri setiap insan. Melangkaui semua ini,
seni mampu merapatkan umat, mengukuhkan
hubungan masyarakat, dan dalam konteks
Negara Brunei Darussalam, menyatukan sebuah
negara dalam meraikan Sambutan Ulang Tahun
Hari Keputeraan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha
Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang
Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, seorang
pemimpin yang amat disanjungi serta disayangi
rakyat jelata.
Setiap tahun menjelang bulan Julai, warga Brunei
bersama-sama menyambut Ulang Tahun Hari
Keputeraan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang
Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, meraikan
sambutan istimewa ini dengan mengambil
bahagian dalam Pertandingan Seni Lukis Brunei
yang mendapat cetusan inspirasi dari pelbagai
acara yang diadakan sempena menyambut Hari
Keputeraan Baginda. Acara ini berlangsung sejak
tahun 2006, dengan pendaftaran lebih 200
TEKS ELAINE LIM
IMEJ JABATAN MUZIUM BRUNEI
peserta, dan kini telah menjadi acara tahunan
yang menyediakan sebuah platform unik untuk
setiap warga Brunei berkomunikasi melalui seni,
menyampaikan keagungan pemimpin negara
yang tersohor sambil menyemat realiti semangat
patriotik serta muhibah yang mampu menyatukan
rakyat jelata.
Selang tahun berlalu, warga Brunei dari
pelbagai lapisan masyarakat telah menghasilkan
warisan seni yang kaya di Brunei melalui acara
Pertandingan Seni Lukis Brunei yang merupakan
sebuah platform baru yang wadah untuk
mempamerkan daya kreatif serta membuka pintu
kepada lebih ramai pencinta seni Brunei.
Tahun ini, ketika seluruh negara bersamasama dengan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, meraikan
Sambutan Ulang Tahun Hari Keputeraan Baginda
yang ke-65, pertandingan bertemakan ‘Negara
Brunei Darussalam: Khazanah Terselindung’.
Pertandingan Seni Lukis Brunei ini terbahagi
kepada lima kategori di mana para peserta juga
dapat bertanding dalam dua sub-kategori khas
iaitu ‘Portret Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan
Negara Brunei Darussalam atau Ahli Kerabat
DiRaja’ dan ‘Pemimpin dan Rakyat Jelata’.
MUKASURAT SEBELAH
Nama Artis | Siti Nursyafiqah
bte Abdullah
Tajuk Lukisan | Masjid Jame’
Asr Hassanil Bolkiah
Media | Pastel Minyak
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FEATURE BEST OF BRUNEI
Nama Artis | Pg. Khamarul Zaman bin Pg Hj Tajuddin
Tajuk Lukisan | Gempur
Media | Media Campuran
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Nama Artis | Marsidi bin Haji Umar
Tajuk Lukisan | Balik Kampong
Media | Cat Minyak
Walaupun pertandingan ini terbuka kepada semua
warga Brunei, ia turut memberikan peluang kepada
artis-artis muda, termasuk golongan pelajar sekolah
untuk mengambil peluang dan juga kesempatan
mengembangkan bakat kreatif masing-masing. Untuk
golongan karyawan yang tersohor pula, acara ini
merupakan peluang keemasan untuk mempamerkan
karya mereka dengan sokongan penuh membina
pengalaman kreatif masing-masing.
Acara pertandingan ini dikemudi oleh Yang Berhormat
Dato Paduka Haji Idris bin Haji Abas yang merangkap
Pengerusi Pertandingan Seni Lukis Brunei sejak permulaan
acara pertama pada tahun 2006. Pertandingan Seni Lukis
Brunei turut dianjurkan dengan sokongan dari Jabatan
Muzium-Muzium Brunei yang memainkan peranan
menyediakan laluan dan kemudahan untuk seniman dan
seniwati tempatan berkarya.
Satu perkara yang mungkin kurang diketahui mengenai
Pertandingan Seni Lukis Brunei ini adalah insepsinya
hasil maklumbalas positif daripada sebuah acara seni
yang telah diadakan sempena Kemuncak Persidangan
Pemimpin APEC Yang Kelapan di mana Negara Brunei
Darussalam menjadi hos serta menganjurkan Pameran
Artis Muda APEC pada 15 hingga 17 November, 2000.
Pameran ini merupakan acara seni yang pertama
kali dikendali dalam sebuah persidangan kemuncak
yang penting. Pameran yang bertaraf antarabangsa
ini berlangsung di Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa,
Berakas, bagi mempromosi penglibatan dan penyertaan
belia dalam bidang seni. Setiap 21 para karyawan
yang berumur antara 16 dan 25 tahun mewakili
pakatan ekonomi APEC masing-masing dijemput untuk
mempamerkan hasil karya dari negara mereka, selari
dengan tema ‘Seni Asli Kontemporari – Menerokai
Akar Umbi’. Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka
Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin
Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei
Darussalam, selaku hos Persidangan Kemuncak APEC,
berkenan mencemar duli merasmikan pameran ini
berserta pemimpin-pemimpin APEC.
Nama Artis | Pg. Khamarul Zaman bin Pg Hj Tajuddin
Tajuk Lukisan | Great Barracuda
Media | Media Campuran
Walaupun para pemenang Pertandingan Seni Lukis
Brunei tahun ini bakal menerima hadiah tunai antara
B$500 hingga B$4,000 mengikut kategori pertandingan,
objektif penting acara ini melebihi sebarang nilai
wang. Kebanyakan peserta sememangnya tidak sabar
menantikan acara tahunan ini kerana ide dan seni yang
terhasil bukan sahaja mencerminkan kepelbagain warga
Brunei, malah turut menyumbang kepada pendidikan dan
pembangunan budaya dengan memberikan pendedahan
kepada orang ramai akan perkembangan seni tempatan.
Adalah diharapkan Pertandingan Seni Lukis Brunei akan
terus menjadi inspirasi kepada masyarakat seni Brunei
yang masih muda serta mencatatkan satu penanda aras
baru kepada para artis Brunei untuk membangunkan
peranan mereka dalam memacu infrastruktur seni yang
kaya di Brunei.
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LIFESTYLE MOTORING
Bug’s Life
A
A typical Volkswagen, a typical Beetle;
but with a new DNA.
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“N
o other automobile has had such a social
effect,” wrote Arthur Railton in The Beetle,
his hymn to the car, “it has become a part
of our folklore. It has its own mythology. People wrote books about it, issued
magazines featuring it, produced films with it as an almost human star ... The
Beetle was the centre of hundreds of jokes and a symbol for caricaturists ...
for the rebellion against the Establishment.”
The Beetle was not flashy and pompous. But it was also more than just
pure practicality. Right from the start, the Beetle was a status symbol of
classlessness – both materially and intellectually. And on all of the world’s
continents the small car was nicknamed according to precisely what it
looked like: Beetle, Käfer, Vocho, Coccinelle, Fusca, Maggiolino or ͆ಆϵ! It
embodied the automotive concept itself and symbolised the democratisation
of mobility.
When the New Beetle arrived in 1998, it introduced a new automotive feeling
to the world and brought with it Beetle Mania. In 2010, the Final Edition
completed the New Beetle series that had sold more than one million cars.
Thirteen years since the New Beetle arrived, Volkswagen replaces the New by
simply calling it The Beetle. In April 2011 it made its global, transcontinental
debut simultaneously in Shanghai, Berlin and New York. Tasked to ‘design a
new original’ were Design Chief Walter de Silva (Group) and Klaus Bischoff
(Volkswagen Brand), who had the challenge of reinventing a design that is so
recognisable and independent.
A comparison to the 1998 New Beetle shows this: Nothing remained as
it was on the old car. “The Beetle is now characterised by a clean, selfconfident and dominant sportiness. The car not only has a lower profile; it
is also substantially wider, the front bonnet is longer, the front windscreen is
shifted further back and has a much steeper incline. All of this creates a new
dynamism,” explains Klaus Bischoff.
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LIFESTYLE MOTORING
While the New Beetle was defined by three semicircles (front wing, rear wing, domed roof above
it), the current model has broken free of this
geometry. The roof profile actually runs distinctly
lower and can be considered a continuation of
the Ragster concept car shown in Detroit in 2005
– a type of hot rod based on the New Beetle. The
new Beetle is now bolder, more dynamic and more
masculine at 1,808 mm wide (84 mm wider),
1,486 mm tall (12 mm lower) and 4,278 mm
long (152 mm longer). The gain in length meant
that the roof could be extended further, the front
windscreen could be shifted back, and the rear
section could follow the contour of the original
Beetle. In parallel, the development team increased
the car’s track widths and wheelbase.
The interior too has been worked on considerably,
and now offers a driver-oriented coupe experience
as well as a distinctly improved feeling of space,
aided by a longer roof section. Everything is
designed to be within reach. Standard in the
Beetle is the RCD 310 with 8 loudspeakers,
while elsewhere in the mix are an optional
radio-navigation system, Keyless Access, and a
transparent panoramic tilt/slide glass sunroof. In
terms of boot space, this bug offers more with 310
litres compared to the 209 litres on the older car.
No previous Beetle was this fuel efficient. High
performance no longer suffices by itself. At 4.3
l/100km (European 1.6 TDI) and 33mpg (American
2.0 TDI), the new Beetle is the most fuel-efficient
Beetle ever. Of course, some of the Beetle’s
60
longstanding characteristics remain. These include
its round headlights (optional bi-xenon headlights
with LED daytime running lights are available
for the first time in this model series), the flared
wings, the shapes of the bonnets, sides and door
sills and – more than ever – the large wheels (up
to 19 inches) that can be integrated.
A new feature is the rear spoiler that is
homogeneously integrated in the design (standard
for TSI engines with 118 kW / 160 PS and 147
kW / 200 PS); it aggressively maintains contact
with the road on this Volkswagen, which has a
top speed of up to 225km/h, depending on the
engine, and is available in the three equipment
lines Beetle, Design and Sport. Incidentally, the top
surface of the rear spoiler is always black, while its
underside is painted in body colour. These colours
– 12 different hues – will make everyday car
driving more vibrant with names such as Saturn
Yellow and Denim Blue. Each of these versions has
a very unique character while individual markets
themselves will emphasise certain aspects.
This Beetle tells a story. The car’s styling,
ergonomics, operability and quality interact to
create a new, friendly car with a highly individual
nature. Oprah was sold – having bought 300
of the units to give away to her audience last
November. The question is: Will this be your
Favourite Thing?
Text and images courtesy of www.volkswagen.com
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LIFESTYLE THE BUZZ
SLEEK PICKS
It’s not just a phone, it’s a luxe toy for those
with the moolah to spare. Famed designer
Yves Behar has teamed up with Copenhagenbased Aesir to create the Æsir Yves Behar
luxury phone that’s all the trend now. For about
US$10,000 this phone, with a microscopic 2-inch
display, features an upper half made of ceramics
and a sapphire crystal lens. Fork out another
US$40,000 and you’ll be able to get the gilded
version. No camera, GPS or Gmail here, but you
do get a phone with clarity and tactility, and in
a luxury class of its own.
http://aesir-copenhagen.com
New
What’s
Highlights and trends from around the globe.
CLASSIC PURITY
Known for its clean lines, sharp
edges and the contrast of light
and shade, Jacob Jensen
Design translates the same
philosophy to its line of watches.
The Icon series offers timepieces
contrasting polished and matt
steel, and a leather strap with
a sapphire crystal lens. This
combination of time-telling
function and aesthetic qualities
has also earned the Icon the
prestigious Red Dot 2011 design
award in the world’s most
prestigious design competition.
ITALIAN CHIC
Bric’s Milano simply oozes charm and timeless
elegance. Taking inspiration from all around the
globe, the brand is distinctive by its Italian finish
and cosmopolitan feel. Its handbags, like this
leather hobo, are the ultimate fashion statement
in elegant simplicity.
www.brics.it
www.jacob-jensen-design.com
FAB SLABS
On the streets of the world,
colour blocking rules with
Pierre Hardy. The French
designer offers shoes that
are bright and exuberant in a
variety of shapes and structures.
His strong artistic style is
apparent with bold heels, thick
wood platforms and daring
twists to the ordinary sole.
High heels have never been so
outrageous!
www.pierrehardy.com
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ARM CANDY
Taking structure to a whole new level, the Hester
van Eeghen Bon Bon bag is a breath of fresh air.
Inspired by her grandmother’s tea cosy, the bag
combines frame and bucket style with a silvertone
top handle that work together to create a unique
interlocking closure. Made of soft Italian calfskin
with contrast piping detail and a subtle designer
stamp embossed on the lower front, the Bon Bon
comes in deep plum and sunny yellow.
www.hveus.com
HYPER LINK
There have been many times Cartier launches the Calibre
watches into the market. This season the Calibre de
Cartier breezes its way with a bracelet design and a look
that’s sportier and more robust. Still equipped with the
calibre 1904 MC, the first Cartier manufactured automatic
movement, and the heightened bezel, you’re now spoiled
for choice with a bracelet strap in steel, pink gold and gold.
www.cartier.com
PERFECT BALANCE
Swiss watchmaking meets fine writing
craftsmanship with the 1010 Limited Edition
fountain pen by Caran d’Ache. With a rhodiumcoated silver body that resembles watch gears,
the 1010 also has two cages: One decorated
with gear wheels, and the other with the bridges
that link them. Even the cap does not escape the
watch reference, designed like a watch crown
with a clip styled as a watch hand.
www.carandache.ch
KIWI GOODNESS
New Zealand natural beauty line Les Floralies are masters
of skincare. The key ingredient to all of their products, from
their Lime & Olive Body Lotion to their Gardeners Exfoliating
Scrub line, is locally sourced and harvested. There are extra
virgin oil from Matakana, wild harvested organic Manuka
Honey from Great Barrier Island, and organic lavender
harvested and distilled at a farm near Lake Taupo. With a
total of 12 different ranges on offer, what’s not to love?
www.lesfloralies.co.nz
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Living
Heritage
LIFESTYLE TAKE 5
A
Just two hours’ easy drive from Malaysia’s
capital, Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, still retains many of its old world charm.
SEE
Visit the city’s old Portuguese
and Dutch architecture, such
as the Stadhuys, the former
Dutch administrative centre
and the Portuguese fortress,
Fort A Famosa, to appreciate
Malacca’s rich heritage. Most
are within walking distance of
one another. For an overview
of Malacca, head to Menara
Taming Sari, a revolving tower
that offers stunning views of the
city and the Straits of Malacca.
DO
Pay a visit to Kampung Morten,
a heritage village consisting
of traditional Malay houses.
Regarded as a living museum,
its residents still retain many
Malay customs and traditions
practised in the olden days.
There’s also a homestay
programme for those interested
to experience the kampung
(village) life.
SHOP
Head to Jonker Street for
authentic, traditional and
handmade handicrafts where
many shops are generations
old. Walk around to find
beaded Nyonya shoes and
lacquer food baskets that are
fast becoming a dying art.
And if you’re tired from all the
walking, cool off with a durian
cendol, a local specialty. This
shaved iced dessert drink of
coconut milk with rice flour jelly
sweetened with palm sugar is
topped with the infamous king
of fruits.
STAY
The Majestic Malacca overlooks
the Malacca River. Formerly a
private residence, it has since
been converted into a luxury
boutique hotel. The mansion
still retains its original 1920s’
features, such as the intricate
and brightly coloured Straits
Chinese tiles and the colourful
stained glasses. It has a spa
that offers treatment menus
celebrating the Straits Chinese
culture filled with traditional
remedies made modern.
For more information, visit
www.tourism-melaka.com
Royal Brunei Airlines flights to Kuala Lumpur
operate daily from Bandar Seri Begawan.
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ADVERTORIAL
HIDDEN
HANGOUTS
Always finding yourself visiting the same malls over and over again?
It’s time to take a look outside Kuala Lumpur.
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So, you’ve been to Kuala Lumpur, taken in all the sights and hit all
the malls the city has to offer and still find time on your hands?
If so, it’s time to take the shopping outside the city.
Just at the outskirts of KL is Mid Valley Megamall. Offering a
kaleidoscope of diverse retail experiences, it is not difficult to see why it
has become a favourite hangout for youths. There’s plenty of affordable
fashion, interesting specialty stores, the largest MPH bookstore, as well
as two department stores – Jusco and Metrojaya, to keep you busy.
If the crowd here becomes too much for you, escape to The Gardens,
connected to Mid Valley Megamall via a skybridge and an underground
tunnel. Carrying some of the most premier brands, The Gardens is both
classy and contemporary. Not only does it boast of a Louis Vuitton
flagship store, The Gardens is also home to Marks & Spencer that
specialises in British clothing and fine English food, and Robinsons, a
Singaporean homegrown retailer known for its quality merchandise.
A little further down the road, five minutes away from the two malls,
is the trendy Bangsar suburbs with its two malls: Bangsar Village and
Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC). Catering mainly to the affluent residents
that live in the area, both malls are geared towards providing its
discerning shoppers with the best. While Bangsar Village carries quirky
fashion labels and kitschy accessories, BSC is the place for you to satisfy
your food cravings. Its Food Hall mimics Harrods’, albeit on a smaller
scale, but filled with fine food items, gourmet teas and coffees.
From Bangsar, it’s roughly 20 minutes using the Kerinchi Link to get
to Mutiara Damansara. A continuously growing commercial zone, this
area has five major retail establishments: IKEA Home Furnishings, IPC
Shopping Centre, the Curve, e@Curve and Tesco Hypermarket. And
they’re all just next to one another!
As Malaysia’s first lifestyle ‘pedestrianised’ shopping mall, the Curve is
known for its chic fashion outlets and alfresco dining experience.
Every weekend, the place comes alive with its Street Market,
filled with curios and gifts, in a bazaar-like atmosphere. At the end of
the bazaar stretch is e@Curve, a place that caters to the latest fashion
and trends from Korea and Japan, including Malaysia’s first ever
maid cafe – a Japanese craze!
For all your home needs under one roof, head to IPC Shopping
Centre that has electronics to toys, pets to bookstores, and more. Its
underground walkway is a hawker-style foodcourt area with a wide
range of Asian fare. It connects directly to leading furniture retailer,
IKEA, the largest in Asia. Filled with various furnishing concepts, IKEA is
the place for space-saving ideas and creative Swedish designs.
And, just five minutes away from Mutiara Damansara, looms 1 Utama.
With over 660 shops, 1 Utama is a visitor’s dream. Beyond shopping, this
all-in-one mall also has an Entertainment and Sports zone that houses
a cinema, bowling centre, games arcade, and an indoor rock climbing
gym. Or, escape to the mall’s Secret Garden, a rooftop reprieve, for a
little peace and quiet. The garden is a treasure trove of plants, with 500
species of exotic flora from different regions and altitudes.
These malls may be a little out of the way, but with so much more to
offer, they are definitely worth a visit. For more shopping options,
visit www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my
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ADVERTORIAL
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68
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Engines and transmissions
• Improved efficiency thanks to engines with
higher output and better fuel consumption.
• Innovative 8-speed tiptronic with shift-by-wire
technology.
Interior
• Handcrafted quality and exceptional detail features
express superb quality and perceived calibre.
• Design of gear selector lever: ergonomics and
exclusive look.
• Sophisticated materials and a wide range of seat
and upholstery combination options.
• Rear compartment emphasis with wide range of
functions operated via controls on deluxe rear
centre armrest or on the continuous centre console.
• The relaxation seat in the Audi A8 L provides
top-class seating comfort for a relaxed journey.
The petrol engines: outstanding and dynamic
With its high-performance, very efficient,
consumption-optimised engines, the Audi A8
now extends its lead in the segment in terms of its
superior handling characteristics. TFSI technology
is employed for the first time in the Audi A8. The
blend of petrol direct injection and supercharging
produces impressive driving dynamics, coupled
with top-class efficiency.
• Two petrol engines: 3.0 TFSI quattro, 4.2 FSI quattro.
• All engines with more output and higher torque,
for superior road performance.
• quattro® permanent four-wheel drive as standard.
• V6 petrol engine with TFSI technology generates
peak torque of 420 Nm and enormous pulling
power across a wide engine speed range (2,500
– 4,850 rpm).
The new Audi A8 L 3.0 TFSI quattro tiptronic
for Brunei will feature a solar sunroof, BOSE
14-speakers surround sound, Rear Seat
Entertainment system with single DVD player
& TV reception, Bluetooth interface, ambient
lighting package, Audi MMI Touch and exclusive
19-inch alloy wheels. For more information, visit
www.audi-brunei.com
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LIFESTYLE TRAVEL DIARY
A world of adventure and new
experiences await you when you fly with
Royal Brunei Airlines. Make your trip
even more memorable with free flights,
seat upgrades and other privileges when
you become a member of Royal Skies,
our frequent flyer programme.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Now till
31
July 2011
DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES 2011
With the official slogan ‘Big Fun For Little Ones’, this
yearly summer event places emphasis on fun, knowledge
and entertainment for kids, attracting families year after
year. Spanning over 10 weeks, there are a wide variety
of fun activities and games, including talent shows, story
telling competitions, car race tracks – all designed to keep
kids engaged in something creative. Each week will host
a different theme with activities fashioned to reflect the
week’s ‘surprise’.
www.mydsf.com
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The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)
is an iconic festival with devoted audiences,
hosting a feast of films, fantastic parties and
special events held for some 17 days each year.
Celebrating 60 years in the film industry this year,
the MIFF is also one of the oldest film festivals in
the world – only one year younger than Cannes.
In addition to screening some of the best in
world cinema, MIFF will also be showcasing the
largest collection of new Australia cinema.
miff.com.au
AUSTRALIA
21 -7
July
August
2011
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MALAYSIA
2 -30
July
September
2011
1MALAYSIA
CONTEMPORARY
ART TOURISM FESTIVAL 2011
UNITED
Showcasing the most explosive, dynamic and provocative art
pieces produced by internationally acclaimed Malaysian-born
artists, this festival, with the theme ‘Malaysia Art – A Vibrant
Destination’, sets to place Malaysia on the map as a vibrant
destination for arts. A number of exhibitions, auctions, art
activities and Saturday Art Market will take place at various states
in Malaysia and will feature a variety of talented local artists.
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8 -14
July
August
2011
INTERNATIONAL
ARTS CARNIVAL
Taking place in summer, the International
Arts Carnival brings plenty of fun
entertainment to you and your
family. With a spectacular lineup of
performances, including Moscow Circus
on Ice, your children won’t be the only
one entranced. Other than a wide
range of performances, there will also
be workshops, exhibitions and other
interactive programmes that will provide
lots of fun.
www.hkiac.gov.hk
1-31
SINGAPORE
July 2011
SINGAPORE
FOOD FESTIVAL
The Singapore Food Festival (SSF) is back again, larger
and better than before! The rich variety of Singapore’s
food will sure to entice even the choosiest of palates.
One of the highlights of the event is the SSF Village
where over 60 food and beverage stalls will be set up.
Other events taking place include an excursion to Little
India to learn more about its heritage and a gastronomic
learning journey with a celebrity chef where you learn
how to make canapes with a local twist!
www.singaporefoodfestival.com.sg
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WELCOME ONBOARD
Selamat Datang
Selamat Datang means
‘Welcome’ in Malay, and
your seamless Royal Brunei
Airlines journey begins here.
Business Class
In June 2010, the airline introduced its B777
Business Class cabins. Ergonomically designed
to offer a unique relaxing space, the Business
Class seat deploys into an angled full length
flat-bed which, along with a plush duvet and a
larger pillow, to offer peaceful sleep. Each seat
comes equipped with in-seat power connector
and a 10.4-inch personal TV.
Economy Class Comfort
Economy Class offers seats with a 32-inch
pitch, and ‘winglet’ headrests for improved
neck comfort. Onboard our 777 aircraft, the
seatback-mounted personal screen provides
on-going entertainment including video and
audio on-demand choices. All Royal Brunei
passengers enjoy the same caring service
from our ASEAN flight attendants, along with
skillfully prepared meals and a wide range of
inflight entertainment options to choose from.
SkyShow Inflight Entertainment
Royal Brunei’s SkyShow Entertainment system
gives passengers a number of entertainment
options throughout their flight. A library of hit
movies, classic Hollywood films and TV and
audio programmes for all ages are available
onboard. Refer to the SkyShow entertainment
guide booklet located in the seat pocket
in front of you for the list of movies, TV
and audio programmes. The sockets for
earphones and channel/volume remote control
are located in your seat armrest. Seatbackmounted personal screens are only available
on our Boeing 777s and on selected routes.
Elsewhere, passengers can avail our service,
sit back and relax with our overhead movie
screens. For more information, please contact
your nearest Royal Brunei Airlines office.
Flying High
As Brunei Darussalam’s national
carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines
serves not only as the coming of
age of this tiny Sultanate, but
today cements itself as a serious
competitor in the region.
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Cuisine
Everything we serve has been carefully chosen
for freshness and flavour. In fact, there’s
nothing you can’t enjoy even when dining at
35,000 feet. Our award winning menu has
been meticulously created by our Royal Brunei
Catering chefs, combining both Western and
Oriental flavours using the best seasonal and
fresh produce available.
For our Business Class passengers on longhaul flights, you can now select your desired
meal times. Our ‘Dine upon Request’ service
is available throughout the flight up until
90 minutes before landing. Passengers on
all classes also enjoy our ‘Food Fit to Fly by’
service menu that features healthier and
lighter meal options, complemented by our
award-winning cabin service from our crew.
Alcohol-free Environment Policy
Royal Brunei Airlines operates alcohol-free
flights to all destinations.
1970s
1980s
• The maiden Royal Brunei Airlines
flight to Singapore left Bandar Seri
Begawan on a Boeing 737-200 on
14 May, 1975.
• RBA added a Boeing 737, the quick-change
convertible aircraft, to its fleet. This aircraft
allowed for either an all-passenger or an all-cargo
configuration or a combination of both.
• Two Boeing 737 aircraft were put
into service, flying five times a week
to Singapore, two times to Hong
Kong, three times to Kuching and
seven times to Kota Kinabalu.
• RBA accepted the delivery of its Boeing 757 aircraft
that featured redesigned livery combining Brunei’s
traditional Royal colours on 16 May, 1986.
• Services to Bangkok and Manila
were added in 1977.
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Special Meals
Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAG)
Royal Brunei offers a variety of tasty culinary
solutions to suit our passengers’ special dietary
requirements. Special meals can be ordered
when you make your reservation; please
confirm your request at least 24 hours before
boarding your flight.
Various countries have implemented
restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols
and gels in compliance with new guidelines set
by the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO). Passengers transiting through airports
and carrying any liquids, pastes and gels
in containers over 100ml may be asked to
dispose of the items at security checkpoints.
Hand Luggage
For your safety and comfort, you may store
your hand luggage in the overhead lockers
or under the seat in front of you. Please
do not hesitate to ask our cabin crew for
help in stowing your luggage properly. Be
careful when opening the overhead luggage
compartments, as items dislodged by
aircraft movement may fall on you or fellow
passengers.
These restrictions may affect your ability to
carry duty-free purchases onboard the aircraft.
Customers are advised to check with duty free
personnel before making their purchases. All
liquids, aerosols and gels must be carried in
containers of no greater than 100ml/3.3oz
capacity (approximately 100gm in weight)
and placed in a transparent, resealable plastic
bag. The plastic bag must be removed from
carry on baggage and presented to security
personnel at the checkpoint for inspection and
separate x-ray screening.
Exceptions to the new regulations are
medicines and dietary supplements needed
during a flight, including baby food. Proof of
need may be required.
Use of Electronic Equipment
Mobile phones cannot be used at any time
during the flight. They should be switched
off as soon as the cabin crew makes the
announcement. Other electronic devices
included in this list are: Citizen’s band (CB)
radio, remote-controlled devices (such as
radio-controlled toys), and transmitting devices
that emit radio frequencies. These devices
may interfere with the aircraft’s electronic
equipment, compromising aircraft safety and
endangering the lives of passengers and crew.
1990s
2000s
• RBA took delivery of the first of three leased B767-200ER aircraft in
June 1990, enabling it to fly to London Gatwick in November 1990.
• RBA took delivery of two new Airbus A319
aircraft in August and September 2003.
• Services to Perth were opened on 29 January, 1991.
• Auckland was introduced to the network
as an extension of the Brunei-Brisbane
flights in October 2003.
• Twice-weekly flights to London Heathrow were started in May 1991.
The route became a daily service on 1 December, 1996.
• RBA started flights to Brisbane via Darwin. Three years later, direct
flights between Brunei and Brisbane were opened on 15 June, 1994.
• Two more Airbus A320s were delivered
in December 2003 and January 2004.
Today, RBA operates a fleet of six Boeing
B767-300s, two Airbus A320s and two
Airbus A319s.
• The opportunity to expand regional connections saw RBA
establishing a service to Surabaya in 1997.
• The inauguration of the three times weekly
flights to Ho Chi Minh City in May 2006.
• Employed the use of Fokker 50 to service Miri and Labuan, two
destinations important to the growth of Brunei’s oil and gas industry.
• RBA introduced Royal Brunei Holidays,
a revamp of its Golden Touch Holidays,
offering passengers value-for-money
packages for their holidays locally and
abroad in January 2010.
• Direct service to Shanghai re-launched in
March 2010.
• RBA’s newly-leased 777-200ER took off
on its first commercial flight from Bandar
Seri Begawan to London via Dubai in
June 2010.
• RBA commenced four times weekly
flights to Melbourne in March 2011.
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WELCOME ONBOARD
The following devices may be used on board,
except during take-off, initial climb, approach
and landing: Personal computers, FM receivers,
calculators, electronic shavers, audio and video
recorders, hand-held computer games, and
playback devices.
Online Booking
Transit Tour Programme
Fly through the airport. You can now book
online at www.bruneiair.com, check in online
and print your own electronic ticket (e-ticket).
Online check in is available 24 hours before
flight departure and closes 60 minutes before
departure time.
A complimentary transit programme is
available for transit passengers arriving on
long-haul flights from London, Brisbane,
Perth and Auckland and transiting in Brunei
International Airport for more than five hours.
Non-smoking Policy
Royal Brunei Airlines operates non-smoking
flights to all destinations.
Reconfirmation
Reconfirmation is not required except for
passengers travelling to and from the Middle
East. Please reconfirm your departure flight at
least 72 hours in advance with the local Royal
Brunei Airlines office or your travel agent.
Failure to do so could result in the cancellation
of your reservations.
Check In
Check in counters at the Brunei International
Airport are open three hours before flight
departure. Passengers are advised to check in
at least two hours before departure to allow
for security and baggage checks. Check in
counters will be closed 45 minutes before
departure, after which no boarding passes will
be issued. Royal Brunei Airlines also advises
its passengers to reach the boarding gate 20
minutes before the flight departs to avoid
missing their flights.
Passengers wishing to join the tours can do
so by completing the Immigration Arrival
forms distributed inflight by RBA’s cabin crew
for entry clearance intro Brunei Darussalam.
Upon arrival, please contact our ground
staff at the transfer desk to register for the
transit programme. Please be advised that
seats are limited and RBA may not be able to
accommodate all requests.
Passenger Comments
Your comments and suggestions will help
us enhance our services. Please e-mail us at:
feedback@rba.com.bn
BRUNEI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Brunei International Airport’s computerised
passenger and cargo handling facilities can
handle 1.5 million passengers and 50,000
tonnes of cargo a year and the airport is
currently being expanded for traffic growth.
Among the facilities offered at the airport
are a prayer room, telephones and internet
services, restaurants, a viewing gallery and day
rooms for transit passengers who want to rest
or freshen up before flying.
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For customers’ comfort and convenience,
Royal Brunei Airlines’ Service Centre and
SkyLounge are both located on the departure
level. The former is a one stop centre providing
services such as reservations, ticketing and
booking of tour packages. Customers who
book online can get their tickets here before
departure. Royal Skies members may also
redeem their miles here.
For Royal Brunei’s Business Class passengers
and Royal Skies’ Gold and Silver members,
the SkyLounge boasts plush seating for 120
people. Complimentary massage chairs,
shower rooms, ablution areas, and widescreen
plasma televisions are also available.
Duty-free shops offer consumer goods at
competitive prices. There are several outlets,
including a money changer, at the main
departure/transit hall. On sale are portable
electrical goods with international warranties,
designer goods, perfumes and confectionery.
WARNING!
AMARAN!
The trafficking and illegal import of controlled drugs are very serious
offences in Brunei Darussalam. The penalty for such offences is DEATH.
Mengedar dan membawa masuk dadah terkawal secara haram adalah
kesalahan yang amat berat di Negara Brunei Darussalam. Kesalahan
sedemikian membawa hukuman MATI.
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Staying Fit
At Royal Brunei Airlines, your health, safety and comfort is of prime importance to us. For your
general well-being onboard our flights, we would recommend the basic inflight exercises.
Ankle circles
While seated, raise one foot
and draw a circle with your
toes. Rotate clockwise for
15 seconds and repeat the
same counterclockwise.
Repeat with the other foot.
You can do one foot at a
time or both simultaneously.
Knee lifts
Lift and hug your knee
to your chest as close
as you can. Hold for
15 seconds. Alternate
knee. Repeat 10-15
times for each knee.
Shoulder roll
Relax shoulders then
hunch them forward.
Rotate gently 10-15
times.
Neck roll
With shoulders relaxed,
drop ear to shoulder
and gently roll neck
forward and back,
holding each position
about five seconds.
Repeat five times.
Upper back flex
Stretch hands forward,
then pull back slowly
as far as possible.
Repeat 10-15 times.
Trunk flex
With both feet on the floor
and stomach held in, slowly
bend forward and walk your
hands down the front of your
legs toward your ankles. Hold
stretch for 15 seconds and
slowly sit back up.
TRAVELLER’S GUIDE Brunei Visitor Information
Visas Austrian, German, Malaysian,
Singaporean, British nationals with the
right of abode in the United Kingdom,
The Netherlands and New Zealand
nationals are exempted from the
requirement to obtain a visa for visits not
exceeding 30 days. American passport
holders can enter Brunei Darussalam for
three months without visas. For nationals
of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France,
Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg,
Republic of Maldives, Norway, Oman, The
Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Thailand and The Principality
of Liechtenstein — visas are waived for 14day visits. Nationals of Australia are issued
visas on arrival at the Brunei International
Airport for visits not exceeding 30 days.
All other visitors entering Brunei
Darussalam must have visas obtainable
from any Brunei Darussalam diplomatic
mission abroad. These visas are normally
issued for a two-week stay but can be
renewed in Brunei. Visitors must hold
onward tickets and sufficient funds to
support themselves while in the country.
N.B. For more details, please contact your
nearest Brunei Embassy or diplomatic
representative.
Duty-free Allowance The import of the
following products is subject to restrictions
imposed by Brunei’s Customs and Excise
Department.
Cigarettes: Passengers will be charged duty
on cigarettes of $0.25 tax per stick, equal
to $5 per pack of 20 sticks of cigarette,
and $50 for one carton of 10 packs.
Other tobacco products - Import duty
on other tobacco products has increased
significantly. Passengers will be charged
duty for the import of tobacco products.
Alcohol: Non-Muslim passengers may bring
in two bottles of liquor plus 12 cans of
beer for personal consumption only; and a
reasonable quantity of perfumes.
Transportation The airport is about 11km
from the capital. Taxis, car rentals and
buses are available.
Currency The Brunei dollar is on a par
with the Singapore dollar, which is also
accepted in Brunei. Banks, hotels and
many department stores will cash traveller’s
cheques.
Language Malay is the official language
but English is widely used. Other languages
include Chinese and its dialect variants
and other indigenous dialects. Although
the official religion is Islam, other faiths
including Christianity and Buddhism are
practised.
Clothing Light clothing is advisable as
the climate is generally warm and humid.
Women are requested to dress modestly in
keeping with local customs.
Health Doctors provide private medical
services for a nominal charge. There
are a number of state health clinics and
hospitals.
Credit Cards Hotels, department stores
and other major establishments generally
accept all internationally known credit
cards.
Hotels Accommodation in the capital
ranges from international standard to
middle range hotels. Service apartments
are also available at reasonable rates.
Tipping Optional. Some hotels add a 10
percent service charge to their room rates.
Shopping Department stores and shops
offer goods ranging from cosmetics and
stereos to local handicrafts such as the
keris (an ornamental dagger), miniature
brass cannons, and kain tenunan, a cloth
woven with gold or silver threads.
Telephones Overseas calls can be made
from hotel rooms through the operator, or
via international direct dialling (IDD). There
are also coin and phonecard operated
public telephones.
Utilities Power supply is 220 - 240v, 50
cycles. The PAL and NTSC systems are used
by local television. Tap water is generally
safe to drink although some take the
precaution of boiling it.
Media Radio Television Brunei has nightly
news bulletins and a range of popular
entertainment in both English and Malay.
Cable network and Malaysian television
programmes can also be received. There
are three local daily newspapers namely:
Borneo Bulletin (English), The Brunei Times
(English) and Media Permata (Malay). Other
regional and international publications are
also available at newstands.
Food For the adventurous, the food stalls
offer Malay favourites, such as satay
(barbecued meat on a skewer) and local
dishes prepared with curry or coconut milk.
Chinese, European and Indian cuisines are
also available.
Festivals and Celebrations National Day,
23 February, Hari Raya, the end of the
Muslim fasting month, and His Majesty
The Sultan’s birthday, July 15. Other public
holidays include Chinese Lunar New Year
and Christmas.
Customs and Courtesy
• In mosques, visitors should remove
their shoes and should not pass in front
of people at prayer. A woman should
ensure that her head, knees and arms
are covered before entering mosques.
Robes are provided at the entrance to
the mosque.
• A Bruneian shakes hands lightly and
brings his hands to his chest. Members of
the opposite sex do not shake hands.
• It is impolite to point with the index
finger (use the right thumb instead) or
to beckon someone with fingers and
palm facing upwards. Instead the whole
hand should be waved with palm facing
downwards. The right fist should never
be smacked into the left palm.
• Gifts, particularly food, are passed with
the right hand.
The visa and duty-free allowances are provided as a guideline and may change without notice.
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WELCOME ONBOARD
ROUTE MAP & DESTINATIONS GUIDE
AUSTRALIA
BRISBANE (BNE)
BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport-City 22 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus AUD8 • Taxi AUD35
Airport Tax AUD38
Currency Australian Dollar (AUD)
Language English
GMT +10
RBA OFFICE
60 Edward Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000
T: (61) 7 3017 5000
E: bnerba@rba.com.bn
MELBOURNE (MEL)
TULLAMARINE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport-City 22 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus AUD16 • Taxi AUD85
Airport Tax AUD38
Currency Australian Dollar (AUD)
Language English
GMT +10
RBA OFFICE
Level 10, 45 William Street,
Melbourne, VIC 3000
T: 1300 721271
E: melrba@rba.com.bn
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PERTH (PER)
PERTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport-City 15 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus AUD11 • Taxi AUD30
Airport Tax AUD38
Currency Australian Dollar (AUD)
Language English
GMT +8
RBA OFFICE
Level 6, London House
216 St Georges Terrace
Perth, WA 6000
T: (61) 8 9321 8757
E: perrba@rba.com.bn
BRUNEI
DARUSSALAM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
(BWN)
BRUNEI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport-City 8 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus BND1 • Taxi BND25
Airport Tax BND12, BKI: BND5
Currency Brunei Dollar (BND)
Language Malay, Mandarin, Hokkien,
English
GMT +8
RBA OFFICE
RBA Plaza, Jalan Sultan
Bandar Seri Begawan BS 8811
T: (673) 2212 222, 2240 500
F: (673) 2244 737
CHINA
HONG KONG (HKG)
CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT
Airport-City 32 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Taxi Kowloon HKD300, Hong Kong HKD400
Airport Tax HKD120
Currency Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Language Cantonese, Mandarin, English
GMT +8
GENERAL SALES AGENT
PACIFIC AVIATION MARKETING (HK) LTD
Rm 2505 Caroline Centre
28 Yun Ping Road.
T: (852) 3180 3232, 2869 8608
SHANGHAI (PVG)
PUDONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport-City 35 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus CNY50 • Taxi CNY160
Airport Tax CNY90
Currency Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Language Chinese (dialects include
Mandarin, Shanghainese)
GMT +8
PASSENGER SALES AGENT
BEIJING LONGWAY INTERNATIONAL
Room 0, 22nd Floor, Zhiyuan Building
No.768 Xietu Road, Luwan District
Shanghai, China
Post code:200023
T: +86 2153027288
F: +86 2163047686
E: shasales@rba.com.bn
INDONESIA
JAKARTA (JKT)
SOEKARNO-HATTA INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
Airport-City 50 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus IDR7,000 • Taxi IDR150,000
Airport Tax IDR150,000
Currency Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Language Bahasa Indonesia, English
GMT +7
RBA OFFICE
World Trade Centre, 11th Flr
Jln Jenderal, Sudirman, Kav. 29-31
Jakarta 12920
T: (62) 21 5211 842-6/784
E: jktirzatis@rba.com.bn
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SURABAYA (SUB)
KUCHING (KCH)
JUANDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport-City 17 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Taxi IDR29,500
Airport Tax IDR150,000
Currency Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Language Bahasa Indonesia, English,
Madurese
GMT +7
KUCHING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport-City 11 kms
Airport Tax MYR26
Currency Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Language Malay, English, Mandarin
GMT +8
GENERAL SALES AGENT
PT. SURYA NAYAGATAMA
Plaza BRI, 6th Floor Suite 611
Jl. Jend. Basuki Rachmat No.122
Surabaya 60271
T: (62) 31548 1819
E: SUBRBA@rba.com.bn
MALAYSIA
KUALA LUMPUR (KUL)
KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
Airport-City 80 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus Luxury RM25 • Taxi Budget MYR7080, Limo MYR100-120
Airport Tax MYR51
Currency Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Language Malay, English, Cantonese, Tamil,
Mandarin
GMT +8
RBA OFFICE
Lot 25, 1st Floor,
UBN Tower (Shangri-la Shopping Arcade)
P.O. Box 99, Jln P. Ramlee
50250 Kuala Lumpur
T: (603) 2070 7166, 2070 6628
F: (603) 2070 6899
E: kulrba@rba.com.bn
KOTA KINABALU (BKI)
KOTA KINABALU INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
Airport-City 8.5 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Taxi MYR13.50
Airport Tax MYR26 To/Transit via Brunei:
MYR20
Currency Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Language Malay, Mandarin, English
GMT +8
RBA OFFICE
Lot BG - 3B Ground Floor, Block B
Komplex KWSP, Jalan Karamunsing
8000 Kota Kinabalu Sabah
T: (60) 88 242 193/6
E: sskkoff@rba.com.bn
Muhibah205x260mm_JulAug2011.indd77 77
RBA OFFICE
L2L 10
Level 2, Kuching International Airport
P.O.Box 1070, 93722 Kuching, Sarawak
T: (60) 82 453 422 / 456 422
E: KCHRBA@rba.com.bn
NEW ZEALAND
SAUDI ARABIA
JEDDAH (JED)
KING ABDUL AZIZ INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
Airport-City 25 kms (from North Terminal);
15 kms (from South Terminal)
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Taxi SAR50
Airport Tax SAR50 except Haj & Umrah
pax, diplomats and escorts for
human remains
Currency Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR)
Language Arabic, English, French
GMT +3
GENERAL SALES AGENT
AUCKLAND (AKL)
AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport-City 21 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus NZD15 • Taxi NZD60
Currency New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Language English, Maori
GMT +13
GENERAL SALES AGENT
THE WALSHE GROUP
Level 6, 52 Swanson Street
Auckland 1010
T: (64) 9 9772 209
E: aklrba@rba.com.bn
PHILIPPINES
ELAF AVIATION
Al Nakheel Centre, Madina Road
Jeddah 21414
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
T: (9662) 6657143 / 6612679 / 6657908
E: JEDGSA@rba.com.bn
GENERAL SALES AGENT
GLOBAL AIR SERVICES CORPORATION
G/F SGV II Bldg, 6758 Ayala Ave
Makati City, The Philippines 1200
T: (632) 864-0801 to 05
F: (632) 891-0435
E: mnlres@rba.com.bn
DUBAI (DXB)
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport-City 4 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Taxi AED20 + 50 fils for every 500m
Airport Tax AED30
Currency Dirham (AED)
Language Arabic, English
GMT +4
RBA OFFICE
Ground Floor Shop No.5
Bu Haleeba Lamcy Building
319 Community
6B Street, Oud Metha Road, Bur Dubai
T: (971) 4334 4884/686
F: (971) 4334 4585
E: dxbrba@rba.com.bn
UNITED KINGDOM
THAILAND
BANGKOK (BKK)
SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT
Airport-City 25 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus BHT150 • Taxi BHT200-250
Airport Tax BHT700
Currency Baht (BHT)
Language Thai, English
GMT +7
MANILA (MNL)
NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
Airport-City 9 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus PhP13 • Taxi PhP120
Airport Tax PhP750
Currency Philippine Peso (PhP)
Language Tagalog, English
GMT +8
UNITED
ARAB EMIRATES
RBA OFFICE
968, U Chu Liang Building, 17th Floor
Rama IV Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
T: (66) 2 6375 151
E: BKKRES@rba.com.bn
SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE (SIN)
CHANGI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport-City 20 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus SGD1.40 • Taxi SGD18
Airport Tax SGD21
Currency Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Language Malay, English, Mandarin, Tamil
GMT +8
RBA OFFICE
81 Clemenceau Avenue, #03-13
UE Square Shopping Mall
Singapore 239917
T: (65) 6235 4672
E: sinrba@rba.com.bn
LONDON (LHR)
HEATHROW AIRPORT
Airport-City 35 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus GBP7 • Taxi GBP40
Airport Tax F & J Class Pax: GBP80;
Y Class Pax: GBP40;
PSC: GBP9
Currency Pound Sterling (GBP)
Language English
GMT +0
RBA OFFICE
49 Cromwell Road, London SW7 2ED
England, United Kingdom
T: (44) 207 584 666
E: lonrba@rba.com.bn
VIETNAM
HO CHI MINH CITY (SGN)
TAN SON NHAT AIRPORT
Airport-City 7 kms
Approx. Fare from Airport to City
• Bus VND2,000 • Taxi VND50,000
Airport Tax USD14
Currency Vietnam Dong (VND)
Language Vietnamese, Mandarin, English,
French
GMT +7
GENERAL SALES AGENT
WORLDWIDE AGENCY CO. LTD.
Fidi Tour Building, 4th Floor
127-129-129A Nguyen Hue Street, Dist. 1
T: (84) 8 3914 6868
F: (84) 8 3915 2265
15/6/11 2:45:54 PM
WELCOME ONBOARD
Abode of Peace
Brunei Darussalam is a country rich in culture and heritage.
It is a small, peaceful, prosperous kingdom on the northern
shore of the ecologically-rich island of Borneo. Come and
discover Brunei, a Kingdom of Unexpected Treasures.
CAPITAL ATTRACTIONS
Small in size but big in attractions,
Brunei’s capital has lots to offer.
Brunei-Muara
1
2
THE OMAR ‘ALI SAIFUDDIEN
MOSQUE
Brunei is arguably best known today as an oil producing
country. The nation became independent in 1984 and,
thanks to its large reserves of oil and gas, now has one of the
highest standards of living in the world. Its population is just
over 370,000, made up of two-thirds ethnic Malay, with the
remainder being Chinese, Indian and other indigenous groups.
Brunei Darussalam’s iconic landmark,
the mosque was completed in 1958
and is named after the 28th Sultan,
the late Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien,
who is referred to as the Architect of
Modern Brunei.
The Sultanate has four districts: Brunei-Muara (which includes
the capital Bandar Seri Begawan), Temburong, Tutong and
Belait. ‘Darussalam’, the Arabic word for ‘Abode of Peace’
describes Brunei’s Islamic history that dates back some 1,500
years. Today, Brunei remains the world’s only Malay Islamic
Monarchy with an unbroken royal lineage that has ruled the
nation for the past 600 years.
ISTANA NURUL IMAN
The official residence of His Majesty
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and
Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
Although not open to public, except
during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, its golden
domes and vaulted roof can be viewed
from Kampong Ayer.
MUSLIM PRAYER TIMES in Brunei Darussalam
July 2011
Rejab 1432 / Sya’aban 1432
Date
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Hijriah
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Day
Fri
Sat
Sun Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Imsak
4.38
4.38
4.38
4.39
4.39
4.39
4.39
4.40
4.40
4.40
4.40
4.41
4.41
4.41
4.42
4.42
4.42
4.42
4.43
4.43
4.43
4.43
4.44
4.44
4.44
4.44
4.45
4.45
4.45
4.45
4.45
Subuh
4.48
4.48
4.48
4.49
4.49
4.49
4.49
4.50
4.50
4.50
4.50
4.51
4.51
4.51
4.52
4.52
4.52
4.52
4.53
4.53
4.53
4.53
4.54
4.54
4.54
4.54
4.55
4.55
4.55
4.55
4.55
Syuruk
6.11
6.12
6.12
6.12
6.12
6.13
6.13
6.13
6.13
6.13
6.14
6.14
6.14
6.14
6.14
6.14
6.15
6.15
6.15
6.15
6.15
6.15
6.15
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
Doha
6.37
6.37
6.37
6.37
6.37
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.39
6.39
6.39
6.39
6.39
6.39
6.39
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.41
6.41
Zohor
78
31
12.26 12.26 12.26 12.26 12.26 12.26 12.27 12.27 12.27 12.27 12.27 12.27 12.27 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28
Asar
3.51
3.51
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.52
3.51
3.51
3.51
3.51
3.51
3.51
3.50
3.50
3.50
3.49
Maghrib
6.36
6.37
6.37
6.37
6.37
6.37
6.37
6.37
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.28
6.37
6.37
Isyak
7.52
7.52
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.53
7.52
7.52
7.52
7.52
7.52
7.52
7.52
7.51
7.51
7.51
7.51
7.50
MUHIBAH
Muhibah205x260mm_JulAug2011.indd78 78
15/6/11 2:46:35 PM
3
6
7
8
THE ROYAL REGALIA
BUILDING
TAMU KIANGGEH
Tutong
9
10
The Tamu, or open air market, on
the banks of the Kianggeh River is a
popular local market for traditional
dishes, fruits, vegetables, flowers and
handicrafts.
The museum is home to a collection
of royal regalia, including the royal
chariot, gold and silver ceremonial
armoury, the jewel encrusted crowns
used during the coronation and a
replica of the throne, which is used by
the Sultan on state occasions..
KAMPONG AYER
TASEK MERIMBUN
Brunei’s largest lake that curves in an
‘S’ has an island in the centre accessible
via a wooden walkway and various
facilities for picnics and recreation.
Belait
The world’s largest water village that
is home to more than 30,000 people
living on unique wooden houses on
stilts over the Brunei River.
4
5
LAPAU AND DEWAN MAJLIS
The Royal Ceremonial Hall features
an exquisite golden dome and hosts
all of the Sultanate’s traditional royal
ceremonies.
OIL & GAS DISCOVERY
CENTRE
An ‘edutainment’ facility, this
interactive science centre aims to make
science exciting and accessible to all
with more than 100 hands-on exhibits
in themed areas to explore.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Temburong
THE SULTAN HAJI
HASSANAL BOLKIAH
FOUNDATION COMPLEX
ULU TEMBURONG
NATIONAL PARK
Explore Brunei’s lush virgin forest
through lofty canopy walkways, scenic
hiking trails and a thrilling river ride to
the park on the Temburong River.
The capital’s most popular shopping
venues, it combines both traditional
Malay and modern architecture.
For more information on Brunei, email:
info@bruneitourism.travel
August 2011
Sya’aban 1432 / Ramadhan 1432
Date
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Hijriah
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
1
2
Day
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun Mon
Tue
Wed
Imsak
4.46
4.46
4.46
4.46
4.46
4.46
4.46
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
4.47
Subuh
4.56
4.56
4.56
4.56
4.56
4.56
4.56
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
4.57
Syuruk
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.16
6.15
6.15
6.15
6.15
6.15
6.15
6.15
6.14
6.14
6.14
6.14
Doha
6.41
6.41
6.41
6.41
6.41
6.41
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.40
6.39
6.39
6.39
6.39
6.39
6.39
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.38
6.37
Zohor
31
12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.28 12.27 12.27 12.27 12.27 12.27 12.27 12.26 12.26 12.26 12.26 12.26 12.25 12.25 12.25 12.25 12.24 12.24 12.24 12.24 12.23 12.23 12.23 12.22
Asar
3.49
3.49
3.48
3.48
3.48
3.47
3.47
3.46
3.46
3.45
3.45
3.44
3.44
3.43
3.42
3.42
3.41
3.40
3.40
3.39
3.38
3.38
3.37
3.36
3.35
3.34
3.33
3.33
3.32
3.31
3.30
Maghrib
6.37
6.37
6.37
6.37
6.36
6.36
6.36
6.36
6.35
6.35
6.35
6.35
6.34
6.34
6.34
6.34
6.33
6.33
6.33
6.32
6.32
6.31
6.31
6.31
6.30
6.30
6.29
6.29
6.29
6.28
6.28
Isyak
7.50
7.50
7.50
7.49
7.49
7.49
7.48
7.48
7.48
7.47
7.47
7.47
7.46
7.46
7.45
7.45
7.44
7.44
7.44
7.43
7.43
7.42
7.42
7.41
7.41
7.40
7.40
7.39
7.39
7.38
7.38
JULY | AUGUST 2011
Muhibah205x260mm_JulAug2011.indd79 79
79
15/6/11 2:47:18 PM
Muhibah205x260mm_JulAug2011.indd80 80
15/6/11 2:47:34 PM
Dorchester Collection hotels are landmarks of individuality, prestige and comfort with peerless reputations that continue to attract royalty,
dignitaries, celebrities, and an international set accustomed to the finer things in life. No matter where you stay each of our hotels offers a rich
and unique provenance. See dorchestercollection.com
Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival
15 June – 31 August 2011
Malaysia Year End Sale
15 November 2011 – 1 January 2012
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N , P L E A S E C O N TA C T T O U R I S M M A L AY S I A ( B R U N E I ) , T E L : + 6 7 3 - 2 3 8 1 5 7 5 / + 6 7 3 - 2 3 8 1 5 7 6 O R W W W. F A C E B O O K . C O M / T O U R I S M M A L AY S I A . B N
Muhibah_JulAug2011_Cover.indd 2
The Dorchester
The Beverly Hills Hotel
Le Meurice
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Hotel Principe di Savoia
The New York Palace
Hotel Bel-Air
Coworth Park
45 Park Lane
LONDON
BEVERLY HILLS
PARIS
PARIS
MILAN
NEW YORK
LOS ANGELES
ASCOT
LONDON
15/6/11 12:06:48 PM
JULY | AUGUST 2011
Inflight Magazine of Royal Brunei Airlines • July/August 2011
Muhibah_JulAug2011_Cover.indd 1
MAJESTY IN THE SKY
HIS MAJESTY SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MU’IZZADDIN WADDAULAH
www.bruneiair.com
15/6/11 12:06:34 PM