BDR1 is Laila Rice

Image (C) Infofoto 2009

Mardiah Hj Ramli, the winner of naming the local hybrid rice competition, revealed in an interview with Borneo Bulletin that the name "Laila" came from reading Brunei's history, His Majesty's Titahs and also Al-Marhum Begawan Sultan's poetry (syair).

"Laila" means honest, content, and peaceful. It appeared in His Majesty's titah during his ascension to the throne on October 5, 1967:

"Beta selaku Sultan dengan sedaya upaya beta akan berusaha pada menjalankan dasar-dasar paduka ayahanda dan akan sentiasa memelihara keamanan, ketenteraman dan laila usaha bagi kemakmuran negara serta memelihara nama baik Negara Brunei Darussalam."

English translation:

"I shall endeavour to carry out the policies laid down by my father and make every effort towards maintaining peace, tranquility and prosperity of the country, as well as enhance the quality of life of the people."

The high-yielding Brunei Darussalam Rice 1 (BDR1) is now known as "Laila Rice", during the launching of the "Padi Planting Towards Achieving Self-Sufficiency of Rice Production in Brunei Darussalam" ceremony at the Wasan Paddy field, 27th April 2009.

References:

Borneo Bulletin, 28th April 2009, p2

Brunei Times, 28th April 2009, p1

Memperingati Puja Usia 50 Tahun, 1996, Information Department, pp 21-22.