Buku Adat Istiadat Diraja Brunei

This morning saw the launching of the book "Adat Istidat Diraja Brunei" by His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, with the declaration of 31st March as Hari Adat Istiadat.

In conjunction with the book launching, an exhibition on Royal customs and traditions is currently held in the International Convention Centre, from today (31st March) onwards till 12th April 2009. The opening hours for Monday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday are 9am - 5pm, except Friday is 2pm - 5pm.

Extracting from the backgrounder of the programme book from the launching ceremony:

"

Tujuan membukukan Adat Istiadat Diraja yang dititahkan oleh Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien itu supaya adat istiadat itu dapat diketahui dan diamalkan oleh rakyat dan penduduk Brunei Darussalam sebagai suatu budaya hidup yang dipusakai turun-temurun agar menjadi pusaka dan kebudayaan Brunei yang bernilai tinggi itu dapat dipertahankan keindahan, keaslian dan ketulenannya.

"

this 774-pages book is selling at B$40.00 only

one of the chapters

the Alat-alat Kebesaran Diraja

Royal crests

Bendera Peribadi

various Royal ceremonies

Alat-alat Perhiasan Perkahwinan Diraja

the musical piece of a Gendang Jaga-jaga

specifications of the National flag

a CD of Gendang Jaga-jaga beats comes together with the book

Moreover, buyer of the book stands a chance to win an air ticket to Umrah. So what are you waiting for???

Amendment to Customs Order, 2008

Customs (Amendment) Order, 2008

To curb the growing incidences of smuggling of subsidised goods, namely fuel and rice, it is hereby notified that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam has consented for amendments to the Customs Order, 2006 which are to take effect from the 1st of November 2008.

The new Customs (Amendment) Order, 2008 provides higher penalties for any person who is in any way concerned with smuggling prohibited goods specified in the Schedule which are –

1. Rice, paddy and products thereof
2. Premium gasoline
3. Regular gasoline
4. Diesoline
5. Kerosene

Any person convicted under the amended law will be subject to-

1. for the first offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not exceeding $500,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both; and
   
2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $20,000 and not exceeding $500,000, imprisonment for a term of not less than 6 months and not exceeding 5 years or both.