Tadarus at Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports

At the same meeting, it was revealed that the Department of Youth and Sports requires some of our members to join the Tadarus ceremony at the residence of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports to be held on 1st October 2007 at 4.30pm.

Everyone who is available to attend should meet at Bersatu Headquarters before 4pm to depart for the Minister's house in Kampong Tanah Jambu together.

Doulos Ship visits Brunei

As everyone knows by now, the Nippon Maru will not be stopping over in Brunei this year. However, Bersatu has been given the opportunity this year to coordinate a homestay programme the Doulos ship who will be visiting Brunei from 27 Oct - 3rd Nov.

The Doulos

The Doulos ship is owned by the Gute Bücher für Alle e.V. (Good Books for All), a private, non-profit, charitable organisation registered in Germany.

Over 18 million visitors have been welcomed on board for tours, programmes and visits to the floating book fair. With stops in over 500 ports of call, this unique ship has visited more than 100 countries in including Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and many island nations.

The Doulos in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Doulos is recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest active ocean-going passenger ship.

Doulos visits port cities throughout the world, supplying vital literature resources, encouraging inter-cultural understanding, training young people for more effective life and service, promoting greater global awareness, providing practical aid and a message of hope.


The ship is run by volunteers from many different countries on either a short-term or long-term basis and therefore receive no payment. The ship's crew numbers around 350.

Bersatu committee members with Mr Rebel (seated R)

We had a meeting today on Sunday 30th September to discuss the homestay program for some of the ship crew. Mr Harmen Rebel from Holland at Bersatu Headquarters. Mr Rebel is here until the ship docks in Muara Port to arrange and facilitate the Brunei country program. It is estimated that only 80 crew members will be available throughout the country program to participate for the homestay. The homestays will be only for one night with the host family and the crew members will take different turns from 28th Oct- 2 Nov.

Bersatu committee members in deep discussions with Mr Rebel about the visit

For more information about the Doulos please visit the website on http://www.doulos.org

(Pictures and information on the Doulos are from the Doulos website)

Name that ex- PY (Part 2)

Sorry its taken me a while to reveal the name of the ex-PY. Been a bit busy. Noor Aini 01/03 and anak Brunei almost got it right (just slightly different spelling mistake). And Meela 05 should do too, cos its her aunt! No one could guess or knew the year though. The ex-PY in question is Norazlina Haji Ibrahim from 1993. She works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently in the USA furthering her studies. This picture was taken last year at the SIGA in Brunei when Nora was the rapporteur for the forum. (You can see my left ear there on the upper left side of the picture ;)

Norazlina Hj Ibrahim (BPY1993)

Stay tuned for the next instalment of "Name that ex-PY". Remember, it could be you! ;)

Majlis Tahlil & Doa Selamat for BPY2007

On Saturday 22nd September, Bersatu held a Majlis Tahlil & Doa Selamat for the new BPYs before they depart for this year's SSEAYP. The prayers were also to remember those who had passed away in the tragic accident in 2001 and to mark its 6th anniversary. The prayers were held in the VIP Room of the National Stadium. Arrival of the guest of honour, Hj Malik (PY86/NL96), Chief Youth Officer in the Department of Youth and Sports

The event started at 5.30pm with recital of Yaasin and the doa tahlil. Everyone had a quick snack to sungkai (break fast) before Maghrib prayers. After Maghrib prayers everyone continued with dinner and of course the obligatory photo sessions.....

The event also helped to introduce the association to the new PYs and to get to know the ex-PYs (of which they will be one in less than 3 months time. Haha) a little better.

Bersatu members reciting the Yaasin

Future members of Bersatu reciting the Yaasin

Mixture of current and future members of Bersatu reciting the yaasin

BPYs enjoying the scrumptious food
3 NLs together (L-R): Hafiy (PY91/NL07), Ahanapi (PY88/NL02), Hj Jailani (PY85/NL95)

For more on BPY2007, visit their blog here

(Pictures are courtesy of Baim 01)

Today, we remember....

Today, 23rd September marks the 6th anniversary of the saddest day in SSEAYP history. During the country program, on the way to the homestay matching ceremony in Brunei, a bus carrying National Leaders, Brunei Department of Youth and Sports Officials and Administrative Staff with a most dreadful accident. The Malaysian and Indonesian NLs, an admin staff/ex-PY, a Bruneian ex-PY/NL together with the driver of the bus tragically lost their lives.



Today, we take a moment to reflect and remember those who lost their lives in the accident. Al-fatihah...

Majlis Tahlil & Doa Selamat for BPY2007

Every year Bersatu hosts a Majlis Tahlil & Doa Selamat for the new batch of BPYs before they depart for SSEAYP. The details are as follows:

Venue: VIP Room, National Stadium (Next to the Stadium Restaurant)

Day: Saturday, 22nd September 2007/ 10 Ramadan 1428

Time: 5.15pm

Attire: B/C

We will break fast after the Tahlil and Doa Selamat. Food will be provided. However, if anyone would like to sedekah (donate) any food, they will be most welcome to. See you there! If you have any questions about the event, please leave me a message!

Selamat menyambut kedatangan awal bulan Ramadan

Bersatu would like to wish everyone a good Ramadan (which starts today) and "selamat berpuasa" especially to all muslims ex-PYs (and also PYs). Semoga ibadat kitani di bulan yang mulia ini lebih diberkati Allah S.W.T.

Don't forget that next week on 22nd of September we will have a Doa Selamat for the new batch of BPYs and also a Tahlil and Doa Arwah to remember those who have departed. We will also break fast together. The event should start at 5pm with the venue to be announced soon. Semua PY dan ex-PYs dipersilakan/dijemput hadhir pada majlis tersebut.

BPY2007 Courtesy Call on Minister

On Tuesday, 11th September at 3.30 PM, BPY 2007 made a courtesy call on the Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awg Hj Mohammad Hj Daud at the Ministry of Culture Youth & Sports building.

BPY2007 photo session with the Minister (seated middle)

The Minister was introduced to the contingent and amongst other things, urged the PYs to make the best of this opportunity and to gain as much experience from the programme as possible. Also present at the event was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dato Paduka Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal, the Director of Youth and Sports, Awang Haji Metassim bin Haji Jibah and other senior officials of the Department of Youth and Sports. The President of Bersatu, Haji Jailani bin Haji Ibrahim was aslo there to represent the association.

President of Bersatu (R) looking serious..

The Minister wishing everyone the best of luck!

For more check out http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/wed/sep12h13.htm and http://www.bruneitimes.com.bn/details.php?shape_ID=43200

Who's that Ex-PY (Part 1)

Well done to Noor Aini BPY01/03 and Anak Brunei (which batch?) who correctly guessed the ex-PY. The featured ex-PY is Hj Daud bin Metarsad who is an ex-PY from 1986. Hj Daud is a well-known face as he has hosted several TV shows on Radio Television Brunei throughout the years. He has also been active in Bersatu activities and is the batch representative for 1986.

Hj Daud bin Metarsad

Keep logging in and who knows? it might be you on "Name that Ex-PY" :)

BPY 2007 National Day Preview

A nervous contingent tries to ease the tension by having a photo session before the preview

On Saturday, 8th September at 2.30pm, the BPY2007 presented a preview of their National Day performance at the Dewan Di Gadong at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports building. Events started out with a speech by the National Leader and presentation of certificates of appreciation to the sponsors by the Director of Youth and Sports. Before the performance, the BPYs treated everyone to a fashion show of their attires on the ship....

Chris 07 and C.T. 07 model their A1 (after years of oversized A1's, they finally get it right!)

Well done to the BPYs for putting on a great show. Good luck and hope you will have an even better one on board!

The full contingent including OBSC ;)

Mimiet 07, Raudz 07 and Elly 07 strike a pose

4 generations of Brunei YLs : (L-R) 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

Check out more on BPY07 blog on http://www.bpy07.blogspot.com (Pictures courtesy of Hilman 06)

Bersatu Social Contribution Activity with Kg Pudak

Pudak Village People at the cemetary

On Friday 7th September, Bersatu planned to help out the Kampong Pudak Consultative Council in their cleaning campaign of the Muslim Cemetary in Kampong Pudak as part of our association's Social Contribution Activity (SCA).

Fakhri 04 "gigih"

Hail o5 and Fakhri 04 (wielding his trusty sword)

Well on the morning of Friday 7th September, Kampong Pudak Village carried out their cleaning campaign. Oh and of course Bersatu was there. Yes, all three of us: Baim 01, Fakhri 04 and Hail 05. Thanks for coming guys. Hopefullly there'll be more people at the next activitiy....

After the cleaning campaign, Baim 01, Fakhri 04 and Hail 05 pose outside the Kampong Head's House

Kampong Pudak is a village of 250 people, located in Mukim Kota Batu, across the river from Kampong Serdang and can only be accessed by boat. Kampong Pudak Consultative Council is very active in organising many youth and social activities.

24th and 29th SSEAYP 2002 - Happy 10th & 5th Anniversary

By Amal BPY02's request, we would like to wish 29th SSEAYP a happy 5th anniversary today on 7th September 2007. Here's a scanned pic (dulu no digital yet apparently) before they went on the ship.

BPY2002

And as requested by Cheryl (Discussion Facilitator 07), a Happy 10th Anniversary to her batch 24th SSEAYP (1997). Cheryl would like all of her batch to email her with your recent pictures at cheryllim_2000@yahoo.com

BPY 1997

(Updated on 1oth September 2007)

Pembersihan Kubur di Kg Pudak

On Friday 7th September, Bersatu will be helping the people of Kg Pudak to "bersihkan kubur" as part of our social contribution activity (SCA)

Anyone interested and able to come should be at the Kg Pudak parking area which is next to the Shell Station in Serdang (in Kota Batu) by 7 am and we will go by boat to Kg Pudak from there. Everyone welcome. The more the merrier.

For further information, call Head of Social Affairs Bureau, Baim 01 at 8720301.

Baim 01: ready to take you to Kg Pudak

Congratulations to Azlan BPY05 on his wedding day!

Today (Sunday 2nd of September) as Haji Azlan Haji Jali (BPY05) who is also Bersatu's Head of Religious Affairs Bureau's wedding day. Many congratulations to the happy couple! Will update with pictures when I get them. If anyone wants to announce a PY's wedding, etc, just let me know :)