Nation after spiritual blessings, perpetuate good deeds

Nation after spiritual blessings, perpetuate good deeds

Nation after spiritual blessings, perpetuate good deeds

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:31 PM PST

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: His Majesty the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam addressed the nation yesterday in conjunction with the birth anniversary of Muslims' beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam (Peace be upon him), in which the monarch has exalted the Prophet for his significant contribution to Islam for the rest of humanity, Brudirect.com reported.

Addressing the nation from Istana Nurul Iman, His Majesty carefully explained how the Sultanate has come to attain the much needed spiritual blessings by Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala, one of which through the implementation of Syariah Penal Code that will be enforced the coming month of April this year.

In his words, the monarch stated that the country has banned alcohol because Islam considered the world renowned intoxicant as the "mother of all evil." The already established Islamic banks eschewed interests and usury; alms have been distributed to the rightful recipients (asnaf zakat); cigarettes and smoking are outlawed because it has brought more harm than good to human health. His Majesty then continued to say that Islamic religious education has been made compulsory to fulfill the obligation of 'Fardhu Ain'. For the fulfillment of 'Fardhu Kifayah' (good deeds that benefit all Muslims), Tahfiz Al-Quran Institute has spearheaded the nation in this particular area. Plus, His Majesty has personally ordered the temporary closure of premises and business vendors at every Friday noon to give way to mass Friday prayer as well as to preserve the image of Islam and its believers.

The monarch has rest assured that the implementation of Syariah Penal Code will liberate Muslims in this country from being queried by the Almighty in the Hereafter. His Majesty is positive that Allah the Almighty will accept the enforcement of Syariah law as one of many good deeds that pleases Him.

Touching on the legacy of Muhammad (pbuh) and celebrating his birth anniversary, His Majesty pointed out that remembering the Prophet and his sacrifices will strengthen one's faith (iman) for without him, Islam will cease to exist. The glory of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his magnificence are globally perpetual, especially in the hearts and minds of his followers and companions.

In the titah, His Majesty also described the ordeals and tribulation that Muhammad (pbuh) has to face in trying to spread the message of Allah the Almighty; he was vehemently and blasphemously resisted by many, injured and humiliated. However, the Prophet eventually triumphed and gained huge mainstream followings. The monarch also listed out some of the Prophet's better known achievements, including from obscurity of ignorance to clarity of wisdom, from enslavement to liberation, from diabolical blasphemy to Islam, from the female infanticide practiced by Arab Jahiliyah to women's emancipation, and from life of tribal conflicts and murder to a life of peace.

In Al-Quran, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is described as a blessing to this world. Surah Al-Anbiya (The Prophets) Verse 107; "And We have not sent you, (O Muhammad), except as a blessing to the world."

His Majesty then praised Allah the Almighty for sending Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to humanity as Muhammad (pbuh) has brought out the best in Muslims, allowing them to recognize and worship the Creator, helping each other and are literate in reading the Al-Quran. ©BRUDIRECT.COM

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Twitter desktop website gets mobile look

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:28 PM PST

Posted on January 14, 2014, Tuesday

Twitter on Monday revamped its desktop Web pages to better mirror the experience of visiting the popular one-to-many text messaging service on smartphones.

"We're now rolling out a refreshed http://twitter.com reflecting the look and feel of our iOS and Android apps," the San Francisco-based company said in a message fired off at Twitter.

The change comes as people increasingly take to visiting online social networks and other online venues from mobile devices instead of laptop or desktop computers.-AFP

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Chevrolet lays down racing challenge with new Corvettes

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 04:00 PM PST

Chevrolet unveiled a pair of hyperpowered Corvettes Monday aiming to carve a place among global supercars and vanquish rivals like Porsche's 911 on the endurance racing circuit.

Calling it "the big nasty," Mark Reuss , General Motors' new head of global product development, introduced the street-legal 625 horsepower Corvette Z06 as "America's supercar" at the Detroit auto show.

Next to that was the Z06′s meaner sister, the C7.R GM hopes will dominate the Rolex 24 at Daytona later this month as well as the Le Mans 24 hour classic.

Based on the seventh generation Chevrolet Stingray introduced a year ago, the two high performance racers were developed closely in parallel, Reuss said, stressing the Z06′s track-ready abilities even if the C7R is now the official racing machine of GM, the parent of Chevrolet.

They share an all-aluminum frame and a chassis much stiffer than their predecessors.

"The family DNA is more than skin-deep," he said. "The Z06 and the C7.R were in fact developed together."

The ZO6 will only be available at the beginning of 2015, and the pricing has not been set.

GM trumpeted the Corvette's dominating record on the GT circuit in the United States, and said it will field two C7.Rs this year, starting with the January 25-26 52nd Rolex 24 at Daytona.

"Racing motorsports and winning is a part of who we are," said Reuss.-AFP

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New Act can be drafted to combat extremists, says Wan Junaidi

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 12:03 PM PST

BUKIT KAYU HITAM: Laws which are needed to ensure that the people live in peace and safety can be formulated if existing ones cannot combat extremists, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said the government still maintained its stand that no new law would be introduced after the Special Offences (Security Measures) Act 2013 (SOSMA) was introduced to replace the Internal Security Act.

"If major problems arise, including those that touch on religious sensitivities, new laws can be created if need be.

"However, we have to look after the interests of the majority, not a small group," Wan Junaidi said.

He was asked to comment on the suggestion of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah Malaysia (Aswaja) Association members that the government formed a religious extremist prevention Act to combat religious and radical extremists.

Aswaja chairman, Zamihan Mat Zin, who is also the Home Ministry religious department assistant secretary, said in Shah Alam on Sunday that the new legislation was needed following the many religious disturbances and provocations which threatened the safety of the country and racial harmony following the abolition of the ISA in 2011.

Wan Junaidi was on a working trip to the Malaysia/Thai border here after attending a briefing by various agencies under the Home Ministry at the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine Complex here yesterday.

He said there needed to be boundaries observed by the people so that there was no religious extremism.

Wan Junaidi also said he was satisfied with the cooperation between all 14 agencies under the Ministry at Bukit Kayu Hitam and reminded that they had to play their role in making Visit Malaysia Year 2014 and the creation of the Asean Community in 2015 a success.

"In monitoring the entry of foreign visitors, we are aware of the social effects and those on national security they cause.

"However, the action taken should not be counter to the aspirations of VMY 2014."

On the expansion of the ICQ in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Wan Junaidi said the project was started last year and was due for completion in 2016.

Also present were the Bukit Kayu Hitam MP, Datuk Ahmad Zaini Japar, Kedah Immigration Department director, Fitri Md Hassan and Kedah deputy police chief, Datuk Zaleha Abdul Rahman. — Bernama

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Long queue

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:53 AM PST

Posted on January 14, 2014, Tuesday

Tourists queuing up for their turn to enter the Sarawak River Cruise vessel at the Kuching Waterfront recently. The river cruise is a popular tourism product. Visit Sarawak Year 2014 is expected to see tourism players busily promoting their product to the fullest. — Photo by Chimon Upon

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Police launch bicycle crime prevention unit

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:51 AM PST

by Anasathia Jenis, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 14, 2014, Tuesday

KUCHING: Kuching district police yesterday launched a pilot bicycle crime prevention unit with the concept of patrolling from hotel to hotel in the city to ensure safety for tourists.

Launching the unit at the Merdeka Palace Hotel, its chief ASP Roslan Bek Ahmad said it would consist of some 24 police officers.

"At the same time, they will also cover other areas along their journey, including the road sides, markets, shop houses and places of attraction.

"They will also have a meet-and-greet session with tourists staying at the hotels as well as hotel staff to see if there is anything they can do to help regarding their safety."

Pointing out that the cycling unit is a new and friendly way to engage with the public, Roslan is optimistic that it will be more effective in crime prevention.

"Our Kuching City is a safe city. But with the setting up of the team, it will send a warning to the potential offender.

"We want to make sure the city is a safe place for tourists as we don't want to give a bad image to the city particularly and our country at large," Roslan said, adding that the concept was welcomed by most hotels in the city.

To hotels that did not understand the concept, he said they would approach them to give explanation.

"We do not have the intention to cast fear on the public with the presence of the police at the premises, but it is only to ensure the safety of the people. Early crime prevention is better," he reiterated.

He also said the unit would be an addition to the bicycle patrolling unit launched previously.

Roslan also said that there would be a weekly post-mortem on the pilot project to get feedback from the hotels on its effectiveness.

Also present were Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) member Datuk Wee Hong Seng and Merdeka Palace Hotel resident manager Andrew Peter Law.

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