Hi, I’m back to blogging. Its me Akmal Nasri H K. You can call me Along. Let me tell you about my life story. In this digital age and fast-paced world, living a hectic life is normal to me. How about you? Hmm.. I have been very busy with UBD LESTARI, BRIDEX, Sekolah Yayasan SHHB, AIA, Top Tuned and my life. Now, what I am up to? Okay, few days ago Khairunnisa Ash’ari and I were invited to come over to Information Department, Prime Minister's Office for briefing regarding ASEAN Campus Journalists/Leaders Exchange Programme which will be held from 12th - 18th June in Seameo Voctech, Brunei Darussalam and will be continue from 18th - 24th June in Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia. This programme is organized by Sub-Committee on Information, ASEAN-COCI Brunei Darussalam.
Day 1 -JUNE 12th, 2011
There will be about 16 participants from 8 different countries participating in this programme and I am proud to represent Universiti Brunei Darussalam and most importantly on behalf of Brunei Darussalam. Alhamdulillah. Sadly to say, Singapore and Myanmar will not be participating in this programme.
Okay, now the clock is showing 23:52, let me tell you a brief story of what is happening for today. I checked in at Seameo Voctech at 19:20 and my room is 205 and, I am sharing it with an Indonesian, Andhika Pratama. Coincidently, we shared the same interest and that is modifying car. He has Toyota Yaris in Jakarta while I drive Toyota Vios. Do you notice both of the cars shared the same engine too? 1NZ-FE VVT-i engine. Yes, we did talked a lot about car and exchange ideas about it. It was an interesting topic to talk about.
Okay now back to the main point about this programme, as for today the session was just an ice breaking activity with the purpose of knowing the participants' personality through games that was conducted by Zainal Abidin bin Tinggal, Founder and Principal Mind Matters Consultants. One of the game - we were instructed to form a single line and from the starting line, we have to remember the participants' nick name until the finish line. It was fun though. I can't wait for tomorrow. Okay time for me to sleep.
Stranger at first.
Sounita Phimmasone is pointing at me.
Day 2 -JUNE 13th, 2011Rise and shine. My alarm rang at 07:00 and we (my roommates and I) woke up right after that. Then, we went to the veranda and shared some story. At 08:00, we have breakfast and the foods being served were remarkable. By 09:00, the opening ceremony was launched by the Chairman of National Committee on Culture and Information, ASEAN-COCI, Brunei Darussalam at Dewan Teratai, SEAMEO VOCTECH. As of today, it has been said that now there are more than 80 participants of ASEAN Journalists including us. The Phase IV, comes from 8 ASEAN countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
At 11:00, Module 1: GENERAL ORIENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME AND BACKGROUND ON ASEAN was conducted by Zainal Abidin. He was presenting about Brunei Darussalam –environment, historical, cultural, economic development and etc. I noticed from my observations that the participants were surprised on how lucky to be Bruneian to have education and medication for free and, no income tax –unlike in Singapore. Thanks to our government for taking care for the nations from cradle to grave. We as Bruneian should appreciate for the government initiatives in order to improve our life. Syukur Alhamdulillah. I'm GRATEFUL and THANKFUL for this life!
Opening Ceremony
Opening remarks by Guest of Honour: Chariman, National Committee on Culture and Information ASEAN-COCI, Brunei Darussalam.
Singing for the National Anthem (Allah Peliharakan Sultan) and ASEAN Anthem (The ASEAN Way).
Vote for the cutest person??
Of course the purple one!!
Formal photo session
At 14:00, the programme continues on Module 1, Charter and the ASEAN Community by Shafiee, Izzati Nurussa’adah and Awangku Amin which they were from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The programme mostly discussing on the background of ASEAN which ASEAN was established on August 8th, 1967 through Bangkok Declaration. These are the ten member States of ASEAN: Indonesia (1967), Malaysia (1967), Philippines (1967), Singapore (1967), Thailand (1967), followed by Brunei Darussalam (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos (1997), Myanmar (1997) and last but not least is Cambodia (1998).
Just want to share on what I have learnt from today;
Brunei Darussalam’s Long Term Development Plan in 2035 will be:-
• educated and highly skilled people,
• quality of life is among the top 10 nations in the world,
• a dynamic and sustainable economy with income per capita within the top 10 countries in the world.
Hopefully, by the end of 2035, all of the above goals will be achieved. AMIN.
The policy in Brunei is “If you own a family, you must own a house”. Honestly, I have never had heard about that before. Alhamdulillah, I learn something new from this conference.
Security Totality
- · stability in the country
- · sustainable socio-economic growth; and
- · harmony and unity that enable the continuance of peace and prosperity
At 15:55, we were trained on modules “Journalism and Newsletter Writing” –Module 2 by Zainal Abidin which covers news, features and newsletter. He teaches and trained us not only by using our eyes or hear by our ears but also think with our mind in writing articles. He uses a lot of analogy to explain in his course.
We were informed to do a project work and the project work is to be done as - production of a Newsletter of our experience in Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia that either comprises features, articles, anecdotes, experiences, special moments, interviews or graphics.
Day 3 -JUNE 14th, 2011
Today, we have a breakfast at 08:00 and the foods were the same as yesterday. Then, followed by Module 3 –Social Media (The Use of Blogging and Social Networking Sites) at Bilik Melor. I just remember that we have to name our Newsletter and create a logo for our Newsletter. I think I want to volunteer on designing the logo. 60% of communications are non-verbal.
11:00 -We were given samples of case study and we were assigned to do a group discussion to tackle the problem. It is more towards problem solving phenomena to overcome the problems by creating inventive strategy.
14:00 -Site Visit to Printing and broadcasting establishments:
- Radio Television Brunei
- Information Department
- Brunei Press Sdn Bhd
20:45 – Dialogue on 'Journalism as a Profession' by Zainal Abidin. He shared his life story and he said that he started as a junior journalist and learnt a lot of mistake. Mistake is part of learning and that is what I always say to my students. Its okay to make mistake but make sure you learn from it and don’t repeat the mistake. Intelligence people learn from other people mistakes so make sure you are one of them.
At RTB
At Information Department
At Brunei Press Sdn Bhd
Day 4 -JUNE 15th, 2011
06:30 -Breakfast
08:30 -CULTURAL VISIT -Village Consultative Council (VCC) Kampung Sungai Matan, Mukim Kota Batu.
- Briefing on VCC
- Demonstration on Malay food, handicraft, traditional fishing and cultural performance
- Lunch (traditional way)
13:45 -Sightseeing 'Kampung Ayer'
-Visit 'Kampung Ayer Culture and Tourism Gallery'.
So happy together~
Selamat Pengantin Lama
Enjoying the traditional foods
Sounita Phimmasone from Laos was being interviewed
Trying on cooking traditional kueh
Reminds me back on our performance back in Kelantan
ASEAN Way
Kamil Hady trying out on hadrah
Its time for traditional delicacies, Ambuyat. Brunei's very owned super-glue which is edible and safe.
River cruising
Kampung Ayer Culture and Tourism Gallery
Having our round tables at Brunei Times
Day 5 -JUNE 16th, 2011
I just had finished my teaching practice since April 24th, 2011 at S.R Kupang, Tutong I and throughout my teaching practice, I never had the chance to go into the ASEAN Room and now I am glad that I had the chance to visit and take a closer look at the school’s ASEAN Corner in Mabohai Primary School. For me, the trip was more towards Know Your Country (Kenali Negara Kitani). We went to visit the school on June 16th, 2011 and arrived at 10:30.
There we were greeted and welcomed by the school’s officers. We were briefed about the school’s background and also its ASEAN Corner Room by Cikgu Hj. Yusof Hj. Mat Rais, the headmaster of Mabohai Primary School. We were told that the exhibition for ASEAN Corner is open every school day for the public who wants to know more about ASEAN. Even though Georgaphy subject was excluded since SPN-21 (The National Education System for the 21st Century), ASEAN Corners still can be used for the new subject, Social Studies. Not only for Social Studies but English subject can be beneficial from the ASEAN Corners when teaching about ASEAN, culture, religion, language, foods or even way of life. ASEAN Corners acts as a resource room, teaching aids and creating awareness about ASEAN among the students as well as the teachers. To my surprise, the budget for the ASEAN Corners exhibitions was mostly collected from the teachers’ very own pocket money to decorate and buy the resources.
It was a school holiday in Brunei Darussalam so my friends, the participants from other ASEAN Countries didn’t have the chance to talk with the students otherwise they can associate with the students in the school.
The aims and purposes of ASEAN Corner in Primary School in Brunei are:
1.) To strengthen the foundation knowledge about Brunei Darussalam and MIB (Malay Islamic Monarchy) for students in Primary School.
2.) To encourage the students to know more about Geography.
3.) To be as a resource room and teaching aids for the teachers.
4.) To promote ASEAN among younger generations.
5.) To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields.
6.) To entice the learning experience in interactive way.
7.) To maintain a close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer cooperation among themselves.
Money, money, money
Must be funny
In the rich man's world
Along Production in ACTION!
Along Production is one of the new established media industry in Brunei Darussalam.
At S.R Mabohai
Day 6 -JUNE 17th, 2011
Today, I started on working on our project which I volunteered to design our ASEAN INSIGHTS logo. After that, I worked on our Social Media assignments (Case Study & Discussion) for my group on my own because members of my group were busy with their work and Alhamdulillah I managed to complete it. Then, I continued working on my articles about ASEAN Corners in Brunei Darussalam’s Primary Schools since my field is in education so its related to what I am doing right now. I finished that assignment around 13:00.
By 19:00, we were invited to Information Department for Farewell Dinner and we were presented by traditional cultural performance by the lovely dancers. It came to our surprise that Wildan Ghiffary's birthday was also being celebrated in the event.
Prize and certificate presentation by Dr Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong
Tata and Thip performance
Wildan Ghiffary's birthday surprise
Kite hentam je lah tariannya.
ASEAN Way Dance. Everybody look so beautiful with their traditional costume.
Kamil Hady, awak buat tarian ape tu tengok bawah? Tak confident ke?? Ahh kamu ketahuan dong~
Day 7 -JUNE 18th, 2011
Everyone enjoyed last night during Farewell Dinner and cultural performance. I slept at home last night. I miss my room in SEAMEO Voctech.
I arrived at the airport at 14:30 and by 16:45, we departed from Brunei Darussalam to KLIA for transit. We waited for two hours there. Then continued our flight to Jakarta, Indonesia at 21:35. We reached Jakarta roughly an hour.
Upon arrival at Jakarta Airport (Soekarno-Hatta), we as ASEAN Delegates have our own immigration counter. VIP isn't? I did took the photo and it was such a "memorable and unforgettable memories". Kamil, Khairunnisa and Yatt please keep it secret pssttt.. HAHAHA..
After that, we were brought to Treva International Hotel and my roommate is Patrick Daniel Olmedo Ladrido, a guy from Philippines.
Day 8 -JUNE 19th, 2011"Tidurnya nyenyak deh di malam hari.."
Yeah, I slept well last night. The hotel room is very conducive and exclusive. Treva International Hotel is quite affordable and it is located in Central Jakarta. But if you want to go to shopping mall, you have to take taxi and it will only cost you like less than $1 BND. The hotel also offers some facilities and there are such as Swimming pool, Fitness Centre, Sauna, Massage, Business Centre, Drug and Curio Store, Meeting, Mananti Coffee Shop, Langkusau Bar and Carano Cafe.
Today schedule is quite relaxing. We went to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Indonesia Miniature Park) at 10:00 in the morning. From my perspective, it is like Genting Highland in Kuala Lumpur. We have got the chance to ride on the cable car and from on top of the world you can see the whole world. HAHA.. I’m just exaggerating.
11:00 -Theater of Indonesia "Keong Mas".
12:00 -Museum of Information.
13:00 -Lunch at Museum of Information
14:00 -Museum of Indonesia
Okay, just enjoy the photos as a picture can paints a thousand words.
The bird's eye view from the hotel room.
In the hotel lobby.
Feeding the fishes
Day 9 -JUNE 20th, 2011
Today is the day. We went to Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) for the opening ceremony which were officiated by Chairman of COCI Indonesia, Ms. Aurora Tambunan and also the Sub Committee on Information, Mr. Freddy Tulung. We were also being introduced to Pendet and Yudapati Dance by the youngsters.
After lunch, we have Module 1 by Chairman of COCI Indonesia -SCI, Mr. Freddy Tulung in the conference room. It was great to exchange ideas about ASEAN and its countries.
Right after having conference, we have our quick shopping at Grand Indonesia and Thamrin City. If you like cheap stuff, you can go to Thamrin City or if you like branded stuff you should go to Grand Indonesia.
As for our Welcome Dinner, the venue was at Nanaban Tei restaurant. It is like combination of Shabu-Shabu and Kim Chi restaurant where you can have a steamboat or BBQ grill. You decide it! One of the famous food in Indonesia is Braised Beef Tongue, if you never have eaten that it means nothing if you go to Indonesia. HEHEHE...
President Akmal Nasri H K.
Remarks by President Akmal Nasri H K of Brunei Darussalam.
Pendet Dance
Treaty made between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam
Module 1: Chairman COCI Indonesia -SCI, Mr. Freddy Tulung
Expressing my humble opinions and suggestion.
This is our room
Day 10 -JUNE 21st, 2011
09:00 -To MCIT
09:30 -Module 2: Writing for Magazine by Mr. Ahmed Kurnia
10:30 -Tea Break
11:00 -Continue Module 2
12:00 -Lunch
13:30 -Site visit -News Room MCIT
14:30 -Tea Break
15:00 -Work Team -Produce a Magazine
16:00 -Time for Writing
17:00 - Back to Hotel
17:30 -Free
18:30 -Dinner at Bank Syariah Mandiri
20:30 -Free Time
Day 11 -JUNE 22nd, 2011
09:00 -To MCIT
09:30 -Module 3: Leadership (Mr. GatotS. Dewabroto)
10:30 -Tea Break
11:00 -Continue Module 3
12:00 -Lunch
13:30 -Module 4: Desigining Effective Social Media (Mr. Enda Nasution)
14:30 -Tea Break
15:00 -Continue Module 4
16:00 -Time for writing Final Project -dummy magazine
17:00 -Back to Hotel
19:00 -Dinner
After the conference, we also visited the National Monument, Monas for a photoshoot.
Feeding the kangaroo HAHA
Day 12 -JUNE 23rd, 2011
Today we went to Bandung which also known as City of Flowers. It is the provincial capital of West Java and Indonesia's third largest city. Kamil Hady named it as Paris of Asia and I totally disagree with him. *HEHE.. sorry Kamil*.
Bandung is also renowned for its shopping, particularly for shoes, textiles, clothing and denims which are found in the colourful Jeans street.
The main highlights for today was visiting Saung Mang Ujo, a performance made by the local people with using traditional bamboo handicraft called Angklung. Angklung is an Indonesian traditional musical instrument which is made of bamboo. There are 11 stages of performance : Wooden puppet demonstration, Helaran, Traditional Dances, Calung, Arumba, Mini Angklung, Angklung Padaeng, Play Angklung Together, Angklung Orchestra, Anglung Jaipong and Dancing Together. It was such an awesome performances as it also involves the audience to participate.
Here in Bandung is a great place where you could experience Sundanese culture as a part of world heritage.
Sundanese food
Can you spot where am I?
With the Angklung Lady
Day 13 -JUNE 24th, 2011
Its time to go back to Brunei Darussalam. There is no other place that feels like home.
I hope by year 2015, the spirit of cooperation and togetherness among ASEAN is still very strong-bonded. Here I ends this article with “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
Day 8 -JUNE 19th, 2011
Day 12 -JUNE 23rd, 2011
