Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha yesterday consented to present a total of 1,241 single mothers registered at the Community Development Department and Brunei Islamic Council as well as 6,435 infants born between October 7, 2009 and October 7, 2010 and registered at the Immigration and National Registration Department throughout the country with personal royal gifts.
The royal gifts from Her Majesty are pecuniary and were in the form of bank savings accounts to instill a saving culture.
The presentation ceremonies of Her Majesty's personal gifts, which were held concurrently in Brunei's four districts, were graced by the Princesses of Their Majesties.
HRH Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah and HRH Princess Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah, both personal representatives of Her Majesty, presented the royal gifts to 864 single mothers and 4,548 infants in the Brunei-Muara District at the Istana Nurul Iman.
Upon arrival, Her Royal Highnesses were greeted by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Education, and Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
In the Belait District, as personal representatives of Her Majesty, HRH Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah and HRH Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah both presented the royal gifts to 171 single mothers and 951 infants.
It was held at the hall of the Officers Mess, Third Battalion at Lumut Camp. Their Royal Highnesses were greeted on arrival by Minister of Religious Affairs, Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, and Acting Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof.
HRH Princess `Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah graced the presentation ceremony in the Tutong District as the personal representative of Her Majesty and presented the royal gifts to 148 single mothers and 771 infants.
HRH was greeted on arrival by Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri SetiaAwang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, at the Seri Kenangan Hall in Tutong Town.
The presentation ceremony in Temburong saw HRH Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah grace the event as the personal representative of Her Majesty to present the royal gifts to 58 single mothers and 165 infants.
HRH was greeted on arrival at the Belalong Hall in Bangar Town by Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Minister of Communications.
During the presentation ceremony at the Istana Nurul Iman, the Bulletin spoke a number of recipients.
Kartini binti Hj Moksin's son was born on January 3 this year, and she said, "I was informed about this by the village head. We're very thankful to be receiving such a special gift."
Asked what she has planned to do with the royal gift, she said, "We're going keep it in the bank and save it."
Another of the recipients was New Zealander Felicity Cuff, whose son, Jordi, was born on November 23, 2009.
"I heard about this through word of mouth," she told the Bulletin. "We registered, and we got it. I'm planning on putting this gift into an account for Jordi, for his college and education fund."
Hajah Adri Alieana was another recipient, as her daughter Arissa Alveena was born on October 26 last year. Adri said she was happy to receive the royal gift, and added that it would be kept in an account for Arissa for her future. - Borneo Bulletin
RECIPIENTS of personal gifts from Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha yesterday expressed their gratitude and praised her benevolent act towards the residents of the country.
A total of 7,676 infants and single mothers received financial assistance in the form of savings accounts, intended to instil a savings culture among the country's residents.
Recipients at the ceremonies were abuzz with what the gift entailed, as all will not be revealed until they claim their gift at a local bank with vouchers presented to them by the princesses Her Majesty's representatives at yesterday's ceremonies.
"We're going to save this money for his education in the future," said the mother of three-month-old Azzizul Ilmi Saiful, who already has a savings account.
The mother of two, Nurhafizah Hj Matusin, added that she had always wanted the best for her children and would ensure that the gift would be put to good use.
Maslyiani Lian from Kg Kebia in Tutong echoed similar sentiments, adding that she was "very grateful" to Her Majesty for bestowing the gift on her daughter, seven-month-old Elyssa Hana Mika. She said that she would most likely save the money for her daughter's future expenses, such as school fees.
"Raising a child is not cheap these days, and Her Majesty's generosity will go a long way to lifting the burden on some families. Even as a baby, Elyssa still has a lot of expenses. But if I can, I will try and keep most of the money for her future needs," she told The Brunei Times.
Mother of four Siti Rosnina Bungsu agreed with Maslyiani's comments, stating that even with the government welfare assistance, raising a family on one income was difficult.
"I'm a housewife and my husband earns about $1,200 a month. Bringing a baby girl into a household of three boys is truly a blessing from Allah SWT but the expense of another child can also be a financial burden," said the Kg Bukit Beruang resident.
"That is why I am so grateful for Her Majesty's generosity because it comes at a very crucial time. New babies need a lot of things like diapers, powdered milk formula, bottles, clothing," she said.
Siti Rosnina added that although she would use some of Her Majesty's gift for four-month-old Amalina's expenses, she would try to deposit $30 a month into the savings account every month.
"While it's important to pay for Amalina's immediate needs, I also have to bear in mind her needs for the future such as schooling." Bruneians were not the only recipients as expatriates in the country also received their fair share of generosity from Her Majesty.
Recalling that she was made aware of the event through word of mouth, New Zealander Heather Lieshout, said she has been living in Brunei for seven years with her husband, a Royal Brunei Airlines pilot.
Receiving the gift at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday, the mother of four thanked Her Majesty for the "beautiful gift" to her son, George, who was born on June 1 this year.
Another Kiwi, Philippa Morris, said that the event was a good demonstration of Her Majesty's caring attitude towards residents of Brunei. "Thank you very much Your Majesty, it is a very generous gift."
She also lauded the idea of presenting the gifts to single mothers in the country. "It's lovely to know this. It is tough to be a single mother therefore it is a noble idea and intent," said the mother of two-year-old Matthew Morris.
Rosmini Besar, a relief teacher at Bangar's Sultan Hassan Primary School expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Her Majesty for the gift. The 32-year-old mother of two from Kg Batang Tuau brought her second child, six-month-old Mohammad Bazli Mohammad Dahlan to the ceremony yesterday. Mohammad Bazli did not appear to be disturbed by all the noise and was fast asleep in his mother's arm. Hartini Yunus from Royal Brunei Navy Muara Camp said she had to wake up early and leave for Temburong from the capital at 6am to receive the gift, as there was a mix-up on her place of residence.
The 25-year-old mother resides in Jln Puni, Muara Camp in Brunei-Muara district, but was initially thought to be staying in Kg Puni, a village in Temburong. However, the confusion was sorted out and Hartini received her baby's gift in Temburong. The Brunei Times
SINGLE mothers in Belait district have only kind words and appreciation for the kurnia peribadi or personal gifts they received yesterday from Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha.Her Majesty's personal representatives Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah presented the gifts to the recipients.
"We extend our prayers for Her Majesty's well being," said Roseyatimah Hj Suhaili said.
"The future of single mothers now will be brighter." Roseyatimah from Kg Sungai Liang shared that she has been a single mother for 11 years after she got divorced. She has four children who during the time of her divorce were still schooling.
Roseyatimah explained that one of her children, her son started working two years after her divorce.
He was able to help support the family but not "fully" as he had other responsibilities especially after he got married, Roseyatimah said.
She felt grateful towards Her Majesty's kindness and relieved that some of her burden have been lifted off her shoulders.
She said that not a lot of single mothers received attention before, now it has changed. .
With the personal royal gift, she is now able to give more support to her only child who is still in school
Roseyatimah said that the single mothers who received the personal gifts from Her Majesty should be very grateful for it showed that Her Majesty is a caring leader and sensitive towards the hardships of being single mother.
Nursyuakilah Abdullah Bundan, another single mother who received Her Majesty's personal gift had been a single mother for almost 20 years ever since her husband went back to Malaysia.
Although Nursyuakilah has only one child, it is still difficult for her to take care of the child alone because she does not have her own place to stay and has been staying at her siblings' houses.
Nursyuakilah who has no proper job, earns some money by helping her siblings selling goods. She feels overwhelmed and happy to have received the gift and prays for Her Majesty to always have blessings from Allah (SWT)."I wish to thank Her Majesty for being so caring towards us (single mothers)," said Norbah Sabli from Jalan Kuala Balai. Norbah said she has been a single mother since she was divorced in 2003. Although she has a son who is working in the private sector, it is hard for her paying for her daily expenses.
Norbah said she was going to use the personal royal gift to support her family since she is unemployed and living in her sister's house. Norbah also said that she was going to use the gift to pay for her medical expenses as she is having heart problems. The Brunei Times
And here are some shots of people opening their account today at BIBD Kiulap & BIBD Bandar...
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