Rokiah Mahmud & Syazwani Hj Rosli

The Ramadhan bazaar organised by the Municipal Departments, District Offices and Youth and Sports Department will not be organised this year in view of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Sultanate, said Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong at a press conference at the Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday.

The minister said the measure was taken following the MoH’s advice to avoid crowds and practise social distancing as part of the government’s initiatives to protect the safety of the public.

He said the closure is also extended to street or sidewalk vendors.

The minister hoped the public will understand and respect the decision made as advised by the MoH.

“As an alternative, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) through the Municipal Departments, District Offices and Youth and Sports Department will coordinate online services to assist entrepreneurs through the usage of www.ekadaibrunei.bn portal,” the minister added.

“It is an online portal that provides web links to local e-Dagang (e-commerce) platforms, delivery and logistic providers and services.

“The project is a collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC); MoHA, Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) and DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) announced by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah.

“The MoHA also hopes that the public, particularly Ramadhan bazaar entrepreneurs, will cooperate and support the e-Dagang project in assuring the business continuity for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. They will be able to meet the orders and demand from the public during Ramadhan.”

The public and Ramadhan bazaar entrepreneurs can contact AITI at 2323232 or [email protected] and DARe Helpdesk at 8363442 / 2384830 or [email protected]

The public can also contact the Kuala Belait and Seria Municipal Board at 3340631 during office hours or 8872233 after office hours, Tutong Municipal Department at 4221232 ext 200 during office hours or 8117115 after office hours, Brunei-Muara District Office at 2381454 during office hours or 8840271 after office hours, Belait District Office at 3334335/6/7 ext 1111/ 1125 during office hours or 8711316 after office hours, Tutong District Office at 4222491 ext 133 during office hours or 7233954 after office hours, Temburong District Office at 5221266/5 ext 117 during office hours or 8371724 after office hours, or Youth and Sports Department at 2381903/4/5 ext 1329 / 1311 during office hours or 8762007 after office hours.