HOME SWEET HOME

DAYS OF OUR LIVES CONTINUE IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

2012-02-18T03:37:00.000-08:00

2011-12-16T22:30:00.000-08:00

WELCOME HOME SWEET HOME in Brunei Darussalam to Akustiadi from Darwin and Akustiman from Melbourne in Australia...... Akustiman was away overesas for almost 5 years, so lots of new developments in Brunei Darussalam for him to explore..... later the family reunion is complete after the arrival of Akustimin from Melbourne together with Akustina and her husband from France....

2011-10-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

This is our Home Sweet Home at Bukit Tajau with a new store....

2011-10-20T01:03:00.000-07:00

This year we are blessed with lots of fruits.....

2011-10-20T00:02:00.000-07:00

The surrounding area is home for some birds, poultries and fishes.......

2011-10-19T23:21:00.001-07:00

A happy and serene environment is the key to the healthy living.....

DAYS OF OUR LIVES CONTINUE IN AUSTRALIA

2011-09-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

2011-09-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

This is how EID MUBARAK or HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI 2011 was celebrated in Melbourne.....

A VERY SPECIAL AND HEARTFELT TRIBUTE BY MY ONLY DAUGHTER ON THE FATHER'S DAY

2011-09-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

Note: This is an excerpt from www.snow-white-88.blogspot.com

My dad is my hero. Why? No words can really describe what an inspiration he is to me. But let me start by telling you about his life.

He was born in 1948, to a very poor kedayan family. He is the youngest of seven siblings, and his older brothers and sisters had to quit school to work early in life, in order to look after their own many children.

My dad as a child was always very sick, due to lack of much needed food. Food at that time was seen as a luxury. But thanks to a hamba Allah, who knew about his condition, gave him the food and nutrition he needed. This small but important gesture saved my dad's life.

Fast forward to age 8, his mother passed away, followed by his father one year later. I honestly could not imagine how an 8 year old orphan could survive mentally and physically in this crazy world on his own till this very day. But my father, my hero, did.

He was so poor that he could not even afford the basic school uniform. He had to pick wild fruits from the forest and sell them on the side of the road. After saving enough, he finally managed to buy one white shirt and one pair of pants. He would wash these everyday and dry them off under a fan at the school hostel where he was staying, so he could wear it again the next day. Can you imagine only having one set of uniform for school? This story always brings tears to my eyes.. because I remember growing up and never having to worry about buying basic things like uniform. There were of course, many many challenges when one is poor.. This was just one of them..

Another story he told me when I was a kid, was that one time he was appointed as school prefect, and to carry out this responsibility, one was required to wear a blue shirt, instead of the only white shirt he bought years ago. He was so sad because he could not afford to buy another shirt. But his intelligence outweighed his negative emotions, and he asked for some blue dye from a friend.. soaked the white shirt overnight and it became blue!

There were times when he almost gave up hope.. to quit school... and to work in order to make some money for a living. Word got out in school among his schoolmates of his intentions, and a teacher helped my dad write a letter to request for some financial assistance from the Government. And as a result, he was provided with $30-a-month allowance.. This made his life much easier.. and I think this was when he began to fully learn how to manage his finances. A skill I see till this day.

He was hard-working in school for many years, and it paid off! Being a smart kid, he was granted government scholarships.. He went to London, Canada and New Zealand for his studies.. He now holds a PHD in Plant Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy (with honours). He received many awards for his work in Brunei, including a title Dato Paduka conferred by His Majesty. I'm not showing off, but I am just telling this story because I am proud of him, how far he has gone in his life.. from that little 8 year old orphan no one wanted to care... to someone who contributed a lot to society with his experience and knowledge...

So if you think you are feeling low, and helpless... just think of that little boy who had nothing... grew up defying all odds.. alleviating poverty... helping his siblings.. raising a humble family.. travelling the world.. and now enjoying retirement... with family and friends..

Dad, we are similar in a way.. I mean, not how we were raised... but other things... like, we are serious when it comes to work.. we fight for justice and truth.. and we want the best for everyone in our family.. among many others..

You have taught me to be humble in life.. to appreciate everything I have, and to understand the importance of family.. and not to take anything for granted.

You are my inspiration and strength. You are the one I go to for advice in life.. You are my hero and you are a great father.. Thank you for everything... I love you

and

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

p.s. for those of you who are interested to learn more about his life, please go to http://inrom.blogspot.com/

2011-08-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

There are lots of good happenings and awesome beauties in Melbourne..... Akustiman is getting his paper degree in October..... our apricot and nectarine plants are starting to bloom..... our fishing rods are catching nice meals...... and Akustimin is finally getting his dream machine after waiting for more than 3 months.....

THIS BLOG IS ABOUT THE REAL JOURNEY OF A POOR ORPHAN BOY WHO CAN INSPIRE OTHERS TO ACHIEVE SOME SUCCESS IN LIFE..............

2011-08-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

The journey begins by introducing the person who writes this Blog...... with all these great achievements, this person was in fact born poor and became an ophan when both his parents died when he was only eight years old.... he struggled in his early childhood but managed to live on by selling wild fruits along the road side..... of course he realised early that hard work and education were the keys to succeed in whatever journey he has chosen to take on...... at the end of the day, he was able to build his own home which he calls "HOME SWEET HOME"....... and thereby the stories in pictures continue with his family he loves so much... please click "Older Posts" for more information.....

Click on pictures for bigger images

I. PERSONAL INFORMATION

Full Name: Dato Paduka Dr Haji Morni bin Othman

Birth Date : 28th December 1948
Birth Place : Kuala Belait, Brunei Darussalam
Nationality : National of Brunei Darussalam
Civil Status : Married
Religion : Islam
Father : Othman bin Ahad (deceased)
Mother : Buang bte Daim (deceased)
Spouse : Datin Hajah Rauyah bte Haji Abdul Rahman

Children : Akustina - Daughter
Akustiman - Son
Akustimin - Son
Akustiadi - Son

Home Address : 33 Simpang 43, Jalan Sungai Tampoi
Kampong Sengkurong BG1921
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Tel: (673)2663620; (673)2660949; (673)8747838

Email Address : manworld@brunet.bn

Postal Address : PO Box 29, Sengkurong Post Office
Kampong Pasai BG1183
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Temporary Residence in Melbourne, Australia.

II. EDUCATION

--- Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science (Agronomy) from Lincoln University (formerly Lincoln College of Canterbury University), Canterbury, New Zealand, March 1975 - August 1979.

--- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Agronomy) (Honours) from Macdonald College of McGill University, Montreal, Canada, November 1968 - June 1973.

--- General Certificate of Education 'A' Level Courses from Queens Gate Tutorial College, London, England, September -October 1968.

--- Cambridge School Certificate (Grade II) and attending Form Lower Six Science from Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin College, Brunei Town, Brunei, December 1965 - August 1968.

--- Lower Certificate of Education (Grade I) from Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin College, Brunei Town, Brunei, January 1960 - November 1965.

--- Primary Six Religious School Certificate (Grade II) from Sengkurong Religious School, Brunei, January 1959 - January 1965.

--- Primary Four Special Examination from Sengkurong Malay School, Brunei, January 1955 - December 1959.

II. SPECIAL TRAINING

--- Training Workshop on Management Tools Training Course including Communication, Motivation, Stress Management and Negotiation, facilitated by RCMS Pty Ltd , Darwin, NT, Australia and sponsored by Jerambak Holdings Pty Ltd, Darwin, Australia, December 7-8, 2000.

--- Seminar on Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Financing Facilities for Public and Private Sectors, organized by the Ministry of Finance, Negara Brunei Darussalam and IDB, Saudi Arabia, sponsored by DBB Berhad, TAIB and IBB Berhad, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, August 31, 1998.

--- Training Workshop on Professional Salesmanship, facilitated by the Irshad Consulting Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and sponsored by the Resource Centre, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, August 12-13, 1998.

--- Training Workshop on Advance Marketing, facilitated by the PDN Resources (M) Sdn Bhd, Selangor, Malaysia, and sponsored by the Resource Centre, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, July 21-23, 1998.

--- Training Workshop on Introduction to Marketing, facilitated by the PDN Resources (M) Sdn Bhd, Selangor, Malaysia, and sponsored by the Resource Centre, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, July 7-9, 1998.

--- Training Workshop on Building A Successful Entrepreneur, facilitated by the Dynamic Seminars Management School, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, co-ordinated by the Razren Services Management Consultancy, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, and sponsored by the Resource Centre, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, August 4-5, 1997.

--- Training Workshop on Transforming Public Sector Leadership, facilitated by Mr Michael Trottier of the Institute on Governance, Canada, and co-ordinated by the Civil Service Institute, Public Service Department, Prime Ministers Department, Bangar, Temburong, Brunei Darussalam, November 13-16, 1994.

--- Senior Management Workshop for Brunei Government Officers, facilitated by the British High Commission Office in Brunei Darussalam and Training Unit of Establishment Department, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, August 26-29, 1991.

--- Orientation Seminar on Civil Service Review, facilitated by the Harvard Institute for International Development of USA and Management Services and Government Security Department, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, August 29, 1990.

--- Training Workshop on Leadership, Management and Organisational Effectiveness, facilitated by the Harvard Institute for International Development of USA and Training Unit of Establishment Department, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, October 2-14, 1989.

--- Advanced Planning Course, facilitated by the Human Factors (UK) Ltd of United Kingdom and Bumiputra Guidance and Development Unit, Ministry of Development, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, August 1-10, 1988.

--- Expenditure Analysis Course, facilitated by the Harvard Institute for International Development of USA and Training Unit of Establishment Department, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, May 30 - June 15, 1988.

--- Workshop on Personnel Management, facilitated by the Daniel D Cantor, Director of Personnel, Harvard University of USA and Training Unit of Establishment Department, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, September 7-10, 1987.

--- ASEAN Workshop on Nature Conservation, facilitated by the Royal Forest Department of Thailand, Chiang Mai, Thailand, March 8-12, 1987.

--- Workshop on Consultation Techniques, facilitated by the Institut Tadbiran Awam Negara (INTAN) of Malaysia and Training Unit of Establishment Department, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, September 16-18, 1986.

--- Organisation and Method Course, facilitated by the Management Services Department of Singapore and Training Unit of Establishment Department, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, September 1-10, 1986.

--- Management of Training Course, facilitated by the Tim Russell Management & Training Consultant of United Kingdom and Training Unit of Establishment Department, Bandar Seri Begawan, State of Brunei, August 10-13, 1981.

IV. PRESENT POSITIONS HELD

--- Chairman and Managing Director
ARBT Contractor
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
- from 2 February 2006.

--- Consultant
TDD (NT) Pty Ltd
Darwin, Australia
- from 21 January 2005.

--- Chairman and Managing Director
RBT Maju Sdn Bhd
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 July 2001.

V. PAST POSITIONS HELD

--- Chairman and Managing Director
RBT Enterprise
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
- from 18 August 1992 until 8 October 2007.

--- Chairman and Executive Director
OSCO Sdn Bhd
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
- from 16 May 2002 to 16 May 2004.

--- Executive Director
Board of Directors of Jerambak Holdings Pty Ltd (formerly Glencoe Pty Ltd)
Darwin, Australia
- from 13 February 2001 to 8 February 2002.

--- Chairman
Board of Directors of Western Development Pty Ltd
Darwin, Australia
- from 13 October 1998 to 8 February 2002.

--- Chairman
Board of Directors of Utara Developments Pty Ltd (formerly Carabao Exports Pty Ltd)
Darwin, Australia
- from 13 October 1998 to 8 February 2002.

--- Chairman and Managing Director
Board of Directors of The Brunei Meat Export Company Pty Ltd
Darwin, Australia
- from 13 October 1998 to 8 February 2002.

--- Chairman and Managing Director
Board of Directors of The Barkly Meat Processing Company Pty Ltd
Darwin, Australia
- from 13 October 1998 to 8 February 2002.

--- Chairman and Managing Director
Board of Directors of The Brunei Property Development Company Pty Ltd
Darwin, Australia
- from 13 October 1998 to 8 February 2002.

--- Chairman and Managing Director
Board of Directors of Halaqah Sdn Bhd (formerly B.M.E.C. Sdn Bhd)
Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam
- from 13 October 1998 to 8 February 2002.

--- Alternate Director
Board of Directors of The Brunei Meat Company Sdn Bhd
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
- from 13 October 1998 to 8 February 2002.

--- Chairman and Executive Director
Board of Directors of Jerambak Holdings Pty Ltd (formerly Glencoe Pty Ltd)
Darwin, Australia
- from 13 October 1998 to 12 February 2001.

--- Acting Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 19 to 22 August 1998.
- from 22 to 25 February 1998.
- from 13 to 19 October 1997.
- from 18 to 23 March 1997.
- from 23 to 31 December 1996.
- from 20 to 21 August 1996.
- from 14 to 16 June 1996.
- from 5 to 8 April 1995.
- from 14 to 28 January 1995.
- from 5 to 8 December 1994.
- from 20 to 27 August 1994.
- from 17 to 21 May 1994.
- from 5 to 14 May 1994.
- from 26 October to 2 November 1991.

--- Special Duties Officer and Head of Resource Centre
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 23 September 1996 to 31 December 1998.

--- Secretary
Advisory Board of the Resource Centre
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 4 December 1997 to 31 December 1998.

--- Chairman
Management Committee of the Resource Centre
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 4 December 1997 to 31 December 1998.

--- Nominated Representative of Brunei Darussalam & Governing Board Member
Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study
and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
Laguna, Philippines
- from 1 May 1995 to 31 December 1998.
Governing Board Chairman
- from 11 September 1995 to 27 August 1997.

--- Deputy President
Sports and Welfare Body (4PERINTIS)
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 4 September 1997 to 31 December 1998.

--- Advisory Member
Special Committee on Performance Appraisal
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 31 October 1989 to 31 December 1998.

--- Special Duties Officer on Secondment
Glencoe Pty Ltd, Western Development Pty Ltd, Brunei Meat Export Company Pty Ltd, Barkly Meat Processing Co Pty Ltd, Brunei Property Development Co Pty Ltd, B.M.E.C. Sdn Bhd, Brunei Meat Company Sdn Bhd, and Carabao Exports Pty Ltd
Darwin, Australia
- from 25 August 1998 to 12 October 1998.

--- Director of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 May 1995 to 22 September 1996.

--- President
Sports and Welfare Body (4PERINTIS)
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 April 1993 to 4 September 1997.

--- Advisory Board Member
Sinaut Agricultural Training Centre
Department of Agriculture
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 April 1985 to 7 January 1997.

--- National Chairman and Leader
ASEAN Senior Official Meeting of ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Food
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resource
Brunei Darussalam
- from 23 April 1996 to 22 September 1996.

--- National Chairman and Leader
Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines
East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Working Group on Agro-Industry
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 May 1995 to 22 September 1996.

--- Chairman and Leader
ASEAN Adhoc Working Group on Halal Food Guidelines
ASEAN Food Handling Bureau
Damansara Town Centre, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- from 23 July 1996 to 22 September 1996.

--- Board of Directors Member
Glencoe Pty Ltd, Western Development Pty Ltd and
Carabao Exports Pty Ltd
Darwin, Australia
- from 1 May 1995 to 22 September 1996.

--- Executive Council Member
Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International (CABI)
Wallingford, United Kingdom
- from 1 May 1995 to 22 September 1996.

--- Controlling Board Chairman
MCFARM Sdn Bhd
Kampong Tungku
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 May 1995 to 22 September 1996.

--- Mini Tender Board Member
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 May 1995 to 22 September 1996.

--- President
Sports and Welfare Body (BATANI)
Department of Agriculture
Brunei Darussalam
- from 14 February 1996 to 22 September 1996.

--- Director of Forestry
Department of Forestry
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 October 1990 to 30 April 1995.

--- National Chairman and Leader
Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines
East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Working Group on Forestry
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 November 1994 to 30 April 1995.

--- Mini Tender Board Member
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 July 1992 to 30 April 1995.

--- Adviser
Sports and Welfare Body (PEKATAN)
Department of Forestry
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 October 1990 to 30 April 1995.

--- Chairman
Committee on Environment and Social Services
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 October 1990 to 30 April 1995.

--- Director of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 October 1988 to 30 September 1990.

--- Member
ASEAN Committee on Food, Agriculture & Forestry (COFAF)
Jakarta, Indonesia
- from 1 December 1984 to 31 December 1993.
National Chairman
- from 22 August 1989 to 30 September 1990.

--- Member
ASEAN COFAF Coordinating Group on Forestry
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- from 1 October 1990 to 31 December 1993.

--- Mini Tender Board Member
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 March 1989 to 31 May 1992.

--- Board of Directors Member
Glencoe Pty Ltd, Western Development Pty Ltd and
Carabao Exports Pty Ltd
Darwin, Australia
- from 4 April 1989 to 10 April 1991.

--- Executive Council Member
Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International (CABI)
Wallingford, United Kingdom
- from 1 June 1989 to 30 September 1990.

--- Controlling Board Chairman
MCFARM Sdn Bhd
Kampong Tungku
Brunei Darussalam
- from 26 April 1989 to 30 September 1990.

--- Governing Board Member
ASEAN Food Security Reserve Board (AFSRB)
Bangkok, Thailand
- from 1 September 1985 to 30 September 1990.
Chairman of AFSRB & PSC (Project Steering Committee)
- from 16 December 1987 to 13 December 1988

--- Nominated Representative of Brunei Darussalam & Governing Board Member
Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study
and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
Laguna, Philippines
- from 11 April 1988 to 30 September 1990.

--- Chairman
Committee on Marketing
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 June 1989 to 30 September 1990.

--- Chairman
Staff Promotion Committee
Department of Agriculture
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 January 1984 to 30 September 1990.

--- Deputy President
Sports and Welfare Body (BATANI)
Department of Agriculture
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 May 1983 to 30 September 1990.

--- Acting Director of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Ministry of Development
Brunei Darussalam
- from 13 June 1988 to 30 September 1988.

--- Deputy Director of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Ministry of Development
Negara Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 July 1984 to 12 June 1988.
Personal-to-Holder Group I Salary Scale
- from 12 July 1986 to 12 June 1988.

--- Chairman
Livestock Development Committee
Department of Agriculture
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 August 1985 to 16 October 1989.

--- Liaison Officer
Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International (CABI)
Wallingford, United Kingdom
- from 1 February 1982 to 1 June 1989.

--- Chairman
Tender and Quotation Committee
Department of Agriculture
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 February 1986 to 31 December 1987.

--- Chairman
PCE Examination Coordinating Committee
Board of Examinations
Brunei Darussalam
- from 1 November 1984 to 31 October 1986.

--- Acting Deputy Director
Department of Agriculture
Brunei Darussalam
- from 16 September 1983 to 30 June 1984.

--- Senior Agricultural Officer & Head
Agronomy Section
Department of Agriculture
State of Brunei
- from 1 April 1979 to 15 September 1983.

--- Chairman
Sports and Welfare Body
Department of Agriculture
State of Brunei
- from 1 November 1982 to 30 April 1983.

--- Agronomist
Department of Agriculture
State of Brunei
- from 1 September 1975 to 31 March 1979.

--- Agricultural Officer
Department of Agriculture
State of Brunei
- from 2 July 1973 to 31 August 1975.

VI. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES & STUDY VISITS

--- Leader of 5-Member Brunei Darussalam Visiting Group to the Selected Halal Australian Livestock Abattoirs in Rockhampton, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, Australia, March 8-15, 1999.

--- Leader and Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Forty Fourth Meeting of SEARCA Governing Board, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines, September 9-11, 1998.

--- Member of 10-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Policy Level Group Meeting, APEC SME Business Task Force Meeting, APEC SME Business Forum and Exposition, and the Fourth Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for SME, Ottawa, Canada, September 15-19, 1997.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam and Out-Going Chairman to the Forty Third Meeting of SEARCA Governing Board, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, August 26-28, 1997.

--- Member of 8-Member Brunei Darussalam Visiting Group to the Singapore's Head of Civil Service invitation to the National Day Celebration, the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board, and the People's Association, Singapore, August 8-11, 1997.

--- Member of 4-Member Brunei Darussalam Visiting Group to the APEC Centre for Technology Exchange and Training for Small and Medium Enterprises (ACTETSME) in Los Banos, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the University of Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries (ISSI), Manila, Philippines, August 1-2, 1997.

--- Chairman of SEAMEO-SEARCA Governing Board to the 32nd SEAMEC Conference of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), Manila, Philippines, February 26-28, 1997.

--- Leader of 5-Member Brunei Darussalam Visiting Group to the Malaysia's Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and her Centres, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 26-29, 1996.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam and Chairman to the Forty Second Meeting of SEARCA Governing Board, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, October 1-3, 1996.

--- Member of 7-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the First Ad-hoc Caucas of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA) Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, Manila, the Philippines, August 27, 1996.

--- Leader and Member of 7-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting and Seventeenth Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry respectively, Manila, the Philippines, August 22-27, 1996.

--- Chairman and Leader of 6-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the First Meeting of the Adhoc Working Group on ASEAN Halal Food Guidelines, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 23-25, 1996.

--- Leader of 38-Member Brunei Darussalam Public/Private Sector Delegation to the First Agri-Aqua Trade Fair of Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA), Davao, the Philippines, July 5-9, 1996.

--- Member of 29-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Senior Officials Meeting and the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA), Davao, the Philippines, July 4-6, 1996.

--- Leader of 45-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Third Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA) Working Group Meeting on Agro-Industry, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, May 22-24, 1996.

--- Leader of 5-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Special Senior Officials Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, Singapore, April 24-26, 1996.

--- Member of 13-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Senior Officials Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA) Finalization Conference on ADB Investigative Study, Manila, the Philippines, March 13-15, 1996.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the APEC Seminar (Meeting) on Implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture, Mexico City, Mexico, March 4-6, 1996.

--- Chairman of SEARCA Governing Board to the Selection Interview for Deputy Director Post of SEARCA, Manila, the Philippines, February 29, 1996.

--- Leader of 35-Member Brunei Darussalam Public-Private-Sector Delegation to the Closing Ceremony of the Worldtech '95 : World Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, December 13-16, 1995.

--- Member of 7-Member Brunei Darussalam Board of Directors of Glencoe Pty Ltd Meeting in Darwin and Visiting to Opium Creek, Northern Territory, Australia, November 22-25, 1995.

--- Member of 7-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Opening Ceremony of the Worldtech '95 : World Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, November 4, 1995.

--- Member of 58-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Senior Officials Meeting and the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA), Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, October 29-31, 1995.

--- Leader of 58-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Second Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA) Working Group Meeting on Agro-Industry, Pontianak, Indonesia, October 16-18, 1995.

--- Chairman of SEARCA Governing Board to the Regional Workshop Creating Strategic Change in SEAMEO: Towards Enhanced Regional Co-operation, Langkawi, Malaysia, October 9-13, 1995.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam and Chairman to the Forty First Meeting of SEARCA Governing Board, Los Banos, Philippines, September 11-13, 1995.

--- Member of 7-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting and Seventeenth Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, Singapore, August 21-26, 1995.

--- Leader of 3-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Second Meeting of the Joint Committee on ASEAN Co-operation in Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion, Singapore, August 20, 1995.

--- Leader of 6-Member Brunei Darussalam Visiting Group to the Royal Show - International Agricultural Exhibition, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, England, July 3-6, 1995.

--- Member of 26-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Senior Officials Meeting and the Third Ministerial Meeting of Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA), Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, June 15-17, 1995.

--- Member of 130-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Ministerial Trade Mission to Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, June 12-14, 1995.

--- Leader of 38-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the First Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA) Working Group Meeting on Agro-Industry, Davao, Mindanao, Philippines, June 5-6, 1995.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Task Force Meeting on the New Directions of the ASEAN Promotion Centre, Manila, Philippines, March 15-17, 1995.

--- Member of 22-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Senior Officials Meeting and the Second Ministerial Meeting of Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA), Manado, Indonesia, November 28-30, 1994.

--- Leader and Session B2 Chairman of 3-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the ASEAN Institute of Forest Management (AIFM) International Conference on Multiple Resource Inventory and Monitoring of Tropical Forests, Seremban, Malaysia, November 21-24, 1994.

--- Leader of 10-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA) Working Group Meeting on Forestry, Pontianak, Indonesia, November 11-12, 1994.

--- Member of 39-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Ministerial Trade Mission to Beijing and Shanghai, China, October 23-30, 1994.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Meeting of International Association for Impact Assessment, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, June 14-18, 1994.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the International Seminar on Priority Environmental Issues in Asia and the Need and Importance of Developing Co-operative Approaches, Carleton Impact Assessment Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada, June 21-23, 1994.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Special Senior Officials Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, April 28-30, 1994.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Senior Officials Meeting and the Sixth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, April 23-26, 1994.

--- Participant, International Conference on Tourism Ecodollars and Workshops, Mackay, Queensland, Australia, April 13-16, 1994.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Meeting of Brunei Darussalam/Japan Technical Co-operation (JICA) in Forestry and Visit to Forestry Management Facilities, Tsukuba, Japan, and the Forestry Plantations in Taipei, Taiwan, February 1-12, 1994.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting and Fifteenth Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, October 24-30, 1993.

--- Chairman and Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the (First) Meeting of ASEAN Working Group on Forestry, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, October 23-24, 1993.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Fourteenth Commonwealth Forestry Conference and Pre-Conference Tour Number 1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 8-18, 1993.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Seventeenth Meeting of ASEAN Co-ordinating Group on Forestry, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 5-7, 1993.

--- Participant, International Conference of Tropical Rainforest Research: Current Issues, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, April 9-17, 1993.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Global Forestry Conference (Beyond UNCED: Response to Agenda 21), Bandung Indonesia, February 17-20, 1993.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Eight-Member Ministerial Delegation to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED or Earth Summit), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 3-14, 1992.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela, February 10-21, 1992.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Asian Regional Meeting on Protected Areas (36th Working Session of Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas), Bangkok, Thailand, December 2-4, 1991.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Fifteenth Meeting of ASEAN-COFAF Co-ordinating Group on Forestry, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, June 17-19, 1991.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam as a Special Invitation by the Sabah Director of Forestry to its World Forestry Day and the Opening of Tambunan Rafflesia Centre, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, April 21, 1991.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the ASEAN Ministerial Mission for Sustainable Forestry Development to European Countries (Brussels, Belgium; the Hague, Netherlands; Bonn, Germany; London, United Kingdom), October 8-16, 1990.

--- Member of Eight-Member Brunei Darussalam Board of Directors of Glencoe Pty Ltd Meeting and Visiting to Willerro/Scott Creek and Opium Creek, Northern Territory, Australia, August 16-19, 1990.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Twelfth Meeting of the Board of Planners of the ASEAN Agricultural Development Planning Centre, Bangkok, Thailand, August 6-7, 1990.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Eleventh CAB International Review Conference, London, United Kingdom, July 30-August 3, 1990.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the World Agricultural Forum and World Agricultural Expo'90, Hamilton, New Zealand, June 11-17, 1990.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Second Meeting of Brunei Darussalam/Japan Technical Co-operation (TARC) in Agriculture and Visit to Management Facilities, Tsukuba, Japan, December 13-25, 1989.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting and Twenty First Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, November 30-December 1, 1989.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting and Eleventh Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, Singapore, November 6-11, 1989.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Thirty Fifth Meeting of SEARCA Governing Board, Los Banos, Philippines, September 18-20, 1989.

--- National Chairman and Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Nineteenth Meeting of ASEAN Committee on Food, Agriculture and Forestry, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, August 22-25, 1989.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Pacific Summit and Symposia, Seattle and Yakima, Washington State, United States of America, August 6-11, 1989.

--- Co-Leader of Four-Member Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the First Meeting of Brunei Darussalam/Thailand Technical Co-operation in Agriculture and Fisheries, Bangkok, Thailand, February 8-12, 1989.

--- Leader of Five-Member Brunei Darussalam Visiting Group to the Singapore Zoological Gardens and Bird Parks, Singapore, January 24-28, 1989.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Tenth Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 20-22, 1988.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation (and Acting Chairman of COFAF) to the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting and the Twentieth Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers, Pattaya, Thailand, October 14-19, 1988.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Thirty Fourth Meeting of SEARCA Governing Board, Serdang, Malaysia, October 6-7, 1988.

--- Member of Two-Member Brunei Darussalam Visiting Group to Rattan and Citrus Plantations, Davao, Philippines, September 11-18, 1988.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Eighteenth Meeting of ASEAN Committee of Food, Agriculture and Forestry, Chiang Mai, Thailand, September 6-9, 1988.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Tenth Meeting of the Board of Planners of the ASEAN Agricultural Development Planning Centre, Bangkok, Thailand, August 24-26, 1988.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Consultative Meeting on Harmonization of National Plans in Food, Agriculture and Forestry in the ASEAN Region, Bangkok, Thailand, August 22-23, 1988.

--- Leader of Seven-Member Brunei Darussalam/McFarm Visiting Group to the Hydroponics Systems, Tokyo, Japan and Taipei, Taiwan, February 26 - March 11, 1988.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Eleventh Meeting of ASEAN-COFAF Co-ordinating Group on Livestock, Singapore, February 4-5, 1988.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Twelfth Meeting of ASEAN-Animal Protection Programme, Singapore, February 2-3, 1988.

--- Chairman and Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Eighth Meeting of ASEAN Food Security Reserve Board, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, December 16-17, 1987.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Fifth Meeting of the Programme Steering Committee of ASEAN Crops Post-Harvest Programme, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, December 15-16, 1987.

--- Observer and Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Twenty-Fourth Session of the United Nations/FAO Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes, Rome, Italy, October 19-30, 1987.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Senior Officials Meeting and the Ninth Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, September 21-26, 1987.

--- Participant and Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Seminar and Third Biennial Meeting of Commonwealth Group of Agriculture, Canberra, Australia, June 22-26, 1987.

--- Rapportuer and Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Tenth Meeting of the ASEAN Experts Group on the Environment, Bangkok, Thailand, April 24-26, 1987.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the ASEAN Workshop on Nature Conservation, Chiang Mai, Thailand, March 9-12, 1987.

--- Vice-Chairman and Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Fifth ASEAN Meeting on Nature Conservation, Chiang Mai, Thailand, March 4-7, 1987.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Tenth Meeting of ASEAN-COFAF Co-ordinating Group on Livestock, Manila, Philippines, February 26-27, 1987.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Eleventh Meeting of ASEAN-Animal Protection Programme, Manila, Philippines, February 25, 1987.

--- Vice-Chairman and Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Seventh Meeting of ASEAN Food Security Reserve Board, Chiang Mai, Thailand, December 11-12, 1986.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Fourth Meeting of the Programme Steering Committee of ASEAN Crops Post-Harvest Programme, Chiang Mai, Thailand, December 8-10, 1986.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to Visit Rice Research and Rice Farmings, South Korea, October 20-25, 1986.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Ninth Meeting of the ASEAN-COFAF Co-ordinating Group on Livestock, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 29-30, 1986.

--- Participant, ASEAN Interaction - Perspective on the Environment, First ASEAN Science and Technology Week, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 29, 1986.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Fifth Meeting of the Co-ordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia, Singapore, April 25-26, 1986.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Ninth Meeting of the ASEAN Experts Group on the Environment, Singapore, April 22-24, 1986.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Seventh ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, December 10-11, 1985.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Sixth Meeting of ASEAN Food Security Reserve Board, Singapore, December 5-6, 1985.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the ASEAN Preparatory Meeting of the Seventh ASEAN - New Zealand Dialogue, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, October 22-23, 1985.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaus Tenth Quinquennial Review Conference, London, United Kingdom, September 16-20, 1985.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the ASEAN- Australia Joint Experts Meeting on Biotechnology, Melbourne, Australia, August 26-30, 1985.

--- Leader of Four-Member Brunei Darussalam Visiting Group to the Livestock Abattoirs, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 1-5, 1985.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Eighth Meeting of the ASEAN Experts Group on the Environment, Manila, Philippines, April 17-20, 1985.

--- Vice-Chairman and Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Eighth Meeting of the ASEAN-COFAF Co-ordinating Group on Livestock, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, February 11-14, 1985.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Fourteenth Meeting of ASEAN Committee of Food, Agriculture and Forestry, Denpasar, Indonesia, December 11-14, 1984.

--- Member of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Senior Officials Meeting and the Second Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on the Environment, Bangkok, Thailand, November 27-30, 1984.

--- Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the Twenty Ninth Meeting of SEARCA Governing Board, Los Banos, Philippines, August 8-10, 1984.

--- Leader of Brunei Darussalam Delegation to the Seventh Meeting of ASEAN-COFAF Co-ordinating Group on Livestock, Bandung, Indonesia, February 28 - March 3, 1984.

--- Representative of State of Brunei to the 330th Meeting of CAB Executive Council on Financial Review, London, England, August 24-26, 1983.

--- Participant, CSIRO Agro-Research Symposium for Australia's Semi-Arid Tropics, Darwin, Australia, March 21-25, 1983.

--- Member of State of Brunei Delegation to the Fourth Meeting of FAO-ESCAP Committee on Agricultural Development, Bangkok, Thailand, February 12-17, 1982.

--- Participant, 1981 Rice Research Conference of IRRI, Los Banos, Philippines, April 27 - May 1, 1981.

VII. PRESENT AND PAST MEMBERSHIPS

--- Darwin Golf Club, Darwin, Australia, 1999.

--- Royal Jerudong Polo Club, Jerudong Park, Brunei Darussalam, 1999.

--- Sports and Welfare Body of Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (4PERINTIS), Brunei Darussalam, 1993.

--- Sports and Welfare Body of Forestry Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (PEKATAN), Brunei Darussalam, 1990.

--- Royal Brunei Golf & Country Club, Jerudong Park, Brunei Darussalam, 1989.

--- Sports and Welfare Body of Agriculture Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (BATANI), Brunei Darussalam, 1985.

--- Chemical Society of Brunei Darussalam, 1982.

--- Pantai Mentiri Golf Club, Brunei Darussalam, 1979.

--- Agronomy Society of New Zealand, 1976.

VIII. PUBLICATIONS

--- Othman, M. 1995. Agro-Industry in Brunei Darussalam: Prospects and Potentials. A Paper Presented to the First Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Working Group Meeting on Agro-Industry, Davao, Mindanao, Philippines, June 5-6, 1995. 21p.

--- Othman, M. and Ramos, VJA. 1994. An Overview of Priority Environmental Issue in Brunei Darussalam and Potential Benefits of Canada-Brunei Darussalam Co-operation.. A Paper Presented to the Canada-Asia Seminar on Environmental Issues and the Need for Co-operative Approaches for Workable Solutions, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 20-21, 1994. 34p.

--- Othman, M. 1993. Forestry in Brunei Darussalam: Meeting the Challenges of the Future. A Paper Presented to the International Conference of Tropical Rainforest Research: Current Issues, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, April 9-17, 1993. 31p.

--- Othman, M. and Ramos, VJA. 1992. Development and Management of National Parks and Protected Areas in Brunei Darussalam. A Paper Presented During the IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas. Caracas, Venezuela, February 10-21, 1992. 39p.

--- Othman, M. and Ramos, VJA. 1991. National Report on National Parks and Protected Areas. A Paper Presented During the 36th Working Session of the IUCN Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas. Bangkok, Thailand, December 2-4, 1991. 64p.

--- Othman, M. 1979. Response Surfaces of Growth and Yield of Wheat. Ph.D. Thesis, Lincoln College Library, University of Canterbury, New Zealand. 189p.

--- Othman, M. 1975. Agronomist's Report on Rice and Root Crops Experiments for the 1974-75 Season. Annual Report of Agronomy Section, Department of Agriculture, State of Brunei. 24p.

--- Othman, M. 1973. Effect of Population Density on Yield Components of Four Rapeseed Cultivators. B Sc (Agr) Project, Macdonald College Library, McGill University, Canada. 56p.

IX. HONOURS AND AWARDS

--- Pingat Kerja Lama (PKL) or Long Service Medal was bestowed upon by His Majesty Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam at the Dewan Persantapan Lapau, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, May 21, 1998.

--- Pingat Pengisytiharan Kemerdekaan or Independent Declaration Medal was bestowed upon by His Majesty Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam through the Grand Chamberlain's letter (4)HMO/GC/B2/002 dated 10 March 1997.

--- Darjah (Bintang) Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia Darjah Kedua (DPMB) or knighted with title Dato Paduka was bestowed upon by His Majesty Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam at the Balai Singgahsana, Istana Nurul Iman, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, July 15, 1995.

--- Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) or Meritorious Medal was bestowed upon by His Majesty Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam at the Dewan Persantapan Lapau, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, November 30, 1989.

--- Darjah (Bintang) Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia Darjah Ketiga (SMB) was bestowed upon by His Majesty Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam at the Dewan Majlis Lapau, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, July 15, 1986.

--- Silver Award with cash B$8,000 as a Group Leader for Promoting Broiler Development Industry Project Nominated in the Public Service Excellent Award Organised by Prime Minister's Office in Conjunction With 1996 Public Service Day was given by the Guest of Honour, Yang Berhormat Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohammad Zain bin Haji Awang Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs, Brunei Darussalam at the International Convention Centre, Berakas, Brunei Darussalam, October 3, 1996.

--- Certificate of Appreciation with cash B$2,000 as a Group Leader for Privatisation of Forestry Nursery Project Nominated in the Public Service Excellent Award Organised by Prime Minister's Office in Conjunction With 1994 Public Service Day was given by the Guest of Honour, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Laila Kanun Diraja Pengiran Haji Bahrin bin Pengiran Haji Abbas, Minister of Law, Brunei Darussalam at the International Convention Centre, Berakas, Brunei Darussalam, September 29, 1994.

--- Certificate of Appreciation with cash B$2,000 as a Group Leader for Reduced Logging Project Nominated in the Public Service Excellent Award Organised by Prime Minister's Office in Conjunction With 1993 Public Service Day was given by the Guest of Honour, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Aziz bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Umar, Minister of Education, Brunei Darussalam at the International Convention Centre, Berakas, Brunei Darussalam, September 29, 1993.

Early Childhood

2011-08-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Memoirs
DATO PADUKA DR HAJI MORNI BIN OTHMAN
(in Bahasa Melayu)

Bismillahirahmanirahim. Pada tanggal 28 Disember 1948, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni bin Othman telah dilahirkan di Kampong Sungai Pandan, Kuala Belait, sebagai anak bungsu (terakhir) kepada keluarga nelayan yang miskin dan telah diberi nama Sabtu. Keluarga Awg Othman bin Ahad yang berasal dari puak Kedayan di Daerah Temburong dan Limbang, mempunyai 7 orang anak termasuklah seorang anak tiri. Awg Sabtu semasa kecil adalah sentiasa berkedaan sakit-sakit dan berbadan kurus kerana kekurangan zat makanan yang diperlukan. Melihat keadaan beliau selalu sakit, seorang hamba Allah bernama Morni yang difahamkan seorang pegawai di Pejabat Daerah Belait pada ketika itu telah bersimpati dan membantu keluarga miskin ini dengan memberikan sedikit barang makanan termasuk susu-susu tepong yang diperlukan. Pegawai ini dan keluarganya ingin mengambil Awg Sabtu menjadi Anak Angkat mereka tetapi keluarga Awg Othman tidak bersetuju. Walau bagaimana pun keluarga Awg Othman sangat-sangat berterima kasih kepada mereka dan telah menukar nama Sabtu kepada Morni untuk mengambil sukut baik dari nama tersebut dan mengikut petua orang dahulu supaya menjauhkan daripada sakit-sakit.

Pada tahun 1951 semasa Awg Morni berumur kira-kira 3 tahun, keluarga Awg Othman telah berhijrah ke Daerah Brunei dan Muara dengan berjalan kaki melalui pantai dan singgah di Pantai Jerudong dan tinggal (berkampong) selama beberapa tahun di Kampong Jerudong (bertempat di Jerudong Park pada masa ini) dengan bercucuk tanam dan menanam padi. Pada tahun 1954, keluarga Awg Othman berpindah ke Kampong Sengkurong dimana keluarga ini telah mendapat tanah yang kekal daripada Kerajaan seluas 3.5 ekar di Bukit Tajau untuk pertanian (buah-buahan) disamping meminjam tanah jiran untuk bertanam padi pada ketika itu. Awg Othman sendiri telah mendapat kerja sebagai buruh di Stesen Pertanian Kilanas, Jabatan Pertanian Negara pada ketika itu. Olehsebab kemiskinan, anak-anak Awg Othman yang sudah besar terpaksa berhenti sekolah dan bekerja sebagai buruh di Jabatan yang sama dengan ayah mereka.

Pada awal bulan Januari 1955 ketika berumur 6 tahun, Awg Morni telah memulakan persekolahan rendah di Sekolah Melayu Sengkurong dan menduduki Darjah Satu selama dua tahun kerana gagal. Pada bulan September 1957 semasa usia Awg Morni baru 8 tahun, ibu tersayang iaitu Dyg Buang bte Daim telah kembali kerahmatullah, dan pada tahun berikutnya diikuti pula oleh Awg Othman, ayah tersayang tempat Awg Morni bergantung hidup selama ini telah kembali untuk selama-lamanya. Mulai saat inilah Awg Morni menjadi anak yatim piatu. Beliau telah menyara hidupnya atas ihsan kasihan seorang abang dan dua orang kakaknya yang terdekat (sekampong) yang semuanya juga dari keluarga yang miskin dan telah mempunyai tanggungan anak-anak yang ramai sampai belasan orang setiap satu keluarga. Dalam keadaan susah yang menimpa dirinya, Awg Morni sendiri terpaksa belajar sambil bekerja dengan mengambil upah seperti mengetam padi dikampong-kampong yang bertanam padi masa itu disamping berjual buah rambutan (hasil bermusim dari beberapa pohon pokok rambutan yang dibahagikan kepadanya sebagai peninggalan waris ibunya), berjaja ditepi-tepi jalan untuk mendapatkan sedikit wang pada ketika itu.

Pada awal bulan Januari 1960, Awg Morni telah meneruskan pelajarannya di peringkat menengah kerana telah terpilih untuk memasukki sekolah aliran English iatu Maktab Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin dan dapat tinggal di Asrama Maktab dengan pembiayaan Kerajaan. Semasa di Maktab ini, Awg Morni telah menunjukkan kecemerlangannya dengan dapat melunjak melalui peperiksaan khas dari Prep Dua kepada Form Satu tanpa perlu mendudukki Prep Tiga seperti lazimnya pada masa itu. Olehsebab kemiskinan dan tiada ibu-bapa tempat bergantung, Awg Morni semasa hari cuti sekolah telah balik kekampong untuk menjual buah rambutan dan buah durian yang di punggut dari hutan-hutan disamping mengetam padi secara upahan bagi membeli satu helai pakaian sekolah. Disamping pelajaran dalam aliran English, Awg Morni dengan hati yang penuh bersabar tidak lupa pelajaran ugama sehinggalah beliau mendapat kelulusan tertinggi (Darjah Enam) dengan mendapat markah yang cemerlang dan kepujian serta mendapat beberapa buah hadiah yang membanggakan dan mendapat penghormatan menjadi guru ugama sampingan sebagai latihan dan dorongan daripada Guru Besar Pelajaran Ugama ketika itu. Pada tahun 1966, Awg Morni maseh ingat pada ketika berada di dalam Form Empat yang mana beliau telah dilantik untuk menjadi school prefect dimana baju mesti ditukar warna daripada putih kepada biru. Awg Morni terasa kepedihan hidup sebagai anak yatim piatu dan hanya dapat bertawakal meminta dari kawan mendapatkan sedikit nila untuk membirukan baju yang diperlukan. Olehsebab hanya mempunyai sehelai uniform sekolah, Awg Morni terpaksa selama dua tahun membasuh pakaian tersebut tiap-tiap hari dan menggunakan kipas angin diAsramanya untuk menggeringkan pakaian itu pada keesokan harinya. Semasa Awg Morni berada didalam Form Lima, kesengsaraan beliau adalah semakin terasa yang mana beliau telah membuat keputusan untuk berhenti sekolah kerana desakan kemiskinan hidup dan keperluan untuk berdikari sendiri seperti kawan-kawan remaja lain yang sudah bekerja pada ketika itu. Hasrat dan keputusannya ini telah diketahui oleh kawan-kawan karib sekelas dan seterusnya diketahui oleh Guru Darjah yang seterusnya membawa kes ini kepada Pengetua Maktab yang membantu Awg Morni menulis surat resmi kepada Jabatan Kebajikan Mesyarakat. Awg Morni sendiri telah membawa surat ini dengan berjumpa seorang pegawai kebajikan mesyarakat ketika itu yang bernama Dyg Jahrah (Datin Paduka Hjh Jahrah bte Hj Idris, isteri kepada Yang Berhormat bekas Menteri Pendidikan pada ketika itu). Selepas dinilai dan dibuat lawatan oleh Jabatan berkenaan, Awg Morni telah mulai diberikan bantuan kewangan sebanyak $30 sabulan, dan bantuan ini telah diteruskan sehinggalah beliau mendapat pekerjaan atau mendapat biasiswa Kerajaan. Dengan bantuan ini Awg Morni telah dapat menambah beberapa helai uniform sekolah serta pakaian lain, dan dari saat inilah beliau telah dapat meneruskan dan menumpukan pelajarannya sepenuh masa.

Pada bulan September 1968 selepas lulus Form Lima dan Cambridge School Certificate dari Maktab tersebut, Awg Morni telah mendapat biasiswa Kerajaan untuk meneruskan pelajarannya di Peringkat 'A' Level untuk dua tahun di Queens Gate Tutorial College, London, United Kingdom. Tetapi pada bulan Nobember dalam tahun yang sama, Awg Morni telah diterima terus membuat Ijajah Sarjana Muda Sains (Bachelor of Science) untuk selama lima tahun (enam tahun jika melalui dan termasuk ‘A’ Level) di bidang Pertanian di Macdonald College of McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Pada awalnya, Awg Morni semasa menuntut untuk mendapatkan Ijajah Sarjana Muda Sains ini telah merasa kecewa dan kehilangan bimbingan kerana telah ketinggalan 3 bulan bagi semester Tahun Pertama. Beliau juga merasa keseorangan kerana beliau adalah anak Brunei pertama belajar di Maktab ini dan kawan-kawannya yang lain dari Negara Brunei Darussalam menuntut dan tinggal jauh berasingan dari kampus tempatnya menuntut. Pada ketika ini sekali lagi ketabahan dan kesabaran Awg Morni teruji apabila jiwa beliau tertekan akibat kemiskinan dan keadaan semasa sehingga beliau telah membuat keputusan untuk berhenti sekolah dan kembali ke Negara Brunei Darussalam walaupun terpaksa membayar bond biasiswa sewaktu bekerja nanti, tetapi kawan karib Awg Morni dari Trinidad Tobago telah memberi nasihat supaya tidak berbuat demikian dan juga Awg Morni maseh ingat pesanan daripada keluarga terdekat semasa meninggalkan tanah air dahulu supaya jangan sekali-kali menghampakan harapan keluarga (bagi menebus kemiskinan) supaya selamat kembali ketanah air dengan mendapat pelajaran yang tinggi. Daripada nasihat kawan dan pesanan keluarga dikampong, maka dengan tiba-tiba Awg Morni mempunyai satu azam baru untuk meneruskan perjuangan hidupnya untuk melawan jiwa inferior menjadi seorang yang lebih positif dan optimistic serta semangat ingin maju didalam melalui liku-liku hidupnya. Mulai dari hari itulah beliau berjinak-jinak dengan guru-guru, pengawas penuntut antarabangsa serta tempat-tempat student placement dan agensi-agensi pekerjaan untuk mendapatkan sebarang pekerjaan sambil belajar seperti lazimnya dilakukan oleh penuntut-penuntut lain yang ingin mendapat pengalaman dan kewangan. Awg Morni bernasib baik telah mendapat dorongan dan bimbingan dari supervisornya termasuk beroleh pekerjaan diwaktu cuti seperti menjadi tukang cuci piring-mangkuk di salah sebuah Golf Kelab yang terkemuka di Canada untuk menambah kumpulan kewangannya sehinggalah beliau dapat membeli sebuah kerita baru serta mengirim sedikit wang kepada keluarga terdekat di tanah air tercinta. Beliau juga pernah menukar keritanya kepada kerita baru yang lebih besar walaupun beliau tahu kawan-kawannya yang berasal daripada keluarga yang kaya dari Negara Brunei Darussalam yang menuntut di Universiti yang sama berasa irihati dengan cara hidup Awg Morni yang miskin ini menjadi imej orang kaya. Awg Morni dengan kepandaiannya hidup berdikari dan ingin maju yang berkubar-kubar telah dapat menunjolkan dirinya untuk terus berjaya dari tahun ke tahun yang lain dan beliau tidak pernah terikut-ikut dengan perangai kawan-kawannya dari Negara Brunei Darussalam di Universiti yang sama yang kebanyakan mereka gagal dalam pelajaran mereka sampai ada yang kena repeat satahun lagi pelajaran mereka, dan ada yang terpaksa keluar dari Universiti berkenaan.

Pada bulan Jun 1973 ketika berusia 24 tahun, Awg Morni berjaya mendapat Ijajah Sarjana Muda Sains di bidang Agronomi (Bachelor of Science in Agronomy) dengan mendapat Honours. Awg Morni kembali ketanah air dan bertugas di Jabatan Pertanian sebagai Pegawai Pertanian dimana beliau adalah anak Brunei yang kedua memperolehi Ijajah di Jabatan ini. Pada tahun yang sama Awg Morni telah mendirikan rumah tangga dan membeli sebidang tanah seluas 1.79 ekar daripada saudara sepupunya dengan harga $3,000 melalui bayaran secara beransur (sementara prosis pembahagian tanah waris Awg Morni dan saudaranya sedang diusahakan). Sebagai Pegawai Pertanian, beliau telah ditugaskan di Bahagian Penyelidikan dibidang padi, sayur-sayuran, buah-buahan dan bijiran lain khususnya dibidang agronomi. Beliau telah diamanahkan untuk membuka sebuah stesen baru iaitu Stesen Pertanian Mulaut disamping menguasai Stesen Pertanian Kilanas dan Stesen Pertanian Birau yang telah dibuka dalam tahun 30’han. Sebelum menjalani program latihan jangka panjang, beliau telah dapat menyediakan laporan khas (24 muka) hasil-hasil penyelidikan padi dan ubi-ubian yang dibuatnya pada tahun 1974-75 yang telah dijadikan panduan bagi kajian selanjutnya.

Pada bulan Mac 1975 setelah bertugas dengan Kerajaan selama kira-kira dua tahun, Awg Morni meneruskan latihan dalam perkhidmatan mengikuti Ijajah Sarjana Sains (Master of Science) di Lincoln College of Canterbury University, Christchurch, New Zealand dengan pembiayaan sepenuhnya oleh Biasiswa Komenwealth dan Kerajaan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Awg Morni telah memulakan Tahun Pertama dengan ujian-ujian yang berupa berlainan daripada peserta-peserta kursus yang lain kerana supervisornya melihat potensi yang terdapat keatas Awg Morni. Di Negara Brunei Darussalam pula pada bulan September 1975, Awg Morni telah dinaikkan pangkat sebagai pakar (specialist) daripada Pegawai Pertanian kepada Juru Ekopertian (Agronomist). Semasa separuh pengajian Ijajah Sarjana Sains ini, Awg Morni telah berjaya menukar kursus daripada Ijajah Sarjana Sains kepada kursus Ijajah Doctor of Philosophy dibidang Plant Science tanpa melalui dan mendapatkan Ijajah Sarjana Sains terlebih dahulu seperti lazimnya, olehsebab kepintaran dan kepandaian Awg Morni melalui peperiksaan khas. Di Negara Brunei Darussalam sekali lagi pada bulan April 1979, Awg Morni telah dinaikkan pangkat daripada Juru Ekopertanian kepada Pegawai Pertanian Kanan (tangga gaji B3) sebaya dengan kenaikan pangkat kejawatan yang sama bagi seorang pegawai tempatan berijajah yang lebih kanan yang sedang menuntut Ijajah Sarjana Sains di bidang ternakan juga di Universiti yang sama.

Pada bulan Ogos 1979, Awg Morni telah lulus Ijajah Doktor Filosopi dibidang Sains Tumbuhan (Doctor of Philosphy in Plant Science atau Ijajah Ph D). Beliau adalah anak Brunei yang pertama mendapat kelulusan yang tertinggi ini. Kelulusan ini telah menjadi ijikan daripada kawan-kawan dan ketuanya yang mungkin cemburu kerana kelulusan Ijajah Ph D ini yang mana seolah-olah akan membuat perubahan cara berfikir yang tegas dan membuat tindakan berterus terang seperti jua datangnya dari seorang pakar sains. Dr Morni telah banyak membuat perubahan dibidang pertanian terutama dari segi permodenan teknologi dan menguatkan tatacara penyelidekan yang lebih berkesan kerana pada masa yang lalu orang ramai bertanya-tanya kenapa kajian lepas kajian telah dibuat tanpa difahami akan keputusannya terutama yang boleh dimenafaatkan oleh para peladang di Negara ini. Satu mercutanda kejayaan kajian beliau yang terkenal hingga ke hari ini ialah penonjolan jenis padi yang beliau namakan Disobok. Hasil-hasil penyelidikan pada pandangan beliau mestilah dimenafaatkan secepat mungkin dan diamalkan melalui program amali, dan dengan itu beliau telah terlibat secara langsung dalam Projek Penanaman Padi Wasan, Pembinaan Rumah Sembelih Mulaut, Pembelian Ladang Ternakan Lembu di Australia, Projek Penetasan Anak Ayam di Mentiri, Projek Kilang Tenusu Lembu di Luahan, dan Penubuhan Sebuah Perpustakaan yang bersistem di Pusat Penyelidikan Pertanian Kilanas. Pada bulan Julai 1984 Dr Morni telah dinaikkan pangkat daripada Pegawai Pertanian Kanan kepada Timbalan Pengarah Pertanian. Semasa menjalankan pentadbiran, beliau telah berjaya membuat satu skim tatacara kenaikan pangkat dan gaji bagi semua pegawai dan kakitangan Jabatan Pertanian yang lebih adil tanpa dituduh pilih kasih atau pilih saudara pada ketika itu. Pada masa inilah Jabatan Pertanian telah menghantar banyak pegawai-pegawainya keseberang laut untuk latihan ijajah dimana pembangunan sumber tenaga manusia telah mendapat tumpuan yang menggalakan diperingkat Negara. Pada bulan Julai 1986, Dr Morni telah dikorniakan bintang Darjah Paduka Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia Darjah Ketiga (SMB) oleh Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam dan juga diwaktu yang sama tangga gajinya telah dinaikkan daripada Kumpulan Dua kepada Kumpulan Satu atas batang tubuhnya. Untuk memperkemaskan lagi sistem pentadbiran di Jabatannya, Dr Morni telah membantu menyusun pentadbiran yang lebih efisien dan efektif kerana pegawai dan kakitangannya bertambah (berlipat ganda) dengan peruntukan kewangan yang telah diluluskan pun bertambah seolah-olah semua bahan makanan yang diperlukan di Negara ini terpaksa diusahakan oleh Kerajaan oleh sebab jumlah peladang sepenuh masa semakin berkurangan (kira-kira 2,000 orang pegawai dan kakitangan Jabatan Pertanian berbanding dengan membantu 200 orang peladang sepenuh masa diseluruh Negara pada ketika itu). Pada bulan Oktober 1988, Dr Morni telah dinaikkan pangkat daripada Timbalan Pengarah Pertanian kepada Pengarah Pertanian. Selaku Ketua Jabatan yang agak besar dan penting didalan Kerajaan, Dr Morni telah membuat strategi supaya menggalakan para peladang dan pengusaha tempatan untuk mencaburi pertanian moden kerana beliau memikirkan bahawa Kerajaan adalah tidak efisien dan produktif, dan tidak sesuai untuk menjadi agensi pengeluar bahan makanan di Negara ini. Beliau telah mula memperkenalkan konsep penswastaan projek-projek Kerajaan yang difikirkan dapat di tanai oleh pengusaha tempatan sendiri di Negara ini. Projek yang pertama yang diluluskan oleh Kerajaan untuk diswastakan ialah Rumah Penetasan Anak Ayam di Mentiri yang baharu sahaja siap dibina, dan diikuti dengan Rumah Tenusu Lembu di Luahan. Pada bulan Nobember 1989, Dr Morni telah dikorniakan Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) oleh Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Melihat kejayaan awal program penswastaan yang telah dirancangnya, Dr Morni meneruskan program ini dengan menswastakan Rumah Sembelihan Mulaut dan Projek Padi Wasan. Yang Berhormat Menteri Perindustrian dan Sumber-Sumber Utama pada ketika itu telah menggalakan Ketua-Ketua Jabatannya perlu mendapat pengetahuan dan pengelaman yang luas melalui program pertukaran jabatan. Belum sempat Dr Morni menjayakan Projek-Projek yang baru diswastakannya, program pertukaran telah diteruskan.

Pada bulan Oktober 1990, Dr Morni telah ditukar lantikannya daripada Pengarah Pertanian kepada Pengarah Perhutanan. Semasa mengetuai Jabatan Perhutanan Dr Morni pada awalnya telah ikut serta berkempen di Europe bersama rakan-rakan ASEAN untuk menerangkan penggurusan hutan-hutan ASEAN terutama dari imej negara yang sayangkan hutannya dan alam sekitar yang terjaga dan terkawal (Europe pada ketika itu sedang melancarkan kempen anti-tropical timber). Untuk memantapkan lagi pengurusan Hutan-Hutan Simpan Negara, Dr Morni telah memperbaikki pentadbiran terutama pengutipan hasil dan cukai hutan-hutan Negara dimana perubahan pengambilan dan penyimpanan wang tunai daripada Syarikat-Syarikat Kilang Papan yang dipegang oleh pegawai tertentu telah diperbetulkan pengendaliannya kepada terus disimpan oleh Kementerian Kewangan melalui Suspen Akaun. Dr Morni juga telah mengarahkan semua pegawai kanannya supaya prihatin terhadap Akta Perhutanan yang telah diamanahkan kepada Jabatannya. Pada tahun 1993 Dr Morni dan isterinya telah menunaikan fardhu haji dengan kornia tambang Kerajaan. Selepas menunaikan ibadah haji, Dr Hj Morni meneruskan tugas dan tanggungjawabnya untuk memastikan hutan-hutan di Negara ini dijaga dengan rapi kerana hutan adalah aset dan khazanah Negara yang sangat berharga dan sebenarnya hutan-hutan ini adalah kitani pinjam daripada anak cucu kitani. Dr Hj Morni telah membuat satu strategi untuk mempercepatkan pengurangan pembalakan dihutan-hutan simpan yang maseh ungun dengan membangun hutan-hutan ditanah terbiar dan menanam semula hutan-hutan dengan benih-benih kayu yang komersial. Pencurian kayu-kayu balak dan pembalakan haram telah dapat dikurangkan secara drastik kerana dengan penubuhan penguatkuasa undang-undang perhutanan yang lengkap dengan kakitangan, kenderaan darat dan laut serta pemantauan melalui udara dengan bantuan askar dan polis, Jabatan Ukur dan Daerah. Jabatan Perhutanan telah berjaya pertama kalinya menangkap, menghadapkan ke Mahkamah dan menghukum pembalak-pembalak haram. Pada bulan September 1993, satu projek yang bertajuk Menggurangkan Pembalakan Hutan Di Negara Brunei Darussalam yang diketuai oleh Dr Hj Morni sendiri telah mendapat Sijil Penghargaan berserta Wang Tunai $2,000 dari penyertaannya didalam program tahunan Anugerah Cemerlang Perkhidmatan Awam Negara Brunei Darussalam anjuran Jabatan Perdana Menteri, kerana projek ini telah banyak mendatangkan hasil negara dan dapat mengurangkan kerugian Negara yang telah bernilai lebih $200 juta kerana pembalakan haram dan kemusnahan alam sekitar. Dr Hj Morni tidak lupa tentang kebaikan penswastaan projek-projek yang difikirkan bersesuaian, dan Tapak Semaian Perhutanan Sungai Liang telah berjaya diswastakan setelah diteliti Tapak ini memerlukan banyak peruntukan kewangan dan kakitangan untuk beroperasi. Pada bulan September 1994, satu projek yang bertajuk Menswastakan Semaian Perhutanan Sungai Liang yang diketuai oleh Dr Hj Morni telah mendapat Sijil Penghargaan berserta Wang Tunai $2,000 dari penyertaannya didalam program tahunan Anugerah Cemerlang Perkhidmatan Awam Negara Brunei Darussalam anjuran Jabatan Perdana Menteri, kerana project ini telah mengurangkan beratus ribu ringgit perbelanjaan tahunan Jabatan Perhutanan, dengan menafaatkan lebih 20 orang kakitangan kepada kegiatan lain (daripada semaian) yang lebih produktif, menambah mutu kesuburan anak-anak semaian pokok hutan, memendekkan masa pembesaran pokok-pokok benih daripada 18 bulan kepada 12 bulan sahaja, dan dapat menurunkan harga kos pengeluaran benih pokok daripada $2 kepada $1 sepohon. Melalui Rancangan Kemajuan Negara yang ke Enam, Dr Hj Morni dengan dedikasi pegawai-pegawainya berjaya menyiapkan pelbagai projek yang diamanahkan kepada Jabatannya terutama pembinaan Taman Negara di Ulu Temburong termasuk rumah-rumah rehat, rumah-rumah atas pokok, tempat pemerhati binatang liar, penandaan dan penamaan pokok, Canopy Walkway yang unik dan terunggul serta Wooden Walkway sepanjang lebih 7 kilometer yang terpanjang didunia. Dr Hj Morni juga telah berbangga dengan siapnya pembinaan Taman-Taman Rekreasi Hutan Bukit Shahbandar, Berakas, Bukit Batu Apoi, Luagan Lalak, Pulau Selirong, Bukit Subok dan Sungai Liang termasuk jalan-jalan wooden walkway dan tree-top houses yang terunggul dan pertama diadakan dirantau ini. Projek-projek yang telah siap termasuklah penanaman semula ladang-ladang hutan ditanah terbiar, permulaan ladang hutan perintis keatas cadangan ladang 30,000 hektar untuk menggantikan pembalakan di Hutan-Hutan Simpan, ladang rotan secara komersial, pembinaan sebuah bangunan Herbarium Negara di Sungai Liang, pembaikan Muzium Perhutanan Sungai Liang, pembangunan 4 buah Semaian Pehutanan di Daerah Belait dan Tutong, pembangunan Tapak Ex Situ Tumbuhan Hutan di Sungai Lumut, Penempatan Kayu-Kayu Bakau di Belukut dan pembaharuan uniform pegawai-pegawai dan kakitangan Jabatan Perhutanan. Dr Hj Morni telah berasa puashati dengan pencapaian yang telah ditunjukkan oleh Jabatannya, walaupun maseh banyak lagi yang dapat ditingkatkannya melalui Rancangan Kemajuan Negara Ke Tujuh nanti.

Pada bulan Mei 1995, Dr Hj Morni telah ditukar semula jawatannya daripada Pengarah Perhutanan kepada Pengarah Pertanian. Kerana kecemerlangannya mengetuai Jabatan Perhutanan, pada bulan Julai 1995 Dr Hj Morni telah dikorniakan bintang Darjah Paduka Mahkota Brunei yang Amat Mulia Darjah Kedua (DPMB) oleh Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Semasa mengetuai semula Jabatan Pertanian, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni telah membuat satu strategi yang sangat berkesan untuk menaikkan imej Jabatannya dengan memajukan industri pertanian melalui satu kaedah iaitu menggunakan pengusaha-pengusaha dan peladang-peladang tempatan sebagai alat dan jentera pembangunan pertanian dengan mencabar dan memberi motivasi kepada mereka. Peranan para usahawan kecil dan sederhana adalah sangat dihargai dan sentiasa didengar serta diberikan bantuan sertamerta. Dalam tempoh kurang dari satu tahun Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni berjaya mengubah mind-set pengusaha-pengusaha tempatan dan pegawai-pegawai diJabatannya. Beliau juga telah dapat mengenal pasti potensi industri pertanian dengan jaringan kerjasama usahawan-usahawan dirantau BIMP-EAGA. Bagi memulakan urusniaga dalam bidang industri pertanian ini, pengusaha-pengusaha tempatan yang berminat dibidang pertanian telah dapat menubuhkan satu syarikat bernama Kumpulan Agro Industri Sdn Bhd. Peladang-peladang muda yang dilatih di Pusat Latihan Pertanian Sinaut yang diasuh oleh Jabatan Pertanian melalui skim Penempatan Peladang Muda di Luahan dan Birau sudah mula dapat mengurus sendiri Kedai Tani Kilanas dan Kedai Tani Kupang, dimana Kedai Tani Kilanas dilaratkan kepada Pasar Borong Kilanas sebagai pilot projek pemasaran produk tempatan dan luar negeri (supaya terkawal). Kawasan-kawasan kemajuan industri pertanian dengan kemudahan asas telah dikenalpasti dan dipohon untuk digazetkan. Projek Kemajuan Pertanian Kupang, Betumpu, Tanah Tuah, Sungai Tajau, Batang Mitus, Rampayoh, Sungai Liang, Selangan, Bakarut, dan Batu Apoi telah dibuka dan diagihkan kepada pengusha-pengusaha tempatan melalui kebenaran Kementerian Perindustrian dan Sumber-Sumber Utama. Beratus-ratus pengusaha baru telah memohon tapak-tapak tanah untuk perusahaan pertanian dan peningkatan pengeluaran tempatan terutama daging ayam, sayur-sayuran, dan buah-buahan sudah dapat dirasai dan dibanggakan. Pada bulan September 1996, satu projek yang bertajuk Meningkatkan Kemajuan Industri Ayam Pedaging yang diketuai oleh Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni telah mendapat Anugerah Perak berserta Sijil dan Wang Tunai $8,000 dari penyertaannya didalam program tahunan Anugerah Cemerlang Perkhidmatan Awam Negara Brunei Darussalam anjuran Jabatan Perdana Menteri, kerana project ini telah banyak mendatangkan hasil negara berjumlah kira-kira $18.6 juta dan memberi peluang pekerjaan sebanyak 207 orang pada tahun 1995 dan hasil ini boleh meningkat kepada $284 juta jika projek ini diteruskan. Tetapi cita-cita Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni selepas hanya berada satu tahun lebih di Jabatan Pertanian untuk terus memajukan industri pertanian telah hancur apabila dengan tiba-tiba beliau dipindah dari Jabatan Pertanian ke Kementerian Perindustrian dan Sumber-Sumber Utama dan jawatannya ditukar daripada Pengarah Pertanian menjadi Pegawai Tugas-Tugas Khas (Ketua Unit Promosi Perindustrian) di Bahagian Promosi Perindustrian dan Pelancongan. Unit Promosi Perindustrian adalah salah satu unit yang kecil sahaja yang mempunyai 3 orang kakitangan pada ketika itu.

Pada 23 September 1996, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni telah melaporkan diri kepada Ketua Bahagian Promosi Perindustrian dan Pelancongan yang jauh lebih junior daripadanya, tetapi Pegawai berkenaan tidak dapat menerima kenyataan ini kerana katanya perkara ini mungkin terdapat kesilapan dipihak Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam. Secara pentadbiran di Kementerian ini sebenarnya sudah terdapat seorang pegawai menjadi Ketua Unit Promosi. Olehsebab itu Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni telah dicadangkan untuk mengetuai Pusat Latihan Pertanian Sinaut, satu unit yang kecil sahaja di Jabatan Pertanian yang pernah diketuainya. Tugas baru Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni adalah sebagai satu tugas yang terlalu kecil baginya dan mungkin tidak seimbang dengan tanggagajinya pada ketika itu. Olehsebab kerja-kerja tambahan di Pusat Latihan Pertanian Sinaut belum dapat diungkayahkan kerana tidak mempunyai peruntukan yang diperlukan dan program latihan Diploma Kebangsaan Pertanian maseh diteruskan hingga tahun 1999, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni hanya menghabiskan masanya merancang masa depan Pusat Latihan Pertanian Sinaut yang telah dirasmikan menjadi Pusat Sumber pada bulan Januari 1997. Pusat Sumber adalah sebagai pusat nadi kepada pembangunan usahawan kecil dan sederhana di Negara ini dengan menyediakan kemudahan dan kepakaran keusahawanan yang dynamik dan efektif. Atas inovasinya sendiri Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni beroleh sedikit peruntukan untuk tahun 1997 daripada peruntukan khas Kementerian Kewangan bagi mengundang pakar-pakar keusahawanan dari Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Singapura dan Philippines untuk menggadakan Seminar, Kursus-Kursus Pendek dan Bengkil Usahawan yang bertujuan semata-mata membuka minda dan peluang-peluang berurusniaga yang menjurus kepada kejayaan mereka. Pada bulan Mac 1997, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni telah menerima surat yang beliau telah dikorniakan Pingat Pengisytiharan Kemerdekaan (PPK) oleh Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Selama ini Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni maseh diiktiraf sebagai seorang Ketua Jabatan walaupun hanya mengetuai Pusat Latihan Pertanian Sinaut yang menjadi Pusat Sumber. Beliau telah mulai menyediakan Klinik Usahawan untuk mengenalpasti masalaah yang sedang dihadapi usahawan, membantu penyelasaian masaalah, dan memberi latihan asas keusahawanan. Melalui pakar-pakar dari luar negeri yang berpengalaman, beliau telah membimbing sebahagian daripada usahawan-usahawan bumiputera dari segi motivasi, perancangan urusniaga yang dyanamik, pengurusan kewangan yang teratur, pemasaran dan kejurujualan yang professional, perundingan yang berkesan dan program amali urusniaga yang berdaya saing dan berdaya maju. Beliau sendiri telah menghadiri sessi-sessi latihan yang mendorong beliau untuk menceburi bidang perniagaan disatu masa nanti. Pada bulan Februari 1998, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni telah menghadapkan surat resmi untuk bersara lebih awal iaitu mulai 1 Januari 1999 sesudah mencapai umur 50 tahun dan berkhidmat selama 25 tahun kerana ingin mencuba nasibnya dibidang perniagaan. Beliau telah difahamkan bahawa permohonannya telah dapat dipertimbangkan dengan sewajarnya. Pada bulan Mei 1998, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni telah dikorniakan Pingat Kerja Lama (PKL) oleh Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam sebagai penghargaan Baginda kepada pegawainya yang taat lagi setia, jujur serta amanah menjalankan tugas dan tanggungjawab yang diamanahkan semasa didalam perkhidmatannya.

Pada 25 Ogos 1998, beliau telah diarahkan secara lisan oleh Ketuanya untuk membantu syarikat-syarikat Kerajaan iaitu Glencoe Pty Ltd, Western Development Pty Ltd, Brunei Meat Export Company Pty Ltd, Barkly Meat Processing Co Pty Ltd, Brunei Property Development Co Pty Ltd dan Carabao Exports Pty Ltd yang beroperasi di Darwin, Australia, dan B.M.E.C Sdn Bhd yang beroperasi di Bandar Seri Begawan, Negara Brunei Darussalam, disamping tugas hariannya selaku Ketua Pusat Sumber di Kementerian Perindustrian dan Sumber-Sumber Utama. Pada 14 Oktober 1998, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni telah dilantik sebagai Pengerusi dan Pengarah Eskutif Glencoe Pty Ltd bagi mengganti jawatan Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Digadong Sahibul Mal Pengiran Muda Haji Jefri Bolkiah sebagai Pengerusi Glenco Pty Ltd sejak 16 Januari 1985 (jawatan Timbalan Pengerusi pada masa yang sama telah dipegang oleh Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Laila Kanun Diraja Pengiran Haji Bahrin bin Pengiran Haji Abbas) dan jawatan Professor Peter Blunt sebagai Pengarah Eksekutif Glenco Pty Ltd sejak 5 Januari 1994 atas titah perkenan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam yang mana beliau telah menjunjung kasih yang tidak terhingga kepada Baginda.

Memanglah tugas dan tanggungjawab antara Pengerusi dan Pengarah Eksekutif adalah berbeza. Pengerusi mestilah bersikap tegas dan pintar dalam memberi pertimbangan yang adil dan saksama, perihatin keatas dasar-dasar negara sendiri dan negara-negara asing melalui pergolakan dunia. Pengerusi juga perlu menyediakan dan meluluskan dasar-dasar, guidelines, resolusi-resolusi keputusan mesyuarat lembaga pengarah, memohon ehsan nasihat daripada YB Penasihat Glenco Pty Ltd yang bertanggungjawab atas budibicara beliau sama ada membuat persembahan kepada Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia atau tidak. Setelah mendapat maklumbalas daripada YB Penasihat Glenco (selepas ini dinamakan Jerambak), Pengerusi akan memaklumkan perkara-perkara (maklumbalas) ini kepada Pengarah Eksekutif untuk diambil tindakan. Pengerusi juga bertanggungjawab membuat perhubongan rasmi dengan agensi-agensi kerajaan di NBD dan Australia mengenai dengan dasar-dasar yang diadakan oleh kedua pihak. Pengerusi juga bertanggungjawab mengingatkan pengarah-pengarahnya supaya setiap keputusan dan tindakan mestilah dibuat secara adil, saksama dan secara terbuka mengikut ajaran dan lunas-lunas Ugama Islam serta perihatin kepada unsur-unsur penyelewengan kewangan di dalam syarikat yang dilakukan oleh pegawai dan kakitangan syarikat secara tidak jujur dan amanah.

Sementara itu tugas dan tanggungjawab Pengarah Eksekutif adalah termasuk supaya memastikan semua pegawai dan kakitangan pengurusan dan pentadbiran mestilah sentiasa bersikap jujur dan amanah supaya semua unsur-unsur penyelewengan dapat dibendung. Disamping itu, Pengarah Eksekutif juga bertanggungjawab untuk menjalankan urusniaga yang menguntungkan mengikut projek-projek yang diluluskan melalui belanjawan tahunan dan peluang-peluang urusniaga yang baru yang tidak termasuk dalam urusniaga tahunan. Jika terdapat penyelewengan mestilah diselasaikan secara adil dan saksama oleh Pengarah Eksekutif supaya kerugian dapat dicover atau diperolehi semula. Ini adalah termasuk untuk menuntut semula AUD6.5 juta yang telah disalahgunakan oleh bekas pengurusan sebelum beliau, dan hampir AUD900,000 yang telah disalahgunakan oleh bekas pengawal kewangan yang baru berlaku. Tugas yang penting sekali bagi Pengarah Eksekutif ialah untuk memastikan supaya semua bidang urusniaga di Jerambak mestilah membawa keuntungan supaya dapat membayar balik hutang piutang sebanyak lebih kurang AUD27.0 juta. Ini termasuk juga tugas mengemas kinikan semua pengurusan di Jerambak dan anak-anak syarikat di bawahnya supaya lebih efficient dan productive, terutama dari segi pengurusan kakitangan dan perbelanjaan operasi seharian.

Kesemua tugas-tugas yang disebutkan di atas tidaklah terdapat di mana-mana dokumen syarikat tetapi hanyalah pendapat Dato Paduka Dr Haji Morni sendiri yang boleh dijadikan satu dasar kepada orang-orang yang mengambilalih. Beliau tidak mempunyai apa-apa reference dalam menjalankan kedua-dua tugas di atas. Mengikut pandangan beliau kesemua bidang kuasa, tugas dan tanggungjawab Pengerusi dan Pengarah Eksekutif mestilah ditentukan oleh pihak Kerajaan NBD terutamanya daripada pihak YB Penasihat Jerambak.

Selepas Dato Paduka Dr Haji Morni berjaya menstabilkan kedudukan pengurusan dan membaikpulih kewangan Syarikat Jerambak Pty Ltd dan anak-anak syarikat dibawahnya, beliau telah bersara daripada jawatan-jawatan tersebut pada 9 Februari 2002. Sewaktu dalam persaraan, beliau meneruskan kerja-kerja beliau di bidang konsultasi perniagaan di Australia dan di dalam urusniaga syarikat-syarikat keluarganya di Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Kesimpulan yang dapat dibaca dari memoirs ini adalah gambaran rengkas tentang kehidupan Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni bersama keluarganya yang bolih dijadikan iktibar. Semoga apa jua yang ditulis didalamnya adalah semata-mata untuk kebenaran jua. Kesabaran itu adalah iman dan kesangsaraan itu adalah cabaran dari Allah jua. Kita hanya dapat merancang dan Allah jua yang menentukan kejayaannya. Sekian wabillahi taufik walhidayah asalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

DAYS OF OUR LIFE

2011-08-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

Man and His World
as envisaged by Dato Paduka Dr Haji Morni bin Othman

The evolution of mankind remains a mystery, but historical pictures will reveal what the past looked like then........

Click on pictures for bigger images!

Everybody knows that the pictures tell more than thousand words. However, a single picture only shows a moment of the past. So if you want to relive the past, please capture as many pictures as you can so that you can enjoy seeing the moments of your life!!!

Above picture shows beloved Dad (middle), brother Hj Saban (left) and brother Hj Duraman/Aman......

And below, it shows from left beloved Mum (under the hut in dark clothes), guess who is peeping through the two posts, brother Hj Duraman, sister Hjh Bani, sister Hjh Nilam (with umbrella), brother-in-law Untong (far behind), and brother Hj Saban.......

This six-storey hut (junjong tinggi) was built by brother Hj Saban and his friends exactly on the same spot as our house built on top of Bukit Tajau, Kampong Sungai Tampoi......

Imagine, how scary it would be, climbing and sleeping in the hut during a strong windy condition..... We have to appreciate the local building technology at that time!!!

2011-08-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

Transforming our garden which was invaded by awesome winter weeds into something benificial and productive could give us lots of exercises and pleasures....

DAYS OF OUR LIVES CONTINUE IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

2011-07-28T05:41:00.000-07:00

2011-07-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

It is one of the joyous occassion of the family, relatives and friends of our brother-in-law/brother, Awang Hj Zunaidi bin Hj Abdul Rahman for the grand wedding of his oldest daughter, Dayang Nurul Hasyimah and her husband, Awang Mohammad Halifah bin Hj Hamdan.... may God Almighty bless the married couple with long lasting happiness..... Amin....

2011-06-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

We had a nice family ambuyat lunch with our eldest sister, Hjh Nilam binti Othman, and our oldest half brother, Hj Sulaiman bin Timur together with their children.....

It was our second time shopping in Miri together with our sisters, Hjh Nilam and Hjh Bani....

We had a seafood dinner gathering to thank Allah Almighty for saving our youngest sister, Hjh Bani binti Othman for not to have a brain operation when she was sent to Singapore recently, and at about the same for the double trauma of losing her only beloved husband and a few weeks later her eldest son....

That evening we also met one of our very successful relatives, Dato Paduka Hj Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Hj Mohd Yusof and his lovely wife.....

2011-06-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

The garden area looks bigger after rearranging the flower pots to the outer circle.....

2011-05-08T05:01:00.000-07:00

These are random pictures taken around our Bukit Tajau residence..... the road works are progressing very slowly, but our Kampong chickens are in the fast tracks.....

DAYS OF OUR LIVES CONTINUE IN AUSTRALIA

2011-04-15T01:22:00.000-07:00

2011-04-12T01:21:00.000-07:00

We are back to fishing again after a 3-year break..... the weather was just nice for one of our outdoor hobbies..... the fishing spot is only 3-minute drive from our residence..... after trying various baits and locations, we finally found the best ones for the carps..... although we lost several monsters, we caught enough to give away some to our fellow anglers who had no luck of catching one.......

2011-03-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

The weather was just nice for a BBQ.... our boys and Hj Othman's girls did excellent cooking and grilling, making the parents just relaxing the evening away..... we really missed Tina, Adam and Tiadi for this occasion......

2011-02-28T12:29:00.000-08:00

A very warm welcome for our brother/brother-in-law Hj Othman and his family to Melbourne..... he is here to make sure that his youngest daughter Ummi is settling well in her new environment to do a 4-year Ph D at RMIT University on a Brunei Government scholarship.... we hope that they have enjoyable stay here in Melbourne....

2011-02-18T20:33:00.000-08:00

It is one of our hobbies to create something different to our garden landscape in order to see how it looks like in the future.....

2011-02-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

After leaving the plants for two months to take care of themselves, they are still giving us some returns to our investments.....

DAYS OF OUR LIVES CONTINUE IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

2011-02-08T03:13:00.000-08:00

2011-02-07T20:34:00.000-08:00

A belated birthday lunch was held at the Mangrove Paradise Resort with the whole family except one who is still in the Country of the Rising Sun.....

2011-02-06T02:46:00.000-08:00

Five birthdays in one celebration was held recently in Kampong Masin..... the birthdays were especially for Datin Hjh Rauyah, Ummi Hj Othman, Rizal Hj Kassim, Sofian and Sofia Aziz......

2011-01-17T03:37:00.000-08:00

A picnic with some families of Hjh Bani and Hj Tujoh was held at the Serasa Beach on one Sunday morning.... the Beach has definitely gone through many changes since last seen 2 decades ago.....

2011-01-03T13:04:00.000-08:00

It is the time of the year again for a birthday celebration with family and relatives.... it is also our 37th Anniversary.....

2010-12-24T18:26:00.000-08:00

Finally, our personal effects from Geneva of Switzerland have arrived safely after so many weeks on the sea.....

2010-12-18T03:14:00.000-08:00

These colourful outdoor benches can been seen at our home sweet home "Bukit Tajau" in Kampong Sungai Tampoi.....

DAYS OF OUR LIVE CONTINUE IN AUSTRALIA

2010-12-09T02:51:00.000-08:00

2010-11-20T11:12:00.000-08:00

On a Saturday morning, we were at the Highlands Farmers Market in Craigieburn, but there were not many stalls to see at this time of the year as it is a new venture in this area...... later in the afternoon, we went to the Eid Mubarak Celebration in Meadow Heights, and we were excited to see so many Muslims enjoying the korban festivities and shows..... it is true that Melbourne has a large Muslim community living in several suburbs including ours in Roxburgh Park....

2010-11-16T12:21:00.000-08:00

On a Sunday afternoon, we went to the City just to have a lunch and shopping at one of the Asian markets in Melbourne.....

2010-11-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

Greetings from our home sweet home in Melbourne..... Akustiadi from Darwin is now here joining his family again for a two-month holiday in his home country, Brunei Darussalam starting next month.....