Stories by Ain Bandial on The Scoop

Ain Bandial

Ain is co-founder and editor of The Scoop. She previously worked as a journalist for The Brunei Times covering diplomacy and security in Southeast Asia, as well as national issues related to the economy, trade and gender inequality. Ain’s work has also appeared in Reuters, AFP, The Jakarta Post, The Straits Times, among others.

Brunei hosts first ASEAN meeting of 2021 chairmanship Senior economic officials discuss post-pandemic recovery and launch of FTA negotiations with Canada

January 12, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei kicked off its ASEAN chairmanship for 2021 by hosting the first virtual meeting of senior economic officials at the…

Brunei aims to slash carbon emissions by 20% in next 10 years The gov't submits its climate action pledge under the Paris Agreement

January 7, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei aims to cut its greenhouse gas ouput by 20 percent over the next 10 years, relative to business-as-usual…

MoH: All imported cases tested negative for COVID-19 before flying to Brunei Health ministry reports one new imported infection

December 2, 2020

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The Ministry of Health reported one new imported case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, a 26-year-old woman who arrived in…

BSB gets makeover with street art Local artists will be designing Brunei's largest mural as part of plans to revitalise city centre

November 25, 2020

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — Street art murals and colourful shophouses are set to transform Jalan Roberts as part of the Bandar Seri Begawan…

Physical meetings for ASEAN ‘unlikely’ in first half of 2021 Brunei will assume chairmanship of the 10-member bloc in January

November 24, 2020

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Although Brunei is assuming the ASEAN chair in January, it is unlikely in-person meetings can be held during the…

Brunei to get COVID-19 vaccine early next year Gov't has secured vaccine coverage for 50% of population

November 24, 2020

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The health minister said there is a “good possibility” that Brunei will get the COVID-19 vaccine by the first…

Pandemic is a test of APEC’s relevance, says Brunei’s sultan Putting differences aside, leaders of the 21-country grouping issued a joint statement for the first time in 3 years

November 21, 2020

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – APEC needs to restore market confidence to promote early economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Brunei’s monarch said on…

Brunei to chair ASEAN in 2021 The sultanate says it will focus on accelerating post-pandemic recovery

November 16, 2020

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei Darussalam will take over the ASEAN chairmanship in 2021, after Vietnam handed over the symbolic gavel at the…

A nation mourns as Prince Azim is laid to rest As flags fly at half-mast, Brunei marks the untimely passing of a young royal

October 25, 2020

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – A sombre mood fell across the nation as the death of HRH Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim was announced Saturday afternoon.…

HRH Prince Azim passes away at 38 Brunei enters seven-day period of mourning for the late prince

October 24, 2020

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – HRH Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim, second eldest son of Brunei’s monarch, has passed away at the age of 38.…