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, Egypt agree to boost cultural, economic ties The sultan holds talks with President Sisi in Cairo

August 6, 2019

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei and Egypt signed two agreements in Cairo on Monday aimed at boosting cultural, economic and technical cooperation. His…

Australia says ‘long way to go’ to reach RCEP deal As trade ministers gear up for another meeting in Beijing this week, what will it take to break RCEP deadlock?

July 29, 2019

CANBERRA – Australia has cast doubt on whether the 16 countries that make up the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be able…

‘Pro bono work should be mandatory for Law Society members’ The head of Brunei's largest legal aid clinic says such a move would greatly improve access to justice

July 26, 2019

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – One of Brunei’s leading criminal attorneys has called for a legal amendment to make it compulsory for members of…

Timor Leste says Brunei will support its bid to join ASEAN Dili's foreign minister was in Brunei this week as part of diplomatic swing to shore up support for ASEAN membership

July 6, 2019

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Timor Leste’s foreign minister said Brunei has “given assurance” it will support the country’s bid to join ASEAN, which…

‘We want to build a community of Bruneian filmmakers’ The stage is set for Brunei's first film school

June 13, 2019

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – When you step into the sleek hallways of Brunei’s first filmmaking college – with its slick film studio, sound…

SCB: We’re here to support Brunei’s economic growth Standard Chartered's new CEO sits down with The Scoop to talk about the banking industry, FDI, and China's expanding economic footprint in Brunei

May 31, 2019

When Citibank exited Brunei in 2014, followed by HSBC in 2018, many felt Standard Chartered would be the next international bank to follow…

China to prioritise development projects with Brunei, says Xi The Sultan and President Xi meet for the second time in five months

April 27, 2019

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei and China reiterated their desire to ramp up cooperation in infrastructure development through the Belt and Road Initiative…

Full implementation of Syariah Penal Code to begin April 3 Prime Minister's Office issues statement defending move, amid growing international scrutiny

March 30, 2019

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The full implementation of the Syariah Penal Code — including hudud punishments — will come into effect on Wednesday,…

New Zealand mosque killings spark global horror Brunei gov't condemns attack as 'inhumane act of terrorism', says Bruneian students in Christchurch safe

March 16, 2019

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The Ministry of Education (MoE) has said that Bruneian students in Christchurch are safe and accounted for after a…

Foreign Affairs ministry tables $113 million budget Minister also urges Bruneians to use new 'e-register' service, which extends consular assistance to Bruneians when they travel

March 13, 2019

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – During a meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) tabled a budget…