Stories by Shareen Han on The Scoop

COVID-19 jab ‘most likely’ required for international travel The government is considering relaxing quarantine rules for fully vaccinated travellers

April 3, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The government will “most likely” make it mandatory for Bruneians to be fully vaccinated before they can travel abroad,…

MoH assures Bruneians of COVID-19 vaccine safety In budget readout, minister also reports rise in calls to mental health helpline, says more healthcare workers needed

March 25, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — The health minister has appealed to the public to take the COVID-19 vaccine once it is available, saying it…

Dev’t ministry: New prepaid utility meters to be installed this year During budget readout, MoD reveals more plots of state land to be offered to investors for leasing; and gov't to grant 300 Lambak Kanan apartments soon

March 24, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — Brunei residents can expect the installation of new smart electricity and water meters to start sometime this year, Development…

All four districts to operate solar power plants within 5 years Energy ministry eyes Hengyi expansion in 2022 as oil and gas sector expected to increase output

March 22, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — Brunei will build three new solar power plants within the next five years as part of its transition from…

Brunei GDP declines 1.4% in Q4 2020 Oil and gas sector reports negative growth in all four quarters of 2020 but downstream sector maintains positive momentum

March 19, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The Brunei economy shrank 1.4 percent in the final quarter of last year, ending its run of positive growth…

Gov’t set to cut spending on development projects as fiscal deficit hits $2.98 billion The proposed 2021/22 budget of $5.86 billion remains unchanged from the past two financial years

March 17, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei’s fiscal deficit is on track to widen even further with a $2.98 billion shortfall as of February 28…

HM: Gov’t must cut fiscal deficit After a truncated session last year, parliament reconvenes amid economic uncertainty

March 15, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah called on the 36-member Legislative Council (LegCo) to be “transparent and brave” in…

Brunei to ban junk food ads aimed at children Health ministry launches food advertising guidelines to tackle rising childhood obesity

March 9, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei plans to ban junk food advertisements aimed at children to combat rising obesity after more than half of…

Report: More Bruneian women in managerial jobs but political participation lowest in ASEAN Poor gender data availability hampers effectiveness of national development policies, according to ASEAN and UN

March 8, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei has made strides towards gender equality but still has the lowest representation of women in politics among Southeast…

Gov’t to ease more COVID-19 curbs in ‘new normal’ phase on March 8 Social gatherings now capped at 1,000 people; travel ban maintained

March 6, 2021

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei will relax more COVID-19 control measures when it enters the fifth or “new normal” phase of its de-escalation…