Brunei: PCMF Medical Consent form for minors

THIS medical consent form for children and young people under the age of 18 years old is available for parents to complete.

Completion of this form is recommended if both parents are overseas, if there is only one parent caring for their child/children or when the child is being cared for by a nominated person who is not their parent.

For any medical encounters in the PCMF in the absence of a parent, the PCMF will attempt to contact the parents, but if this is not possible, this form provides supporting evidence of medical consent.

This consent form should be taken with the child to the PCMF or hospital when the child is taken for treatment.

Service Families Accommodation - Utility Bills

 

Brunei: Ashley Furniture Homestore

When Ashley Furniture HomeStore Brunei first opened its doors on January 10, 2017, the perception of furniture by the local community has never been the same. By offering stylish furniture at low prices, superior service, and fast delivery, Ashley Furniture Homestore Brunei became the favourite place to purchase furniture in Brunei.

Walk into our bright, stylish, and friendly furniture HomeStores and discover the beauty of your new home. Thousands of customers have enjoyed Ashley Furniture Homestore Brunei while also discovering a more convenient, enjoyable, and affordable way to shop for furniture.

https://store.ashleyfurniture.com.bn/

Brunei: Shin Hwa Furniture "Purple House"

 

Furniture store in Kuala Belait

Service options: In-store shopping · In-store pick-up · Delivery

Contact number: 333 2444

Address: Lot 7563, Block A, No. 1 - 8, Mastercon Complex, Jalan Sungai Pandan, Kuala Belait KA2131

Opening Hours: Mon to Thu and Sat: 8:00 am to 06:00 pm 

                            Fri: 08:00 am to 12:00 pm and 02:00 pm to 06:00 pm

                            Sun: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm

https://www.facebook.com/ShinHwaFurniture/

https://www.instagram.com/shinhwafurniturekb/?hl=en

Brunei: Boon Seng Cushion Makers

 

Contact number: +673 333 0331

Address: Bangunan Hj Hassan , Lot 7191, unit 11, Kuala Belait

Opening Hours: Mon - Sat: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
                          Sun: Closed

Brunei: Roshjaya Motor (used cars)

Sale of Import & Local Used Cars

Contact details: +673 873 7778

Address: Lot 7421 no23 block B, Jalan jaya negara, Kuala Belait, kA1931, Brunei

Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat: 08:00 am to 17:30 pm

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=928476170545920&ref=content_filter

Brunei: Mumong HIVE is seeking donations of books, games, puzzles & magazines....

Books, Games & Magazines Donations wanted at Mumong HIVE 

The Mumong HIVE are still looking for donations of used Books, non-battery powered Games, Jigsaws, Puzzles & Magazines, for all age groups to get the Community Lending Library going!

If you have any of the above unwanted items in good useable and readable condition please kindly donate them to the HIVE offices.

Please email at BruneiGar-SpSvcs-HIVE-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk to arrange collection or drop off at Mumong HIVE on Monday - Friday 0800 - 1300 hrs. 

Drop off only at Chit Chat on Monday - Friday 0800 - 1300 hrs.

Thank you!

National Careers Service

The National Careers Service provides careers information, advice and guidance. They can help you to make decisions on learning, training and work at all stages in your career. Click here to find out more. 

Update on Veterans ID Card scheme

 

CLICK HERE to read the full update on the roll out of Veterans ID Cards

Tickets for Troops - exciting new events added!

Military charity Tickets For Troops has added some exciting new events for serving personnel and their loved ones to enjoy for free in recognition of their service and sacrifices.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, tickets have been made available for a range of events from Premier League football to shows by top comedians.

Events include the Liverpool FC v Manchester United clash at Anfield, shows by comedians John Bishop and Tom Houghton and British Horse Racing.

See what's available from the link below: https://www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk/home.aspx

Changes to Highway Code

Rules for all types of road users have been updated in The Highway Code. For more information, click here​.

Posted overseas? Falklands, Oman, Kenya? Find out more on iHIVE

Our Overseas Assignment Blog iHIVE covers isolated postings such as Kenya, The Falkland Islands & Oman plus many more. CLICK HERE to access the iHIVE Blog and discover more about your next overseas posting by searching the regions at the top of the page. 

You can contact the iHIVE team at ihive@armymail.mod.uk for further information and support.

Search the country and location guides for location overviews before considering your overseas posting and pass on any information to friends that may be newly assigned. 

For details on the Falklands Families Handbook Click here

How to support your mental health - advice and ideas

CLICK HERE to access this leaflet

Brunei: Keep our community Safe and Clean

Brunei: ISB International School

 

Healthy Solider Cookbook

The Army’s Healthy Soldier Cookbook 2 is packed with recipes designed for easy and inexpensive cooking. Eating healthily, on and off duty, has a big impact on our ability to function, both mentally and physically. It provides a varied diet for breakfast, lunch and dinner for individuals looking to have more control over what foods they eat.

Click here to access the Healthy Soldier Cookbook.  

Ways to Work: An Introduction for Employers

WAY TO WORK: HELPING 500,000 PEOPLE INTO WORK

Way to Work is a new partnership between government and employers to get 500,000 jobseekers into work by the end of June 2022.

This partnership will help fill record numbers of vacancies, supporting job-ready people into the labour market and helping them progress into a career.

Whether you’re a jobseeker finding your way back into work, or an employer who’s looking for a way to get the right person to help their business, Jobcentre Plus and Way to Work can help.

Click here for more info. 
 

Protecting Grey Matter - Mental Health support

Please note that some links are to content on Defence Connect which requires an MOD login'​

Cervical Screening Campaign

Cervical Screening Campaign

 

Regimental Associations - Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Funding for Veterans

Armed Forces Families Strategy - Support for Military Families

The Families Strategy, a new 10-year plan recognising the unique nature of military life and setting out bespoke support for service families, now published, take a read.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wide-ranging-support-boost-for-military-families

RBL Employment Advice and Job Support

Find out how RBL can support with employment and financial support HERE

Brunei: Do you have an outstanding Amah transfer and require support?

Following many years of service, the local Agent Alvin has recently announced his retirement and is no longer contactable to process and answer Amah queries on behalf of BFB Garrison. 

If you have a new, existing or outstanding Amah processing issue, and require the support of an agent, please engage directly with Teras Maju and explain your situation, they are aware and will support in resolving any issues. 

Teras Maju Employment Agency, based in Kuala Belait are able to provide support with the Employment and Transfer of Amah's and manage the process of application through the various government departments and have agreed to take on Alvin's legacy work for the Garrison. 

To find out more about Teras Maju Employment Agency and the services they offer CLICK HERE and email: admin@terasmajuemploymentagency.com Tel: +673 7239911

CLICK HERE to download the form along with a summary of the paperwork requirements for the Amah Process HERE

Brunei: Employing an Amah (domestic helper)

Employing an Amah

Many people in Brunei, expats and locals choose to employ an Amah for housework and babysitting. If you are interested in employing a foreign domestic worker (amah), you must take out a private license before you officially employ one.

​Most domestic helpers are Bruneian and Philippine nationals but there are also Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese amahs working in Brunei. All foreigners require a license, sponsorship, housing and rates of payments vary depending on the job details.

The process of sponsoring a full time Amah can take up to 2 months from initiating an application, and sometimes longer during Covid restrictions. Agents, such as Teras Maju Employment Agency are available to help you through the process for a fee. However, undertaking the paperwork yourself is doable. 

An amah who holds a green Identity Card (IC) will need a license, accommodation, sponsorship, even if she is already working in Brunei and simply transferring from one employer's sponsorship to another. Before you make a formal offer of employment, you must ensure that the amah's IC is up to date and her employment pass has at least three months left to run so she is legally covered during the transfer process. If either document expires before or during this period, the Brunei Government will not allow transfer and she will have to return to her home country and start the application process from the scratch.

Please note: When employing an amah, you must register with the SSO in accordance with your Licence to Occupy SFA.

​In accordance with policy, those occupants wishing to employ an Amah need to gain authority from the SSO. It is also a requirement to update and submit a copy of your amah’s renewal of employment pass and identity card on expiry to SSO office. The following documents are required:

1. Photocopy of Amah Brunei green IC
2. Photocopy of Amah passport (front and back).
3. Photocopy of Amah passport new employment stamp. 

An application form for domestic helpers can be collected from the SSO Welfare & Housing Office, in Chit Chat Community Centre Tuker Lines.

Amah Bond (Repatriation Cost)

Each sponsor/employer must provide the repatriation bond as a condition of being granted an employment license. The cost varies between nationalities and simply covers the cost of an air ticket to the amah's home country should be repatriate for any reason.

At the moment, the bond for Philippine nationals is $600. The sum will be refunded in full when the license is cancelled but it can not be sold on to your amah's next employer as they must take out their own license before employing the amah. In the event that you choose to cancel your license, your bond will not be refunded.

Salary and Benefits

​Once your amah is formally named on your license, you will be expected to provide her with accommodation and a negotiable wage for the duties agreed. The ongoing rate among the expat community is between $550 to $700 per month for a full-time (6-day week) domestic worker.

​Should your amah refuse to stay in your quarter, you are not obliged to pay for her housing allowance as the quarter is fully fit for purpose and fulfills your obligation. However if you live in a flat or a quarter without amah accommodation and are not willing to give her one of your bedrooms, you are then obliged to pay an accommodation allowance. The minimum accommodation allowance payable to the amah is $200 per month on top of the salary.

Termination of Contract

​The employer must give a one month notice to the amah before the termination date. One month salary as well as a flight back to their home country will be given to the amah.

Agents

Finding an Amah can often be the easy part! Navigating through the process and paperwork of the various labour and immigration departments can be both tricky and time consuming although not impossible. 

Following many years of service, the local Agent Alvin has recently announced his retirement and is no longer contactable to process and answer Amah queries on behalf of BFB Garrison.

If you have a new, existing or outstanding Amah processing issue, please engage directly with Teras Maju and explain your situation, they are aware and will support in resolving any issues. 

Teras Maju Employment Agency, based in Kuala Belait are able to provide support with the Employment and Transfer of Amah's and manage the process of application through the various government departments and have agreed to take on Alvin's legacy work for the Garrison. 

To find out more about Teras Maju Employment Agency and the services they offer CLICK HERE and email: admin@terasmajuemploymentagency.com Tel: +673 7239911

Please see below an example of the rates and fees for Teras Maju Employment Agency and CLICK HERE to download the form along with a summary of the paperwork requirements for the Amah Process HERE

Brunei: Dental Services at PCMF

CLICK HERE to access the details of the Dental Centre and the services provided at PCMF Seria. For further information contact: UKStratCom-DMS-DPHC-SER-DenPM@mod.gov.uk

Moving Schools? DCYP have produced a parents guide & pupil passport

 

Download A Parents Guide to Moving Schools and The Pupil Passport to support you and your child's school transition. 

MOD Boarding School Finder

Considering boarding schools and don't know where to start? MOD have produced the Boarding School Finder enabling you to search for schools using various criteria. Use this LINK and for further enquiries contact RC-DCS-HQ-CEAS@mod.gov.uk

Posted back to England? Check out the Welcome to England guide

Did you know that Welcome Guides have been produced to help Service families as they move across the UK or return from overseas?

The guides have been provided by the Nation States of the United Kingdom to explain what support and services are available to Service personnel and their families when they move between the Devolved Administrations or return from overseas. The guides include information on key topics such as housing, education, healthcare and employment.

The Welcome to England Guide can be accessed HERE . Other guides are also available via the Armed Forces Covenant website

A Guide for Service Personnel & Families moving to Scotland

Are you leaving Brunei and posted to Scotland? Gov.scot have produced a service families guide covering all things Housing, Education, Healthcare, Employment and other useful information to get you started. Click HERE to access the full 17 page booklet. 

Brunei: Hornbill Primary School

 

Hornbill School is an exciting and vibrant school that caters for both Nepali children of Gurkha soldiers and children of serving British military and civilian MOD personnel. Hornbill School is a primary school with over 320 children from 3 - 11 years of age. Usually the school has around 85-90% of children with English as an additional language (EAL), with high mobility as a result of Arms Plot Rotations and deployments.

For more information about Hornbill School please visit the website HERE

For all admissions enquiries please email: hornbill.admissions@modschools.org

A Career guide for Military Families on the move

Helen Massy produced the magazine Career Pursuit following her own experience of career transition due to overseas military postings. As a career advocate for military spouses/partners, she wanted everyone to have free access to expert and valuable career support. The magazine is updated annually to ensure relevant and current career advice and resources are at your fingertips.

Moving with the military can have an impact on your career and aspirations. Helen has been a military partner/spouse for over 18 years and during that time has completely changed her career. Career Pursuit has been designed to help military spouses and veterans facing a similar transition.

There is a wealth of support available but it is not always easy to find, and so the idea of Career Pursuit was developed to put all the information in one place. With advice, resources, and top tips from successful entrepreneurs and experts, you will see that moving around with your military partner does not mean giving up on your own ambitions, and it may even help propel you to the next level.

Click on THIS LINK to read the full guide. Happy reading!

Your Posting to Brunei - a families guide to living in Brunei

Brunei is a small Islamic Sultanate on the north–west coast of Borneo. As a garrison it is an isolated station in a challenging environment, but a unique and exciting one.

An assignment here provides the opportunity to work with the Gurkha's and experience their traditions, customs and celebrations. The travelling opportunities are amazing and if you are the kind of family that likes to have adventures and explore, this is the posting for you. Due to its location in the middle of Asia, places you may have only read about before will become potential holiday destinations when Covid restrictions lift 

British Forces Brunei is located in the south-west area of Brunei, 120 km away from the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Though it’s a small country, there is limited public transport and a car is a necessity… and two are recommended.

Top tip: it goes dark by 6.30pm every night, and as both the children and serving soldiers have early starts, it is an early night most days.

To read more about AFF's guide to your Brunei posting CLICK HERE and to browse the British Forces Brunei Information portal CLICK HERE

You can also contact your AFF Overseas Co-ordinator by email at overseasmgr@aff.org.uk

Departing Brunei and require a nursery place in the UK?

If you are leaving Brunei and require a child's Nursery place on arrival in the UK, please ensure you remember to take the Child's Birth Certificate with you in your hand luggage NOT your sea freight.

Nurseries cannot register children without a birth certificate. 

If the child is not registered, the Nursery cannot receive the correct funding from Kent County Council and you will not secure a place. 

Add this to your moving checklist!

National Insurance Credits for partners of armed forces personnel overseas

Apply if you're the spouse or civil partner of armed service personnel and have been with them on a posting outside the UK you can claim NI Credits. 

Details

Print and complete the form MODCA1 (using capital letters) to apply for Class 1 National Insurance credits if you’re the spouse or civil partner of armed service personnel and have been on an accompanied assignment outside the UK.

The second page of the form needs to be completed by the unit welfare officer.

When to complete this form

You should not apply for National Insurance Credits more than four months before the confirmed end date of your accompanied assignment outside the UK and no later than the end of the tax year after the end of the assignment.

Click here for MODCA1 form. 

Brunei: Jerudong International School

Jerudong International School (JIS) is one of two International Accredited Schools in Brunei's Capital Bandar Seri Begawan about 1.15 hours from BFB Garrison. 

There is an extensive website www.JerudongInternationalSchool.com along with other links to social media and youtube:

Facebook JISBruneiDarussalam

Youtube JISBrunei

Twitter JISBrunei

Instagram JISBrunei

LinkedIn JerudongInternational School

Here is the link to the most recent School Inspection Report British Schools Overseas (BSO) Inspection In January 2019, JIS became the first international school in the world to achieve the highest possible rating in all of the new inspection categories, including boarding.

For more information regarding Admissions, please follow this LINK to complete the enquiry form

You may also like to check out the new parents portal which provides more information for new families 

Way to Work - Employers Guidance

Defence Women's Network - weekly bulletin - sign up

Read the latest bulletin in full and check out the various Defence Women's Network events along with articles on the importance of Cervical Screening and presentation slides from Jordan's Legacy on the importance of mental health. 

To sign up and join the network use this link DEFENCE WOMEN'S NETWORK - MEMBERSHIP FORM (office.com)

Brunei: International School Brunei (ISB) Information

There are two International Accredited secondary schools here in Brunei and both are located in the Capital Bandar Seri Begawan about 1.5 hours from BFB Garrison. 

Here you will find lots of information and links on the ISB Website https://www.isb.edu.bn in addition to their social media and YouTube pages: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isb_brunei/ | http://instagram.com/isb_seria
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isb.brunei | https://www.facebook.com/isb.seria
Twitter: https://twitter.com/isb_brunei
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/InternationalSchoolBruneiISB/


Below are links to ISB's Promotional video's

ISB Promo Video - https://youtu.be/Z0S8podElM

CFBT Video - https://youtu.be/tYJmPJiFGW0

International Day https://youtu.be/Q_4W6eGUhOs (1 min video)


And here's a little more about the boarding facilities at ISB

https://youtu.be/GHsmlmSClPc

For more information about Admissions, please contact: AdmissionMgr@ac.isb.edu.bn

For the latest ISB Termly Publication click here https://www.isbtermlypublication.com

Brunei: New Arrival? PCMF Patient Information Leaflet & how to register

Patient Information Leaflets are available at PCMF Reception and also by Clicking HERE (Nepalese) and HERE (English). The leaflet includes information on how to register if you have newly arrived in BFB.  

Voting in Fiji - new rule

The Fijian Parliament has passed the Electoral Registration of Voters Amendment Bill which now requires the application for registration as a voter to state the person’s full name as specified on his or her birth certificate and to also be accompanied by his or her birth certificate. 

Full details can be found at the following link - https://www.fijivillage.com/indepth/Parliament-passes-proposed-electoral-law-requiring-people-to-use-their-birth-certificate-name-to-be-registered-as-a-voter-f4r5x8/

Travel to Fiji - new updated guidance from gov.uk

Please click on the link to find the latest travel advice  Fiji travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Brunei: Nimanja Pet Shop

“At Nimanja, our goal is to bring convenience to pet lovers in Brunei by offering a wide selection of quality pet supplies through an online platform.”

Products:

• Cat

• Dog

• Small Animals

• Aquatic & Reptile

• Bird

https://www.nimanja.com/