Generic and local information for the UK Military community in Brunei including Serving Personnel, Families, Veterans, and MOD Civilians.
This is best viewed through a personal device because the MODnet firewall may prevent access to some links.
Thursday 24 February 2022
Brunei: PCMF Medical Consent form for minors
Brunei: PCMF - remember to use eConsult
eConsult can be accessed via the link below:
Consult Online from Home - Brunei Medical Centre (webgp.com)
Wednesday 23 February 2022
Brunei: Ashley Furniture Homestore
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"
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
Brunei: Land Transport Department
Jalan Setia Diraja
Belait KA3131
Brunei Darussalam
Tel : 3332 272
Services:
i) Registration and Licensing
Register of new vehicle
Issue / Renew of Vehicle Licence / Driving Licence
Endorsement of Foreign Driving License
ii) Processing applications:
Change of ownership
Finance (loan)
Ceased
Copy of the Registration Book
Change: colour, address and engine of vehicle
Retention of registration number (Identification mark)
Issuance of duplicate Registration Card/ Blue Card
Non-use and others related with vehicle license.
iii) Driving Test
High Way Code (HWC) Test
Test Drive (on the Road)
Road Safety Briefing (Endorsement and Just Passed)
Brunei: Boon Seng Cushion Makers
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: Happy Motor (Honda)
It was one of the first car distributors to renovate a fully air-conditioned glass showroom located in Jalan Gadong back in 1991.
Later in 2005, the Gadong showroom was upgraded in line with Honda's new corporate identity. A new branch was opened in Kuala Belait in February 2007. A service centre is being planned to set up in Kuala Belait to serve the increasing Honda owners in Belait District.
Contact details: +673 242 8328
Address: Jln Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan BE3519
Opening Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu & Fri: 8:00am - 5:00 pm
Sat: 8:00am to 12:30 pm
Sun: Closed
Brunei: GHK Motor (Daihatsu, Jeep, Mitsubishi)
The company started with used and reconditioned cars, in 1973. It is now the franchise distributor of Mitsubishi, Daihatsu, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, MG and Maxus vehicles in Brunei Darussalam.
Contact number: +673 242 3423
Fri: 8:00am to 12:00pm and 02:00pm to 05:00pm
Sun: Closed
http://ghkmotors.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ghkmotors.commercialvehicles/
Tuesday 22 February 2022
Brunei: Mumong HIVE is seeking donations of books, games, puzzles & magazines....
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
SSAFA event: Military Families Affected by the Suicide of a Loved One (MFAS) Support Group
SSAFA Support Groups is pleased to announce that our Military Families Affected by the Suicide of a Loved One (MFAS) Support Group will be holding its first Face-to-Face weekend meeting since 2020 on Saturday 02 April 2022 and Sunday 03 April 2022.
The venue will be at our Central Office, SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, Queen Elizabeth House, 4 St Dunstan’s Hill, London EC3R 8AD
The weekend programme* will be:
Friday 01 April 2022 evening
· Travel to London - only available to those living over 1.5/2 hours away from London. Please speak to Jason Winer for further information on supportgroups@ssafa.org.uk
· Dinner will be available at the hotel.
Saturday 02 April 2022
· Arrive at SSAFA Central Office for 09.00 coffee/tea welcome.
· Morning Sessions – Mix of large group and small group sessions
· Lunch - Provided by SSAFA
· Afternoon Sessions
· Finish by 17.30 – all return to hotel
· Dinner 19.00 – Restaurant to be arranged and provided by SSAFA
Sunday 03 April 2022
· Breakfast in hotel, arrive at SSAFA Central Office for 09.00 coffee/tea.
· Morning Sessions
· Preparing for departure by 13.30
Accommodation & all meals will be provided by SSAFA for Saturday.
Please reply to supportgroups@ssafa.org.uk if you would like to attend in order for the hotel & dinner reservations to be made for Friday & Saturday night. Please also advise of any dietary requirements.
All support group events are free to attend and include complimentary refreshments and food (tea, coffee, water, fruit, lunch & dinner (excluding alcohol & room service). We just ask that you please provide and pay for your own travel to and from the event. If the cost of travel is an issue, please let us know and we will do everything possible to ensure you are able to attend.
If you wish to make a donation, SSAFA are always grateful for any contributions.
*subject to change
Tickets for Troops - exciting new events added!
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
Relocating soon? Be sure to re-direct mail with Royal Mail Redirection
Monday 21 February 2022
Posted overseas? Falklands, Oman, Kenya? Find out more on iHIVE
Forces Family Jobs - training & career support
The Armed Forces Covenant has helped with recognition of the importance of access to training for families. In recent years, some excellent initiatives have been launched to provide training and development opportunities. There are also a number of training providers keen to offer their services to military spouses at a discounted rate. However, the Warwick Research Report released in June 2018 found that 54% of all spouses/partners who were surveyed were unaware of support for them to find work. The aim of this section is to provide a place to promote all those opportunities in one place. To find out more about Training & Career support from Forces Families Jobs CLICK HERE
Thursday 17 February 2022
Wednesday 16 February 2022
Healthy Solider Cookbook
Click here to access the Healthy Soldier Cookbook.
Ways to Work: An Introduction for Employers
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.
Monday 14 February 2022
Friday 11 February 2022
Armed Forces Families Strategy - Support for Military Families
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wide-ranging-support-boost-for-military-families
Thursday 10 February 2022
Brunei: Do you have an outstanding Amah transfer and require support?
To find out more about Teras Maju Employment Agency and the services they offer CLICK HERE and email: admin@terasmajuemploymentagency.com Tel: +673 7239911
Brunei: Employing an Amah (domestic helper)
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.
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.
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.
To find out more about Teras Maju Employment Agency and the services they offer CLICK HERE and email: admin@terasmajuemploymentagency.com Tel: +673 7239911
Brunei: Dental Services at PCMF
Moving Schools? DCYP have produced a parents guide & pupil passport
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
Wednesday 9 February 2022
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
Brunei: Hornbill Primary School
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
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.
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?
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.