KEKAL Launches Second Annual Meet

The guest of honour being greeted by KEKAL members. Photos: Kasha

Visitors taking a look at some of the exhibits

Tutong - Kekal motorcycle club, Tutong was established on August 29, 2006. The club aims to train members to adhere to road safety rules and regulations and also in helping the community.
The club started with 16 members and has grown to 95 members from throughout the nation. Among the achievements of the club includes successful expeditions to neighbouring Sabah and Sarawak.

The club launching event and the second annual general meeting was held yesterday at the Main Hall of the Community Hall. The event started with the mass recital of surah al-fatihah followed by a welcoming speech by the Chairman Mosli Haji Abdul Hadis and another speech by the president of the 2007-2009 club session, Haji Md Yussof Haji Abdul Siput.

Senior Superintendent Pg Kamaluddin Pg Setia Raja Haji Jaya from the Royal Brunei Police Force was the guest of honour at the event. He officiated the ceremony and also presented membership certificates and certificates of appreciation to members. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Take proper precautions on roads to avoid accidents

Tutong - Road safety is the responsibility of everyone and if everyone takes proper road precautions, there is a higher chance of avoiding road accidents including road deaths, said a senior official from the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF).

Senior Superintendent Pg Kamaluddin Pg Setia Raja Pg Hj Jaya, deputy director of the Investigations and Traffic Control Unit (JSKLL), was speaking as the guest of honour during the official launching of the Kekal Motorcycle Club at the Tutong Community Hall yesterday.

"The road is everyone's property, including pedestrians, and anyone who uses the road is not exempted from its rules and regulations," he said.

The officer noted that a majority of accidents occur because of carelessness from the driver and in this context he urged the riders to reduce their speed whenever they're in areas with speed limits, schools or narrow roads. He also noted that they should slow down whenever the road is wet because of the rain.

"It is advised that bikers as well as their passengers make it a habit of wearing helmets that are fit for safety by the Land Transport Department and not just because the helmets look fancy."
He further warned motorcyclists who modified their bikes until they produce sounds so loud that they were disturbing public peace, could he considered as an offence to the law.

"Bikers who like to convoy should also be warned as these kinds of activities not only jammed up the roads and distract other drivers but they could also be very dangerous."

The officer advised that any clubs or associations that plan to organise convoy visits should inform the Investigations and Traffic Control Unit, RBPF, to prepare the necessary safety precautions beforehand. He emphasised that convoys to assist weddings were strictly prohibited.
"This is to avoid an unfortunate event from happening as well as to avoid blocking other vehicles that are using the road," he said.

At the event, membership certificates were presented to Kekal members and certificates of appreciation were handed out to those who participated in the event, including private companies who had their motorcycle products on display.

A souvenir was also presented to the guest of honour who was then brought to observe a mini motorcycle exhibition organised by the club.

The club was established early 2006 but due to other commitments and clashing events, were unable to officially launch in until today, according to Hj Md Yussof Hj Siput, the club president for 2007-2009.

Currently, the club boasts more than 95 members. Among the activities they had organised included several expeditions throughout Borneo.

The club hopes to uphold motorbike safety as well as promote unity among motorcycle enthusiasts in the country.

An annual general meeting was also held later in the afternoon to discuss positions in the club for 2009-2011 as well as various activities and events that they plan to organise. -- Adapted By Courtesy of The Brunei Times

1st Qlap Custom Bike Show

Bruneian bikers hold charity ride for the Palestinians

SOME 131 motorcycle enthusiasts banded together to ride across the three districts of Brunei starting from Tutong to raise donations for the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund yesterday.

Dubbed the "Merdeka Ride for Palestine Charity", the procession involving various types of bikes from easy-riders, scooters, racers, to Harley-Davidsons, congregated early in the morning at the Tutong Community Hall where the flag-off ceremony was initiated.

The event, which gathered bikers from all over the region, was organised by the Tutong Bikers Volunteer group, their first time hosting such an event.

From Tutong, they proceeded to Seria Town in Belait where they collected a donation box for the Palestinian Fund.

The procession then returned to the Tutong Community Hall for lunch and continued their journey to the capital, concluding at the Mall, Gadong to collect another donation box.

Mohd Dazlyn Hj Mohd Daud, the secretary of the volunteer group, said they have currently raised about $1,310 based on $10 entry fees each for participating bikers. All proceeds will go to the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund.

"We organised such an event because we've been hearing about all the devastation caused in Palestine from the news and radio broadcasts, so we just wanted to play our part and help out.

The event was also held to mark the National Day Silver Jubilee as a way of enlivening the celebrations, he said.

Hasrin HB, one of the riders in the event and an avid bike collector, said he chose to participate to help the people of Gaza.

"It's just saddening to see images of Palestinians suffering on the Internet, in the news, and hearing about it on the radio, so this is for our brothers and sisters in Palestine, I just wanted to contribute in helping out for their wellbeing."

He added that the event was also to create a closer bikers community, regardless of what type of bike everyone had.

"It's a good way to get to know one another and create unity among bikers. I think the message we want to get across is that it doesn't matter what type of bike you are riding, just ride with us."

This sentiment was shared by Amilin Pg Mohammad, a bike enthusiast for five years, who believed that this event was a way of fostering a sense of friendship among bikers.

"In a way, it creates a sense of togetherness as we ride together on this long journey and at the same time, we also get the chance to teach each other on the proper way of riding bikes as well as contributing to the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund."

Amilin, who rides a Harley-Davidson, said that this was not his first time doing a similar charity ride as he was also involved in raising funds for tsunami victims of Thailand a few years ago.

"I just like doing these charity events as it gives me the chance to be a good samaritan and at the same time I get to enjoy my hobby of riding bikes."

Present to officiate the ceremony was Tutong District Officer Hj Idris Hj Mohd Ali, who presented a donation box to the chairman of the volunteer group, Hassan Hj Zunaidi.

The district officer than waved the national flag as the riders began their journey from Tutong. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times