His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and General of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces officially opened the 10th Brunei International Shooting Skill at Arms Meet (BISAM) yesterday morning at Binturan Shooting Range, Tutong.

His Royal Highness was greeted on arrival by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Awg Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, and the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.

His Royal Highness was invited to the royal stand to receive a royal salute. HRH the Crown Prince later met and greeted the contingent commanders of the participating teams.

It was followed by the handing over of BISAM trophy by the Contingent Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces to 10th BISAM Chief Jury, Lieutenant Colonel Hasmee bin Haji Abd Wahab.

His Royal Highness declared the official opening of 10th BISAM which was followed by fireworks and colourful smokes display throughout the shooting field and a flag hoisting ceremony of participating countries.

After the recital of a doa, His Royal Highness proceeded to the Statistics Centre for a briefing by the Chairman of 10th BISAM, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit. His Royal Highness had a group photo session comprising senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and RBAF, defence advisors and representatives of the contingents.

His Royal Highness later visited the Chief Range Executives Officers' Mess, Medical Centre and Statistics Centre.

His Royal Highness then went to the 250 metres Point Gallery 1 Range where His Royal Highness was invited to participate in the VVIP Pistol Novelty Shooting Competition as part of Team 1, which won the competition against seven other teams.

Team 1 comprised of His Royal Highness, Laksmana Madya Datuk Ahmad Kamarulzaman bin Haji Ahmad Badaruddin of Malaysia, Col Dato Paduka Haji Harrith bin Haji Abd Karim, Commanding Officer of Special Force Regiment, RBAF and Col (U) Haji Zainal Abidin bin Haji Yakub, Deputy Chairman (Technical) of 10th BISAM.

Before leaving the Binturan Shooting Range, His Royal Highness presented prizes to the winners of the VVIP Pistol Novelty Competition at Gallery 1 Range Officers' Mess. His Royal Highness was presented with a 'pesambah' and signed a royal parchment.

The 10th BISAM is an international shooting event bringing in the finest marksmen from different countries. The event provides an opportunity to enhance self-confidence, improvement in shooting skills as well as the overall professional development of all participants. At the same time, the international event provides an important platform to maintain and enhance the friendly relations between respective countries and armed forces.

This year, the 10th BISAM is participated by 10 countries from the region and beyond namely the host country Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Singapore, United Kingdom and Vietnam.

And for the first time the 10th BISAM sees the presence of women participants. - Borneo Bulletin (20th January 2012)