Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jun 2007 Source: Borneo Bulletin (Brunei) Copyright: 2007 Brunei Press Sdn Bhd. Contact: http://www.brunei-online.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3514 Authors: Liza Mohd, and Azaraimy PEMODA BIKERS RIDE FOR A GOOD CAUSE In an effort to convey anti-drugs message in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2007, 100 bikers from the Brunei Darussalam Motorcycle Association (PEMODA) took part in a motorbike expedition stopping at major towns in Belait, Tutong and Brunei-Muara District's yesterday. The expedition was to support the International Anti Drugs Campaign Day organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Bikers began their trip from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) office in Kuala Belait yesterday morning and their final destination was at The Mall in Gadong. In the motorbike expedition, PEMODA bikers made a 15-minute pit stop at the KB bus station, Seria town, Tutong Mall, Tutong multi-purpose hall, BSB bus station and lastly, at The Mall in Gadong to spread the anti-drugs message to members of the public. Prior to the journey, a small ceremony was held to present anti-drugs flags from the Belait Chief Narcotics Officer, Matjalina bin Madaros to PEMODA's president Major (R) Hj Mohd Daud bin Hj Mohd Jamil. The expedition began when the chief narcotics officer sounded a siren to signal the start of the journey. The convoy arrived at the Dewan Kemasyarakatan Tutong closer to midday where the bikers were greeted by officers from NCB including its Chief Narcotics Officer II, Abdul Manaf bin Hj Lampoh. Abdul Manaf told the Bulletin that the bike expedition was the first of many programmes included in NCB's International Drug Campaign this year. "It has always been PEMODA's objective to support government agencies. This anti-drugs ride is also aimed at eradicating the negative connotation associated with bikers. We want to say that bikers are against negative social elements", PEMODA President Major (Rtd) Hj Md Daud bin Hj Jamil told the Bulletin during their stop-over at Dewan Kemasyarakatan Tutong. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom