Dayang Pengiran Dr Rahmah binti Pengiran Jadid's wish to construct a permanent building to house the Darusysyifa Warrafahan, an Islamic medical association was finally fulfilled when she was named the recipient of the Grand Wish Award of up to BND $1,000,000 in BIBD's grand finale of the wish campaign prize presentation yesterday.

As Pengiran Dr Rahmah binti Pengiran Jadid's name was announced she broke down in tears in sheer disbelief at winning BND$1,000,000 (BND one million) to fulfill her wish.

Describing her feeling after the prize presentation, Pengiran Dr Rahmah who is also one of the founding members of the Darusysyifa Warrafahan said, "I was overwhelmed, I couldn't contain my emotion."

She expressed, "I have never won any lucky draw. I couldn't believe it. Even though many of my friends and families said that I had a very good chance of winning but it was really up to the Almighty Allah to decide."

Recalling her initiative to enter the Wish Campaign, she said "Actually I had never thought of joining the Wish Campaign until November last year when a BIBD bank officer at the Kiulap branch of BIBD came up to me and informed me that I was eligible to enter 16 wish codes for the campaign.

"I was reluctant at first but in the end I entered two wish codes for the campaign," the housewife further said.

"I am so relieved now that it's over. I was so exhausted from the waiting," she said.

Present as the guest of honour to award the Grand Wish of one million dollars to Pengiran Dr Rahmah binti Pengiran Hj Jadid was His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik. Also present was Awang Hj Bahrin bin Abdullah, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance.

Pengiran Dr Rahmah was an ideal Wish Awardee. Despite all odds, her ambition fuelled her drive to develop a faith inspired, holistic healthcare facility, setting a standard in Brunei and throughout Asia. With the BND $1 million Grand Award, she can continue to make an impact on the lives of many.

Pengiran Dr Rahmah's wish is to build a new building for the Darusysyifa Warrafahan to serve the community through Islamic medical practices.

The unselfish and noble wish of Pengiran Dr Rahmah captured the hearts of the judges and public voters in the campaign. The total points comprised 70 per cent from a panel of judges and 30 per cent from SMS voting. "Her story has inspired us, instead of pursuing her own success, she stepped out of her comfort zone to make a real difference," Mr Javed Ahmad, the Acting Managing Director of BIBD said.

He added during a press conference after the prize presentation, "It was a very tight competition but ultimately it was very clear that public voters and judges were leaning very much towards the same decision."

"There was a total agreement of public voting and decision from the judges in coming to the final and same conclusion. What was very clear was the unanimous nature of the decision both in the vote of general public and the judges.

I guess, ultimately what is most important, is looking at the quality of the wish and I think that I will be very frustrated if we actually announced someone who might have used the million dollars to buy a Lamborghini. It is actually a tremendous sense of relief that the money is to be used for a good purpose not for an individual but for the entire community." Mr Javed Ahmad reiterated.

Hj Mohd Rozaiman bin DSLJ Hj abdul Rahman, the head of consumer banking also highlighted that the 12 finalists were also interviewed by a panel of judges to assess and question the quality of the wishes.

The idea of the BIBD wish campaign came about in late 2008 when a cross functional team was formed to create a programme that will allow Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam to play a role in shaping and cultivating new ways of saving amongst Bruneians.

The Wish Campaign was also developed in response to His Majesty the Sultan's Titah as one of the country's strategies toward boosting the economy.

Being the one and only Shariah compliant bank in Brunei Darussalam, BIBD feels that this campaign will further emphasise its role to scale up customer awareness and opportunities as they pursue their purpose while saving with the bank.

The wish campaign was officially launched by the Minister of Development Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar who was also the then chairman of BIBD, in March 2009.

Throughout the campaign, the bank aspires to cultivate a culture of savings among Bruneians in a sustainable manner by encouraging its customers to increase their savings every month.

This is a good practice for individuals to save up to $500 in order to get a wish code.

The BIBD Wish Campaign closed in December, with a total of 16,000 stories receiving over the course of the campaign's run.

The next instalment of the BIBD Wish Campaign is expected to start in June. - Borneo Bulletin (1st May 2010)