Brunei Darussalam is commemorating the International Volunteer Day with a Day of Action (DOA) campaign, which kicked off yesterday and will end on January 31, 2024.
The campaign, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports’ (MCYS) Youth and Sports Department, was launched at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium’s Youth Hub.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and a speech from Director of Youth and Sports Development Zainab binti Haji Morshidi.
It continued with Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the guest of honour, and Baiduri Bank’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Business Development) Pengiran Azaleen bin Pengiran Dato Haji Mustapha presenting certificates and rewards to Mengalinga app ‘trailblazers’ and ‘highflyers’.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad also presented certificates to ASEAN Volunteer Programme 2023 participants and DOA Campaign 2023 volunteers.
The guest of honour toured an exhibition and flagged off a convoy to deliver aid to the underprivileged in Kampong Katok to mark the official launch of the campaign in Brunei-Muara District.
In Temburong District, on hand to launch the campaign at Belalong Community Hall was Permanent Secretary (Sports) at the MCYS Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, accompanied by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education Aliuddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman.
It began with an aerobic session and a tree-planting activity before continuing on with a workshop on the Mengalinga app and a cleaning campaign at Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque, Semamang Cemetery and Kampong Batu Apoi Mosque.
In Belait District, Acting Permanent Secretary (Municipal and District) at the Ministry of Home Affairs Haji Ahmad Nizam bin Dato Paduka Haji Ismail was on hand to launch the campaign at the Belait Youth Centre and sat in a violin class as well as a basket-weaving activity organised by Kampong Melilas Village Consultative Council (MPK) members.
The acting permanent secretary also attended a workshop on the Mengalinga app before heading to Kampong Pandan for a seminar and networking workshop for Belait entrepreneurs, conducted by the Belait District Women’s Association (PKP) and MPK Pekan Kuala Belait.
He also witnessed activities held at Mumong Sports Complex, including swimming training, football tournament, gym workout and martial arts demonstration.
In Tutong District, the campaign was launched by Acting Permanent Secretary (Community) at the MCYS Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah, accompanied by Deputy Permanent Secretary II at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Hajah Dahliana binti Haji Aliakbar.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat before a convoy was flagged off to deliver aid to flood victims in Tutong and Belait districts.
The acting permanent secretary also visited the Tutong Youth Centre to join an aerobic session and a tree-planting activity.
Other activities included painting a hut and visiting Kampong Tanjong Maya and the Tutong Senior Citizens Activity Centre. – Fadley Faisal
