The sabda of His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, Chairman of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Yayasan) Board of Governors, is a guidance for all members of the Yayasan Board of Directors and all levels of management in moving forward, focusing on actions and resolving issues in orderly manner, so that the foundation remains a relevant welfare institution in the Sultanate.
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, as Chairman of Yayasan Board of Directors, said this during a welcoming address at the first board meeting for the year at An-Naura Hall, Yayasan Complex yesterday.
The minister said the Yayasan Strategic Plan 2020-2025 is a living document with continuous reviews and updates to action plans to stay relevant with current circumstances. There will be discussions with stakeholders in the near future before a comprehensive mid-term review of the strategic plan is completed.
Regarding the Yayasan Complex, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi said the Yayasan Board of Governors were informed of renovation works and the projects were completed with Hua Ho Department Store re-opening on August 1, 2021 and An-Naura Hall beginning operations as a wedding and event hall on February 1, 2022.
With the boost from the two businesses, the complex has been welcoming more visitors.
The minister said Yayasan Food Street is a new attraction that opens almost everyday, adding that its open plaza in the afternoons and evenings features food stalls, games and activities with an aim of enlivening the capital.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi also said owners of houses in Kampong Bolkiah are responsible for the management and maintenance of their own residences.
Meanwhile, the Centre of Islamic Calligraphy and Arts Studies of Yayasan has become a tourist attraction since its inception, according to the minister.
He also shared at the meeting that there are plans for a symposium in October, which has been named the International Calligraphy Symposium 2024.
The symposium, to be organised with Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan and Turkiye’s OIC Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, will be held in conjunction with Yayasan’s anniversary celebration, featuring forums, workshops, competitions and exhibitions.
The minister also said an ad-hoc committee was set up in October 2021 to discuss the construction of a Golden Jubilee Mosque in the Temburong District. Updates, including design and construction costs, will be disclosed in the near future. – Rokiah Mahmud
