Izah Azahari
The youth are the nation’s assets, community leaders and pioneers for the nation’s progress.
The Sultanate needs future-ready youth who are ready to serve and be devoted to the nation and religion, as well as inherit the Calak KeBruneian to support the national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB).
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad said this as the guest of honour during the launch of the 11th Cohort of the National Service Programme (PKBN) yesterday.
The event was held at the PKBN Training Camp in Kampong Batu Apoi, Temburong District.
The minister said the personality, self-identity and human capital of youth must always be strengthened so that they will be able to contribute and devote their services to the society in an inclusive manner.
“With the combination of useful knowledge with identity values, the programme will enable the youth to have the instinct and ability to always act wisely, be relevant, competitive, safe and full of confidence,” said the minister.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi commended the additional curriculums applied to existing training modules such as disaster management week, archery, swimming, corpse management programme as well as information on the elderly and persons with different abilities (OKU).
“With the existence of the curriculum, it will provide knowledge and skills for the trainees to be supplied and used when they complete training,” he said.
He added that it is important for the National Service Division to constantly improve the quality and appropriateness of training by emphasising self-worth and human capital, specifically towards producing strong and sustainable youth who can achieve their goals without the slightest complacency.
The minister also called upon trainees to follow the training with dedication, commitment, focus, tenacity, patience and enthusiasm towards achieving the goals set through the PKBN training, and also welcomed the trainees to explore and prepare to venture into the field of entrepreneurship through the education provided.
The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem, followed by the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and verses from Al-Quran recited by 13302 Trainee Mohamad Bhai’haqi bin Haji Mohammad Samrin of Platoon 12.
PKBN Acting Director cum Chairman of the event Major (Rtd) Haji Mohammad bin Dollah shared that 550 trainees have joined the 11th Cohort, of which 406 are males and 144 are females, who reported in on November 27 marking the beginning of their training.
“The number of participants is the highest achievement in the history of PKBN. For the first time, we see the participation of 102 students from the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) under the iSkill Programme,” said the acting director.
He shared that 69 per cent of the trainees are from the Brunei-Muara District, 38 per cent are aged 17 years, while 68 per cent are still in school.
The recitation of the PKBN pledge was led by 13292 Trainee Muhammad Nur Iffat bin Fandi of Platoon 3 along with the Sedia Berbakti song.
The event concluded with Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam, recitation of Sayyidul Istighfar and Selawat Tafrijiyyah.
Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Saifulrizal bin Abdul Latif, Senior Superintendent of Police Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Mohammed Saifullah bin Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris representing the Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Acting Tutong District Officer, as well as PKBN Board’s committee members, parents and guardians were also present.
The PKBN training is managed and conducted full-time by 138 officers and coaches assisted by the RBAF, Royal Brunei Malay Reserve Regiment (RBMRR), RBPF, Fire and Rescue Department (FRD), Ministry of Religious Affairs, Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam and Professional Volunteers, all of whom are also assisted by PKBN alumni.
The PKBN 11th Cohort will continue for 103 days and end on March 9, 2023.
