His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, as the Patron of the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association (PPNBD) and Honorary Patron of the World Organization of the Scout Movement yesterday graced the opening ceremony of the 5th Brunei Darussalam National Jamboree at the Bukit Bendera Community Hall Field.
Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office as the Chief Scout of Brunei Darussalam; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad; Acting Tutong District Officer Mohammad Sofian bin Haji Basri; and President of PPNBD Dato Paduka Ar Haji Idris bin Haji Abas.
His Majesty officiated the opening ceremony and presented the Rakis Award Medal, Excellent Service and Brunei Scouts International Friendship Medal to recipients.
The Rakis Medal recipients were former PPNBD Chief Scout Commissioner Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Sani bin Pengiran Ahmad; former Coordinator Commissioner Pengiran Haji Tajuddin bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad; former Chairperson of the Temburong District Scout Association and Scout Commissioner of Temburong District Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Merusin; and former Belait District Scout Commissioner the late Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Othman (the award was received by the deceased’s daughter).
Meanwhile, the Excellent Service Medal (Silver) recipients were former Commissioner of the Scout Headquarters Haji Mohammed bin Haji Ali and Penang Chief Scout Commissioner Dato’ Zulkafli bin Kamaruddin from the Malaysian Scouts Association.
The Brunei Scouts International Friendship Award recipients were Dr Ekbert Yon Yen Loong, Ahmad Sabri bin Saad, Jamaludin bin Jinal and Heng Soo Peng from the Malaysian Scouts Association, Rajalingam a/l Ramasamy from the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Foundation Management Committee, and Settanun Ungkulpasvich from the National Scout Organization of Thailand.
After the medal presentation ceremony, His Majesty and members of the royal family toured the exhibition as well as visited the jamboree camp site to interact with local and foreign scouts.
The scout movement in the country was established in 1933. ‘Scout on the Move’ is the theme for the 5th Brunei Darussalam National Jamboree, presenting the need for scouts to remain active and ready to move forward with the values embedded in the scout pledge and laws. – Rokiah Mahmud
