The youth in Temburong should move away from their comfort zone and be on par with the youth in other districts, Belia Permata Hijau of Temburong District chairperson Azri bin Tahir said.
“The youth in Temburong are quite shy. As the chairperson, I would like to take them out of their comfort zone and expose them to new experiences and knowledge,” he said at the two-day Information Literacy programme for Temburong District’s Youth.
Azri said, “During the programme, we took part in visits and attended several talks. Youth in Temburong lack such exposure. The programme helped the participants to increase their knowledge.”
Over 180 youth are registered under Belia Permata Hijau from 2000 to 2023, with Azri hoping more youth from Temburong would join it. Meanwhile, youth who participated in the programme, expressed the benefits of joining.
Belia Permata Hijau member Siti Amal Nuha Nadzirah Syaqirah binti Abdullah Mohammad Akhbar said, “Alhamdulillah, I learnt a lot during the programme. We got to know many interesting places like the Brunei History Centre (PSB) and the Information Department.
We also learnt about Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) and mental health. This is the first time that I took part in such a programme and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with others.”
The 18-year-old also hoped that other youth will join the literacy programme. Siti Nor Mauludinah Batrishya binti Haji Azmirol, a Politeknik Brunei nursing student said, “We got to know more about the JobCentre and also discussed entrepreneurship.” Siti, who is also from mosque’s youth, hoped that more programmes will be organised for youth to increase knowledge and experience.
Another mosque youth Mohd Zulkhairi bin Mohd Azamy said, “Alhamdulillah, during the programme, we were able to gain invaluable knowledge through visits and talks. We learnt about raising youth’s identity where they can play an important role venturing into community work, volunteerism, entrepreneurship and religious fields.”
He added, “During the visit to Islamic Da’wah Centre, we learnt more about the correct akidah and what is prohibited. During the visit to the PSB, we learnt about Brunei’s history.”
Forty-five participants comprising youth from Belia Permata Hijau, mosque youth and youth representatives from mukims and villages in the Temburong District joined the programme. Acting Deputy Director of Information Department Sastra Sarini binti Haji Julaini, the guest of honour, presented certificate to the participants.
Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir, the Acting Penghulu Zone 1 of Temburong District, Senior Information Officer of the Information Department Haji Fathi Foad bin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abu Bakar and Head of the Information Branch of Temburong District Izzah Hazirah binti Haji Adi Othman were present at the closing ceremony held at the Information Department’s extension building auditorium.
The programme was organised by the Information Department under the Prime Minister’s Office through Temburong District’s Information branch for Temburong District youth as a new initiative of the department to utilise the whole-of-nation and whole-of-government approaches.
The programme aims to instil a sense of responsibility toward successfully achieving Brunei Vision 2035, increase awareness on the important role youth can play in the country’s development and foster close relationship between youth and grassroots and to better understand the meaning of inclusivity. – James Kon
