Young scouts should seize opportunities provided to them including training that can improve their knowledge and skills.
Rakis Medal Award recipient Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Sani bin Pengiran Ahmad said this during the 5th Brunei Darussalam National Jamboree on Monday.
The former chief commissioner of the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association (PPNBD) said he has been involved in the scout movement for more than 30 years, including shouldering the trust and responsibility as the chief commissioner for over 25 years. Prior, he was active in scout activities during his time as a student at Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien College. However, now that he is 85 years old, he is no longer able to participate in any of the activities.
Pengiran Datu Paduka Haji Sani was among the 12 scouts leaders who received medals in recognition of their commitment to the scout movement years.
At the ceremony, four were awarded with Rakis Medal Award – a medal regarded as the highest honour awarded by the PPNBD.
The awards were given to members of the scout association, scout leaders, and individuals who demonstrated outstanding service and direct involvement in scouting movement in the country within the period of seven years either continuously or cumulatively.
Another Rakis Medal Award recipient, former coordinator commissioner of the PPNBD Pengiran Haji Tajuddin bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad expressed gratitude for the recognition. He joined the association more than 30 years ago and still remembers the good old days. He said back then, scout activities were different; scouts had to make all camping preparations by themselves.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Scout Association Dato’ Zulkafli bin Kamaruddin, who received the Excellent Service Medal, believed that due to today’s challenging era of globalisation, parents need to encourage their children to join the scout movement as through scout activities, the younger generation can learn numerous life and leadership skills as well as build character.
In collaboration with scouts among ASEAN and Asia-Pacific countries, scouting has become a platform where lasting friendships are forged, he said.
Chairman Ticket to Life Thailand, Asia-Pacific Regional Vice Chairman of Social Impact Sub-Committee at the national executive board of Thailand’s National Scout Organization Settanun Ungkulpasvich received the Brunei Scout International Friendship Medal.
He shared that Brunei Darussalam and Thailand shared strong relations including scouting.
Being involved in several scout activities in the Sultanate, he expressed joy in seeing the youth involvement in the movement. – Rokiah Mahmud
