Rokiah Mahmud
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) has been entrusted to work as one team, particularly in preserving and protecting youth’s self-esteem, community welfare, local traditions and the Malay Language.
The ministry has also been tasked to prepare the country for international sporting events, along with the obligation to protect the welfare of every employee working under the ministry.
This was said by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin during the launch of the MCYS Strategic Plan of 2020-2024 Book yesterday.
“In the aspects of development, empowerment and the well-being of the community, the National Welfare System (SKN) was introduced to ensure that there will be no omissions among assistance applicants.
“Efforts have continued to be made to ease the burdens of target groups such as the Senior Citizen Care Project in terms of looking after the elderly’s well-being and health, providing a complimentary shelter for a number of Temporary Shelter Centre residents and facilitating free space for people with different abilities (OKU).
“The incubator programmes and courses at the Youth Development Centre (PPB) are being expanded for youth and targetted groups as platforms to encourage entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency. There are also plans to upgrade Pusat Bahagia.
“In the aspects of shaping and empowering youth, more platforms are being established, such as the National Youth Congress, Youth Townhall and those carried out by non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“In managing the COVID-19 pandemic, we are very proud of the volunteers involved, especially youth volunteers, for lending a helping hand to the frontliners.
“With the launch of the National Youth Policy and Strategy 2020-2035 (DBNS), the youth played a critical role as a check-and-balance mechanism towards the execution of DBNS initiatives, along with the setting up of a Youth Advisory Group and Youth Advocates.
“In the aspects of cultural preservation as a mark of our civilisation, we are proud of the efforts undertaken by the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP), Museums Department and Brunei History Centre, which have led to a significant increase in the number of visitors.
“The achievement will continue with the rebranding of DBP’s libraries, along with the continuing initiatives to further uphold the Malay Language as the country’s official language.
“Let us also not forget the successes of the Senior Citizen Activity Centre (PKWE), Senior Citizen Association, Women’s Council, the Council for the Welfare of Persons with Different Abilities (MKOKU), as well as the Brunei Youth Council.
“As a whole, the Strategic Plan 2020-2024 takes into account changes in the public sector, socio-economy, socio-culture and the needs of stakeholders to achieve Bangsa Brunei Cemerlang (Brunei an Excellent Nation) in realising Brunei Vision 2035.”
The minister also announced the MCYS’ launch of the National Framework on Child Protection Book, with the aim of further strengthening the country’s protection ecosystem for children and young people, especially in terms of monitoring and coordination between agencies that are responsible for the safety and well-being of children.
“We are honoured and proud of the involvement and strong cooperation from agencies, through the whole-of-nation approach,” he said, adding, “Our thanks to our strategic partners and government and non-government agencies, especially Baiduri Bank, in the publication of this book.
He said, “We are confident that the framework will be able to meet its aspirations and act as a medium of social responsibility by the Government of 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 in ensuring that every child in the country can lead a safe and quality life.
“Towards this, Insya Allah, a complete database of the Register of Children and Young Persons in Need Of Protection will also be established, to ensure more efficient monitoring of the child protection system with agencies, by coordinating intervention and protection for those at high risk.
“We are also pleased with the presentation of a microgrant to Siege Pollyfox Enterprise, owned by youth-running vehicle bodywork enterprises. In line with the goals of the MCYS Strategic Plan 2020-2024, the presentation of this microgrant is another effort to empower the youth who have been designated to run their own enterprises.
“I am confident that these initiatives will provide guidance to the public on relevant matters, but more importantly, in accordance with His Majesty’s vision.
“It also serves as an extension of the MCYS Strategic Plan of 2020-2024 which will continue to provide added value towards improving the well-being of the people and target groups, preservation of culture, and realising the desired vision of an inclusive and sustainable Bangsa Brunei Cemerlang.“