| Danial Norjidi |
THE Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei held an official launching yesterday of its new, upgraded playground and covered walkway.
Sponsored by China Engineering Company (CHEC), the upgraded facility has been named the China Harbour Engineering Company Kids’ Playground, and is located at SMARTER Brunei’s Early Development Growth and Enabling (EDGE) Centre at Kampong Perpindahan Mata-Mata.
In attendance as the guest of honour was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof.
A speech was delivered by Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, the President and CEO of SMARTER Brunei, in which he thanked the minister for his “continuous compassion, love, understanding, empathy and support to our children with autism and SMARTER Brunei.”
He also thanked CHEC.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi, Zhu Rong from the Chinese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, Yao Di from CHEC PMB Project and SMARTER Brunei CEO Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman during the ribbon-cutting.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports cum guest of honour Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof in a group photo. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
“We are humbled and grateful for the generosity of the CHEC PMB company, especially to Yao Di in supporting SMARTER Brunei by upgrading our playground to meet our criteria of 3S, which are safety, suitability and serenity.
“This upgrade means that we now have a very safe, suitable and serene playground environment that children with autism can use anytime to improve their quality of life, which meets our WISE approach (welcoming, inviting, supporting and encouraging) strategy.
“Thank you CHEC PMB, and especially to Mr Yao Di for showing so much compassion, love, understanding, empathy and support,” he said.
“Thank you also, from the bottom of our hearts, especially to our dear friend, Ruth Young, who has been our biggest advocate. With your dedication and commitment we now have this new purpose-built and appropriate CHEC Kids Playground and Walkway.”
He also expressed gratitude for the support shown by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, as their major stakeholders.
Yao Di, the CHEC’s Project Director for the Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) Bridge Project, said, “CHEC is responding to the call of the China Government’s ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative to fulfil its social responsibility and contribute to the economic and social development of its countries and regions.”
Children enjoying the playground.
Noting that this year marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Brunei, he said, “CHEC has sponsored the corridor and outdoor playground for SMARTER Brunei, which aims to provide a safe, healthy and comfortable learning and living environment for children.
“In the future, CHEC will continue bearing a strong corporate culture to abide by its core values of ‘keen responsibility, excellent rewards and win-win cooperation’ in order to deliver a series of iconic projects, fulfil its social responsibility, furnish Brunei with a professional approach, and be committed to Brunei for social and economic development.”
The minister took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the President of SMARTER Brunei, the CHEC PMB Project Director and Zhu Rong, the Chief of the Economics and Commercial Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Brunei Darussalam.
The minister, together with the President of SMARTER Brunei and the CHEC PMB Project Director, then signed a commemorative plaque, prior to a presentation of certificates of appreciation.
The opening ceremony concluded with a tour of the new playground.
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