| Abdul Hakiim Yakof |
AS PART 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’s aspiration for the nation to produce youths who will actualise the nation’s Vision 2035, the 6th intake of the National Service Programme (PKBN) was launched in a ceremony yesterday at the PKBN Training Camp in Mukim Batu Apoi, Temburong District.
Present as the guest of honour to launch the ceremony was Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The event began with the national anthem and a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by a welcoming speech by Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Zulkifli bin Pengiran Haji Ismail, the Director of PKBN.
There are 359 youths, comprising 281 male and 78 female trainees, participating in the programme. Fifteen trainees have been given the opportunity to take part in the first phase of the ‘Mind and Self-Discipline Migration’ through the Innovation of Visionary Youth programme, a pilot programme co-organised by the Community Development Department (JAPEM) and the Student Innovation Development Centre, Politeknik Brunei.
The minister in his speech said that he was very proud of the youths of today who have shown concern towards their future and chosen to prepare themselves by taking the challenge of being part of the 6th PKBN intake which began on December 4 and will end on March 13, 2017.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, launching the 6th intake of the National Service Programme (PKBN). – PHOTOS: ABDUL HAKIIM YAKOF
Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Zulkifli bin Pengiran Haji Ismail, the Director of the National Service Programme (PKBN) delivering his speech.
Photos above and below show PKBN trainees in an emotional reunion with family members at the PKBN Training Camp in Mukim Batu Apoi, Temburong District.
A section of the male PKBN trainees.
A section of the female PKBN trainees.
A section of parents and guardians of the PKBN trainees.
“Of the trainees, 266 are from the Brunei-Muara District, 42 from the Tutong District, 44 from the Belait District, and seven from the Temburong District. Seventy per cent of the trainees are those who are still studying either on ‘A’ or ‘O’ Level and 30 per cent are those who have completed schooling. This shows that a large number of the youths are waiting for their results,” he added.
He said that to carry out and move this training programme, the ministry is being assisted by trainers from several government agencies, and professional volunteers as well as full-time backup volunteers.
“At this time a formation of 120 supervisors, trainers, medics, and operators was created and comprises 15 personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), one from the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), two from the Fire and Rescue Department, one from the Internal Security Department (KDN), six from Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam (OBBD), 10 teachers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 32 professional volunteers, and 53 PKBN alumni members brought in as backup volunteers,” he said.
He added that PKBN will still be using the same curriculum and will keep taking steps to make the programme run smoothly and effectively.
The director revealed that Brunei Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd (BSP) has agreed for a three-year sponsorship for the entrepreneurial training of PKBN trainees. This training will be implemented via LiveWIRE Brunei, BSP’s social investment flagship programme which aims at grooming and mentoring current and future entrepreneurs.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports launched the 6th PKBN with the beat of a gong. Then trainees of the 6th PKBN intake took the oath, followed by the singing of ‘Sedia Berbakti’. The ceremony was concluded with by the recitation of Doa Selamat by Abdul Qayyum bin Haji Metussin.
Present during the ceremony were Dato Paduka Dr Haji Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin and Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; representative of the Commander of the RBAF, representative of the Commissioner of the RBPF, the Temburong District Officer, directors, deputy directors and senior officers, the 6th PKBN launching ceremony committee members, penghulu and village heads of the Temburong District, as well as parents and guardians of trainees.
The foundation stone laying for the PKBN Training Camp in Batu Apoi was carried out on December 24, 2014. Construction of the camp was done by LSL Sdn Bhd and it is a project under the 10th National Development Plan (RKN10).
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