| Abdul Hakiim Yakof |
THE fifth intake of the National Service Programme (PKBN) completes their programme today with the passing out parade to be held at the new PKBN Training Centre in Kampong Batu Apoi, Temburong.
The fifth intake trainees and alumni members shared their experience with the Bulletin, describing how the programme moulded them into become better individuals.
01803 Dayangku Rahalymatul Qomariah binti Abdul Rahman of the fifth intake who is now an alumni volunteering as a religious teaching trainer said that she was part of the last intake to experience the previous PKBN training camp at the Sports Village in Berakas.
“The new PKBN Training Centre here is owned by the PKBN so we don’t have to borrow any facilities. We have our own lecture theatre where classes take place. The volunteer trainers have their own accommodation and they don’t have to commute daily like when PKBN was still in the Sports Village.
“At PKBN we practice the motto ‘United we Stand, Divided we Fall,’ meaning we wake up at the same time, sleep at the same time, we struggle together and we share the good times and the bad times together.
“Before PKBN, I didn’t know how to behave around parents and the elderly. Now, we would even greet strangers because we are so used to it.
“With our families far away, we have our sirs and madams here teaching us manners and discipline. We are taught that even looking someone in the eye is rude. Being here we are sculpted into the most ideal individual,” she said.
Another volunteer trainer, 10993 Mohd Nasiruddin Amzar bin Haji Aminuddin also from the same intake noted that the new training centre in Temburong comes with air conditioned rooms and enough bathrooms for everybody.
“PKBN does not torture you, this programme builds good character. Of course if you don’t abide by the rules, you will be punished.
“Through this programme, participants will also be able to test their physical and mental endurance to find out how far they can stretch their limits,” he said.
Awangku Alirahman bin Pengiran Haji Abbas, who completed his ‘A’ Levels at Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College before joining the PKBN, shared that over the 97 days, he has seen vast improvements in himself in terms of discipline.
“Before PKBN I used to wake up late. I wasn’t used to waking up early and I had difficulty in terms of time management. Now I have learnt that time is indeed precious as time management here is very strict.
“To the youths contemplating on joining the programme, I can tell you that here you will find your identity as the ideal Bruneian, one who is well-rounded, pious and patriotic,” he said.
11315 Mohd Nor Faiz Fikri bin Noor Asmali said the programme has shaped him into becoming more confident, respectful and disciplined. The most unforgettable moments for him were when his parents would visit him at the training centre on Sundays.
“In the past I rarely showed my parents any affection, but being so far away made me miss them. When they came, I would hug and kiss them,” he said.
“In addition to being able to perform my five daily prayers, we also participated in community service, such as the time we helped clean up the home of a less fortunate individual in Kuala Belait,” he reminisced.
Meanwhile, PKBN Deputy Commandant Major (Rtd) Haji Ahmad Fairuz said the new complex is complete with comfortable accommodation capable of housing 700 people. At present, it houses 357 male and female participants.
“There is an exercise hall for them to perform indoor physical exercises, a lecture hall and a dining hall where food is served fresh. We also have a medical centre for participants and residents of the training centre, and for more serious injuries, the hospital is within just a stone’s throw away.
“I can assure that with these new facilities, our trainees are well taken care of. I encourage youths to take part in the PKBN so they can learn to be more independent and serve as good examples to their peers,” he added.
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