| Hakim Hayat |
THREE hundred and seventy four trainees of the National Service Programme (PKBN)’s 7th intake stood proud at their passing out parade yesterday, marking the conclusion of their three-month-long training that tested their physical and mental capabilities, in the youth development programme that aims to instil resilience and dynamism in youth by infusing strong national spirit and values.
The passing out parade for the 7th intake of the PKBN was held at the PKBN Training Camp in Kampong Batu Apoi, Temburong District yesterday, in the presence 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.
On arrival at the PKBN Training Camp, His Majesty was greeted by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin and other senior government officials.
At the Parade Square, His Majesty received a royal salute and inspected the parade of the PKBN’s 7th intake, comprising 258 male trainees and 116 female trainees.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of six awards to well-deserving trainees who demonstrated excellent skills, discipline and commitment throughout the training that began in December last year.
His Majesty consented to present the first award to the recipient of the Overall Best Male Trainee, 11666 Awangku Muhammad Al-Hafiz bin Pengiran Omar Ali of Platoon 3.
The monarch also consented to present the award for the Best Overall Female Trainee to 11732 Nurul Jannah binti Zainal from Platoon 3.
The Best Male in Parade Award went to 11632 Muhammad Iqhmal bin Haji Abdul Latip from Platoon 2 while the Best Female in Parade Award went to 11821 Siti Nur Hazirah binti Zahari from Platoon 3.
Meanwhile, His Majesty also awarded 11573 Mohammad Ihsanuddin bin Haji Abdul Hakim from Platoon 6 the Best Male in Physical Training Award and 11794 Edna Jessica Michelle binti Mosley from Platoon 6 the Best Female in Physical Training Award.
Following the award presentation, His Majesty received another royal salute, followed by the march past of the Parade Square of the 7th PKBN intake, the largest intake of PKBN since its inception in 2011.
His Majesty later received greetings from members of the Governance Committee of the PKBN Alumni (PAPKBN) and also consented to plant a sapling and sign a parchment to mark the monarch’s visit to the PKBN Training Camp yesterday.
The monarch was also presented with a pesambah by Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Zulkifli bin Pengiran Haji Ismail, Director of the PKBN.
Before leaving, His Majesty received greetings from the trainees of the 7th PKBN intake and their parents and guardians and later joined a group photo with all the trainees.
Since its inception in 2011, PKBN has produced some 2,149 PKBN alumni, including the 374 who concluded their training yesterday.
According to PKBN, the three-month training programme was conducted by 140 supervisors, coaches, medical officers and handlers from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), Fire and Rescue Department (BFRD), Internal Security Department (ISD), Brunei Darussalam Outward Bound, Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPUSB) and professional volunteers, with the support of PKBN alumni.
Since its pilot project in December 2011, PKBN has continued to make great strides towards the aspiration for the nation to produce youths who will actualise Brunei Vision 2035. The PKBN is a youth development programme that aims to produce youth who are responsible, disciplined, dynamic, united and courageous, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development and strengthening national defence.
Implemented under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the goal of PKBN is to enhance the spirit of patriotism, commitment and resilience among youth in addition to strengthening the Constitution of the state and the national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB). In an interview, the Overall Best Male Trainee award winner, 11666 Awangku Muhammad Al-Hafiz, an ‘O’ Level leaver from Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien College who was also an Army Cadet, shared that his utmost focus in all of the activities during the programme and his attention to instructions given by the trainers garnered him the award. He said that the PKBN is not just about marching or training.
“Here, we are one big family and every one of the trainees are like our brothers and sisters and the trainers are like our parents,” he said, while also sharing his plans of continuing his studies at the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) in Aircraft Engineering to pursue his career as an army officer.
Meanwhile, the Best Overall Female Trainee, 11732 Nurul Jannah, said that to win the award, trainees have to always come forward and must have courage in all aspects of the training. Nurul Jannah, also an ‘O’ Level leaver from Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Secondary School, added that the strong bond shared between all of them throughout the training has made it difficult for them to part with. Once part of the Brunei delegation that took park in the Brunei-Singapore Leadership Adventure Camp, Nurul Jannah said she plans to continue her studies at Politeknik Brunei and wants to pursue her career as an army officer.