| Syazwani Hj Rosli |
THIRTY-FOUR local youth entrepreneurs were at the youth assembly held as part of the 13th National Youth Day celebration at the International Convention Centre (ICC) and officiated by 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.
The main objective of the youth assembly was to have leading youth entrepreneurs and industry pioneers share the secrets of their success with others.
In line with this year’s theme and concept Belia Pemacu Brunei Maju (Youths Drivers of Progressive Nation), the youth assembly at the ICC is centred on two main components: the Entrepreneurship and Leadership Exhibition and the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Exhibition.
One of the exhibitors, Katimahar Agri Park ATV Adventure founder Haji Muhd Abu Hurairah bin Haji Zainal, 29, told the Bulletin he began the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rental business in early 2017 with his partner Haji Muhd Azrol Andy bin Haji Azmi.
“At the beginning, we only had one ATV, and were keen to see the trails of Kampong Katimahar,” he said. “With that, we approached the Kampong Katimahar Village Consultative Council (MPK) to ask their permission for ATV trailing and other activities to help boost tourism in Brunei Darussalam.
“Tourists often complain that there is nothing much to do in Brunei. We wanted to change this mindset by offering other activities besides sightseeing.”
Apart from ATV rides, the Katimahar Agri Park also provides guided tours of the Louis Mini Zoo and the Taman Herba (Herbs Farm) in Kampong Putat.
Recently, the Katimahar Agri Park ATV Adventure added a new activity called ‘ATV Camping’, where visitors get to experience the Katimahar jungle area and explore nature trails at nightfall.
“We work closely with the Tourism Development Department in trying to put Kampong Katimahar and Katimahar Agri Park on the map,” said Haji Muhd Abu Hurairah. “Since our establishment, we have received overwhelming responses from both local and foreign tourists. Alhamdulillah, we often receive an average of 20,000 visitors a month.
“To all the youth out there, do step forward and venture into entrepreneurship. Push yourself and never give up. As we would say in Malay, Malu ada tempatnya (modesty has its virtues), but when you’re in a business, there is nothing to be modest or shy about. Take pride when you have accomplished your dreams and goals.”
Another exhibitor was Siti Rafeah binti Haji Serbini, the Co-founder of the Tarbiyyah Project for Children, Brunei’s first scientific enrichment programme for boosting spiritual awareness and moral etiquette in young children through the ‘pray and play’ approach.
She said, “For now, our mission is implementing the Tarbiyyah Project for Children in mosques. We understand that we need to spend more time with the children, to make the principles of Tarbiyyah (education and development) work for them.”
Meanwhile, the Tarbiyyah Project for Children is due to open its Islamic Enrichment Centre in Serusop in September. According to Siti Rafeah, the centre has been endowed for charitable purposes (Waqaf), allowing them to further expand their projects.
“When you choose to be an educator, you know that you have to practise what you preach,” she said. “The key ingredient of our Tarbiyyah project is to keep the children focussed on remembering Allah the Almighty. As a Zikir Nation, we have to get them started at a young age.”