| Ishan Ibrahim |
DELEGATES of the 45th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) 2018 who visited the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PKWE) at Kampong Perpindahan Lambak Kanan recently, lauded the quality of care rendered to the country’s senior citizens.
Among the visitors was Khateejah binti Abdul Kadir, a member of the Malaysian delegation.
“I’m pleasantly surprised at how well the Brunei government treats the nation’s elderly,” said Khateejah, who was visiting Brunei for the first time.
“This visit to the PKWE will be part of the fond memories I have of Brunei for many years to come,” she said.
“Many of the activities in Brunei are similar to those back home, but there are some differences in the food, for example, the traditional delicacies like ambuyat and kueh made by the elderly residents of the centre.”
Born and bred in Kuala Lumpur, Khateejah pointed out that PKWE seems well-equipped and appears to be a good place for seniors to gather and socialise, to revel in festivities and partake in physical exercise and other fun activities.
Her compatriot, Muhammad Qamar Rahman bin Md Esa, who hails from Perak, noted that his Brunei experience evoked pleasant memories of home, adding that there are “many similarities in lifestyle and food” between Brunei and Malaysia.
“I especially loved the kueh made by the PKWE community,” he said. “They were really delicious. It was a great relief also to come ashore after spending more than a week at sea. The centre was full of warmth and hospitality, and the elderly community was really friendly.”
Meanwhile, Berzenn Urbi, a member of the Philippines delegation, commented that he was amazed at the facilities and activities at the centre.
“The way the Brunei government manages this institution for the elderly is a good lesson to bring to our home country; on how to care for ageing members of society and what programmes to implement,” said Urbi, who was born in the Philippines but now resides in Australia.
“The food I had at the centre was simply amazing. I can’t thank the seniors at the centre enough for the excellent reception they afforded us. I especially loved the slightly spicy ambuyat. I enjoyed it with relish.”
The SSEAYP is organised by the Government of Japan through the Office for International Youth Exchange of the Cabinet Office with cooperation from the 10 Southeast Asian countries.
The programme aims to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youth of Japan and ASEAN member countries, broaden perspectives of the world and strengthen spirit of international cooperation and practical skills for international collaboration.