| Hakim Hayat |
BRUNEI Darussalam is host to the inaugural ASEAN Rover Moot, where over 300 Rover Scout members from around the region participate in various activities geared towards enhancing life skills and regional solidarity.
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, who is also the Patron of the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association (PPNBD), officially launched the event at the Youth Centre in the capital yesterday.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Chief Scout of PPNBD; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present.
Themed ‘One ASEAN, One Community in Scouting’, the Sultanate was selected to host the 1st ASEAN Rover Moot during the 8th ASEAN Scout Association for Regional Cooperation (ASARC) held in the Philippines last November.
Rover Scouts from seven ASEAN member countries and a number of countries from Asia-Pacific are taking part in the gathering.
In his speech, PPNBD President Haji Matusin bin Orang Kaya Sura Haji Tuba, said the participants comprising Rover Scouts aged 18-26 will join various activities during the six-day programme that will take them to different parts of the country, including the study of socio-cultural and socio-economic activities of local communities, community service work and field trips to historical sites, which will give them the opportunity to interact and exchange knowledge.
Haji Matusin also announced PPNBD’s plans to establish a National PPNBD Camp in the near future to facilitate its activities, and that the necessary arrangements have been made with the relevant parties to identify an appropriate site.
During the event, His Majesty presented the PPNBD Medals to several local and regional scout members.
The Rakis Medal was presented to former PPNBD Commissioner of Training Haji Yahya bin Haji Yusof and Vice President II of PPNBD Haji Damit bin Haji Chuchu.
The 1st Class Meritorious Award – Gold was awarded to PPNBD’s Chief Commissioner Haji Badar bin Haji Ali, while the 2nd Class Meritorious Awards – Silver were presented to Manager of PPNBD’s Tree Planting Project Haji Othman bin Durani, Chief Executive Officer Haji Md Zali bin Arsad, and former Secretary General Haji Zainuddin bin Haji Jaafar.
His Majesty also presented PPNBD’s International Friendship Award Medals to several regional scout leaders from Asia-Pacific, as well as souvenirs to contingent leaders from the participating countries.
Earlier during the gathering, Rover Scouts from participating nations, who were dressed in their respective countries’ scout uniforms, marched with their national flags and delivered a scout’s ‘Message of Peace’ performance to the audience.
During the programme, the participants are divided into groups and will stay in different camp sites in the four districts, with activities on exploration, community service, culture and environment to focus on the pillars of the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The PPNBD hopes that the planned activities throughout the 1st ASEAN Rover Moot will enable the participants to gain an appreciation of local customs and traditions, in addition to strengthening their identities and leadership skills.
The 1st ASEAN Rover Moot also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Worldwide Rover Scout and the 85th anniversary of the Scout Movement in Brunei Darussalam.