James Kon
The importance of unity and conformity in achieving the same objective, especially in honouring senior citizens, was highlighted by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, as Acting Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports during the first anniversary of the Wargamas organisation.
“As the eyes and ears of the government, it is hoped that the Wargamas will complement and support past efforts, particularly its commitment in jointly addressing current challenges such as socio-economic issues and unemployment,” he said at a celebration held at the Mulia Hotel’s Vanda Restaurant yesterday.
“The citizens and residents of this country are blessed that the Government 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 has always been solicitous towards the welfare and importance of senior citizens, as people worthy of respect and consideration.
“This is very important, as Brunei Darussalam is an ageing nation where the number of senior citizens continues to grow, comprising more than eight per cent of the country’s citizens and residents.
“The involvement of senior citizens through associations and senior citizens activity centres is an important platform for ensuring their productivity and health in jointly realising the aspirations of the Senior Citizens Action Plan.
“We very much welcome the compassion and willingness of Wargamas Association, which continues to be competent in providing views and experiences to assist the government. Towards this, we remain committed in providing more platforms for senior citizens to share their ideas, such as forums and knowledge-sharing events.”
“Despite the various platforms, there is tremendous potential for the Wargamas to work together with the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PKWE), as an opportunity to keep active instead of being overlooked. Their merits and strengths lie in their solidarity in working together for the benefit of senior citizens across the country.
“Apart from focussing on strategic matters, it is also important for the Wargamas to continue its focus on niche matters with a specific impact on senior citizens. Topics such as health, dementia, active ageing and the importance of community in caring of senior citizens are very critical and require close cooperation to be widely disseminated and effectively addressed.
“In this respect, you can be the catalyst as strategic partners in mobilising senior citizens and accomplishing the best for senior citizens throughout the nation.
“Therefore, let us continue to move forward in uniting senior citizens. As stated during the opening ceremony of the First Annual General Meeting of the Wargamas last January, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports will continue to invite Wargamas to work together with the government, non-governmental agencies and the private sector, to ensure the accomplishment of all objectives for the Senior Citizens’ Action Plan.
“In according constant significance to senior citizens, the government will continue to provide encouragement and support for the further strengthening of cooperation, in order to shore up the efforts of the Wargamas Association towards achieving common aspirations together.”
Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Umar, Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin, President of Wargamas Pengiran Haji Mohd Salleh bin Pengiran Haji Kamaluddin and the organisation’s executive members were also present.