HM Sultan Brunei: Develop Expertise in Oil, Agri Fields

Develop expertise in oil, agri fields, urges Sultan
on: July 11, 2017

| Lyna Mohamad |

ACHIEVERS in the country must devote their energies towards the accomplishment of greater success in fields that are essential to the country’s development.

This was stated in a titah delivered 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 during the 14th Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday.

“Among these primary fields are the oil and agriculture industries, which undoubtedly are the country’s lifeblood,” said His Majesty. “But do we have the expertise required for these fields?

“Our oil industry is nearly a century old, but the possibilities for locals to occupy top or senior positions have been most disappointing.

“This should be sufficient as a wake-up call for the achievers in particular, as well as the relevant authorities and the general population. How much longer does the country have to wait for this situation to change?”

The monarch then broached the topic of Brunei’s agricultural sector, which he described as “inactive, or hardly active, in comparison to its great importance to the country”.

“So where do we stand with our resolve and efforts to animate the agricultural sector towards a state of self-sufficiency, or at the very least, reducing dependency on import commodities such as rice?” questioned His Majesty.

“That is why it is so important to have initiatives and big schemes to develop the country and its population. Without these initiatives and ideas, no action can ever be taken towards development and progress.”

“With that in mind, it is very important to have initiatives and ideas apart from academic discipline. This is the actual key to advancement and success,” said His Majesty.Earlier in the titah, His Majesty paid compliment to those the monarch referred to as “successful achievers in their respective fields”.

“This group of achievers must be cherished in accordance with the objectives of Vision 2035 to make Brunei Darussalam into a country with highly educated and skilled citizens who are productive in all areas,” said His Majesty.

“As a motivating factor towards this, my foundation (Yayasan) has taken the initiatives to provide several inducement schemes such as the Sultan’s Scholar Award, the Islamic Literature Award and the Islamic Writing Award Schemes.

“Apart from these schemes, the foundation has also provided several endowments, or contributions, through programmes hosted by public and private sectors, including the provision of aid schemes to help those in need of assistance.”

His Majesty described the role of the foundation as a short and long-term investment which has seen favourable results, “including the emergence of this group of achievers, who have previously benefited from the foundation’s aid schemes or assistance”.

The monarch expressed hope that this group of achievers would go on to devote their energies and efforts towards the accomplishment of even greater success in fields that are essential to the country’s development.