Visionary Youths: Catalyst for Transformation

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 delivering his titah at 11th National Youth Day celebration at the International Convention Centre in Berakas |PHOTO COURTESY : INFOFOTO

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Today's youth should continue pursuing bold endeavours such as entrepreneurship and seize the vast opportunities available in many sectors by broadening their horizons, 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 remarked yesterday.

Delivering -a titah to thousands of youth from different backgrounds and organisations during an annual assembly to mark the 11th National Youth Day celebration at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas, the monarch also urged the country's youth to be relentless in investing time and energy for their own progression.

Touching on the theme for this year's celebration 'Visionary Youth: -Catalyst for Transformation', His Majesty said, "This should be embraced as a challenge. Transformation means bringing in an era of changes and opportunities for all, especially the youth, who are the agents of change."

Even at a young age, many of our youth today have triumphed in various sectors such as medicine, law, engineering, religion and entrepreneurship, noted His Majesty, which he said is a testament to the youth's attitude for making rapid change. "These achievements are means for them to delve into shaping the country's future."

Calling the youth as "pillars" of the nation's strength, His Majesty said visionary and outstanding youth are what the country needs, while reminding that weakness and giving up is never an option and are not the youth's nature, as they must be bold and courageous.

Noting that many of the younger generation today have explored entrepreneurial opportunities that began from humble beginnings such as car wash services, fish rearing, creative industries and many others, His Majesty said that even from scratch, it can flourish into something great with hard work and perseverance.

His Majesty further said this is a form of challenge that requires sacrifice and hard work that entails not only money and energy, but more essentially, time. "When time is used in the path of virtue, that is considered the most effective sacrifice," the monarch added, while noting that this is a smart practice that is in the right and safe path.

His Majesty also highlighted that even Allah the Almighty has sworn with time, that all mankind are in loss, except for those who fill in their time with good virtues, as stated in Surah Al-'Asr in the Al-Quran.

His Majesty further noted that time utilisation is a challenge for all and cautioned that if it is
not being used wisely, one will plunge into a life-crisis, which he said must be overcome at once.

"With so much time and chance to continuously develop, the decision rests on the youth to grasp the opportunities," the ruler said, while expressing hope that the country's youth will demonstrate these qualities.

His Majesty also cautioned the youth to always keep in mind their religion and cultural roots, by staying away from being too immersed in today's age of unrestricted technology in a world without borders, which the monarch said could mess with people's minds, causing them do the unthinkable.

"And then, there comes a group that glorifies freedom without restriction that sparks a new culture that no longer cares about tradition and religion. Usually this group is dominated by the youth everywhere," His Majesty said, while expressing hope that Brunei's youth will not be "trapped in such free concept", but will remain as youth that are faithful to the religion and abide by national laws and traditions.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Al! Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday attended the 11th National Youth Day celebration held at the International Convention Centre, Berakas.

His Majesty, who was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik, was greeted on arrival by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awa.ng Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof.

The theme of the annual event is 'Visionary Youth: Catalyst for Transformation'.

In his opening speech, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu. Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi said His Majesty's presence was reminder to the country's youth of the important role they play in society by making a meaningful contribution to social development, as well as the progress of the nation and religion in order to face challenges in the era of globalisation.

The minister said the theme was chosen to take into account the importance for youths to prepare themselves to be educated, skilled and successful citizens who , can contribute towards creating a society that is of quality, as well as in generatingaOnamic and resilient economy under the objectives of the Brunei Vision 2035.

"Transformation is a must to achieve a developed country," he said.

The youths and youth organisations who have made the country proud through their services to the nation were awarded under four categories - Excellent Youth Award, Youth Volunteer Award, Young Leader Youth Award, and Youth Association.Excellent Project Award.

The recipient of the Excellent Youth Award went to Siti Huzzaimah Yadey binti Haji Rosli, Chairwoman of the Kampung Junjungan Women's Association; while the Youth Volunteer Award went to Nurizzatul Izzah binti Haji Abdul Rahman from the Society of Human Development (KESAN); the Young Leader Youth Award then went to Mohammad Anwar bin Haji Mohammad from the Society for Community Outreach and Training (SCOT); and the Youth Association Excellent Project Award went to Green Xchange from SCOT.

All the recipients received a trophy, Kain Tenunan (woven fabric), certificate of presentation and $3,000 cash.

The award was presented to show recognition and appreciation to the youth movement in Brunei Darussalam for responding to His Majesty's titah to support the youth in upholding the spirit of volunteerism.

The minister's opening speech was followed by a titah from His Majesty, and the recitation of the Youth Pledge led by Dr Mohd Ezam bin Emran, a cardiologist, along with a group of youths from various backgrounds and organisations.

The celebration also featured a video produced by the Creative Youth Group led by Haji Mohammad Sukoran bin Haji Ismail that showed the achievements of youths in different fields in order to inspire other youths to continue to pursue their goals.

The monarch later toured the Youth Entrepreneur Innovation Showcase 2016 and received a pesambah from the National Youth Day Celebration Executive Committee 2016.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi said the celebration brought together almost 1,000 youths who have answered His Majesty's call to utilise His Majesty's Government's youth development programmes and projects.

Another aim of the celebration is to gather youths from across the country to participate in activities that are meaningful , and provide an opportunity for them to exchange views, especially on the development and progress of youths.