• Today: September 20, 2026

Minister calls for ambitious, proactive youth

The country needs a generation of young people who are not only ambitious, but also proactive in taking initiative; who are not only knowledgeable, but also grounded in integrity; and who are not only ready to seize opportunities, but also capable of creating opportunities and making meaningful contributions, said Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha.

The minister said this as the guest of honour at the launch of the six-month National Service Programme (PKBN) Pilot Project at the National Service Programme Training Camp in Batu Apoi, Temburong yesterday.

A total of 28 youth, comprising 15 males and 13 females aged between 20 and 25, are participating in the six-month PKBN Pilot Project from August 9, 2026 to February 4, 2027.

The programme is in line with the aspiration and care 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, to expand opportunities for trainees to undergo more structured and comprehensive training modules.

The initiative aims to nurture a generation of disciplined, resilient and self-reliant youth equipped with relevant knowledge and skills to face the challenges of today and the future. In his message to the trainees, the minister said, “You are among the future leaders from various levels who will help shape and drive Brunei Darussalam forward. Make the most of this opportunity to unlock your full potential, not only for your own future, but also to give back to your families, communities and nation.”

He added, “You are the generation we need to work together in realising Brunei Vision 2035, contributing towards the continued prosperity, progress and well-being of the nation we love.”

He also revealed that the six-month PKBN Pilot Project adopts a more comprehensive approach to ensure that the programme’s content remains relevant to current needs and challenges. Therefore, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, together with government agencies and strategic partners, has joined forces to develop a more comprehensive programme designed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate rapid technological changes, economic challenges and increasingly complex social dynamics. He explained, “This initiative is aimed not only at building discipline and physical resilience, but also at shaping the mindset, character and identity of young people. Our aspiration is to nurture a generation with self-confidence, a strong sense of patriotism and a high level of responsibility who are prepared to face the challenges of today and the future with sound knowledge, relevant skills and strong values.”

The minister revealed the introduction of two new components under the PKBN Pilot Project, namely the future readiness component and the civil defence programme component. These two components broaden the scope of PKBN training by focusing not only on personal development and discipline, but also on equipping trainees with the readiness and resilience to face the challenges of life and the future.

Under the future readiness component, trainees will be exposed to knowledge and skills aimed at enhancing their employability, competitiveness and ability to adapt to changes in the world of work.

“I also hope that this component will instil confidence and initiative among trainees to explore entrepreneurship, while creating opportunities for them to develop their own ventures and generate income independently,” he said.

Through the civil defence programme component, trainees will gain basic knowledge and exposure from participating security and emergency response agencies.

“In addition to strengthening their preparedness in dealing with emergency situations, I hope this experience will foster a spirit of service to the community and nation, while inspiring trainees to consider careers in the uniformed services in the future,” he said.

He urged the trainees to remain focused, disciplined and fully committed throughout the training programme, and to learn not only from the modules provided, but also from their instructors, fellow trainees and the valuable experiences gained throughout their time in the programme.

Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir and Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan were in attendance. – James Kon

ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha delivering his remarks; and officiating the event. PHOTO: JAMES KON
PHOTO: JAMES KON
The programme in session. PHOTOS: JAMES KON

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/JAMES KON

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