Government Has Approved National Service: Minister
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The government has approved national service for youths but the modalities are still being worked out. Once everything is in place, it will be implemented.

Awang Haji Ahmad bin Hj Abd Rahman, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, chaired the dialogue.

The minister spoke on his discussions with Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB). on creating a micro modal facility to enable entrepreneurs or students of the Youth Development Centre who aspire to start up businesses on a small scale. He said he was disappointed that among 20,000 youths involved in youth activities only 220 turned up for the National Youth Congress and urged youth associations to fully utilise opportunities that are provided.

He also said the ministry is aware and has made efforts to find out what the youths want in the country and will make an action plan to fulfil their needs. Although it is not easy to fulfil all that issought for, there are some that need to be analysed and will take time. But whatever is being presented (in the resolution) will be examined in depth and the ministry will come out with a plan to identify priorities that need to be implemented.

He also highlighted on the huge allocation provided for youth development programmes, and Youth Development Centre in terms of allowances and for students taking up courses at the centre.

The ministry also has plans to build a culture hall soon. The minister warned youths not to be involved in acts that are against the law, such as drug abuse, because by doing so they will be alienated by society.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Religious Affairs said the National Youth Congress reminded him of the youth congress that was held during his youth years. There is room for youth to develop, said the minister and added that they should take examples from Islam in order to become a force to be reckoned with.

Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Dato Awang HajiAdanan, in response to a resolution, said are a number of youths, that have academic qualifications, are not part of represen-tatives in the village or Muki n consultative council. There is a need to find out how to attract them to share their knowledge and experience in the village and Mukim consultative council, he said and urged youths to be active in the council. On the issue of unemployed youths, he said the ministry has taken note but what is important is the change in mindset of job seekers, employers and other stakeholders. Youths need to open up their minds to work in the private sector and also explore entrepreneurship possibilities, said the minister and added that that there will be a career festival this May.

The minister also raised his concerns on the issue ofjob seekers who lack higher qualification. He said they will be provided with courses to improve their skills. He also touched on other issues such as social problems including drug abuse among youths.

Dato Awang Haji.EusoffAgaki spoke on the awareness of youths on social ills that is plaguing them. He called for a paradigm shift among youths, as well as urging them to be proactive and explore ways on how they can contribute to the nation.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah, who was also part of the panel of cabinet ministers at the dialogue, spoke on the need for a change in mindset as the attendance of less than one per cent of youth members at the congress showed the failure to energise youths.

He admitted that all parties are needed to develop entrepreneurship among youths including the institution of family, private, government and NGOS. "What is more important is the desire of the youth themselves and a change in mindset," he added. He called on youths to find the fire in them to contribute to the nation.

Youths need to be active in participating in entrepreneurship in their respective villages because most village cooperatives and leadership still involve the elderly, thus showing the weakness of grassroots entrepreneurship.

He also revealed that out of 165 cooperatives registered under BINA, only 30 per cent or 50 are still active. He also spoke on the financing schemes available such as the micro credit scheme.

He also spoke on the aspiration of the country to be ranked in the top ten in terms of entrepreneurship by the World Bank. Pehin Dato Hj Dani, meanwhile, urged youths to foster closer relationships with elders and participate in communal activities, which mostly comprise of elders. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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