His Majesty Pushes Education And Propagation For Right Balance
By Azlan Othman & Laila Rahman

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei last night said education is as important as propagation for the country to develop and progress.

In delivering his 'titah' on the eve of the 21st National Day celebration last night over the radio and television, His Majesty stated that just like providing basic infrastructure such as housing, road, electricity, water, buildings and so on, educated souls, people with the right spirit and thinking are needed by the nation.

"In this respect, education and propagation play a crucial role. The education and propagation machinery should not be weak and the general needs of education should not exceed religious needs.

In other words, religious education must be equally prioritised. "At the foundation level, religious education must be perfect while at the higher level it should give rise to scholars and experts.

"It should not be found lacking because if religious education is weak, the people will also be weakened," the Sultan said.

Speaking on national development, the monarch said that it depends on the public service machinery, which could fulfill the needs and aspirations of society. In view of this, the government has laid out a Public Service Vision of the 21st century.

Every government agency should make sure in achieving their respective visions. Every ministry and department should identify issues which have national interests that could be jointly discussed and coordinated, His Majesty said.

His Majesty also said that a strong bond between the government and the people should be established to realise the past and future achievements.

"In this respect, my government always welcomes constructive ideas from the subjects on appropriate ways to enhance the quality of the government machinery in the fields of administration and development. Hence, the Legislative Council has been revived as a platform to get the subjects involved formally in disseminating their ideas and views," the Sultan added.

Speaking on regional and international affairs, His Majesty stated that these should not be neglected. Since achieving independence, we have shouldered a similar responsibility as any sovereign international community.

"We jointly faced tests such as economic crisis, security and health issues, and natural catastrophes that affected this region in the past decade. During this difficult period, we chose our own path and stuck to our own position. However, we also welcomed and analysed views from foreign nations.

The process of dialogue, consultation and cooperation still become the basis of our international relations with other countries," said the ruler.

Touching on the country's achievements since gaining independence, His Majesty said the nation has been shaped diligently and with a great spirit.

"I am very pleased with the developmental effort made by the people as a concerned international community.

They have shown a mature characteristic in living as a nation and in a more independent and futuristic lifestyle.

"This is what is needed of an independent nation because if futuristic and concerned characteristics are lacking, the nation would remain outdated.

"We should fulfill our independence through the process of evolution that should be everlasting and energetic.

Hence, whatever we have achieved or are going to acquire, must be relevant to the needs of the nation. These efforts they must run simultaneously through balanced physical and spiritual developments," His Majesty said. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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