His Majesty Reminds Youth Of Their Role
By Waleed PD Mahdini

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, addressed the nation last night, on the eve of the 24th national day celebrations by asking one fundamental question: What are the nation's youth doing for the benefit of the country?

His Majesty began his titah by evoking the theme of this year's national day, `Tunas Bangsa', and rhetorically asked "What does tunas mean?" The monarch duly explained that in the context of the national day theme, "Tunas Bangsa obviously refers to the category of the nation's youths."

"But why was this selected as the theme?" His Majesty asked again the theme's intention. Somewhat paternally and patiently, the monarch sombrely went on to explain that the purpose is to strongly remind that youths have a unique value for the benefit of the people and the country.

"Youths are the nation's asset," continued His Majesty. "Because of this agendas towards youth building must be given a priority focus. Those that are to be developed will duly reflect the values of our future leadership which are riddled of uncertainty."

What prompted His Majesty to speak of these uncertainties were two examples that the monarch cited. "There are worrying signs shown before us," said His Majesty.

Last year alone, statistics showed that 732 drug arrests were made, which involved 606 men and 126 women. From this, 649 were locals, 35 permanent residents and foreigners making up the remaining 48 arrests.

"What is most shocking is that the majority of these drug addicts, 664 are Malays, only 27 Chinese and the rest of other races," His Majesty pointed out. "Could they have been born and bred to become valued leaders, if they have already been weakened by drugs early on?" the monarch questioned.

Another worrying sign that the monarch brought up was the increase by 23 per cent in criminal statistics, "which has also become a heavy burden for the country," His Majesty added. Theft has been the most consistent category of crime over the past three years. In 2007, there were 443 theft cases, a rise from 2006, which recorded 359 cases. "These figures do not include other criminal cases," His Majesty added.

"Latest reports show that property theft are the most frequently reported criminal cases, some 2,030 cases or 60 per cent of the total crime index, out of a total cases of 4,519 in the whole of last year," the monarch pointed out. Moreover, His Majesty, added, `armed robberies have shown an increase of 100 per cent."

The perpetrators are usually both men and women between the ages of 19 and 35 - the youth age category - "including 59 students," His Majesty said.

"An increase in crime is one thing, but the perpetrators, on the other that are mostly made up of youths are another," the monarch went on to highlight. "Who are these youths? If not those whom we refer to as `Tunas Bangsa'? They have become criminals. Is this who the `Tunas Bangsa' are?" His Majesty reasoned. "Isn't this a sad story for our people? Where are our real `Tunas Bangsa'?" the monarch opined, adding "Where are the generations of leaders 20, 30 years from now, going to come f`33?"

His Majesty urged the nation not to be smug and content by citing statistics and slogans, but "most importantly, we must thwart crime, in whatever shape or form, for the welfare of the country and the people." The monarch hemmed the point further by stating that "foreign visitors, tourists and investors should not be afraid of visiting the abode of peace."

The nation's youth, were also specifically urged by His Majesty, to become more reliable, healthy, and cooperate in ensuring that Brunei Darussalam is completely free from crime.

The monarch then averted his focus by calling on "all agents of change, such as families, educational and religious institutions, the media and others, to scrutinise this problem comprehensively, so that we can all focus on how to remedy as well as produce quality role models."

"This is the true spirit of patriotism, in which we are all supposed to act together as protectors and saviours," His Majesty rounded off.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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