Crown Prince visits training camp in Berakas

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday visited the 3rd National Service Programme (PKBN) pilot project at the PKBN training camp in Berakas.

Upon his arrival, HRH the Crown Prince was welcomed by Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Datin Paduka Hjh Adina binti Othman, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Permanent Secretaries at the ministry and Major (Rtd) Mohammad bin Dollah, PKBN Camp Commander.

The event started with a royal salute and singing of the national anthem 'Allah Peliharakan Sultan'.

HRH the Crown Prince inspected a guard of honour and witnessed the 'Sorak Program Khidmat Bakti Negara' (PKBN Cheer), the singing of 'Sedia Berbakti', a march past, martial arts presentations as well as some acrobatic shows by the PKBN trainees.

Following the event, HRH the Crown Prince visited the Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS) booth, and was welcomed by the CEO, Hjh Rosmawati binti Hj Manaf. HRH was briefed on paintball and later went to a target range and amazed the audience with his accurate shooting using a paintball marker.

HRH was then invited to Dewan Kuliah 1 and briefed on PKBN pilot project and PKBN future plans.

Pehin Dato Awg Hj Hazair in his speech said the presence of HRH at the training camp was a reflection of the concern and support by HRH to the activities provided at the PKBN training camp in order to create a 'Syumul' and disciplined youth with academic and spiritual education, reinforced through activities and a complete curriculum.

The minister also stated that the project is the government's aspiration to build a generation of youth that is dynamic, competitive and excellent in line with the National Youth Policy aimed at creating excellent Brunei youths.

The minister further spoke on the purpose and direction of the implementation of a permanent PKBN in the future, which needs certain things to be considered such as setting up a dedicated National Service Department that will be solely responsible for trainees' recruitment, management, training, logistics and coordination of other required facilities; recruit adequate human resources to sufficiently ensure the safety and well-being of the trainees towards the effectiveness of the programme; to add content to the training curriculum in order to achieve the goal in producing 'Syumul' and outstanding youths to be ambitious and determined in facing challenges in the era of globalisation; and also to have the best infrastructure and facilities with safety features.

After the speech, a briefing on the PKBN pilot project was made by Dato Paduka Awg Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

HRH then viewed an exhibition, visited the operations and secretariat rooms, toured the surau (prayer hall) and hostels and then had lunch with the trainees.

Towards the end of the event, HRH consented to sign a Royal Parchment to commemorate the event.

A pesambah was presented to HRH before a meet and greet session with the trainees, followed by a group photo session.

The 3rd PKBN pilot project began on December 9, 2012 and will end on March 11 this year.