| Azlan Othman |
IT WAS a proud moment for trainees of the fifth intake of the National Service Programme (PKBN) as 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 made a working visit to the training centre in Berakas yesterday.
Training for the fifth intake started on December 6 and will end on March 14.
It involves 286 trainees including 96 female trainees. PKBN aims to encourage the youth to play a positive role in the development of the nation.
During the visit yesterday, His Majesty also viewed training activities like command task, rock climbing, abseiling and high rope.
The monarch also viewed an exhibition of PKBN alumni that showcased their activities and achievements.
Among the exhibits was the ‘Commonwealth Youth Council of CHOGM’, which was held in Sri Lanka and participated by former trainee Muhd Auji Azizi bin Mohd Noor in 2013.
He was involved in policy-making and discussions regarding social issues of the younger generation.
Another former trainee Sabrina binti Haji Mahmud attended the APEC Youth Summit in 2013 in Yogyakarta and Bali, Indonesia, and jointly wrote a policy paper on Disaster Management in Brunei Darussalam.
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 inspecting the parade during his working visit to National Service Programme (PKBN) training centre yesterday
His Majesty receiving a pesambah from the PKBN trainees
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 mingling with some members of the PKBN alumni
His Majesty in a group photo with some of the PKBN trainees and family members yesterday
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 in a group photo with the National Service Programme (PKBN) alumni
At the exhibition, His Majesty also showed interest in the educational and employment status of over 1,000 trainees from first to fourth intake of PKBN.
About 39 per cent of them are still looking for jobs, while 21 per cent have been employed and the other 40 per cent are still schooling.
Among the activities of the alumni are a team drill competition, Al-Quran recitation, Hari Raya get-together at the Istana Nurul Iman, flag-hoisting for major national events, National Day parade and performance, National Youth Day celebration and so on.
The monarch also mingled with the trainees, parents and guardians of the fifth intake.
His Majesty was greeted upon arrival at the camp by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, YB Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; the Commissioner of Police, Dato Paduka Seri Haji Bahrin bin Mohd Noor; PKBN Director, Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Zulkifli bin Pengiran Haji Ismail and other senior officials.
Also present were Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance II, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim; Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hamdan bin Haji Abu Bakar; permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and senior officials.
PKBN trainees during the martial art demonstration
PKBN participants during the high obstacle demonstration
PKBN participants during the physical demonstration. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
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