DURING a work attachment visit to the National Service Programme (PKBN) Training Camp yesterday, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik witnessed a flawless execution of demonstrations staged by the 3rd intake of PKBN trainees.

His Royal Highness was welcomed upon arrival by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Paduka Hj Md Hamid bin Hj Md Jaafar.

In his speech, the minister noted that the visit demonstrates His Royal Highness’ concern for the identity development programme for youth, who will go on to become invaluable assets of the nation in the future.

The National Service Programme was implemented to develop youth potential, shaping them to have a strong sense of identity and to be high-spirited, disciplined and visionary. This supports the Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) concept and Brunei Vision 2035.

The PKBN modules, syllabus and training programmes are based on a holistic concept, taking into account His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s titah which stresses that the programme is an opportunity to provide advantages and benefits to raise youth capability in the aspects of leadership, experience, spiritually and entrepreneurship so that they can positively contribute to the development of the nation, the minister explained.

“The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the leading agency for PKBN – with cooperation from various agencies within the government as stakeholders – will always underscore the advice from His Majesty’s titah so that PKBN is the best, is of excellence and is safe,” he added.

The pilot project and second intake saw the PKBN producing 744 graduate trainees (479 male and 265 female). The third intake sees 77 trainees undergoing training.

In the effort to further strengthen PKBN as a superior national youth development programme, the minister disclosed that research has been carried out by UBS (as an independent body) to gather feedback from parents, trainers and trainees.

“Action has been taken based on the findings of the survey and feedback, including increasing and reviewing the module and curriculum; Standard Operating Procedure to become guideline for trainers, officers and staff; emphasising importance of trainees’ health and conducting outsource assessments of the supervisors and trainers,” the minister explained.

The day later saw His Royal Highness inspecting the guard of honour parade mounted by trainees from the third intake. Following this, the trainees staged demonstrations depicting their mental and physical strength, discipline and courage. This included a marching performance, ‘Pencak Silat’ (self-defence) display, physical training demonstration and singing of the PKBN song ‘Setia Berbakti.’

His Royal Highness then moved on to observe two of the most challenging training activities to test leadership and multitasking elements (Command Task) as well as rock climbing and abseiling.

His Royal Highness later toured an exhibition focusing on the new PKBN Training Camp currently under construction at Batu Apoi in Temburong, as well as the PKBN Training Camp facilities at the Games Village.

Before concluding the visit, His Royal Highness signed a commemorative plaque, received a ‘pesambah’ and met trainees of the third intake. - Borneo Bulletin (31 October 2014)