BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, March 22, 2015
HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Deputy Sultan, presented 68 awards to Bruneian scout leaders as part of the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association’s (BDSA) 82nd anniversary celebration yesterday.
His Royal Highness, in his capacity as Chief Scout, presented 15 Meritorious Service Medals and 53 Excellent Service Medals to recognise the commitment and dedication of the scouts towards the association.
A total of 31 warrants were also awarded to scout commissioners.
44 education institutions comprising primary schools and secondary schools also received certificates of appreciation for the participation of their students.
According to BDSA President Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas, only 44 out of the 137 schools in Brunei – 93 in the Brunei-Muara District, 36 in Belait District, four in Tutong and four in Temburong – have registered their students with the association.
He explained that the students from the 44 schools account for more than 800 of the association’s members.
Dato Paduka Hj Idris estimated that their student participants could reach some 2,000 members if all the schools in Brunei were to participate in the scouts programme.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah proceeded to tour the exhibition on the fourth floor of the BDSA’s headquarters in Beribi, Gadong, following the awards ceremony.
His Royal Highness also launched the introduction of the BDSA’s official website which allows scout members to expand their network by communicating with scouts from outside of Brunei.
Scout Md Shukri Hj Masri told The Brunei Times that scouting is meant to shape a person’s personality and character to become more disciplined, respectful and caring.
The 36-year-old joined the association in 1990 as a student of Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School (SMJA) and has been an active participant in various outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, walkathon, swimming and so on.
He received the Highest Scout Award in the BDSA in 1998 where he imparted the meaning of integrity, loyalty and leadership to a group of boy scouts during one of the many outdoor activities.
Junaidi Hj Jussin, 54, urged more of Brunei’s youth to join the association as it is free and will help them develop their leadership skills.
“Some of the young people who joined the association 10 years ago have now become leaders in both the public and private sectors. That is the great thing about this association; it produces leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
A veteran member of the association, Henry Chee, said that he has been a member since he was 16 years old.
“I think what encouraged me to join was when I saw my brother in the smart uniform and his change of character after joining the association. My brother became more disciplined when talking to others. So I become interested and joined,” said the 74-year-old from Belait.
Meanwhile, Skip Jerry Junaidi said that participants would not only learn basic skills such as first aid, but they would also experience fun outdoor activities.
“I promote unity and healthy activities for all. Regardless of how old you are; father, mother, son or daughter, everybody can be part of the association,” said the 56-year-old.
The Brunei Times
