Bruneians are lucky to have life's luxuries
Sunday, June 15, 2008
BRUNEI is a country, full of luxuries and facilities which exist to make the lives of its people relatively easy. With the implementation of free education, healthcare, fuel and food subsidies among a whole list of government initiatives, has it come to an extent as to whether Bruneians are being spoilt by these amenities?
"We are very lucky," said Pg Baharuddin, a 39-year-old civil servant.
He stated that it is because the country is "blessed" with oil and gas, which constituted the bulk of the nation's economy and the relatively high GDP (Gross Domestic Product), that the government could afford to provide the people with these luxuries.
"Look at some of the (populations) of the countries around us, they don't have these free things that we have," he added. Pg Baharuddin also said that Bruneians should be thankful, since there are many people in the world who are not as fortunate.
Azrol, 24, said that he was satisfied with all the amenities put in place. The IGS (International Graduate Studies) student commented that it made up for the lack of entertainment facilities in the sultanate.
One female employee of a local bank, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Bruneians were being taken care of since the day they are born.
"The hospital that you are born at... it's not as expensive as some of the medical bills you would get if you were born at a private hospital overseas, taking into account the price of insurance and all," she told The Brunei Times. The 29-year-old also said that to "a certain degree" Bruneians were spoilt and that it would be "very difficult" to change their mindset and attitude.
An 18-year-old who wished to be known only as Mary Jane also shared her views on the matter.
"It's more important to have Bruneians set their decisions on how their incentives (really) are," she commented.
Mary Jane stated that a "response" should be taken to effectively and efficiently utilise the advantages, that the country is offering.
"We need to (alter) our habits to strive more productively, (not) just because we don't need to do a whole lot (of) tough work like other countries."
One 40-year-old who also asked for anonymity said that the younger generation had much easier lives than their predecessors. He spoke of his grandfather who did not have the chance enjoy the luxuries that Bruneian citizens experienced nowadays.
"In the past, he had to work very hard in life. It was not as easy as it is now," he said. (ODM1)The Brunei Times
"We are very lucky," said Pg Baharuddin, a 39-year-old civil servant.
He stated that it is because the country is "blessed" with oil and gas, which constituted the bulk of the nation's economy and the relatively high GDP (Gross Domestic Product), that the government could afford to provide the people with these luxuries.
"Look at some of the (populations) of the countries around us, they don't have these free things that we have," he added. Pg Baharuddin also said that Bruneians should be thankful, since there are many people in the world who are not as fortunate.
Azrol, 24, said that he was satisfied with all the amenities put in place. The IGS (International Graduate Studies) student commented that it made up for the lack of entertainment facilities in the sultanate.
One female employee of a local bank, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Bruneians were being taken care of since the day they are born.
"The hospital that you are born at... it's not as expensive as some of the medical bills you would get if you were born at a private hospital overseas, taking into account the price of insurance and all," she told The Brunei Times. The 29-year-old also said that to "a certain degree" Bruneians were spoilt and that it would be "very difficult" to change their mindset and attitude.
An 18-year-old who wished to be known only as Mary Jane also shared her views on the matter.
"It's more important to have Bruneians set their decisions on how their incentives (really) are," she commented.
Mary Jane stated that a "response" should be taken to effectively and efficiently utilise the advantages, that the country is offering.
"We need to (alter) our habits to strive more productively, (not) just because we don't need to do a whole lot (of) tough work like other countries."
One 40-year-old who also asked for anonymity said that the younger generation had much easier lives than their predecessors. He spoke of his grandfather who did not have the chance enjoy the luxuries that Bruneian citizens experienced nowadays.
"In the past, he had to work very hard in life. It was not as easy as it is now," he said. (ODM1)The Brunei Times
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