ALTHOUGH grateful that The Brunei Times published my letter contributing to the debate on the future of Brunei, I am disappointed about the heading you gave it (Let's not leave our future, post-oil era, to foreigners) which does not reflect the intended message of the letter.
It was not my intention to argue that we should do without foreign talent and instead do everything ourselves.
A small country such as ours has too limited a pool of expertise and talent to be able to compete successfully with much larger countries without importing foreign talent.
Smallness is a disadvantage in a globalised world dominated by big powers.
I, therefore, also disagree with BMMR's letter, Local Talent is much needed (BT, February 8) which argues that while we may need foreign talent in the short-to-medium term, we should aim to manage without it in the long term.
BMMR admits, however, that even the most powerful country in the world relies heavily on imported expertise and talent. Go to any major American company, university or research institution, and you will find it full of people from all over the world.
Closer to home, something similar can be said about Singapore. Arguably the very reason why these countries have been so successful economically, is precisely because they have done their best to attract the top expertise and talent from all over the world and succeeded to integrate it into their economies and societies.
My intention was to argue that consultants (whether foreign or local) and committees (whether high or low-powered) are no substitute for something that we woefully lack: a public sphere in which we discuss what the problems we face as a society are, what their causes may be and how we can solve them.
Hardly anybody turned up, for example, at a public meeting recently held with a consulting agency to discuss the Bandar Seri Begawan Master Plan.
Why should this be so? My answer is that it is because we rely on the government for everything: jobs, house and car loans, solving our financial problems, as well as planning our future and making decisions for us.
Everything is left to that kind fatherly institution that we call the Government. When will we grow up? As a society we will not be able to compete successfully with other countries, unless we overcome this dependency syndrome.
We have gained independence as a nation state, it is now time to become more independent as a society.
It is in this context that the debate The Brunei Times has opened about the future of Brunei is important in that it seems to open the door for greater public participation in discussions of our future.
In the past we occasionally read letters in the press that raise matters of public importance, but these were generally just one-off affairs to "let off steam" and did not lead to a systematic discussion of the deeper issues involved.
The present debate in the "Letters to the Editor" column is a good model of how a sustained discussion of public issues should be conducted in an open and rational manner.
It is only through such discussions, and not through consultants and committees, that we will be able to build the committed and empowered society that the letter I was responding to earlier called for.
Haji Hayy bin Yaqzan
Tutong
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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Response to "Public debate key to building dynamic society"
education, learning, fostering a creative environment.
Why cant we seem to create a dynamic society? There are many things that come to mind. One thing I have noticed is that there is a distinct lack of ambition amongst youths today. Although there are, I'm sure, bright and talented people out there, there are not many that will really THINK and plan a future or really attempt to enable themselves to achieve high goals. Although there is a fairly high literacy rate amongst Bruneians I believe we really have to look at schools and how students are taught. I agree that public debate would help to bring peoples opinions out and create a dialogue that will have positive effects on society. However in my observations many peers that can afford to go to university, see university as a time of fun and partying probably resulting from growing up in a cloistered background, with no outlet for 'hanging loose' so to speak and getting rid of steam. They feel that this is the time for freedom. With an attitude like this its no wonder that education gets thrown in the gutter, a waste of time and money. Many people I have encountered fail on purpose or if they know they will fail, default their studies for a little while and then start the next term! Redo and redo and redo. Is this the attitude that will foster creative thinking and CRITICAL thinking? the answer is a big resounding NO! Before we look to public discourse and debate we have to foster an environment that encourages people to obtain knowledge and to think critically as well as to think outside the box. To Learn. Learning is a lifelong process and something that is essential to fulfilling dreams and goals. Our religious teachings also put forward learning and knowledge as an important part of being a useful member of society. Being a sheep and just following the crowd will never contribute to creating a dynamic society. More critical thinking is needed (Critical thinking involves determining the meaning and significance of what is observed or expressed, or, concerning a given inference or argument, determining whether there is adequate justification to accept the conclusion as true.)
This point is not only about learning and knowledge but also to put a stop to students that see university as just a time of fun, we need to make sure there is an outlet for the energetic youth. Exposing teenagers and the young to take an interest in cultural and artistic pursuits for example theatre, and contemporary arts may wean them away from just hanging out joblessly at malls or playing video games at home. We need to show people that there are other, more meaningful things to do that are satisfying and at the same time educational AND all those things can be fun and entertaining.
On another note, I agree with Joe local that the govt. gives a lot and that people throw this away. People take many things for granted. I am well travelled and I see many differences between the youth in europe or the US compared with those in Brunei. Youths here seem woefully immature. While teenagers across the ocean are encouraged to get part time jobs and work experience from an early age, teenagers and even individuals in their early to late 20's are coddled, have no work experience and are still relying on their parents. Bringing you back to the point that students dont take their education seriously, because of this attitude many are still studying until their late 20's without even having a thought as to jobs and making a living. Many people in Brunei just have it too easy. Content with being bums and looking cool, being able to buy products using their parents money who would set their minds in creating a better society? Who even cares as long as they get to fulfill their meaningless consumer driven lives with STUFF?
Now, I know that not EVERYONE out there are the same as the people that I have described, and I know there are many hardworking people out there striving to bring Brunei into this century, who have something to say. What I have pointed out is not the only reason why we cannot build a dynamic society although in my belief it is one of the key factors. I have seen enough that I know these attitudes are prevalent and almost disease like, has stricken most of the youths in Brunei. Perhaps we should take a good look at how and what we are taught and think about how we can inspire and encourage the next generation to have a good value system and care more about our minds and souls. A good pluralistic balanced education is in a way just the medicine this society needs as well as a nurturing environment where the young can express themselves and grow to be committed, active members of society.
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