Remember your duty to nation: HM

Brunei celebrates 29th National Day today.

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday reminded citizens and residents, especially young people as the country's beneficiaries, of the "major responsibilities" they owe to the country given its history, while supporting various government efforts for the development of the nation.

In a titah delivered on the eve of the 29th National Day yesterday, His Majesty said: "With the blessing of the kalimat, Allahu Akhbar, we have been destined to be capable of carrying out major responsibilities for the country. We must not forget that all this has happened in the post-independence era. Bearing this in mind, we should love our independence more.

"The signs of people who do so is easily recognised. Their hearts are sincere towards the people, and their deeds are pure, and they like to do virtuous acts. They do not want to be seen as being weak when something happens to their country."

The monarch pointed out that these attributes or traits should be demonstrated by individual members of the general population. "The general population that is sensitive, moreover patriotic, is most needed by the country, especially from the young generation and youth groups, because they are the beneficiaries of our future. The future would be gloomy without their being involved in the nation-building process."

His Majesty urged young people to join in every activity of statehood, where he said they should at least act as "moral contributors" by possessing certain traits.

This moral contribution is expressed by "being good citizens who are sincere and trustworthy, as well as being loyal and law-abiding, and (who) do not burden the country with anti-social acts or (are) too preoccupied with worldly pleasures," the monarch said, adding: "Excessive indulgence in enjoyment can weaken the machinery of community because nothing would come out of it except mere losses."

His Majesty said that in order to become strong and progressive, Bruneians must not partake of indulgences but instead be diligent at work and intelligent in their thinking.

"Avoid ... following the heart's desires without weighing them against rational consideration and thought, and remember that thinking is the crown of life. It is upon this rationale that my government has strengthened education as a catalyst for progress. The government's commitment in this aspect is comprehensive for all the rakyat, irrespective of their ethnicity," the monarch told the people.

His Majesty added that the government's efforts were in line with achieving the objectives of Vision 2035.

In this regard, citizens and residents were urged to support national programmes.

"In this era of fierce competition, we, as the rakyat, must not be left out from supporting the national programmes. If we are left out, this would mean we are left behind and sidelined.

"Whomever it may be, must work towards the intended destination," His Majesty said, adding that everyone must pull their weight and stand united in creating a bright future.

His Majesty outlined recent government efforts this year for the improvement of the country.

"During this year alone, there are several major plans that call for the rakyat's commitment; in the matter of religion, we have enforced the Compulsory Religious Education Order 2012, which encompasses all Muslim rakyat and residents.

"In parallel with this, we have also successfully brought about the Syariah Criminal Penal Code, which calls for the support of every individual. Likewise, we have also enforced the regulation for the temporary closure of commercial premises on Fridays during the Friday mass prayers."

All these are major steps towards improvement, the monarch said, adding it would be somewhat regrettable if there were people who harboured feelings of discontent over the temporary closure, regarding it as an impediment to economic progress.

"Let us be reminded that we should develop in such a way that encompasses physical and spiritual development. These two types of development are most demanded because their impacts embrace two benefits simultaneously worldly benefit, as well that in the hereafter. "

In his titah, His Majesty said the regulations were important for both the country's image and the image of Islam, and thus should always be guarded.

His Majesty added that profit and loss were merely subjective and that what was right should be done and "guided by the promises of Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala".

"This is how we should fulfil independence, while at the same time being grateful for it. We can fill it with as many welfare-based programmes and activities. InsyaAllah; we and the country would not be disappointed."

The Brunei Times

See also A4 & A6