Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country

Dear Editor,

I ENJOYED reading the article by Diyana Ibrahim about Vincent Cheong's views on the socio-economic situation in Brunei.

I agree with him that Bruneians can be complacent. This could be due to our satisfaction with the status quo. There is nothing wrong with this. But it doesn't mean we should stop continuing to develop as a nation. If all cooperate and perform their duties with honesty and dedication, Brunei can and will prosper.

Some contents of the article took me by surprise. For example, I was not aware of the potential investment opportunities such as the use of silica sand that could fulfil the needs of the IT industry. As a Bruneian studying chemistry at a university level, I can already see the opportunity to use my knowledge and skills for these kinds of enterprises.

Although I don't entirely agree with Vincent Cheong's views about lack the courage to take decisions among the Bruneians, I understand the message Vincent was trying to get across.

In an enterprise, it is a matter of taking risks and based on my observations, Bruneians tend to take the option with less risks which is the logical thing to do.

But as they say greater the risk the greater the return. So, one should not be afraid to take risks when the opportunity arises. There will always be a risk the difference between the successful and the not-so-successful is how to deal with it.

To echo the sentiment of Vincent's talk, one's mentality and attitude can make a big difference. I consider myself to be an optimist I try to seek opportunities in every problem and do not look at the problems in every opportunity. I've had my days when I was sceptical about Brunei's economic outlook but I can and will change that attitude. Finally, as John F Kennedy once said to the American people "Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country". In future I will do what I can for Brunei as an expression of gratitude for what Brunei has already done for me.

Abdullah Hj Kamit,

BSB