IN THE titah heralding the new year of 2008, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam zeroed in on the disruptive and destructive social vice of corruption not only for people but also for a country.
"For 2008, let us all resolve for it to truly be a 'Happy Year', a peaceful and prosperous year similar to all those preceeding years," His Majesty began his new year titah with, that was broadcast live nationwide last night over television and radio.
"We will build this 'Happy Year' with knowledge and hard work, and not with complacency," the monarch urged, "colouring them with beneficial programmes and not useless ones," he warned.
"We have to be pro-active in planning for our development, to progress instead of regressing," the monarch advised.
The monarch urged the nation to put its thoughts and efforts together to "produce whatever needs to be produced, improve what needs to be improved and enhance whatever needs to be enhanced."
As Brunei progresses, just like everyone else, by utilising the resources and mechanisms it has, what makes this progress special and extraordinary "is when we place it successfully on the proper foundations, by protecting it from contamination by negative or deceitful human behaviour," His Majesty pointed out.
Every country and people in the world are busy developing, but why do social diseases and poverty still threaten them, the monarch mused.
"It is obvious that there are faults and root causes.
In my opinion, one of the causes is corruption," His Majesty highlighted.
With corruption, all processes and mechanisms are weakened and unbalanced affecting all progress.
"It should serve as a warning to us not to tolerate corruption at all for no matter how big or small it is, it can adversely affect the country," said His Majesty
The monarch further emphasised that "we all firmly close the door shut against corruption," reminding the nation that, "Whenever we are clean from corruption, Allah will surely bless us and our country, as Allah has directed us to battle corruption, to the point that whoever gives or receives it, that person will be condemned to hell."
His Majesty then focused on the civil service reminding them that they are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that this vision is achieved.
"They must demonstrate by example that they are managers and administrators who are completely free of corruption. Only if they are clean, will the government be free from it."
His Majesty then called for real, pragmatic and ready strategies to take all these into account, and not just a paper tiger that is flawed whenever it is needed.
"Brunei Darussalam is not yet trapped by it," the monarch expressed confidently.
"Apart from preparing ourselves, relations with international organisations must also be strengthened, with which to shore up cooperative relations in supporting the search for economic opportunities and in promoting our products abroad, especially to the Bimp-Eaga region," His Majesty explained.
The Brunei Times
Advice for the new year: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam delivering his Titah to mark the advent of 2008 at the Istana Nurul Iman. Picture: Zamri Zainal
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
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