His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office said the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) concept forms the core of the pure values of the people of Brunei and its future relies on the youths themselves as a generation to inherit the traditional customs heritage and the national identity.

His Royal Highness delivered a sabda as he officiated the MIB seminar organised by the MIB Executive Council and Youth and Sports Department of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports at the International Convention Centre yesterday.

HRH said that producing excellent Bruneian youths as stipulated in the nation's youth policy would not be complete if it is not based on the MIB concept, which has been embedded in our way of life as Bruneians.

"The excellent youths that we are hoping to produce are those who have a deep understanding of three components of the MIB concept, which are Islam as a guideline towards life, monarchy as a ruling system and Malay as the basis of living in a culture.

"With such deep understanding, there is no room for compromise for youths practising and embracing the MIB concept as it has been proven to be the shield for centuries in shaping our life in a community and the nation.

"When such a concept is successfully practised and embraced with sincerity in our daily life, it would become a shield for youths in facing challenges in their daily life and in the future," said His Royal Highness.

"This is where government agencies should outline plans and take appropriate steps to produce strong and stable youths to ensure we have a generation that possesses pure values."

HRH added that the future of our people and the nation relies heavily on the commitment and efforts that we show to put today's youths on the right track.

The government will continue to give more appropriate consideration and implement development programmes in leadership and expertise for youths in various fields, said the Crown Prince.

"The event today is part of the efforts and steps taken towards producing unity and nurturing patriotism among youths and I believe details on MIB would be delivered in this seminar to enrich their knowledge, strengthen and help youths embrace the MIB concept," HRH added.

Elaborating on the seminar, HRH said in line with the implementation of the nation's youth policy, the seminar is a continuous effort in enhancing the understanding and embracing the MIB concept especially among youths, as a progressive, excellent and empowered group.

"The effort is in line with the aspiration of my father, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam who in a titah in conjunction with the National Youth Day 2008 reminded youths not to forget the purity of values and traditions and the identity of the nation inherited through generations.

"Such pure cultural values should be instilled into the youths as they reflect the purity and superiority of the nation," HRH added.

The Crown Prince also said that this seminar should show approaches and ways that could easily be understood by youths. Such meetings would be more effective if all details and advices could be embraced and practised in their daily life.

HRH also urged youths to continue to strive towards gaining beneficial knowledge and to spread them for the prosperity of the community. HRH also hoped that the seminar would be successful in disseminating the MIB concept and act as a catalyst for youths to continue to develop themselves and the nation.

Earlier, the Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Awg Abu Bakar bin Hj Apong, as the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of MIB, delivered his welcoming remarks.

Some 350 youths aged 15 to 30 years are taking part in the two-day seminar.

Also present at the opening yesterday were executive committee members of MIB, Deputy Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent Secretaries and senior government officers.

The seminar also saw a keynote presentation delivered yesterday entitled 'Embracing MIB concept in Bruneian youths' life' by Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Mohd Zain which highlighted the definition of MIB in youth context, youth perception on MIB and the importance of MIB in youths' life. - Borneo Bulletin (11th February 2011)