AS THE Sultanate is moving towards the enforcement of the Syariah Penal Code by April next year, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah yesterday said he hoped to see youths in the country would show their support in its implementation and reminded them of their duties in appreciating its significance.

In a titah to mark the 8th National Youth Day celebration at the Indoor Stadium, Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex, His Majesty noted that youths must have a deeper understanding of definitions contained in the Syariah Penal Code, so they will be more adapted to it.

His Majesty also touched on the issues of unemployment, noting that there are currently 18,000 youths categorised as ‘job-seekers’ in the country.

“Today, youths all across the world face challenges such as job competition. The unemployment issue, if not addressed in an integrated manner, could jeopardise the stability of a nation,” His Majesty cautioned.

To address the issue of unemployment, His Majesty said the Brunei Government through a special body would continue to take necessary steps to, among other things, equip our youths with knowledge and expertise.

In this regard, His Majesty expressed his satisfaction that youths in the country can explore a diverse range of skills through vocational schools, be it in the government or private sector.

Challenges such as job mismatches in the labour market from the aspect of supply and demand remains and becomes a main contributing factor of unemployment in the country, His Majesty said.

In light of this, the monarch urged relevant parties to enhance efforts and strategies in the cooperation of capacity-building for youths and by providing a conducive environment to raise the effectiveness of tackling unemployment.

His Majesty also urged youths to change their mindset and attitudes on employment so that they would not be too reliant to the government in seeking employment.

“Our youths should be more willing to grab opportunities in the private sector and in entrepreneurship,” His Majesty added.

Touching on the theme of the 8th National Youth Day celebration, “Youths Moving Towards The Vision”, His Majesty said youths should possess strong identities, good moral values and be responsible individuals.

“As we are moving in the direction of our country’s vision, our youths must be aware of challenges posed by their surroundings and they must also realise that a culture of being too absorbed with pleasures in life is potentially destructive,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty, meanwhile, praised many of the country’s youths who are involved in volunteering work nationwide or outside the country, and lauded Brunei’s effort in spearheading the Asean Young Professional Volunteers Corps to offer volunteering services for various societies and Asean member countries.

This does not only promote unity and understanding, but also brings in rewards, His Majesty said, adding that he hoped that all these efforts would be augmented.

Also present at yesterday’s celebration were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik and other members of the royal family. - Borneo Bulletin (21 November 2013)