HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday warned experts over wrong Islamic teachings or authors who write articles conflicting to the Islamic ways as though it sounds good at defending the Holy Quran but rejects the Hadiths, talk about the laws, but implicitly or explicitly debase the laws of Allah the Almighty and label them as old-fashioned and irrelevant.

His Majesty said that the authorities should not simply be silent but must act strictly under any of the provisions of the relevant laws.

His Majesty does not want Brunei Darussalam to be in the unproductive polemics and headquarters for media scholars, who have emerged suddenly as a result of browsing the Internet or the cyber world.

His Majesty said this in a titah at a get-together ceremony with students and citizens from Brunei Darussalam who are in New Zealand, which was held at the James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel in Wellington yesterday.

His Majesty arrived yesterday morning in Wellington, New Zealand for a four-day State Visit.

His Majesty in his titah said the students should not be these types of experts which are proscribed by the country and the law as such. His Majesty did not want the students to be involved with such expertise, and wanted them to be involved in healthier types of expertise such as religious specialists, scientists, economists, experts in all fields of medicine and others. Those are the types of expertise His Majesty said the country required.

In this regard, His Majesty wished to see the students use the opportunities provided to them by the government to chart their own history and become genuine intellectuals as His Majesty con-sidered them to be very fortunate to get a wide range of facilities from the government and hoped that they would see those opportunities as one of the sustenance from Allah the Almighty.

Earlier, His Majesty stated that such ceremonies would bring their own meaning to the students.

His Majesty added the ambition to succeed in the field of study is in line with the Brunei Vision 2035, which aims to create people who are educated and highly skilled. His Majesty added there should be determination, which must be accompanied by hard work, and also would be able to deliver the results. Therefore, it is a responsibility that all students and citizens must understand, the ruler said.

His Majesty said the students should not be weak as the weak spirit is not associated with students. It should instead be high enthusiasm and morale as they will be the catalyst that determine their future.

His Majesty further advised the students to tend to the two aspects of motivation and self-determination which are: to strengthen one’s self-confidence and have faith in Allah the Almighty, where everything that will be achieved with Allah the Almighty’s permission, as long as one obeys Allah the Almighty. Therefore, the students have to submit to Allah the Almighty for His blessings because without them, there will be no meaning.

His Majesty added that Brunei Darussalam is moving towards the blessings and mercy of Allah Subhanahu Wa’Taala. With that, His Majesty advised the students not to ignore the notion as the students are learning, working and developing with the guidance of Allah the Almighty. His Majesty also advised the students to be experts because the country is in need of experts.

His Majesty urged all students to become specialists that are really of use to the country and not specialists that burden the country. His Majesty explained that the specialists who are a burden to the country are experts in matters that are negative or undesirable for mankind, and especially so in the sight of Allah the Almighty.

His Majesty also added that there are a number of human experts who are not good, especially those who are not here to lessen one’s burden but add on to the burden of the country.

His Majesty said that there are many experts in this world but not all experts are required and helpful. If these experts or specialists are pests or problematic, then these types are not welcome because they are of no help and only a burden to society and country.

His Majesty gave some examples of the experts who were not welcomed such as experts in criminal activities; experts in graft; drug dealers and smugglers; experts in the wrong Islamic teachings, or authors who write articles in conflict to the Islamic ways as though it sounds good at defending the Holy Quran but rejects the Hadiths; talk about the laws, but implicitly or explicitly debase the laws of Allah the Almighty and label them as old-fashioned and irrelevant.

His Majesty wished the students would be successful and ready to serve the country when they return to Brunei Darussalam in the near future.

His Majesty then consented for a photo session with the Bruneian students and citizens in New Zealand, and interacted with them.

As many as 86 students are currently pursuing their studies in New Zealand, 57 of whom are under the Ministry of Education Scholarship Scheme; 23 under the Human Resource Fund Scholarship Scheme; two under Universiti Brunei Darussalam; one government officer under the In-Service Training Scheme; and three in their private capacity.

Accompanying His Majesty to the meeting and the ceremony were Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Education; Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin bin Pengiran Paduka Tuan Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar, the Grand Chamberlain; and Datin Paduka Tan Bee Yong, the non-resident High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to New Zealand; Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as other senior government officials.

Earlier, His Majesty was greeted on arrival at the James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel by Datin Paduka Tan Bee Yong.

The ceremony began with His Majesty joining the luncheon. Later, His Majesty consented to receive a Junjung Ziarah by Brunei Darussalam’s students and citizens in New Zealand. Then, in the Chancellor Room, the ceremony began with the National Anthem which was sung by the students.

Later, a Doa Selamat was recited by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

At the ceremony, the President of Brunei Darussalam’s Students Association in New Zealand, Awang Sherwin See Choon Wee delivered his Sembah Alu-Aluan.

Earlier in the day, His Majesty was greeted on arrival at the Wellington International Airport by Chris Tremain, Minister of Internal Affairs; Caroline Bilkey, Chief of Protocol of New Zealand; and David Pine, the non-resident High Commissioner of New Zealand to Brunei Darussalam.

Also present was Datin Paduka Tan Bee Yong as well as other senior officials from Brunei Darussalam.

From the airport, His Majesty proceeded to the Wellington Intercontinental Hotel where His Majesty will reside during the visit.

On arrival at the hotel, His Majesty was welcomed by the hotel’s General Manager, Scott Hamilton. - Borneo Bulletin (26 March 2013)