(Bandar Seri Begawan, 25th) The 20th National Youth Day celebration was grandly held today at the Brunei International Convention Centre, with His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei and members of the royal family personally presiding over the opening ceremony. Distinguished guests from all walks of life, including cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and hundreds of youth representatives from across the nation, joined the grand event.
The venue was graced by many dignitaries and outstanding personalities, among them Pehin Kapitan Dato Wu King Ching and other notable guests.
In his opening speech, His Majesty the Sultan expressed his earnest hopes for the younger generation. He pointed out that Brunei’s recently launched Shariah-compliant micro-financing scheme has provided valuable financial resources to young local entrepreneurs, hoping this initiative would drive national economic growth and encourage more financial institutions to actively support youth entrepreneurship.
His Majesty emphasized that, with proper guidance and support from various sectors, young entrepreneurs can achieve success both domestically and on the international stage. He stated that the younger generation is full of vitality and leadership potential. By undergoing positive transformation, they demonstrate their determination to shoulder responsibilities, which is crucial for realizing ‘Brunei Vision 2035’.
Additionally, His Majesty highlighted that youth are a key force in driving economic transformation. The government will continue to create a favourable environment for youth development, encouraging a shift from job-seeking to entrepreneurship. To help young people overcome funding difficulties—especially those lacking business records or collateral—the government, in collaboration with Bank Usahawan Berhad, has launched the “BizBelia” micro-financing program.
While focusing on youth development, His Majesty also expressed concern over criminal syndicates using young people for illegal activities, particularly cross-border drug trafficking and overseas recruitment scams, which seriously threaten the future of youth and social harmony. He called upon all sectors of society to strengthen crime prevention efforts, and, through education, law enforcement, and community support, help young people improve their resilience. He also urged strengthening self-protection via religious knowledge and the philosophy of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), ensuring that youth move towards success and dignity.
Finally, His Majesty called on the youth to actively work hand in hand with all sectors of society—especially the older generation—to build a harmonious future for Brunei. He thanked the youth for their contributions to national development, stressing that youth are the pillars of Brunei's future, brilliance, and hope.
