By Narissa Noor
Bandar Seri
Begawan – His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of
Brunei Darussalam in his New Year titah last night stressed on the
importance of the Brunei Vision in charting the future direction of
the country while ensuring its sustainability and development.
“We will also continue to plan and
look ahead as we face the future to come. While we may not have the
answers to the complex challenges facing the world today, we still
have to anticipate the future and this government is prepared to
assess and adopt the necessary improvements that are needed,” His
Majesty said in the titah.
The efforts in facing these
unexpected new challenges will create national sustainability which
is fundamental to ensure the nation’s development and prosperity.
It is for this reason, His Majesty
said, that the country has designed a merited Brunei Vision as the
nation’s legacy.
“The vision has charted our future
direction, guiding plans that are more systematic towards producing
an educated nation with strong capabilities, a nation with quality
and that can succeed further, and a nation with a steadfast and
dynamic economy.”
Knowledge, skills, experience and
finance aside, His Majesty held that time is the integral factor in
the development and productivity of the nation, particularly the
handling and managing of time.
“Time is a unique element which
differs from attributes of knowledge, skills and finance,” stated
His Majesty. “While it is commonplace for man to pursue knowledge
and wealth, not everyone sees time as more than what it is.”
His Majesty referred to time as a
turning point for considering the improvement of the nation’s
productivity and other developments, all of which should be executed
expeditiously during the given time.
“Every plan has been given a
targeted implementation time of its own. This is the approach in
valuing time and this should be incorporated into our culture,”
stressed His Majesty.
“Expedient action during the given
time is one of the attributes needed to succeed. Expediency in
making changes, improvements and enhancements are the practices of a
thriving nation.”
His Majesty appealed to his people
to look to their weaknesses, while admitting their own, to invite
improvement. “We need to remember that Allah will not change our
fate unless we are prepared to make our own changes, one of which is
our attitude.”
Concluding the titah, His Majesty
expressed his appreciation to everyone for their sincere effort in
performing their duties and responsibilities for the pursuit of
happiness, peace and prosperity. —
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
