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BUILDING THE FUTURE
As Brunei Darussalam has continued
to progress with its development
following the COVID-19 pandemic,
the need to be future-ready has
been highlighted along with youth’s
important role in facing future
challenges.
During the 17
th
National Youth Day
celebration on August 9, 2022, Minister
of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato
Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji
Mohamad highlighted that youth who
are “ready for the future” are those who
dare to face change and explore new
fields that boost the development of
the society and the nation. The minister
also said youth are the country’s assets,
community leaders and pioneers
for its progress, at the launch of the
11
th
Cohort of the National Service
Programme (PKBN) in December.
In interviews with the
Borneo Bulletin
Yearbook
(BBYB)
, some successful
business leaders and youth shared
what ‘building the future’ means to
them, as well as overcoming challenges
and advice for youth.
Bruneian entrepreneur Dato Paduka
Timothy Ong Teck Mong is the
founder and chairman of Asia Inc
Forum, a knowledge-based company
and convener of business meetings
in the Asia Pacific region. He is also
on the board of a number of leading
ASEAN companies such as Baiduri
Bank in Brunei, YOMA in Singapore/
Myanmar and PHINMA Education in
the Philippines.
“For Brunei, building the future requires
us to build a sustainable and inclusive
economy capable of providing good
employment opportunities for our
youngpopulation. Thiswill in turn require
policies and investment that support
innovation and entrepreneurship. A
greater sense of urgency is needed.
The key to building the future is to do
the right things today,” he said.
In order to overcome challenges, he
said it requires a culture of learning,
experimenting and risk taking where
mistakes are seen as opportunities
for growth and improvement. Only
through trying even in the face of
failure can grit and resilience be
developed.
“One of the highlights of my year is the
annual TRANSFORM Town Hall Forum
when I have the opportunity to engage
with young Brunei entrepreneurs; their
energy and ambition always leave
me more hopeful about our future.
My best advice to youth: the future
begins today. Ask yourself what you
can do today that will make a positive
difference. Then do it,” he said.
Another to speak to
BBYB
was Keeran
Janin, co-founder of ride-booking and
delivery app Dart in Brunei and founder
of independent Swiss watch brand
Avantist.