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 17th 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 11th 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 young population. This will 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.

Asked what “Building the Future” means to him, Keeran said achieving success requires working with people who share the same vision. “There are two ways of elevating yourself. One is by pushing down the people around you – but that’s only ‘perceived’ elevation, you don’t actually move or improve. The other way, true elevation, comes when everyone helps each other upward.” He added that people should gain new experience and bring something unique to the table when working with others, which is more important than any individual skill.

For Keeran, the key to overcoming challenges in building the future is perserverance and staying true to what one sets out to do in the first place. While it’s important to adapt and revise goals, he also highlighted the difference between adapting and quitting too early. “Level yourself up to a point where you are confident in taking risks, comfortable with accepting failures and then carry on. Surround yourself with like-minded people and help each other out.”

Imparting some advice for the country’s youth, he said to take opportunities that are available such as furthering one’s education, especially overseas. “Travel, work in a foreign land, mix with people outside of what you’re used to, listen and learn from the things they have to say. Come back wiser.”

Meanwhile, Captain Abdul Mateen bin Abdurrahman Liew @ Martin joined Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd (BGC) as one of the first deck cadets for Brunei Shell Tankers in 2000. He is currently BGC’s managing director.

For Captain Abdul Mateen, building the future means providing a future for young people in terms of employment, skill development and career progression. “It’s about giving gainful employment to competent people,” he said.

Asked what is key to overcoming challenges in “Building the Future”, he said it comes in two ways: internally and externally. “Internally, you drive yourself. The other one is the people around you, the environment. It has to be suitable enough to enable you to fly.” He added that collaborative efforts are needed. This way, both the individual and the company can come together to enable the person to take flight and set sail.

Captain Abdul Mateen also advised youth not to be picky with their jobs. “The job is always fun if you make it fun. I keep saying that to my team. Both parties have to play a part. Again, it’s the drive from the individual.” Sharifah Adila Surya @ Malai Adila Surya binti Malai Haji Abdullah, better known as Didi, is a 31-yearold mother to two boys with autism.

She is Vice President I and Chief Executive Officer of Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation run by parents and family members exclusively for individuals with autism.

She currently leads the programme and services offered to individuals with autism, while also emphasising advocation for their rights. She spearheaded her organisation’s employment programme and successfully opened a café which aims to employ 100 per cent individuals with autism.

‘Building the Future’ to me essentially means preparing yourself and the community for whatever is to come,” said Didi. “I like to think my role as a young leader in the differently-abled community is as someone who is helping to build the future for inclusivity, accommodation and appreciation of those who are neurodiverse. This means both for the differently-abled individuals and the mainstream community.”

Her advice to youth is to know their worth, be resilient and be passionate, as well as to have faith in themselves and their passions even when they feel like giving up.

She also hopes that people remember to be inclusive to all, particularly the vulnerable communities. “In order for the nation to truly progress, we must ensure everyone progresses together and this helps in building the future.”