IN A display of patriotic spirit, 26 youths from the four districts led by Haji Ramli bin Hj Kurus will scale Gunung Pagon in an expedition to raise the national flag and sing the national anthem on the highest peak in Brunei Darussalam.
On hand to officiate the expedition yesterday was Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid bin Hj Jaafar, the Permanent Secretary II at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports at the front of Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
The patriotic expedition is part of the fifth Belia Cinta Tanah Air 2010 programme organised by Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in conjunction with the 26th National Day of Brunei Darussalam.
The objective of the programme, which was established in 2006, is to raise the spirit of patriotism and unity among youths.
Awang Mohamed Nasir bin Hj Pungut, the secretary of the programme, said in an interview, “This is the first time that youths from all four district will try to conquer Mount Pagon to raise the national flag and sing the national anthem. The activity is part of Phase One of the Belia Cinta Tanah Air 2010 programme.”
He said, “The expedition will be the most challenging in recent years whereby to go to the top of the mount Pagon (it) will take four to five hours.”
On the selection of participants, he said, “They were picked from the Youth and Sports branches from each district.” He added, “Each year, around 500 youths take part in the programme. The overwhelming response has proved the programme’s success.”
The next phase of the programme will see another group of youths take part in the National Day parade on Feb 23, 2010. While the final phase is to conduct community services.
Awang Nasir bin Hj Pungut conveyed his thanks to Persatuan Pacuan Empat Roda, Persatuan CARE and Badan Sukarelawan Brunei which will provide support to the expedition until base camp at the foot of Mount Pagon.
The youths who will scale the 1850-metre high (about 5,500 feet) Mount Pagon are Mohammad Syazwi bin Suhaimi, Mohd Khairol Hazwan bin Abdullah, Muzhaffar bin Mohammed, Arif Hamdi Anak Salanjat, Abdul Haziq bin Nordin, Mohd Khairul Hazwan bin Hj Munir, Muhammad Asyamawi bin Yahya and Ami Syamimi binti Awang Hj Rohani from Tutong District; as well as Muhammad Ramzali bin Mumtazali, Mohammad Johardi bin Hj Johari, Florie Cheong binti Ijik, Abd Faiz Ariffin bin Hj Mohamad and Redzali bin Nain from Belait District.
From Temburong District, the participants are Jalilah Anak Ubang, Shamsul anak Stewart Malmilan, Muhammad Njib Hilmi bin Baha, Masseri Ayu Anak Encharang and Adam bin Hj Emran.
From Brunei-Muara District, the participants are Mohd Sandini bin Mohd Doon, Mohd Hanif bin Hj Hamdan, Mohd Faizul bin Junee, Zulfaqar bin Hj Mumin, Mohd Asyraf bin Aman, Hj Mohamad Ashrul bin Hj Samad, Awang Razali bin Hj Ramli and Awang Othman bin Kiran.
The expedition will return to Bandar Seri Begawan on Feb 10 and a welcoming ceremony is scheduled to be held on Feb 11.
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