June 1945 the end of the Second World War, Operation Oboe was launched to liberate Brunei with beach landings on Muara preceded with heavy bombing. Three days later a burnt out Brunei Town was liberated. It was into this battered nation that His Majesty was born a year later, and from the ashes of Brunei town rose the nation that His Majesty has nurtured over a lifetime.
Imagine if you lived in Brunei Town sixty-six years ago. The last years of the war had brought much hardship. Able bodied and clever men were locked up and the women looked after the children and home anxiously waiting for their husbands and sons to return. Food was scarce. My late grandmother never favored tinned sardines having eaten nothing but in those years of hardship.
My mother was born a few days after His Majesty in July 1946. The first of a generation of baby boomers, a demographic spike resulting from the peace and stability of the post-war years.
Under His Majesty's reign mom, like many of her generation, has accomplished much. She looked after 2 young daughters in Cardiff while doing her first degree in the early eighties. Years later, during her time as a lecturer, she took my youngest sister to London and completed her Masters. She looked after her grandson while she wrote her PhD in London. My mother suffered an aneurysm nearly 4 years ago and recovered thanks to our public health care at RIPAS. She is an Associate Professor in mathematics education. A few days ago His Majesty bestowed her the title, “Datin Paduka”. For her dedication to self-improvement and the receipt of fine public medicine, mom could be the poster girl for public health services and education.
And so what else is the country, that His Majesty has built over the better part of 65 years, like?
It's not just our interest in education. An educated society is a civilised one, one in which people care for one another. Charitable endeavors are undertaken by many, from buying a sushi roll or an ice cream cone with its proceeds going to charities to doing strenuous physical activity for the greater good.
We are increasingly health conscious. Physical activity is considered a social activity among our small population. Ministers don helmets and Lycra shorts to promote cycling. I am positive there is a business opportunity in badminton because our badminton halls are full most evenings all over the country. Outdoor treks are enjoyed by many of all ages. We play all kinds of sports: ultimate, softball, basketball, rugby, futsal, football and netball. We do tai chi and yoga at the weekends. Spinning classes on stationary bikes and Zumba aerobic lunges.
The life expectancy of our total population currently stands at 76 years. The literacy rate of youth between the ages 15 and 24 is almost 100%. Education and health is the backbone of the nation. We are grateful for all that has been provided and much more.
His Majesty's government has also been generous in providing for shelter, for what good is a healthy mind and body without a roof over its head? Many Bruneians enjoy the various forms of housing benefits, from free land to subsidized housing and attractive mortgages.
A concern with food security will hopefully provide a bolster against uncertainties of the future.
For the better part we are an accepting and a tolerant bunch really, to tell you the truth. At home, in school, at work and online, everyone pretty much gets along. We are also a nation that is keen to be able to decide for itself what it feels about the world, what we perceive as right and wrong.
Lastly and importantly, we are a nation of believers, one that does not forget the importance of the spiritual side. A nation guided and governed on Islamic principles.
As a nation we could never say that we are ever in need or found wanting. We are comfortable with our place in the world and confident finding our way through it. We trust that looking back on his 65 years His Majesty, like us, will be proud of his achievements.
Daulat Tuanku.
@emmagoodegg
Illustration by Cuboi Art.
For the edited version online click here.
Loved the positivity. Contented and comfortable we are but we should never allow ourselves to be complacent.
Posted by: Sorayadhamid | Sunday, 17 July 2011 at 11:04 PM