National Service Programme

The National Service Programme, (Program Khidmat Bakti Negara - PKBN), is the voluntary national service programme in Brunei Darussalam for youth citizens aged 16 to 21. The programme lasts three months, and engagement is voluntary. The programme started in December 2011, as a pilot study, and was made permanent in 2014. It is managed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

History
The idea to establish a national service programme in Brunei Darussalam began in September 2011, when His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah consented for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to lead in the implementation and introduction of Program Khidmat Bakti Negara (PKBN) as Brunei Darussalam National Service Programme.

To undertake the task, a PKBN Task Force was formed, with members from Prime Minister office, and the following Ministries: Defence, Finance, Education, Health, Industry and Prime Resources, Development, Communication, Home Affairs, Religious Affairs, Culture Youth and Sports, as well as Attorney General's Chamber.

Aims
Program Khidmat Bakti Negara is a unique youth development programme (Calak Brunei), aimed to awaken the potential and give consciousness to youth to become members of society who are physically strong, with strong self-esteem, disciplined, insightful, decorum, a believer, volunteerism and entrepreneurial spirit, love for country and king, and support the concept of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), Wawasan Negara 2035, realising a State of Zikir, and implement Sharia Law.

Objectives of PKBN are to develop and enhance the spirit of patriotism, commitment and resilience in youths, to enhance the spirit of solidarity and unity, to develop positive characteristics among younger generation through good values, to instil a spirit of caring and volunteerism, to produce healthy, confident, responsible and virtuous youths, and to produce excellent Bruneian youths in line with the Goals of National Youth Policy.

"The state wants to see coaches serve as role models, encouragement, mentoring, and a catalyst in the development of families, communities and countries which include social welfare, society, entrepreneurial and religious", as described by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Haji Hazair, during the Council Session Meeting with former trainees and trainers PKBN.

Trainees play a role in maintaining peace and stability in the country and care on community welfare. Implementation PKBN is intended to be a national youth development programme, with extensive filling and create a vibrant patriotic youth, love of the king, race, religion, and country.

Former PKBN trainees return to pioneer and mentor to new trainees. The presence of former PKBN trainees, and the availability of a large number of them to return to training camp PKBN to voluntarily working with coaches and supervisors in the township PKBN is clear evidence that PKBN have successfully established identity, discipline, commitment and character of youth willing to serving the community. Young PKBN graduates are seen as 'Pride of a Nation', and be able to lift the image of the country as youths disciplined, caring, insightful, and patriotism.

Training
The PKBN's three months' training process is to train the trainee in the form of discipline, nationality, spirituality, entrepreneurship, community, and understanding the concept of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), and does not stop once the trainees graduate and leave the training camp PKBN. Upon completion of training, the trainees are urged to continue to practice and to contribute to the family, community, and country full, with the knowledge and skills and experience learned and earned during training.

New Base Training Camp
The current PKBN Base Training Camp is at the Sports Village in Berakas, near to the Indoor Stadium and the Sports School. In 2014, a new B$26 million camp for Programme Khidmat Bakti Negara (PKBN) was built in Kampong Batu Apoi in Temburong District. The construction was completed in June 2014.