Scouting programme still relevant – Labuan scouts chief
LABUAN: Scouting programmes are still relevant to the younger generation amid the growing influence of information technology, said Labuan Scouts Council (MPN) president Datuk Seri Mohd Alias Abd Rahman.
He said scouting programmes were designed to support and challenge young people to develop skills that are best suited to their age and interests.
"By guiding them to the various sections in scouting, we can be sure that young people will continue to develop their skills and gain knowledge to be an independent adult," he said after the Labuan Scouts Awards presentation ceremony at his official residence along Jalan Gersik Baru here yesterday.
"The younger generation is influenced by a number of factors, not only by their age, abilities and interests but also where their friends are.
"It is essential that every young person's personal needs and interests are taken into account, particularly those with additional needs. There may be occasions when further flexibility may be required to ensure they can continue to participate and reap the full benefits of scouting," he said.
Alias said the scouting programmes managed to help address issues relevant to a better community such as youth protection, drug abuse and social ills.
He stressed the scouting programmes' purposes are to provide experiences for young people to be matured and become responsible and caring adults.
More than 1,800 schoolchildren, school leavers, teachers, retirees, government servants and corporate leaders having signed up to be scout members in Labuan.
"The number of youngsters and adults signing up to be scout members has grown for the last several years in a row," Alias said.
Elvinna Jane Abdullah, 17, of Taman Mahkota Impian, who joined the scouts at age 11, said she and her sisters had decided to stay on even into their late teens because of the opportunities for adventure.
She said: "Most people think scouting is for boys, but that's not the case anymore.
"Everyone is friendly and treats each other the same. Sometimes people think girls just like girly things, but we love doing a whole range of things," she said.
"As a father, I see how excited my son gets when putting on his uniform and being part of something bigger than himself.
"He enjoys learning about the outdoors and things he does not get in school. He enjoys the fraternity of it all and looks forward to camping and everything scouts have to offer," said David Lee, 52.
"Scouting stacks the deck for a positive experience; adults who are interested in providing kids a safe environment to learn and have fun, exposure to new things, to the outdoors and hopefully a set of experiences that they will use for the rest of their lives," he said.
"Scouting is suitable for young people in venturing to learn leadership skills and participate in challenging outdoor activities," he added.
Meanwhile, national chief scout Tan Sri Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh said members and scouters in the country must continue to uphold scouting ethics and conduct themselves in accordance with the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
He said the Scout Law required a scout to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
"Scouters must, when practicable, cooperate in connection with civic or other public gatherings of a non-partisan and non-political character in a way that gives youth members opportunity to render service, in harmony with their training, instead of merely taking part in parades in their uniforms," he said at the awards presentation ceremony.
Shafie said the mission of the Scout Association of Malaysia was to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
"When taking the Scout Oath, a scout pledges: 'On my honour, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight'," he reminded.
He said with the consent of the local council, members and leaders of the scouts could cooperate with established non-partisan and non-sectarian national and state movements for the relief of humanity in undertakings to raise money with the objective of providing community service.
Shafie who is a former Minister of Higher Education, said he was glad to see that more youngsters, school children and teachers were getting involved in the organisation.
"I am super proud to see scout numbers continue to rise across the country including in Labuan, especially the number of young boys and girls and to see these young people and adults learning new life skills, and achieving personal rewards through scouting programmes and activities," he said.
"We want all young people to come and give scouting a try and to get involved and this is how we can all play a vital role in shaping tomorrow's world for the better in the interest of our nation and the people at large," he said.
At the awards presentation, he conferred the Bintang Semangat Rimba to member of parliament for Labuan, Datuk Rozman Isli who is also the Labuan State Scouts Council patron, MPN Labuan president Datuk Seri Mohd Alias Abd Rahman, MPN Labuan deputy president Datuk Harris Tan and Zone 1 District Commissioner Han Siew Kwong.
Fourteen other senior scouts received the Pingat Perkhidmatan Setia and Sijil Kepujian Ketua Pengakap Negara.