By Kerni Puah (From The Star)
SOME 1,500 scouts from Malaysia will be among 5,000 scouts, including those from Brunei and the Pramuka scout movement in Indonesia, at the 1st Borneo Cultural Jamboree in Sambas, Kalimantan, from Dec 14 to 18.
Sarawak Deputy Scout Commissioner Captain Zainuddin Tan Sri Hamdan Sirat said the Malaysian contingent would comprise scouts from Sarawak, Sabah, Johor, Selangor, Malacca and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Datuk Seri William Mawan, who is also the Sarawak scout movement president, would lead the Malaysian contingent to Indonesia, he added.
It will travel to Sambas through the Biawak Immigration Post in Serian, some 64km from Kuching.
Friendly chat: Captain Zainuddin talking to scouts of SK Sitang Petag in Padawan during a recent visit.
Several Sarawak scout leaders including Sarawak Scout Chief Commissioner Dunstan Melling Undau and deputy chief commissioner Mohd Said Bolhassan will join the Malaysian contingent.
Zainuddin said the scouts from Malaysia and Brunei would have the opportunity to stay with families in Sambas to experience their lifestyle and local culture.
“The scouts and the Permuka members are ambassadors of goodwill and harmony. As such the jamboree in Sambas will enhance cultural understanding between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei,” he said.
Zainuddin, who is also Sarawak Air Scouts commissioner, urged youths to participate in scouting activities to inculcate discipline.