BRUNEI Darussalam is sending a youth delegation to participate in the 2012 National Youth Day celebration, scheduled from May 23 to 27. The Sultanate's Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah (pic) said the move was to provide opportunities for youths in Brunei to gain new experience.

"We want to learn how Malaysia succeeds in mobilising its youths to support programmes carried out by the government," he told reporters after making a courtesy call on his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, here yesterday.

The minister, who is here with a 11-member delegation on a five-day visit since last Wednesday, said he was impressed by Malaysia's success in organising the One Million Youth Gathering last year and regarded it as an extraordinary achievement. !"It was an extraordinary achievement," he added.

Besides, furthering strengthening the cooperation between Malaysia and Brunei, which had long existed, he said, the visit was also meant to identify new areas for cooperation, especially in sports.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Shabery welcomed Brunei's participation in the National Youth Day celebration.

Besides, making the celebration merrier, it would also be the best platform for youths from both countries to share and exchange ideas, he added.

He expected this year's youth day celebration would involve the participation of about two million youths.

Bernama