Budgeting for security and prosperity
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
HIS MAJESTY The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in his titah at the opening of the Legislative Council's third annual session yesterday has once again reminded the importance of prudent spending in the nation's governance: His Majesty said that "wise and responsible financial management will enable us to move faster in overcoming any form of obstacles".
If one may recall, His Majesty stressed the same concern in his titah at the opening of the Legislative Council's session last year. It is without a doubt an important message that needs constancy in appreciation.
Now, in Brunei Darussalam's context, what exactly is the right and prudent level of spending?
In a layman's term, is it to reduce the speed of public infrastructure building? From all those newly raised public infrastructure facilities such as the new parliament building, newly built additional secondary schools, few highways, bridges, and roads, a new water treatment plant, and many other public facilities, obviously it is not the infrastructure development that His Majesty wishes to restrain. The recent pay rise for lower ranking government servants, as well as His Majesty's continuous care and contribution towards his subjects' welfare indicates that it is still the top priority for His Majesty to improve the living quality of the people.
One must not forget that providing a citizen with better quality of public services is not all about facilities to be provided; it has to come with an efficient and committed public workforce. What is important now is the awareness of government servants that they should continuously upgrade, improve themselves for a quick and quality service delivery to meet the forever changing expectations of the people. Without such a commitment and cooperation, people will not receive the services that His Majesty and His Majesty's government have wished for them. Delay and inadequacy will not only result in wastage of resources but is also not a good cause for the national objective.
An accountable, controlled, planned and well programmed financial management in the government sector will enable the nation to move faster towards its development goals.
However, one point which His Majesty made was that budget allocated to departments should not be looked at in terms of sheer return in value of money. He said the investment should not be limited to material things only and he is right. Here, His Majesty means that investment should go a long way in developing the nation's character and civilisation.
Now, the responsibility lies with the departments and ministries to adopt new approaches so that the money spent by them generate more investment and growth. Budget allocation used to mean just spending. This should stop now and the investment must create a ripple effect in the economic development. Here His Majesty's advice of being accountable becomes more important. All ministries must evolve internal systems of checks and balances to curb any unnecessary spending or wastage.
If one may recall, His Majesty stressed the same concern in his titah at the opening of the Legislative Council's session last year. It is without a doubt an important message that needs constancy in appreciation.
Now, in Brunei Darussalam's context, what exactly is the right and prudent level of spending?
In a layman's term, is it to reduce the speed of public infrastructure building? From all those newly raised public infrastructure facilities such as the new parliament building, newly built additional secondary schools, few highways, bridges, and roads, a new water treatment plant, and many other public facilities, obviously it is not the infrastructure development that His Majesty wishes to restrain. The recent pay rise for lower ranking government servants, as well as His Majesty's continuous care and contribution towards his subjects' welfare indicates that it is still the top priority for His Majesty to improve the living quality of the people.
One must not forget that providing a citizen with better quality of public services is not all about facilities to be provided; it has to come with an efficient and committed public workforce. What is important now is the awareness of government servants that they should continuously upgrade, improve themselves for a quick and quality service delivery to meet the forever changing expectations of the people. Without such a commitment and cooperation, people will not receive the services that His Majesty and His Majesty's government have wished for them. Delay and inadequacy will not only result in wastage of resources but is also not a good cause for the national objective.
An accountable, controlled, planned and well programmed financial management in the government sector will enable the nation to move faster towards its development goals.
However, one point which His Majesty made was that budget allocated to departments should not be looked at in terms of sheer return in value of money. He said the investment should not be limited to material things only and he is right. Here, His Majesty means that investment should go a long way in developing the nation's character and civilisation.
Now, the responsibility lies with the departments and ministries to adopt new approaches so that the money spent by them generate more investment and growth. Budget allocation used to mean just spending. This should stop now and the investment must create a ripple effect in the economic development. Here His Majesty's advice of being accountable becomes more important. All ministries must evolve internal systems of checks and balances to curb any unnecessary spending or wastage.
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