'Pay full old-age allowance'
Thursday, January 10, 2008
PLEAS for the government to pay in full the old-age allowance of the elderly regardless of when they pass away and to take better care of the sultanate's parks were among the issues discussed during a meeting yesterday between the Ministry of Home Affairs officials and village heads, Penghulus and longhouse chiefs.
In the dialogue, the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Awang Mohd Yusof gave the village heads, Penghulus and longhouse chiefs the opportunity to address their concerns to the ministry and its various departments.
A representative from the Temburong District appealed for full payment of the old-age allowance to the elderly regardless of when they pass away, citing that currently, if they pass before the 16th of the month, only half of the allowance would be paid out.
The minister then asked those present to take into account the purpose of the allowance, which is to support the elderly person.
With their passing on, the deceased would not be able to use the money, but instead be given to the remaining family. A motion to amend the current regulation though failed to gain support from the others. The Penghulu of Mukim Liang then raised whether the old-age allowance should be paid to Permanent Residents who live outside Brunei.
He noted situations he had to give the allowance to individuals who live in neighbouring Miri, Limbang and Sibu. He said the recipients only come to Brunei to collect their allowances then leave again. Other heads echoed the same sentiment and called for further investigation into Permanent Residents that are eligible for the allowance.
Another Temburong representative raised concerns about the state of the National Park and the Batang Duri Park, which he said are not being maintained as well as they should be.
The potential road damage from heavy vehicles plying the roads to the parks was also cited during the dialogue. The Temburong District Officer responded by saying some concerns had been addressed since the parks were handed over to the Environment, Parks and Recreation Department.
He said there is a limit to what can be done, expressing worry that the parks would not be much of an attraction if nothing is done to improve the situation.
The Penghulu of Mukim Bunut also expressed concern over the state of other public areas such as the Damuan Recreational Park, which is popular with joggers. He cited some fishermen who after finishing work for the day leave behind dead fish, an eyesore which can turn off tourists.
He said that there is an increased need for the park's maintenance to ensure tourists would keep coming.
The minister said people who fish in areas, such as along the Jalan Residency and near the Yayasan Shopping Complex, need to change their habits and learn to clean up after themselves. He also directed the Municipal Board to ensure recreational areas are clean during weekends.
Held at the main hall of the Community Hall Complex in Tutong, the panel for the dialogue session was also attended by the Deputy Minister, Pehin Orang Kaya Dewa Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awang Hj Dani Hj Ibrahim, Acting Permanent Secretary, Dato Paduka Hj Awang Adnan Hj Hanafiah, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary, Hj Awang Omar Hj Abd Rahman, as well as district officers and heads of departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Brunei Times
In the dialogue, the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Awang Mohd Yusof gave the village heads, Penghulus and longhouse chiefs the opportunity to address their concerns to the ministry and its various departments.
A representative from the Temburong District appealed for full payment of the old-age allowance to the elderly regardless of when they pass away, citing that currently, if they pass before the 16th of the month, only half of the allowance would be paid out.
The minister then asked those present to take into account the purpose of the allowance, which is to support the elderly person.
With their passing on, the deceased would not be able to use the money, but instead be given to the remaining family. A motion to amend the current regulation though failed to gain support from the others. The Penghulu of Mukim Liang then raised whether the old-age allowance should be paid to Permanent Residents who live outside Brunei.
He noted situations he had to give the allowance to individuals who live in neighbouring Miri, Limbang and Sibu. He said the recipients only come to Brunei to collect their allowances then leave again. Other heads echoed the same sentiment and called for further investigation into Permanent Residents that are eligible for the allowance.
Another Temburong representative raised concerns about the state of the National Park and the Batang Duri Park, which he said are not being maintained as well as they should be.
The potential road damage from heavy vehicles plying the roads to the parks was also cited during the dialogue. The Temburong District Officer responded by saying some concerns had been addressed since the parks were handed over to the Environment, Parks and Recreation Department.
He said there is a limit to what can be done, expressing worry that the parks would not be much of an attraction if nothing is done to improve the situation.
The Penghulu of Mukim Bunut also expressed concern over the state of other public areas such as the Damuan Recreational Park, which is popular with joggers. He cited some fishermen who after finishing work for the day leave behind dead fish, an eyesore which can turn off tourists.
He said that there is an increased need for the park's maintenance to ensure tourists would keep coming.
The minister said people who fish in areas, such as along the Jalan Residency and near the Yayasan Shopping Complex, need to change their habits and learn to clean up after themselves. He also directed the Municipal Board to ensure recreational areas are clean during weekends.
Held at the main hall of the Community Hall Complex in Tutong, the panel for the dialogue session was also attended by the Deputy Minister, Pehin Orang Kaya Dewa Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awang Hj Dani Hj Ibrahim, Acting Permanent Secretary, Dato Paduka Hj Awang Adnan Hj Hanafiah, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary, Hj Awang Omar Hj Abd Rahman, as well as district officers and heads of departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Brunei Times
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