S'pore officials get briefing

THIRTY-THREE administrative officers from the Singapore Civil Services yesterday heard a briefing on the challenges facing Brunei Darussalam in economy, society and governance delivered by the Executive Director of Centre for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies (CSPS) Dr Hj Azaharaini Hj Mohd Jamil.

Led by the Director of the National Security Coordination Centre Lee Ark Boon, the officers were accompanied by the Singapore High Commissioner His Excellency Joseph Koh and the Deputy High Commissioner K R Nithianandum.

During the lecture Dr Azaharaini mentioned that Brunei Darussalam is on a progressive path but there is still a long way to go in diversifying markets and practice economic discipline in the country.

Efforts are being undertaken and the government has also provided the people with a social safety net encompassing education, health, housing and infrastructure, said Dr Azaharaini, adding that despite all this, there are still challenges that need to be met.

These challenges, he pointed out, are of addressing the issue of post-retirement income upon the maturing of TAP (Provident Fund) as well as ensuring that national and education policies continue to be geared at developing human resources and meeting the increasing costs of health care and housing in response to changing needs and future challenges.

Dr Azaharaini also said that on good governance this would be vital for the successful implementation of government policies and programmes and included the characteristics of participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law.

He added that Brunei Darussalam has managed changes with various initiatives and reforms over the years in the civil service which include public service integrity seminars, formulation and putting into practice the 11 points of ethics in the civil service and the introduction of e-government.

The briefing was followed by a question and answer session where several of the administrative officers from singapore raised questions on various programmes carried out by the government in meeting the above mentioned challenges.

The briefing held at CSPS in Jalan Pasar Baru Gadong was successful in enlightening the Singaporean guests more about Brunei Darussalam's efforts towards nation building and the challenges involved in staying ahead and focused. (SRH1)

The Brunei Times