Bruneian organisations unite under one body

AN UMBRELLA organisation uniting all non-government bodies in the Sultanate was officially launched yesterday with the election of its working committee at its first annual general meeting.

The Brunei Darussalam Social Welfare Council (MKM) is an independent body in inducting Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), associations, private firms and individuals involving in to community and social works in the Sultanate all under one body. Its role is to support the registered NGOs and associations in their programmes and activities, be it in the areas of youth, poverty, senior citizens or womens' rights. It also aims to create a network and alliance with NGOs in Brunei where they can share best practices with other NGOs in the Sultanate and around the globe.

The council is planning to organise fundraising activities for the council's fund and hopes to work closely with private sectors in relation to the company's social corporate responsibilities by funding some of the projects.

The MKM, an initiative of Datin Hjh Adina Othman, Director of Community Development Department (Japem), was launched yesterday by Hjh Mordiah Hj Jackia, Protem chairperson of the council, who welcomed members and conducted an introductory briefing about the council prior to the first AGM at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports

During the first meeting yesterday, members of the council discussed on electing a working committee of 15 people in the council holding the posts in social, training and educational developments.

Sharing his views about the council, Hj Abdul Hamid Maaruf, head of administration at Pusat Ehsan told The Brunei Times, "It a good idea because at the moment we do not have a council that can represent and organise all the NGOs on social welfare matters."

"It will help in many ways, one being human resource development - through which we can acquire expertise and the know-how of conducting proper training programs," he added.

When asked what were his expectations, he replied "its a good step, but there is a lot of improvement to be had".

Datin Hjh Masni Hj Mohd Ali, President of the National Anti-Drug Association of Brunei Darussalam (Basmida) saidthe council was a good thing, especially for young people as it was a part of inculcating good values such as voluntaryism.

"Voluntaryism is part of being a civil society, and this is what the social welfare council needs," she added.

In response to a question on how the council could help NGOs involved, Datin Hjh Masni said, "Networking, so as to not overlap activities - and greater organisation and communication amongst the NGOs."

"Brunei hasn't got an overall social welfare programme, so it is important that we raise issues so the relevant people and government agencies can see them and work together to solve them," she said speaking about the importance of the council.

"I have confidence in the people elected today, but they need the people's support," she added.

Upon being asked as to how the council would help the NGOs, a member of the council who wished to remain unnamed said: "We can help them by reducing the duplication of projects, in the terms of welfare. Secondly we can unite the NGOs who have similar aims and objectives to best promote symbiotic relations."

The Brunei Times