MoHA ready to help Consultative Councils in every aspect

Posted date: January 19, 2013 In: Headline, National

| Azlan Othman |

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) takes seriously the effectiveness of Mukim and Village Consultative Councils, and is ready to render assistance (through the respective District Offices) should problems and difficulties arise in any aspect, including that of financial matters, towards the running of programmes and activities.

This was yesterday pointed out by Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs Dato Paduka Dr Awg Hj Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Awg Hj Abidin during a function to witness the handing over of certificate of appointment to Hj Abdullah Hanif bin OKMD Hj Saman, the new village head of Kg Sengkurong ‘A.’

Dato Paduka Dr Awg Hj Affendy (R) presenting the certificate of appointment to Hj Abdullah Hanif

The unity and harmony of a village are crucial and need to be upheld and enhanced – hence, the establishment of Village Consultative Council is needed. This allows for the joint handling and participation in village activities, thus realising the aspiration and meaning of such unity and harmony, he added.

The establishment of a strong, proper and active Mukim and Village Consultative Councils is crucial as a platform for the involvement of the community towards consultation, unity and harmonious lifestyle in a village.

A consultative council should be utilised as a platform for consultation in nurturing cooperation and instilling the spirit of teamwork among grassroots leaders and villagers to jointly plan and implement welfare and other useful programmes/activities for the development of the mukim and village.

As we are all aware, this year marks the appointment of new Mukim and Village Consultative Council members for the 2012-2017 period. Women and youths are also appointed as members, and this is a positive development in jointly contributing towards the effectiveness of consultative councils.

Since the establishment of village consultative council, we have seen many efforts being implemented in terms of welfare, prosperity, community, sports and economy – especially in answering the call for ‘One Village, One Product.’

However, we should not be complacent and rest on our laurels with the achievements and efforts, but to continue to improve by taking into account other programmes and activities. Projects running should have the continuity. They should not stop, they should be reviewed, analysed and improved from time to time.

Meanwhile, Brunei-Muara District Officer Hj Jamain bin Momin said holding the post of village head is a high recognition from the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, which brings high hopes of making changes and developing the village under a village head’s jurisdiction. But more importantly, it is to care for the welfare and prosperity of the villagers and community.

However, in planning and implementing development project for the benefit of the village, it should not be shouldered by the village chief alone. Village residents and village consultative councils need to play their role in assisting the village head in planning and implementing any matter that drives towards the progress and development of the village.