Basic legal knowledge is essential in today’s increasingly complex governance landscape, Acting Permanent Secretary (Security and Law) at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Zulhusam bin Haji Abdul Samad said.
He said this officiating the Fourth Legal Seminar at the PMO yesterday.
The two-day seminar, organised by the PMO in collaboration with the Attorney’s General Chambers (AGC), aims to enhance legal literacy among civil servants to equip them with the knowledge necessary to address legal issues within their ministries and departments.
The acting permanent secretary also underscored integrity as a cornerstone of public service, recalling His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s address during the 30th Civil Service Day in 2023, where the monarch stressed the need for a clean, trustworthy, and effective public service.
He emphasised that a lack of integrity could lead to corruption, abuse of power and mismanagement, making aware of laws, regulations and ethical principles critical for civil servants. Some 150 government officers and staff attended the seminar which highlights the importance of understanding legal principles even for those not directly involved in legal affairs.
This year’s seminar focuses on integrity-related issues within the civil service, with the hope that participants will apply their knowledge and share it with colleagues to uphold His Majesty’s vision of a transparent and accountable government.
The seminar features speakers from the AGC, Syariah and Civil Courts, Anti-Corruption Bureau and Brunei Darussalam Arbitration Centre. – Fadley Faisal
