Izah Azahari
The incumbents of mukim penghulus and village heads should be individuals who are capable of bringing effective and quality leadership to their subordinates in mukims and villages, said Permanent Secretary (Municipal and District) at the Ministry of Home Affairs Abdul Walid bin Haji Matassan.
Speaking as the guest of honour to hand over certificates to two mukim penghulus and 16 village heads in the Brunei-Muara District at the Theatre Hall of the Brunei-Muara District Office yesterday, he said the role of mukim penghulus and village heads has changed in line with the changes in the Mukim Penghulu and Village Head Service Scheme enforced on April 1, 2015.
He explained that the main aim of the service scheme is to enhance and strengthen the authority, quality of leadership and effectiveness of the mukim penghulus and village heads’ institution as the core of grassroots leadership.
Abdul Walid added that leadership is important in addressing the monumental challenge of realising Brunei Vision 2035.
The permanent secretary also outlined the possible number of initiatives and programmes that mukim penghulus and village heads can implement to ensure a high quality of life for all levels of society in the future.
“In order to achieve the objective of highly educated, skilled and successful citizens and residents, mukim penghulus and village heads play a very important role in ensuring and encouraging children in their village to be able to obtain proper education,” said Abdul Walid, citing that this is because the children are the generation that will inherit the leadership and are the pillars of the country’s future strength.
Legislative Council members – Yang Berhormat Amran bin Haji Maidin in his capacity as the Penghulu of Mukim Lumapas; Yang Berhormat Zainol bin Mohamed in his capacity as the Village Head of Kampong Putat; Yang Berhormat Mohamad Ali bin Tanjong in his capacity as the Village Head of Kampong Lumapas ‘B’; Yang Berhormat Haji Daud bin Jihan in his capacity as the Village Head of Kampong Belimbing; and Yang Berhormat Lawi bin Haji Lamat in his capacity as the Village Head of Kampong Subok – were also present.
The event also saw the oath taking by the new mukim penghulus and village heads, and concluded with a speech from Yang Berhormat Amran as a representative of the mukim penghulus and village heads.
The event later saw a site visit to the residences of Yang Berhormat Amran, Yang Berhormat Zainol and Yang Berhormat Mohamad Ali to officiate the mukim penghulu and village head signages.
