Budget deficits of BND15.91 billion in the past 15 years should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities to reform the economy.
The current system, which is highly dependent on hydrocarbon resources, is no longer sufficient in bolstering our gross domestic product (GDP). Consequently, our people are suffering from low wages, high unemployment and rising prices of goods. If this trend were to keep up, the next 10 years would be a sad era for our country.
We need to shift our mindset, to incorporate dynamic talents into the administrative pool.
Currently, a lot of qualified people are under-utilised when it comes to national development plans. If we continue with our old way, we will never succeed in putting a brake on the deficit.
It is high time we embrace meritocracy for all levels of society, to ensure we remain prosperous.
Jokem Akun
