Penghulus and village heads must address the needs of their communities without waiting for delayed responses from the authorities.
This was raised by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman during the 20th session of the LegCo meeting yesterday.
He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is responsible for safeguarding the welfare of the people, which requires an efficient network of relationships through villages and communities.
“Many public issues reported are directed to village heads and penghulus, who have taken appropriate action to address them. However, this seems to be the extent of it.
“Requests for immediate financial assistance for poor families, housing needs and repairs and unsafe dwellings receive no immediate action,” said the LegCo member.
A call was made for the establishment of a mechanism where assistance can be promptly delivered.
Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman agreed that the duty of village heads and penghulus is to be the first point of contact for villagers when an issue arises.
He added, “Assistance from ministerial colleagues, such as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) has been instrumental, especially regarding applications for assistance involving community affairs.”
He noted that village heads often use their own personal savings to help villagers facing difficulties, demonstrating generosity and a sense of duty.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad meanwhile said the MCYS and the MoHA will continue to provide assistance to those in need.
He also said village heads as well as the public have direct access to the Community Development Department (JAPEM) via Welfare Line 141 to seek assistance to resolve welfare issues and domestic abuse.
Victims, he added, will be provided aid directly, and in the case of fire victims, temporary housing will also be provided.
The session also saw Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi raise the issue of vacant, unsafe and neglected government buildings.
To beautify urban areas, he believes that these buildings need to be demolished to make way for new developments.
In response, Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid shared efforts that have been taken to address the issue.
He said there are an estimated 5,639 government buildings, and no less than 1,000 of them are vacant, including “barracks, government flats, and government bungalows that have long been abandoned.
“So far, 639 vacant government buildings have been demolished, and 213 buildings are currently under review whether they should be renovated or demolished”.
He added, “There were abandoned commercial buildings demolished in 2023 because they were found to be old and dilapidated.”
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi also asked why so many Bruneians visit neighbouring countries during holidays or weekends.
“What efforts have the government made to attract people to spend locally? What efforts have the government made to attract foreigners to Brunei Darussalam?
“We have previously discussed the pull-and-push factors. With the rapid developments in neighbouring countries, the pull factor causing Bruneians to leave the country is getting stronger.
“We must act because it is a matter of national concern that requires immediate resolution. Otherwise, our country will continue to contribute to the progress and growth of other countries without reciprocation,” he said.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, in addressing the matter, said the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism has unveiled a number of initiatives to attract more Bruneians to shop locally and to further attract foreign tourists to the country, such as the organisation of the Kenali Negara Kitani (KNK) programme, which aims to promote and raise awareness on locally-produced goods. The MPRT also collaborates with the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) and the MoHA on the Brunei December Festival, featuring the Local Products Expo, held during the year-end school holiday annually.
In addition, the MPRT also organises the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE), usually in mid-June.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf added that the MPRT, in collaboration with restaurants and hotels holds the Brunei Gastronomy Festival (BGF).
Additionally, the MoFE also hosts the Brunei Salebration at the end of the year, as well as the Brunei MSME Festival, all aimed at encouraging people to shop locally and promoting local products. – Adib Noor
