BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

CIVIL service retirees can still contribute to the country’s development by working and applying their experiences in the private sector, said a senior administrative officer of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) yesterday.

The officers can also venture into non-governmental organisations (NGO) and entrepreneurship, said Pg Kamis Pg Metamin, in a speech delivered during a ceremony to honour 109 retirees for their long-service with the government.

Pg Kamis said that the knowledge and leadership skills that the retirees had gained throughout their tenure in the civil service can be used to channel ideas and initiatives in the various NGOs, for example.

“It does not mean a stop in living an active, effective and productive life. Retirement may signal the end of your service in the civil service but it can also be considered a beginning to a new phase in one life,” said the senior official.

“It is not a stopping point for you to continue to contribute to religion, nation and country.”

Meanwhile, another lucrative area includes entrepreneurship as there are plenty of business opportunities that can be tapped into.

“His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s government, through its relevant agencies are continuously working on providing various schemes and incentives as well as knowledge-know-how for its people to be actively involved in business/economic activities in generating the growth of the country, economy, maintain peace and stability,” said Pg Kamis.

The certificates of appreciation were presented by Acting Minister of Energy Dato Paduka Hj Abd Wahab Juned.

The parting ceremony was held to foster a long-lasting relationship and build familial ties between the retirees and those who are still working in the ministry, as well as to maintain good relationship between the officers and staff who are still in service.

Also attending the function at the Banquet Hall of the PMO building were permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, heads of departments, heads of sections and senior officers at the PMO.

The Brunei Times