BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

LEGISLATIVE Council (LegCo) members held a dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday to get first-hand information on what has been and is being implemented by the ministry and its departments.

The closed-door meeting was chaired by the minister, Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awang Othman.

In his speech, YB Pehin Dato Hj Awang Badaruddin expressed hope that the meeting will help members of the LegCo and the Ministry of Home Affairs in strengthening the national level consultation through the LegCo.

He underscored the importance of both parties’ role in identifying problems correctly, particularly to assist the government in carrying out its responsibilities and functions, including in policies, rules and regulations.

The ministry in a statement said that two of the ministry’s permanent secretaries, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Affendy Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Hj Awang Abidin and Dato Paduka Hj Abd Majid Mangarsah, briefed LegCo members on issues, projects and activities under its purview.

Among others issues included licensing requirement/halal certificate; Tamu Gadong; upgrading project of small roads in rural areas; the latest development on the blueprints of Bandar Seri Begawan; the programmes of Excellent Village Awards ( AKC ) and One Village One Product; reducing reliance on foreign workers in retail sector; labour issues and promoting employment in the private sector; and immigration matters.

The meeting concluded with question and answer session.

Also in attendance were Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Halbi Hj Mohd Yussof, LegCo Clerk II Dato Paduka Hj Abd Salam Abd Momin, deputy permanent secretaries, heads of department and senior officers of the Ministry.

The Brunei Times