BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) yesterday urged social workers to prioritise two aspects when carrying out charity work – social improvement and financial returns to be self-reliant.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah said this during the launch of Brunei’s first social enterprise, the Annur Harapan Community Service Centre.

The minister said that the social enterprise model is conceptualised with “doing charity by doing trade rather than doing charity while doing trade”.

“It emphasises two aspects in life, financial returns and social returns to the company’s beneficiaries,” said YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair.

The minister said that the social enterprise is an economy sector that needs to be acknowledged by associations, non-government organisations and locals as it can contribute to the economic development of the country.

“Besides enhancing economic activities, it can also help the government in handling social issues such as health, unemployment, poverty, environment, education and other complex social issues effectively, efficiently and in a sustainable manner through a business model that does not prioritise profits,” he continued.

The minister was told that the Annur Harapan Social Service Centre was set up to aid the Department of Community Development (JAPEM) to administer and coordinate the social programme which includes welfare assistance, counselling, training, entrepreneurship, career placement and volunteerism.

“I welcome the cooperation offered by the centre with the ministry. I believe the benefits from sharing sources, initiatives and ideas between both parties will produce more positive, as well as cost-effective, results.”

YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair also encouraged other associations to follow the example of the Annur Harapan Centre towards improving their services while instilling similar values to preserve and improving the state’s vision of 2035.

The Brunei Times