BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

PENGHULU and village heads in Temburong were briefed on the ‘Skim Perkhidmatan Penghulu dan Ketua Kampung’ (Service Scheme for Penghulu and Ketua Kampung 2013) as well as the procedure for voting new village heads yesterday.

Mohd Kamil Hakim Hj Minor Hj Alit@Malek, officer for the Division of Local Authorities, the Ministry of Home Affairs briefed them on the new procedure.

Taking effect from April 1 this year, the new scheme will replace the previous service scheme introduced in 1998, which is aimed to improve, strengthen and uphold the status and integrity as well as efficiency of grassroots leadership in the Sultanate.

The new scheme covers the changing scope of the project, the power structure and the eligibility requirements including in terms of academic qualifications, length of service, salary, performance evaluation procedures, leave, benefits as well as streamline the roles and responsibilities of penghulu and village heads with even more comprehensive reform in terms of the schemes of service.

The statement said, “The new scheme is a sign of recognition for penghulu and village heads as the leadership at the grassroots level to make it more efficient and effective and will certainly enhance their role, duties and responsibilities.”

It aimed at improving, strengthening and consolidating the institution’s leadership in caring for the citizens and residents in the country, and at the same time strengthening the core of grassroots’ leadership in the long term to support His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s government.

This new service scheme will be a reference and guideline to the parties concerned, particularly the grassroots leaders in understanding and implementing the role, duties and responsibilities entrusted to them with quality and efficiency.

Deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mohammad Sunadi Buntar and Temburong District Officer, Hj Abd Hamid Dato Paduka Hj Abdullah were amongst those who were present at the briefing.

The Brunei Times