James Kon
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is looking to introduce the Immigration and National Registration System (INRS) and the National Labour Management System (NLMS) this year to address the issues of processing entry for foreign workers, and abuse of power.
The introduction of the INRS and NLMS was shared by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong at a dialogue between the MoHA and Legislative Council (LegCo) members yesterday.
“A project is being implemented by the Immigration and National Registration Department (INRD) and the Labour Department, which is expected to begin this year,” he said.
“Insya Allah with the (INRS and NLMS) systems in place, it can overcome matters of processing entry of foreign workers and close the gap on the possibility on power misuse by irresponsible parties,” he added.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar thanked LegCo members for starting a dialogue with the INRD last December, where they discussed matters relating to foreign workers, citizenship issue, and processing of documents such as smart identity card and passport.
“Alhamdulillah, the Labour Department and INRD have taken actions especially in controlling foreign workers through the enforcement of Employment Agencies Order 2004, the change in the Foreign Workers Licence (LPA) process. There has been a suggestion to have memoranda of understanding with several countries aimed at controlling and streamlining the recruitment procedures for foreign workers to this country,” he said.
The minister also touched on revenue collection issues amid the COVID-19 situation, saying, “we are still serious in collecting revenue and building tax dues. As of December 2020, the municipal boards have collected BND5,751,331.09 for current revenue collection and BND3,931,221.23 for arrears revenue collection”.
Taking into consideration of the ever-changing environment in line with the current needs and wants, the minister highlighted, “The preparation of the Ministry of Home Affairs Strategic Plan Framework 2022-2026 will be done comprehensively by taking into account of the existing aspirations, initiatives and plans including the Digital Masterplan Economy 2025, Economic Blueprint for Brunei Darussalam and strategic plans of ministries, in jointly realising the goals of the country especially in achieving Brunei Vision 2035.”
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar added that the MoHA “will strengthen the effectiveness of law enforcement to improve the level of safety and well-being of the public, strengthen the system of detention and control of inmates, strengthen mukims and village institutions and improve the infrastructure to support socio-economy”.