| Azlan Othman |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has called on the country’s civil servants to focus chiefly on their obligations towards society and financial investors, while at the same time urging for added momentum in reform measures towards a more proactive civil service.
His Majesty made the call yesterday while delivering a titah during the 23rd Civil Service Day celebrations at the International Convention Centre (ICC), under the theme of ‘Transformation towards a Progressive Civil Service’.
The monarch described the theme “as dynamic in character and relevant for many years to come. (It) also provides a means for effective evaluation on reviewing the capabilities of the civil service to meet all current challenges.
“We often tend to think of civil services as the core basis for the development of a nation. Civil servants are the managers, facilitators and also agents for development. They should possess high standards of discipline and the determination to carry out their respective roles.”
“They should improve themselves by identifying their respective baseline to what extent their reasoning, outlook and capabilities can provide quality services for the good of the country and their clients. The country is really in need of civil services. It is through such services that productivity can be enhanced, together with the country’s revenue.”
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik being greeted upon their arrival at the International Convention Centre.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam delivering his titah during the 23rd Civil Service Day celebrations at the International Convention Centre.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in a group photo. PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
His Majesty then said, “We are actively using the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and the delivery approach, which have been adapted to gauge the best performances. In addition, we are also benchmarking for our international standing, such as the World Bank ranking on Ease of Doing Business; and recently, we participated in the World Competitiveness Index by the World Economic Forum.
“I believe that with integrated efforts by all ministries, coupled with strategies that are based on action and results, Insya Allah, we will succeed in implementing our country’s Vision 2035.
“It is in line with the strategies of Brunei Vision 2035, that I welcome efforts of the Prime Minister’s Office in implementing initiatives in the framework of the civil service for 2016-2020.
“I hope that the framework will motivate the civil service to a better and more progressive stature. Another initiative towards the reform of the civil service should be made through efforts to amend regulations for government officers under the Public Service Commission Act, known as the General Orders, which have been in place since 1961. The amendment provides new impetus for the civil service to be progressive and comprehensive, especially in terms of producing efficient and well-disciplined human capital.”
His Majesty also congratulated the winners of the Civil Service Excellent Employee Award (APCPA) and the Civil Service Excellent Award (ACPA), while expressing confidence that these awards would inspire and motivate the local workforce to perform better.
The monarch also extended his personal appreciation to the civil servants retiring this year, for their contributions and services to the government, while stating, “May they receive multiple blessings from Allah the Almighty.”
Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Photos above and below show His Majesty presenting the Civil Service Excellent Awards to male and female recipients.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary (Corporate and Governance) at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Paduka Haji Yahya bin Haji Idris, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Executive Committee for the 23rd Civil Service Day 2016, delivered a welcoming speech in which he said that civil servants should aspire to carry out their responsibilities and the extensive vision of His Majesty in stepping up efforts towards an effective government mechanism.
“The leadership of His Majesty, in stating the future direction of the civil service, is a boost to the morale and strength of civil servants in reinforcing the sovereignty and leadership of His Majesty and the government for the wellbeing of the country’s citizens and residents in the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, a video clip titled, ‘Transformation towards a Progressive Civil Service’ was displayed, to highlight the transformation of the civil service from various aspects, including education, health and development.
A video clip of the Civil Service Excellent Awards 2016 was also featured.
His Majesty then presented the Civil Service Employee Excellent Awards to 43 officers and staff members from Divisions II, III, IV and V in each ministry.
The recipients were each awarded with plaques, a certificate of appreciation, and a cash prize of $1,000. The selection was based on their respective dedication, performance, personality, discipline, trustworthiness, creativity and innovation.
There were additional criteria in the selection of Division II officers, namely their involvement in community service, civil service reform, improvement efforts and leadership qualities.
Following that, His Majesty presented prizes for the winners and participants of the Civil Service Excellent Award 2016, which is aimed at pursuing ideas for improving the standards and regulations of civil service.
Afterwards, His Majesty and other members of the royal family joined the APCPA and ACPA recipients for a group photo session.
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