| Lyna Mohamad |
THE Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) and Civil Service Institute (IPA) yesterday organised its first joint seminar titled ‘Public Officers’ Law Seminar: Understanding the Law 2016’ at the Pencapaian Hall of IPA in Rimba, Gadong.
The guest of honour was the Attorney General, Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Hayati binti Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Salleh.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah followed by welcoming remarks by the Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Solicitor General Dato Paduka Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji A Rashid.
He said the event was one of the many sharing platforms where the AGC will be showcasing to the public the service and legal aspects in dealing with the day-to-day duties and obligations in establishing the essential logistical foresight in moving ahead with the times.
He added that ‘moving ahead with the times’ is a phrase that has implied connotations that challenges posed will also be great and it is the duty of the public officers to stay updated with variables and factors, not only within their scope of jurisdiction, but also taking into account that of others, which may have an impact on the outcome of their desired policies.
Attorney General, Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Hayati binti Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Salleh in a group photo with presenters. – PHOTOS: PG FAIROL RMF
Attorney General viewing the ‘Musings from Chambers: Chambers Decoded’ on display.
“Characteristically, (it is the ability) to be able to anticipate, and be ready with contingency plans that are viable, if the situation calls for such measures to be taken. This process is one of the key components in attaining the best possible outcome for any government-driven initiatives, and so shall it be the expected norm in the standard of services, as far as ‘deliverables’ are concerned,” the Solicitor General said.
“I am reasonably expecting all participants of the seminar, to come to a realisation that by the end of the seminar, they will be able adopt such knowledge and affirmations to effectively perform their duties, while being made aware, more than ever, of their legal responsibilities and the extent to which that ensues, in as far as promoting confidence and trust of the general public,” he added.
The two-day seminar saw 13 senior officers from the AGC delivering papers in their area of specialisation where among the papers presented were on constitutional matters which provided the basis of governance in general, including the authority to create, amend and repeal laws within the framework of legislation.
Also presented were the aspects of international relations with regard to international treaties and obligations, the essential concept of the Criminal Justice System in having to bring criminal cases to court and the due processes that it may entail, the numerous aspects necessitating Civil Litigation and the possible utilisation of recognised alternative dispute resolutions as supplementary avenues for civil redress amongst others.
The seminar is yet another initiative by the AGC with the main objective to introduce the public of?cers to the general legal principles which they are likely to encounter in the course of their day-to-day work and to ensure that they function within the bounds of the law in order to promote an effective performance of their duties in public services.
At the same time, it also provided an opportunity to forge closer ties between the AGC and 70 government officers from the respective government agencies attending the event, who are also dealing with matters involving law-making, contract management or international treaties or matters dealing with enforcement.
The highlight of the seminar was the launching of the publication ‘Musings from Chambers: Chambers Decoded’ featuring a collection of articles from senior of?cers on their personal experiences and challenges in the AGC where the publication is yet another initiative of the AGC to give readers a glimpse of the Chambers’ function.
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