| Azlan Othman |
IN LINE with Brunei’s ambition to create a Smart Nation, the Department of Town and Country Planning has launched two online systems to accelerate the processes of issuance of planning permission and site approvals.
Dubbed Planning Permission Electronic System (e-KP), and Site Selection System (e-3S), the new in-house-developed facilities can reduce processing time, improve work quality and minimise the use of human resources and office equipment.
The online systems were officially opened yesterday at the Ministry of Development (MoD), during a convention organised by the Department of Town and Country Planning to celebrate the World Town Planning Day.
Delivering the opening speech was guest of honour Haji Muhammad Lutfi bin Abdullah, Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) at the Ministry of Development (MoD), who also launched the web platforms.
The e-KP System enables qualified persons (QPs) to submit applications online. Within the department, the process of assessing applications by the department will be easier and faster compared to the current manual method which is time consuming and requires massive resources.
Haji Muhammad Lutfi bin Abdullah, Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) at the Ministry of Development; Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Development; Shahrom bin Haji Suhaimi @ Azhar, Commissioner of Town and Country Planning in his capacity as chairman of the event; heads of departments and senior officers of the Ministry of Development and its departments during the event. – AZLAN OTHMAN
Meanwhile through the e-3S system, applicants can submit applications upon which the department can make comments on whether to approve or disapprove the proposed sites through electronic means. It also allows the department to process and refer the proposed sites to members of the Site-Selection Working Committee for reviews, opinions and approvals via online.
Both systems allow the applicants and QPs to monitor their respective applications. Notifications via short message service, or SMS, will be sent automatically to the applicants/QPs everytime an application is received. These systems also enable the department to monitor its client charter and the performance of QPs and members of the Site Selection Working Committee.
Themed ’Strengthening the work system in contributing towards a dynamic and sustainable town planning’, this year’s convention aimed to improve the existing processes and procedures by implementing various methods in accordance with prescribed guidelines as well as introducing new work guidelines. In addition, it also intended to increase the capacity and skills of the workforce through a more systematic human resource management that includes succession planning, training and career development.
The department said it organises several briefings and workshop sessions for its employees, aiming to enhance their knowledge on work ethics and good governance and to implement recommendations to improve the existing work system. Training on online systems will also be conducted for both employees and relevant stakeholders, it added.
Also attending the event were Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MoD; Shahrom bin Haji Suhaimi @ Azhar, Commissioner of Town and Country Planning in his capacity as chairman of the event; heads of departments and senior officers of the MoD and its departments.
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