| Rokiah Mahmud |
MUKIM penghulus and village heads from Zones 1 and 3 in the Brunei-Muara District attended a dialogue session yesterday with the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, at the Brunei-Muara District Office in the Old Airport, Berakas.
During the session, the minister called for more active participation from villages and mukims, for the 50th Golden Jubilee celebration of 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’s Accession to the Throne, on October 5.
“This is an appropriate time for all citizens and residents to show their undivided loyalty towards His Majesty who has steered this country’s progress and development in various fields, enabling the people to enjoy lasting peace, prosperity and security,” he said.
The minister added that the dialogue session was the latest in a series of conferences for mukim penghulus and village heads at the district office.
“I understand that previous meetings have already dealt with major issues based around constructive suggestions, while examining problems at village, mukim and district levels with the objective of preserving the welfare, peace and security of village residents in the Brunei-Muara District,” he said.
The minister also gave a recent update on the Brunei Darussalam Mukim Penghulu and Village Head Services Scheme (Skim Perkhidmatan Penghulu dan Ketua Kampung Negara Brunei Darussalam), which was established in April 2013.
“The scheme has been revised and currently undergoing a final assessment, where a detailed study is being made on qualifications that need to be coordinated with certain factors such as the National Accreditation Council, salary estimation, confirmation of salary payments, allowances and so on, to allow these mukim penghulus and village heads to adapt to the new arrangement,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that 40 openings for mukim penghulus and village heads have so far been advertised under the new scheme, but “these posts are still vacant, because none of the candidates were able to meet the required standards as outlined in the new Brunei Darussalam Mukim Penghulu and Village Head Services Scheme”.
To address the issue, the minister said the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken specific steps, such as co-hosting a three-day workshop on Basic Community Leadership with the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD)’s Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Advancement (ILIA) last May, which was attended by 33 members from several mukim and village consultative councils.
At the same time, the minister said the Ministry of Home Affairs was planning to conduct a roadshow in all four districts, to give out more facts and information on the leadership criteria and qualifications under the new scheme.
“In view of this, the ministry will continue to assist in advancing the capabilities of all mukim and village consultative council members by having them attend workshops and courses to boost their knowledge in specific areas such as weaving, handicraft, cookery, farming and product packaging for added value,” he said, adding that these courses were especially designed with the aim of supporting village entrepreneurs under the One Village, One Product (1K1P) project.
The minister also announced that as of April this year, five 1K1P products have attained the Brunei Darussalam Halal Certification: the ‘net crepe’ (roti jala) of MPK Zone 2 RPN Mentiri; the fish snacks of MPK Sungai Teraban; the virgin coconut oil of MPK Tanjong Maya; the herbal tea of MPK Kiudang; and the egg noodles (‘mee kuning’) of MPK Senukoh.
Commenting on suggestions in establishing a sales centre for 1K1P products, the minister said certain measures to promote village enterprises have already been implemented.
“In the Temburong District, for example, the mukim and village consultative councils have set up a centre for the sale of village products,” he said.
“While in the Tutong District, 1K1P products are sold at the 1K1P Gallery, which is under the Tutong District Office.
“In addition to that, the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently negotiating with the Civil Aviation Department, to showcase and place 1K1P products at the departure hall of the Brunei International Airport.”
The minister announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs would work together with village entrepreneurs to develop their products, in response to suggestions by several Legislative Council members earlier this year.
“This is to ensure that 1K1P products are sustainable enough to qualify for both domestic and foreign markets,” he said, while also stating that nine MPK/MPM products have been selected for the upcoming China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) 2017 in Nanning, China, on September 12-15.
Among the main objectives of yesterday’s dialogue session was examining current issues faced by mukim penghulus and village heads, while at the same time providing a platform for active discussion on how to improve services.
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