| Azlan Othman |
THERE has been an increase in the collection of building tax dues, Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong revealed.
“The Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department has recorded a 22.9 per cent increase in the collection of building tax dues while for Kuala Belait and Seria Municipal Department registered up to 12 per cent increase. Tutong Municipal Department has shown an increase of 69.5 per cent,” the minister said in a dialogue session with Legislative Council (LegCo) members yesterday at the Brunei-Muara District Office building.
To enhance the collection of building tax dues, several initiatives have been made including the introduction of SMS Push Notification Service and Key Performance Indicator (KPI), use of Pareto Principle method, establishment of Credit Control Unit (CCU) and issuance of guidelines for instalment payment, the minister said.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar also said that after successfully introducing the Que Up system for identity card, the Immigration and National Registration Department introduced the Que Up system at the Passport Division since October 14, 2017. For customers who made bookings using the system, the waiting time declined from 109 minutes to 13 minutes and for walk-in customers, it dropped by seven per cent.
This system will be extended to the visa section from February 1, 2018, he added.
The Labour Department is also making some reviews in addressing the issues of foreign directors of companies residing in Brunei Darussalam. At present, the department along with other government agencies are exploring the possibility of granting employment pass to foreign directors. If everything goes as planned, it will take effect from April 2018, the minister said.
He noted that to assist the public in hiring domestic workers, the Labour Department has opened up a tender for employment agencies, especially those in Category A, to get the operating licence as a registered employment agency with the department.
“One of the main requirements imposed is that the cost to hire domestic workers must not exceed B$1,500 for each person. So far, several companies have participated in this offer which is being reviewed by the department. It is expected that this update will reduce the charges imposed in Brunei and improve the quality of services to the customers.”
Meanwhile, the minister said, several meetings and programmes have been implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with other agencies locally and abroad, to increase production under the ‘One Village, One Product’ (1K1P) initiative where the products are be sustainable and able to penetrate the domestic and regional markets.
He also highlighted the implementation of the scheme for penghulu and village heads, which is a recognition for grass-roots leaders so that they will be more effective and efficient in taking care of the people.
This will also strengthen the leadership core at the grassroots level in the long term to support the Government 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.
YB Haji Ramli bin Haji Lahit, Head of the Legislative Council members at the dialogue, said the members would like to see improvements by agencies under the ministry to realise the National Vision 2035.
“LegCo members welcome the 1K1P initiative which has shown an upward trend and could be expanded to penetrate the foreign market or produce bigger products,” he said adding that extending the fast track frequent travellers land card to five years will help entrepreneurs crossing border control posts to expand their business.
“It will also bring benefits if management and entrepreneurship training is extended to village leaders. Collaboration with foreign and local experts is also needed,” he said.
YB Haji Ramli also called for the need to step up surveillance at the country’s border to prevent illegal immigrants, besides demanding a review of regulations to hire domestic helpers and foreign workers.
He also spoke about the need to promote a healthy lifestyle among the community and hold roadshows to stop indiscriminate dumping of rubbish. He also urged departments to intensify action against companies that dump rubbish haphazardly.
YB Haji Ramli also highlighted the poor condition of public toilets at check points which he said has become an eyesore for people visiting the country.
The post Surge in building tax dues collection appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.