| Azlan Othman & James Kon |
THE government is assisting individuals with special needs (OKUs) to improve their welfare and living standards, as well as helping them find work and set up their own enterprises or businesses.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports YB Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin said this yesterday in responding to queries raised by Legislative Council (LegCo) members.
Speaking about the plight of OKUs and the need to enhance their welfare and standards of living, the minister said the country wants to see equality in terms of job opportunities and quality of life for these individuals, assuring the council that his ministry will do all it can to ensure support for them.
He noted that at Pusat Bahagia in Kampong Pulaie alone, there are 400 OKUs, a number which “is quite high”.
“We will assist them to find work and set up their own enterprises or businesses. Statistics, however, show that job opportunities for OKUs are not encouraging, with only 56 of such individuals being employed throughout the country,” the minister said.
The minister was responding to LegCo member YB Haji Abdul Wahab bin Apong’s query as to whether people with special needs involved in poultry breeding or mechanic work are given any other form of assistance (for example, to enable them to repair their chicken coops), aside from the monthly $250 allowance they receive.
“We need to change the mindset not only in the context of employers, but also the families of these OKUs. Entrepreneurship should be encouraged among all levels of the community including OKUs,” added the minister.
“Entrepreneurship programmes are also extended to all, including those with special needs,” the minister said.
With regard to the issue raised by YB Haji Abdul Wahab on whether there are plans to reduce dependence on the Community Development Department (JAPEM) for individuals receiving monthly assistance, the minister said his ministry is assisting able-bodied recipients of these allowances to be more independent through enrichment programmes.
These enrichment programmes are designed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) National Committee to tackle social issues, among these, to enable allowance recipients to be more financially independent.
On the issue of neglected youth and assistance rendered to them as raised by LegCo member YB Khairunnisa bin Haji Ash’ari, the minister said these young people come from families that need government assistance.
“We will see how we can stimulate them to build their capacities such as teaching them IT skills. We also have programmes such as the ‘Innovative and Visionary Youth’ to assist neglected youth and those receiving assistance. This programme consists of three phases: migration of mind and self; basic training of the 21st Century; and job placement,” the minister said.
The minister noted the programme has helped 16 people obtain employment, 20 get enrolled in community enrichment programmes at the Youth Development Centre (PPB), 14 start home-based businesses, and 15 undergo the Visionary Youth Innovation programme.
With regard to volunteerism, a topic raised by YB Khairunnisa, the minister said he hopes the spirit of volunteerism can be increased among the community, but this is an area where there must be continuous monitoring and efforts in order to make full use of the 6,000 volunteers in the country.
“We are very fortunate that the spirit of volunteerism is high; this was seen during the recent floods, where 100 volunteers helped JAPEM pack 7,000 food rations for distribution to the needy,” the minister said.
On the proposal suggested by LegCo member YB Haji Umarali bin Esung to promote more volunteerism and to make participation in volunteer work a prerequisite for entry into the job market or tertiary education, and for government agencies to establish their own volunteer groups, the minister said such initiatives at the grassroots level are encouraged.
“We encourage the setting up of volunteer bodies at the national level to drive volunteer activities collectively. This is our future direction. Voluntary programmes cover nine clusters. On December 10 last year, we saw during the Youth Centre’s ‘Day of Action’ campaign, 24 agencies getting involved in 38 projects partaken by 1,014 volunteers. A volunteerism body will be set up at the Youth Centre to allow its members to hold dialogues on volunteer-related work or activities,” said YB Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan.
In response to LegCo member YB Haji Mohaimin bin Haji Johari @Jahari’s query on sports events in Brunei, the minister said sports activities organised in the country such as the recently concluded Asia Development Tour (ADT) held at The Empire Hotel & Country Club and the Lady’s Championship have created positive spin-off effects in tourism and related economic activities.
“We can’t rely solely on the government to hold such tournaments. A whole-of-nation approach is required to carry out such activities,” he highlighted.
“Various facilities are being used to generate revenues for the MCYS as well. Among these include the renting out of facilities at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas,” the minister added.