| Azlan Othman |
HIS Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, Chairman of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Committee of Governors yesterday raised the issue of dwindling rental revenue at BND3.7 million per annum for Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, due to vacant shops and offices, combined with the exit of the Hua Ho Departmental Store earlier this year.
His Royal Highness raised the issue in a sabda delivered during the Second Meeting of the Yayasan Committee of Governors meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office.
His Royal Highness also highlighted the high rental dues owed by the tenants of Yayasan Complex, which have yet to be settled.
“These two issues are affecting the cash flow,” said His Royal Highness.
Noting that some efforts were recently made in a bid to lure more visitors, His Royal Highness then inquired whether there were any further plans to attract more visitors and in resolving the issues at Yayasan Complex.
Kampong Bolkiah in nearby Kampong Ayer also received a mention by His Royal Highness. “I was made to understand that several members from the Yayasan Board visited that village in early September. I personally gave the opinion that Kampong Bolkiah should be given due attention, since it also reflects the concerns of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah towards the village and the fate of its inhabitants.
“These efforts should not be limited to restoration; they should also be expanded to include economic activity, so that the residents of Kampong Bolkiah can be more independent instead of relying on assistance.”
Recently, Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah underwent a review by the Audit Department of the Prime Minister’s Office, to ensure that the Yayasan management is on track.
“In the draft report, there are several matters that should be looked into, including the events of 2004 to 2016, where there were eight cases involving five Yayasan employees who siphoned off cash amounting to BND115,528. What is regrettable is that these offences were not reported to the Royal Brunei Police Force or the executive authorities at Yayasan. Therefore, the Yayasan management should look seriously at these findings and take some remedial action to ensure that this matter will not happen again in the future,” said His Royal Highness.
With that, His Royal Highness called for the Audit Department to present and discuss remedial proposals on a regular basis during Board meetings.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence II and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, delivered a speech on the alarming drop in rental revenue for Yayasan Complex.
“Actions have been, and will continue to be undertaken by the authorities of Wadah Amal Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary company of Yayasan),” he said.
On the issue of rental dues, “The collection of current dues owed after March 18, 2017 would continue to be implemented by Wadah Amal Sdn Bhd. March 18, 2017 was the date whereby the leasing agreement between Yayasan and its tenants was transferred to Wadah Amal Sdn Bhd. As for the old dues owed by the current or former tenants before March 18, 2017, the Board of Directors in its next meeting will transfer, or give authority, to Wadah Amal Sdn Bhd to collect those dues through a Deed of Agreement.”
He then gave an account of the visit to Kampong Bolkiah by members of the Yayasan Board of Directors on September 7. “The findings have been presented to 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. Following the visit, the Yayasan management contacted the Public Works Department (JKR) of the Ministry of Development to obtain technical assistance for immediate restoration work.
“On September 18, officers from the Public Works Department visited the village. Currently, the Public Works Department is making an estimation and implementation plan for restoration work. Issues found during the visit were taken into consideration, and will become an agenda at the next Board of Directors meeting.”
On the audit review for Yayasan, “This is the first time it has ever taken place, and a draft of the auditing report has been issued. Both the draft and the management’s response will be discussed at the next meeting. Several matters and facts were found to be most disturbing and unacceptable; and actions will be promptly taken against the perpetrators.”
Also present at yesterday’s meeting were the Deputy Chairman I of the Yayasan Committee of Governors Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar and the Deputy Chairman II Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, together with the members of the Committee of Governors, including Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong and Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman.
Also in attendance were Deputy Chairman of the Yayasan Board of Directors Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah; a Yayasan Board of Directors member Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar, who is also the Chairman of Wadah Amal Sdn Bhd; a Yayasan Board of Directors member Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Elinda binti Haji CA Mohammad, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of Wadah Amal Sdn Bhd; and the Managing Director of Yayasan Dato Paduka Eddie bin Dato Paduka Haji Sunny.