More than half of zakat recipients mired in debt

Khai Zem Mat Sani
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

MORE than half of zakat (tithe) recipients are mired in debt, said the acting secretary of Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB).

Hj Abdul Aziz Hj Akop said the majority of about 4,000 zakat recipients applied for financial assistance because they could not pay off their debts.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, he said many of the recipients had taken bank loans to purchase cars, houses and pay for wedding costs.

“Half of what the zakat recipients earn from their wages are used to pay off debts,” he added.

Hj Abdul Aziz said the number of people applying for zakat assistance under the poor and destitute category has been increasing over the years, with many of the applicants struggling to repay their loans.

“Loans have become necessary for many people in Brunei. But it will become a burden to people if they cannot afford to repay the loans,” he said.

The acting secretary added that many people who took large amounts of personal loans did not realise that the debts could affect their finances.

“Bruneians need to be more cautious when using their money. People need to know how to differentiate between needs and wants,” Hj Abd Aziz added.

He went on to say that Bruneians must learn to avoid spending on things that are not important for their daily lives.

However, he said the conditions of poor and destitute people are not as serious as in other countries in this region as majority of the recipients can still afford to spend on their daily needs such as sustenance and shelter.

The acting secretary said many of the zakat applicants under the poor and destitute category were low-income earners and their children were unemployed.

He said more than 3,000 dependents rely on the zakat recipients for financial support.

The monthly zakat is given for a period of two years for every applicant.

After two years, the recipient would usually reapply for zakat if their income or finances have yet to improve, said Hj Abd Aziz.

He added that some families stopped receiving tithes as their children have found jobs.

Hj Abd Aziz said those who apply for zakat because of bank loans are not eligible for zakat under Al-Gharimin (individuals who are deep in debt for valid purposes) category.

“People who have loans with banks have made an agreement earlier, it proves that they have money to repay their loans.

“Those who receive zakat under Al-Gharimin are among individuals who borrow money to build mosques or other buildings that benefit the community,” he said.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

‘Average of 40 zakat applicants every month’

Khai Zem Mat Sani 
TEMBURONG 

AN AVERAGE of more than 40 people register for zakat (tithe) every month, according to the minister of Religious Affairs yesterday.

Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman said around 40 to 50 people register for tithe every month.

During the 12th Legislative Council (LegCo), the minister also noted that the number of applicants is increasing from time to time.

“Not every applicant will be given the tithe. The tithe is only given to the right people... especially those who fall under six categories or asnaf,” he said.

The six categories are fakir miskin (poor and needy), muallaf (converts), amil (those appointed to collect tithe payments), al gharimin (those in debt but not due to extravagance or illicit habits), and ibnu sabil or musafir (a wayfarer in need of money while travelling).

YB Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin said that the ministry has to follow the procedure in choosing the right person to receive the assistance.

“We must look at the requirements... are they really poor without any form of income, and if they do have jobs, is it (salary) enough?

“Another example, applying for school assistance, we have to look at the other forms of welfare. Is the person receiving any aid from the Community Development Department (JAPEM)? Do they really go to school as in if their attendance is not consistent, then definitely they will not be considered for school aid,” said the minister.

“With the tithe, we hoped the recipients can improve their livelihood. At the same time, we also urged people to find ways on how to earn for living,” he said.

Tithe in the sultanate is under the control of Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB).

It is the highest body of Islamic religion in Brunei and has jurisdiction in the management of the collection and distribution of zakat since 1955.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Tekad basmi kemiskinan

Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja
Mejar Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof

Oleh Imelda Groves HA & Syahmi Hassan

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 16 Mac – Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan akan meningkatkan pemantauan penerima Bantuan Kebajikan Bulanan (BKB) seterusnya mengenal pasti garis panduan pemberian bantuan kebangsaan dengan menggunakan kadar kos minima keperluan asas.

Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan berkata, garis panduan itu akan diguna pakai sebagai sukat-sukat bagi pemberian apa jua bantuan dan penyejajaran dasar serta prosedur yang diguna pakai bagi agensi seperti Majlis Ugama Islam Brunei (MUIB) Kementerian Pendidikan, Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Yayasan), Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri dan Kementerian Kesihatan.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof seterusnya menjelaskan, program bantuan kebangsaan baru akan dirangka menggunakan garis panduan yang dipersetujui itu dengan mengadakan dua program bantuan berasingan iaitu program bantuan bagi mereka yang benar-benar tidak dapat bekerja atau mencari pekerjaan seperti orang kurang upaya, uzur, tua dan mereka yang berisiko terjerumus kepada kemiskinan, seperti penjaga kepada orang-orang kurang upaya dan lain-lain.

Kedua ialah program insentif pekerjaan yang memberi fokus kepada golongan yang tidak mempunyai pendapatan yang mencukupi untuk menyara kehidupan harian dan persekolahan anak-anak, melalui pemberian insentif agar mereka akan dapat terus bekerja, tambah Yang Berhormat Pehin lagi semasa Majlis Mesyuarat Negara yang bersidang buat hari kesembilan, hari ini.

Yang Berhormat Pehin menekankan perkara ini ketika menjelaskan pembaharuan-pembaharuan yang dirancang oleh Majlis Kebangsaan Isu-isu Sosial yang dipengerusikan Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, untuk meningkatkan keberkesanan tindakan bagi mengatasi dan membantu warga yang mudah atau terdedah risiko-risiko kemiskinan atau masalah sosial untuk keluar daripada kepompong kesusahan dan juga kemiskinan.

Menjawab persoalan yang dibangkitkan oleh Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka Hajah Salbiah binti Haji Sulaiman, Yang Berhormat Pehin berkata, pihak kementerian juga akan memberikan fokus kepada 100 orang penerima BKB.

Menurutnya, permasalahan mereka akan diambil tindakan secara bersepadu oleh semua jawatankuasa khas untuk dikeluarkan daripada kepompong kemiskinan dengan kaedah-kaedah yang sesuai.

Selain itu, pihak kementerian turut merancang mengadakan sumber kewangan yang lebih berdaya tahan untuk membiayai program-program bantuan melalui pelan tindakan yang berkaitan ke arah menangani isu kemiskinan dalam beberapa buah jawatankuasa khas diterajui oleh kementeriannya.

“Misalnya jawatankuasa khas isu kemiskinan dan jawatankuasa khas institusi keluarga dan isu wanita hendaklah dipastikan tindakan-tindakan yang dinyatakan dalam pelan tersebut akan dikemaskinikan lagi ke arah memastikan keberkesanan pelaksanaannya.”

Katanya lagi, dalam membantu mereka yang kurang bernasib baik, program yang diungkayahkan pada tahun-tahun sebelumnya juga diteruskan pada tahun ini dan seterusnya dengan hala tuju program ini ke arah meningkatkan penyertaan para belia terutamanya kumpulan sasaran program.

Dalam pada itu, Yang Berhormat Pehin menekankan bahawa kementeriannya juga menghadapi cabaran dalam memastikan sejauh mana bantuan kebajikan akan dapat diberikan secara lebih berdaya tahan memandangkan terdapatnya peningkatan jumlah penerima bantuan dari semasa ke semasa.

Daripada beberapa permuzakarahan dengan pelbagai pihak, cabaran utama yang dikenal pasti dalam menangani isu kemiskinan serta cabaran dalam mengungkayahkan apa saja program-program pembasmian kemiskinan ialah mentaliti masyarakat yang masih bergantung sepenuhnya kepada bantuan kerajaan.

“Sehubungan dengan ini juga, koala mengalu-alukan pandangan dan pemikiran dari ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat mengenai kaedah yang lebih berkesan bagi mengubah mentaliti khususnya penerima-penerima BKB atau bantuan kebajikan bulanan ini.”

Yang Berhormat Pehin turut melahirkan harapan, dengan adanya garis panduan dalam program baru bantuan kebangsaan ini nanti akan lebih fokus untuk membantu golongan atau kumpulan yang benar-benar perlu dibantu dari segi kewangan dan juga akan diberikan latihan dan program kemahiran dan pekerjaan.

“Diharapkan jua program seumpama ini akan mengurangkan budaya terlalu suka bergantung kepada kerajaan di kalangan masyarakat, sekali gus menggalakkan budaya berdikari,” tambahnya lagi.


Sumber - Media Permata

Menteri jelas perkiraan bantuan zakat

Oleh Syahmi Hassan & Imelda Groves HA

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 16 Mac – Mengikut perkiraan Jabatan Perancang Kemajuan Ekonomi (JPKE), Haddul Kifayah iaitu had minima perbelanjaan bagi keperluan asasi seseorang adalah sebanyak $253 sebulan bagi seorang.

Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama, Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman (gambar) berkata, had berkenaan masih terpakai sampai sekarang bagi Majlis Ugama Islam Brunei (MUIB).

“Jika pendapatan bulanan seseorang berjumlah $1,000 dengan anggota keluarganya seramai lima orang termasuk dirinya, maka $1,000 itu dibahagi kepada lima, jumlahnya adalah $200, maka ia di bawah daripada $253, orang itu dan keluarganya adalah tergolong dalam kategori miskin.

“Manakala fakir ialah orang yang tidak mempunyai apa-apa kecukupan pada hariannya pada satu hari untuk belanjanya yang tidak mempunyai barang untuk dijualnya bagi mencukupkan keperluannya, ertinya fakir.

“Had minima itu perlu difahamkan, ia digunakan bagi perkiraan menentukan kadar agihan zakat kepada fakir dan miskin. Ia diguna pakai pada masa ini dengan penerima-penerima daripada kalangan asnaf fakir dan miskin berserta tanggungannya menerima pemberian selama 12 bulan, 24, 36, ataupun 60 bulan, setahun, dua tahun, tiga tahun dan lima tahun.

MENTERI Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, Yang Berhormat, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka
Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Othman

“Berdasarkan dengan perkiraan ini, maka bermakna penerima-penerima itu sudah cukup untuk perbelanjaan asasinya,” jelas Yang Berhormat Pehin lagi.

Yang Berhormat Pehin menjelaskan demikian sebagai menjawab pertanyaan Yang Berhormat Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Ahad, semasa sesi soal jawab persidangan Majlis Mesyuarat Negara hari ini.

Yang Berhormat Haji Sulaiman yang juga Ketua Kampung Belingus, Mukim Bangar, Daerah Temburong, bertanya mengenai perkembangan pengagihan zakat kepada golongan asnaf fakir dan miskin.

Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama seterusnya menjelaskan bahawa sebahagian mereka yang memerlukan perumahan pun juga telah disewakan rumah yang bayarannya antara $350 hingga $500 sebulan. Hal ini menepati tujuan syarak yang mewajibkan zakat itu dibayar, dikutip, dikumpul dan diagih-agihkan kepada yang berhak supaya mereka yang berhak itu dan kalangan fakir miskin tidak perlu keluar meminta-minta dan mengemis.

Mengenai program-program bantuan kepada golongan miskin, Yang Berhormat Pehin berkata, selama ini memang program-program sedemikian seperti bantuan modal berniaga, bantuan mesin jahit umpamanya untuk mengambil upah menjahit, bantuan peralatan seperti pukat dan perahu bermotor untuk menangkap ikan dan usaha pengangkutan perahu tambang.

Ia bagi memungkinkan para asnaf zakat pada akhirnya tidak lagi bergantung kepada agihan zakat.

Di samping itu ada juga bantuan bayaran yuran sekolah atau bayaran belajar di pusat-pusat pengajian tinggi bagi asnaf yang bukan rakyat iaitu penduduk tetap. Kesemua itu adalah dalam usaha untuk mengupayakan mereka untuk berdikari pada akhirnya.


Sumber - Media Permata

Punca kemiskinan dikenal pasti

Oleh Yusrin Junaidi

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 16 Mac – Satu jawatankuasa kecil yang ditubuhkan di bawah Majlis Kebangsaan Isu-Isu Sosial telah mengenal pasti beberapa punca kemiskinan, antaranya kelulusan pendidikan rendah yang menyebabkan gaji diterima rendah dan jumlah tanggungan ramai yang menyebabkan gaji diterima tidak mencukupi.

Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan berkata, usaha untuk mengatasi isu-isu ini adalah memang kompleks dan memerlukan strategi yang komprehensif dan meluas, yang menurutnya, Majlis Kebangsaan Isu-Isu Sosial dan jawatankuasa khas mengatasi kemiskinan memahami akan keperluan untuk melaksanakan strategi yang meluas termasuk daripada aspek pendidikan, latihan, kesedaran dan sebagainya.

Oleh itu, ujar Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, satu pelan tindakan telah diluluskan yang menggariskan beberapa usaha yang perlu dilaksanakan, iaitu pendidikan, kesihatan, pekerjaan, latihan, perumahan, keusahawanan, kewangan dan dasar-dasar perundangan.

Mengulas lanjut mengenai perkara ini pada sesi petang hari kesembilan Mesyuarat Pertama bagi Musim Permesyuaratan ke-12 Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, hari ini, Yang Berhormat Pehin berkata, sebagai misalan, satu langkah yang penting perlu dilaksanakan segera, adalah untuk meningkatkan kepentingan pendidikan dan mendapatkan kelulusan setingginya dan juga kesedaran mengenai isu bijak berbelanja.

Tambahnya lagi, antara perkembangan terkini yang dilaksanakan melalui jawatankuasa khas berkenaan adalah, mengadakan taklimat celik kewangan bagi penerima-penerima bantuan kebajikan bulanan yang mesti dihadiri sebelum menerima bantuan kebajikan bulanan daripada JAPEM.

Taklimat ini adalah dilaksanakan dengan kerjasama Autoriti Monetori Brunei Darussalam, Tabung Amanah Pekerja, Agensi Pekerjaan Tempatan dan Pembangunan Tenaga Kerja, di bawah Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, pusat perbankan dan Kewangan Pengurusan Islam.

Kedua, ujarnya lagi, meneliti semula pelan tindakan membasmi kemiskinan dengan bekerjasama unit penggerak, Jabatan Perdana Menteri. Di samping itu, pelbagai pihak berkenaan seperti Kementerian Pendidikan, Kementerian Kewangan dan agensi-agensi lain yang berkenaan juga sedang giat melaksanakan program-program yang bertujuan mengatasi isu kemiskinan.

Kejayaan program ini, katanya, mencapai matlamat ke arah membasmi kemiskinan akan hanya dilihat dalam jangka masa yang panjang.


Sumber - Media Permata

‘15 per cent of Temburong residents receive monetary assistance’

Khai Zem Mat Sani 
TEMBURONG 

ABOUT 15 per cent of the Temburong population is currently receiving monetary assistance from the government said the penghulu for mukim Bangar yesterday.

Hj Abdul Rahman Merusin told The Brunei Times that nearly 1,500 out of 10,000 people in the district are underprivileged people who are in need of help.

“The percentage is based on the ratio of people who receive assistance in every village in the district. This is also based on reports shared by village heads and penghulus,” he said.

“More than 20 single mothers and 60 senior citizens receive old age pension allowance in Mukim Bangar. Some of the single mothers and senior citizen are also receiving other monetary assistance from the Department of Community Development (JAPEM) or the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB).”

Hj Abdul Rahman noted that Mukim Bangar comprises four villages, Kg Menengah, Kg Belingus, Kg Batang Tuau and Kg Puni dan Hujung Jalan.

“For single mothers, even though they receive monthly monetary assistance, some claim the assistance is not enough as their children and grandchildren are dependant on them,” said the penghulu.

He also said about the application process for the monetary assistance from the authority.

“Families in Temburong who are struggling financially should come forward and discuss their problems with their village heads so that they can help them,” said the penghulu.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Rising income inequality in Asia worrying: IMF chief

Sohel Parvez
New Delhi

ASIA’s economy has grown by about 6.0 per cent a year over the last 25 years but the rising income inequality has raised concerns about inclusive growth.

To distribute the dividends of increased prosperity, experts at a high-level conference in New Delhi on Saturday emphasised efforts to ensure access for the poor to education, health and finance.

“Asia has done a lot, and yet, there is still a lot to do,” said Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, at the launch of a three-day conference: “Advancing Asia: Investing for the Future”.

The IMF and the Indian government hosted the conference at Taj Palace in the Indian capital, attended by senior officials, corporate executives, academics and civil society representatives from more than 30 Asian countries.

Narendra Modi, prime minister of India, delivered the keynote speech in the opening session, where an initiative to establish the South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Centre or SARTTAC was unveiled.

India along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the IMF have agreed to set up the centre, which will help enhance skills and the capacity of public sector officials.

In her speech, Lagarde lauded Asia’s economic progress and advancement in various areas including poverty reduction and improvement in the living standards.

Asia is the world’s most dynamic region and today accounts for 40 per cent of the global economy, she said.

Over the next four years, even with slightly declining momentum, it stands to deliver nearly two-thirds of global growth.

Despite the progress, income inequality has crept up in 15 of the 22 Asian economies, Lagarde said, referring to a recent IMF working paper.

Asia remains home to two-thirds of the world’s poor, many of whom live in India. In most of the region, women and youth are still greatly underrepresented in the labour market.

However, these concerns can be opportunities, Lagarde said.

“What if income inequality could be reversed, poverty further reduced, and women and young people economically empowered? What if growth could be made more inclusive and sustainable? What if Asia’s 4.4 billion people could each realise their full potential?”

“We can imagine the possibilities. The question is how to realise them,” she said, while suggesting for broadening access to services like health and finance, and targeting social spending on the neediest.

Lagarde also stressed empowering women by enhancing girls’ access to high-quality education and dismantling legal and logistical barriers to economic participation.

With more than 800 million people in Asia lacking access to water, sanitation and electricity, inclusive growth means more investment in infrastructure – and making that investment more efficient. The IMF MD also suggested greater trade integration for more sustained growth, especially for India and other countries in South Asia.

“Multilateral trade liberalisation has the potential to be globally welfare-enhancing. If, however, progress at that level remains slow, comprehensive regional trade agreements can help to lower tariff and non-tariff barriers and incorporate new areas like services.”

Lagarde also called for policymakers of the region to respond to the challenges the global economy faces.

She recommended supportive monetary policy and growth-friendly fiscal measures to safeguard financial stability, and above all, structural reforms to boost competitiveness, growth and jobs.

Successfully dealing with these kinds of structural issues will not only support Asia’s near- and medium-term prospects but also secure the foundations on which to unlock the region's exciting future potential, Lagarde added.

In his speech, Indian Premier Modi said his dream is of a Transformed India.

“I lay this dream alongside our common dream of an Advanced Asia – an Asia where more than half of the global population can live with happiness and fulfilment.”

“Our joint heritage and mutual respect, our common goals and similar policies, can and must create sustainable growth and shared prosperity.”

He said many knowledgeable people have said the 21st century is, and will be, the Asian century.

Asia, where three out of every five people in the world live, is distinct in many ways, according to the Indian prime minister.

“Asian families tend naturally to save more than people in other parts of the world. Thus, they invest for the future,” he said, while referring to the theme of the conference.

Social stability built on strong family values is another feature of Asia’s development.

Asians tend to leave things behind for the next generation, he said, adding that economists have commended on the saving ethic of Asian countries.

For instance, Asians tend to save to buy a house, rather than borrow to buy a house, he said.

Modi also touched upon the issue of reform of global institutions.

Reforms of global institutions have to be an ongoing process and must reflect the changes in the global economy and the rising share of emerging economies.

“Even now, the IMF quotas do not reflect the global economic realities. Change in quotas is not an issue of increasing the power of certain countries. It is an issue of fairness and legitimacy. The belief that quotas can be changed, is essential for the fairness of the system.”

For poor nations to respect the legitimacy of such institutions, they must be able to aspire and to hope, he said, adding that he was happy that the IMF has decided to finalise the next round of quota changes by October 2017.

At another session, Melinda Gates of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said empowering women is the smart thing to do.

She also advised on investing in the health sector as one dollar of investment in health gives returns of US$9.

Establishment of SARTTAC

The centre, which will be based in the Indian capital, will provide training to government and public sector employees.

It will enhance their skills and improve the quality of their policy inputs. It will also provide technical assistance to governments and public institutions,” said Modi.

“This will be the first centre that fully integrates training and technical assistance and is a model for our future capacity development work,” Lagarde said.

It is expected to become the focal point for planning, coordinating and implementing the IMF’s capacity development activities in the region on a wide range of areas, including macroeconomic and fiscal management, monetary operations, financial sector regulation and supervision and macroeconomic statistics.

The centre will also help address the existing training needs and respond to the demands for IMF training in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

“It is the beginning of a good initiative. We will be the beneficiaries of the centre,” said Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman, who was present at the programme.

The centre will offer courses and seminars for policymakers and other government agencies from the six countries, according to the IMF.

It will build upon the IMF’s experience with capacity development by drawing on the experiences of the IMF’s Regional Technical Assistance Centres and Regional Training Centres, which have a proven track record of delivering technical assistance on economic institution building.

Funding will come from contributions by regional member countries and development partners.

The Australian Agency for International Development, the Republic of Korea and India pledged financial support for the centre, it added.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

More people seeking gov’t welfare benefits

Wail Wardi Wasil
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

GOVERNMENT agencies in charge of welfare benefits have seen a rise in the number of people asking for assistance in recent years, the minister of culture, youth and sports said yesterday.

During a dialogue session between the Ministry of Culture, Youths and Sports (MCYS) and Legislative Council members, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awang Halbi Hj Mohd Yusof said the issue of poverty is one of the critical issues that must be dealt with immediately.

He said that in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people requesting government welfare through bodies such as the Community Development Department (JAPEM) and the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB).

According to the press release, JAPEM’s statistics showed that there were 6, 478 heads of families that received the Monthly Welfare Benefits (BKB) last year. This was an eight per cent increase compared from 6,019 in 2014.

Statistics published by JAPEM through data.gov.bn also showed that the number of welfare recipients in 2014 also revealed an increase of 15 per cent compared to 5,247 in 2013.

The ministry is aware that this development was brought forth by various factors such as unemployment, insufficient wages, a high number of dependents in the family and many others, he said.

YB Dato Pehin Hj Halbi added that this increase in the number of welfare recipients is a cause for concern and the situation must be improved.

The minister added that due to the increase, the National Council on Social Issues (MKIS), in an effort to reduce social problems in the country, has made the issue of poverty a top priority.

This is done, he said, by aiding welfare recipients in releasing themselves from the cycle of poverty.

YB Dato Pehin Hj Halbi went on to say that the ministry will also continue its efforts in further strengthening youth development in the country.

He said the ministry is aiming to review a number of national and ministerial policies under youths, sports, culture as well programmes that are currently running under the ministry.

“This is to ensure that these policies are still relevant and effective and at the same time, it is to take into consideration whether some policies need a change in trajectory,” said the minister.

He added that the ministry will also aim to improve the synergy between relevant authorities, whether from the government sector, the private sector or grassroots leader, adding that “engagement” and “public consultation” is the key to preserving the peace and harmony of the nation.

The dialogue session was headed by Yang Berhormat Hj Sulaiman Ahad and was held at the Conference Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

‘Many underprivileged children do not attend school’

Amanda Yap
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Brunei Council on Social Welfare (MKM) said many underprivileged do not go to school because their parents neglected them.

Head of MKM’s Children Committee Zubaidah Dato Hj Abu Zar said the council discovered that some underprivileged children had parents who were put in prison or were undergoing drug rehabilitation.

“I found out that these kids are left alone by their families – they don’t have anyone to support them. I thought that government agencies would be helping them all this while, but no one is helping them.

“They don’t go to school because they don’t have transport, they don’t have money to buy school things they need,” she continued.

Zubaidah was speaking on the sidelines of the Borneo Insider's Guide (BiG)'s 10th Anniversary Picnic Festival last Sunday at the Jerudong Park Colonnade, which helped raise funds for MKM.

Zubaidah urged more government agencies to work with MKM by providing the lists of people who require financial help.

“We don’t really mind as that’s what we’re here for, to help the needy. I particularly place emphasis on the kids, because if the children don’t have enough education, the cycle will go back to square one,” she said.

“These (children) are the leaders of the future - these will be the people we will depend on for our children’s futures, for our grandchildren’s futures.

“So if these kids are not being looked after or being well taken care of, I don’t think we’re going to get anything from them,” Zubaidah added.

She said the council works with departments at the Ministry of Education in alleviating the problem.

It was recently reported that as many as 3,913 students missed at least three weeks of school last year. Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman had said 16.2 per cent of primary school pupils were absent for more than 20 days in 2015, while some were away from school for 140 days.

According to the Compulsory Education Act of 2007, Bruneian citizens or residents aged from six to 15 must attend school if they were born on or after January 1, 2002.

Zubaidah said MKM is currently providing financial assistance to over 100 underprivileged children.

Underprivileged children were often identified through MKM’s legal advice and advisory clinic, or through word-of-mouth referrals, she said.

She added that these children often came from families with a monthly income of below $450.

Zubaidah urged members of the public to support charity events organised by MKM, as a way to aid the underprivileged.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

62 people own the same as half the world, reveals Oxfam Davos report

The Oxfam report An Economy for the 1%, shows that the wealth of the poorest half of the world’s population has fallen by a trillion dollars since 2010, a drop of 41 percent. This has occurred despite the global population increasing by around 400 million people during that period. Meanwhile, the wealth of the richest 62 has increased by more than half a trillion dollars to $1.76tr. The report also shows how women are disproportionately affected by inequality – of the current ‘62’, 53 are men and just nine are women.

Although world leaders have increasingly talked about the need to tackle inequality, and in September agreed a global goal to reduce it, the gap between the richest and the rest has widened dramatically in the past 12 months. Oxfam’s prediction, made ahead of last year’s Davos, that the 1% would soon own more than the rest of us, actually came true in 2015 - a year earlier than expected.

Oxfam is calling for urgent action to tackle the extreme inequality crisis which threatens to undermine the progress made in tackling poverty during the last quarter of a century. As a priority, it is calling for an end to the era of tax havens which has seen the increasing use of offshore centers by rich individuals and companies to avoid paying their fair share to society. This has denied governments valuable resources needed to tackle poverty and inequality.

Winnie Byanyima, Oxfam International Executive Director, who will again attend Davos having co-chaired last year’s event, said: “It is simply unacceptable that the poorest half of the world’s population owns no more than a few dozen super-rich people who could fit onto one bus.

“World leaders’ concern about the escalating inequality crisis has so far not translated into concrete action – the world has become a much more unequal place and the trend is accelerating. We cannot continue to allow hundreds of millions of people to go hungry while resources that could be used to help them are sucked up by those at the top.

"I challenge the governments, companies and elites at Davos to play their part in ending the era of tax havens, which is fuelling economic inequality and preventing hundreds of millions of people lifting themselves out of poverty. Multinational companies and wealthy elites are playing by different rules to everyone else, refusing to pay the taxes that society needs to function. The fact that 188 of 201 leading companies have a presence in at least one tax haven shows it is time to act."

In 2015 G20 governments agreed steps to curb tax dodging by multinationals through the BEPS agreement, however these measures will do little for the poorest countries and largely ignore the problems posed by tax havens.

Globally, it is estimated that a total of $7.6tr of individuals’ wealth sits offshore. If tax were paid on the income that this wealth generates, an extra $190 billion would be available to governments every year.

As much as 30 percent of all African financial wealth is estimated to be held offshore, costing an estimated $14 billion in lost tax revenues every year. This is enough money to pay for healthcare for mothers and children in Africa that could save 4 million children’s lives a year, and employ enough teachers to get every African child into school.

Nine out of ten WEF corporate partners have a presence in at least one tax haven and it is estimated that tax dodging by multinational corporations costs developing countries at least $100 billion every year. Corporate investment in tax havens almost quadrupled between 2000 and 2014.

Allowing governments to collect the taxes they are owed from companies and rich individuals will be vital if world leaders are to meet their new goal, set last September, to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030.

Although the number of people living in extreme poverty halved between 1990 and 2010, the average annual income of the poorest 10 percent has risen by less than $3-a-year in the past quarter of a century. That equates to an increase in individuals’ daily income of less than a single cent a year.

Had inequality within countries not grown between 1990 and 2010, an extra 200 million people would have escaped poverty.

One of the other key trends behind rising inequality set out in Oxfam’s report is the falling share of national income going to workers in almost all developed and most developing countries and a widening gap between pay at the top and the bottom of the income scale. The majority of low paid workers around the world are women.

By contrast, the already wealthy have benefited from a rate of return on capital via interest payments, dividends, etc, that has been consistently higher than the rate of economic growth. This advantage has been compounded by the use of tax havens which are perhaps the most glaring example set out in the Oxfam report of how the rules of the economic game have been rewritten in a manner that has supercharged the ability of the rich and powerful to entrench their wealth.

Oxfam is calling for action against tax havens to be part of a three-pronged attack on inequality. Action to recover the missing billions lost to tax havens needs to be accompanied by a commitment on the part of governments to invest in healthcare, schools and other vital public services that make such a big difference to the lives of the poorest people.

Governments should also take action to ensure that work pays for those at the bottom as well as for those at the top – including moving minimum wage rates towards a living wage and tackling the pay gap between men and women.

Byanyima added: “The richest can no longer pretend their wealth benefits everyone – their extreme wealth in fact shows an ailing global economy. The recent explosion in the wealth of the super-rich has come at the expense of the majority and particularly the poorest people."

In addition to its inequality campaign, Oxfam will be attending Davos to press world and business leaders to tackle climate change and act to resolve humanitarian crises including that in Syria.

Sumber - Oxfam International

Over 12,000 students rely on educational assistance

Hj Mohamad Rajap, assistant director of Department of Schools, pointing out the financial aid recipient statistics.
A total of 12,527 less fortunate students were identified as aid recipients this year.

Rasidah HAB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE number of students receiving government educational assistance continue to rise this year, with 12,527 less fortunate students identified as aid recipients.

Assistant Director of Department of Schools Hj Mohamad Rajap said the number of recipients keep growing every year since the Ministry of Education started the Miftaahun Najaah scheme.

Stastistics showed that the number of aid recipients nationwide stood at 2,232 in 2011 before increasing to 7,898 a year later.

A total of 9,935 received financial assistance in 2013, while 12,341 were recipients of the scheme in 2014. The number surged to 13,532 last year.

Hj Mohamad said the increase in 2014 and 2015 numbers can be attributed to the inclusion of pre-university students to the scheme.

The scheme was previously targeted at primary and secondary school students when it was introduced in 2011.

Out of the 12,527 students this year, 6,392 are primary school pupils, 6,055 in secondary schools and 80 are pre-university students.

Hj Mohamad, who is also head of the Miftaahun Najaah Unit, said the scheme aimed to help students who are facing economic, family, accommodation and transportation issues.

“Some of the students come from families whose household income is $250 and below per month. Other reasons include having a large number of dependents, parents who are unemployed, fired/dismissed or suspended from their work or declared bankrupt.”

The scheme also aimed to ease the burden of parents and guardians in buying school supplies as well as to prevent the students from being left behind in their studies.

The assistant director said every school has their own Miftaahun Najaah scheme committee, and applications can be made through the schools.

The schools are also tasked with distributing the assistance to the students.

To be eligible for the assistance, students must be residents or permanent residents of Brunei and they must be studying in Year One to Year 12 in schools registered under the Ministry of Education.

Hj Mohamad said the cost of purchasing school necessities is an average $400 per student for a new academic year.

The types of assistance provided include school stationeries and uniforms, workbooks, tuition classes, teaching aids as well as materials for special needs students. Considerations will also be given to students in need of hostels, transportation services and financial assistance.

A student may stop receiving assistance under certain circumstances, such as dropping out of school, recorded below 85 per cent in attendance or do not show an interest in studying.

“Parents must be supportive of their children’s education, so that the children would have a direction for their future,” he said, adding that the scheme is part of the government’s strategies to promote equality in education towards achieving Vision 2035.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Rombongan NDP prihatin tentang untung nasib peniaga-peniaga Tamu Kianggeh

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 28 Dis - Hampir semua peniaga secara kecil-kecilan dan sederhana, di Tamu Kianggeh melahirkan rasa tidak bersetuju atas keputusan untuk mereka dipindahkan daripada kawasan berniaga yang sudah sinonim dengan mereka terutama sekali di kalangan peniaga-peniaga warga emas yang mendakwa sudah berpuluh-puluh tahun menjadikan tempat itu sebagai tempat mereka mencari mata pencarian selama ini.

Mereka juga terkilan kenapa mereka tidak diajak untuk memberikan pandangan sama atas keputusan pihak berkenaan itu. Mereka meluahkan perasaan dan pandangan mereka ini kepada rombongan Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (NDP) yang membuat lawatan kerja mereka ke kawasan tamu tersebut kemarin. Rombongan di ketuai oleh Presiden parti itu, Malai Hassan bin Malai Haji Othman.

Ramai di kalangan peniaga-peniaga di sana terdiri daripada kalangan warga emas selain terdapat juga di kalangan ibu tunggal yang berniaga di sana untuk menampung kehidupan bersama anak-anak mereka. Menurut mereka pendapatan minima setiap hari kira-kira lebih $30.00 dan pendapatan akan meningkat di waktu hujung minggu.

Banyak perkara yang mereka bimbangkan dengan langkah untuk memindahkan mereka ke kawasan tamu baru di Gadong.

“Jika kami dipindahkan ke kawasan Gadong sepertimana kami difahamkan, maka antara kesukaran kami ialah terpaksa dua kali naik bas, daripada tempat tinggal kami, bas berhentian di satu perhentian di Bandar Seri Begawan sahaja, kemudian dari sini kami terpaksa lagi naik bas lain untuk ke Gadong, dan kami terpaksa mengangkut dagangan kami”, kata beberapa orang peniaga di sana yang tinggal jauh daripada kawasan tamu.

Selain yang tinggal di kawasan kampung ayer pula, jika dipindahkan ke kawasan baru, adalah menjadi kesukaran mereka dari segi pengangkutan, biarpun ada bas, tetapi ramai dikalangan mereka adalah warga emas yang sudah kurang kekuatan fizikal.

“Kami selalunya hanya naik motor bot, dari seberang kampung kami dan naik di tambatan depan tamu ini” kata beberapa orang lagi peniaga warga emas yang tinggal di kawasan kampung ayer.

Sementara itu Presiden NDP, Malai Hassan bin Malai Haji Othman, ketika ditemui menyatakan rasa terkilannya dengan isu hangat pemindahan Tamu Kianggeh yang telah mengundang banyak bantahan daripada kalangan masyarakat tempatan terutama penjaja-penjaja yang merasakan langkah itu akan menjejaskan mata pencarian mereka.

Menurutnya, sebahagian besar masyarakat di negara ini pula merasakan langkah tersebut tidak wajar, memandangkan Tamu Kianggeh merupakan sebahagian daripada warisan sejarah dan budaya orang Brunei, selain turut merupakan kawasan popular di kalangan pelancong luar negara yang ingin melihat sambl belajar menghayati suasana kehidupan dan budaya orang Brunei.

“NDP dalam hal ini memahami sentimen orang ramai yang terbabit, dan bimbang ianya boleh mengundang kepada kebencian rakyat kepada sektor perkhidmatan awam terutama elit-elit pentadbir yang di amanahkan untuk menjaga kemasalahan rakyat, selain kami juga khuatir perlaksanaan perancangan yang gagal mengambil kira kemasalahatan peniaga-peniaga kecil dan sederhana di tamu itu, akan sekali lagi menjejasakan kredibiliti sektor perkhidmatan awam sebagai pemudahcara pembangunan bangsa dan negara, seperti juga yang pernah dicetuskan oleh isu Pasar Seria yang dipindahkan ke Pasar Baru Lorong Tiga, hingga sekarang ia dilihat sebagai satu testimonial kehancuran peniaga-peniaga Melayu berpunca daripada perancangan yang lemah” katanya.

Tambahnya lagi, NDP menyokong penuh usaha pihak Lembaga Bandaran Bandar Seri Begawan ke arah mencapai objektif-objektif  antaranya untuk memelihara kebersihan alam sekitar, keselamatan dan keselesaan pengguna-pengguna jalanraya serta bagi tujuan menambah cantik persekitaran ibu negara Bandar Seri Begawan, selain alasan yang turut ditekankan untuk menghormati tanah perkuburan orang-orang Islam yang terletak berdekatan di tamu itu.

“Akan tetapi NDP berkeyakinan objektif-objektif tersebut masih boleh dicapai tanpa mengambil langkah-langkah drastik yang jelas telah banyak mengundang kegelisahan dan kekecewaan di kalangan peniaga-peniaga di tamu itu, khususnya dan di kalangan masyarakat umum, dari itu, kami berharap pihak-pihak berkenaan akan dapat memikirkan semula perancangan tersebut dengan mengambil kira semua sudut pembangunan bukan sahaja pembangunan fisikal akan tetapi lebih penting pembangunan sosial rakyat Brunei, serta kami menyeru pihak berkenaan agar mempertimbangkan semula perancangan dengan mengingati motto negara “Berkhidmat Mengikut Petunjuk Allah”, di mana nanti negara akan terus menjadi negara yang baik dengan keadilan di tegakkan” ujarnya.

Turut menyertai lawatan hari ini, Timbalan Presiden NDP, Pengiran Haji Zainal bin Pengiran Haji Talib, serta ahli-ahli Majlis Tertinggi pertubuhan itu daripada seluruh negara.

Berikut kenyataan rasmi Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (NDP) tentang isu Tamu Kianggeh:

KENYATAAN MEDIA PARTI PEMBANGUNAN BANGSA (NDP)

UNTUK SIARAN SEGERA
TARIKH: 25 DISEMBER 2015
PER: NDP KESAL DENGAN ISU TAMU KIANGGEH

1. PARTI PEMBANGUNAN BANGSA (NDP) rasa terkilan dengan isu hangat pemindahan Tamu Kianggeh yang telah mengundang banyak bantahan dari kalangan masyarakat tempatan terutama peniaga-peniaga Melayu yang merasakan langkah tersebut akan menjejaskan mata pencarian dan masa hadapan mereka

2. Langkah tersebut juga dilihat oleh sebahagian besar masyarakat Brunei sebagai tidak wajar kerana Tamu Kianggeh merupakan sebahagian dari warisan sejarah dan budaya orang Brunei yang perlu dipelihara dan dimajukan

3. Tambahan lagi Tamu Kianggeh telah dikenali ramai sebagai destinasi popular yang menjadi tarikan pelancong asing yang ingin melihat keunikan Negara Brunei dan menghayati suasana kehidupan dan budaya orang Brunei

4. Di Tamu Kianggeh pelancung asing dapat melihat dengan lebih dekat lagi suasana hiruk pikuk di tamu berkenaan disamping meninjau ke tempat jualan kuih-kuih kering, jualan perubatan tradisi orang-orang Brunei dan tempat jualan ikan kering, belacan dan lain-lain hasil usaha kampong

5. NDP mengingat kembali sejarah Tamu Kianggeh yang bermula pada awal 1960-an. Dulunya ia merupakan tempat padian wanita menjual pelbagai hasil produk mereka dengan menggunakan bot yang juga dikenali sebagai padian dan tempat ini juga dikatakan pernah mennerima lawatan dari Ratu Elizabeth sebanyak dua kali dan juga puteranya, Putera Charles sekitar tahun 1980-an

6. Sehubungan dengan itu NDP sangat memahami sentimen orang ramai mengenai isu tersebut dan berkongsi pandangan dengan seluruh rakyat yang tidak selesa dengan tindakan pihak berkuasa tersebut

7. NDP bimbang langkah tersebut mengundang ‘kebencian' rakyat dan boleh menghakis kepercayaan rakyat terhadap sektor perkhidmatan awam terutama elit-elit pentadbir yang diamanahkan untuk menjaga maslahah rakyat

8. Menurut laporan media-media perdana pihak Lembaga Bandaran Bandar Seri Begawan telah mengeluarkan notis pemindahan dan telah mengarahkan semua peniaga-peniaga di Tamu Kianggeh untuk mengosongkan kawasan tersebut dan berpindah ke kawasan Pasar Gadong selewat-lewatnya bulan Mac 2016

9. NDP mengambil maklum bahawa pihak Lembaga Bandaran Bandar Seri Begawan telah memberikan beberapa alasan-alasan seperti berikut untuk menjustifikasikan langkah tersebut:

I. Ianya merupakan salah satu program Lembaga Bandaran BSP untuk mencantikan persekitaran Bandar Seri Begawan

II. Langkah untuk memelihara kebersihan alam sekitar Bandar Seri Begawan

III. Mengurangkan kesesakan lalu lintas jalan utama berhadapan Tamu Kianggeh

IV. Untuk menghormati tanah perkuburan orang-orang Islam yang berdekatan dengan Tamu Kianggeh

10. NDP juga mengambil maklum langkah memindah Tamu Kianggeh tersebut merupakan sebahagian dari projek pembinaan Tamu Gadong (Berpayung) yang ‘bermasalah' sejak ianya siap dibina pada tahun 2014

11. Dari sudut pandang NDP isu ini dilihat sebagai satu lagi kegagalan pihak-pihak berkenaan dalam membuat perancangan kemajuan yang melibatkan secara langsung kemaslahatan peniaga-peniaga kecil dan sederhana dengan bijaksana

12. Ia juga merupakan satu kegagalan pihak berkuasa untuk mengambil pendekatan yang holistik selaras dengan tuntutan Melayu Islam Beraja sebagai konsep berbangsa dan bernegara orang Brunei dalam membuat perancangan dan perlaksanaan sesuatu perancangan yang melibatkan kemaslahatan peniaga-peniaga kecil dan sederhana

13. Dalam hal ini apa yang jelas ialah proses membuat keputusan tidak melibatkan sepenuhnya pandangan-pandangan rakyat terutama peniaga-peniaga di Tamu Kianggeh yang merupakan ‘stakeholder' yang tidak kurang penting dalam membuat keputusan besar ini

14. Perlu dijelaskan NDP bersetuju dengan objektif-objektif yang diketengahkan oleh pihak Lembaga Bandaran Bandar Seri Begawan dalam langkahnya memindah peniaga-peniaga di Tamu Kianggeh ke empat lokasi di Gadong

15. Akan tetapi NDP kurang bersetuju dengan langkah kearah mencapai objektif-objektif tersebut iaitu dengan menamatkan riwayat Tamu Kianggeh dan sekali gus meletakan masa hadapan peniaga-peniaga di Tamu Kianggeh dalam keadaan gusar akan masa hadapan yang boleh pasti terjamin

16. NDP juga sangat tidak selesa untuk bersetuju dengan sebarang langkah yang terdapat unsur-unsur ketidakadilan didalamnya terutama yang boleh menjejaskan mata pencarian dan masa hadapan peniaga-peniaga anak tempatan

17. NDP berkeyakinan objektif-objektif tersebut masih boleh dicapai tanpa mengambil langkah-langkah ‘drastic' yang jelas telah banyak mengundang kegelisahan dan kekecewaan dikalangan peniaga-peniaga di Tamu Kianggeh

18. Dari itu NDP berseru kepada pihak-pihak berkenaan agar memikirkan semula perancangan tersebut dengan mengambil kira semua sudut pembangunan bukan sahaja pembangunan fisikal akan tetapi lebih penting pembangunan sosial rakyat Brunei

19. NDP khuatir perlaksanaan perancangan yang gagal mengambil kira kemaslahatan peniaga-peniaga kecil dan sederhana di Tamu Kianggeh akan sekali lagi menjejaskan kredibiliti sektor perkhidmatan awam sebagai pemudahcara pembangunan bangsa dan negara, seperti juga yang pernah dicetuskan oleh isu pasar Seria yang dipindahkan ke pasar baru di Lorong Tiga.

20. Hingga kehari ini ia menjadi ristaan tentang kehancuran peniaga-peniaga Melayu yang berpunca dari perancangan yang tidak bijaksana

21. Sekali lagi NDP menyeru pihak-pihak berkenaan agar mempertimbangkan semula perancangan tersebut dengan melihat semula nilai-nilai Tamu Kianggeh sebagai satu aset sejarah dan budaya bukannya semata-mata sebagai satu liabiliti kepada persekitaran Bandar Seri Begawan

22. Ada berkatnya jika pihak-pihak berkenaan mengingati semula motto negara “BERKHIDMAT MENGIKUT PENTUNJUK ALLAH” dan bertolak dari sana serta atas landasan Negara Zikir dalam membuat sebarang perancangan dan keputusan

23. Ada juga berkatnya jika pihak-pihak berkenaan turut mengingat titah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam seperti berikut:

"Salah satu dari ciri bersyukur itu ialah dengan melaksanakan keadilan. Kerana keadilan adalah segala-galanya. Tanpa keadilan, semua kebajikan akan jauh atau menarik diri daripada kita.
 
Oleh itu, satu peringatan perlu disebut di sini, bahawa sesiapa jua yang dilantik atau dipilih menjadi pemimpin, mereka itu adalah berkewajipan untuk menjalankan keadilan. Tempat tumpahnya keadilan ialah keatas rakyat, bukan kepada diri sendiri. Adapun untuk kepentingan diri sendiri, itu bukanlah keadilan tetapi kezaliman.
 
Sebab itulah kadang-kadang, bersedia mendengar suara orang di bawah, atau menerima idea-idea yang baik, atau keluhan atau rintihan mereka dapat dianggap sebagai ciri melaksanakan keadilan."

(Titah Rombakan Keahlian Majlis Mesyuarat Menteri-Menteri Kabinet Dan Pelantikan-Pelantikan Baru 09 MUHARRAM 1437 / 22 OKTOBER 2015)

24. Semoga dengan itu nanti negara akan terus menjadi negara yang baik dimana keadilan ditegakkan, pihak yang berhak mendapat hak nya dengan adil dan ihsan, dan yang berkewajipan menjalankan kewajipan mereka dengan jujur, amanah dan bersih. In sya Allah negara uyang baik ini akan sentiasa mendapat perlindungan Allah jauh dari murka Allah.


Sumber - Laman Aspirasi NDP

Falling oil prices fail to push civil servants to save

Wail Wardi Wasil and Rachel Thien
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

PLUNGING oil prices have yet to force civil servants in Brunei to save for a rainy day, with government employees saying they need to use their annual bonus to pay off debts.

Droves of civil servants yesterday flocked to banks around the sultanate after receiving their annual bonuses.

Most civil servants interviewed by The Brunei Times said they are aware of the falling oil prices, but admitted to not being able to save money due to other obligations.

Mohd Ali Noor Yussof, 31, said he is going to use his annual bonus to pay for his children’s education such as school uniforms, books and stationeries.

“My youngest is still a baby, so what is left over from my annual bonus will probably go to her and also the house utilities as well as repairs for my car,” said the father of three.

Ministry of Development employee Zamri Hj Jaludin said Bruneians tend to spend than save because they are too used to being dependent on the government.

“In Brunei, everything is paid for; education, healthcare and many other things, so we (Bruneians) tend to think there is no need to save because all the important expenses are already handled by the state,” said the 47-year-old.

Zulwaqar Hj Zulzali, 27, said many Bruneians are not concerned about the slump in global oil prices because the effects are not yet apparent to them.

“Even when there are budgets cuts experienced by the ministries, civil servants and members of the public will not feel the impact because their salaries are not affected, which causes them to not care as much,” he added.

“Once the public see that the price of everything is starting to rise, then maybe they’ll think about what they are going to do during this recession,” said Shahirah Hamizah Hj Sahri, 26, a civil servant who did not wish her position to be stated.

According to a Reuters report, oil fell to $37.11 a barrel yesterday, with prices expected to stay low for some time.

Meanwhile, the Legislative Council (LegCo) representative of Belait district Zone 1 said residents need to realise the impact of plunging oil prices on Brunei and not continue seeking more government welfare during tough economic times.

Yang Berhormat Hj Mohd Shafiee Ahmad said he will soon raise awareness on the country’s current economic situation to his residents and that the government is doing what it can to minimise the impact of oil prices on its people.

“I would like my village residents to be considerate of this situation. Do not ask for too much while the country is facing difficulties,” he said.

YB Hj Mohd Shafiee said the global slump in oil prices is not really talked about among residents in his village.

“They (village residents) are not really talking about the situation, as they are much more concerned about their welfare and benefits,” he said.

He said the low oil prices affect everyone in the country, and that people should be concerned and do what they can to help the government.

“We must all work together and help the government when they are facing difficulties,” he added.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Program Jejak Ehsan bantu kurang berkemampuan

Oleh Hajah Saemah Kepli

KUALA BELAIT, 25 Dis – Bersempena Sambutan Maulud Nabi Muhammad S.A.W, Himpunan Wanita Pusat Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (HAWA NDP) dengan kerjasama Badan Perhubungan NDP Daerah Belait telah meneruskan Program Jejak Ehsan dengan mengunjungi sebuah keluarga yang kurang berkemampuan di kawasan Berek Mumong di sini, hari ini.

Melalui program tersebut, rombongan yang telah diketuai oleh Ketua Himpunan Wanita Pusat, Dayang Kartini binti Abdul Manap dan disertai sama oleh Naib Presiden NDP Daerah Belait, Haji Metali bin Haji Ibrahim serta beberapa orang ahli jawatankuasa mereka, telah menyampaikan sumbangan berupa keperluan asasi kepada keluarga berkenaan yang pada masa ini tinggal di Berek 773, STKRJ Kampung Mumong.

Ketua keluarga seramai tujuh orang itu, Awang Musa bin Zainal, 42, hanya bekerja sebagai buruh di sebuah syarikat tempatan, dan lima anaknya yang berusia di antara lima hingga 13 tahun masih bersekolah, manakala itu, isterinya Dayang Suziana binti Abdul Kadir, 29, hanya seorang suri rumah.

Awang Musa mendakwa, setelah dia terpaksa membayar hutang kereta, gajinya tidak mencukupi untuk menampung kehidupan mereka sekeluarga hingga ke hujung bulan, tambahan lagi gajinya sering keluar lewat antara 6 hingga 10 haribulan pada setiap bulan.

Perwakilan daripada HAWA NDP bergambar ramai bersama sebuah keluarga yang dibantu semasa kunjungan tersebut

Keluarga berkenaan pada masa ini, tinggal menumpang di berek kerajaan, setelah rumah yang mereka sewa di Kampung Mumong roboh dalam kejadian yang berlaku Mei lalu dan kediaman mereka pada masa ini, langsung tidak mempunyai sebarang perabot dan kemudahan bagi keluarga itu.

Menurut Awang Musa, mereka telah pernah menghadapkan permohonan bantuan kepada pihak berkenaan pada September 2014, tetapi sehingga kini belum mendapat jawapan, permohonannya adalah untuk mendapatkan bantuan makanan asasi dan belanja persekolahan anak-anaknya.

Anak lelaki sulungnya, 13, belajar dalam Tahun 7 di Sekolah Menengah Sekolah Menengah Sayyidina Ali, manakala anak kedua hingga keempat yang juga lelaki, masing-masing berusia 11, sembilan dan tujuh tahun, bersekolah di Sekolah Rendah Kuala Belait dalam Tahun 6, 4, dan 2, sementara itu, anak bongsu mereka berusia lima tahun akan mula bersekolah awal tahun depan di sekolah yang sama.

“Memandangkan pendapatan saya kecil, saya hanya dapat membeli persiapan sekolah anak-anak semampunya, selain terpaksa menunggu gaji saya yang keluar lambat,” kata Awang Musa.


Sumber - Media Permata

Jangan hanya mengharapkan bantuan tanpa berusaha

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Isnin, 23 Mac. - Golongan-golongan yang mendapat bantuan dari pihak-pihak berkenaan dalam kerajaan terutama bagi golongan yang masih berupaya dari sudut sihat tubuh badan, sihat mental dan fizikalnya dan masih mampu melakukan pekerjaan supaya dapat mengubah sikap mereka lebih positif dan tidak hanya mengharapkan bantuan tanpa berusaha dan berdikari.

Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Negara (MMN), Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Zasia binti Sirin menekankan demikian pada ucapan penangguhan Mesyuarat Pertama dari Musim Permesyuaratan Kesebelas MMN di Dewan Bangunan MMN.

Justeru itu, Yang Berhormat berharap ia bukan sahaja diletakkan atas kemampuan mereka semata-mata tetapi memerlukan pemikiran, penelitian dan strategi-strategi yang berkesan daripada pihak-pihak yang berkenaan.

Menyentuh kembali titah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam sempena Majlis Istiadat Pembukaan Rasmi Mesyuarat Pertama dari Musim Permesyuaratan Kesebelas MMN mengenai pendekatan penyerapan positif 'mindset' kepada rakyat iaitu "penghijrahan 'mindset' daripada semata-mata bergantung kepada bantuan kepada lebih berdikari dan berusaha" menurutnya titah tersebut adalah satu pandangan yang jauh dan bernas yang semestinya dijunjung tinggi.

"Alhamdulillah, kita juga mendengar penjelasan terperinci bagaimana pelaksanaan bantuan yang diberikan oleh pihak Jabatan Pembangunan Masyarakat (JAPEM), Majlis Ugama Islam dan agensi-agensi dalam kerajaan yang mana beberapa strategi juga telah dilakar oleh Jawatankuasa Khusus Menangani Isu Kemiskinan semata-mata dengan harapan golongan yang berkaitan akan terlepas daripada lingkaran kesempitan hidup dan kemiskinan," jelasnya.

Hal ini tambah Yang Berhormat kerana isu kemiskinan di negara ini adalah sebagai kemiskinan relatif tidak seperti keadaan kemiskinan di sesetengah negara lain.

"Kalau ini sudah menjadi dapatan atau 'finding' dalam setiap kajian kemiskinan, maka memang perlu dicari jalan supaya ada perubahan sikap yang positif, bersemangat dan seterusnya berusaha dan berdikari," katanya.

Oleh itu, Yang Berhormat menjunjung tinggi titah baginda untuk menyerapkan 'positive mindset' kepada rakyat supaya lebih matang bertindak selaras dengan tuntutan zaman. Perkara ini menjadi tanggungjawab semua pihak yang diberikan amanah sebagai pemimpin, pengurus, pentadbir dan seterusnya di semua peringkat untuk berkhidmat kepada rakyat dan penduduk dalam kategori peranan yang berbeza-beza.


Sumber - Pelita Brunei

Gov’t distributed $18m in ‘zakat’ funds last year

Quratul-Ain Bandial
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Brunei government distributed almost $18 million in zakat (alms) funds in 2014, the Minister of Religious Affairs said yesterday.

In response to questions raised during at the Legislative Council meeting, Yang Berhormat Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman said a total of $17,922, 284 had been collected from the population last year.

Some $15,970,127 was distributed to the poor and needy (Asnaf Fakir Miskin); $1,086,580 to new Muslim converts (muallaf); $657,775 to those in debt (Al-Gharimin); and $207,801 to the Amil (those employed to administer zakat).

The majority of the alms collected – some $16,923,245 from 4,386 people – was zakat harta, or alms paid on wealth.

Zakat harta refers to the mandatory alms payable by Muslims who own specific types of property, such as cattle, farms, mines or businesses.

The minister said there is still low awareness on this kind of alms-giving, which is mandatory for Muslims who possess certain kinds of wealth.

“The Friday sermon is one of the effective mediums to convey such messages. More aggressive efforts however will be carried out to remind the Muslim community of their obligation to pay zakat on wealth,” said YB Pg Dato Dr Hj Mohammad.

The rest of the zakat funds – around $924,402 collected from 328,452 people – came from zakat fitrah, the traditional alms given before Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

The minister added that all zakat funds were audited on a regular basis.

“Information disseminated needs to be easily understood to instil public confidence that the management of zakat by the relevant agency is undertaken in a proper, smooth and efficient manner.”


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Homes for less fortunate in the pipeline

PLANS are in the pipeline to build low-cost houses for the less fortunate.

YB Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Religious Affairs, said this in response to YB Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Awang Haji Othman bin Uking, who asked about the housing assistance provided by the Islamic Religious Council and plans of developing Baitulmal owned-land for the benefit of those in the asnaf zakat, poor and destitute group.

Funds from the zakat collection would be used for the construction, which is part of the “Quick Win” project run by the Prime Minister’s Office, said the minister.

“To date, two blocks of terrace houses containing eight units have been built in Ban 5 in Kampong Mulaut.

“If the person owns a land, the house will be built on it, regardless of whether the status of the land is perpetuity or Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL).

“If they do not own any land, the house would be built on a government land.

“For those who fail to get any of these two benefits, the council will rent a house for them using zakat funds.”

Among the options for this are private-owned houses and temporary accommodations in Kampong Belimbing Subok, two barracks in Belait District, four houses in Kota Batu and Kuala Lurah and five terrace houses that were constructed for the temporary settlement of new converts in Kampong Semabat and Kampong Sibut, Temburong District.

The minister said the council was continuously making efforts to develop land.


Sumber - Borneo Bulletin Online

Penerima bantuan perlu diberi pengawasan profesional

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Isnin, 9 Mac. - Penghijrahan positif ‘mindset’ dalam kalangan penerima-penerima bantuan berlaku dengan didahului penghijrahan ‘mindset’ dalam kalangan agensi-agensi kerajaan yang terlibat mengendalikan program-program bantuan.

Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Salbiah binti Haji Sulaiman berkata, selagi agensi yang terlibat mempunyai negatif ‘mindset’ dan prejudis ke atas penerima-penerima bantuan selagi itu mereka tidak akan dapat memahami secara mendalam ‘psychology’ penerima-penerima bantuan ini dan seterusnya menjadikan mereka kurang fokus dalam merangka strategi-strategi yang tepat dan berkesan.

Yang Berhomat Datin Paduka menambah selama ini dengan ‘mindset’ yang ada, kita beranggapan dengan hanya memberikan bantuan kewangan dalam BND200 atau BND300 sebulan, dengan memberikan mereka latihan-latihan kemahiran, maka mereka ini sepatutnya sudah boleh keluar daripada kemiskinan.

“Mungkin kaedah sedemikian, mencukupi bagi mereka yang mempunyai kuat semangat untuk keluar daripada kemiskinan. Akan tetapi bagi segolongan besar yang telah hidup bertahun-tahun di dalam negara yang terkenal sebagai ‘welfare state’, keadaan tersebut hanyalah bersifat ‘superficial’,” tegasnya pada Perbahasan Rang Undang-Undang Perbekalan 2015 - 2016 di Dewan Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, di sini.

Menurutnya, negatif ‘mindset’ dalam kalangan mereka yang lemah untuk berdikari itu merupakan satu ‘psychology’ dalaman yang memerlukan pendekatan dan penyelesaian secara profesional.

Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka mengutarakan pandangan langkah yang perlu diberikan perhatian ialah pembaikan yang dibuat secara berterusan ke atas program-program yang sepatutnya bersifat inovatif yang boleh ‘empower’ penerima-penerima bantuan dan yang paling mustahak dan wajib dilakukan ialah supaya mereka ini diberikan bimbingan dan pengawasan profesional yang dibuat secara berterusan oleh pegawai-pegawai yang mempunyai kepakaran-kepakaran tertentu.

Dari itu terdapat keperluan untuk mengadakan pasukan ‘social workers’ yang terlatih dan berkemahiran profesional yang  bukannya hanya dikenali sebagai ‘social worker’ dari segi penggunaan nama jawatan sahaja.

Jika dilihat dari perspektif tahap antarabangsa, tunggak dan nadi perkhidmatan kebajikan masyarakat adalah ‘social worker’ yang terlatih dan bertauliah.

Dalam masa yang sama, sebagai sebuah negara Islam program-program bantuan juga sepatutnya mengandungi program-program keagamaan bagi mengguatkan ‘spiritual’ mereka dan hubungan mereka dengan Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala.

Terdahulu, Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka berkata, penurunan hasil dari minyak dan gas memang sesuatu perkara yang membimbangkan kepada semua pihak.

Katanya, apabila ekonomi berkeadaan lembab, golongan yang mudah terjejas ialah golongan bawahan yang hidup di pinggiran, iaitu insan-insan yang sukar untuk hidup berdikari, orang yang kurang berupaya, orang tua yang hidup terbiar dan kanak-kanak dari keluarga miskin.

Bagaimanapun, bagi Tahun Kewangan 2015 / 2016, Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka menjelaskan, kerajaan telah berupaya mengekalkan peruntukan kewangan bagi program-program yang melibatkan bantuan kepada golongan-golongan berkenaan kecuali program bantuan di bawah Kementerian Pendidikan yang dikurangkan jumlahnya sebanyak BND500,000.

Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka menjelaskan masalah kewangan bukanlah merupakan masalah yang sangat besar kerana peruntukan perbelanjaan yang telah diluluskan sejak titah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam berhubung kemiskinan sifar (zero poverty) pada tahun 2008 di mana baginda telah mengurniakan dan meningkatkan peruntukan kewangan bagi isu-isu kesejahteraan, sosial dan pembasmian kemiskinan.

Di mana pada tahun 2011, peruntukan kewangan bagi isu-isu ini telah dinaikkan sebanyak lima kali ganda dari BND320 juta pada tahun 2010 kepada BND1,730 juta pada tahun 2011.

Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka berpendapat jika agensi-agensi kerajaan benar-benar mahu menyahut seruan titah Kebawah DYMM Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam supaya memeduli semua permasalahan rakyat dan penduduk dengan mengambil perspektif yang benar-benar diyakini dapat menolong memajukan dengan mengkaji semula segala dasar strategi dan tindakan yang telah dijalankan selama ini.

Dalam pada masa yang sama, Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka juga mencadangkan agar pusat-pusat perkhidmatan pemedulian sosial diadakan seperti pendekatan yang telah dilakukan oleh Kementerian Kesihatan yang menubuhkan pusat-pusat kesihatan semata-mata untuk mendekatkan atau memudahkan rakyat untuk mendapatkan perkhidmatan.


Sumber - Pelita Brunei


Skim Bantuan Sara Hidup perlu dikaji semula

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Isnin, 9 Mac. - Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Negara (MMN), Yang Berhormat Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Awang Haji Othman bin Uking menyarankan agar Skim Bantuan Sara Hidup dikaji semula supaya semua rakyat yang kurang bernasib baik akan mendapat bahagian mengikut selayaknya.

Perkara ini penting,  terutama sekali mereka yang tidak mempunyai sumber pendapatan yang tetap dan juga rakyat Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam yang berkhidmat dengan syarikat-syarikat swasta yang berpendapatan kurang daripada BND2,000 sebulan.

Yang Berhormat Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Awang Haji Othman berpendapat, mereka yang berkhidmat dengan sektor swasta juga semuanya menyumbang khidmat bakti untuk membangun negara ke arah kemajuan.

Demikian disarankan oleh Yang Berhormat Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Awang Haji Othman semasa membahaskan Rang Undang-Undang (2015) Perbekalan 2015/2016 pada Majlis Mesyuarat Pertama dari Musim Permesyuaratan Kesebelas MMN yang meneruskan persidangan pada hari ketiga di Bangunan Dewan Majlis MMN, di sini, yang dibentangkan oleh Menteri Kewangan II (Kedua) di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM), Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim.

Perkara tersebut disuarakan oleh Yang Berhormat Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Awang Haji Othman berikutan terdapatnya kakitangan kerajaan yang wajib bersara setelah berkhidmat lebih 30 tahun dan setelah mencapai umur 55 tahun, tetapi mereka  tidak mendapat wang pencen bulanan dan juga tidak mendapat sara hidup seperti guru-guru perempuan, perempuan yang telah berkahwin, pekerja-pekerja 'open vote' dan pekerja-pekerja bergaji hari dan mereka yang tidak mempunyai pendapatan tetap.

Dalam hal tersebut, jelasnya, nampak ketara perbezaan yang patut diberi perhatian oleh pihak-pihak yang berkenaan supaya rezeki yang dilimpahkan oleh Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala kepada rakyat dan negara ini akan 'diampit-ampiti' kepada golongan yang telah pun menabur jasa khidmat bakti mereka kepada negara dan rakyat.


Sumber - Pelita Brunei

‘How many people were lifted out of poverty through aid?’

Quratul-Ain Bandial
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

A LEGISLATIVE Council (LegCo) member yesterday questioned the success of state welfare programmes in alleviating poverty, saying financial aid to underprivileged families increased five-fold between 2010 and 2011 from $320 million to $1.7 billion.

Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka Hjh Salbiah Hj Sulaiman said the government has yet to disclose the number of families lifted out of poverty through state financial aid.

Without a concrete way to measure the effectiveness of government welfare assistance, the issue will continue to be raised over the years, she said during a sitting of the 11th Legislative Council yesterday.

“We have been told that the number of underprivileged has increased to 5,472 families, and it is not wrong to say, that this number will increase dramatically in the near future when government employees retire under the TAP and SCP schemes… the problem of poverty will be repeatedly raised in this House,” she said.

“I think success stories we have been waiting for are not concerning how many people are covered by the (welfare) programmes provided, but how many have been successfully removed from poverty.”

In order for welfare programmes to be effective, it requires not only a change in mindset by the people, but also by the state agencies responsible for welfare assistance, she said.

“As long as government agencies have a negative mindset and prejudice towards welfare recipients they will not be able to understand the psychology of such people and unable to formulate effective strategies,” she said.

“We think by providing financial assistance of $200 or $300 a month and by giving them skills training, they should be able to get out of poverty. Perhaps such methods are sufficient for those who have a strong drive to get out of poverty but for the multitude of people who have lived many years in a country known as the welfare state, this approach is only superficial,” she added.

YB Datin Hjh Salbiah said government agencies must formulate policies that would address the root of poverty and not just throw money at the problem.

She called for a review of all government strategies to reduce poverty, adding that Brunei could benefit from having social services centres and teams of dedicated social workers with the expertise to provide guidance to underprivileged families.

“I am aware that the issue of poverty contains serious and complex challenges… However, failure to address this will beget higher costs, such as the financial burden of financing welfare programmes, the cost of social problems caused by troubled youths, abandoned children, school drop-outs, unemployment and crime.”

With a sluggish economy and falling oil prices causing national oil and gas revenues to decline by 38 per cent, the increasing cost of welfare assistance concerns all parties, she added.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Hampir semua sasaran MDGs dicapai

Oleh Sim Y. H.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 2 Mac – Negara Brunei Darussalam hampir mencapai kesemua lapan Matlamat Pembangunan Milenium (MDGs) yang disasarkan yang mana Brunei telah berjaya untuk menghapuskan kemiskinan yang melampau, penyakit-penyakit berjangkit telah berjaya ditangani serta negara terus memperbaiki kedudukan ekuiti secara progresif.

Di samping itu, peluang-peluang pendidikan disediakan bagi pelajar-pelajar lelaki dan perempuan pada setiap peringkat dan wanita kini mempunyai tahap penyertaan dalam tenaga kerja yang tinggi serta jumlah bagi menjawat jawatan kanan di sektor awam juga meningkat.

Pada masa yang sama, Negara Brunei Darussalam juga merupakan di antara kumpulan negara yang menguruskan sumber asli dan alam sekitarnya selaras dengan prinsip pembangunan mampan.

Perkara itu dinyatakan oleh Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Perancangan dan Kemajuan Ekonomi (JPKE), Haji Abdul Amin bin Haji Hashim dalam kata alu-aluannya di Majlis Penandatanganan Kontrak Perjanjian Perkhidmatan Bagi Penyediaan Laporan Ketiga Matlamat Pembangunan Milenium (MDGs) Negara Brunei Darussalam yang berlangsung di Hotel Badi’ah, Bandar Seri Begawan, hari ini.

Hadir di majlis berkenaan bagi menyaksikan penandatanganan itu ialah Pemangku Ketua Pengarah JPKE, Pengiran Hajah Rosnah binti Pengiran Haji Damit.

Turut hadir ialah pegawai-pegawai kanan kerajaan serta ahli-ahli Focal Points MDGs yang telah dilantik dari pelbagai agensi kerajaan yang berkenaan.

Haji Abdul Amin dalam kata alu-aluannya turut menyatakan bahawa Brunei juga melihat dirinya sebagai sebahagian daripada kerjasama global dalam pembangunan dan kerjasama sokongan teknikal bagi manfaat negara-negara yang kurang membangun.

Di samping itu, Brunei juga terus melabur dalam sumber manusia negara termasuk dalam sains dan teknologi untuk mengekalkan momentum pembangunan negara.

Pada masa yang sama, beliau menyatakan adalah amat penting bagi semua pihak untuk menggandakan lagi usaha hasil daripada pencapaian yang sedia ada supaya akan mampu untuk meningkatkan lagi pencapaian itu dari segi kualiti pembangunan sosioekonomi.

Majlis diteruskan dengan penandatanganan kontrak perjanjian di antara kerajaan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam dan perunding yang disyorkan oleh Program Pembangunan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu, PT Asia Strategik, Indonesia.

Menandatangani bagi pihak kerajaan ialah Haji Abdul Amin dan bagi pihak PT Asia Strategik ialah Dr Staish Mishra dengan penandatanganan itu disaksikan oleh Pengiran Hajah Rosnah.

Penandatanganan itu menandakan permulaan penyediaan Laporan Ketiga bagi Negara Brunei Darussalam mengenai Pelaksanaan MDGs Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu.

Selepas majlis penandatanganan berkenaan, seminar telah dijalankan oleh Dr Satish Moishra bagi mendapatkan pemahaman yang lebih baik mengenai proses-proses yang diperlukan dalam penyediaan laporan berkenaan.

Seminar itu juga sebagai satu forum bagi membincangkan dengan lebih lanjut lagi perkara-perkara berkaitan perkembangan dan isu-isu yang dihadapi oleh Focal Points MDGs dalam pengumpulan data dan maklumat MDGs yang berkaitan dengan agensi kementerian masing-masing.

Negara Brunei Darussalam telah mencapai hampir kesemua sasaran MDGs dan Laporan Negara Ketiga itu adalah sebagai susulan kepada laporan MDGs pertama dan kedua yang masing-masing telah diterbitkan pada 2005 dan 2010.

Laporan ketiga itu merupakan laporan terakhir bagi menilai pencapaian dan pengalaman negara dalam MDGs yang akan menjadi satu tanda aras sebagai persediaan negara menghadapi Agenda Pembangunan PBB Pasca-2015.

Laporan MDGs itu akan merangkumi pelbagai petunjuk pembangunan dan akan digunakan semasa Sidang Kemuncak Ketua-Ketua Negara, PBB pada September 2015.

Sasaran MDGs pada 2015 adalah berasaskan kepada Deklarasi Milenium yang telah dipersetujui oleh 189 buah negara-negara anggota PBB semasa Perhimpunan Milenium pada September 200.

Lapan sasaran atau matlamat pembangunan yang digariskan oleh PBB adalah membasmi kemiskinan dan kelaparan, mencapai pendidikan rendah yang sejagat, meningkatkan kesaksamaan jantina dan memperkasakan wanita, mengurangkan mortaliti (kematian) kanak-kanak, memperbaiki kesihatan ibu bersalin, mencegah HIV/AIDS, malaria dan penyakit lain, memastikan alam sekitar yang mantap serta mewujudkan perkongsian global untuk pembangunan.


Sumber - Media Permata