Main reason for complacency in the civil service
Hj Duraman Tuah: Ex-Civil Service Institute senior officer. Picture: Rasidah HAB
RASIDAH HAB
BRUNEI MUARA
Monday, January 12, 2009
Poor enforcement of discipline has led to lack of work ethics, poor morale
THE lackadaisical attitude towards enforcement of discipline in the civil service is a major reason for complacency and poor morale among its ranks, a seminar was told yesterday.
A retired senior officer from the Civil Service Institute, Prime Minister's Office, Hj Duraman Tuah said this in an interview with The Brunei Times, after presenting his working paper titled " The Achievement of the Civil Service after Independence" on the final day of the "Regional Seminar: History" held yesterday at Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
The seminar was co-organised by the Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation and Brunei History Association (Pesebar).
Hj Duraman said though his presentation focused mainly on the role of the Civil Service Institute in supporting all the government projects in the development of the country, his working paper, also highlighted the issues of poor discipline, complacency and low morale.
He said while still working with Civil Service Institute, he was involved in conducting courses and delivering talks to government departments, with the hope that the civil service would function better, but the main problem lay in the poor enforcement of government regulations.
He said if there was proper enforcement, civil servants would not be complacent, breach work discipline or take the matter half-heartedly.
" They think that the government would not take any action against them even if they come to work late," he said adding that all this boiled down to discipline problems which should no longer exist as the government could no longer tolerate complacency.
" There is also the question of morale, he said adding that morale in the civil service had fallen — no matter how well or bad they do their work, nobody cares," he said.
Enforcement is the main obstacle. Disciplinary action must applied equally to all, regardless of rank. "It is our culture in Brunei, that the subordinates would follow the example of the top people but they do not think that this involves issues of job responsibility or commitment on their part.
If comprehensive training were to accompany enforcement, with emphasis on character and work ethics, it will greatly benefit the country's development. "But we have not seen this," he added.
Since retiring two years ago, Hj Duraman felt that the situation had deteriorated and expressed his dismay considering that the effort put towards organising talks and courses had not really borne fruit.
"Don't put the blame on the system, the system is fine. The problem is in the way we implement it?" he said.
"The problem happens when those responsible have the perception that regardless of how they perform, they would still be getting their salaries."
If the authorities want to take action, there are appropriate regulations for them to do so, as specified in the General Orders (GO).
" Take action once to set an example, then probably the culprits would not dare to break the rules again," he said.
"Brunei cannot afford such complacency, not with the total number of civil servants in the country. However, it appears that this will continue to happen. How long are we going to tolerate this?" he asked.
" This is a reminder to us all. It is us that will have to take any good or bad implications from this. That is why in this seminar, element of history is included, so that we can learn from what has happened and not repeat the mistakes.
The Brunei Times
Showing posts with label governance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label governance. Show all posts
Monday, January 12, 2009
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
People still in dark about new taxes
People still in dark about new taxes
IZAM SAID YA'AKUB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
RESIDENTS in Bandar Seri Begawan's newly-zoned municipality have been left perturbed by lack of information regarding the taxes to be levied.
After waiting for more than a year, residents are concerned about the lack of transparency and representation when it comes to paying taxes for their homes and property. "We are trying to find out how will we be taxed, so we can make the necessary arrangements," said a resident of Anggrek Desa. "So far the Municipal Department has not said anything, except that it will be announced accordingly," said the resident who is employed in the private sector.
There are others who feel that more needs to be done when it comes to the services that come hand-in-hand with the taxes which are expected to come in force the new year. "Like it or not, I have to oblige with the rates (of taxes)," said a Gadong land owner who wants to remain anonymous. "Some services, such as the collection of waste may not be up to our standards, but if I was to outsource them, I'd be out of my pocket." Many would like the services to be outlined in detail so they know what is being done with the taxpayer's money. "So far it has been a one-way street, and it would be good if the municipal department took a greater look into the details as to what is needed in terms of services."
The Brunei Times contacted the Municipal Department which declined to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, members of the public are becoming frustrated with the authority which is handling the issue as they have been told that the matter is still confidential. "I had called the (Municipal) Department, to ask about when the taxes are due and to find out more about the levies, but the person answering my call said the matter was still confidential," said a member of the Civil Service, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "I called not as a member of the civil service, but as a resident of the municipal area."
"First of all what comes with the taxes? New services and better infrastructure? Since the rezoning, I do not see any improvement taking place," says a resident in Bunut.
"This side of Jalan Tutong, after the traffic lights at Telanai has never been smooth. I would be hard done by to suddenly pay an entire year's worth of taxes despite not seeing anything changing over the last 12 months," he added.
The sentiment was further echoed by residents living in Kg Mabohai and Kg Kiarong, who have spoken on condition of anonymity. The residents in question have been paying the land taxes for years on end, and while they do not complain of having to do so, their grievances lie in the services lacking.
"We pay every year the taxes to the municipal department, but the access road to our house is not maintained. Previously if there were any potholes, the cost of repairs would have to be borne by us," said a member of a family in Kg Mabohai.
On the other side of town, a resident of Kg Kiarong has spoken out about how patches of road along Jln Kiarong become flooded during heavy rainfall.
"The roads will be covered in water, and in some areas it will be deep enough to stop some cars," said the 27-year-old, Kartika Rahman.
"The water subsides shortly after, but it means that the drainage system cannot cope with the weather as it is today."
A flyer from the Municipal department outlining some of the services which come hand in hand with the taxes include access roads, street lighting, and water utilities. Alongside these there are also additional services from the Fire and Rescue Department and the Royal Brunei Police Force.
Before property owners who resided outside of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal area were not taxed earlier. However, after it was rezoned in August 2007, 12 additional mukims will be taxable by the Municipal Department.
The increased land boundary is aimed at improving the aesthetics of the capital and to regulate the growth and management of the outlying suburbs covers which include Kianggeh, Gadong, Kilanas and Kota Batu.
The area under the Bandar Seri Begawan municipal had been drastically increased to 100.36 square kilometres (10,036.24 hectares) from a relatively small 12.87 square kilometres (1,287 hectares) in August 2007.The Brunei Times
IZAM SAID YA'AKUB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
RESIDENTS in Bandar Seri Begawan's newly-zoned municipality have been left perturbed by lack of information regarding the taxes to be levied.
After waiting for more than a year, residents are concerned about the lack of transparency and representation when it comes to paying taxes for their homes and property. "We are trying to find out how will we be taxed, so we can make the necessary arrangements," said a resident of Anggrek Desa. "So far the Municipal Department has not said anything, except that it will be announced accordingly," said the resident who is employed in the private sector.
There are others who feel that more needs to be done when it comes to the services that come hand-in-hand with the taxes which are expected to come in force the new year. "Like it or not, I have to oblige with the rates (of taxes)," said a Gadong land owner who wants to remain anonymous. "Some services, such as the collection of waste may not be up to our standards, but if I was to outsource them, I'd be out of my pocket." Many would like the services to be outlined in detail so they know what is being done with the taxpayer's money. "So far it has been a one-way street, and it would be good if the municipal department took a greater look into the details as to what is needed in terms of services."
The Brunei Times contacted the Municipal Department which declined to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, members of the public are becoming frustrated with the authority which is handling the issue as they have been told that the matter is still confidential. "I had called the (Municipal) Department, to ask about when the taxes are due and to find out more about the levies, but the person answering my call said the matter was still confidential," said a member of the Civil Service, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "I called not as a member of the civil service, but as a resident of the municipal area."
"First of all what comes with the taxes? New services and better infrastructure? Since the rezoning, I do not see any improvement taking place," says a resident in Bunut.
"This side of Jalan Tutong, after the traffic lights at Telanai has never been smooth. I would be hard done by to suddenly pay an entire year's worth of taxes despite not seeing anything changing over the last 12 months," he added.
The sentiment was further echoed by residents living in Kg Mabohai and Kg Kiarong, who have spoken on condition of anonymity. The residents in question have been paying the land taxes for years on end, and while they do not complain of having to do so, their grievances lie in the services lacking.
"We pay every year the taxes to the municipal department, but the access road to our house is not maintained. Previously if there were any potholes, the cost of repairs would have to be borne by us," said a member of a family in Kg Mabohai.
On the other side of town, a resident of Kg Kiarong has spoken out about how patches of road along Jln Kiarong become flooded during heavy rainfall.
"The roads will be covered in water, and in some areas it will be deep enough to stop some cars," said the 27-year-old, Kartika Rahman.
"The water subsides shortly after, but it means that the drainage system cannot cope with the weather as it is today."
A flyer from the Municipal department outlining some of the services which come hand in hand with the taxes include access roads, street lighting, and water utilities. Alongside these there are also additional services from the Fire and Rescue Department and the Royal Brunei Police Force.
Before property owners who resided outside of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal area were not taxed earlier. However, after it was rezoned in August 2007, 12 additional mukims will be taxable by the Municipal Department.
The increased land boundary is aimed at improving the aesthetics of the capital and to regulate the growth and management of the outlying suburbs covers which include Kianggeh, Gadong, Kilanas and Kota Batu.
The area under the Bandar Seri Begawan municipal had been drastically increased to 100.36 square kilometres (10,036.24 hectares) from a relatively small 12.87 square kilometres (1,287 hectares) in August 2007.The Brunei Times
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Approval Made Easy With Online System
Approval Made Easy With Online System
By Syafiq Affendy
Courtesy of Brudirect
18 November 2008
Civil Servants are an important element in the nation's success. The human resource is seen as the pulse of the Civil Service sector, which has a long-term value as a generator, Connector, mover and coordinator towards services and other assets in providing a more efficient, effective and customer friendly services.
The Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Ismail bin Pg Hj Mohamed, said this at the Tutong District Level 15th Civil Service Day celebration, held at Tutong Community Hall, in the Tutong District.
"Brunei's Civil Service has changed drastically. As the world has seen swift changes, global competitiveness has brought bigger challenges for every sector in the county, including the private sector," he said.
Pg Dato Paduka Hj Ismail recalled HRH the Crown Prince's sabda about efforts to establish an online business license application system, which the Permanent Secretary said has gone through the first phase and the contract signed at the end of October this year.
"The project will create 'business process engineering, BPR' or identifying the processes of each application, as well as agencies involved, and consider suggestions to make the system better towards customer friendliness."
He added that with this project, entrepreneurs or business applicants no longer need to go from one office to another seeking for approval. Furthermore, the application process will be shortened especially after the second phase is completed.
"It is one of the government's initiatives under e-Government to increase the use of Info Communications Technology in increasing the quality of efficient and effective civil service. Since the introduction of e-Government approximately eight years ago, a total of 97 projects worth of a total of $222.5 million have been completed while 35 projects worth 5143 million are currently in progress," he said.
He also said that introducing the new services and technology lead to increasing the quality of administration and enhancing the civil services.
The attendees were also reminded that another aspect which is demanded in civil services is integrity, which is commonly related to others such as trustworthiness, honesty, and also to give priority to the public without taking advantage of any situation. The ceremony was also attended by Tutong District Officer. Awg Hj Idris bin Hj Md Ali, who led the oath-taking of more than 50 civil servants from various departments. Certificates to commemorate retiring civil servants were presented by the guest of honor, Permanent Secretary- at the Prime Minister's Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Ismail.
The guest of honor later viewed the exhibits by various government departments.
By Syafiq Affendy
Courtesy of Brudirect
18 November 2008
Civil Servants are an important element in the nation's success. The human resource is seen as the pulse of the Civil Service sector, which has a long-term value as a generator, Connector, mover and coordinator towards services and other assets in providing a more efficient, effective and customer friendly services.
The Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Ismail bin Pg Hj Mohamed, said this at the Tutong District Level 15th Civil Service Day celebration, held at Tutong Community Hall, in the Tutong District.
"Brunei's Civil Service has changed drastically. As the world has seen swift changes, global competitiveness has brought bigger challenges for every sector in the county, including the private sector," he said.
Pg Dato Paduka Hj Ismail recalled HRH the Crown Prince's sabda about efforts to establish an online business license application system, which the Permanent Secretary said has gone through the first phase and the contract signed at the end of October this year.
"The project will create 'business process engineering, BPR' or identifying the processes of each application, as well as agencies involved, and consider suggestions to make the system better towards customer friendliness."
He added that with this project, entrepreneurs or business applicants no longer need to go from one office to another seeking for approval. Furthermore, the application process will be shortened especially after the second phase is completed.
"It is one of the government's initiatives under e-Government to increase the use of Info Communications Technology in increasing the quality of efficient and effective civil service. Since the introduction of e-Government approximately eight years ago, a total of 97 projects worth of a total of $222.5 million have been completed while 35 projects worth 5143 million are currently in progress," he said.
He also said that introducing the new services and technology lead to increasing the quality of administration and enhancing the civil services.
The attendees were also reminded that another aspect which is demanded in civil services is integrity, which is commonly related to others such as trustworthiness, honesty, and also to give priority to the public without taking advantage of any situation. The ceremony was also attended by Tutong District Officer. Awg Hj Idris bin Hj Md Ali, who led the oath-taking of more than 50 civil servants from various departments. Certificates to commemorate retiring civil servants were presented by the guest of honor, Permanent Secretary- at the Prime Minister's Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Ismail.
The guest of honor later viewed the exhibits by various government departments.
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