This was stated by Dato Paduka Hj Kamis Hj Tamin, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, as guest of honour for the 14th Celebration of Tutong's Public Services 2007, which was held yesterday at the Seri Kenangan Hall in the district. He added that efficient services could generate growth and development for the Sultanate's economy. A stable development relies on the machinery of the Public Services, which can meet the community's requirements and hopes.
The Public Services is always being challenged by customers who want fast, efficient and quality work and constantly make comparisons with those abroad or the private sector in terms of management.
With that in mind, the Public Services must evaluate itself through a number of means, such as a review from time to time, and introducing and preparing to accept new approaches and steps towards improvement, such as utilising modern technology in the field of ICT under the e-Government plan.
A programme has been prepared to raise human resources in order to be able to utilise the infrastructure and conveniences to optimum level in both the short and long terms.
The permanent secretary also announced that as much as $250 million has been allocated to the Human Resources Fund towards such developments.
There are six main programmes listed to be carried out as a means of supporting and raising the government's efforts at this time.
Their priorities are those related to expertise needed by all sectors within the Public Services, including a rise in professionalism, skills and capabilities.
He pointed out that there is a general need to balance the human resources that can be found in the organisation, including within the Public Services, in terms of policy makers, professionals and staff members, but not in terms of numbers per se.
This must be scrutinised by every ministry to enable them to take advantage of programmes and ensure that the rise in capabilities to utilise the funds is in line with each ministry's plans.
"We want excellent Public Services. I am aware that at the organisational level, this can only be achieved when its members have remarkable qualities. And so this calls for a more educated, skilled and committed workforce with high work ethics," he concluded.
Dato Paduka Hj Kamis also presented 133 officers and staff members from the Public Services who have retired this year with their certificates as a means to show appreciation for their services and contributions.
In addition, the guest of honour presented prizes to six bronze winners in the 10th National KKC (Kumpulan Kerja Cemerlang) Competition.
They comprised the Titih Group of the Prime Minister's Office, Emas Group and Jasa Awam Group from the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Development's Usaha Group, the Masa Group from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Health's Lebah Madu Group.
To show their commitment, Tutong officials and staff members also went onstage to take their Public Services oath with Acting District Officer Hj Jamain Momin leading the group and witnessed by the guest of honour and other attendees.
In his speech, the Acting District Officer of Tutong said that to show their gratitude for the conveniences enjoyed, members of the Public Services should be honest, trustworthy and self-reflective, as well as having high work ethics and the ability to evaluate.
As part of the ceremony, a reading of the al-Fatihah was also conducted, followed by a reading of the al-Quran verses and its interpretations. There was also a choir performance by the Public Services as well as a video clip on KKC.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Aemy Azlena
Quelle/Source: Brunei Direct, 20.11.2007
