Being a small nation, Brunei Darussalam is in a unique position of being able to take a relatively fresh approach to E-Government, industry analysts said. At the same time, as an early follower, Brunei will also be able to benefit from lessons learnt by other world government and this could give Brunei an opportunity to be at the leading edge.
"Our small size and relatively open economy gives us the agility to respond to changes in the technological landscape much faster than many of our neighbouring countries," they said.
The move towards e-government is definitely heading towards the right direction with various electronic projects currently being tendered out.
Electronic projects such as the supply, installation, development and commissioning of e-map and the supply, delivery, installation, development, testing and commissioning of a data centre, network infrastructure and services for the Ministry of Development are early phases towards a "paperless bureaucracy" in Brunei.
Such paperless bureaucracy in the government will be extended to reach the mass population to achieve the vision of a 'paperless society', they said.
Some 40 to 50 companies are reported to be interested for each of the two tenders which must be submitted on August 4.
However, some tender applicants said at least one tenderer has an added advantage over the others since the tenderer is also an authorised distributor of computer software specified in the tender document.
"The specified software needed for the project must only be obtained from the local vendor as it is the authorised dealer.
"We had referred to the software's overseas main office which advised us to go through the local dealer," they said.
Whilst appreciating the local vendor for being chosen as the specified software sole distributor in Brunei, the tenderers said the vendor has an added advantage over the others as it is also tendering for the projects.
"All other tenderers must go to the company to get quotation. This is an added advantage as it knows our quotations for the specified software. Furthermore the software supplier could manipulate the prices as it is also a participant of the projects being tendered," they said. "We feel that the company should be disqualified."
Quelle: Borneo Bulletin
