By Sonia K. & P. Marilyn

Deliberations continued among the ministers and council members yesterday at the 5th Legislative Council session.

Questions that were raised during the meeting touched on illegal investment schemes or 'get-rich-quick' scams, energy research projects, unemployment and improvement in electricity supply.

Orang Kaya Jaya Putera Dato Paduka Awang Haji Muhammad Taha bin Abd Rauf, a council member, brought up the issue of get-rich-quick scams and unlicensed investment schemes. He asked how serious the problem is and how many Bruneians have been caught involved in these schemes.

He asked how much money was involved in these cases and what the authorities are doing to curb the problem.

Minister of Finance II, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, answering the query, said he cannot give specific information on the matter but the ministry is aware that millions of dollars are known to be involved in these schemes.

That is why the Ministry of Finance, from time to time, issues press releases or holds forums and briefings to educate the public on such money-making schemes.

The ministry tries its best to ensure that the public do not get "pulled into" unlicensed deposit-taking schemes, he said.

He said it is important for the public to be wary of such schemes because what is usually promised to investors - higher returns - usually involves higher risks.

He advised people, who want to invest in these schemes, to first consult the Ministry of Finance or financial institutions regarding the status of the companies offering the investment schemes.

Meanwhile, council member Dato Paduka Awg Haji Yunos bin Mohd Noh, asked several questions to the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awg Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud, on vacancies in the government sector and the country's unemployment figures.

He said there are about 7,000 vacant positions in various ministries in the government sector but the country still has an unemployment figure of more than 7,000.

He also commented on the long wait for applicants to be called for interviews for jobs in the government sector.

The Minister of Energy, in his response, said the Civil Service Commission or Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam (SPA) is currently taking the initiative to fill the vacancies by appointing "rapidly".

The reason for the delay in interviews involves a number of factors, which are not under the jurisdiction of the SPA. This is because before an appointment is made, it has to undergo various processes and information has to be checked properly to ensure that the applicant is appropriate for the post and has the relevant qualifications. This takes time because it is not done by SPA alone but involves various government agencies, said the minister.

On electrical services, council member Dato Paduka Awang Haji Idris bin Haji Abas raised the issue of energy conservation as energy is needed in daily activities.

He said Brunei should make an effort to conduct research on energy conservation and management, and renewable energy.

Dato Paduka Awang Haji Idris said, from his understanding, UBD is currently applying for funding for six energy research projects. The projects are estimated to cost a total of B$14 million.

The council member said he supported these science and technology research projects and hoped that the budget for the projects will be approved.

Council member Haji Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad too supported the idea of research on alternative energy.

He said alternative energy such as solar power is something that Brunei can adopt or look in to.

He also asked when the Electrical Services Department in Kuala Belait will be able to curb electricity interruptions experienced in the area.

He said that Seria also experienced electricity interruptions.

He asked if more electricity capacity will be added to strengthen the energy supply in Kuala Belait.

In response, the Minister of Energy said several plans have been carried out to improve the electricity supply, especially in Seria.

The Electrical Services Department has also picked a new consultant and the advertisement for tenders for the project will be out in May this year.

Hopefully this project will begin in July this year, the minister said, so that the situation can improve soon.

Another significant issue raised by council member Haji Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad to the Minister of Energy relates to the employment of foreigners in high positions with the local oil industry.

He urged the Petroleum Unit to investigate why fewer locals are employed in such posts and to not just settle for the reason that locals are less capable and less experienced in filling these positions.

The Minister of Energy said that the Petroleum Unit has always carried out investigations on this matter.

The outcome is reflected in the increase in locals holding senior positions in the oil industry. The minister cited an example whereby as of March 2009, 57.7 per cent locals filled senior positions at Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd compared to in the year 2000 when only 17 out of 43 locals held senior positions.

During the deliberations, the Minister of Finance was asked by a representative to give a brief overview of the budget allocation for the Ministry of Defence this year.

Just like the previous years, the budget allocated for defence takes into account the responsibilities of the defence force and the duties that have been entrusted to the Ministry of Defence that can be seen as more challenging year after year.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin - March 18, 2009