By Laila Rahman
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, yesterday continued his series of working visits to the Ministry of Finance.
On arrival at the Ministry of Finance Building, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Finance II, Pehin Dato Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim; Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Dato Awang Haji Eussoff Agaki bin Hj Ismail; Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Finance, Dato Awang Haji Ali bin Apong and Dato Awang Haji Metassan bin Momin; Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Awang Hj Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos; and officers at the Ministry of Finance.
Also present during the visit was Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Pengiran Dato Hj Abd Hamid bin Pengiran Hj Mohd Yassin and Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Dayang Hajah Salbiah bte Hj Sulaiman.
His Royal Highness's working visit began with a visit to the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) where on arrival HRH was greeted by the Managing Director of BIA, Dr. Awang Hj Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah.
His Royal Highness was then ushered to the Board of Directors Meeting Room for a closed briefing session. Dr. Awang Hj Mohd Amin Liew briefed HRH on the roles and functions of the agency, its organisational structure and the various sections in the agency.
During the visit, His Royal Highness consented to visit various sections of the agency to have a closer look at the facilities available while being briefed on the agency's current achievements.
His Royal Highness next visited the Information Technology and State Store Department, where HRH was welcomed by its Director, Awang Haji Mahmud bin Hj Daud.
During the visit, HRH viewed an exhibition on the department's activities and statistics of its achievements, which include its roles in the field of Information Technology, store, supply of essential goods (rice and sugar) and also inspectors for the "writing off" of government property. His Royal Highness then made a tour of the various sections of the department and had a closer look at their respective roles and functions.
His Royal Highness's working visit in the morning proceeded with a series of visits to several important sections under the Ministry of Finance including the Information Technology Centre, Payroll Section and Bag Network, which is a private company that manages the TAFIS system that has been introduced.
His Royal Highness then visited the Treasury department where on arrival HRH was greeted by Acting Accountant General, Awang Haji Abdul Hamid bin Janudin. During the visit, HRH was presented with an exhibition on the department's organisational structure and statistics of its developments and achievements to date. His Royal Highness also had an opportunity to take a closer look at the tasks carried out by the department pertaining to various processes relating to payment, monitoring of expenditure and revenue records in accordance with the regulations underlined in the Financial Regulations 1983.
His Royal Highness then made a visit to the Employees Trust Fund (TAP) and was greeted on arrival by Pehin Major General (B) Dato Awang Haji Mohammad bin Hj Daud, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports as the Chairman of Employees Trust Fund Board and other members of the board.
During the visit, His Royal Highness consented to visit various sections while being briefed by its Managing Director on the roles and functions of TAP which among others are aimed at ensuring that all employers make the required contributions to their employees and members receive appropriate returns on their TAP savings in accordance with the TAP Act.
His Royal Highness next proceeded to the Ministry of Finance's prayer hall to perform the mass zohor prayer before attending a luncheon and a get-together with senior officers and staff of the Ministry of Finance at a nearby hotel.
In the afternoon, His Royal Highness visited the Department of Royal Customs and Excise head office and was welcomed by the Controller of Royal Customs and Excise, Awang Haji Brahim bin Hj Ismail. During the visit, HRH viewed an exhibition on the department's organisational structure including various activities that have taken place, current developments and achievements.
His Royal Highness also made a tour of various sections of the department while being briefed on its roles in implementing the collection of custom revenue, enforcing the custom and excise law, to facilitate the development of trade and industry and coordinates the control of restricted and prohibited goods.
Yesterday's visit by His Royal Highness to the Ministry of Finance has once again shown HRH's concern on the implementation of their roles and functions of the various agencies and sections under the Ministry of Finance in their capacity as the main drivers of success towards the realisation of the Ministry of Finance's mission, vision and objectives.
This working visit was also in continuity and a concerted support to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's efforts towards ensuring that government agencies are more aware of and responsive to current developments, in order to ensure the country's prosperity and harmony while jointly upholding the nation's aspirations.
- Borneo Bulletin
(20th Jan 2006)
