His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday made a working visit to the Public Service Department (JPA) in Berakas.

The monarch was greeted on arrival by the Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdul Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim and the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awg Hj Mohd Yasmin bin Hj Umar.

Also present were the two Deputy Ministers at the Prime Minister's Office, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Abd Wahab bin Juned and Dato Paduka Awg Hj Ali bin Hj Apong, Permanent Secretaries and senior government officers.

Officers and staff of JPA lined up to greet His Majesty as the monarch proceeded to a meeting room where His Majesty delivered an 18-minute titah highlighting the need to review the system for promotion of government officers in the B2-EB3 salary scale or above and its equivalent which currently requires the officers to pass the General Order (GO) and Financial Regulation (FR) Examinations.

This was followed by a tour to different sections of JPA including research and training, administration, development and management, personnel services and training. His Majesty also took a closer look at the Government Employee Management System (GEMS) and the Strategic Management Unit (UPS).

GEMS is a human resource management system that will help realise the aspirations of modernising and transforming Brunei's civil service HR functions and operations.

The project is being carried out by the Public Service Department under the sponsorship of the Prime Minister's Office.

His Majesty also visited the Civil Service Commission (SPA) where potential government employees sit for interviews and written tests.

The officers and staff of various sections of JPA also posed for group photos. - Borneo Bulletin (26 April 2012)