Civil servants' duty is to assist ruler
SOURCE: THE BRUNEI TIMES

Home Affairs Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Badaruddin, delivers his talk in conjunction with the 18th Civil Service, held at ICC, Berakas. Picture: BT/Saifulizam Some of the participants attending the special talk. Picture: BT/Saifulizam

Civil servants in the nation must realise that a country's ruler is obliged to appoint qualified persons to assist him in running the administrative work of the government, as ordained by Islam, the Minister of Home Affairs said yesterday.

Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman explained that appointments made in the public sector was in line with the teachings of Islam to help rulers in administrative matters according to their job appointments.

He added that Islam has set obligations for a nation's ruler to obey, including appointing qualified persons to be officers.

Therefore, it is ideal for staff from the civil service to view duties, services, responsibilities, efforts and achievements as something entrusted upon them in assisting the king in affairs of the state, the minister said in his talk delivered yesterday in conjunction with the 18th Civil Service Day which fell on October 13 last year.

At the same time, he added, he or she should realise that they are more than just officers and staff.

"He is also Allah's servant who is asked to do jobs and seek sustenance (rezeki)," the minister said.

Brunei has a high number of civil servants considering that the size of its territory and small population he said, adding that this excludes those serving as policemen and military personnel.

The ratio of about 12 citizens being handled by one civil servant is relatively small compared to other developing countries, he admitted.

The minister, however, pointed out that this fact should not portray a negative image about our civil service.

On a positive note, the big number of the civil servants is an important factor that contributes to the government's and nation's steadfastness.

"There's a special fine but sturdy bond among the government servants."

"This is because the role of the government in its ruling is not limited to manage, prepare and provide services but also to lead, order and regulate", the minister said.

Pehin Dato Hj Badaruddin also reminded that the government should never and were not supposed to let go of their duties and its roles of leading and regulating.

"That is the nation's (government) prerogative towards its people," said the minister.

He related that this is where the public sector plays an important role in ensuring the success of government's function.

The primary objective of the talk was to motivate civil servants in the country to be more productive and dedicated in their jobs.

The talk was addressed towards officers and staff from Division 2, 3, 4 and 5 who have served in the government for five to seven years.

Senior government officers also attended the talk which was held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday morning.