e-Government A Priority, Says Special Adviser

Pehin Dato Awang Haji Isa

Bandar Seri Begawan – The introduction of e-Government over the last decade has rapidly become one of the main priorities for governments all around the world.

Pehin Dato Awang Haji Isa, Special Advisor to His Majesty at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Home Affairs, said its prioritisation has been spurred on greatly by the cutting edge of technology, coupled with an exponential growth in technology related services based on the provision of access to the internet.

Speaking at the opening of the 12th Asean Conference on Civil Services Matters (ACCSM), Pehin Dato Haji Awang Isa said the Info-Communication Technology (ICT), revolution promises to redefine the way of work and interact.

It promises ever greater efficiency, transparency and flexibility in workplace and in many ways it has delivered on these promises.

Meanwhile, in his introductory remarks, Dato Haji Hazair, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, touched on the role of the Asean civil services.

He said the services are to ensure that governments are able to meet the vision of the leaders and to help consolidate and enhance the achievements of Asean as a dynamic, resilient and cohesive regional association working for the well being of the people.

The three-day conference carries the theme 'e-Government: an opportunity for national development and public sector modernisation'.

The delegates among others deliberate on measures to further broaden the scope of cooperation particularly to help expedite the process of implementing the e-government concept within the Asean civil services.

The opening ceremony was held at the Jerudong Park and Country Club yesterday.

Dato Haji Hazair said the 12th ACCSM Conference is timely with the conclusion of the recent 9th Asean summit in Bali, Indonesia where it is very visible that Asean roles in the civil service are very important to ensure that success and to meet the aspiration of the leaders.

Dato Haji Hazair, who's also the chairman of the regional conference, said Asean noted that civil services are tailored to meet the local needs.

Speaking at the plenary session, he said the civil service understands what the people need.

What is important to remember is that there is no one single model that can follow, be it in Asean or elsewhere in the world.

Touching on the conference itself, Dato Haji Hazair it allows the members countries to share each others experience and to cooperate in common areas such as e-Government as well as learning the best practices and used it in the civil services.

This is the second time Brunei plays host’s such meeting. The first was in 1991.

Since the first ACCSM meeting in Manila in July 1981, the conference has been a useful avenue to foster greater and continuous interaction among the Asean member countries particularly with the regard to civil service matter. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei 

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