Borneo Bulletin Opinions

Borneo Bulletin Opinion

Can't tap into TAP for marriage expenses

We would like to thank 'To-Be-Married' for bringing to our attention the issues pertaining to the withdrawal of ETF Saving Funds published in the Opinion Section dated June 8.

Whilst TAP symphatises with the writer and understands the circumstances of the writer's needs, it has to be stressed that TAP is formed solely with the intention of ensuring that members have savings during their retirement. This is in line with the titah of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on the announcement of the formation of the TAP scheme during His Majesty's birthday in 1991.

As 'To-Be-Married' inquired, we would like to inform him that the Withdrawal Schemes offered by TAP are based on the withdrawal terms specified in Section 17 of the Tabung Amanah Pekerja Act (Chapter 167), which are as follows:

a) Pre-Retirement at 50;
b) Retirement at 55;
c) Housing;
d) Loss of Ability;
e) Emigration; and
f) Next of Kin

Hopefully this clarification would help address his inquiry. However, should he require further explanation, please do not hesitate to contact our Employees and Employers Services Section at 2382929 or via e-mail at info@tap.gov.bn.

Thank you.

- The Manangement
- Tabung Amanah Pekerja
- Istana Block Level 1, Bangunan Kementerian Kewangan
- Commonwealth Drive, Jalan Kebangsaan
- Bandar Seri Begawan

Where are all the locals?

Due to an expansion, my company is looking to recruit people. To support locals, we registered with the Labour Department hoping that some locals will give us a call, but a month went by without a single call. At the same time, we put up an advertisement for a few days for the same job and some locals and a lot of foreigners wrote in.

Again, we called the locals. Out of three, only one turned up for the interview, and the one that turned up had no experience or training for the job that was advertised. He told us that he is leaving the present job (less than a year) to look for a higher paid job and asked for the salary we generally pay for a worker who has five years' experience.

So I turned to the Career Development Section of the MOE and they gave us a list of 'suitable' applicants. We tried to call some for an interview, some hung up the phone when they heard that we are not a bank or government-related agency. Others agreed to come for interviews but never turned up.

The only one that turned up preferred a clerical job than a technical post that we are looking for.

I fully support the authorities to employ locals, provided they are willing to work in the private sector and understand that the private sector is a business entity that needs effort to be put in.

My question is: where do we go now to get staff?

- Private Sector

Time to educate motorists on Highway Code
We have motorists that see the red light as go instead of stop, pedestrians that cross highways, grass cutting being done in the middle of the highway, honk that means to look for a fight, motorists that drive slowly on the right lane of the highway, those that drive without lights when its dark and lots more. Is that a style? Yes, I am afraid so.

As for Zebra Crossing and other issues on road matters, many motorists have no knowledge on the rules and regulations of the Highway Code, which is of international standard. Plain and simple.

It is time the authorities looked into the matter seriously and start educating our young kids in school the way to walk, drive, cycle or cross the roads so that it will lay a good foundation for the future generation.

- Highway Patrol

Why Chinese students can't opt for Mandarin?
I am studying at Universiti Brunei Darussalam but I'm not complaining about allowances as most of the students do.

In August, I will be in my second year at UBD. I heard that the Language Centre is offering Mandarin to those who are interested. Well, I am really interested in Mandarin. But then I have a problem. Since I'm Chinese, the Language Centre doesn't allow me to take Mandarin as my elective. Why is this? Is it because I'm Chinese? To be frank, not all people with Chinese names can speak or write in Mandarin or any other dialect.

In my case, my parents are Chinese but they can't speak or write in Mandarin because their mother tongue is Malay. I can speak Mandarin because I went to a Chinese school. I failed in Mandarin since Primary 1 until I completed Form 5 but I can write and speak Mandarin.

I already have my basics in the language so can I take the intermediate Mandarin offered by the Language Centre? I know, without the basics, one can't take the intermediate.

Can I also take two elective subjects at the Language Centre? One as a beginner and another as intermediate?

I hope the Language Centre of UBD can answer my questions.

- Language Lover

Stray dogs in Kg Bunut

There has been an increase in the number of stray dogs in and around Jalan Haji Halus, Kampong Bunut. These dogs and their puppies have invaded several houses, taking away shoes, dirtying in and around houses, incessantly barking at night, terrorising the neighbourhood and frightening the kids. Several complaints have been made to the appropriate authorities in the past few months but they seem to have fallen on deaf ears. The situation, at present, is unbearable and needs to be looked into urgently.

- Orang Bunut

Save today for better tomorrow

I am currently working with one of the international financial institutions in the country. I would like to express my pleasure on the recent Ministry of Finance's move to cap the amount of loan to our people. The message is clear to encourage people to start saving rather than spending lavishly without thinking about the future. It is not a secret anymore that ours is one of the largest indebted societies in the region.

It is sad to see the spending culture of our youth as most of their incomes are used in repaying loans, especially personal and car loans and credit card bills. Of course, the youth cannot be blamed entirely for this because almost everybody around us is in a similar predicament, so we think that it is a normal way of life.

Most of the common reasons for loans are buying a new car, getting married, modifying a car, for holidays, and others that are generally for a "short-term use". But mind you, they had to suffer while repaying the loans for seven, 10 and 12 years.

Ten years down the line, today's youths may have a family to support and take care of their children's education. So, if what they are currently earning today is not enough to support their present lifestyle, how will they be able to support a family in the future?

We all have short, medium and long-term goals. The long-term goal is to secure the children's education and their future and our days after retirement.

According to a news item in BB dated Sept 25, 2004 "Making grand plans for retirement", it was stated an officer can accumulate 150-200 thousand dollars while clerks, storekeepers and office workers in their 25-30 working years would only be able to save around 60-80 thousand dollars by the time they retire.

Bear in mind, we would not get 'pencen' (pension) anymore and most of us would be relying on our TAP money. While most of us think that retirement would be our golden years, we have to think how long our retirement money would last given the average life expectancy in Brunei is currently 75 years, which surely will go up thanks to advances in medicine. So, roughly we will have 20 years of retirement period. The question is will $800 per month (maximum savings of $200,000 divided by 240 months) be enough to secure our future? Absolutely not, considering the inflation. Furthermore, if an emergency crops up, the money will run out even sooner. Then the "golden age" will turn out to be the worst years of our life.

I am not trying to say that we should be living in a debt-free situation. For example, housing loans are unavoidable for some people for the simple reason that many can't cough up the amount to build one.

The bottom line is to manage cash and debts wisely. Remember, those who are successful always do things differently from the rest.

- AMFH 117, Brunei

Airlines need foreign attendants

In response to Hajah Monira's letter dated June 22, the reason why RBA is recruiting stewardess from Southeast Asia is because RBA is bearing the motto "Giving The World Asia's Best".

In any airline in this world, including SIA and MAS, a certain amount of foreign flight attendants are employed for reasons like language, safety and so forth. SIA not only employs locals but also Malaysians, Indonesians, Japanese, Koreans, Taiwanese and Indians. Malaysia Airlines employs Thais, Indonesians, Japanese, Koreans and even South Africans.

For example, on an RBA flight to Bangkok or Hong Kong where all crews on board are locals, how are they going to communicate with their passengers? What if an emergency arises? How would they save their passengers if language is a problem?

- A380

Fix the leaking aerobridge

I would like to highlight the appalling condition of our International Airport. Lately, Brunei has been experiencing a wet spell and when it rains our International Airport has problems.

Take for instance the aerobridge connecting to the aircraft. It leaks so much that it poses a safety risk to passengers going through it.

Mind you, a very high voltage runs through the 'bridges'.

Passengers risk getting wet and electrocuted and not to mention other risks like injuries. This could lead to libel actions from passengers if anything untoward happens.

It is sad from a foreign passenger's point of view that the first impression of Brunei is a leaking and slippery 'bridge'. It would show a lack of maintenance and standard that could be generalised for Brunei as a whole.

A high standard should be maintained in keeping with Brunei's aspiration of becoming a regional hub.

I hope the relevant authorities would take necessary steps to ensure the safety and image of our country.

- Concerned

Thanks to safety conscious contractor

I live in Subok and I often use the stretch of Jalan Subok that leads to the Sungai Akar roundabout. The road is presently upgraded by Ocean Quarry.

First, I would like to thank His Majesty's government for upgrading the road, and secondly I would like to thank the contractor for being conscious on the safety of the road users by always keeping the existing road clean while the construction and upgrade are in progress.

- Stephen Leong

Inordinate delay in insurance claim

My house was affected in a flash flood in January 2005. An insurance surveyor and adjustor from my insurance company came to assess the damage and were given relevant documents to help in their assessment. However, I have not heard from them for a long time.

I called the company but the receptionist said the value has not been adjusted yet. The second time I called, the excuse was there are many other people who have claims, not just me. The third time, they promised to come up with a value. The fourth time I called, they informed me that I would be provided with an adjusted value the next week. That was weeks ago. Even now I have not received a call from them.

It has been five months since I filed the claim. What is taking my insurance company so long to process my claim? When will I finally receive the adjusted value?

- Disappointed Insurance Claimer