Bandar Seri Begawan - The Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday dismissed any notion. that the government bases its hiring procedures on nepotism, stressing that neutrality comes into play during the hiring process.

The matter was brought up by YB Awang Haji Tahamid bin Haji Nudin yesterday during the 9t1 Legislative Council meeting when he suggested that the recruiting of daily paid officers should be centralised to the Civil Service Department as opposed to leaving the decision-making to the respective government agencies as a means to prevent any favouritism among recruiters.

"I have not seen any elements of preferential treatment considering that ministries have their own committees, several levels within the selection process and more than one officer to make the decision," said YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim.

Using the Ministry of Finance as an example, he explained that a Psychometric Test to establish an individual's capabilities was followed by an interview process carried out by a number of officers who are able to provide neutral decisions.

"I may not be able to accept the idea of favouritism because to appoint an officer would include committees as well as the final decision made by the Civil Service Commissioner who will further question the decision should there be any discrepancies."

Another suggestion made by YB Awg Haji Tahamid that was addressed by the minister is to increase the number of entitled leave for daily paid officers to include another seven days, to which the minister pointed out that an individual will, in fact, lose out the more leave they are given.