A total of 14,677 people are currently receiving welfare assistance in Brunei Darussalam, with 14,079 recipients, or 95.9 per cent, classified as able-bodied and capable of working, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) revealed.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha said the ministry is placing greater emphasis on helping beneficiaries become self-reliant through skills development, employment and entrepreneurship, rather than measuring success solely by the number of assistance schemes provided.
Speaking on the final day of the Second Meeting of the 22nd Legislative Council (LegCo) session on Tuesday, he said MCYS has adopted three key strategies to strengthen poverty alleviation efforts, reduce dependence on government assistance and improve the long-term socioeconomic wellbeing of beneficiaries.
The first strategy focuses on strengthening coordination through the Special Committee on Poverty Issues under the National Council on Social Issues (MKIS), which oversees the planning, monitoring and evaluation of national poverty alleviation initiatives.
The minister said the committee works closely with the Coordinating Minister for Social and Manpower Policies and the Minister of Home Affairs to reduce institutional silos, clarify agency roles and ensure programmes deliver measurable outcomes.
The second strategy builds on the Poverty Alleviation Action Plan 2020-2024 by strengthening collaboration among ministries and agencies in employment, skills training, entrepreneurship, education, family development and support services.
Since 2016, the Employment Plan has helped 1,037 beneficiaries and their family members secure jobs through job matching and employer collaboration.
The Entrepreneurship Programme, implemented with Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) and LiveWIRE Brunei, has benefited 643 participants, while 180 beneficiaries have completed skills training through the Youth Development Centre, LiveWIRE Brunei, DARe and BIBD SEED.
The Visionary Youth Innovation Programme (PIBB) has supported 86 children of welfare recipients, with 49 securing employment, while the Free Tuition Programme has benefited 246 children. Community-based initiatives implemented with Village Consultative Councils also continue to provide enterprise training and guidance.
The third strategy focuses on maximising the National Welfare System (SKN) to improve welfare data management and mapping, enabling more targeted and inclusive interventions.
The minister said data from the SKN, together with socioeconomic trends, regional best practices and evaluations of previous programmes, will guide the development of the Poverty Alleviation Action Plan 2026-2029.
The new plan will prioritise targeted interventions, stronger pathways to employment and entrepreneurship, family empowerment and outcome-based monitoring.
Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary stressed that welfare assistance is intended not only to meet immediate needs but also to empower beneficiaries to become financially independent and improve their quality of life.
Although participation in empowerment programmes is not mandatory because recipients have different family circumstances and capabilities, the Community Development Department (JAPEM) continues to encourage able-bodied beneficiaries to take part in programmes suited to their needs.
Looking ahead, he said MCYS will continue strengthening collaboration with government agencies, the private sector and community organisations to provide more structured pathways for beneficiaries to transition from welfare dependence to self-reliance.
SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/James Kon
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