Ministry of Home Affairs surveys of the possibility to allow only the people of Brunei to apply and renew business license after 2 decades of malpractice.
Minister of Home Affiars, Mr. Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman, told local leaders in the meeting, which was held in Sengkurong community, to let them know of the flow of foreign workers who illegally come to work and operate businesses in the markets and communities.
Home Affairs Minister said that after Brunei gained independence in 1984 (B.E. 2527), it specified a policy which aimed to stimulate national development through the promotion of participation of local people to run a business. Those interested in running a business will be given a land plot and license for business propose. But in practice, we find that although business are popping up, business licenses are sold to foreigners who are registered as employees of the license holders who run a restaurant business for example. Such malpractice has been happening for the last 2 decades.
According to the news in various websites, such malpractice by companies and projects is called the “Ali Baba” syndrome where “Ali” means local people and “Baba” means foreigners, who are Ali’s business partner. Ali’s business partner, as a partnership, has to pay to Ali. This way, local Brunei people only has to deal with the Department of Labours while leaving his foreign business partner running the whole the business. He, as a license holder, only waits for his monthly share from his business partner.
Home Affairs Minister pointed out that although such practice will lead the rise of the number of local business but it does not help to solve unemployment problem of the country. This is because foreign business partner tend to hire foreign workers to work for them. Regrettably, local people who own the business and restaurants have no intention to hire local employees, although their relatives are still unemployed.
Home Affairs Minister retaliated that it is necessary for countries with limit human resources to import foreign workers in order to drive the countries forward. However, it has to be in accordance with Malay Islam philosophy. As for local leaders, they revealed that there are foreigners working in fresh markets. They enter the country with tourist visa, which does not allow them to work. Brunei authority, therefore, should deal with those who work illegally. Information leak often helps them to escape from the arrest. They also complained that illegal foreign workers do no goods for local businesses. Home Affairs Minister, therefore, asked local people to help and work hand in hand with the authority in order to solve the situation.
