James Kon

Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah yesterday has urged local businesses not to lay off workers during the current economic situation.

He said, “We encourage businesses not to lay off their staff during these difficult times. During good times, businesses have the workers to help the companies. During bad times, don’t just look at monies and sack the workers.

“With the announcement of the deferment of TAP payment for local workers receiving salary of BND1,500 and below in all sectors of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) category, we are helping businesses by allowing them to defer and pay later. We hope that this will help with cash flow. We also give discount for electricity and water. If they are renting government premises, a 30 per cent discount is given.”

The minister continued, “We will monitor the situation. We hope that businesses will continue to operate and people continue to have jobs.”

The minister also revealed that the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is looking at introducing online training for workers.