Green Book controversy - NDP Dep. President says don't over react

The Deputy President of the National Development Party has urged members to remain calm and not to over react over a recent initiative by certain relevant authority to disallow those involved in healthy political activities in the country from becoming a member in any village consultative council (MPK, MPM).

A number of NDP members have complained that they have been deprived of their rights to join as members of a consultative committee in their respective villages because of their association with a political organisation.

The complain was highlighted by Pengiran Ismail, an Information Officer of NDP Belait Liaison Office during a get-together session between sdra Mahmud Morshidi Othman and members of Belait NDP Liaison Committee.

“Some have served for almost 10 years as an active member in certain Village Consultative Council (MPK) but sadly this year they were not reelected just because they have enrolled as members of NDP”, stated Pengiran Ismail.

He also said the nomination of one of NDP members in MPK was turned down on the same reason.

“We have been informed that a new ruling has been issued in the so-called ‘Green Book’, a guide book for the nomination of members in MPK or MPM”, said Pengiran Ismail at the meeting with sdra Mahmud Morshidi Othman.

The get-together session was held at the house of Awang Haji Ali, the Secretary of NDP Belait Liaison Office.             
The Deputy President of NDP in response urged members not to be over react.

He stated that NDP Secretary General’s office (JASA) has taken the initiative to write a long letter of inquiry to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) for clarification on this matter.

“ROS has replied stating that it has yet to get clarification from the relevant authorities”.

“So for the meantime we just have to wait for the reply and to remain calm”, advised sdra Morshidi.

He noted that the new ruling was introduced only recently. This means before the existence of NDP, there was no such ruling to prohibit people associated with any political party in the country from becoming a member in MPK or MPM. 

Sdra Morshidi said those who were not nominated or reelected as a member in the village consultative council should not feel disappointed as MPK or MPM is not the only platform from where we could give our contribution to the nation.

“We should not be disappointed because with NDP we can still be of service to our nation and to our Sultan,” said the Deputy President

“What is important is our real intention in contributing our services. If our intention is to rub shoulders with powerful people or to attain fame and glory, then NDP would not be able to offer such privileges”, he added.

NDP is not there for individuals to gain a name, it is there to help develop our nation, to assist the government in anyway, and to serve our Sultan who we cherish.