Four prominent women took the top posts in the newly-established Brunei Darussalam Social Welfare Council (BDSWC or MKM), which yesterday held its first congress and announced several suggestions for its upcoming activities.
Inviting the public, including youths, to be its members, BDSWC, an idea first mooted by Department of Community Development is now working to join the International Council on Social Welfare and become a member of the ASEAN GO-NGO Forum which is scheduled to be hosted in Brunei during the Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD).

BDSWC, a newly-formed independent body that works to promote societal development and facilitate activities of other society-related NGOs, held its first congress to elect the BDSWC High-Working Committee, since its formation was announced early this year.

Present as the guest of honour was Hajah Misnah binti Haji Bolhassan, Acting Director of the Department of Community Development. The congress was held at the Dewan DiGadong, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Hajah Mordiah Haji Jackia became the first elected President of BDSWC. BDSWC elected Datin Hajah Adina binti Othman, former JAPEM Director, together with Datin Hajah Intan Hj Kassim and Pengiran Hajah Zubaidah as Deputy Presidents.

BDSWC elected Nelly Dato Haji Sunny as General Secretary, and three other women for the Assistant General Secretary posts.

Only two men made it to the High-Working Committee of BDWSC as Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.

Hajah Mordiah said the idea of forming Brunei’s own welfare council was first conveyed by the then Director of Community Development Department (JAPEM), Datin Hajah Adina binti Othman to mirror similar NGOs in other countries, the Bulletin learnt.

Brunei, which already has a range of NGOs such as BASMIDA, Brunei Aids Council and Women Business Council of Brunei Darussalam needs a body that brings together different NGOs, including society-related non-profit organisations such as SMARTER Brunei, under one harmonious umbrella, said Hajah Mordiah.

BDSWC appealed to the private sector to contribute either cash or kind to help make its projects run smoothly and support BDSWC causes to help the needy.

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