The Circle of Uncertainties: Are We Passing Down Burnout to the Next Generation?

What if burnout isn’t just a personal issue—but a national failure?

What if the long hours, unpaid Saturdays, and silent mental struggles aren’t isolated cases, but signs of a deeper problem no one wants to fix?

We talk about Vision 2035 like it’s a destination. But how do we get there with tired minds, empty wallets, and broken trust?

This isn’t just about work-life balance. It’s about a generation asking:

“So who’s really willing to act?”

Read what Bruneians are really saying—before the silence becomes permanent.

☕ Kopi Talk with MHO

📍 Introduction

“A broken system thrives when everyone shifts blame. Citizens want change without sacrifice; governments want trust without transparency.” 

This comment struck a chord. Since publishing Burnout Nation, public feedback has been pouring in. 

Not just complaints—but reflections from exhausted citizens trying to make sense of a system that seems increasingly detached from their realities.

📉 “As we can't cope with inflation with our cut-cost salary every year.”

🗣 “So who’s really willing to act? Or kitani akan biarkan sampai generasi kemudian akan melaluinya?”

These are not isolated sentiments. They’re becoming the norm.

🔹 Part II: Salary Stagnation and the Cost of Coping

“As we can't cope with inflation with our cut-cost salary every year.”

No meaningful salary revision in nearly five decades. Living costs are rising. Yet many civil servants continue working six days a week—with no overtime and diminishing morale. 

Gratitude is important—but when it replaces fairness, it breeds quiet resentment. Burnout has become our national baseline.

“We’re heading for Vision 2035 with broken minds.”

🔹 Part III: Burnout Is Not a Weakness—It’s a Warning

Mental health isn’t a buzzword. It’s a growing crisis. Over 7,000 people received treatment by 2021. Many more never come forward.

 

“Mental illness is still taboo. If you're struggling, you're seen as weak.”

We praise resilience but punish vulnerability. Some suffer silently. Others just… disappear.

🔹 Part IV: The People Are Speaking—So Why Aren’t We Listening?

Bruneians are not just venting. They’re offering solutions:

• ✅ Pay revisions tied to inflation
• ✅ Flexible hours across sectors
• ✅ Tech-driven processes to reduce overload
• ✅ Healthier work cultures based on trust

At the core: No vision will succeed if the people behind it are depleted.

🔹 Part IV-A: Between Entitlement and Exhaustion

“Overtime is only worth it if the paycheck is comfortable and you get actual respect.”

“Rights must come with responsibility. Someone had to work the fields to feed you.”

Some voices caution against rising entitlement. Younger workers seek passion but face a harsh job market with few options.

Balance means shared responsibility—not just policy shifts, but mindset shifts too.

🔹 Part V: Breaking the Circle of Uncertainties

“Ani bukan circle of life, tapi ani circle of uncertainties.”

Change starts with asking the right questions—and being ready to hear the hard truths. Public voices aren’t just noise. They’re warnings. And maybe, just maybe, a map out of the mess.

📣 So who’s really willing to act? Not as an accusation—but as a shared challenge. Let’s break the circle—together.

🗨️ Share your thoughts. Tag someone who needs to read this. Let’s keep this Kopi Talk going.

#KopiTalkWithMHO #BurnoutNation #WorkLifeBalance #Vision2035 #MentalHealth #PublicVoices #BruneiLeadership #LinkedInBrunei

 

 

 

Tariff Shock: Why Brunei Faces a 24% Tariff and What It Means for Us

🔍 Why is Brunei being slapped with a 24% U.S. tariff—more than Singapore, Japan, or even Malaysia?

📉 We actually import more from the U.S. than we export—but still got hit harder. Something doesn’t add up.

🇧🇳 In my latest Kopi Talk with MHO, I investigate what’s really behind this trade shock, what it means for our small economy, and why Brunei must speak up on the global stage.

📰 Kopi Talk with MHO

By Malai Hassan Othman | Investigative Column Published: April 5, 2025

---

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei Darussalam is facing a significant economic challenge with a newly imposed 24% tariff on its exports to the United States. 

For a small, open economy like ours, this is not just a numerical change - it represents a potential loss of confidence, credibility, and competitiveness. 

This tariff is part of a broader directive by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has introduced what he refers to as a "reciprocal tariff regime." 

While all countries face a minimum tariff of 10%, those with trade surpluses are subjected to higher rates. 

To our dismay, Brunei has been placed in the 24% category. 

To put this into perspective, even Singapore, a major export powerhouse, is only facing the standard 10%. 

With our exports to the U.S. totalling a modest BND238.7 million last year, we are struggling under a disproportionately heavy burden.

---

The Confusing Numbers Game

How did we end up in this situation? 

The U.S. administration justifies the new tariffs as “reciprocal” and based on trade deficits. 

However, the numbers do not support this claim. In 2024, Brunei recorded a trade deficit with the U.S., importing more (BND298.4 million) than it exported. 

This does not indicate a surplus. Thus, the question arises: are we being penalized based on outdated data, incorrect assumptions, or simply grouped with others? 

Discussions on Reddit and other trade forums suggest that this approach is akin to punishing a neighbourhood grocery store because you spend more there than they spend on you. In essence, it’s a case of economics turned upside down.

---

Small Nation, Big Problems

For Bruneian exporters - especially those dealing in chemicals, fuels, and machinery - this tariff means an immediate challenge. 

A 24% duty makes Brunei's products more expensive for American consumers, and in the competitive landscape of global trade, price is crucial. 

According to the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE), consultations with affected exporters are ongoing, and meetings with the U.S. embassy have been arranged to seek clarification. 

However, behind closed doors, officials express confusion and frustration. “Even Singapore got hit with only 10%, while we received 24%,” a senior officer shared. 

“Why?”

---

ASEAN Pushback, Brunei’s Dilemma

This issue extends beyond Brunei's borders. ASEAN countries are equally displeased. 

Malaysia, as the chair for 2025, is organizing a special meeting of economic ministers to discuss a collective response. 

Nations like Cambodia (49%), Vietnam (46%), and Thailand (36%) have faced even steeper tariffs. 

Unlike Brunei, many of these countries are under scrutiny for allegedly serving as backdoors for Chinese exports - a charge that does not apply to us. 

This raises another question: why are we categorised with them? 

The hard truth is that size matters. Small economies like ours lack significant bargaining power. 

Our voices in global trade forums often go unheard, and our dependency on larger partners like the U.S. exposes us to vulnerabilities.

---

A Silver Lining? Or a Wake-Up Call?

For now, MOFE is maintaining a composed response. Some officials view this as a hidden opportunity.

“We need to diversify and look beyond the U.S.,” stated one official. 

This perspective is gaining traction. It’s not only about seeking new markets; it’s about becoming smarter, faster, and more resilient. 

It’s crucial to understand the realities of global trade rather than merely reacting to them.

---

🟫 Kopi Talk Takeaway

Brunei may be small, but silence in global trade allows others to dictate our future. It’s time for us to speak up - clearly and strategically.

 

Burnout Nation: Why Brunei’s Work-Life Balance Promise Can’t Wait?

☕ Kopi Talk with MHO

In 2022, Brunei promised a bold transformation in how we work and live - flexible hours, two-day weekends, and a healthier, more balanced workforce.

In 2025, that promise remains at a standstill. Meanwhile, burnout rises, mental health suffers, and families are left juggling impossible schedules.

This investigative piece dives into what was pledged, what’s holding us back, and why the time to act is now - not after Vision 2035.

🧠💼 Let’s talk about what’s really costing us productivity—and peace of mind.

By Malai Hassan Othman

Saturdays are not weekends for Aina, a 35-year-old civil servant and mother of two. She still clocks in at the office while her children spend their weekends at home. "I only get Sunday off," she sighs, visibly worn out. 

Over in the private sector, Hamzah, a retail assistant, clocks more than 50 hours weekly. He’s paid minimum wage and receives no overtime pay. "Six days a week, one day to rest, but even that day I used to catch up on errands," Hamzah says. "I feel like a machine."

They are not alone. Bruneians are working some of the longest hours in Southeast Asia. 

According to ILO data, Brunei averages 47 hours a week. In comparison, Malaysia averages 45 hours, the Philippines 43.2, and Indonesia 40.6. Singapore and Thailand hover around 44–45 hours, while Vietnam stands at 48. 

Cambodia tops the ASEAN list with over 49 hours per week. Laos reports slightly less. 

Despite its small population, Brunei is among the highest in the region. 

Many Bruneians, especially in the private sector, are burnt out, exhausted, and unseen. The numbers back up what the people have long been feeling.

In 2022, the Brunei government unveiled its Mental Health Action Plan 2022–2025. 

It wasn’t just a policy idea - it was a strategic, multi-year blueprint shaped by input from multiple stakeholders. 

The Action Plan laid out four overarching strategies, thirteen priority actions, and thirty-two activities aimed at promoting mental health, improving services, and embedding psychological well-being into national development. 

Among these was a flagship commitment: a national work-life balance policy. 

Flexible working hours. Two-day weekends. Standardized work schedules. Workplace daycares and crèches. Designated school bus drop-off points.

But in 2025, none of it has been implemented. A study on flexible working hours for civil servants commenced in 2024. To date, it remains just that - a study. Still no policy. 

While the issue of work-life balance was brought up during the 2024 Legislative Council sessions, it was notably absent from the 2025 deliberations. Mental health was discussed - but the promised work-life balance policy? Not a word.

The silence is telling. It’s not mere bureaucratic inertia - it’s a failure with real-life consequences for Bruneians’ mental and emotional health. 

In 2021 alone, 1,515 Bruneians were diagnosed with anxiety and depression. That number has only increased. Mental illness is a growing crisis. 

A 2020 survey by the Health Promotion Centre found that 17.6% of civil servants showed signs of depression. Some 35.4% reported burnout. 

Yet only 262 government employees were surveyed - barely a glimpse into the real picture. What about the thousands working under stricter conditions in the private sector?

Let’s break it down. Adding to the growing strain on families is the newly integrated academic-religious education schedule, now merged into a single full-day schooling system. 

While this reform eliminated previously taxing double school runs, it brought a new challenge: managing drop-offs and pick-ups during standard work hours. 

School now runs from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and resumes from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

This places significant pressure on working parents, particularly with limited midday flexibility. 

Civil servants find it hard to leave work mid-day. Private sector workers with fixed hours face even greater difficulty. 

Though educationally sound, many parents argue the policy lacks logistical planning. There’s little formal support for working families adjusting to this transition.

What Parents Are Saying

"Now that school is full-day, I can't leave work every afternoon just to fetch my child," says Liyana, a government clerk in Bandar. 

Sahrul, a private sector technician, added: "I get off at 5. My kids finish at 3. It’s a daily panic rush. We need better coordination." 

Nora, a mother of three, shared: "Why not adjust school times slightly or arrange official childcare bridging programs? We’ve been left on our own to figure it out." 

The integration policy, though rooted in good intentions, lacks logistical foresight. 

The emotional, financial, and professional burden on families continues to grow.

Amid this discontent, civil servants and reform-minded citizens have begun calling for adjustments to the workweek itself. 

A widely discussed proposal calls for Friday to be a half-day, with Saturday and Sunday as full rest days. 

This would provide families with two uninterrupted days of recovery and bonding. 

Supporters argue the proposal better aligns Brunei with international practices while respecting religious observance. 

The idea isn’t new. In the UAE, similar reforms were made to enhance productivity and align with global markets.

In the government sector, the current workweek spans Monday to Thursday and Saturday. Friday and Sunday are designated rest days. 

While rooted in religious tradition, many believe it no longer suits modern demands. 

In contrast, the private sector, especially oil and gas, typically follows a Monday-to-Friday schedule, offering full weekends off. 

Brunei Shell Petroleum, for example, has implemented flexible hours and remote work options. 

These policies reflect forward-thinking, globally aligned workforce practices. But this is not the norm. 

Many private companies still impose six-day workweeks, unpaid overtime, and blurred work-life boundaries through late-night messages and weekend demands.

Under Brunei’s current Labour Law, employers are required to provide just one day off per week. Technically, working 24 days straight remains legal. 

One letter to the editor described this as a “zombie workforce.” Another wrote, “We’re heading for Vision 2035 with broken minds.”

Social media is flooded with similar frustrations: long hours, stagnant pay, and no time to rest. 

“Our people are breaking,” one user lamented. Yet the government continues to urge citizens to help realize Wawasan 2035. But with what energy? And at what cost?

The government recognized the problem. It even proposed a solution in 2022. But three years later, the policy remains at a standstill while the public continues to suffer. 

Flexible working isn’t a luxury. It’s a basic right. And in Brunei, it’s long overdue. 

In countries like Estonia, 29 days of paid leave are standard. In Brunei, burnout has become the default. 

The Civil Service Department was designated to lead the policy. Ministries were expected to follow. Yet, three years on - silence.

Awareness campaigns were launched. The Ministry of Health even opened the MOH Intelligence Hub in late 2022, aiming to improve health data systems and services like BruHIMS. 

Plans for telemedicine and telehealth were discussed. Community care models, including continuity of care, social inclusion, and decentralized mental health access, were part of the broader strategy. 

Importantly, the Action Plan acknowledged the entrenched stigma surrounding mental illness. It called for preventive efforts - not just treatment - including workplace support for healthy eating, physical activity, and mental wellness. 

But again, talk outpaces action. And public patience is wearing thin.

A comprehensive systematic review published in Healthcare (Basel) in 2022 reinforces the case: flexible, employee-oriented work schedules - such as working from home or self-managed hours - lead to measurable reductions in depression, burnout, and emotional fatigue. 

Though modest, these improvements matter. They show that autonomy over how and when people work can prevent mental health issues before they spiral into crises. Brunei has the framework. It has public backing. And now, it has the science to justify real change. So why the delay? Is it caution? Complacency? Or is the system too comfortable squeezing workers dry while preaching compassion?

Even top-performing civil servants are drained. Some have quietly resigned. Others remain, silent and worn out, afraid of being labelled as weak. 

It’s time leaders acknowledged that true national progress isn’t built on overworked bodies. It’s built on motivated, healthy, balanced people. 

Vision 2035 is not just about infrastructure. It’s about investing in human resilience. 

A work-life balance policy isn’t optional. It’s urgent. And Brunei must decide - will it keep postponing change, or finally honour the promise it made? (MHO/04/2025)

 

 

Aidilfitri dan Amanah Bangsa : Pesan dari Singgahsana ke Jiwa Rakyat

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Walillahil Hamd.

 

Syawal menyapa dalam cahaya yang lembut,  

menyingkap tirai Ramadhan yang telah kita redahi dengan sabar dan taqwa—  

bagai perahu yang selamat merentas gelombang ujian.

 

Dalam gema takbir yang bersahutan dari surau desa ke masjid bandar,  

kita rayakan hari kemenangan bukan hanya kerana tertunainya puasa,  

tetapi kerana hati yang kembali kepada fitrah,  

jiwa yang tenang dalam keinsafan,  

dan rasa yang halus menyentuh keprihatinan.

 

Dan dalam gema itu,  

hadir suara lembut tetapi penuh wibawa,  

titah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah,  

yang menyapa rakyatnya bukan sebagai penguasa yang jauh,  

tetapi sebagai ayahanda yang memeluk anak bangsa dengan kasih dan pengajaran.

 

Baginda menitip pesan—bahawa perpaduan bukan sekadar laungan di mimbar,  

tetapi akar yang menegakkan pohon bangsa.  

Syawal, kata Baginda, bukan sekadar pesta dan jamuan,  

tetapi ruang suci untuk mengeratkan silaturrahim,  

yang menjadi nadi kepada kekuatan ummah,  

dan paksi kepada jati diri yang membina tamadun.

 

Baginda juga mengingatkan kita akan nasib saudara-saudara seakidah di penjuru dunia,  

yang tidak menyambut Syawal dengan senyum dan pelita,  

tetapi dengan air mata dan luka di bumi yang tidak mengenal damai.  

Jika tidak dapat memberi dengan harta,  

hulurkanlah doa dari hati yang ikhlas.  

Kerana doa orang beriman itu umpama cahaya  

yang menerangi kegelapan walau dari jauh.

 

Dan Baginda menyentuh satu hakikat yang sering kita lupakan—  

bahawa ibadah bukan hanya pada sejadah dan tasbih,  

tetapi juga pada kerja yang jujur dan tanggungjawab yang dilaksana.  

Tugas seharian, kata Baginda, jika dilakukan dengan amanah,  

menjadi pintu rezeki, 

menjadi jalan keberkatan, 

bukan hanya untuk diri, 

tetapi untuk tanah air yang tercinta.

 

Dalam gema titah yang luhur itu,  

datang pula suara Presiden Parti Pembangunan Bangsa.  

Bicara yang sederhana tetapi dalam—bagai embun pagi yang membasahi nurani.

 

Presiden mengingatkan bahawa Aidilfitri adalah lambang kemenangan rohani.  

Ia bukan noktah kepada Ramadhan,  

tetapi titik mula untuk membina jiwa yang lebih kukuh,  

lebih sabar, dan lebih bertakwa.

 

Beliau menekankan bahawa keamanan negara ini adalah nikmat yang tidak ternilai.  

Ia tidak datang bergolek, 

tetapi hasil daripada kepimpinan yang bijaksana  

dan kesepaduan rakyat yang bertanggungjawab.  

Tanpa keamanan, mimpi bangsa hanya tinggal mimpi.

 

Dan dalam semangat itu, beliau menyentuh kenangan Ulang Tahun ke-41 Hari Kebangsaan,  

yang menyedarkan kita bahawa kemerdekaan bukan sekadar sejarah,  

tetapi amanah yang diwariskan,  

yang harus dijaga seperti menjaga nyawa sendiri.  

Warisan perjuangan, warisan keberanian, warisan pengorbanan—  

semuanya tersimpan dalam jiwa bangsa yang tidak pernah menyerah.

 

Tahun ini, walaupun Parti tidak dapat hadir secara rasmi dalam majlis junjung ziarah di Istana,  

semangat dan kasih terhadap raja tetap mekar.  

Kerana kehadiran bukan sekadar jasad,  

tetapi ikhlas yang lahir dari hati yang setia.

 

Presiden turut mengajak kita membina masyarakat berilmu, berakhlak dan berdaya saing.  

Masyarakat yang tidak lupa asal usulnya,  

dan tahu ke mana arah yang harus dituju.  

Dalam kenangan Aidilfitri zaman kecil,  

beliau menyulam nostalgia— 

tentang jalan desa yang sunyi bertukar meriah,  

tentang tangan-tangan kecil yang menghulur salam penuh harapan.  

Nilai itu jangan kita lupakan,  

kerana di situlah letaknya roh bangsa yang sejati.

 

Maka di pagi Syawal yang suci ini,  

dari lubuk hati yang paling dalam,  

saya hulurkan salam dan kemaafan:  

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1446 Hijrah, Maaf Zahir dan Batin

buat semua ahli Parti Pembangunan Bangsa dan rakyat Brunei Darussalam.

 

Jika ada bait tulisan ini yang mengguris rasa,  

ampunkanlah saya yang daif ini.  

Kerana pena ini hanyalah alat—  

namun yang menggerakkannya adalah rindu:  

rindu pada tanah air yang bersatu,  

pada bangsa yang bangkit dengan iman dan ilmu,  

dan pada masa depan yang lebih bersinar di bawah lindungan rahmat Ilahi.

 

Wabillahi Taufiq wal Hidayah,  

Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh. (MHO/1 Syawal 1446)

The Last Pantun: A Tribute to Haji Idris Haji Tamit, The Unsung Poet of Bandar Seri Begawan

By Malai Hassan Othman

In the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, where festive lights dance and laughter fills the streets during special occasions, a humble man with a quiet presence and a gift few noticed once stood. 

He didn’t have a grand stage or a microphone. Instead, he had a simple stall selling knick-knacks, a heart full of warmth, and a voice that carried the rhythm of an old Malay tradition - pantun. 

Haji Idris bin Tamit, born in 1938, was more than just a seasonal vendor. He was a keeper of culture, a storyteller wrapped in modesty, and one of the last voices of a fading art. 

On the 25th of February 2025, at 87, he returned to his Creator. But what he left behind was more than a memory - it was a legacy rooted in poetry, faith, and love. 

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was National Day, 2017. The town was buzzing with joy and patriotic colours. That’s when I first saw him—cheerfully greeting customers behind a modest stall. 

Something about his energy drew me in. I walked over, and within moments, I discovered that this man was no ordinary vendor. 

He welcomed me with a smile and began to recite pantun—verses praising His Majesty for declaring Brunei as Negara Zikir. 

His voice was strong, melodic, and filled with sincerity. I quickly took out my phone and recorded the moment. I didn’t realize then that I was capturing something rare, something beautiful. 

He didn’t need an audience to shine. Whether it was a stranger or a friend, he’d share his pantun with joy. He didn’t do it for praise or applause. He did it because it was part of him. 

Not long ago, a young woman commented on a poem I had shared about zakat. 

She told me it reminded her of her grandfather, who had just recently passed away. 

Her message was full of love and sorrow. 

Her grandfather, she said, was a man who never stopped smiling - even on his deathbed. He was still reciting pantun. 

I asked her, “Who was your grandfather?” She replied, “Haji Idris bin Tamit.” My heart skipped. I knew him. 

I shared with her the video I had taken years ago. 

She was touched. There he was again - her beloved grandfather - his voice echoing through time, delivering lines filled with devotion, culture, and pride. 

She told me he never wanted to burden others. “Hidup jangan menyusahkan orang,” he often said. 

Even when he was in pain, he never failed to say the syahadah and send selawat upon the Prophet. 

Hours before he passed, he gave his final request: to donate his last bit of savings to orphans at the mosque. 

A simple act, but a reflection of his immense heart. 

He didn’t leave behind trophies or headlines. He left behind values. Faith. Poetry. Kindness. 

He was, in every sense, a true anak Melayu - embodying the humility, wisdom, and spirit of our heritage.
 
In this modern age, where traditions are slipping quietly into the shadows, Haji Idris reminds us of who we are. 

He reminds us that culture is not just kept in books - it lives in voices, hearts, and humble souls like his. 

Let us not wait until all the pantun fall silent. Let us listen. Let us remember. Let us honour. 

To Haji Idris, thank you for your words. You may be gone, but your pantun lives on. Al-Fatihah. 

 

The Retirement Time Bomb: What Brunei Risks If It Ignores the Informal Sector

He’s been selling vegetables for over 30 years. No pension. No savings. No plan for what comes next.

“Apa kan jadi bila ku inda dapat kerja lagi?”

That haunting question isn’t just his — it belongs to over 82,000 Bruneians working in the informal sector.

As Brunei’s gig economy expands, so does the risk of mass poverty in old age. The solution exists. But barely anyone knows about it.

🔍 This isn’t just about economics — it’s about justice, dignity, and the future of our society.

 

By Malai Hassan Othman

 

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, MARCH 2025: At 4:30 a.m., while most of Brunei is still asleep, Haji Mohamad quietly pushes his cart to Tamu Kianggeh. The 58-year-old has spent over three decades selling vegetables, surviving on meagre earnings to raise five children. 

 

Lately, his hands have shaken more than they used to, and his knees have complained with every step. He has no pension. No savings. No medical insurance. "Apa kan jadi bila ku inda dapat kerja lagi?" he asks softly. What will happen to me when I can no longer work?

 

His story is not unique. It is the story of thousands in Brunei’s gig and informal economy -  those who cook and deliver food, sell kuih online, drive for ride-hailing apps, or repair gadgets from makeshift stalls. 

According to official estimates, over 82,000 people work in the informal sector, with 15,000 to 25,000 engaged in gig-based roles. Yet, shockingly, only about 300 have enrolled in the country’s retirement protection scheme for self-employed individuals.

 

The Skim Persaraan Kebangsaan (SPK) - was designed for them. Introduced on 15 July 2023, it targets Bruneians in the informal and gig economy. But most don’t even know it exists.

 

 

 Forgotten by the System

Gig workers operate in a grey zone. They are neither formally employed nor protected by the benefits that come with official employment - TAP, SCP, insurance, maternity leave, or a clear path to retirement. 

Many survive month-to-month on income ranging from BND 800 to BND 1,200, or even lower depending on the business they are engaged in, and they are often excluded from accessing even basic credit or loans.

A senior official familiar with the scheme, speaking anonymously, admitted: "Our biggest challenge is awareness. Many of these workers do not think about retirement, or they think it doesn’t apply to them."

The SPK, administered by Tabung Amanah Pekerja (TAP), offers a basic social safety net. It includes monthly retirement contributions, death and survivor benefits, and access to savings at the end of one's working life. 

Contributions start as low as BND 17.50 per month. Yet, the uptake remains dismal.

Why Aren’t They Enrolling?

Fear. Mistrust. Financial illiteracy. Digital divide.

These are the barriers that keep thousands out of the system designed to protect them. 

In a small survey conducted by this writer, several home-based business owners said they had never heard of SPK. 

Others admitted they were afraid to register. "Takut ku eh, inda pasti," said one. "Inda ku pandai macam mana caranya, isi borang inda ku pandai, online atu pun inda ku tahu."

Some think SPK is only for those with permanent jobs. Others simply cannot afford to set aside any money from their already limited income.

Yet, without protection, they are left vulnerable.

A wedding photographer shared how COVID-19 wiped out all his bookings. "I lived off my savings and borrowed from friends. No one came to help. That’s when I realised I had nothing backing me up."

TAP's website offers detailed instructions and allows for walk-in registration. But for many, this isn’t enough. "We need to go to them," said another official. "Not wait for them to come to us."

Not Just a Policy, but a Lifeline

Self-employed individuals who register with SPK, complete the verification process and contribute a minimum of BND 17.50 per month to their retirement account are eligible for a Government Match-Up of an additional BND 17.50.

Upon reaching the retirement age of 60, the total accumulated contributions - including the government’s top-up - support their monthly income through the SPK Annuity Payout. 

This annuity provides a minimum monthly payout of BND 250, ensuring financial stability in later years.

As Brunei citizens or stateless permanent residents, they also qualify for the Old Age Pension of BND 250, bringing their total monthly retirement income to BND 500.

Contributors can choose to pay between BND 17.50 and BND 40.00 per month. While BND 250 remains the minimum monthly payout under SPK, contributing more increases the potential payout and can extend the duration over which the annuity is received.

Let’s explore three real-world scenarios that show how starting age and contribution level affect retirement outcomes:

 ✅ Scenario 1: Early and Consistent Saver

A 25-year-old verified self-employed individual contributes BND 17.50 monthly until retirement at 60. 

With 35 years of continuous contributions, they qualify for the minimum SPK annuity payout of BND 250, payable for up to a lifetime. 

Combined with the Old Age Pension, their retirement income reaches BND 500 monthly. Their TAP account may also hold substantial savings for lump-sum withdrawal.

 

✅ Scenario 2: Higher Tier Saver

 A self-employed individual contributes BND 40.00 monthly from age 25 until 60. 

At retirement, they are entitled to a lifetime SPK annuity payout of BND 350, in addition to the Old Age Pension - totalling BND 600 monthly. This offers stronger financial security in later life.

 

🔴 Scenario 3: Late Starter

A verified self-employed person joins SPK at age 50 and contributes BND 40.00 monthly for 10 years. They still qualify for the minimum SPK annuity payout of BND 250. 

However, the shorter contribution window means the annuity may only last for a limited time unless the monthly payout is reduced to extend its duration.

The payout amount and annuity duration depend on two key factors: how much you contribute and how long you contribute. Higher monthly payments result in greater retirement income, and starting earlier helps ensure the annuity lasts longer.

Contributions exceeding BND 40.00 per month or less than BND 17.50 go into the individual's SPK Member Account. This account gives added flexibility, allowing members to access funds before retirement or withdraw them as a lump sum at age 60.

This structure empowers Brunei’s self-employed to build a stable and secure retirement, even if they begin late. The system’s flexibility allows individuals to supplement their income and improve their long-term financial outlook.

Time to Act

Institutionalising the informal sector and gig economy is not just an economic necessity - it is also a spiritual, social, and national obligation. 

 In the context of Brunei’s identity as a Negara Zikir, a nation rooted in Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) and guided by the vision of becoming a Baldatun Ṭayyibatun wa Rabbun Ghafūr, caring for all members of society is a reflection of Maqasid Syariah - particularly the protection of life, wealth, intellect, and lineage.

By formally including informal and gig workers in national systems like SPK, the country fulfils the Islamic ethical imperative of protecting the dignity and well-being of every citizen. 

This aligns with the broader goals of a compassionate, just, and spiritually conscious governance model. It is not just good policy - it is good faith.

Addressing this issue requires more than isolated efforts. It demands a Whole Of Nation Approach (WONA) - bringing together government agencies, financial institutions, civil society, community leaders, and the media to build a safety net that no Bruneian falls through.

If we fail to act now, the nation may face a future where tens of thousands of ageing informal workers fall into poverty. 

Many will become fully dependent on the Sistem Kebajikan Negara and Baitul Mal, putting immense pressure on welfare institutions and charitable resources meant for the most vulnerable. 

Without sustainable planning, today’s inaction could translate into tomorrow’s national crisis.

It’s not too late. The SPK has the right ingredients. But it needs amplification. 

Civil society, media, youth groups, and local councils must play a role. 

Mobile TAP booths in night markets. Digital literacy workshops for online sellers. Collaboration with gig platforms to automatically enrol users.

Because the question is not whether the gig economy is growing. It already has.

The question is: Are we doing enough to protect those who are building our economy from the ground up?

Back at Tamu Kianggeh, Haji Mohamad begins packing up. He smiles when asked if he’s ever thought of retirement. "Of course," he says. "But who will take care of me?" (MHO/03/2025)
 

What do you think needs to be done?

Are we doing enough to protect those who power our informal and gig economy?

🗣️ Join the conversation. Tag a self-employed friend running a home-based business or freelancing online.

Because safeguarding their future is not just a policy issue — it’s a moral obligation we all share.

💬 Share your thoughts below or inbox me if you want to learn more.