DAY 5 MORNING
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5TH MARCH 2025 MORNING
(Meeting commenced at 9.30 am)
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The First Meeting of the 21st Legislative Session of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara convenes on the fifth day today, Wednesday, 4th of Ramadan 1446 Hijri corresponding to 5th March 2025 AD, starting with the Doa Selamat.
DOA SELAMAT
(Doa Selamat was recited by Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Mustafa bin Haji Murat)
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace and blessings be upon you.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, for with His abundant grace, we are able to gather once again today for the session on the fifth day of the First Meeting of the 21st Legislative Session of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.
Blessings and peace be upon our great leader Prophet Muhammad Sallahualaihi Wassalam, his family, companions, and all his followers until the end of time.
Your Honourable Members. We will begin today with the next order of business.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Question time for oral answers.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members. We now proceed to question time.
As usual, this time is limited to one hour, and Yang Berhormat Menteri is allocated 10 minutes to answer each question. Any questions listed in the Daily Order but not answered in time will be answered in writing and published online as an Official Document of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.
Before us now is a list of questions that have been submitted. We begin with the first question from Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam to the Minister of Religious Affairs. I invite Yang Berhormat Menteri.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace and blessings be upon you. (Doa recited).
Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua, thank you. The question from Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah involves two matters, Your Honourable.
Firstly, can the ministry propose an additional package with lower costs regarding hajj matters? Considering the suggestions made by hajj and umrah operational agencies and the readiness of pilgrims to forgo accustomed luxuries. This is because the hajj package cost this year 2025 has increased by 7 to 8%, which is 49% due to accommodation and food.
The second question is what efforts is the ministry making to reduce the waiting list for prospective hajj pilgrims? Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua, regarding the proposal for an additional hajj package and lower costs, for the information of Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua, especially Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam, that in 2024, last year, an ad hoc committee was formed to review suggestions voiced by hajj package operators; these suggestions were even brought to this House and discussed at the ministerial level.
The ad hoc committee aims to thoroughly examine the hajj package prices and review the hajj package comprehensively. The second purpose is to find a method to address the rising cost of the hajj package that can ease the financial burden on prospective pilgrims while still maintaining the best hajj package service for Brunei pilgrims.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, the current policy requires the location of accommodation hotels to be within the central area, approximately one kilometer from Masjidil Haram in Mecca and from Masjid An-Nabawi in Medina.
This policy considers the convenience for the medical department to provide medical services to the pilgrims, and furthermore, it facilitates the pilgrims to commute daily to the Masjidil Haram and also in Medina to Masjid An-Nabawi. Thus, these two factors are considered in the policies we commonly implement for Brunei pilgrims.
It should also be understood that the current government policy, as kaola mentioned earlier, is that the quality of hajj services must be prioritized and maintained. The goal is to safeguard the well-being of the pilgrims and their safety. This is based on experiences from previous years where our pilgrims faced problems during the hajj pilgrimage.
The problems identified were because we were merely following what was available, ultimately causing unfavorable situations for the pilgrims and tarnishing our country's image. So, this policy has been implemented and is functioning well up to now.
Nevertheless, as stated by Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam, some hajj operations believe they can reduce the financial burden currently borne by the pilgrims, considering the cost to perform hajj is too high. They believe it can be reduced by opting for accommodations further away than the current one kilometer, and the hotels might not be of the same standard as those close by currently used.
Additionally, reports suggest that this year's pilgrims are ready to sacrifice their comfort. Regarding the pilgrims, the government considers the importance of considering the real comfort and well-being, especially in terms of medical matters and others.
So, as per the surveys conducted, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, last year and the previous year, the survey indicated that more than 80% to almost 90% declared satisfaction with the services received or experienced during the hajj with the cost they paid and bore.
The remaining, say about 12% to 15%, expressed dissatisfaction. The dissatisfaction could be either not aligned with the price paid, expecting more comfort but did not receive it, or expressing that if the case is such, it would have been better to follow cheaper packages, maybe something like that. But it is certain that more than 80% are satisfied Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Therefore, for now, as a step forward, what the ministry, especially the government, will address since several agencies are involved in this hajj matter. So, the government is operated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
However, currently, as a way forward, continuous enhancement measures need to be implemented through periodic surveys to obtain feedback and align services with pilgrim needs.
Based on kaola's explanation, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, it means that at present, according to what has been received by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other agencies, the proposals are not yet clear and concrete.
What's required in the proposals, what reductions are there? Is it merely a reduction in terms of accommodation? Does it only concern the standard of the hotels? Or solely the distance? Or does the accommodation also depend on the duration of stay in the holy land? These elements remain unmentioned, and as some operators know, some neighboring countries have a different hajj duration compared to us. Therefore, they can reduce payment costs, there are ways, but we have not yet obtained such matters.
Thus, if the hajj operations can provide more detailed and concrete proposals with specifics that can be observed. What's most important is the relation between the operators and the agencies in Saudi Arabia, in Mecca, Medina, including Jeddah, that is reliable.
So that no agreements lead to situations like before, where our pilgrims end up with passport issues, unable to retrieve passports as the hotel retains them until payments are made by the agent there, although payments have been settled by our Bruneians to the agencies taking them there. Still, the servicing agency there seems unreliable, necessitating intervention. Kaola recalls such circumstances, or that is what should be avoided.
Thus, moving forward, kaola cannot outright dismiss the proposal. Should hajj operators be able to offer a more concrete, clear, and reliable proposal that can be trusted, where examples can be seen and if they reduce comfort, are willing as such, but whatever method deemed appropriate by the government, insya Allah, we will jointly deliberate, insya Allah Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua.
The second from Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam requests for further steps to reduce the waiting list for prospective hajj pilgrims. For our information, our quota of a thousand is an act of goodwill from the Saudi Arabian government, not merely from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, so we've exceeded our actual quota by 150 percent, Pehin.
Nonetheless, we hope, from time to time, there will be more specific acts of goodwill. Meanwhile, management arrangements have been made; this is known publicly. Among them, individuals who have previously performed Hajj are not prioritized. Priority is given to those performing Hajj for the first time unless they accompany family members who have never been for Hajj.
Second, the readiness of pilgrims who get their turn to perform hajj clearly means they have adequate finances. If readiness is lacking, then the turn will be given to another. So, kaola exceeded two minutes, Pehin, my apologies, Pehin, that's kaola's response. Hopefully, Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd Salam is satisfied. Thank you, Pehin.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The second question, from Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed to the Minister of Health. I invite the concerned Minister.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, koala seeks permission to answer question PL2 together with PL132 and PL145 as the issues questioned relate to the same service. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The third question is from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusuf. Please, Yang Berhormat.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. (Prayer is read).
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Your Honourable Members. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings of peace. Alhamdulilah, thank you for the questions from Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusuf, and Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohammad Salleh bin Haji Othman regarding access to dental treatment, plans to expand dental service capacity, and factors and differences in dental treatment costs domestically and abroad.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. The Ministry of Health operates full-time dental services in nine health centers, four government hospitals, and one at the Child Development Centre. The Pusat Pergigian Negara, National Dental Centre is the main dental clinic or main hub in Negara Brunei Darussalam, housing forty dental chairs used by 15 Dental Specialists, seven Dental Officers, five Dental Hygienists and Therapists, and thirteen chairs for dental training.
Additionally, the center also houses a dental laboratory with seventeen Dental Technologists and Technicians responsible for handling the production of dental prostheses such as dentures, crowns, and bridgework.
Services operated by the Jabatan Perkhidmatan Pergigian or JPP include basic oral health care like fillings, extractions, and scaling, as well as dental specialties such as Orthodontics, braces installation, Prosthodontics, crowning, bridging, dentures, Oral Surgery, Periodontics, Endodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, and Special Care Dentistry.
JPP is continuously working on providing services outside the dental clinics such as operating services to remote villages through Travelling Health Services, visiting centers and homes for those with special needs through the Program Senyum Kasih, and conducting visiting specialist clinics to non-urban areas to enhance the accessibility of dental services.
Moreover, JPP, through the Oral Health Division, also runs the Oral Health Awareness Program in schools, the Negara Service Program, Disability Institutions, Senior Citizens Activity Centers, mass media through RTB and radio stations, and social media platforms like IG and TikTok.
According to JPP statistics, the number of patient visits to Government dental clinics ranged between 150,000 - 162,000 annually before COVID-19. However, dental patients' attendance in 2024 slightly reduced to 139,885 patients. The booking rate for dental appointments via BruHealth is estimated to be around 90 - 95%.
However, only 85 - 90% attend, and the rest fail to show up. The number of appointment slots has been gradually increased to give more opportunities for the public to book appointments.
The School Dental Service is already operating with forty-three dental clinics in primary schools across Brunei.
The School Dental Service has been extended to secondary schools, managed by dental officers, and initiated at Chung Hwa Secondary School, providing two dental chairs. Insya Allah, this initiative will be expanded to other secondary schools throughout Brunei.
According to JPP statistics in 2016, Brunei recorded 105 dental doctors, whereas last year it increased to 138 dental doctors nationwide.
Out of this number, 105 dental doctors serve in basic oral health care encompassing the Ministry of Health, private sector, and Royal Brunei Armed Forces where 33 dental doctors work in specialist areas and 21 specialist dentists are local professionals. In terms of access to dental services, the ratio of dental doctors in basic oral health care to the population of 450,500 people is 1,290.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. The Ministry of Health through JPP is actively ensuring service upgrades and more strategic planning to address existing issues in service provision. Among others are in basic programs and upskilling of officers and staff to ensure safe and quality dental services, including sending dental officers abroad for advanced specialty training.
Plans to upgrade in terms of dental technology are also being considered with the use of the Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacture system, CAD CAM in the dental laboratory for the digital production of dental appliances. This technology can reduce some conventional procedures and use special materials with better durability. With this technology, it is hoped to help produce dental prostheses more efficiently, of higher quality, and cost-effectively.
It is understood that many residents in this country undergo dental treatment in neighboring countries. To determine the main factors causing citizens to opt for dental treatment in neighboring countries requires information or data through detailed studies conducted on the residents of this country.
However, kaola believes this is a matter of individuals' choice. It may be because some individuals want to take the opportunity to receive treatment in neighboring states while visiting, having leisure, or traveling. Currently, patients on the waiting list can start treatment for braces in less than 2 years.
This is much shorter compared to several years ago, which could take up to 5 years.
Looking at the dental treatment cost, the dental treatment costs in government clinics have been heavily subsidized, and for most dental treatments, it is provided free of charge to all citizens of this country. It is important to remember, when choosing dental centers for these services, to ensure the selected clinics and practitioners are registered, recognized, and meet international standards to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment.
In this country, there are eight private dental clinics and two private hospital dental clinics offering dental services with a total of twenty-seven dental doctors registered with the Medical Board of Brunei.
The Ministry of Health welcomes more private clinics in the country, and JPP will continue to monitor the needs and potential to collaborate with the private sector in handling certain services.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Noting that the Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan has also answered question No. 4, which was addressed or presented by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman.
Now, moving on to question No. 5 from Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Zainol bin Haji Mohamed to the Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II. Please, Dato.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Kaola would like to seek permission to answer questions PL5 and PL97, which are the fifth and sixth questions concurrently, as the questions are closely related.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Therefore, Yang Berhormat Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II intends to answer the sixth question presented by Dayang Chong Chin Yee. Please continue.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Firstly, regarding PL5 on government assistance to help businesses against rising goods costs. As experienced, by the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation rose due to several factors like global supply chain disruptions and increased global energy costs.
As an importing country, the prices of most goods imported into this country have also risen beyond our control. In this matter, as kaola mentioned in the recent Supply Bill Presentation, global inflation has begun to decline, and it is hoped this will reduce prices for certain goods.
In addition, kaola also wants to remind that the government continues to subsidize essential needs including rice, fuel, and utility charges like electricity and water, which have somewhat helped reduce the impact on the residents of this country, where if not given, the citizens and residents might have been more affected by inflation as seen in other countries.
According to the latest official data released by the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics of our country, the inflation rate from 2017 to 2024 is around 1% per annum on a prorated basis. This is considered low compared to many other countries experiencing much higher inflation. It should be understood that inflation rates will fluctuate over time.
Furthermore, as most intermediary goods depend on import sources, global inflation rates inevitably impact entrepreneurs in this country. Therefore, for businesses to remain competitive, traders and entrepreneurs must stay agile or smart and responsive to environmental changes, such as increasing productivity and cost efficiency, and being more innovative.
The next question, PL97, is about helping local businesses understand consumer trends and foreign business regulations. For the information of the Honourable Member, various expos both domestically and internationally, such as the CHINA-ASEAN Expo or CAEXPO, are organized by BEDB and several government and non-government agencies annually to open market opportunities for local businesses.
One of the main annual events is the Brunei MSME Festival, introduced since 2019, which this year will be held from March 13 to 16 at Setia Point Shopping Mall, gathering 186 MSME participants encompassing various sectors such as F&B, fashion, beauty, and services. Additionally, during the annual event, there is a hosted buyer program, an initiative for business matching, which this year will connect local businesses with 4 buyers from 3 companies from Singapore and 1 company from Malaysia to explore expo opportunities.
In addition to promoting local products to domestic and international markets, the government has invited many foreign buyers to encourage interaction and dialogue between them and our businesses, especially for local businesses ready with their products for export to foreign markets.
There is also the Brunei Mentor for Entrepreneurs Network, the Elevate Program, Youth Entrepreneurship Eco System, I-Usahawan, and DARe LINKS provided to enhance entrepreneurial skills, marketing, international certification, and sharing about the business environment and business policies domestically and in international markets. With the range and the number of products available for export to foreign markets today, the government has not yet seen the need to establish permanent offices abroad at this stage.
For the information of the Honourable Member, the Brunei National Chamber of Commerce and Industry is another resource for our businesses that can be contacted as they attend several organized conferences and business dialogues both domestically and internationally. In this regard, kaola urges local traders to continue contacting the relevant business and industry bodies for further assistance and information about it.
Moreover, businesses are encouraged to be more innovative and smart in accessing information about trends through the many research materials available on the internet or using Artificial Intelligence platforms like ChatGPT, DeepSeek and so on for real-time market data analysis.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The seventh question is from Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman to the Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings of peace.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, Your Honourable Members. Kaola would like to thank Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman for the question regarding the procedures for controlling and preserving flora and fauna and the legal actions taken against offenses related to flora and fauna.
In controlling and preserving flora and fauna, this ministry has implemented and enforced the Forest Act Chapter 46 to regulate the extraction of forest produce as a strategic measure to ensure the country's biodiversity resources continue to be preserved and managed sustainably.
Any extraction of forest produce without permission is an offense and may be subject to severe legal actions. Meanwhile, the Wild Animals Protection Act Chapter 102 regulates activities of hunting, possession, and trade of protected wildlife species.
The control of flora and fauna involves collaboration with several agencies including the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Royal Brunei Police in an integrated manner.
In terms of trading control of flora and fauna, the Forestry Department also enforces regulations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora through the Wild Flora and Fauna Order 2007.
For offenses of extracting forest produce without permission, the Forestry Department imposes legal actions such as a fine not exceeding $1000 for extraction or possession of forest produce without the permission of the Forestry Department. A fine not exceeding $500,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both are penalties for the offense of extracting forest produce without permission in a forest reserve. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The eighth question is from Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee to the Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan.
Please proceed, Yang Berhormat.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you again, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Once more, kaola would like to express gratitude to Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee for the question regarding providing clear information about procedures in the mosque, etiquette, visiting hours, and the installation of signboards in mosques to assist visitors.
Regarding information about visiting hours to the mosques, namely Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque and Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the ministry has been informed that the Department of Mosque Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, has prepared a schedule of visiting hours and etiquette and rules when visiting the mosque.
Guide services have also been provided by these mosques. To obtain these guide services, they must be booked in advance. To further facilitate tourist visits, travel agencies are also encouraged to provide their own guides.
This ministry informs that the Department of Tourism Development has taken the initiative to provide information about etiquette and procedures in the mosque, including a list of dos and don'ts on their website at www.bruneitourism.com.
For the next step, the department also plans to disseminate this information through social media for the information of tourists before entering the mosque.
Regarding signboards in mosques, the Department of Tourism Development is in consultation with the Department of Mosque Affairs regarding this matter. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Thank you to the relevant Yang Berhormat Ministers who have answered the questions orally submitted by Your Honourable Members.
Question time has ended, and now we move to the next item of the meeting agenda.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Ministerial Statement.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members, I have granted permission for Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri to make a Ministerial Statement. Yang Berhormat Menteri is allocated 30 minutes to deliver the Ministerial Statement.
I invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. (Prayer is recited). Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings of peace.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members whom peramba/kaola/I respect, kaola express my heartfelt thanks for the permission by Yang Berhormat Pehin for kaola to make a statement regarding some of the questions that have been raised and at the same time share the updated policies, including the developments of their implementation.
Thanks also to Your Honourable Members who have asked questions, while other questions have been answered in writing and will be answered verbally. Insya Allah.
Under the 12th National Development Plan, an allocation has been provided for upgrading immigration control posts, and a total of 32 meetings were held throughout 2023 and 2024 with the Ministry of Development to discuss designs and also with government security and enforcement agencies operating at the control posts to ensure these modifications are implemented in an integrated manner.
Insya Allah, this project will be advertised for the next process, and based on the implementation schedule, the upgrading of the Sungai Tujoh Control Post, Labu Control Post, and Ujung Jalan Control Post is expected to be completed around 2027, while the Kuala Lurah Control Post is expected to be completed around 2028.
Kaola am pleased to add that the old Police Control Post between Miri Control Post and Sungai Tujoh Control Post is used by the Royal Brunei Police Force from the beginning when Sungai Tujoh Control Post started operating.
Regarding the maintenance of community halls, 2 out of 37 halls are currently not fully utilized, namely the Labi Multipurpose Hall and the Kampung Merangking Multipurpose Hall in Belait District.
For the information of Yang Berhormat Pehin and Your Honourable Members, the Labi Multipurpose Hall was handed over upon request by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism in 2019 to open an Expression of Interest, EOI to interested companies from the tourism sector, but there was no response, and the hall was returned to the Belait District Office in 2021.
Since then, the Belait District Office has conducted maintenance works such as roof repairs, futsal court repairs, and cleaning the hall area, where this hall is often used by village residents for playing badminton and sepak takraw.
In the desire to optimize the use of this hall, the Belait District Office has planned to organize economic activities such as farmer's markets, sales of One Village One Product (1K1P) as well as community, sports and other activities, which will be managed by the Mukim and Kampung Labi Consultative Council.
Meanwhile, Kampung Merangking Multipurpose Hall, donated by a local contractor, was handed over to the Belait District Office on May 18, 1998. To ensure user comfort, especially for the Mukim and Kampung Consultative Council and villagers, several maintenance works have been carried out, such as roof repairs, leveling land, wall repairs, and others.
Like other halls, this hall is used for activities such as sports, community, and religious activities, in addition to being used as a place for the village head to conduct business with villagers, government, and non-government agencies.
Alhamdulillah, all community halls have been optimally utilized by the residents of the mukims and villages, where from 2022 to 2024, a total of 1,692 community activities have been held, reflecting the government's decision to build these facilities is apt for strengthening community solidarity among the mukims and villages, as well as fortifying family institutions.
For the information of Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, the ministry through its departments has carried out maintenance on other infrastructures. For example, the Brunei Muara District Office continuously repairs and maintains the walkways in Kampong Ayer where in 2024, over 1 kilometer of bridge walkways in Mukim Tamoi, Mukim Burong Pingai Ayer, Mukim Peramu, Mukim Saba, Mukim Sungai Kebun, Mukim Kota Batu, and Mukim Mentiri has been repaired not only involving the department's workforce, but also supported by the local community.
This shows the consensus and unity of the citizens and residents in this country in supporting any activities implemented by the government. Thank you kaola express to those involved, insya Allah the repairs of these walkways will continue using the allotted funds. In connection with that, the ministry welcomes contributions from the private sector and the public for cooperation in helping to maintain public facilities.
Kaola am pleased to give an example where the Brunei Muara District Office has collaborated with a registered association in this country supported by youth volunteers in repairing walkways in Kampong Ayer and repairing homes of those in need in all districts.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Discussing the welfare and well-being of residents, kaola am pleased to explain that among the duties and responsibilities of the Mukim Penghulu and Village Chief, as outlined in the Mukim Penghulu and Village Chief Service Scheme under Clause 3 Article 3, is to serve as the eyes, ears, and voice of the government and the villagers in safeguarding as well as monitoring the interests, welfare, well-being, and safety of the village.
Meanwhile, the Key Performance Indicator of the Mukim Penghulu and Village Chief under KPI 4, "Percentage of Mukim/Village Residents Attended to, Heard, and Addressed" is to ensure the well-being of the villagers, especially those in need.
In fulfilling this responsibility, the Mukim Penghulu and Village Chiefs naturally keep information on the residents in their respective mukims or villages. This also includes assisting the Department of Community Development, JAPEM, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in conducting initial interviews on applicants for assistance through the National Welfare System, SKN, to ensure that the submitted information is correct.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Based on information from the Labour Department, the number of foreign workers in this country in 2019 was 65,579; 71,511 in 2020; 60,294 in 2021; 65,714 in 2022; and 75,402 in 2023. This number does not include private services, domestic helpers of which according to information from the Department of Immigration and National Registration is estimated at 13,000 in 2024. The significant increase and decrease in 2020 and 2022 were due to the relaxation of exit and entry restrictions into the country following the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in demand for labor in 2023 reflects the country's economic growth in various expanding sectors and industries.
Regarding the involvement of foreign workers in the retail business sector, the 2023 Employer and Employee Census conducted by the Labour Department as of April 01, 2024, reports that 1,444 companies registered as retail shops are owned by Brunei Darussalam citizens, with only a few registered with foreign partners.
A total of 6,001 local workers are employed in the retail business sector, while 8,350 workers are foreigners. The majority of local workers in this activity work in sales fields, including as shop supervisors, assistants, cashiers, and salespeople. Meanwhile, foreign workers mostly hold basic positions like shop laborers.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Furthermore, kaola am pleased to inform you of the two types of systems used in parking management, namely open parking areas, on-street parking, and barrier-enclosed parking areas.
Currently, twelve open parking areas, and thirteen barrier-enclosed parking areas use an automatic barrier system, press, ticket, and entry. Insya Allah, this method of privatization operations will be extended to parking areas still managed by Municipal Departments.
Touching on the City Planning Strategic Indicator, Bandar Seri Begawan, so far the achievement of the Bandar Seri Begawan Development Master Plan since it was approved in 2011 is only 18.7%, with 14 projects out of 75 projects being implemented as planned in the Bandar Seri Begawan Development Master Plan; and 21.3%, i.e., 16 projects, are inconsistent with the provided master plan planning as identified lands have been developed with other developments.
For example, the master plan for setting up a Water Transport Terminal at the Airport Hub has been turned into a Power Plant Station. Meanwhile, other identified plots cannot be implemented because they are privately owned lands.
With that, aligned with aspiration 2 of the Ministry of Home Affairs Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department is currently focusing on empowering community development by providing conducive facilities for micro, small, and medium enterprises, MSMEs, such as upgrading the Tamu Selera, Bandar Seri Begawan for the comfort of traders and public visits; providing kiosks at Jalan Residency; and appointing Event Managers to coordinate and manage local traders to trade weekly in the Bandar Seri Begawan city area.
In empowering community development and providing facilities for traders in this country, the ministry focuses not only on active traders but also on empowering marginalized groups like prisoners.
In this connection, the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Department of Prisons has introduced Insaf Productions which are handcrafted products by prisoners, such as ironing tables, coffee tables, reading stands, multipurpose tables and creative arts including jawi script calligraphy through expos and exhibitions as an effort to make prisoners useful people, with positive self-identity, responsibility, discipline, and able to stand on their own once released.
In addition to vocational skills, prisoners also participate in the Self-Identity Strengthening Program from religious and spiritual aspects by understanding and practicing Al-Quran recitation and memorization as well as zikir practices. The Al-Quran Memorization Program, introduced since 2014, has received support from Yayasan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam in terms of providing teaching allowances.
Alhamdulillah, 26 prisoners have successfully memorized several chapters in the Al-Quran and 4 former prisoners registered as Rakan Seliaan continue their memorization studies under the supervision of the Reintegration Unit, Prisons Department.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, kaola am pleased to share in this esteemed chamber, in efforts to support the tourism industry, Negara Brunei Darussalam has established a visa waiver arrangement with 67 countries, where through this visa waiver arrangement, citizens from these countries can enter and stay in this country for periods ranging from 14 days to 90 days.
In addition to the visa waiver facility, 6 foreign countries have been granted Visa on Arrival facilities upon arrival in Negara Brunei Darussalam.
The visa exemption agreement not only facilitates travel but acts as a catalyst for the growth of the country's tourism industry, rich with cultural heritage, historical sites, and attractive destinations, thus having a positive impact on the country’s economy by creating employment opportunities in the tourism sector and related sectors.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Alhamdulillah, in 2024, a total of 1,328 people have been granted the Grace of Consent by Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam to become His Majesty's subjects as provided under the Brunei Nationality Status Act Chapter 15, with the 40th and 41st nationality certificate presentation ceremonies held in April and December 2024, respectively.
In addition, the Department of Immigration and National Registration through the Language Board has been actively conducting written and oral Malay language tests for candidates who meet the eligibility requirements under Chapter 5(1) and 8(1) of the Brunei Nationality Act. The 41st and 42nd written Malay language tests were held in January and October with the attendance of 1,524 people, while the oral tests were held twice from May to June 2024 and September to October 2024 with 165 candidates.
This clearly reflects Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam’s concern for the welfare of the people and proves that His Majesty always ensures that every eligible resident is awarded the status of Brunei Darussalam citizen.
In this regard, the Ministry of Home Affairs has reviewed the curriculum for the written Malay language test introduced in 2004. The 2024 edition curriculum is a reference material for candidates sitting the Malay language test and candidates taking the Malay language oral test.
The rationale for the review is to align the curriculum content of the written Malay language test with the actual purpose of the written and oral Malay language tests, ensuring it serves as a valid and consistent measurement tool, in accordance with the function and actual purpose it was held.
Regarding applications for Entry Permits or applications for obtaining Permanent Resident status of Negara Brunei Darussalam, from 2020 to March 1, 2025, a total of 2,151 applicants have been approved to become Permanent Residents of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Of this total, 1,241 applicants are stateless residents, while 910 applicants are foreign nationals under the category of wife or husband and child or adopted child of a citizen or Permanent Resident of Negara Brunei Darussalam, also known as PR Stateless. The ministry will remain committed to ensuring all applications are processed transparently following the current regulations.
Meanwhile, the guidelines and qualifying conditions for the applicant category to obtain Permanent Resident status of Negara Brunei Darussalam have also been improved and updated, and began implementation on December 31, 2024. This is one of the efforts by the Ministry of Home Affairs to protect and care for the welfare, well-being, and interest of the people and residents of this country.
That is kaola's statement, and kaola conclude Wabillahi taufik wal hidayah Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Thank You, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, for the comprehensive statement that has been presented.
Now we move on to the next Meeting Business.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Bill and Resolution on the Progress Fund. Policy level debate.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members. The session of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara is still discussing the Supply Bill (2025) for 2025/2026 and the Resolution on Progress Fund at the policy level debate.
Once again, I would like to remind the Appointed Honourable Members that the focus of the debate is on policy and the budget statement, with a time limit of 15 minutes per person.
Now I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings of peace.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Alhamdulillah, on this occasion, kaola happily wishes a blessed Ramadan, a month of great honor and blessing. May the good deeds performed be rewarded with rewards from Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala. Amin.
A word of appreciation to Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri and Minister of Finance and Economy II, for presenting the National Budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026 themed "United in Building a More Prosperous Future."
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, personally, kaola sees this guideline as having a positive impact on the nation's progress. This is driven by the government's efforts and initiatives in implementing strategic measures to achieve the goals of Wawasan Brunei 2035.
Among the economic achievements recorded was a $4.9 billion trade surplus for the country in 2024, with an increase of 18.1%. GDP growth also surged by 4.2%, marking one of the highest increases since 1999.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Kaola also welcomes the government's efforts to foster stronger relationships with international partners. This includes access to new markets, investment opportunities, and the latest technologies. These efforts are necessary to create economic networks with trading countries that can be harnessed by the country and local businesses. Therefore, any use of the latest technology in business transactions, whether in domestic or international markets, needs to be developed as a comprehensive e-Commerce platform, similar to what is practiced by other countries.
In addition, banking regulations need to focus on helping local businesses to further expand their reach. This includes building consumer confidence in using the latest technologies through applications provided by financial institutions. Security in terms of financial safety and transactions needs to be monitored to ensure issues like lost funds in accounts do not occur.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. The establishment of National Digital Payment Network Sdn Bhd, NDPX, as a digital payment hub platform for managing fast payment systems is a great step towards facilitating online business activities. However, kaola hopes that this service will not impose high charges on merchants.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. In the effort to strengthen the country's food security, kaola also welcomes the new paddy planting spanning 74 hectares, capable of producing paddy throughout the growing season totaling 289 metric tons of rice. The use of organic fertilizers and compost has shown an increase of one metric ton per hectare compared to the previous season. This indicates that bio-technology not only benefits productivity but is also safer to use.
The government's initiative to support business needs in the agricultural sector by providing 70 Agricultural Development Areas, KKP, paves the way for the local agricultural sector to progress, benefiting the local population.
Finally, kaola hopes that this budget will have a positive impact on the nation's progress and the well-being of the citizens, and therefore, kaola is in support of this budget. With that, I conclude, Wabillahi taufik walhidayah, Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann.
Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Alhamdulillah, first of all, kaola extends appreciation to Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri and Minister of Finance and Economy II, for presenting the National Budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026, themed "United in Building a More Prosperous Future." According to kaola, this budget has three main goals to be realized. These goals align with Brunei Vision toward becoming a developed nation by 2035, which is only 10 years away.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. In efforts to diversify the country's resources, the government's cautious steps to secure alternative income sources are necessary, reducing full dependence on oil and gas revenues, which are subject to price volatility in the global market. The fiscal position of the government for the Financial Year 2023/2024 shows the country is still experiencing a deficit of $3.09 billion, where expenditures exceed the income obtained.
When we refer to the non-oil and gas sector revenue breakdown, financial earnings amount to $102.2 million, fees and charges income amounts to $236.1 million, import duties and excise collections stand at $103.7 million, rental and commercial revenue from goods and services sales at $99.4 million, and the highest income collection from taxes at $224.17 million. In this regard, the government should be committed to updating the tax payment policies according to current suitability without burdening the people. This matter is necessary to balance the ever-increasing government expenditure.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Touching on the government's initiative through the National Development Plan, RKN, which focuses on meeting daily needs and driving towards the social and economic growth of the country. Basic infrastructure development is prioritized, including roads, clean water supply, energy, and public facilities. At the same time, steps towards building or upgrading roads in rural areas are vital to ensure these areas are easily accessible to the public. This indirectly encourages social and economic development activities, such as tourism, for the local population.
In addition, kaola welcomes the Workforce Development Program, The INSPIRE Pilot Program, an 8-month training program, comprising 2 months for certification training and 6 months of on-the-job training, which has benefited the first cohort of 30 local participants.
The level of local workforce employment under the Darussalam Asset Sdn Bhd, DA group is a positive sign of human capital development among local children. Kaola hopes that data and similar achievement statistics in other private companies besides Darussalam Asset and Hengyi Industry can also be recorded as benchmarks for local workforce excellence. Finally, kaola hopes that this budget can be utilized optimally for the progress and well-being of the people and Negara Brunei Darussalam. With that, I conclude, Wabillahi taufik walhidayah, wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Alhamdulillah, first of all, kaola expresses gratitude to Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Muhammad Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II, for presenting the national budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026 with a total of $6.4 billion, themed 'United in Building a More Prosperous Future' which aims primarily towards achieving the National Vision 2035.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. We only have 10 years left to achieve that vision; the excellence of last year and the previous years serve as experience and guidance towards achieving something even better and excellent. We need to learn and be aware of rapid current developments. The government should not only be measured by data that provides an overview of ranking positions or the percentage increase in national gains, whether in education, economy, or similar areas.
Furthermore, we need to look at the frequency of governance and administration practices within government and private sectors. This relates to the implementation of goals and visions. Honest, disciplined, and trustworthy attitudes need to be instilled in the government machinery to prevent operational gaps and spending wastage. This is crucial as every cent of government money used should be enjoyed and have an optimal impact.
In addition, kaola suggests that the method of choosing the lowest price in any offer should be scrutinized because it is not necessarily the best approach to saving government expenses. Priority and productivity also play an important role in ensuring every project and service provided by private parties is of high quality and not burdensome. This is a reciprocity strategy that provides a positive impact on national progress, particularly in private sector economic competition.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, in efforts to create harmony and well-being, especially in addressing natural disaster issues like flash floods and landslides, kaola hopes that sufficient provisions are allocated to carry out maintenance and asset management of the parties concerned.
The time has come to look into and examine the potential of using more efficient modern machinery in maintenance work like cleaning drains, trimming trees, cutting grass, and similar activities. Flash floods frequently occur in many places, causing property damage and affecting daily activities.
What often happens when flash floods occur is that immediate action for drain cleaning needs to be done. A new work culture of acting is not merely a tidy framework but also a financial drain for the public. Kaola hopes that every party involved should devise strategic plans in dealing with natural disasters by providing appropriate allocations towards systematic work transformation.
In this regard, kaola welcomes the government's initiative towards disaster management by introducing a mitigation project with a provision of $25 million to improve drainage systems and build flood control infrastructure.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. In the second focus of the budget on fostering a sustainable diverse economy, kaola welcomes the government's efforts towards fostering strong cooperation with the private sector. This includes food processing companies and factories. With this achievement, kaola hopes Brunei Darussalam will become the primary choice for the best halal food production.
Moreover, efforts to reduce the gap between the government and private sectors and understand business challenges through strategic measures such as the dialogue session by BEDB on December 12, 2024, represented by 26 representatives from the private sector among Belait District business community, need to be continued with local business members in other districts. This step is one of the best ways to ensure planned projects and programs benefit the targeted groups.
This includes identifying business problem issues and infrastructure needs, identifying business problem issues, and inclusive business ecosystem infrastructure needs, such as choosing more suitable and strategic business sites for Bumiputera businesses to attract public visits. In the scope of basic infrastructure development through repetitive government expenditure, an allocation of $153 million is provided. With this allocation, kaola hopes that the people will always receive adequate and perfected basic facilities, reduce disruptions in electricity supply, continue enjoying clean water for daily needs, and maintain road quality, whether in urban or rural areas, at a safe and good level.
Finally, kaola welcomes this expenditure budget and seeks support. With that, Wabillahi taufik walhidayah, Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan.
Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you, and may the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you. Praise be to Allah, firstly kaola is pleased to wish everyone a blessed fasting month of Ramadan and may our acts of worship be accepted by Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, Insha'Allah, Ameen.
Congratulations and appreciation to Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Muhammad Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II, for presenting the national budget for the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 last Saturday. Kaola welcomes this budget as it focuses on the national objective towards a developed nation by 2035, bringing the theme "United in Building a More Prosperous Future."
As we all know, there are three main goals towards supporting the success of Brunei Vision 2035: first, Educated, Highly Skilled and Successful Citizens; second, High Quality of Life; and third, a Dynamic and Resilient Economy.
Where are we now in terms of achievement? Only 10 years remain for us to collectively fulfill this vision. Kaola touches on the first goal, 'Educated, Highly Skilled and Successful Citizens.' Based on the performance statistics of the country's higher education institutions, they have received global recognition. This recognition opens many opportunities for international students to choose Brunei Darussalam to further their studies. However, kaola hopes that one day our country will become the best educational hub in the region by providing more higher education institutions, not only among government institutions but also operated by the private sector. This is important to provide more opportunities for local children to choose a place to further their studies within their own country.
To realize this, kaola believes the national education policy should be updated according to current needs. This includes the existing application requirements for the Scholarship or Educational Loan Scheme. Recognition of private institution qualifications for employment. Additionally, expanding the collaboration between government and private institutions through more suitable specific programs to meet the needs of all groups. Furthermore, the involvement and participation of local students in regional and international competitions in both educational achievements or innovative skills should be intensified to identify the achievement levels of local children on a global scale.
In addressing the issue of 'Dynamic and Visionary Human Capital Development', kaola welcomes and appreciates the government's introduction of the Public Service Apprenticeship Scheme (skiPPA), where 794 apprentices are currently undergoing programs in government ministries and departments. Through this scheme, kaola hopes it can produce officers among the public service who are trained, competent, with integrity and high discretion, especially in making decisions and when facing the public. This is important to maintain the good name, reputation and credibility of the government. Kaola hopes that a similar scheme can be expanded with the establishment of a Grassroots Leadership Scheme that exposes the duties and responsibilities of Penghulu Mukim and Ketua Kampung as an effort towards producing skilled, experienced leaders among graduates consisting of youths.
Kaola is interested in touching upon the breakdown of revenue from the non-oil and gas sector which amounts to a total of $102.2 million of the country's financial income. Among the contributors is revenue from rental income and commercial sales of goods and services contributing $99.4 million. Kaola raises the point concerning government buildings rented for public use with very low rental rates. This includes government halls rented for wedding ceremonies. Given the high demand, it would be beneficial to upgrade these buildings in line with current changes by equipping them with new and sophisticated facilities to be on par with other halls in the market. This also includes other infrastructures such as sports complexes, stalls and business sites. With this, the government can update the rental rates more suitably towards contributing to an increase in government revenue.
Regarding projects under the 12th National Development Plan, RKN12, kaola welcomes the efforts and initiatives of the government towards environmental sustainability by implementing the Green Building Concept with a Plan Price of $51.6 million. This includes projects installing solar panels on the roofs of 38 government buildings. Kaola sees this as an initiative that should be continued and the scope of implementation expanded by establishing a phased National Go-Green transformation plan. This includes upgrading the use of conventional energy to solar energy in public places, such as public restrooms and bus stops.
Finally, with a total allocation of $6.35 billion provided for the National Budget for the Fiscal Year 2025/2026, kaola hopes it can be utilized in line with the country's objectives and goals. Insha'Allah.
That's all. Wabillahi taufik walhidayah, wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir.
Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. (Prayer recited) Blessings and peace be upon our Great Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, his family, and all his companions who are obedient and truthful until the end of time.
Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
First, kaola is also delighted to wish everyone a blessed fasting month. May this blessed month of Ramadan shower us with the grace and rewards from Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, Ameen.
Praise be to Allah, here in this august Assembly, kaola would not forget to record appreciation to Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II for presenting the National Budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026 themed 'United in Building a More Prosperous Future' totalling $6.35 billion.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Kaola expresses the highest appreciation to the government for its achievements in driving the national development agenda. This includes success in the country's economic growth showing an increase of 4.2%, the highest increase since 1999. Furthermore, other impressive achievements in education, health, and the standard of living of Brunei Darussalam in global rankings align with the national vision's goals towards a developed country by 2035.
Moreover, the budget's essence also encompasses strategic efforts and measures to tackle any challenges such as the rapid advancement of current information technology, the increasing challenging cyber threats, issues related to climate change, environmental pollution, and significant social and democratic changes.
Yang Berhormat Pehin and Your Honourable Members. Among the efforts towards environmental sustainability in the education sector through educational plans encouraging environmental sustainability. This is among the smart steps by the government towards fostering awareness about the environment beginning with school students. This is a crucial investment in addressing environmental issues.
Kaola also welcomes the government's initiative in tackling natural disasters by introducing mitigation projects with an allocation of $25 million. This step aligns with the erratic weather conditions in recent times.
In projects within the National Development Plan, RKN focusing on four main focuses: supporting the country's socio-economic stability, community and resident welfare, enhancing skills and creating new employment or economic activities opportunities, and ultimately towards improving digital technology development.
In relation to this, kaola hopes that the Temburong District receives a spillover from both planned and upcoming RKN projects. This includes the construction of new National Housing Scheme houses, expansion of internet recipients, sports facilities, and good road systems in remote areas. With this, the hope to populate the Temburong District, Insha'Allah, will be achieved.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. In closing, kaola sincerely hopes that this budget will achieve the intended mission and goals, and kaola wishes to extend support.
That's all. Wabillahi taufik walhidayahAssalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Thank you Yang Berhormat. Your Honourable Members. I believe it is appropriate now for us to take a 15-minute break and we will resume this meeting shortly.
(Meeting adjourns)
(Meeting resumes)
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The meeting is now resumed. We will now move to the minister's remarks in this Policy Debate Level. I would like to remind you that Yang Berhormat Ministers are allotted 30 minutes. Yang Berhormat Ministers may also provide additional written comments if necessary. Therefore, I now invite Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Home Affairs. Please proceed Yang Berhormat.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and greetings of peace.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members blessed by Allah whom peramba kaola respect. Kaola expresses gratitude to Yang Berhormat Appointed Members for the fundamental issues raised relating to the responsibilities of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Kaola wishes to refer to the discussion from the Honourable Member regarding the updating and improvement of the business ecosystem as a catalyst to attract more new foreign direct investors (FDI) to the country. Kaola is pleased to share in this esteemed Assembly that the implementation of the Long Term Pass (LTP) policy will commence on 31st December 2024. This Long-Term Pass is introduced to facilitate foreigners who have family ties with the citizens and residents of Negara Brunei Darussalam, as well as investors and professionals who contribute to the economic growth and development of the country, to be granted a stay period of up to 5 years including a multiple re-entry visa continuously as follows:
First, the long-term social visit pass is granted to foreigners who have familial ties with citizens or permanent residents of Negara Brunei Darussalam but have not yet met the requirements to apply for permanent resident status;
Second, the long-term business visit pass is designated for company owners and foreign investors who meet certain criteria, including contributing to the national economy through employment opportunities for locals and tax compliance;
Third, the long-term professional visit pass will be given to foreign experts and professionals in fields required by the country, evaluated based on importance and shortage of expertise in the relevant sector, as well as support from relevant regulatory agencies. The Long-Term Pass will not be granted to sectors such as retail, restaurants, laundry, and salons, as well as companies that are not comprised of SDN BHD. Pass holders may face cancellation or termination if found violating laws or not providing a positive impact on the country.
With this facility, the government aims to ensure that Negara Brunei Darussalam continues to be a conducive destination for professional development investment and the strengthening of family institutions, thus contributing to the government's efforts to diversify the national economy. As previously shared during the First Meeting of the 20th Session of the Legislative Council in 2024, the age limit policy has also been updated, especially for 2 categories, namely positions that require high or specialized accredited qualifications, including positions in the company owner category and technical specialist or professional roles where the Labour Department can still grant permission for the extension of foreign worker licenses even if the individuals concerned have already reached the set age limit of 60 or 65 years. However, this permission is granted based on assessments made by interested government agencies by meeting criteria such as filing corporate tax, employment opportunities given to locals, businesses that add value to economic development, and creating a pro-business ecosystem for advancing the national economy. Through this age limit policy, it will not disrupt the company's operations and provides an opportunity for the Labour Department to conduct continuous monitoring to ensure employment opportunities for locals in terms of succession planning and knowledge transfer.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. I am pleased to share that based on initial findings conducted by the Labour Department on 1st April 2024, the sector with the highest number of foreign workers compared to local workers is the construction sector with 21,515 people or 83%, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector with 3,521 people or 75%, accommodation and food service activities sector with 11,361 people or 63%, manufacturing sector with 7,929 people or 63%, and the wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles sector with 14,908 people or 55%.
Alhamdulillah, Negara Brunei Darussalam through the Ministry of Home Affairs has ratified several basic conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), including the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention 2006, No. 183 during the 112th International Labour Conference in 2024, reflecting the country's commitment to promoting occupational safety and health and ensuring adequate access to social protection. In this regard, the Labour Department has updated the implementation of the immigrant worker medical insurance policy aimed at enhancing the overall welfare and wellbeing of workers.
The immigrant worker medical insurance policy will be implemented in phases. The first phase will come into effect on 1st July 2025 for holders of work passes under the domestic service category, holders of visit passes entering Negara Brunei Darussalam with a visit visa, holders of professional visit passes and business visit passes, and permanent residents of Negara Brunei Darussalam who are foreign nationals under the category of foreign nationals contributing to the country's economy, development, and progress, as well as foreign nationals in the professional category.
Whereas the second phase begins on 1st January 2026 for work pass holders in the corporate category, namely the private sector, dependent pass holders, i.e., wives and non-schooling children, and student pass holders who are foreign nationals. In an effort to assist the government in ensuring better social protection for foreign workers and reducing employers' financial burden in line with the country's efforts to enhance workforce wellbeing, the medical insurance policy has been updated, focusing on the increased coverage for foreign workers with the objective to ensure all foreign workers have adequate insurance coverage when requiring medical treatment in the country.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Honourable Members kaola would also like to refer to the debate from Your Honourable Member concerning the city property tax method to be reviewed, kaola extends gratitude for the Motion. I am pleased to share that in 2011/2012, 2 studies on building tax were conducted by assessment experts from Malaysia, resulting in 2 guidebooks, namely the Claims Process and Building Tax Collection Guidebook and the Building Tax Assessment and Valuation Process Guidebook.
Those studies produced 3 methods for land-related assessments applied: the comparison method, income method, and cost method, in line with practices in neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore. As of the end of 2024, the total building tax arrear was $26,592,731.65 million, involving 5,639 accounts up to December 2024. The Municipal Department managed to collect $5,942,486.71 million. A total of 817 accounts with arrears amounting to $13,179,617.45 million have been submitted to the Attorney General's Office for legal action, with 343 accounts having received a letter of demand issued by the Attorney General demanding payment for the arrears.
To enhance effectiveness and efficiency in tax management, the ministry will introduce a building tax system under the provisions of the 12th National Development Plan. This system will facilitate the coordination, monitoring, and payment of building taxes and improve and update existing processes. With more structured data and information sharing and verification with interested parties, each building will have its own reference account number based on the taxed building and the property taxes and ownership.
That concludes what kaola can share, and I end with wabillahi taufik walhidayah. Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
I now invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, Your Honourable Members. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings. Firstly, kaola would like to express my deepest appreciation and thanks to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for the opportunity given to kaola today to provide comments regarding education issues shared by several Your Honourable Members during the policy debate session on Tuesday, 3rd of Ramadan 1446 equivalent to 4th March 2025 and also today, which is 4th Ramadan 1446 equivalent to 5th March 2025. On this occasion, kaola would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for the observations made.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, Your Honourable Members. Yesterday, Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam had inquired about why 'O' Level secondary achievement cannot be translated in line with excellent achievement at the primary school? This question is a very good observation because the answer to this question will give us a perspective where we must not be complacent and negligent; instead, we will continue to strive to improve student achievement.
The literacy and numeracy achievement of students at the primary level has been increasing year by year, and this increase can also be seen in the PISA 2022 results. PISA is an international assessment test aimed at 15-year-old students. Negara Brunei Darussalam has participated in PISA since 2018. However, before that, in 2016, a total of 2,616 students sat for the PISA-Based Test For School as a preliminary preparation for Negara Brunei Darussalam to sit for PISA 2018.
Analysis from this test has provided an overview of the level of achievement of our students. Alhamdulillah, student achievement increased in PISA 2018 compared to 2016, and since PISA 2018 was the first time Negara Brunei Darussalam participated in PISA, the data became a benchmark.
PISA 2022 saw once again a significant increase in student achievement compared to PISA 2018, with an increase of 12 points in Mathematics, 21 points in reading, and 15 points in Science. However, even though achievement has increased, our students' achievement is still below the average of OECD countries, meaning we started from a low point.
The Ministry of Education has conducted several studies, including creating a scatterplot on student achievement in PISA 2022 and the percentage of students achieving credits in related domains. The study showed that the correlation between school achievement in PISA and O' Level is very weak. This implies that a high-achieving school in PISA does not necessarily secure a high percentage of students achieving credits in such subjects.
However, this data represents school data and is not individual data. This presents a challenge to the study. Logically, student achievement should be balanced in any assessment such as PISA and O' Level. The O' Level examination assesses our students' performance, but the PISA assessment can help evaluate our Education system with the addition of survey questions for students, schools, teachers, and parents. However, this study is still not conclusive. This is because our achievement is not yet close to the OECD average. Therefore, we must first close the student achievement gap, at least to the OECD average level, before we can increase the percentage of our students succeeding in the O Level examination.
In this regard, several efforts are being made and will be made by the Ministry of Education to further enhance student achievement. Among them are:
Firstly, the Department of Curriculum Development is in the process of reviewing or reviewing the curriculum and developing standard standards for core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science, Bahasa Melayu, and MIB, including Digital Literacy). This effort aims to ensure a quality curriculum in line with global developments as well as relevant to national needs and international standards;
Secondly, the Examinations Department strengthens the quality of student assessment by adapting the competency-based assessment approach and content-based assessment. This step aims to assess students' mastery more realistically, especially in literacy and numeracy, while also measuring 21st-century skills;
Thirdly, intervention programmes. Implementation of guidance classes and additions to assist students who need academic support and exposure to more effective question-answering techniques;
Fourth, learning support programs. This initiative aims to provide dedicated support to students in basic literacy and numeracy skills through a systematic framework;
Fifth, enhancing teaching and learning methods. Educators apply differentiated teaching and learning methods by tailoring teaching to student ability. Alongside the use of digital platforms, interactive learning, and artificial intelligence, AI is also used to enhance learning effectiveness;
Sixth, academic counseling and guidance programs. This program aims to guide and assist students in motivation, study techniques, and time management, so they are more prepared and confident to face examinations;
Seventh, Renaissance reading programs. Involving 4504 students, namely 2018 primary school students and 2008 secondary school students.
In the first year it was introduced, students spent a total of 6,847 hours reading using the 'my own' digital library;
Renaissance numeracy learning programs involve 883 students, namely 501 primary school students and 331 secondary school students;
The Partner Schools Program is a platform where selected schools collaborate with stakeholders under the Ministry of Education to obtain support suited to the needs of these schools;
Reading Program A-Z for students from Year 7 to Year 11 aims to strengthen student reading competence and subsequently achieve the Lexile score according to school levels;
The Read Theory Program is a value-added program to enhance students’ reading who have already reached a score. This program is implemented in all secondary schools, especially for students in Science Classes, in addition to enhancing students' knowledge and skills in ICT usage;
The PEKA Program, Basic Skill Enhancement, aims to assist Year 7 students in the Specialized Applied and Pre-Vocational Program to improve basic literacy and numeracy skills. This enables students to follow subjects oriented towards life skills and preparation to enroll in courses at the Youth Development Centre, IBTE, and agencies suitable for their abilities; and
The Boarding Program, namely the Riayah Wa Mahabbah Program, is a program to ensure primary and secondary school students facing challenges in attending school due to various issues, are accommodated in the dormitory of Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah.
Towards ensuring quality teaching and learning, teacher skills will continue to be enhanced through the implementation of continuous professional development programs.
Insya Allah, the Ministry of Education will remain committed and increase efforts to strengthen the national education system to ensure continuous improvement in student achievement. In line with this, strong cooperation from all parties, including the private sector, parents, and the community, is greatly hoped for to achieve this goal together.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, Yang Di-Pertua, Your Honourable Members. Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin and Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir, in your statements yesterday and today, have welcomed the Ministry of Education's efforts in human capital development for the green sector. Thank you for the support, and here kaola will provide additional information about this initiative.
As a proactive step, the Ministry is currently in the process of planning a Green Education Plan focusing on various main initiatives to cultivate sustainability in the national education system as follows:
Firstly, integrating Environmental Education into the Curriculum. Environmental education will be integrated into the curriculum at all levels to raise students' awareness and understanding of sustainability issues. Experience and project-based learning approaches will be incorporated to ensure students gain deeper understanding and practical skills related to sustainability;
Secondly, enhancing green infrastructure in Educational Institutions. Educational Institutions will be enhanced with the use of green technologies such as solar energy, rainwater harvesting systems, and energy-efficient building designs in phases. This step not only reduces the carbon footprint but also serves as a direct learning platform for students on sustainable technology;
Thirdly, eco-friendly operations of schools and educational institutions. Educational institutions will implement green operations through recycling policies, single-use plastic reduction, and zero waste concepts. Energy and water-saving steps such as the use of energy-efficient lighting, automatic sensors, and rainwater harvesting systems will be introduced. Schools are also encouraged to instill the green campus concept with ecological learning parks for interactive learning. This initiative aims to foster a green culture and make schools a sustainability role model for the community;
Fourthly, community involvement in Sustainability Initiatives. To ensure green education efforts are not limited to the classroom but also involve the community as a whole. Collaboration with parents, NGOs, and industry parties will be strengthened through programs such as community awareness campaigns, green innovation competitions encouraging creativity, and sustainable solutions among students, and other initiatives supporting sustainability;
Fifthly, increasing research in Green Technology. Higher education institutions will be encouraged to focus research on green technology and renewable energy and strengthen collaboration with industry to apply research results in the green economy sector. This step has the potential to trigger innovation that can contribute to sustainable economic growth in Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Furthermore, the development of a Green Career Pathway to ensure the national workforce is prepared for the transition to a green economy, TVET institutions and higher education will provide green career pathways by offering courses and training related to green energy, environmental management, and the green industry.
Insya Allah, with the implementation of this plan, it is hoped to enhance the nation's competitiveness through green education, which will produce students with relevant skills for this sector. Indirectly, the commitment to sustainability can attract investors and global companies, as it enhances Negara Brunei Darussalam's reputation as a proactive country in sustainability and attracts eco-tourism and international cooperation.
Research in green technology also has the potential to create new economic opportunities that will contribute to the growth and development of the country. That is all kaola I can share at the moment. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Ministers concerned who have provided their explanations in the debate regarding this motion. Alhamdulillah, I think that will be enough for our session today. I propose that our meeting be adjourned. Insya Allah, we will reconvene on Thursday, which is the next day, 6th of March 2025, starting at 9:30 a.m.
That is all, Wabillahi taufik walhidayah. Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta’ala wabarakatuh.
(The meeting is adjourned)
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