DAY 11 MORNING
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13TH MARCH 2025 MORNING
(Meeting started at 9:30 in the morning)
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The First Meeting of the 21st Session of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara convenes today on its eleventh day, Thursday, 12th of Ramadan 1446 Hijrah corresponding to 13th March 2025 AD, preceded by the Prayer of Safety.
DOA SELAMAT
(The prayer was recited by Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Awang Haji Emran bin Haji Kunchang).
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 Subhannah Wata’ala, for it is with His gracious blessings that we are able to gather this morning to convene for the eleventh day in the First Meeting of the 21st Session of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.
Salutations and peace be upon our Great Leader, Sayyidina Muhammad Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam, his family, companions, and loyal followers until the end of time.
Your Honourable Members. We will begin today with the subsequent business of the meeting.
Yang Dimuliakan Jurutulis
Time for Oral Answer Questions.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members, today's question time will begin with the first question from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim directed to the Minister of Health.
I now invite the Minister of Health.
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 and Your Honourable Members. Peace be upon you and greetings.
All praise is due to Allah, thank you for the question from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim regarding balancing the commitment to providing public health services with sustainability in continuously preserving the health of the people and residents.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. One of the priorities of the Ministry of Health is to ensure prudent and cost-effective spending to create a resilient future health system. However, cost increases remain unavoidable considering the rise in the cost of medications and treatments and the increase in the number of patients suffering from chronic diseases.
In addressing and ensuring the long-term cost increases can be controlled, the Ministry of Health has reinforced prevention campaigns and health awareness to the public through Health Promotion programs, Vaccination Program, and Screening Program, and enhanced the Early Screening Program for Chronic Diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes, and cancer. The increase in these diseases is often associated with changes in societal lifestyle, especially in the consumption of unbalanced and excessive food, smoking, vaping, lack of physical activities, and increased stress.
In handling early screenings and health promotion programs, the Ministry of Health has spent about more than $2 million from the ministry's budget in the Financial Year 2024/2025. All praise is due to Allah, the life expectancy of citizens in this country increases year by year. However, the increase in patients who suffer from non-communicable diseases at a young age will make medical costs uncontrollable.
Therefore, alongside educational and control efforts, the Ministry of Health with the assistance of CSPS will conduct a study to develop a comprehensive action plan and projected increase in health management costs nationwide. This plan will encompass service need frameworks, cost implications, and specific financial aspects for elderly services to ensure service provision meets the growing population needs.
Hopefully, the results from this collaboration will provide a broader picture of cost-effective and strategic planning. At the same time, it aims to ensure that the services provided are sustainable, quality-driven, recognized, and supporting the well-being of the elderly while enhancing the quality of healthcare in the country.
In addition, Health Technology Assessment or HTA also plays an important role in ensuring investments in the health sector are reasonable and provide optimal benefits. HTA is a systematic evaluation process of the benefits and costs of health technologies, including medications and medical service systems to ensure government funds are utilized wisely. With this assessment, decisions made in the health sector will be more effective, efficient, and evidence-based to improve the quality of the country's healthcare services.
That concludes, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The second question is from Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat, also directed to the Minister of Health, and I invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan again.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua. All praise is due to Allah, thank you to Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat for the question regarding the proposal to introduce mandatory pre-marital health screenings requiring a multifaceted approach.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, the Ministry of Health is aware of the importance of maintaining public health which can contribute to the well-being of the citizens and residents of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Based on the latest data, the Ministry of Health is aware of the increase in new HIV cases in this country. This matter is concerning and requires serious attention. Over the last five years from 2019 to 2023, the majority of new HIV cases, around 91 to 98%, are among men of the total cases.
A significant number of infections occur among those who practice unsafe sexual relationships, especially among men who have sexual relations with other men or MSM.
Moreover, the latest statistics for sexually transmitted diseases or sexually transmitted diseases show a downward trend. Gonococcal infections have decreased from 57 cases in 2023 to 52 cases in 2024. Similarly, syphilis infections have decreased from 204 in 2023 to 149 in 2024.
Consideration for implementing mandatory pre-marital screening will require comprehensive assessment of various factors including medical needs, ethical implications, societal acceptance, and accessibility to such screenings for all community levels. Individuals at risk can get blood tests for HIV and Thalassemia from nearby clinics or hospitals. Immediate test kits for HIV or HIV rapid test kits are also available in several private clinics in the country.
The test services mentioned earlier are free for all citizens and permanent residents in the country at all government health centers and hospitals. The tests for identifying HIV and Thalassemia are routinely performed especially in the context of national health checks and screenings for those at risk.
At present, there are no plans to mandate HIV or sexually transmitted infection tests in pre-marital counseling programs conducted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs also supported by the Ministry of Health, but voluntary testing is encouraged for those interested in knowing their health status. Suitable pre-marital screenings can be conducted voluntarily at health centers or private clinics as a preventive step and to ensure the well-being of everyone.
The Ministry of Health will ensure that every policy introduced is based on scientific evidence and meets community needs with the collaboration of medical experts, stakeholders, and related agencies. We welcome constructive discussions on this matter and will ensure every decision is made based on robust research prioritizing public health and enhancing the health of the citizens equitably and effectively.
That concludes, thank you Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The third question, which is posed by Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali and also directed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan.
Please Yang Berhormat.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. All praise is due to Allah, thank you for the question from Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin regarding the need for capacity at the Child Development Centre (CDC) and more effective early detection and intervention efforts for autistic children.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua Dewan and Your Honourable Members, the Child Development Centre (CDC), Ministry of Health which was newly established in 2021 in Kampung Kiarong, where the building has five bungalows and one special playground for children with special needs.
This center integrates various services including medical specialists, psychologists, speech and language therapy (SLT), audiology, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy to provide comprehensive support. The CDC acts as a center for diagnosing and addressing children with conditions such as autism, learning disorders, ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome among others.
The Ministry of Health continuously monitors the service needs of the CDC including the capacity of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals to provide services to meet the increasing needs of children under the CDC. The increase in autism diagnoses among children is due to several factors including increased public awareness and enhanced early screening at health facilities such as the Maternal and Child Health Clinic.
According to CDC statistics, the number of referrals to doctors has shown a significant increase from 400 referrals in 2010 to 1,056 referrals in 2024. This increase has also affected the waiting period for services which is recognized as a challenge in ensuring each child gets access to the required intervention promptly. A system called M-CHAT or Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers has been implemented at child centers and clinics from 1st December 2024 for early detection of autism among children aged 18 months to 2 years.
To date, a total of 3,127 infants have been screened using this method and of this number, 100 children have been referred to the CDC for further evaluation. With the use of the M-CHAT system, early intervention can be provided to children who show signs of autism. It should be informed that children diagnosed cover a wide spectrum to benefit and enhance their roles, the CDC actively provides briefings and guidance to parents and guardians so they can also provide firm support to their children. Parents can obtain services from non-governmental agencies that provide specialized treatment for children with autism.
Meanwhile, the CDC will continue to strive to improve its capacity and quality of services not only in addressing autism cases but also for other important child development conditions to be addressed. The Ministry of Health is sensitive to the increasing number of autism patients and the long waiting period for evaluation and assessment. In line with this, the ministry will review additional needs including manpower, space facilities to ensure more efficient and accessible services. That concludes thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The fourth question, which is posed by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin directed to Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, I invite Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri.
Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Kaola first would like to express gratitude to Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin for the question regarding government agencies' strategic planning from the CSPS study's outcomes about fading jobs and emerging new jobs, and whether the action plan will be aligned with the education system to produce a ready workforce.
Alhamdulillah, the government through the Manpower Planning Office, Prime Minister's Department, has been cooperating with relevant parties including the industry and educational institutions to ensure that workforce planning aligns with industry needs. The study conducted by CSPS concerning Scenario Development for Job Futures Brunei Darussalam has outlined declining, future, and sustainable jobs. The study's findings have been integrated and coordinated with workforce planning efforts managed by the Prime Minister's Department through the Manpower Planning Office. For instance, future jobs identified such as Agricultural Ecologist, Big Data Model Designer, and Sustainable Energy Solutions Engineer have been integrated with the educational system towards providing a suitable workforce supply.
For example, through curriculum updates like the introduction of Data Analytics and Machine Learning Models in Higher Education Institutions such as Universiti Teknologi Brunei and Universiti Brunei Darussalam. For any courses not yet introduced domestically, like Renewable Energy Engineering, it's recommended to be offered through Overseas Government Scholarships and the Education Loan Assistance Scheme. For jobs identified as sustainable, like Registered Nurses and Pharmacists, the government has expanded supply through Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Politeknik Brunei, and Institut Pendidikan Teknikal Brunei as well as JPMC College of Health Sciences. The Clinical Supervisory Program was also introduced by the Manpower Planning and Employment Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in 2024 to increase the number of local Allied Health Professionals. Additional efforts are being made to gain a deeper understanding of industry needs by collecting direct workforce requirement projections or manpower forecasting from private sector companies in Negara Brunei Darussalam.
From 2023 to 2024, the Manpower Planning Office, Prime Minister's Department, conducted 8 data-sharing and collection sessions for manpower forecasting involving more than 300 private sector companies. Results from these sessions have assisted the government in identifying the skills field, qualifications, and numbers needed to meet industry requirements. Overall, the industry emphasizes the STEM, Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields, and health sectors. Emphasis is also placed on strengthening basic skills and transferable skills such as analytical thinking and systems thinking among school leavers and graduates so they can enter the dynamic job market across various industries. These skills are expected to be further enhanced through continuous on-the-job training at the workplace in line with the CSPS study results referred to.
The gathered findings and recommendations have been continuously shared with higher education institutions and secondary schools in Negara Brunei Darussalam through various platforms, including the Task Force for Higher Education and the Scholarship Committee, which have been used as guiding principles in evaluating prioritized courses for government financing.
Besides that, the information is also used in reviewing and improving existing training courses, including further strengthening basic skills and soft skills to remain relevant and adaptive to current needs. In this regard, the Manpower Planning Office, Prime Minister's Department has held initial discussions with CSPS regarding updating studies to align with current circumstances. Insya Allah, these efforts will continue by considering a dynamic job market not only in Negara Brunei Darussalam but also internationally. That's all I can convey, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The fifth question from Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali, which is also directed to Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, I invite Yang Berhormat Menteri.
Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
Kaola extends many thanks to Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin for the question on employment regulations for civil servants suspended for years due to allegations unresolved in terms of investigation duration, statute of limitations on the officer concerned to ensure justice and avoid oppression.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. This suspension action is based on the Prime Minister's Department Circular 19/1998, the Power to Withhold Salary and Suspend from Performing Duties and Responsibilities paragraph 3.1, the Permanent Secretary, or Head of Department must withhold half of the salary and allowances of the relevant staff and suspend from performing duties and obligations immediately upon receiving reports from government agencies regarding the involvement of staff in criminal cases involving dishonesty such as theft, breach of trust, corruption, or any offense involving their position or offenses established by the Disciplinary Authority from time to time, such as the Misuse of Drugs Act and Poison Act.
The Public Service Commission, SPA requires complete and orderly information from government agencies in considering disciplinary actions in line with effective regulations. Support is based on investigative reports through trials and law enforcement agency information to assess whether the officer concerned needs disciplinary action or otherwise.
As for legal proceedings, kaola informs that criminal law in Negara Brunei Darussalam does not provide for a statute of limitation or a time limit on when a criminal prosecution can be brought to court. In relation to that, it should also be reminded that any prosecution processes and procedures are under the court's jurisdiction and are also subject to comprehensive relevant laws focusing on due process.
As Yang Berhormat Dr. is aware, the courts or judiciary are a separate branch of the government from the Prime Minister's Department, where the Prime Minister's Department's jurisdiction is under the executive branch.
Therefore, to ensure the independence of the judiciary, court processes, especially the handling of criminal cases, are not arranged or influenced by any ministry under the executive branch of the Government of Negara Brunei Darussalam. This separation is to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.
That's all, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Kaola conveys. Wabillahi taufik walhidayah. Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The sixth question, from Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Daud bin Jihan, directed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan. I invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. (Prayer read).
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and thank you also to Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Daud bin Jihan for the question raised.
The Ministry of Development, through the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, Public Works Department has taken a step to evaluate and upgrade drainage systems in several places across the country, including the areas mentioned in the question by Your Honourable Members earlier.
The Department of Drainage and Sewerage has previously implemented a maintenance term contract worth $140,000.00 specially allocated for maintaining the drainage system in the vicinity of Simpang 77 and Simpang 283 Kampung Lambak A, as well as the PGGMB Lambak B School area, as mentioned in the question by Your Honourable Members earlier. This contract encompasses regular cleaning and maintenance work for drains and the area's drainage systems to ensure no blocked flows and smooth water flow.
In an effort to reduce recurring flood risks and improve the effectiveness of the drainage system in the same area, the Department of Drainage and Sewerage has also allocated $236,000 through Recurring Expenditure to conduct downstream dredging work, particularly in Sungai Antong and Sungai Mangsalut.
This dredging aims to increase the river's capacity to accommodate high water volumes, heavy rainfall, and prevent blockages due to sedimentation. With more effective dredging, Insya Allah, the risk of water overflow in nearby areas can be addressed and reduced, especially during prolonged heavy rain incidents.
As a continuous effort, the Department of Drainage and Sewerage will also continue to study the effectiveness of existing drainage systems and take necessary improvement measures. Among the focus of this study includes enlarging the drains, which is increasing their water-carrying capacity to prevent overflow that could lead to flash floods;
Secondly, improving the efficiency of the drainage system by optimizing the design of drains and drainage systems to ensure smoother water flow and reduce blockages. Thirdly, increasing drainage capacity through the installation of new culverts and the construction of concrete drains in critical areas that often experience stagnant water issues.
These steps are also being taken in several ongoing projects currently. And this also reflects the ministry and Department of Drainage's continuous efforts to comprehensively address drainage challenges and ensure more sustainable and resilient drainage infrastructure in facing unpredictable climate and weather challenges. Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The seventh question, from Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin, which is also directed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan. I invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you to Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin for raising this question.
Among other things, the question is to inquire about which agency is responsible for monitoring the quality of work and minor defects affecting the building quality under the National Housing Scheme, SPN.
For information, the construction quality under the National Housing Scheme, SPN is under the responsibility of the Department of Housing Development as the implementing agency of the national housing project. The Department of Housing Development, through project officers including Supervisors and Site Staff together with appointed contractors and consultants, is responsible for monitoring the quality of construction work to ensure it meets the scope, specifications, and standards set.
Once the national housing project is completed, the Department of Housing Development will conduct joint inspections with technical agencies and related departments before the allocation of these houses is approved and then allocated to eligible applicants.
In this regard, the role of the Authority for Building Control and Construction Industry, ABCi, is specifically focused on coordinating with relevant agencies in issuing the permission to commence the project and then when the building is completed, coordinating with relevant agencies to issue the Occupancy Permit, OP, which is the certificate of occupancy for the building.
The role of ABCi is to ensure that the safety and compliance aspects of the building adhere to the regulations and can be verified through technical inspections and approvals by agencies such as the Land Department, Road Department, Town and Country Planning Department, Drainage and Sewerage Department, Fire Department, and others before the OP is issued. After the Occupancy Permit is issued and the house is occupied, any arising quality or building defect issues are no longer under ABCi's responsibility. Again, ABCi's role is in the permission process to start work for development, i.e., planning permission and subsequently issuing occupancy permit approval.
For houses where the allocation under SPN has been handed over to homeowners, the monitoring of quality and maintenance of the building is under the control of the Department of Housing Development. The Department will monitor the condition of residences through complaints received from homeowners, follow-up inspections, and feedback from homeowners. For newly built houses, typically there is a defects liability period during which the contractor is responsible for repairing any minor damages that arise after the houses have been allocated. The Department of Housing Development will ensure that contractors repair these defects within the stated warranty period.
If house damage occurs outside the warranty repair period, any liability will be undertaken by the Department of Housing Development or in collaboration with other technical agencies on a case-by-case basis subject to when the houses were allocated and the type of defect faced.
For example, the Ministry of Development through the Department of Housing Development has provisions under the Recurrent Expenditure title namely Maintenance and Repair of Assets with an amount of $2.7 million to maintain public facilities, assets, and maintenance across 25 National Resettlement Scheme areas in all four districts. This allocation is used to fund works such as repairing damaged houses, asset maintenance, cleaning, and repairing drains and sewerage, and landscape maintenance in national housing areas to ensure the environment of the National Resettlement Scheme areas is always preserved.
In terms of mechanisms, if there is a damage complaint, residents or homeowners under this scheme who find any damage to their home or nearby facilities can submit their complaints by filling out the complaint form provided by the Department of Housing Development or directly reporting it to the Department.
Follow-up action will be taken based on the type and level of house damage reported. If it’s minor damage such as wall cracks, pipe leaks, tile damage, and so forth, repairs will be arranged through the original contractor if still under liability. For more serious damages or involving safety, the Department of Housing Development will work with the Public Works Department and related agencies to take action, including possibly temporarily relocating house occupants to allow space for house repairs. That is the response that kaola can provide. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The eighth question, this is a question I like. It was posed by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman, also directed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan. Please proceed.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Kaola also like this question Yang Berhormat Pehin, because kaola will also be reaching that age. Thank you also to Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman for the inquiry regarding the discounts offered by Royal Brunei Airlines specifically for senior citizens.
Pleased to inform that since October 2023, Royal Brunei Airlines has introduced a program called RB Diamond Discounts specifically for seniors aged 60 and above. This initiative offers flight ticket discounts of up to 10%, up to 10%, not a fixed 10% Yang Berhormat Pehin, up to 10%, for senior citizens subject to a few prescribed conditions. Qualifying seniors must book at the RB Customer Service Center counter to receive certain discounts on flight tickets subject to specific conditions.
That is a response hoped to be well-received in this matter Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Therefore, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman it would be beneficial to follow and meet the relevant conditions and book your respective tickets at the RBA counter. Thank you.
Now, we move on to the ninth question. That is from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof directed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan.
Please, go ahead Yang Berhormat Menteri.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings once again. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
This question I’ve touched slightly on from Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin’s question briefly. Allow kaola to provide a full response here, Yang Berhormat.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Alhamdulillah. Thank you for the question from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof regarding the efforts taken by the Ministry of Health to address and prevent brain drain among local medical professionals.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members
The issue of brain drain, as I mentioned previously, is considered a global issue experienced by every country and it certainly poses a challenge for the health sector especially in ensuring adequate expertise and workforce. Brain drain is seen in terms of local doctors ending their civil service and local doctors not returning to Brunei Darussalam after completing their studies abroad.
It is indeed a concern for the Ministry of Health if doctors intend to end their service. This considers the significant national investment in their education to obtain a medical degree. The Ministry of Health truly hopes that doctors will serve in Brunei Darussalam to contribute to the advancement of the health system and the health status of the population in this country.
Doctors who terminate services and continue their careers in private hospitals and clinics within the country can still contribute to the healthcare of the citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam, which is a positive contribution to the national health system. There are also experienced doctors who terminate their service and migrate to continue working abroad. This is a significant loss to our country.
However, each individual has their personal reasons for ending service, including job offers abroad which are beyond the ministry's control. On the positive side, this reflects that the experience and quality of local doctors in the country are recognized and capable of competing with professionals abroad.
There is also a significant number of scholarship graduates who have not returned to serve immediately after completing their studies. To date, it is estimated that more than 50 government scholarship medical graduates have not yet returned to Brunei Darussalam. Extending the bond period for scholarship students does not guarantee that they will return to work in the country; moreover, this might adversely affect students' interest in pursuing medical fields.
The Ministry of Health continually reinforces efforts to monitor these graduates in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education to achieve Returns on Investment, which is the government’s investment in awarding scholarships to them. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education also work closely with other government agencies such as the Department of Immigration and National Registration and the Attorney General's Office in specific efforts to ensure they report to the relevant parties and the implementation of scholarship bond repayment claims.
The Ministry is also actively engaged in a retention plan, anticipated to provide motivation for local doctors to continue serving domestically. For example, efforts in capacity building from clinical and leadership aspects to give them opportunities to gain current knowledge in the medical and health fields and become specialists and consultants in their respective fields. With these opportunities provided, it is hoped that doctors will be more motivated to contribute to the country in advancing and improving existing services.
Moreover, the ministry emphasizes financial incentives, including offering competitive salaries to attract and retain quality medical personnel. Professional development and career pathways are also emphasized by providing advanced training opportunities and clear succession planning to ensure a more directed career growth.
In efforts to improve workplace rates, the ministry focuses on workload management by ensuring sufficient manpower to avoid extreme fatigue or burnout and provides modern facilities such as the latest medical equipment, technology aligned with current developments, and medical resources that motivate doctors. Safety measures are also prioritized, especially in ensuring a safe working environment, particularly in high-risk areas.
The ministry also encourages a work-life balance by providing mental health support for doctors' well-being. In the aspect of recognition and involvement, efforts such as awards and appreciation for their contributions including Honorary Medals and involvement in policy formulation to strengthen the national health system are also given attention.
To ensure this retention plan is effective, ongoing monitoring and adjustment will be implemented through data-driven policies including conducting exit interviews to identify trends and betterment strategies as well as establishing a frequent feedback mechanism to address arising issues among the healthcare workforce. Additionally, the Ministry of Health often holds town halls in all four districts to identify any difficulties or challenges faced not only by doctors but also by nurses and other health experts. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan. The tenth question is from Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed, also directed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Alhamdulillah. Thank you to Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed for the question related to the rising costs of healthcare services. Indeed, this issue needs to be discussed together at the national level. In the government's effort to ensure that healthcare services in this country are always robust and resilient, there needs to be a strong and solid private sector service to provide the community with options for the services they need.
In this regard, the Ministry of Health is committed to supporting the Ease of Doing Business by facilitating regulations and requirements for establishing private healthcare institutions. Currently, 55 private medical clinics operate within the country, with an increase of 8 new clinics in the past 12 months. Additionally, there are currently 9 private dental clinics and 5 facilities offering Allied Health Professional services such as psychology, speech therapy, and physiotherapy.
The existence of these private clinics and facilities enhances accessibility and offers choices to the public for obtaining medical services. It is understood that the operating costs of businesses in this country are high, especially the costs of purchasing medicines and medical equipment, as the country is classified as a high-income nation. Additionally, cost lines such as rent are also high. Therefore, kaola welcomes all parties to act as a whole-of-nation to jointly assist in reducing the rate of payment charges not only for private clinics but also providing support, including equipment suppliers and special rental rates for clinics, among others.
Moreover, in the government's efforts to support the growth of the private sector, the Ministry of Health, with the assistance of the Brunei Jobs Centre at the Prime Minister's Office, has conducted the Clinical Supervisory Program or CSP, aiming to provide youth who have qualifications in the fields of Allied Health Professionals to undergo professional training and obtain full registration through a structured practical training of 18 months in the public and private sectors.
This program allows participants to be recognized as competent, safe, and independent practitioners in the relevant fields, including services such as physiotherapy, pharmacy, speech therapy, x-ray laboratory tests, and available diagnostic line procedures. With CSP, health professionals can take advantage of this opportunity to develop their expertise, whether in the government or private sector, thereby contributing to the improvement of healthcare quality in the country and expanding access to treatment for the community, directly reducing public healthcare expenditure. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The eleventh question, which is the question from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman to Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, kaola kindly request permission for questions eleven, thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen to be consolidated and answered as a Ministerial Statement this Saturday. Meanwhile, question number twelve kaola would like to answer in this Assembly.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
So, questions eleven, thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen will be answered on Saturday.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Insya Allah, insya Allah.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
And today, Yang Berhormat will answer question twelve.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Twelve.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Question twelve is the one posed by Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin. For the efficiency of the meeting, I allow the request from Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan. Please proceed.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Greetings of peace.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua, Your Honourable Members. Kaola would like to express gratitude for the question posed by Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin concerning training programs to enhance the quality of hospitality and services, particularly involving the youth.
In efforts to increase the capacity and quality of services within the hospitality sector provided to visitors and tourists, this ministry has implemented various programs and training courses involving the youth. This includes 17 types of training courses and three Knowledge Transfer Programs that have been implemented, with over 300 participants for the year 2024. These training courses include Basic Bird Watching, Specialized Tourist Guide Course, Bandar Seri Begawan Heritage Trail, and Knowledge Training in Storytelling. Customer service courses are also being implemented in collaboration with SEAMEO VOCTECH.
Additionally, the ministry, in cooperation with the embassies of friendly nations, has facilitated language courses such as Russian, Turkish, and Mandarin. Moreover, educational institutions like IBTE and private colleges actively organize hospitality training such as food service and hotel management training.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua, considering the importance of service quality in the tourism sector in attracting more tourists to the country, the ministry will continue to implement training programs and capacity building in hospitality, especially for interested youth. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Thank you. Your Honourable Members, now we move to the next agenda of the meeting.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Development Fund Bill and Resolution Proposal. Committee Level Debate.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members. The State Legislative Council is still discussing the Appropriation Bill 2025/2026 and the Development Fund Resolution Proposal. I now adjourn this session, and we will continue with the Committee Level debate.
(The Council is adjourned)
(The meeting proceeds as a Committee)
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Your Honourable Members. State Legislative Council Meeting. Your Honourable Members. Now we resume to continue examining Titles at the Committee Stage.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Titles SF01A to SF06A. Ministry of Education.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members. Titles SF01A - SF06A. Ministry of Education. Now I open the floor for debate. I will first invite the first group of Appointed Your Honourable Members who wish to participate in this debate, starting with Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam, followed by Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman and Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir. Please proceed.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam
Thank you Yang Berhormat Pehin Pengerusi. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta’ala wabarakatuh.
Kaola has a few questions related to Title SF03A - Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, UNISSA. Kaola refers to the Key Performance Indicators for this institution, which states the percentage of graduates securing employment within 6 months after graduation. This KPI recorded an actual achievement of 57% in the Financial Year 2023/2024, with estimated targets between 58% to 61% for the Financial Years from 2024 to 2028.
These achievements and targets are still relatively low compared to other universities in this country. As the only Islamic university in the country, UNISSA has a high potential to enhance its achievement by expanding employment opportunities for its graduates, considering the variety of study programs offered such as the Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance, Faculty of Islamic Technology, and the Halalan Thayyiban Research Center, in addition to Arabic and Religious study programs provided.
Therefore, kaola requests clarification on the strategic initiatives of the Ministry of Education and UNISSA itself to further improve the employability and marketability of these university graduates in the wider job market based on their fields of study, whether to serve domestically or abroad. As it is said, brain gain to acquire more knowledge, work experience, and skills, especially from abroad, for an established period to return to Negara Brunei Darussalam and contribute to the country's development and progress.
Furthermore, how can the Study Abroad Programme, SAP, be utilized towards efforts in enhancing careerability, marketability, and employability of these graduates? Kaola has learned that student participation in the program is quite limited due to rather strict selection or regulations. In this regard, kaola also suggests that the terms and regulations be reviewed to provide more opportunities for students to benefit from the program in enhancing their experience, skills, and readiness.
And over, how can the ministry's and UNISSA's collaborative initiatives with industrial and banking service agencies domestically, and perhaps internationally, be harnessed towards efforts in improving this achievement so that graduates can directly contribute to industrial development and national progress?
Thank you Yang Berhormat Pehin Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann
Thank you Yang Berhormat Pehin Pengerusi. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Alhamdulillah, thank you for the opportunity to debate the Financial Allocation Budget for the Ministry of Education and its departments for the year 2025/2026.
Kaola hopes that the goals and targets towards contributing to the people's development, nation-building, and socioeconomic growth are in line with the Ministry of Education’s vision of quality education towards a developed, peaceful, and prosperous nation can be realized successfully.
Kaola refers to Account 1201 Strengthening Accessibility to Education, amounting to $72.6 million under the 12th Rancangan Kemajuan Negara (RKN) price, and an estimated $3.7 million for the 2025/2026 allocation, most of which covers additional work and upgrading of school buildings.
In connection with this, kaola requests clarification on whether there are plans to upgrade school buildings in rural areas, including the provision of sports infrastructure facilities, such as at the Merangking Primary School, Ulu Belait.
Thank you. Wabillahi taufik walhidayah. Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Thank you Yang Di-Pertua Pengerusi. Kaola has several questions, continuing directly.
SF01A Department of Ministry of Education, 007/000, which is under Other Programs and Educational Institutions, carries a budget of $2.433 million. Its objective is an inclusive education system to meet the special needs of students considering the provision of education programs, resources, and special equipment supply for Special Needs Students.
With the student population remaining at 151 and the increasing number of Special Needs Students nationwide, kaola would like to request clarification on whether the existing allocation is sufficient to support all needs and if there are efforts to support teachers who have special needs students that require special attention without neglecting other students in their class. Clarification is also requested if there are programs to promote mutual understanding among classmates and their caretakers to help tolerate and aid the development of these special children and ensure healthy socialization in the classroom.
The second issue is the KPI for the percentage of students achieving 5As to Cs in PSR. The actual achievement in 2023 is 71.5%, but the estimation and target for the coming years decrease to 62 to 67%. The question is why is the target set for declining achievement instead of increasing? Is it time for the ministry to consider introducing international standards, as adopted by international schools in Brunei, to replace PSR as student assessment? Kaola is expressing the confusion from parents about high-stress impacts too early on children who are forced to cram to obtain results that may be evaluated through alternative processes more focused on knowledge application rather than memorization.
The third question, SF06A – MOE, Brunei Technical Education Institute. The KPI for increased student intake for the year 2024/2025 is 2,350, but the intake is expected to decrease to 2,100 in the year 2027/2028. Indicating a high interest in IBTE training programs with good employability, what are the plans of MOE IBTE to improve infrastructure to increase student admission, especially ensuring students who are less academically inclined, who lean more towards vocational or are indeed late bloomers who could not achieve good O-Levels, and different capabilities are prioritized equally in these limited slots, knowing currently IBTE is mostly filled by students with high academic excellence.
Code 222115 Grant Aid Transfer and Subsidies, budgeted at $40.195 million. Kaola seeks clarification regarding the food scheme possibly included in this code, if not, apologies. According to the explanation from Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan regarding the Nutritional and Hostel Assistance Scheme, kaola understands not all schools have a nutrition scheme for every child under 12 years across the nation. What kaola refers to here is food aid outside the dietary scheme for children under 12, such as those from low-income families but not qualified to receive the nutrition or hostel assistance scheme.
Due to integrated schooling schemes, children continue in school until the afternoon. It is known there are children in primary schools who have no allowance for meals or are not supplied with food from home and are hungry during school hours. What program identifies the multitude of children within this group, and how can the ministry help as a focus group to ensure these children receive food assistance? That's all. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta'ala wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pehin Pengerusi. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings. Yang Berhormat Pehin Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members.
Kaola refers to Code 002/000 for Sector Monitoring and Development Planning to enhance the quality of education in the country at all levels by strengthening infrastructure, teachers, teaching, and learning. In this, kaola touches on the issue of discipline among teachers, referring to problems related to teacher behavior and professional ethics in carrying out their duties. Although teachers are expected to be role models for students, some disciplinary issues can occur among teachers that may affect the quality of education and the school environment.
These include tardiness or absence without reason, the use of force or unprofessional conduct towards students, lack of professional ethics in dealing with students or parents, and neglect. Please help me, please respond. This also includes the issue of sexual harassment among teachers and students, which can negatively impact the image of educational institutions. Therefore, what efforts and measures are being implemented to address the issues that kaola mentioned. That is all, thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings.
Kaola has examined the proposed budget by the Ministry of Education and fully supports the allocated funds, as kaola believes it is an investment whose returns are crucial for determining the country's future. However, kaola also hopes that every allocation to fund the programs will achieve its goals and show improvement.
That is why kaola raises the issue within the Ministry of Education's indicators that the percentage of students obtaining at least 5 'O' Levels and IGCSE for the coming years, starting from 2024/2025, is projected to be only around 46.78% to 48.51%. This presents a negative image and raises concerns as to whether this means that no matter how much effort the Ministry of Education puts in, more than 5% of students will find it challenging to achieve more than 5 'O' Levels and IGCSE. The related issue is, what happens to those who do not achieve 5 'O' Levels. Why is the target set at only 48.1%, and can this be improved with a new target?
Kaola's second question is regarding the allocation for the Early Childhood Education program for children aged 5. Last year, 2024, the Ministry of Education established 6 pilot schools for Early Childhood Education, and this year, if kaola is not mistaken, there are 22 schools. Kaola supports the establishment of Early Childhood Education because, among its benefits, it helps develop children's cognitive and social skills. For this mission to succeed, a curriculum and sufficient school resources, such as reading corners and educational toys, must be provided. Has the ministry prepared a clear curriculum and framework as a guide for teaching? And have teachers received specialized training that fits the needs of Early Childhood Education? Kaola seeks enlightenment on the status of Early Childhood Education.
Kaola's third question is about the issue of special needs students, particularly autistic children. According to the Yang Berhormat Minister of Health during a press conference in April 2023, the rate of autistic children increases annually. Over the last ten years, an average of 148 children have been diagnosed with autism each year, and this trend is rising. Earlier, we heard from the Yang Berhormat Minister of Health that the number has reached over 1,400 autistic children. This is a global trend, not just in Brunei, and serves as an early warning for us to take appropriate measures. Certainly, these children will eventually attend school, and in our country, the Inclusive Education Policy allows them to be accepted in mainstream schools.
Kaola's question is how they will follow learning in any school when many mainstream schools lack adequate facilities for them and there is also a shortage of special teachers to teach them. What efforts are being made by the ministry in this matter? First, to provide appropriate facilities. And second, to provide more trained teachers?
Kaola's fourth question, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, concerns the UBD KPI, Key Performance Indicators of Universiti Brunei Darussalam in the number of academic programs achieving international and regional accreditation standards increased from 12 to 14. Additionally, the target for new industry partnership established through Partnership Agreement from 11 to 20, and from 30 to 40 in the coming years.
Similarly, the target for new start-up founded by students in 2024/2025 is only 2 to 10, 15, and 20 in the next three years. Kaola considers this a positive target that shows UBD is a dynamic, forward-moving higher education institution that continuously strives to improve the quality of its programs. In addition, to maintain good rankings in the academic world of higher education.
In this regard, kaola believes that UBD should also appear in Brunei not only as an educational institution known for its location on Jalan Tungku Link but as an educational institution where intellectuals express contemporary thoughtful opinions not just as academic materials but as state policy, rather than just as educators.
Kaola's question is why these individuals are not often featured on local platforms like public forums, think tanks to contribute their views and research. Similarly, for other educational institutions, UTB and Politeknik Brunei, which have shown noteworthy improvements especially in providing programs and courses that meet industry demands. The employability percentage of graduates from these institutions is a testimony to their success. That is all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Alhamdullilah, kaola would like to thank you for the opportunity to debate the budget of the Ministry of Education and its departments for the 2025/2026 financial allocation.
First of all, kaola welcomes the ministry's proactive steps in drafting the Green Education Plan, which focuses on various key initiatives to cultivate sustainability in national education. Among them, the integration of environmental education in the curriculum. In this regard, kaola hopes that the natural treasures possessed by Temburong as the Green Jewel District will be highlighted among students as upcoming environmental education learning exposure.
Furthermore, kaola also welcomes the proposal for the reconstruction project for Sultan Hassan Secondary School, Bangar with a planned value of the 12th RKN allocation of $4.2 million. In addition, kaola seeks clarification on whether there are any school buildings in Temburong that are in the ministry's planning to receive the same benefits under the 12th National Development Plan, RKN?
Lastly, in ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of teachers from outside districts especially those serving in the Temburong District, what are the ministry's plans to provide accommodation facilities for them?
That is all kaola can convey, thank you. Wabillahi taufik walhidayah. Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members, I now invite the second group, starting with Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, followed by Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub, Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan, Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin, and Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof, please proceed.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, kaola would like to touch on several matters.
Firstly, in this 2025/2026 Budget, the education sector has been allocated $221.1 million for Recurrent Expenditure, and the Ministry of Education itself has received an additional allocation of approximately $8.4 million for ordinary expenditure.
Kaola notices some of this increase is for teaching services at the primary and secondary levels. However, the number of teaching staff has not increased, and Code 003/003 Education and Operational Resources has only slightly increased its allocation at both these levels. I seek clarification on the intended outcomes from this additional allocation in terms of delivery and overall improvement in the effectiveness of the educational system, especially at the secondary level and beyond.
The second matter kaola will raise has already been touched upon by a fellow Honourable Member, specifically regarding UNISSA's KPI. However, what kaola wants to raise is the new KPI of the Ministry of Education, which targets the graduate employment rate 6 months after graduation at around 76.4%. Kaola feels this target is a continuation from the last Fiscal Year's Budget target, where the Ministry of Education set a graduation rate percentage for higher education, technical and vocational education at 90% each year.
Alhamdulillah, it is a good target, and kaola fully supports this KPI. However, the reality is that the country currently faces challenges as about 68% of youth with HND qualifications and above are still actively seeking employment. Towards this, kaola requests clarification on the Strategic Action Plan by the Ministry of Education along with other stakeholders in achieving this new target.
Thirdly, kaola notices the ordinary expenditure allocation provided for UBD and UNISSA has decreased by approximately $2.5 million for UBD and $292,000.00 for UNISSA. For UBD, the largest reduction is in Code 001/003 Student Affairs Division, which has decreased by approximately $1.5 million from last year. Conversely, the allocation for Politeknik Brunei has increased by $4.84 million, with the largest increase in the student allowance category, which rose by $5.5 million from the last financial year.
Please correct me if I am wrong. This indicates there is an increase in the number of students applying to this Politeknik Brunei.
Towards this, kaola requests to share the main factors driving this shift in interest and choice. Is it in terms of the courses offered or teaching methodology or potential employment opportunities that will be gained by graduates passing from this Polytechnic?
Lastly, Alhamdulillah, in this country, we are not lacking in committed and excellent teachers. Typically, please correct me if I’m wrong, the tendency implemented at present is to place these committed and excellent teachers in high-performing schools. Kaola believes that what should also be done is to place some of these excellent teachers in schools that need help to improve the performance of the school and its students.
This is because the Teaching Service Scheme indeed allows these excellent teachers to be promoted to higher salary levels as long as they are still placed in schools to teach. Has such an effort been widely practiced? Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Kaola would like to address the Key Performance Indicators under Title SF01A. In this budget, as brought forward by fellow Your Honourable Member earlier.
The Ministry has set a target of 76.40% Graduate Employment Rate within 6 Months After Graduation. This reflects a commitment to enhancing graduate employability. This aligns with initiatives undertaken by the government through programs such as SkiPPA and i-Ready. In supporting the aspirations of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam towards Brunei Vision 2035, which requires high innovation and fighting spirit. We must ensure that this graduate target is achieved.
However, in the increasingly changing work environment, focus cannot solely be given to the employment rate post-graduation but also to how students and graduates understand and adapt to the job market requirements. Today, the employment sector is evolving with the emergence of new industries and changes in labor demand, students and graduates need more access to clear information regarding job market trends, sectors with high growth, and increasingly prioritized skills in the industry.
One step forward is to strengthen the future career navigation initiative where students are given early exposure to career paths they can pursue. Not only based on field of study or interest but also on how an industry evolves over 5 to 10 years. A career mapping system earlier in the education system also enables students to understand the growing sectors and the skills needed so they are better prepared to choose more directed career paths.
Such an approach could be an important mechanism in ensuring graduates enter the job market with a stronger understanding of their direction. Besides that, the industry immersion system can be expanded to allow students to experience the reality of work environments since secondary and higher education levels.
This exposure is not just industrial training but can also involve interactive work visits, simulated learning environments, and opportunities to understand how an industry operates as a whole. By ensuring students and graduates have clearer access to information about job sectors and early industry experience, they can make more informed decisions in determining their career directions. This step not only helps enhance their employability but also ensures the country's workforce grows in sectors with high growth potential and strategic for the country's economic development.
That's all, thank you Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Briefly, kaola would like to touch on the issue of flood disasters in school areas in villages that are at risk and often flooded resulting in disruption of connectivity affecting students and teachers from attending school. This includes when it occurs during major and important examination seasons and other matters. As has happened in neighboring countries, where a large number of students could not sit for their exams.
In relation to this, kaola seeks clarification regarding this matter, whether the students and teachers affected by the flood are given exemption in terms of attendance and what are the coordination measures in terms of learning or examinations if the flood persists for a long time? Furthermore, kaola also touches on whether there is a special allocation provided for maintaining school infrastructure throughout the country that requires immediate attention.
That's all Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, thank you for the opportunity to update the budget for the Ministry of Education and its departments in the National Budget for 2025/2026. It is hoped that what is planned will be implemented in line with the goals of the National Vision towards an educated, highly skilled, and successful population.
The issue of teacher burden is indeed often voiced. However, this issue must also be given time-to-time attention because it negatively affects the quality of teaching, and teachers' mental and physical well-being. High teacher attrition is due to endless tasks and a lack of continuity in life's events.
This issue too, if not addressed holistically, can affect the quality of education and the welfare of the teachers concerned. Good management, continuous government support, and investment in education resources are important steps in reducing teacher burden issues.
In line with this, kaola seeks clarification on what are the latest efforts and initiatives of the ministry in addressing the said issue? What mechanisms and actions are provided in terms of mental health support to teachers due to excessive emotional pressure and stress towards resolving teacher burden issues?
Finally, kaola welcomes the ministry's efforts towards strengthening access to education through school building development projects under the 12th National Development Plan. It is hoped that these projects can be completed according to the schedule outlined in the book on the 2025/2026 Expenditure Estimates. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Referring to SF01A, Ministry of Education, Department of the Ministry of Education. Code 007/000, Other Programs and Educational Institutes. 003, STEP center.
The STEP center plays an important role in advancing STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths) in the country. In the speech of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with the 39th National Day, Baginda emphasized the importance of STEAM education and skills as a catalyst for national development. Alhamdulillah, there is an increase in the allocation for the past Financial Year. Therefore, request clarification if the budget allocated at $60,650 is sufficient to ensure programs implemented by the STEP center as a STEAM outreach programme and STEAM-related competition can be conducted effectively and meet the set goals given that the focus of the subject is broader.
In relation to this, a survey by the MMN Members with educators in June 2024 found a lack of clear guidelines and sufficient support to integrate STEAM elements into the existing curriculum. Therefore, what is the status of the ministry's plan to provide clearer and more comprehensive guidelines for integrating STEAM elements into the curriculum?
Kaola believes, there needs to be clear and extensive dissemination on this matter to ensure the effectiveness of efforts towards the intended achievement.
Kaola's second question, referring to SF05A MOE Politeknik Brunei. RKN 1201 strengthening access to education, Politeknik Brunei permanent campus. Referencing title SF05A code RKN 1201/012, kaola seeks clarification on the details of the new Politeknik Brunei permanent campus. With increasing popularity and student enrollment, is the budget of $100 million allocated capable of supporting capacity in the long term?
In line with this, kaola seeks clarification on graduate employability. To enhance employability, kaola suggests in addition to industrial placement, Politeknik should introduce an apprenticeship scheme both domestically and internationally taking into account industries and joint ventures.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusuf
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Kaola would like to raise two issues. Firstly, for the KPI title, the percentage of students obtaining 5A to C in the PSR exam. The KPI for the year 2023/2024 is 71.5% and the estimated target for that KPI is reduced to 63.8% for the year 2025/2026. Kaola sees the target and KPI as burdensome for middle school teachers, especially considering 30% of students may not score 5A to C in the PSR exam, and it is understood the ministry's policy currently still maintains a promotion system to the middle school level.
The retentionary system previously used in schools in this country aimed to ensure that students who did not achieve minimum performance would repeat their academic year. Referencing SPN 21, Ministry of Education, students will continue to be promoted to classes 10 to 11. In connection with this, happy to seek clarification on how the Ministry of Education's procedures and initiatives ensure low-performing students receive the necessary attention to enable them to follow the curriculum framework or syllabus set to prevent them from falling behind and even succeed academically in shaping their future brighter lives.
Secondly, the title of educational opportunities for underprivileged groups related to Code 002/000 Sector Monitoring Planning and System Development includes enhancing education quality at all levels. It cannot be denied that there are a segment of the community in the country that is underprivileged compounded with less conducive housing environments, too many families living in one house. Situations like this may be faced by some students whether attending primary or secondary education. These are the challenges we need to address together, especially in our collective effort to lift more such families out of the cycle of poverty and simultaneously improve their standard of living for a brighter future.
However, kaola considers that like what has been established under the reign of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien accommodations or hostels were provided for students from rural and remote areas by the government, such as Maktab SOAS, Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah, and others. Alhamdulillah, it has proven with such an approach successfully produced outstanding students who have graduated with degrees from abroad and returned to this country and served in high positions not only in the private sector but also in the public sector.
Related to the success of this very effective and active Residential Scheme, it can be used as a lesson to lift students from underprivileged backgrounds out of poverty cycle. This issue also has a connection and the statement of Yang Berhormat Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan during the Negara Meeting session recently on March 11, 2025, regarding the very comprehensive poverty eradication.
In connection with this, kaola seeks clarification on whether the Residential Scheme has been implemented for this group and so far how many students have been housed in the hostel, and are there plans to expand this Residential Scheme in the near future and in the future, especially for those who truly need assistance as intended.
That's all. Wabillahi Taufik wal Hidayah. Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
And the third group will be initiated by Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin followed by Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin and Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee. Please proceed.
Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Thank you Yang Berhormat Pehin Pengerusi.
Kaola would be delighted to refer to the Key Performance Indicator for Title SF02A Universiti Brunei Darussalam. In UBD's KPI, there is no KPI that sets a graduate employment rate target Like other Higher Education Institutions. We must have this to demonstrate the employability of UBD graduates. Kaola happily suggests also for all institutions in this country to include community service KPIs that support national development goals as existing in KPI UNISSA.
Furthermore, kaola refers to the Key Performance Indicator related to research papers published with international co-authors per year. Referring to the Key Performance Indicator, Title SF02A. Does UBD have data on the number of research papers that have been commercialized and patented? This matrix can be a useful Key Performance Indicator to assess the effectiveness of research at UBD in contributing to innovation and industry development. Besides, it also supports Brunei Vision 2035 as it aligns with UBD's objective to achieve international standards and become a leading university at the global level.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Higher education plays a crucial role in shaping a competitive workforce and ensuring the nation's economic development continues to grow dynamically. Therefore, it is essential for educational institutions to adapt academic and research programs to industry needs so that the human capital produced can contribute directly to the growth of the country's key sectors.
The allocation under Title SF04A Universiti Teknologi Brunei, UTB specifically Code 002/000. A total of $21.5 million for academic management, research, and industrial development should be utilized to connect research with the growing economic sectors. UTB has implemented various initiatives, including increasing the number of research projects related to sustainability and establishing the Green Technology Research Center.
Priority also needs to be given to the commercialization of research results so that the technology and innovations produced can be applied in modern agriculture, food processing, and industrial automation sectors. This will help increase the nation’s productivity and reduce dependency on imports.
In addition, under Title SF05A Politeknik Brunei. An allocation of $24.9 million for industrial academic management and services is proposed to also be used to strengthen the effectiveness of industrial training programs. Cooperation with the private sector and local companies needs to be strengthened by providing training that matches industry demands, particularly in modern agriculture, the digital economy, and the halal industry.
The efficiency and employability of Polytechnic graduates can be enhanced if industrial training is made a mandatory component in the curriculum, ensuring every student receives relevant practical exposure before graduation. To ensure more graduates are ready to contribute to the national economy, educational institutions also need to create a more comprehensive support system to produce an entrepreneurially oriented workforce.
The country has provided various funding schemes and incentives to startups through DARe, BEBD, BIBD, and others. However, more systematic support needs to be established in the form of regular mentorship guidance and strong industry networks to guide graduates who want to venture into business. Strategic cooperation between educational institutions, industries, and related agencies need to be expanded to ensure more graduates have access to entrepreneurship opportunities and business support.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Chairman and Your Honourable Members.
First and foremost, kaola extends the highest congratulations to the Ministry of Education for building a greenhouse in the Muda Hashim Secondary School area, planting chilies using the fertigation method. Kaola was impressed with this early exposure to students in the secondary school, who are mostly around 12 to 16 years old, to the agriculture industry. Congratulations again.
Title SF06A Code 1201/026 which is the upgrading and additional facilities of the School of Hospitality and Tourism, IBTE Campus, Jalan Muara. Alhamdulillah, this is a good step towards supporting the country's tourism industry through education. What kaola wants to raise in this august assembly is regarding the other buildings on the IBTE campus in Jalan Muara.
Kaola's question is whether the Ministry of Education has plans to ensure the learning, teaching, and administration systems and environment on the campus are conducive, comfortable, and safe. Kaola's survey and from what kaola received from some students on the campus, most of the buildings and their areas need upgrading and repair, and they feel uncomfortable with the current infrastructure environment.
Secondly, kaola wants to touch on compassionate leave for teaching staff. Kaola extends the highest gratitude for the gracious consent of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam during the 34th Teacher's Day Celebration which consented to compassionate leave for teaching staff during the school term.
Highest appreciation and congratulations to the Ministry of Education for their continuous efforts in caring for the welfare of teaching staff.
What kaola wants to propose here is regarding the eligibility criteria for compassionate leave for initial stages handling of a spouse or child registered at an overseas institution. Kaola understands that the eligibility criteria for compassionate leave have provided leave for teaching staff attending overseas convocation for themselves, spouses, or children only. In this regard, could the Ministry of Education consider extending the eligibility for compassionate leave applications to teaching staff who need to handle their child newly registered at a foreign institution for initial management purposes such as opening a bank account, finding housing, clinic registration, residency management, and so forth. This is for the well-being and safety of the child as well.
Thirdly, kaola wants to touch on the eligibility of leave for teaching staff to attend short-term professional courses, conferences, and workshops at their own expense. Teaching staff play a crucial role in ensuring the country's education system continues to grow and remain competitive. One of the main aspects is through participation in short-term courses, conferences, workshops, and professional training locally or abroad.
Currently, teaching staff who wish to attend such programs have to take Unpaid Leave, CTG, which can increase the financial burden and potentially hinder them from participating in professional activities related to their field during the school term or semester. Therefore, is the Ministry of Education prepared to consider allowing teaching staff to apply for unpaid leave without affecting their annual leave for the purpose of attending these professional programs?
Considering that this initiative is at their own expense and does not burden the government's finances, it can greatly benefit the improvement of teaching and learning quality, strengthen pedagogical skills, as well as teaching staff expertise, and support the government's aspiration to cultivate lifelong learning. The participation of teaching staff in these programs also enables them to bring back knowledge and best practices to benefit the nation's education system.
Permit kaola one more proposal Yang Berhormat Pengerusi yang bijaksana. Regarding the achievement of students at the 'O' Level and Lower levels in government schools, kaola wants to refer to the achievements of 'O' level and IGSCE students for the year 2024 which were released on January 28, 2025. Out of 4,619 candidates in government schools, only 16.6% obtained 8 'O' levels and above, 40.7% obtained 5 'O' levels and above, and 48.9% obtained 4 'O' levels and above. This means that more than half of the students in government schools only attained 3 'O' levels or below.
In sharing the challenges faced by students at the lower levels, Yang Berhormat Minister of Education also shared the initiative of the Student Learning Survey assessment that was implemented in 2023 and 2024 aimed at assessing students' competencies from Year 2 to Year 10 in literacy, numeracy, and science. Findings from this assessment indicate gaps in competency achievements at all levels, starting as early as the lower level, and several intervention programs have been introduced. One comment that kaola received from some teachers is that the administrative tasks assigned to them have affected their performance and focus on teaching the subjects they teach. Kaola recommends the ministry look into this, which might also be one of the reasons for the affected performance of lower and secondary level students.
Kaola understands that teachers are exposed to administrative work as part of a school's and department's succession planning. If it is proven that doing two or three jobs at once has a negative impact, then it would be better for subject teachers to focus solely on teaching and educating students. If the teacher truly has administrative talents, then let that teacher focus on administration and there would be no need to teach.
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Sorry, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, for taking 2 minutes and 35 seconds.
Yang Berhormat Chong Chin Yee
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Good morning and greetings.
Kaola would like to refer to Code 201/010 UTB Phase 4 for School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics. With that, kaola would like to draw the attention of ministers and fellow Your Honourable Members to the agriculture and agrifood sector.
According to the Agriculture and Agrifood Statistics 2023 published by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, the Agrifood Sector GDP increased by 28.6% from 2019 to 2023. This positive projection was largely driven by the livestock industry, which contributed 57% of the sector’s total output, and agrifood processing, which contributed 30.7%. However, an interesting factor is the composition of the workforce in this sector. The total workforce in the agriculture sector accounts for 8,711 individuals. There are 23.6% involved in livestock farming, 24.2% in crop production, and 52.2% in agrifood processing.
Therefore, kaola would like to emphasize that in agrifood processing, 2,744 out of 4,541 workers are locals representing 60% of the sector's workforce. This contrasts with the local workforce in crop production, which only makes up 19% and 27.14% in livestock farming. Does this indicate that the agrifood processing sector not only becomes the main driver of economic growth but also serves as a meaningful source of local employment?
From kaola's understanding, the Agricultural Science and Food Technology Research Center, or CrAFT at UBD, is the only specialized research center in Brunei Darussalam that focuses on agriculture, science, food, and nutrition. Given CrAFT's significant achievements, including collaborations like the FOODIE Initiative and Shelf-Life Testing with BEDB and the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, it is time for the Ministry of Education to provide greater support for food innovation. Hence, kaola seeks the Ministry of Education to consider allocating financial resources and additional workforce for strengthening CrAFT's role as a leading food innovation hub.
With this, kaola proposes that the Ministry of Education consider funding permanent positions such as liaison officers, researchers, and providing the necessary facilities to support local graduates in the fields of food science and nutrition. By strengthening research and development in food innovation, we can further harness Brunei Darussalam’s agrifood sector, driving economic diversification and increasing local employment opportunities.
That's all, thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you, Your Honourable Members. Now I will give way to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan to respond to the debate that has been raised or the questions posed by Your Honourable Members earlier. Please go ahead.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings of peace.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Insya Allah kaola will try to answer some of the questions raised, and any that I can't address now will be answered in writing.
First and foremost, kaola on behalf of the Ministry of Education and its departments, humbly express our deepest appreciation to the Government of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam for the trust and support in providing allocations for the Financial Year 2025/2026. Before answering the questions posed earlier, kaola would like to take this opportunity to express deep appreciation and many thanks to Your Honourable Members for those questions.
It seems that several questions were presented by Your Honourable Members and these questions can be grouped into several large clusters, such as KPI, IPT, career paths, teacher welfare, infrastructure, and also evaluation. Other questions were about RKN, professional development, natural disasters, and curriculum.
Alright. Several Yang Berhormat have raised concerns about the KPI. There are five here. The Key Performance Indicator is a measure of how effective the projects undertaken by the Ministry of Education are in achieving their objectives. If the data is consistent, we will be able to see if the strategy implemented is effective or needs adjustment.
When setting targets, we need to be competitive or set achievable goals. However, selecting a KPI requires significant consideration and collective insight because there are essential factors that must be considered first, such as the KPI must be specific or have a clear objective, must be measurable or quantifiable. Sometimes a KPI is excellent, but the instrument to measure it is not yet available, and it must be achievable or realistic targets that can be met by the organization with available resources, relevant, and time-bound, meaning setting a specific timeframe. We do want to aim for targets, but they must be realistic so that they can be achieved because if they are too high, they can lead to lack of confidence and decrease motivation. However, if they are too low, they may not provide any motivation to the organization.
Alright. Kaola will address this KPI first. The flat 'O' Level KPI, questioned by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman. Why is the targeted KPI low? While we know, we need a high percentage so that more can pursue higher education.
According to the Oxford Business Group, The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2009, the Ministry of Education initially targeted a 30% net enrollment of students into tertiary education with the implementation of SPN21. Several simulations have been conducted regarding what percentage of students must achieve five 'O's for us to reach the 30% net enrollment target into tertiary education. When the simulation was done, the percentage was significantly higher than the set KPI mentioned by Yang Berhormat. So, why is this target low? To answer this, ideally, we can set a target of 60% of students achieving five 'O' Levels because we know with a larger pool, the probability of continuing to tertiary education is increased.
If we return to the trend simulation, this target can potentially help us achieve the 30% target to tertiary education. (Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan shows a paper containing a chart in the hall.)
In this regard, kaola would like to share why the current target is lower than the ideal earlier? The set target is according to the trend line created using ten years of historical data, and this trend line is rising, and we must ensure student performance is within the trajectory.
Indeed, various efforts have been made in attempts to further enhance the competency of our students. However, this achievement still hasn't reached 60%. If we look at (pointing to the paper containing the chart) the BGCE 'O' Level achievement trajectory. Okay, if we look, 60% would be here (pointing to the paper containing the chart) by the year 2033, meaning if we want 60%, early here (pointing to the paper containing the chart), it would be an outlier moving forward, still within a positive trajectory, but it would be an outlier within this ellipse.
Therefore, we cannot execute existing initiatives. It means we must make efforts many times over what the Ministry of Education currently does to achieve that outlier. Similarly, kaola would like to share PISA 2018 data, where 59.1% of students read only because they have to, and only 56.9% perceive reading as a hobby. Lexile scores are also at a low level for students, still requiring improvements, and returning to how many students or what percentage of students within the PISA 2018, 19% of students who participated in PISA 2018 have 10 books or less between 0 to 10 books at home.
So, it means we need to strengthen the foundation so that these children have solid prior knowledge. One way is through encouraging the reading culture. In this regard, insyaAllah, the Ministry of Education will tirelessly work to cultivate reading habits among students so that it becomes a part of their independence, making them independent learners.
Another KPI raised was by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin, concerning KPI 5 grade A to C PSR, if earlier it was ‘O’ Level, this time is PSR (pointing to the paper containing the chart). PSR also shows a similar ellipse, it's quite small, and its trajectory is rising. The projection of students achieving 5 grades A to C in PSR is based on past achievements, still using historical data and this target has been projected to rise in future years with a positive trend.
However, it is at a rather slow pace; that's why the figure or target is within a 60% range only. If earlier the question was, why in 2023 achievement rose slightly to 71.5% and yet the target is reduced back between 62 to 67 for the year 2024 to 2028. The target decrease from 71.56% follows another rising trend. It is still within the expectation ellipse; it’s still in the ellipse circle that previously ah (while pointing to the paper). Fluctuations in the percentage within this range are normal because it’s still, from a statistical term, it's still at a 95% confidence level. And also remember, PSR data is not a longitudinal study, where different cohorts of students take the examination.
Such is the case with students who achieved 71.56% earlier; they are a different cohort, not the 2024 cohort, not the 2025 cohort, and so on. We don’t know what prior knowledge they have or another factor is the test instrument itself, not assuming the test instrument was easy that year but depending on their prior knowledge, do they feel the test was easy for them. There are two distinctions there, it’s not an easy test, but here are the students feel the test is easy. Thus, it's normal for children to have fluctuations, as long as they are within the rising ellipse, in the same trajectory we are still okay.
Regarding international standards, I warmly welcome and thank Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin, concerning the introduction of international standards as facilitated by international schools in Brunei.
The Ministry of Education has initiated student assessments that span from primary to middle school from Year 1 to Year 9 based on national standards that meet international standards, specifically the Brunei Darussalam Literacy and Numeracy National Standard, BDLNS. The Student Learning Survey or SLS is one of the ministry's initiatives in monitoring student proficiency in literacy, numeracy, and science compared to international standards. The Ministry of Education will continuously ensure the existing standards will be strengthened and insyaAllah will be reviewed from time to time and subsequently will develop standards for other subjects such as science, Bahasa Melayu, financial literacy, and others.
Kaola would like to refer to several questions with the same cluster that I have answered during ministerial statements or parliamentary questions, which are closely related to several PLs, PLs ah. Like the question posed by Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam regarding UNISSA KPI and employability answered in PL 79, Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck regarding practical exposure also answered in PL 79, the teacher workload issue raised by Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan answered in PL 29 and the employment rates or graduate employability voiced by Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed also have been answered in PL 79.
There are several questions also posed regarding infrastructure such as upgrading school buildings raised by Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann, Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad Haji, I’m sorry, Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir regarding whether there is a budget for upgrading school buildings. The answer is yes, in the category of asset maintenance and repair. There is 13%, 13.57% provided ah in the estimate over $22 million. It can be done through OCCM or Outside Corrective Maintenance funds allocated for facility management.
The flood issue, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub asked earlier, will students be given exemption if during their exam period their schools flooded, if it's ‘O’ Level ah, our 'O' Level uses International Board Of Examinations not local, therefore for students who will be taking such exams, but coincidentally their school floods, we will immediately relocate those students to another school so changing the centre of examination and insyaAllah transportation will be provided if needed or given a temporary living arrangement such as in a hostel or similar accommodations and immediately submit a report to the Board of Examinations in this regard, for 'O' Level, we will contact Cambridge.
Regarding the question from Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir, the reconstruction project for Sultan Hassan Bangar Secondary School, Temburong is allocated in the 12th RKN, $4.2 million. Actually, this school is completed, this budget is for the preparation of last account VO for penalty claim payments and retention money.
And regarding teacher welfare, accommodation facility in Temburong, the Ministry of Education is in the process of repairing institutional quarters such as flats, it's acknowledged the supply is insufficient, thus, the Administration and Services Department will identify flats or housing under the Ministry of Education control near the Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Bridge.
Regarding the issue of teacher discipline, Yang Berhormat raised by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman, Alhamdulillah, the Ministry of Education has a Disciplinary Committee that will address these issues, and they also before or after that will be referred for counseling.
That might be it, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. There are some more questions actually, but Insya Allah kaola will answer them in writing. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan. I think that is sufficient for us to debate on this Title. I would like to suggest that we vote on this Title. Your Honourable Members who agree, please raise your hands.
(All Members raise their hands in agreement)
Thank you, it seems all Members agree, so the Title is approved.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Title SF01A to SF06A of the Ministry of Education made part of the schedule.
Title SM01A Ministry of Health.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members, the committee now proceeds to debate Title SM01A of the Ministry of Health. As usual, I will divide Your Honourable Members, and it appears there are 15 Honourable Members who are willing to participate in this debate on the Title.
I will divide the Appointed Honourable Members into three groups. The first group consists of Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan, Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin, Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Haji Abd Salam, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adnan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md Yusof, and Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin, and I will read the other groups later on. You may proceed now.
Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, Alhamdulillah, thank you for the opportunity to debate the budget for the Ministry of Health in the National Budget for the Year 2025/2026 amounting to $652.6 million for the Financial Year 2025/2026. Kaola hopes that all the planned programs can be achieved towards enhancing the quality of health in Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Kaola refers to Code 001/000 of the Ministry of Health through the objective of ensuring the resilience of the health system while optimally strengthening Universal Health Coverage as well as planning and developing more effective human resources. The issue of shortage of doctors, especially specialists, is often raised in this esteemed Council. The shortage of doctors in hospitals and clinics can significantly impact the quality and effectiveness of health services, including long waiting times, increased workload for existing doctors, and declining service quality.
In this regard, Kaola seeks clarification on the latest efforts and plans of the ministry in addressing this and what are the short-term plans to address the issue of the shortage of doctors. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, Alhamdulillah, Kaola expresses gratitude for the opportunity to debate the budget for the Ministry of Health for the Financial Allocation Year 2025/2026.
Kaola refers to the Key Performance Indicators of the Ministry of Health in the 2025/2026 Estimated Expenditure Book through the indicator of the percentage of customer satisfaction rates for health services and facilities at the Ministry of Health, with the estimated percentage equal to the actual percentage of 90 percent in 2023/2024, as well as the targets for the subsequent years. In this regard, Kaola requests clarification on how the evaluation method is conducted and why there is no increase in the percentage in terms of the evaluation target. As mentioned in the media yesterday, Negara Brunei Darussalam is among the highest countries in the world for the number of kidney patients.
In light of this, what future steps will be taken to raise public awareness of the risks associated with kidney disease comprehensively, such as health campaigns and the like? That's all Kaola can say. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. May God guide us. Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Kaola has three questions. The first question relates to SM01A under RKN 1203, focusing on good health infrastructure, medicine, and health. This is concerning the construction of the emergency services building of the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, Kuala Belait, amounting to $3.18 million, with an expenditure of $318 thousand for this year. I seek clarification as we know that the Kuala Belait hospital is often affected by flooding, and has the ministry conducted a flood risk assessment in the hospital area, and how will the funds be used in planning these projects, Insha Allah.
The second question is on 003/000 Primary Healthcare, amounting to $26.36 million, aiming to strengthen primary healthcare and public engagement. During discussions with the ministry, Kaola was informed of a worrying trend of an increasing number of elderly patients being left in hospitals as long-term patients for extended periods by their families. This is an unhealthy trend and not reflective of our Bruneian value of caring for the elderly. This situation not only puts pressure on the hospital in terms of capacity and resources but also raises welfare and wellbeing issues for the neglected elderly. My question is, what steps should the ministry take to address this issue effectively so that this trend does not increase, and how can the ministry and community raise awareness in society about this negative trend to prevent it early?
The third question: Code 006/000 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, with a budget of $4.49 million, objectives being promoting health and promoting disease prevention, especially non-communicable diseases. With the increase in cancer cases nationwide, including an increase to 744 cases in 2023, in addition to clinical treatments, strong support systems from family and cancer survivors are crucial. Currently, support is largely driven by volunteers. Are there any efforts to formalize this group, recognize their roles, appreciate their contributions formally or informally, and provide funding to ensure the continuity of their important work in caring for cancer patients? Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd Salam
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, Kaola refers to Title SM01A of the Ministry of Health regarding the KPI percentage for outstanding revenue collection by the Ministry of Health, which has increased from $2.35 million in March 2021 to $3.15 million in March 2024. Kaola seeks clarification on why the targeted outstanding for the targeted Financial Year has increased from 60% in the current Financial Year 2025/2026 to 75% in subsequent financial years up until 2026/2028. What is the cause of the increase, and what are the ministry's initiatives to ensure no remaining outstanding revenue? Kaola hopes that the Ministry of Health and other ministries still having outstanding collections will set specific timelines targeting zero outstanding and ensure that this target is adhered to through more aggressive and effective efforts and actions.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. My next question refers to Code 001/000 Governance and Health Policy related to human resource management, under Code 001/006 with an allocation of $1,216,000.00. In Kaola’s observation, most medical officers are women, many of whom have families. Kaola is impressed by their dedication and commitment because besides their primary responsibilities as medical officers, they also fulfill other family responsibilities as wives and mothers. Kaola also notes that some officers terminate their services early due to the pressure of balancing shift work with family management, which can be relentless.
Considering the long training and education periods and the high costs to qualify them as medical officers and specialists, their loss is a significant loss to the government and the health institutions of the country. Therefore, Kaola asks for clarification from the Honourable Minister on what efforts the ministry is undertaking to ensure work-life balance, particularly for female medical officers, so that they continue to enjoy working and remain committed to continuing their services as competent medical professionals while fulfilling their existing family responsibilities and willingness to enhance their skills and expertise levels. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md Yusof
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Kaola would like to touch on the customer satisfaction KPI for health services and facilities at the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health has shown high commitment and efforts to ensure the quality of health services provided to the people and residents of this country based on the KPI evaluation, with customer satisfaction for health services and facilities at the Ministry of Health being 90% for the year 2023/2024.
Alhamdulillah, the ministry continues to aspire and commit to maintain a 90% target for 2025/2026. Kaola in this opportunity congratulates everyone at the Ministry of Health. However, despite the impressive KPI, complaints are also received from the public, on-ground situations like congestion in hospitals and health centers, inadequate facilities such as insufficient patient beds in wards, limited dental chairs, waiting times of 2 to 3 hours, cleanliness conditions, and the maintenance and upkeep of facilities not being satisfactory. However, if it's not too much trouble, could you clarify what overreaching metrics or criteria are used in measuring the customer satisfaction KPI for health services and facilities at the Ministry of Health, and who conducts these evaluations?
Secondly, Kaola refers to Codes 1203 and 1213 – Projek RKN. Alhamdulillah, we are grateful to Allah the Almighty because with the wisdom and wise leadership, as well as the great concern of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty's government has allocated a very substantial budget to the Ministry of Health amounting to $652.5 million for the year 2025/2026, along with a significant National Development Plan.
This includes major projects among them under good health infrastructure, enterprise, and health. For example, the new block of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital is allocated $1.7 million for 2025/2026 with a plan cost of $120 million. The recognition of Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, Kuala Belait $542 thousand for 2025/2026 with a plan cost of $54.2, and other projects. What Kaola wants to highlight here, these projects as desired, Insha Allah, will further enhance the quality, efficiency, and capability of more inclusive and comprehensive health service delivery excellently in efforts to ensure the resilience of the health system while strengthening universal health coverage in Negara Brunei Darussalam.
What is suggested here is that the allocated budget will be used appropriately for all these projects and will continue to be monitored from time to time until the construction is fully carried out according to the framework and timeframe set to be fully utilized. This is solely to prevent the projects from being abandoned which could affect the health services for the people and residents of this country.
And further, if Kaola is allowed, one more matter. Kaola would like to refer to the KPI, the topic of the percentage of readmissions or repeat attendance of the same patients for the same diagnosis within 30 days. The actual percentage increased by 19.9% from an estimated 10% for the year 2023. Whereas for the estimated percentage for 2024/2025 and subsequent years is flat between 9 to 10%. This topic is related to Code 004/000 Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare with the objective of improving the quality of safe, effective, and people-centered service delivery. Kaola is of the opinion that with the improvement in service quality and the use of sophisticated and advanced technology, accompanied by more diverse health profiles with skilled and high-quality expertise, this percentage should decrease. In this regard, Kaola seeks clarification on what are the fundamental reasons and main factors that the KPI does not decline?
That's all. May God guide us. Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Kaola would like to refer to Title Code 005/008 to seek clarification on the types of non-clinical support services that will be privatized and how effective will the privatization of these services be in improving patient safety quality. Furthermore, what strategies have been devised to ensure these services are awarded to local medical companies to support the growth of the domestic health industry and increase employment opportunities for local citizens?
Subsequently, how will the ministry monitor and evaluate the performance of companies providing these non-clinical support services to ensure the quality of services provided meets the prescribed standard or criteria without affecting the operations of health facilities? That's all. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
If I am not mistaken, the question or issue has already been extensively explained by Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan in either prior responses to earlier questions or in the Minister's Statement. So, perhaps there is no need, what’s it called, for Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan to provide a lengthy explanation on it.
I will now invite the second group, consisting of Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohd. Salleh bin Haji Othman, Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub, Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, and Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann. Please proceed, Yang Berhormat.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohd. Salleh bin Haji Othman
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and warm greetings.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Kaola refers to Account Number 2106 Maintenance and Asset Repairs with an estimated value for the Financial Year 2025/2026 amounting to $32.1 million, higher than the allocation for the Financial Year 2024/2025. Kaola refers to the Brunei National Isolation Centre (NIC), which is a strategy towards protecting the community and ensuring the best management of infectious patients.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, this Isolation Centre operated fully and was equipped with sophisticated and expensive equipment. Therefore, kaola seeks clarification on the maintenance costs borne by the government in ensuring the centre's readiness. What are the health authorities' plans in expanding the use of this centre to serve as an alternative to the existing health services? That is all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Kaola would like to refer to the Key Performance Indicators in the Ministry of Health budget SM01A specifically related to the percentage rate of customer satisfaction for health services and facilities at the Ministry of Health. As mentioned also by a fellow Yang Berhormat earlier, the actual rate in 2023/2024 stands at 90% and the same target is maintained for the coming years.
During the Opening Ceremony of the First Session of the 21st Legislative Meeting, the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara this year, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam has approved the health service policy for permanent residents without citizenship to be updated to provide them with facilities similar to citizens. This step reflects the government's commitment to ensuring more comprehensive health access in line with the aspiration to enhance the well-being of the people. To achieve this customer satisfaction rate, it is important to ensure that the measurement of customer satisfaction reflects the reality of patients' experiences at various health facilities including hospitals, health centers, and rural clinics.
Aside from the quality of treatment, patient experiences are also influenced by waiting times, the effectiveness of appointment systems, and the availability of healthcare workers to meet the increasing demand. Studies on these aspects can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to customer satisfaction as well as areas for improvement that can be explored. Challenges such as difficulty getting appointment slots, waiting times for specialist treatment, and workforce constraints need continuous attention to ensure that the health services received truly reflect the high level of satisfaction aimed for.
In this regard, kaola suggests that the dental treatment queue and appointment system could also be further improved to be more time-efficient and responsive to patient needs, as an example, optimizing the appointment system with automatic notifications and opening replacement slots to allow other patients to take the place in case of last-minute appointment cancellations. This not only can reduce the rate of patient no-shows but also ensure treatment capacity is maximized.
Furthermore, considering the appointment slots have been gradually increased, kaola believes it is appropriate to assess the effectiveness of this initiative in reducing waiting times for specialist treatment. If waiting times remain long or the process of obtaining slots is still challenging for patients, there may be a need to adjust scheduling strategies and treatment priorities to be more balanced and effective. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Thank you for the opportunity to debate on the Ministry of Health's expenditure for the Financial Year 2025/2026. Kaola refers to health promotion and the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
Among the ministry's objectives is a healthy lifestyle among the community through the implementation of policies and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Programs and through healthy lifestyle practices. In this, kaola highlights concerns about the mental issues among the younger generation which is becoming a serious issue in today's society.
The factors causing this rising concern include changes in lifestyle, social pressure, and economic challenges. Key issues include academic and educational pressure, social media influence, lack of social support, and economic impact. Hence, kaola seeks clarification on what initiatives the ministry is undertaking to address mental issues within the community, especially among the younger generation in Negara Brunei Darussalam. That's all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty bin Haji Abdul Mumin
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Kaola has two questions, Yang Berhormat.
Referring to SM01A Ministry of Health. Firstly, RKN1203/006: Laboratory Services and Scientific Services Department. Total project $35,510,000.00. Referring to Title SM01A, Code RKN1203/006, seeking clarification on the status of this project given the annual allocation amount that remains low for two Financial Years namely 2024 to 2026. In connection with this, kaola supports initiatives of private construction and laboratory services to expedite the analysis process and help grow the economy through the agrifood sector.
The second question is about the KPI Overweight and Obesity Rate for Those Under 18, baseline 18.9% target 0%. Alhamdulillah, the implementation of the sugar tax is a positive step towards obesity prevention. However, data shows that Brunei remains among the countries with the highest obesity rates in the ASEAN region. To ensure more effective prevention efforts, what further steps can the Ministry of Health take aside from actions related to diet? Are there other proactive measures such as public health education initiatives to raise awareness and change sedentary lifestyles among the populace?
For example, activities at health centers could be expanded by organizing weight loss competitions and family programs promoting healthy lifestyles. How can the ministry collaborate with the Ministry of Education and other ministries as well as the private sector to create mandatory exercise programs in schools and workplaces and also introduce specific guidelines to ensure students have access to nutritious food?
Kaola proposes that there should be more precise KPIs depicting the current obesity trends and situation in the country especially to identify age groups most affected. Furthermore, KPIs should also cover preventative measures and awareness including initiatives already implemented like community Health Education programs. Preventative steps are important to ensure people take obesity issues seriously before it's too late. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Warm greetings. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Just a few additional questions since two written questions have already been answered by Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan in previous statements.
Firstly, alhamdulillah, kaola notices for the Financial Year 2025/2026, the Ministry of Health has once again been given a relatively large increase of $79.5 million for Ordinary Expenditure. This is in addition to an increased allocation of $157 million provided in the previous Financial Year. Kaola considers this increase to reflect the concern of the Government of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam to provide the best and inclusive health services to the nation's people and residents. Kaola appreciates and welcomes the commitment of Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan that the Ministry of Health will use the allocation prudently and cost-effectively specifically towards enhancing and elevating the ministry's services in caring and preserving public health in the country as a whole, Alhamdulillah. Regarding this matter, kaola wishes to seek clarification on what improvement programs will be implemented from the increased allocation of $9.7 million for the services of Hospital Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha?
Secondly, kaola observes Nursing College, JHCS can act as a catalyst in the country’s effort to become a Centre of Excellence in training and producing professional and high-performing nurses to meet the country's needs and beyond. Seeking to know how the establishment of this college will support, align, and complement its services with several expert services being worked on by Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre, Gleneagles JPMC, JPMC government hospitals and to health services as a whole in the country. Seeing under Title 004/009 Nursing Services has also been increased by $6 million in the financial year 2025/2026. Will it use the services of locally trained nurses graduating from this college and the existing educational institutions in the country?
Lastly, in neighboring countries in this region such as Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, several specialty centers have been established and are fully managed by the private sector. These have opened up more employment opportunities for specialists, consultants, doctors, nurses, and local healthcare workers. At the same time, the establishment of private specialty health centers can stimulate more related sideline activities alongside their spin-off to the country’s economy overall and can also attract foreign patients to seek treatment in the country if the service fees are reasonable and its quality is on par with centers abroad. Towards this, kaola seeks clarification on whether there are any medium or long-term plans to open licenses for the establishment of Specialised Centres that are managed and run solely by the private sector. This is to complement the services currently provided by the existing Specialist Centre. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann
Thank you to Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Kaola touches on Code 007/000 Scientific and Forensic Laboratory Services. Supporting the Food Industry sector and Compliance with international standards for organizations and equipment through a competent workforce in efforts towards producing food-based products for the regional and international market must meet and adhere to the standards set by International Bodies such as Codex Alimentarius, World Health Organisation, WHO, and Food and Agriculture Organisation. This matter is essential to ensure food safety, quality, and compliance with globally recognized regulations and standards.
In connection with this, kaola seeks clarification on whether the laboratory facilities provided by the Health authorities comply with international standards and how, if ever, the public, especially PMKS traders, can obtain laboratory services to obtain certification of food product testing meeting standards.
Thank you, Wabillahi taufik walhidayah. Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
The Third Group, Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, and Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin. Please, Yang Berhormat.
Yang Berhormat Lau How Teck
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, health is the backbone of the nation's well-being and the decree by Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam regarding aligning Health Charges for permanent residents without nationality reflects principles of equity and wisdom forming the foundation of the nation's health service system.
This is a significant step, not only in ensuring more comprehensive access to treatment but also in reinforcing the resilience of the health system to support the development of a more productive society. Looking at the subject SM01A – Ministry of Health, a sum of $652 million has been allocated to ensure the health system continues to evolve and be competitive. Allocation under Code 1203 to provide infrastructure for good health is a basic necessity that supports the increase in treatment capacity. Kaola would like to suggest that this development also considers distributing health resources equitably, ensuring hospitals outside urban areas have facilities comparable to main hospitals. Adapting health facilities to the needs of the elderly population by improving geriatric services and long-term care.
Besides that, a sum of $326 million under Code 03/000 is allocated for primary healthcare and $391 million Code 004/000 for secondary/tertiary healthcare with this substantial amount it is crucial to ensure every aspect of health services runs more efficiently, effectively, and patient-oriented. Therefore, kaola suggests expediting access to treatment particularly for cancer, heart disease, and chronic illnesses by improving the Triage system and referral coordination between health centers and hospitals. Empowering the role of family doctors so that internal diseases can be detected and identified earlier, before becoming more serious cases. It is hoped that with equity and priority health facilities to critical disease treatment and a more proactive role, our health system will be able to support the overall well-being of the people and in general. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Kaola only have a few questions. Ah, some questions have already been answered. The first question I would like to ask is about autism, but it has been extensively addressed by Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan during the oral question session.
My next question is about healthcare, aa. Kaola am very grateful that the Government of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam prioritizes the health of its people and residents by providing free care and treatment to local patients in Negara Brunei Darussalam, as well as the allocation of $652 million provided.
One issue often discussed by the public, anulah, is the shortage of specialists, doctors, and nurses still needed. In this regard, kaola also observe a pattern where specialist doctors end their service upon reaching retirement age or upon bond completion. Kaola asks if they are offered a more attractive Service Scheme or Contract, aa, to retain them in service because their experience is extremely valuable for the healthcare service. In addition, they can serve as mentors to other doctors and healthcare personnel.
My next question pertains to Account 1203 which is about providing infrastructure under Title 1203002 New Block of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital which has been allocated funds. Kaola believes that this hospital needs an overall facelift as it looks run-down and additionally, existing facilities need improvements, which was raised by the Yang Berhormat colleague earlier. Hence, just to add that, as the main hospital in this country, it is appropriate for it to be improved. However, kaola also takes note of the shared key performance indicators indicating a 90% satisfaction rate for existing healthcare facilities at the Ministry of Health.
Furthermore, kaola would like to know the status of paramedic services and efforts to enhance the quality of their services, as their role in transporting patients is very important, and kaola would like to know whether they receive further training, either domestically or abroad, to ensure their services are better and more efficient. Seeking clarification from Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan.
Finally, kaola refers to SM01A, specifically 006/003 Management of Non-Communicable Diseases Screening Programs, and wish to ask how it can be more effective, as there are patients who, despite frequent consultations with doctors, are eventually diagnosed with, for example, Stage 4 cancer, despite often seeing doctors. So, kaola would like to know how the ministry can reduce such cases. That's all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Thank you, wise Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Kaola have only one question, referring to SM01A 005/001, with an approved allocation of about $60 million and an estimate for 2025/2026 of $92 million, and 005/006, with $7.3 million approved for the year 2024/2025 and an estimate for 2025/2026 of $14.6 million. Correct kaola if wrong, Simpor Pharma Sdn. Bhd. is only manufacturing supplements. So, given such a drastic increase, is it viable to establish and manufacture pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in Brunei considering the economy of scale, logistics, and availability of materials? This manufacturing only produces basic medicines or equipment frequently used, such as Panadol and so on. That's all.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you, Your Honourable Members. Now, I will give the floor to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan to either provide answers or comment on or respond to some of the matters raised by the Appointed Your Honourable Members. Please, Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. First and foremost, peramba/kaola would like to express gratitude to the appointed Your Honourable Members for the questions posed. As usual with my other colleagues, allow kaola to answer what I can, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, and the rest in writing.
First, allow me to answer the question from Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin concerning the elderly. Regarding the number of elderly left in hospitals for an extended period, this issue is indeed worrying, and the Ministry of Health has been considering various measures to address this. For your information, the majority of cases where the elderly remain long in the hospital stem from social issues such as the absence of suitable caregivers at home, or they are waiting for a new domestic worker.
A smaller number of families are unable or unwilling to care for the elderly facing severe conditions like being bedridden or with advanced dementia. The elderly living alone without family members in the country and having inadequate home environments requiring modifications also contribute. Furthermore, other factors include the need for medical equipment such as hospital beds, which are not yet available, the absence of suitable caregivers at home, or waiting for domestic help as I mentioned earlier, and partly have I mentioned family issues that refuse to care. Thus, the Ministry of Health through the Geriatric and Palliative Unit, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, and the Medical Social Worker are constantly collaborating to identify and seek solutions for these issues. This includes lending hospital beds or necessary medical equipment.
However, medical equipment stocks are limited, and sometimes patients need to wait for previous patients to return the equipment before lending to those in need. Given that most of these issues are related to social aspects, their resolution requires cooperation from various parties including government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), grassroots members, and the community as a whole. Thus, social awareness efforts and involvement such as village leaders and the community is needed to ensure the welfare of the elderly is maintained.
For instance, expediting the process of acquiring domestic help with hospital support letters and also financial assistance for those unable to afford domestic assistance. The Ministry of Health works closely with the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports through the Department of Community Development or JAPEM, which consistently supports the welfare of the elderly in this nation through several initiatives such as enforcing the Elderly Protection Act protecting the rights and wellness of seniors, including laws ensuring family members are responsible for their elderly care.
Providing financial aid or incentives to families needing help caring for their elderly at home. From the Ministry of Health's side, the Primary Health Care Service Division provides through Health Centers and clinics nationwide, one of the relevant services in this matter is Home Care Services, Home Based Nursing. However, as I mentioned earlier, this service is only offered to those meeting certain criteria, especially patients confirmed by health professionals as bedridden or housebound needing specific procedures like urinary catheter changes, nasogastric tube replacements, and so forth.
Moreover, patients capable of attending health centers will be served at nearby centers. Any additional requirements identified can be arranged through referrals to the specific parties like the medical social worker. Any patient newly discharged from the hospital, including the elderly, will routinely be given a follow-up date at the specialist clinic or referred to specialists at the Primary Health Care Service Division for follow-up. Nonetheless, if the patient encounters new health issues and is able to make it to health centers or they can see doctors at nearby health centers.
One future plan is to raise community awareness about the responsibility of caring for the elderly at home. Encouraging more private sector participation in providing elderly care facilities including home care.
Collaborating with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in the Caregiver Program implemented alongside the Brunei Institute of Technical Education, IBTE to prepare individuals as patient caregivers and subsequently open opportunities for job seekers interested in this field and to collectively examine a whole-of-nation approach in addressing elderly care issues with other government and non-government agencies to enhance and improve their care services thoroughly and not just in health aspects including strengthening patient connection mechanisms with various social and community services to improve health and wellness matching to an individual's needs.
Moving on to the issue regarding Seri Suri Begawan Hospital, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. As we already know, the issue of flooding that frequently occurs in the Belait District either during the northeast monsoon or the rainy season we are experiencing now. The flooding issue in the Belait District often happens due to the phenomenon of high tide, especially in the estuary area of Sungai Kuala Belait. During high tide, coupled with prolonged heavy rain, it can cause river overflow into land areas including the hospital resulting in operational disruption and safety risks. However, from past flood incidents, the emergency services and surrounding area for that project have never been affected by rising water levels, and these services continue to operate as usual 24 hours during floods in other areas of Suri Seri Begawan Hospital.
For your information, the construction project for a new building for the Emergency Services at Suri Seri Begawan Hospital funded by the RKN-12 allocation began on February 26, 2025, and is expected to be completed by February 2026, and situated next to the current Emergency Services Department and constructed at a higher level than the ground. Nevertheless, as part of the preparedness measure, the management of Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in collaboration with the Public Works Department, Ministry of Development, undertakes initiatives such as the construction of culverts at Jalan Panglima, Kuala Belait in June 2023. The objective of this initiative is to ensure that the drainage outside the hospital area functions well.
Continuing evaluation and research on the drainage and sewerage systems inside and outside the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital area are ongoing and the results of this assessment will be presented by JKR, God willing, in the second quarter of this year for further flood mitigation.
Next, the third question regarding efforts on financing for cancer groups. Hence, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) supporting cancer patients play a vital role in assisting patients, families, and communities in dealing with this challenge. They act to complement government health services and provide various forms of assistance including treatment, emotional support, awareness, and advocacy.
A supportive network such as cancer support NGOs indeed exists at a national level, and the Ministry of Health consistently provides support through expertise like Health Talks, Mental Health Support from psychologists, clinical expertise as well as patient care support by nurses. Some of the active support groups include the Children's Cancer Foundation or YASKA and the Brunei Breast Cancer Support Group. Kaola is informed about one new registered NGO, the Cancer Care and Advocacy Group.
The Ministry of Health continually supports and collaborates with these associations. Regarding the Cancer Support Group too, God willing, The Brunei Cancer Centre will extend their care to survivorship, providing cancer patients and survivors a formal support group through the Survivorship Programme that will be launched by the Brunei Cancer Centre. Thank you.
Next, regarding debt backlog previously, it increased from 60% to 75%. The backlog, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, is our collection not being paid, so we want to improve it to 75%; as of now, the backlog has reached 60% so we want to improve it to 75%. It mainly encompasses insurance coverage spill-over and old debts from patients whose whereabouts cannot be traced despite all options being exercised. Therefore, the initiative of the ministry is collaborating with interested parties to conduct a review of the insurance services for foreign workers and users where the Ministry of Health recommends increasing the insurance coverage amount for foreigners to $100,000 as recently stated by Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri. So this will reduce the backlogs in the Ministry of Health and it is hoped with the implementation of these policies in the future we will have no backlogs from patients, especially from non-resident or permanent residents.
Regarding non-clinical support services, Alhamdulillah, this program is to ensure that service is carried out by specialized professionals. So non-clinical support services include waste management, laundry and cleaning, biomedical engineering, facility management, etc. So for the time being, these services have been divided, previously the plan was in a bulk, but due to certain reasons, it was segmented and this will generate more local companies to come forward. And what's important in these non-clinical support services to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients, workers, and the public is through standards of operating procedures or standards or KPIs according to international standards. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has also taken a consultant to draft certain standards so that our contracts with local companies meet the set international standards and can be done properly and the ministry can also conduct assessments of what is necessary. So from our side, it's pointless if we don’t know what we are inspecting according to international law, so Alhamdulillah with this consultant, the Ministry of Health will better understand how to evaluate a job especially concerning turnaround times and so forth.
Regarding customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction is basically measured by our corporate communications in collaboration with other administrations. It is measured by several methods. It's from MOHcares, the app there, and from direct customer feedback too and through what do you call this, interviews of the people, I mean patients that are. So it’s done all year round and compiled, and from there we obtain our evaluations, people evaluate us at the Ministry of Health.
As for kidney disease, Brunei does indeed have a high rate of end-stage renal disease, and most of it is due to diabetes. Almost 80% of the kidney disease cases are caused by diabetes. However, the incidence and prevalence rates are on par with high-income countries due to universal health coverage. So, measures have been taken including raising public awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and early health screening for high-risk individuals like those with a family history of diabetes, obesity, and increasing grassroots level care engagement and increasing the number of diabetes and kidney doctors according to the rising number of cases. So, it is requiring not just a whole-of-government but also a whole-of-nation approach, especially in tackling non-communicable diseases to reduce the burden of kidney disease failures.
On the issue of doctor shortages, it’s not just a shortage of doctors, it’s a shortage of nurses and allied health, and since COVID, for some reason, many advanced countries are showing a shortage of doctors and nurses in their countries. So, what is difficult for our country is that we are competing with other high-income countries proclaiming their shortage of doctors, nurses, and allied health as well. So, there we try to improve our recruitment by ensuring the remuneration for doctors is competitive and doctors from outside can enhance their skills even though they are in our country. So their continuous professional development is also attended to.
Apart from that too, what the Ministry of Health does is to improve recruitment by not interviewing today only to inform them two years later that they've succeeded. So, that was the difficulty previously. So, Alhamdulillah, as previously stated through the wisdom and leadership of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, a special committee has been established at the Ministry of Health, where the acquisition only takes a few months now and salaries are set. This applies to doctors, nurses, and allied health.
Regarding the question from Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam regarding the involvement of women in the medical field. No doubt, I think more than 60% of the doctors are women. So, bravo to the fairer sex. But this also shows they are also a majority in tertiary schools, at universities as well. So indeed, it is a challenge for women to work in healthcare especially those who have families, as they need to care for children and family responsibilities. No doubt some local doctors opted to leave the government due to this difficulty. Unfortunately, in government, we don’t have that flexibility like other foreign countries.
Where they have a part-time or flexible working hours for doctors. So, maybe this is a good suggestion that can be brought up again to the relevant parties, allowing doctors, especially local doctors, to have part-time or flexible working hours. So most of them are in difficult situations, they just, people say, need special time. They do not really want to resign, but due to existing regulations, many ultimately resign and work privately, some still in private practice, so there is not really a complete loss, they still provide services in our country.
There was a question regarding NIC. Alhamdulillah, during our handling of COVID, there was an additional building, the NIC Extension namely NICE. So from 30 isolation beds, there ascended almost 170 isolation beds in the Tutong District. So indeed presently the current NIC is indeed for patients dealing with tuberculosis, we keep them there. So the original NIC is still being used but the new one what we called NIC Extension or NICE is currently empty. Presently, it is being considered to serve as a step down for long-stay patients at RIPAS including the elderly who have been there for extended periods. The provision and suitability have been analyzed with experts from the WHO as well.
So, if actualized, many long-stay patients at RIPAS will be transferred there, and this will grant access to acute beds at the RIPAS hospital. What becomes a public issue at RIPAS hospital is often waiting at A&E and Alhamdulillah, we have improved a lot but once they meet a doctor at A&E they already know what's happening, waiting for the transfer to the ward is lengthy. That takes a while sometimes until the next day, as acute beds are limited, if a discharged patient does not leave, there are no free beds, right? So the addition or use of NIC Extension will increase acute beds at the hospital when we can transfer long-stay patients at RIPAS there, because they actually no longer require care, some stay for months or years at RIPAS. So, like bed and breakfast (grinning) so that’s it. So, God willing, NIC will be utilized effectively.
Hmm. What results in many re-admissions ah when we look its performance. With the universal health coverage we provide the community in this country, patients are no longer simple cases, it is complex now. Patients have many multi-factorial and complex disorders compared to before. So, figures are monitored through Bru-HIMS, so there is an increase there, God willing this will be improved. So for serious cases we do have a quality system in the ministry, we call it incident reporting part of remaining though, this will be flagged and then discussed why it happened and we look for the root cause analysis.
So is it because it was not properly discharged the first time or is it a different contributing factor that caused its previous disease to worsen? So this is monitored, and hopefully, it will decline in the medium term, it is not an overnight fix so it involves many factors that require analysis. Regarding obesity, the measures taken are health education and health promotion and as you all aware, since COVID-19 we have BruHealth and through BruHealth, we take the opportunity for promoting physical activities, especially step challenges so previously we nationwide did numerous step challenges, the last one was 80 billion steps.
Alhamdulillah, from present data, at the start, our average daily steps were 2,000 a day but lately, even the second challenge the average step per person in this country increased to over 4,000 a day. That is very encouraging given the simple platform from BruHealth and Alhamdulillah, we can also see from the infrastructure or recreational places available, many of our people perform physical activities so that is very encouraging. However, the real impact on obesity will take years to see, it does not happen overnight or in a few years, it will be a long-term endeavor.
Weight loss programs or healthy lifestyle programs are also conducted with BruHealth and partnering private clinics hold them, we also have obesity clinics and endocrinology and especially school-aged adolescents or children, particularly 18-year-olds, are educated in schools about the importance of drinking plain water rather than fizzy or sweetened drinks and we also have conducted policies for marketing for kids, as kaola mentioned recently and facts about the matter. There is likewise a school health programme called GLOW, organized by the Health Promotion Center in collaboration with Kementerian Pendidikan with support of Gleneagles JPMC too. So, this program trialed that day at private schools on how to encourage their students from healthy food to exercises like mentioned earlier, doing P.E., and so on.
So these schools prepared their plans and it is hoped to be extended to other government schools wanting to adopt the program. I think that's enough for now, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, if anything else is unanswered, kaola will address it in writing. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Thank you Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan. I think it is best that we vote on this Title now. Your Honourable Members who agree, please raise your hands.
(All Members raised their hands in agreement)
It appears that all Your Honourable Members agree, so the Ministry of Health title is approved.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
SM01A — Ministry of Health is made part of the Schedule.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members, let us conclude our discussions and deliberations for today. It would be best if we adjourn this Committee Meeting and reconvene in the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.
(Committee Meeting adjourned)
(Majlis Mesyuarat reconvenes)
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members. We reconvene in the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara session. I believe we shall conclude our session for today, and I propose that this meeting be adjourned. God willing, we will reconvene on Saturday, 15 March 2025, starting as usual at 9.30 AM. Thank you, and with God's guidance and blessings. Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(Majlis Mesyuarat adjourned)
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