Written Response to Question PT36

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YANG BERHORMAT AWANG MOHAMMAD BIN ABDULLAH @ LIM SWEE ANN

QUESTION:

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG MOHAMMAD BIN ABDULLAH @ LIM SWEE ANN asked the MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS to disclose the measures taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that every student and citizen abroad remains aligned with the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy to maintain the country's image.

YANG BERHORMAT MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

ANSWER:

A key role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Overseas Representative Offices, is to ensure the welfare, safety, and well-being of Brunei Darussalam citizens and students abroad are always safeguarded.

This includes handling emergencies such as passport loss, illness while abroad, cases involving death and the repatriation of deceased bodies, natural disasters, and incidents related to instability in the countries they reside in.

In this regard, the Ministry emphasizes the importance for all Brunei Darussalam citizens abroad or planning to go overseas to register through the e-Register system on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Additionally, they are encouraged to obtain travel or medical insurance as a protective measure against incidental expenses while abroad.

Maintaining the country's image based on the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) among citizens and students abroad is a shared responsibility that begins even before they leave the country.

Furthermore, Brunei students and citizens abroad are consistently advised to uphold good conduct and the country's image, and to avoid any actions that could tarnish Brunei's good name. This effort is undertaken with a comprehensive and integrated approach through a whole-of-government method, involving collaboration among Government agencies and educational institutions.

To enhance awareness of MIB, various steps have been implemented, such as:

1. Role of Representative Offices as Main Facilitators

   • Representative Offices coordinate various educational and religious events such as briefings and lectures managed by Government agencies specifically for Brunei citizens and students abroad.
   • This support includes providing venues and facilities to ensure the smooth execution of these programs.

2. MIB Awareness Programs Abroad

   • For example, last year, the Brunei Darussalam Representative Office in Kuala Lumpur helped coordinate the Generasi BerMIB program, organized by the Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Malay Islamic Monarchy, Ministry of Education for Brunei students in Malaysia.

3. Involvement in National and Religious Events

   • Representative Offices also hold national events such as National Day celebrations, the Birthday Anniversary of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, breaking of fast, as well as Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and Hari Raya Aidil Adha.
   • These events involve serving officers and staff as well as students pursuing their studies in the respective countries.
   • Typically, these events are interspersed with religious activities such as prayers, recitations of Surah Yaasin, and congregational prayers, especially during the month of Ramadan.

4. Promoting Brunei Culture and Traditions

   • Representative Offices also organize social activities that showcase our culture and traditions internationally, including cultural performances, Brunei traditional food, and participation in events managed by the host country.

5. The Role of Educational Attaché in Guiding Students

   • Several Brunei Darussalam Representative Offices, such as those in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Egypt, have Educational Attachés responsible for overseeing the welfare, well-being, and safety of students.
   • They also coordinate religious activities such as religious classes and recitations, lectures, motivational talks, and programs during Islamic special days.
   • This is to ensure students continue to strengthen their Bruneian identity and are not influenced by foreign culture and elements that contradict MIB values.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stands ready to cooperate with and assist relevant agencies in efforts to enhance the understanding of MIB among citizens and students abroad.