DAY 1 MORNING

Reading Summary

📖 Reading time: 58 minutes
📊 Word count: 11,270 words

4TH AUG 2025 MORNING

(The meeting commenced at 9:30 a.m.)

Yang Mulia Jurutulis

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Second Meeting of the 21st Session of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara convenes on this first day, Monday, 10 Safar 1447 corresponding to 4 August 2025, preceded by the Doa Selamat.

DOA SELAMAT

(Doa Selamat was recited by Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustafa bin Haji Murat, Imam Jame’ Asr Hassanal Bolkiah)

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you, and may Allah’s blessings and mercy be upon you. Praise be to Allah, we are grateful to Allah the Almighty for His grace and permission that we can gather here this morning to convene on the first day of the Second Meeting of the 21st Session of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.

Blessings and peace be upon our great Prophet, Sayyidina Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam, his family, companions, and loyal followers until the end of time.

Your Honourable Members, as we are aware, during the Official Opening Ceremony of the First Meeting of the 21st Session of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam highlighted three main points:

Firstly, His Majesty has consented for this Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to be held twice a year starting this year. Secondly, His Majesty has also consented to the update of our procedures and workflow according to the Standing Orders; and Thirdly, His Majesty has also consented to the drafting of a Code of Ethics for Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.

Alhamdulillah, His Majesty’s commands are an honour and trust for this Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to implement these major changes with the hope that discussions will be more organized, more focused, and continuous, reflecting the maturity and professionalism of Your Honourable Members who always cooperate to safeguard the welfare and prosperity of the people in this country.

Among the main agendas of this Second Meeting is a motion discussing national efforts in achieving the Brunei Vision 2035, whose success undoubtedly depends on the comprehensive involvement, diligent efforts, and continuous cooperation of all parties and layers of society to act and unite.

Certainly, this is very appropriate to discuss in our Majlis Mesyuarat. This Second Meeting also opens opportunities for questions from Appointed Members to gain deeper clarification and also allows Official Members to share government initiatives supporting the national development agenda.

I hope this Second Meeting plays a major role in executing check and balance on the agenda of public interest and national prosperity. Your Honourable Members have the opportunity to debate, and although there will be differences in views, I hope the debates can proceed in a mature, respectful, and courteous manner, adhering to the Melayu Islam Beraja principle.

I urge Members to uphold the strength of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in carrying out the trust for the good of the people and the future of this country. This means the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara must be developed to become a platform for exchanging ideas, thoughts, and solutions for improving policy and the lives of the people and should be seen as a bridge between the government and the people. Your Honourable Members must carry out collective responsibility towards considering our country's development, especially in today's uncertain global environment.

In discussing and debating pertinent issues, I wish to emphasize that the Standing Orders must always be respected and fully adhered to, to ensure the integrity and dignity of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara institution is always preserved. This is important not only to strengthen the deliberative process but is proof that our Majlis Mesyuarat Negara can apply the Standing Orders properly.

Finally, I hope Your Honourable Members will always be committed to establishing the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara as an important institution in this country, especially since its existence is enshrined in our national constitution. Let us together enliven each meeting session in this esteemed hall with more effective and impactful debates while maintaining decorum solely to ensure the welfare of the people and the well-being of the country we love.

Your Honourable Members, before us are several meeting agendas to be resolved, and I propose that we move to other matters.

Yang Mulia Jurutulis

Question Time for Oral Answers.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Your Honourable Members, I now open the floor for question time for one hour, and this procedure will continue as long as we meet each day. As a reminder, Ministers have a 10-minute limit to answer each question. Any unanswered question must be answered in writing and will be published as an official document of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara. I will also open the floor for supplementary questions, with priority given to the Member who posed the question.

Before me is the list of questions submitted, so I will start with the question from Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. Please proceed, Yang Berhormat Menteri.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and may blessings and mercy be upon you.

Kaola first thank Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee for her question on the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports’ plans to implement project assessments and landscapes for community-based childcare operated by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Brunei Darussalam, including reasonable fees for low-income citizens.

For Yang Berhormat’s information, as of July 2025, a total of 82 Childcare Centers have been registered under the Community Development Department or JAPEM, with 69 Centers open and operating in the Brunei and Muara District, 4 Centers in the Tutong District, and 9 Centers in the Belait District.

Currently, the Temburong District does not have any registered Childcare Centers. The owners of Childcare Centers in this country consist of private individuals and NGOs. So far, there are 4 childcare centers managed by NGOs. The Community Development Department welcomes any NGOs to establish and operate childcare centers provided they adhere to the licensing process and licensing guidelines stipulated by JAPEM according to the Childcare Centers Act (Chapter 218).

Regarding childcare fees, these are subject to the respective childcare centers based on the current market rate and the types of services offered by the childcare centers. For your information, according to information received by JAPEM so far, the average fee for one child amounts to $200 per month.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports certainly encourages the establishment of more childcare centers to help alleviate the burden of childcare and encourage women's participation in the workforce. As shared before, this Ministry, through JAPEM, has prepared a draft guideline for childcare or daycare at workplaces as an added value to the current childcare services.

These guidelines aim to encourage establishing in-house childcare centers at workplaces, whether in government or private sectors. These guidelines are also aligned with best practices internationally and in other countries.

One of the objectives of establishing in-house daycare is to provide easier and more affordable childcare for working parents. Additionally, it will avoid or reduce the need for workers to leave and enter the office for sending children to school. The availability of in-house daycare will support working parents, especially working women, in addressing childcare and supporting the balance between child care and career towards a more harmonious family life.

According to an international study shared by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, workplaces that provide in-house daycare are more likely to attract and retain work talent, meaning they are more likely to attract and retain competitive workforce talent.

Therefore, it also increases workplace productivity; this also means that if productivity is currently weak due to people leaving and entering the office, support like this will enhance and reduce productivity losses.

In addition, research on women's development in Brunei Darussalam has found that 46 percent of female respondents indicated that the main challenge in joining the workforce is due to childcare issues. The study also found that the current use of childcare centers is more focused on high and middle-income families, indicating the need to expand access to such services, including establishing them in government office buildings.

Since office premises, government office buildings are meant here, providing more inclusive, affordable, and easily accessible childcare facilities is important as part of comprehensive support policies towards creating a family-friendly work environment.

That concludes my response, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, to the pertinent question.

Thank you and best wishes in Allah’s guidance and Peace be upon you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

The second question from Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee, directed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pengangkutan dan Infokomunikasi. Please proceed.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pengangkutan dan Infokomunikasi

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you, may blessings and peace be upon you, and a good morning.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. In addressing Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee’s question regarding the implementation of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Programme at Brunei International Airport in collaboration with Royal Brunei Airlines and local NGOs, this question is timely and appreciated.

Currently, Brunei International Airport is among those not participating in the registered scheme managed by Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme Limited, a registered private NGO based in the UK with an international network through membership.

In this context, the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunication, through the Department of Civil Aviation, agrees with the scheme; however, there is a need to first understand the requirements to officially join the scheme. For example, to effectively implement such an initiative at the airport, key considerations include staff awareness and competency.

This requires providing specific training to airport staff, including security officers, immigration, and customer service. Awareness of hidden disabilities, communication, empathy, and handling sensitive situations are crucial in this regard. The Department of Civil Aviation does not object to collaborating with any private parties or NGOs interested in leading the initiative. It is not necessarily required to become an official member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Programme, but any effort to assist people with hidden disabilities with additional support in public is welcomed.

Furthermore, for Your Honourable Members’ information, efforts are ongoing to enhance accessibility and make Brunei International Airport more friendly and inclusive. Passengers with special needs, such as disabilities, can request assistance through the following steps: informing airline companies or travel agents when booking tickets about specific needs, contacting airline customer services before the travel date for further guidance or arrangements, and informing airport staff directly during check-in to request needs such as additional time for travel procedures, clearer, slower, and more understandable communication, and if necessary, using quieter waiting areas that are already available.

That is what kaola wishes to share in this Majlis Hall, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

The third question from Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II.

Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Firstly, kaola would like to express gratitude to Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat for the question regarding employment opportunities in the public sector for reformed ex-prisoners.

So far, there are no specific regulations allowing ex-prisoners to be appointed in the public sector. Any proposal or related initiative is subject to consideration by relevant stakeholders based on the policies and guidelines currently in force.

In this regard, any application for reappointment will be referred to the relevant authority, namely the Public Service Commission, SPA, and in this case, as an independent body, SPA will carefully assess and be guided by the principles of merit, qualification, position suitability, and the broad interests of public service.

For the information of Your Honourable Members as well, SPA has only ever considered one case so far involving an individual who served a prison sentence due to failure to pay a fine. At the same time, the government is also considering more inclusive and progressive approaches in the recruitment process into public service, including considerations for implementing a reinstatement period for individuals with spent convictions.

For the information of Yang Berhormat, one of the main steps or initiatives taken by the government regarding the clearance of criminal records is to examine the comprehensive implementation of the Criminal Registration Act (Chapter 202). This legislation is the primary law balancing the state's responsibility to ensure public safety with the responsibility to support rehabilitation and reintegration of reformed individuals into society.

While this act mandates the authority to record details of convicted individuals for law enforcement, security screening, and judicial functions, it also recognizes the principles of justice, rehabilitation, and opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives. Besides establishing a criminal register, the Criminal Registration Act (Chapter 202) also introduces a framework for spent convictions.

This regulation acknowledges that individuals who have served their sentence and shown behavioral improvement deserve the opportunity to progress without being burdened by lifelong past convictions, which the government will also adhere to.

Considering its wide and deep impact on all levels of society, this department is conducting further and detailed scrutiny to ensure that the implementation of the law is carried out fairly and equitably by balancing the rights of reformed offenders with the broad rights of society.

Therefore, it is also emphasized to every civil servant to evaluate every action to avoid being involved in unlawful acts, always to maintain the welfare of oneself and family, and uphold the good name of public service. That is all kaola can convey in response to the question just now.

By the grace of God, wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta’ala wabarakatuh. Thank you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

The fourth question from Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol is addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan

Bismillahir rahmanir rahim. Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Good morning and warm greetings.

First and foremost, kaola would like to express the highest appreciation and gratitude to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for the opportunity to respond to the Oral Questions posed.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, kaola seek permission to answer Questions 4, 6, 7, and 10, which are Oral Questions 147, 183, 220, and 182 sequentially because their fields are related.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

So you will answer questions 4, 6, 7, and 9?

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Please proceed.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed, for the question regarding Special Education in all educational institutions, which is PL 147.

The Ministry of Education, through the Department of Special Education or JP Khas, constantly ensures the implementation of special education in all educational institutions, including the private sector, consistently adheres to the guidelines. This implementation is guided by the Special Education Framework, which outlines the principles of 5A, namely acceptance, accessibility, adapted curriculum, adapted instruction, and adapted assessment, as well as various guidebooks and specific curricula for easy reference by parents, teachers, and the school.

Monitoring and evaluation are carried out systematically through school reviews, school placement meetings, student progress reports, and school transition meetings involving JP Khas experts along with the school. This process ensures the accurate placement of intervention students and individual education plans according to needs.

To enhance workforce capacity, the special educational needs support educators initiative has trained government, private, and religious school teachers through the Introduction to Special Education course. As of 2025, 207 participants have been trained. In addition, 113 officials, managers, and special needs students have been placed in schools through the SKiPPA program.

The ministry also sets minimum facility specifications such as therapy rooms, barrier-free pathways, and special teaching aids. Various initiatives such as learning assistance centers, inclusive school models, and centers of excellence have been established. To date, four COEs have been operational in selected primary and secondary schools. Private special schools like Sekolah Al-Ameerah Al-Hajah Mariam are also established to accommodate students at priority levels 4 and 5.

Next, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman’s question regarding additional ministry efforts outside of normal teaching to help under-performing students. This refers to PL 183.

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pehin, for the question posed. The Ministry of Education has implemented the Student Learning Survey, a national psychometric assessment involving students from Year 2 to Year 11. This assessment aims to measure students' skill levels and proficiency in literacy, numeracy, and science. The data obtained from this assessment is used as an indicator and determinant of whether they require individual learning support or a one-to-one approach or through group approach or otherwise.

Through this data analysis, under-performing students who need assistance will follow additional structured programs. The Learning Support Programme or LSP was introduced in 2022, aiming to help schools plan and implement learning support programs.

A framework has been developed as a guide for its implementation and coordination of learning support programs conducted in schools. Additionally, programs outside of normal teaching continue to be implemented by schools, such as extra classes and early morning interventions.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Education is continuously implementing the Data Driven Culture or DDC in schools, involving processes of data collection, usage, analysis, and interpretation that help teachers plan and implement strategies that support students' learning needs in a focused manner.

To answer Oral Question 220, which is 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 Mohd. Yussof regarding the plan to introduce specific certification for students in Year 7, 8, or 9 who are low academic achievers.

Currently, the Ministry of Education is of the view that there is still no requirement to introduce specific certification for students in Year 7, 8, and 9 among low academic achievers or students who are non-academically inclined. This is because students at this level still need to follow a common curriculum, which is streamlined as a foundation for comprehensive learning reinforcement before they enter the Special Applied Programme, SAP specialization stream, until they complete their studies in Year 11. Additionally, to enable students to pursue post-secondary education, they must complete their studies at least in Year 10 or 11, such as programs like Industrial Skills Qualification, ISQ, offered by the Institute of Brunei Technical Education, IBTE.

Kaola will continue by answering Oral Question 182, which is Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman's question regarding the Ministry of Education's plans to produce a generation of smart kids with an above-average IQ. The Ministry of Education has established the Center for The Development of Gifted and Talented Education, EDGE.

In 2021, the EDGE center is responsible for planning and monitoring the educational stream of identified gifted, intelligent, and talented students, including excellent students. Besides this, the center is also responsible for coordinating the identification and assessment process of students and implementing leadership and student development programs. This effort also involves cooperation from government agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Several students have also participated in programs and competitions organized at the international level, such as The 16th APEC Cross Mentoring Research Activity, The 14th ASEAN+3 Centre For The Gifted in Science Student Camp, The 16th and 17th International Science Youth Forum, and The 10th ASEAN+3 Juniors Science Odyssey.

Participation in these programs aims to give students exposure and simultaneously enhance their communication skills, problem-solving, and leadership in a more competitive global environment. That's all for now that kaola can share. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin

Assalamualaikum Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. May I have permission to ask a question to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan?

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Which question do you wish to add to?

Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin

The one already answered by Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan regarding the tracking system.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Please proceed.

Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. May I seek clarification from Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan if there are efforts by the Ministry of Education to establish a tracking system to monitor low performers and low achievers so they are not left behind in education.

Kaola also hopes that they will be comprehensively monitored until they obtain the qualifications, skill sets that allow them to find jobs, or obtain qualifications that enable them to pursue further studies. If they do not have a tracking system, will this tracking system be pursued? Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan

Thank you for the question posed by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin regarding the tracking system. Actually, after Covid, on the first day the students came back to school, we provided a tracking system developed or expanded by the Ministry of Education that is a set of items using items, released items from International Accredited Bodies in the assessment.

The listed items include questions where they are benchmarked with their expectations or competencies in literacy, numeracy, and science as I have previously mentioned in this honorable chamber. It represents the largest data collection and analysis that I personally have ever seen.

From there, for example, in 2024 alone, 47,000 students have been assessed, and this number has certainly increased from the previous years in 2023 and 2022 at each level, starting from Year 2 to Year 11 of these students. Thus, they are evaluated and assessed on where their progress is.

Are they at an early beginner, intermediate, or already advanced stage? Here, teachers are able to see the status of these students according to their individual competencies.

Therefore, there is indeed a tracking system. So, for example, if a student is indeed in the category of early competencies, intermediate, or advanced. So, we know where they are in the expected competencies. So, have I answered Yang Berhormat’s question? But, indeed, there is. We have.

Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin

What kaola is requesting is if it is monitored to ensure that children do not leave school unless they have the skill set that allows them to find jobs.

Do they need to be retained in school until the age of 18 until they obtain the qualifications that allow them to be employed when they leave? Because if it's just tracking and not monitored, kaola fear that they will fall behind because currently, there are already children who have dropped out without qualifications and are unable to find employment. Thank you.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan

Thank you, Yang Berhormat. I actually agree personally. Indeed, children must be monitored, but students' abilities have their limits. As educators who believe in the psychology of children's education, we understand where the zone of proximal development is for each student. This is where the primary function of teachers is to ensure children have reached their respective zones or capacities.

Therefore, in this matter, if they are in the early stage, their competencies will be further strengthened so they progress to the next competencies. However, if they cannot continue to follow further studies or that’s the limit of their academic attention, then, of course, we will try other ways such as developing their skills.

So, children who leave schooling cannot only be assessed based on their academic achievements, but we must also see that students, some of them are non-academically inclined, where they succeed in certain skills. However, there is indeed monitoring because there are certain programs to promote them from one stage to another. Thank you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Kaola would like to ask an additional question. Firstly, kaola would like to express much gratitude to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan for providing such detailed explanations regarding the efforts of the Ministry. This pertains to under-performing students.

Kaola just wants to know, despite the existing efforts, monitoring, and student learning survey, kaola wants to know how impactful it is to the under-performing students, because kaola observes that in terms of public examination results, their achievements, the overall student achievements still remain at the same percentage level.

So if there are efforts to improve these under-performing students, can it be seen in their examination results or their performance in school? That's all that kaola wants to ask Yang Berhormat Pehin, thank you.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan

Thank you for the question from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman.

It is indeed a very good and somewhat tricky question. Why kaola, I would like to say the question is tricky because if we look at the performance of students in the PSR or public examination questions, we might see increases, decreases.

But we must remember that in these examinations they are different cohorts and, most importantly, there are no link items in the PSR questions from year 1 to the following year. This is a challenge for the Ministry of Education to see how far these students actually improve or decline. But on average, we can look at the trend line of the student achievements.

However, in fact, I have a paragraph that kaola, I will raise or share during the Debate on Vision later regarding student achievements using link items starting from the announcement of the Vision and from when we have changed the educational system or the 21st Century SPN from 2007 until 2024 last year, and the data uses link items that provide, give a very interesting picture, so if possible, we wait for that day for kaola, I (small laugh) to talk further about student achievements using 4 Psychometric assessments using link items. Thank you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Let's return to the fifth question, which is the question from Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, and thank you also to Yang Berhormat for the question regarding the efforts of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to strengthen sports and recreational facilities at the grassroots level to ensure more inclusive access.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports will continue to strive to strengthen infrastructure and sports and recreational programs at the grassroots level so that they can be enjoyed fairly, inclusively, and comprehensively by all layers of society, including women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. This is in line with the desire to create healthy, resilient, and united citizens and residents.

Among the measures implemented: first, the improvement and upgrading of existing sports facilities to be more inclusive at complexes and sports facilities under the control of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Department of Youth and Sports.

This includes efforts to ensure that every premise and sports facility meets the Design and Accessibility Development Guideline, or DADG, that has been set. Provision of ramp access (OKU) and wheelchair-friendly paths. Provision of exercise zones specifically for the elderly, complete with low-impact exercise equipment suitable for the needs of the elderly. Provision of safe and family-friendly spaces, including play areas for children, in efforts to encourage more active participation of women and families in sports and recreation.

Secondly, the implementation of the Sports for the Community Program, or SUM for short, which targets grassroots participation through activities like Mukim and Kampong sports in collaboration with the Mukim and Village Consultative Councils and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to ensure the comprehensive involvement of all groups regardless of age, gender, or physical ability. Through this integrated approach, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports hopes that grassroots sports and recreational facilities will not only be a medium for character building and healthy living but also a catalyst for social unity and wellbeing towards balanced and inclusive regional development.

Furthermore, in line with the Elderly Action Plan that emphasizes providing a friendly and conducive environment for the elderly, including access to sports and recreational facilities at the grassroots level, this plan also supports the active participation of the elderly in physical activities like light exercise, leisurely walks, and community sports. This is part of a comprehensive approach to promoting a healthy lifestyle, reducing loneliness, and strengthening social interaction among the elderly. This approach is believed to be able to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing, and also the mental state of the elderly while fostering a more inclusive and balanced community unity.

That concludes my response to the question from Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed. Once again, kaola expresses gratitude for the question. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

The eighth 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 is also addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. And the ninth question from Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat is also addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. Please proceed.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan

Thank you once again Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua and also Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof for the surveillance of the enforcement officers on childcare centers to ensure the welfare and well-being of children in line with the Children's and Young Persons Act (Cap 219). For everyone's information, the Director of Welfare Department, the position of JAPEM Director, has been gazetted as the Registrar of Childcare Centers under the Childcare Centers Act (Cap 218).

In this regard, the Department of Welfare, JAPEM, is responsible for overseeing the establishment of Childcare Centers throughout Negara Brunei Darussalam. Under the National Framework of Child Protection, childcare center owners, managers, caregivers, and parents all play a crucial role in protecting children and have a responsibility to approach, refer, and report when there are concerns of child protection cases. Signs of child abuse include physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, and more.

According to the Children's and Young Persons Act (Cap 219) Section 26 (1), the role of Childcare Centers is if they reasonably believe a child has been physically or emotionally abused due to neglect, abandonment, or exposure or has been sexually abused, they must immediately inform the protector, which is the Department of Welfare or JAPEM. Any Childcare Center that fails to comply with sub-section (1) commits an offense and, if convicted, may be subject to a fine of up to $5,000.00, imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or both.

Enforcement always ensures Childcare Centers comply with the Children's and Young Persons Act 2006, particularly concerning protection, nutrition, health, hygiene, welfare, and safety. Inspection visits are conducted every month, with at least two visits every week, including both scheduled and unscheduled visits.

This aims to monitor the compliance level of these centers. Therefore, any complaints related to breaches of the Act will be seriously investigated, and firm actions will certainly include closure or prosecution if found violating legal provisions.

Furthermore, inspections are also conducted whenever there is an application to establish or renew a license, meaning it is not an auto-renewal. This includes evaluations of facilities, caregiver-to-child ratios, and safe and quality childcare practices. The Licensing Committee for Childcare Centers comprises representatives from the Fire and Rescue Department, Traffic Investigation and Control Department, City and Town Planning Department, and Health and Environment Services Department, who will review each Childcare Center to ensure compliance with their specific departmental standards and guidelines.

The nutrition, health, and hygiene aspects are monitored and inspected by the Ministry of Health, the Health and Environment Services Department. Childcare Center workers are required to obtain a food handler's certificate, pass health screenings, and be certified healthy from contagious, chronic, or harmful diseases towards children in care.

In terms of safety, supervision and protection are monitored and inspected by the Fire and Rescue Department and the Crime Record and Fingerprint Unit, ensuring that the premises' building and infrastructure, both outside and inside the Childcare Center, are safe for children, for example, installing soft-padding mats throughout the area and also ensuring that registered workers do not have any criminal records that are deemed dangerous and unsuitable for work in childcare services.

Regarding welfare, monitored by the Department of Welfare or JAPEM, where children's welfare while at the Childcare Center is continuously and consistently assured. One initiative implemented is the Introduction to Infant and Children Training Program for Caregivers starting from February 12, 2025, to July 11, 2025. This training program is introduced specifically for infant caregivers to ensure quality care and enhance caregiver competence in managing the needs of infants and will help reduce incidents of abuse and negligence.

This program has been participated in by a total of 68 participants consisting of owners and caregivers from as many as 64 Childcare Centers nationwide. This is also aimed at creating skilled youth in the Care Economy sector as one economic sector that generates and opens employment opportunities, especially those involving childcare for children aged 3 and below, and this will certainly open broader work opportunities with recognition through the provided program.

Therefore, with the growth of this Care Economy sector, Insha Allah it will help reduce demand or address cost increases when we acquire foreign domestic helpers.

That is all for answering the previous question of Yang Berhormat Pehin. Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

(Pauses)

Apologies Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. There is one more question remaining. Once again kaola would like to thank Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat for the question regarding the guidelines and legal framework to ensure ethical, lawful, and professional interventions in cases involving vulnerable children and families.

For children's cases, the Children's and Young Persons Act (Cap 219) stipulates the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Welfare, JAPEM, in child protection. Among them are as follows. The Director of Welfare is also the protector, granted the authority and has the power to enter and inspect any premises including houses, buildings, shops, and rooms if there is a reasonable suspicion that a child needs protection.

This is not a new issue; it is already available under the relevant act and is not unique to Negara Brunei Darussalam alone. Indeed, similar counterpart agencies to JAPEM and similar agencies abroad all have similar powers. Additionally, the National Framework in Child Protection or NFCP is a national guideline aimed at developing the ecosystem and improving the existing child protection system in Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Child protection in this country is implemented through a multi-sectoral approach. Among the main sectors involved in child protection include JAPEM social service agencies such as social workers, penghulu, village heads, NGOs, and the public. In education, principals, teachers, counselors, child care center caregivers, and from under the Schools Department, Private Education Department, Islamic Studies Department, tahfiz and Arabic schools, enforcement agencies such as the Police, Women and Child Abuse Criminal Investigation Unit, Narcotics Control Bureau, and religious and health enforcement including professional medical officers, social medical workers, government and private hospitals.

Caring for children and young people requires inter-agency involvement because these children have various needs such as physical, emotional, educational, identity, social, spiritual, and self-care skills needs, as they are weak and vulnerable. Therefore, under the NFCP, there is a mechanism of assessment tools and SOP to identify children who require protection. To identify these children, protection is needed, known as the Sectoral Assessment Tools and Child Protection Reporting Protocol, CPRP for each sector. This actually means that there are steps to follow in conducting the assessments and reports regarding this matter.

Sectoral Assessment Protocol or SAP is a mechanism to identify children who require protection and to facilitate early interventions. Early intervention is critical in addressing complaints that are received. SAP has 4 versions for the four sectors that are enforcement, health, education, and social services. Each sector and its users have a very important and is needed role to know and carry out assessments of the cases received. Therefore, SAP also determines the risk level of cases received using color-coding, color-coding that follows the case level from mild to more serious stages. For the information of Your Honourable Members of the National Council, specifically regarding counselors, JAPEM has produced a JAPEM Counselor Code of Ethics book which was launched in 2023. This book plays a significant role in ensuring the welfare of counselors and counseling practitioners as a reference and guideline in performing tasks related to counseling matters ethically and professionally.

Once again kaola emphasizes this is not unique to Negara Brunei Darussalam, any guidelines, books, ethics, etc., all are ensured to be in line with international practices. One of the matters included in the code of ethics is Informed Consent and clients' rights before and during the process carried out with the client. This process involves home visits to clients if needed with the client's or parents' or protector's permission, where protector here refers to the Director of the Welfare Department.

Therefore, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, this concludes the answer to question number nine PL231. Thank you once again.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Thank you. Your Honourable Members, the question time has ended and we now proceed to the next business of the meeting.

Yang Mulia Jurutulis

The motion on the Membership of the National Assembly to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA, which will be proposed by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace and blessings be upon you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, thank you for granting kaola the opportunity to give feedback. My apologies. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace and blessings be upon you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, thank you for giving kaola the opportunity to propose a Motion which reads: “This Council agrees for the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to become a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA.” Thank you.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace and blessings be upon you and greetings of peace. Kaola expresses profound gratitude to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for giving the avenue to kaola as an Appointed Member of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to introduce a Motion in this honorable chamber, which involves membership in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA as follows:

Recognizing that the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara has been an observer to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA for several years.

Supporting the international organization's efforts to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy by advancing bilateral and multilateral relations between Negara Brunei Darussalam and regional countries. The Majlis Mesyuarat Negara proposes full membership in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA.

This Council agrees for Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to become a member of IPU and CPA. The membership motion paper of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei, MMN, to IPU and CPA is tabled as paper number 6 for the year 2025.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, kaola wants to continue my arguments in support of the Motion kaola has presented.

First, the IPU is a union of parliaments composed of member countries of the United Nations, PBB, and United Nations, established in 1889 to foster cooperation and dialogue among national parliaments in promoting democracy, peace and security, health and well-being, and sustainable development worldwide. The IPU is a platform for parliaments to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on critical global issues.

Secondly, as a permanent observer at the UN General Assembly, the IPU has close ties and collaboration with the UN on various global issues such as climate change, gender equality, and human rights. By becoming a member of the IPU, the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, Negara Brunei Darussalam can keep abreast of developments and discussions on global issues among international parliaments that have significance for Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA, is an organization established in the Commonwealth in 1911, bringing together all parliaments at various levels from Commonwealth countries to promote parliamentary democracy, good governance, and the rule of law. Membership of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will give access to the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei Darussalam to follow the development of global issues among Commonwealth countries.

In addition to networking and collaboration with 180 other parliaments and legislative bodies, Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara will also have the opportunity to participate in professional development and training under the capacity building program to enhance skills and knowledge for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff. CPA also offers technical assistance to further strengthen the capacity of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara institution.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, to date, under the gracious consent of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, the relationship and involvement of Negara Brunei Darussalam in the IPU and CPA have been as observers.

After attending several conferences as observers and participating in various programs organized by both organizations, kaola believes that full membership in the IPU and CPA is a strategic step aligned with the nation's aspiration to strengthen the institution and role of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, and to improve the performance of the country's parliamentary system to be on par with other parliamentary systems.

Currently, only Negara Brunei Darussalam among ASEAN countries has not yet become a member of IPU, while among ASEAN's Commonwealth member countries, which includes Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore, only Brunei has not yet become a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, after considering this matter thoroughly and also taking into account the interests of Negara Brunei Darussalam as a sovereign country with its own parliamentary system, and with reliance on Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, kaola confidently presents the Membership Motion for Negara Brunei Darussalam to the IPU and CPA to Your Honourable Members for support.

With that, may Allah grant guidance and blessings, Peace and blessings be upon you. Thank you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Your Honourable Members. As we have heard, an Honorable Member, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman has opened a Motion that reads: This Council agrees for Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to become a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA.

Before I open this matter for debate, I ask if there is any member who supports this Motion.

Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace and blessings be upon you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Kaola fully supports the Motion that has been proposed. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Your Honourable Members. The Motion that has been brought by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman and supported by Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin is now before us for debate.

I now open this Motion for debate and remind you that the debate on the Motion is limited to 15 minutes for each Honourable Member. I now begin this debate by inviting Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan.

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 (prayer recited). Peace and blessings be upon you and greetings of peace.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, with utmost respect, kaola extends profound gratitude and appreciation to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for giving the opportunity to kaola to fully support the Motion that has been presented by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman regarding the membership of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei Darussalam in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, as proposed.

Furthermore, kaola also wants to extend high appreciation and thanks to Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman for the introduction and explanation regarding the membership of Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei Darussalam to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association including the purposes and benefits obtained.

Alhamdulillah, although Negara Brunei Darussalam is a small country, it has already been recognized for membership at the international level, including the United Nations, World Health Organization, OIC, and APEC. Therefore, it is appropriate and relevant for the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to become a member of IPU and CPA, not just as value-added, but also to enhance recognition and membership for Negara Brunei Darussalam internationally, which in turn, in my opinion, elevates the image and further dignifies the institution of Majlis Mesyuarat Negara on the international stage. This also provides an opportunity to follow current developments alongside allowing to present relevant views to protect the sovereignty and interests of Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Kaola also opines that it is time and appropriate for Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to become a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to be considered, as it is known that the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara has been an observer for a long time, allowing evaluating its benefits.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Honourable Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara. Kaola believes that with this membership, it will also reflect a strategic shift that will strengthen the legislative institution of Negara Brunei Darussalam as part of efforts to expand the country's diplomatic platform globally and position Negara Brunei Darussalam as a dialogue partner in sharing experiences, exchanging views on global issues, including security affairs, climate change, and digital advancement. This participation is also in line with the country's aspiration to jointly support the effort to create a more peaceful, fair, prosperous world on the international stage.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Full participation of Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in IPU and CPA, which practices best practices, is also a strategic step toward strengthening, targeting the enhancement of experience, knowledge, quality, and efficiency, further solidifying the position of Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.

In conclusion, kaola fully supports the Motion for membership of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

With that, in the name of Allah, may guidance and blessings be granted, peace and blessings be upon you. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed.

Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Your Honourable Members. Peace and blessings be upon you and greetings of peace.

Kaola fully supports the Motion proposed by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman to enable the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to become a member of the two inter-parliamentary organizations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA. This Motion reflects a forward-looking step and also a timely effort to strengthen the direction of the country's parliamentary diplomacy and to enhance the value of the MMN institution as a whole.

In recent years, we have undergone a phase of significant internal strengthening, whether in terms of enhancement of meeting regulations, expansion of debate opportunities, restructuring the meeting processes, or improving the quality of documentation and debate practices.

Therefore, the step towards international participation comes at the right time. It not only increases our involvement on the international stage but also reflects the institution's maturity level and readiness to boost internal capabilities through wider and strategic cooperation networks.

This proposal, in my view, is also a form of institutional investment that is capacity-building in nature. This participation is no longer merely about having a name on the membership list but more importantly, it opens up opportunities to build a working structure that is more responsive, systematic, and professional. For instance, organizations like CPA provide a special platform for parliamentary benchmarking, which is an essential process to examine the effectiveness of support systems, including administrative training, research services, and parliamentary management.

Through this involvement, we will be able to scrutinize such elements in a more focused and structured manner according to the context suitability of our council. Kaola believes it is time for MMN to establish a stronger self-measurement framework not only through annual reports but also by referring to regional and global institutional standards and guidelines.

The IPU, for instance, offers various resources such as indicators for democratic parliaments that can be used as a reference tool in forming a more transparent, inclusive, and effective parliamentary work culture. With this, we can identify aspects that need refinement to strengthen the core functions of the council such as debates, policy reviews, and information dissemination to the public.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. This step is also seen as part of MMN's long-term strategy in strengthening the legislative support system, including capacity building for members and officers, mentorship for new members, and developing more sustainable work practices. Long-term relationships with external parliamentary institutions can build not only networks but also work archives with valuable institutional memories. We are laying the foundation for a form of institutional continuity that not only relies on individuals but on strong work structures and culture.

Hence, kaola supports this Motion with full confidence not simply because it allows us to join but because it marks a new phase in how MMN can manage and measure progress. This includes the ability to choose the most relevant forms of participation, optimize our presence on international platforms, document lessons learned, and most importantly, translate all such findings into real improvements in the council's processes and work outcomes.

Kaola also wants to emphasize that the success of this participation will not depend on how many conferences we attend, but on how we utilize this space to strengthen work discipline, from agenda layout, development findings, debates to more strategic communication with the public.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Kaola wants to express appreciation to colleagues who have brought this Motion forward and hopes that with careful planning and implementation, this participation will become a significant milestone in the long-term development of this institution.

With that, may Allah grant guidance and blessings, peace and blessings be upon you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck.

Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck

Good morning and greetings. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, for giving kaola the opportunity to debate the motion for the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara's membership to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA.

First and foremost, allow kaola to congratulate the Secretariat of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara and all parties involved in establishing and succeeding the Second Meeting of the 21st Legislative Session for the year 2025, which is being held for the first time as envisioned in the titah of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam at the Opening Ceremony of the First Meeting this year.

Kaola believes that the membership of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA, is not merely symbolic but a strategic step that offers profound benefits in strengthening governance of regional cooperation and global engagement with other CPA parliaments.

As an organization connecting more than 180 legislative bodies nationally and sub-nationally across the Commonwealth Nations, it aims to promote knowledge on constitutional, legislative, economic, social, cultural, democratic, parliamentary aspects with specific reference to the Commonwealth Nations.

To drive its mission, CPA frequently organizes conferences, seminars, workshops, and working visits that enable members to discuss and share experiences addressing contemporary issues related to and not limited to digital transformation, climate change, issues concerning women, people with disabilities, and others. This implicitly makes CPA a platform to lead several objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

This joint effort also prioritizes aspects like Goal 5, Gender Equality; Goal 10, Reducing Inequality; and Goal 13, Climate Action, which contribute to achieving Vision 2035, particularly Goal 2, a High Quality of Life for the People.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, CPA not only offers the benefits outlined earlier but also provides opportunities to learn and understand best practices.

For instance, CPA has a framework called the CPA Benchmark for Democratic Legislatures covering topics like oversight, finance and budgeting, public and media engagement, voting privilege infrastructure, procedural rules, professional application, and more.

This framework encompasses around 200 indicators evaluating parliaments based on aspects like procedural improvements, openness, accountability, and systematic integrity. Directly, these contribute to the achievement of Goal 16, Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, regarding peace, justice, and strong institutions, specifically the objectives of Goal 16.5 reducing corruption and bribery in all forms. Goal 16.6, developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels, and objective 16.7, ensuring responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, CPA also organizes professional development programs such as the Parliamentary Academy, providing opportunities for the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to learn best practices from Commonwealth parliaments through online courses, residency courses, and externally delivered courses. Furthermore, with the membership of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to the CPA, the Secretariat can leverage various Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA tool kits and guidelines available such as gender sensitizing, parliament guidelines, disability inclusion guidelines, standards of code of conduct for members of parliament, and parliamentary workplace, among others.

With access to the Parliamentary Academy and these tool kits and guidelines, it will support the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to further enhance procedural processes and administrative quality on par with international standards. Kaola believes that with the membership of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA, this will further empower the functions of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara and its role as a forum to express opinions and thoughts contributing to the international arena and advancing Negara Brunei Darussalam towards achieving Vision 2035.

Thus, with humility, kaola fully supports the motion for the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara's membership to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). That is all kaola can convey. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin.

Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and greetings.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, first of all, kaola would like to express gratitude to Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala for His merciful and gracious guidance allowing us to meet for the first time for the second session of the 21st Legislative Session of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.

Kaola also respectfully extends the highest appreciation and thanks to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for wisely providing the opportunity for kaola to debate the motion regarding the proposal for the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to become a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, as enshrined in the Declaration of Independence of Negara Brunei Darussalam, which among other things states that as an independent, sovereign, and democratic Malay Islamic Monarchy, Negara Brunei Darussalam will always preserve international friendship relations based on mutual respect for independence and sovereignty. In kaola’s opinion, the proposed motion is a highly relevant step in realizing this noble country's aspiration.

The involvement of Negara Brunei Darussalam through the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in international organizations such as IPU and CPA will not only elevate the status of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara on an international level but also provide an opportunity for the Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to learn and share experiences with legislative bodies globally.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, allow kaola to share a little about the advantages if the council agrees to join the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU. As a prominent global legislative body organization, IPU plays a crucial role in promoting democracy, peace, and international cooperation.

At the same time, IPU also functions as a driving force for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at the legislative institutions worldwide.

Among the goals prioritized by the IPU is Goal No.13, Climate Action. To collectively realize this goal, IPU plays a role in supporting global legislative institutions to work together to achieve the Paris Agreement and other climate agreements, such as accelerating decarbonization and reducing the global carbon footprint. This aligns with Brunei Vision 2035, which aims to achieve a high quality of life based on sustainable national environments and an economy not entirely reliant on oil and gas.

This means the membership of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in IPU will open very valuable opportunities for the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to be directly involved in discussions of critical issues on the international stage. Through the IPU platform, kaola believes the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara will be able to voice unique and brilliant perspectives contributing to the formulation of resolutions and decisions that, God willing, will have a significant impact on the world community while showcasing the country's ability to participate in international discussions.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua wisely, this is also a very good opportunity for Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to learn, adapt, and apply best practices from legislative bodies around the world. Negara Brunei Darussalam can also share the country's best practices and actions to address weather and climate issues affecting the world. Through this method, the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara as the legislative institution of Negara Brunei Darussalam, can exchange views and experiences with highly skilled legislative bodies, such as finding the best and most efficient legislative process methods.

With this sharing, kaola also believes it can contribute to attracting member countries to enhance cooperative relationships with the country and that any best practices learned can be shared with the relevant ministries to be considered in their respective action plans.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara. The collaboration between Majlis Mesyuarat Negara and 181 member countries in the IPU will enable us to work together and join forces in addressing complex cross-border issues for mutual well-being.

Additionally, kaola believes that the participation of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in these organizations confirms our commitment to parliamentary diplomacy and active roles in the international community consistent with Negara Brunei Darussalam's aspiration to always maintain international friendship relations. Indeed, this proposal will not only broaden the diplomatic network for Majlis Mesyuarat Negara but also enhance the capacity and professionalism of the Members of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in fulfilling their entrusted responsibilities.

This motion is timely and strategically aligned with Brunei Darussalam’s foreign policy principles based on respect for sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, good neighborly relations, multilateral cooperation, and commitment to peace, neutrality, and resolution through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, with reliance on Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, and grounded in the Malay Islamic Monarchy and Negara Zikir, and underlined by our Bruneian identity, kaola fully supports the motion for the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to become a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

That is all, Wabillahit taufik walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

And now I invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri II. Please, Yang Berhormat Menteri.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri II

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and Salam Sejahtera.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, for giving kaola this opportunity to present a few views in this esteemed chamber.

First of all, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, kaola with utmost respect and gratitude is pleased to present a heartfelt message of appreciation for the consent of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, among others regarding the change in the frequency of council meetings from once to twice a year and updating the work process procedures according to the Standing Orders.

Kaola with utmost respect and gratitude warmly welcomes his majesty's command as it will further enhance the effectiveness of this council meeting by providing opportunities for more focused and continuous discussions.

On this occasion, kaola also records the highest congratulations to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for his capability and wisdom in conducting the First Meeting session. Alhamdulillah, we are grateful to Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala for His blessings and permission, we can all gather once again to attend the Second Session of this Conference Season.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, as a small country, our strength lies in our ability to build strong relationships and collaborate collectively. Negara Brunei Darussalam has continuously prioritized active membership and participation in ASEAN, the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Commonwealth, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, among others.

Through membership in these organizations, the country and its people continue to reap various benefits. It also reflects the country's ongoing commitment to supporting multilateralism and ensuring that the country's voice and interests are defended at the regional and global levels.

This is also in line with the country's foreign policy which, among other things, encourages cooperation for mutual benefit, whether bilaterally or multilaterally. For instance, the membership of Negara Brunei Darussalam in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly provides a platform for dialogue and also to foster and deepen understanding between the parliaments of ASEAN countries.

Through active AIPA membership, Negara Brunei Darussalam has been entrusted and honored to take on the responsibility as President of AIPA and currently holds the role of Secretary-General of AIPA until the end of this year. This trust symbolizes recognition of the country's active and constructive role. Simultaneously, it can elevate the image and profile of our country in this region.

Moreover, with the ASEAN - AIPA Leaders' Interface Meeting serving as a platform to maintain regional unity and cooperation at the highest level, that is, among ASEAN country leaders and AIPA parliament countries. This demonstrates that parliaments also play a significant role in efforts to achieve the ASEAN vision of peace, prosperity, and resilience.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, discussing Negara Brunei Darussalam's participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA allows us to partake in exchanging views on regional and international challenges. This includes issues affecting climate change, economic uncertainty, digital governance security, public health, and so on.

IPU and CPA can also serve as a medium to enhance the capacity development of members and officials of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, through exchanges and official visits. It also expands cooperation networks with members of other countries' parliaments and has the potential to foster trust among member countries. This also aligns with the country's efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, particularly SDG 17, Partnership for Goals, which means enhancing global partnerships, including among parliaments, to support the sustainable development agenda.

As emphasized in the speech of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam during the first meeting of the Wawasan Brunei 2035 Supreme Council in April 2025, success in realizing the National Vision requires careful planning, coordination, and strong alignment as well as high dedication from all parties. Therefore, experiences and best practices that can be obtained directly or through networks can be practiced to improve national laws and policies at present. This can build more efficient institutional capacity and improve effective governance.

Thus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warmly welcomes the intention of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to become a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA. This initiative is a positive step, timely for expanding the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara's involvement at the international level.

Insya Allah, it will further strengthen the country's position in the eyes of the world and improve the positive perception of the Government of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam and also Negara Brunei Darussalam by sharing our unique national approaches and values.

This will also serve as a platform for Negara Brunei Darussalam to defend and advance its interests, simultaneously demonstrating us as active and responsible members in continuing contributions to dialogue with parliament members from friendly countries.

That is all kaola can convey. Wabillahit taufik walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta’ala wabarakatuh, thank you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Thank you, Your Honourable Members. Before we adjourn or vote on this Motion, I would like to invite the Yang Berhormat Member who brought this Motion to provide their final comments if any, please proceed Yang Berhormat.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for giving kaola space to give a brief comment.

First of all, kaola would like to express sincere thanks to the members who have supported the Motion that kaola presented in this esteemed chamber.

Kaola expresses the highest appreciation and thanks for the comments from fellow Yang Berhormat members who supported the proposed Motion that kaola brought, kaola takes this opportunity to express sincere thanks also to Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd. Yusof, Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri II, for the comprehensive and strong comments to support the Motion that kaola presented.

Furthermore, kaola welcomes the suggestions and views that have been conveyed by Your Honourable Members, and with trust in Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, kaola hopes the membership of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara in the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will achieve the hoped-for aspirations. Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

That’s all, Wabillahit taufik walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta’ala wabarakatuh.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Your Honourable Members, we have completed debating a Motion that has been proposed by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman which has been supported by Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin and discussed, debated by several appointed members of Your Honourable Members and also discussed and supported by an Official Member by Position, so now this Motion is appropriate for voting.

Your Honourable Members who agree with this Motion being passed, please raise your hand.

(All Members raise their hands in agreement)

Thank you, it seems all Your Honourable Members agree, hence this Motion is passed.

(Gavel struck)

Yang Mulia Jurutulis

The Motion for the Membership of Majlis Mesyuarat Negara to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA is approved.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Your Honourable Members, I think it is sufficient for us to meet this morning and we will adjourn this meeting. Insya Allah, we will reconvene this afternoon starting at 2:30 PM.

That’s all, Wabillahit taufiq walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta’ala wabarakatuh.

(The assembly is adjourned)