Answer for Written Question PT016

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG ZAINOL BIN HAJI MOHAMED asked the MENTERI DI JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI to state how the Government assesses the level of public understanding and confidence in the policies or initiatives introduced. What approaches are being taken to ensure that policy communication does not contribute to policy fatigue or public apathy?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri

In its efforts to create an informed society, the Prime Minister’s Office, through the Information Department, has conducted several initiatives as follows:

• Firstly, through the publication of Pelita Brunei, which can now be accessed through e-Pelita. Pelita Brunei is principally intended to inform the public about the latest news, focusing on local news, including policies and initiatives introduced by the Government.

• In an effort to further enhance the effectiveness of Pelita Brunei in disseminating information, including in terms of design to increase the number of readers, the Information Department conducted a survey in 2025. The findings of the survey showed that readers preferred reading and found it easier to understand publications using images such as infographics, including the production of short videos.

• Furthermore, the Information Department also continues to conduct the Program Sua Muka with village residents. This programme serves as a two-way communication platform between the Government and the local community to disseminate the Government’s policies and key messages, while also listening to current issues and problems faced by village residents.

• At the same time, the Program Masyarakat Bermaklumat will continue to be implemented, involving the grassroots level to listen to issues, opinions and suggestions from residents of mukim and villages throughout the country.

• As a continuation of the above dissemination efforts, the Information Department also conducts programmes targeting youths and school students through the Program Perkampungan Sivik bagi Lepasan Ijazah and the Program Rakan Remaja Penerangan for Year 9 and Year 10 students in government and private schools throughout the country.

• In summary, throughout 2025, more than 70 programmes were conducted for various segments of society, comprising youths, adults and senior citizens. These programmes involved various government agencies in sharing existing government policies as well as those that had just been introduced.

• In relation to ensuring that policy communication does not contribute to policy fatigue or public apathy, the Prime Minister’s Office, particularly through the Information Department and Radio Television Brunei, together with the private media, will continue to work closely with Government agencies in disseminating information relating to their respective policies and initiatives to the public in a form that is easy to understand, timely and accurate.