DAY 5 MORNING
📖 Reading time: 114 minutes
📊 Word count: 22,812 words
16TH MARCH 2026 MORNING
(The meeting began at 9.30 a.m.)
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The First Meeting of the 22nd Session of the Legislative Council convenes on the fifth day, on Monday, 26 Ramadan 1447 corresponding to 16 March 2026, preceded by Doa Selamat.
DOA SELAMAT
(Doa Selamat was recited by Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustafa bin Haji Murat, Imam of Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque).
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Praise be to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala because by His mercy and permission alone we are able to gather together this morning, to convene for the fifth time, on the fifth day of the First Meeting of the 22nd Session of the Legislative Council.
Blessings and peace be upon our great leader, Sayyidina Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam, his family, companions and his followers who are obedient and loyal until the end of time. Your Honourable Members. We will begin today with the business of the meeting as determined.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Question Time for Oral Answers.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members. We now proceed to question time and, as usual, this period will take one hour.
Before us is the list of questions submitted. I begin with the first question from Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee, addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings and greetings of peace.
First of all kaola, I would like to express my thanks to Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee for the question raised concerning the Ministry of Education’s planning to incorporate into the curriculum topics relating to state institutions, including the Legislative Council and its role, specifically within the component of the Melayu Islam Beraja subject.
The concept of Melayu Islam Beraja or MIB is the national philosophy proclaimed on 1 January 1984 by Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, in which among the essence of His Majesty’s titah was, “Negara Brunei Darussalam is and with the permission and blessings of Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala shall forever remain a Malay Islamic Monarchy state, independent, sovereign and democratic, based upon the teachings of Islam according to Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah and founded upon justice and trust and freedom, and with the guidance and pleasure of Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala shall strive to obtain peace and security, welfare and happiness for My people”.
In upholding His Majesty’s titah, the Ministry of Education has made the concept of Melayu Islam Beraja or MIB a core subject in the national education system. Topics related to state institutions, including the position of the monarch as Head of State as well as the role of government bodies such as the Legislative Council, are systematically incorporated through the MIB curriculum from primary school up to higher education. The structure of curriculum implementation at each level is as follows:
First, Primary Level Years 1 to 6, at this stage emphasis is given to respecting the symbols of national sovereignty and knowing matters that contravene the laws of the country as a basis for civic compliance;
Second, Secondary Level Years 7 to 11. At this level, the focus is deeper exposure to the functions of state institutions including the role of the Legislative Council as a platform for consultation and the voice of the people. This aims to produce youth with an Islamic identity and the personal characteristics of Melayu Islam Beraja needed for socioeconomic progress; and Third, at the Higher Education Level, the Melayu Islam Beraja course also instils citizenship values and places deep focus on national identity, patriotism and statehood.
For students who continue their studies abroad, the ministry has also provided signature programmes to ensure that sovereignty and state institutions continue to be respected even when they are far from the homeland. Examples include the Program Jati Diri Barakah for government scholarship recipients and the Tarbiyah Al-Ihsan course which instils six important aspects including patriotism as well as aspects of aqidah and MIB. These programmes ensure students understand their responsibilities as ambassadors of the country who uphold the royal institution and Brunei’s system of government.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Education continuously updates the MIB cocurriculum to ensure that the role of important institutions such as the Legislative Council is fully understood by students. That is all, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The next question from Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin is also addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan. Please proceed Yang Berhormat Datin.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, thank you also to Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin who asked the Ministry of Education to state the ministry’s efforts and plans to strengthen the implementation of the Compulsory Education Act and the Inclusive Education Policy.
To strengthen the implementation of the Compulsory Education Act and the Special Education Guidelines Policy based on the concept of inclusive education for Persons with Different Abilities, the Ministry through the Special Education Department has formulated several comprehensive strategic plans.
Most recently, as an ongoing effort to strengthen understanding and the role of school leadership regarding the implementation of inclusive education and early intervention, the School Leaders Symposium was held in November 2025 jointly organised by the Department of Educator Management and the Department of Schools with the support of the Special Education Department.
This symposium emphasised the importance of early identification, appropriate intervention and an inclusive school leadership approach in ensuring more effective implementation of compulsory education.
This initiative will continue through the School Leaders Convention in May 2026 in collaboration with the Department of Educator Management, focusing on the early intervention approach to ensure identification and support for students with special needs are carried out earlier and more systematically in all schools.
For teacher capacity enhancement, the ministry continues to actively implement courses in the field of Special Education such as the Introductory Course in Special Education for mainstream teachers, short courses under the Brunei Darussalam Leadership and Teacher Academy or BDLTA as well as specialised training in collaboration with SEAMEO SEN to enhance the competency of special education teachers and at the same time narrow the gap in student ratios. SEAMEO SEN is the Leading Centre for Quality Teaching and Learning in Special Educational Needs, a regional centre located in Malaysia. In terms of infrastructure and equitable access in all districts, the ministry is planning to establish three more additional centres of excellence this year.
God willing, this is to expand expert support services, specific interventions and assistive technology. At the same time, the implementation of the individualised education plan continues to be monitored to ensure curriculum modifications are carried out according to the needs of each student. The placement of special education teachers is also implemented dynamically based on enrollment data to ensure services in all four districts are adequate.
In addition, inter-agency cooperation is also strengthened through close collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and relevant agencies in aspects of welfare, early intervention and community support to ensure a more holistic approach to the education of OKU students.
Overall, the Ministry of Education will continue to ensure that all these initiatives are implemented in an integrated manner to guarantee inclusive education that is equitable, quality and sustainable in all districts.
That is all and thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question of Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty bin Haji Abdul Mumin to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, thank you to Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin who asked the Minister of Education to state whether there is an independent review to measure the effectiveness of the Model Inclusive Schools and Centre of Excellence. At present, the Ministry of Education does not plan to carry out an independent review specifically to assess the effectiveness of the Model Inclusive School, MIS or Centre of Excellence, COE including in terms of economies of scale, teacher-student ratios and teacher competency.
However, continuous evaluation and monitoring will continue to be carried out through the ministry’s internal mechanisms to ensure that the quality of education delivery to students with special needs is always at a high level and meets the prescribed standards in line with the increasing number of student enrollment in that category. In this matter, the Special Education Department plays an important role in planning, coordinating and monitoring the implementation of special education policies and programmes to guarantee the quality and effectiveness of the interventions provided.
In addition, the School Inspectorate Department also carries out monitoring to ensure compliance with the prescribed standards. The Ministry will also continue to strengthen the implementation of capacity development programmes for teachers and teaching assistants through structured training in line with international best practices or International Best Practices to ensure that the special education system implemented is responsive, inclusive and resilient.
That is all, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question of Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman also to the Ministry of Education.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman who asked the Minister of Education to state the position of the inclusive education policy for students with special needs.
Through the Inclusive Education Policy 1997, the ministry is committed to providing access to quality education to all children regardless of ability. This policy emphasises a supportive learning environment and ensures that students with special needs receive equitable educational opportunities. This includes a commitment to provide learning curricula and teaching methods for a suitable period according to the student’s priority level.
In terms of infrastructure, the Ministry of Education has provided a network of Special Education Support Centres in schools comprising 4 Centres of Excellence, 9 Model Inclusive Schools and 87 learning assistance centre in addition to 2 private schools, making a total of 102 educational institutions providing special education support.
Each Centre of Excellence is equipped with more comprehensive learning facilities including the smart inclusive classroom concept which integrates learning technology and specific intervention equipment to support students’ various learning needs. The Ministry of Education also implements the SENSE initiative or Special Education Needs Support Educators aimed at strengthening the skills of mainstream teachers in supporting students with special needs in the classroom. This initiative also involves academic teachers and religious teachers to ensure a whole school approach in the implementation of inclusive education.
However, from the aspect of human resources, the Ministry of Education still requires more teaching personnel with specialisation in special needs education to assist students whose numbers continue to increase from year to year.
For students, the implementation of the Individualised Education Plan or IEP continues to be further strengthened to ensure that every student with special needs receives a learning approach tailored to their level of ability including in academic aspects, communication, social-emotional skills and independent living skills.
That is all and thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The next question is from Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin and is also addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin who asked the Minister of Education to state the measures to preserve schools in Kampung Ayer.
The Ministry of Education always gives high attention to the aspects of safety and preservation of school buildings in Kampung Ayer to ensure they remain safe and suitable for use in the long term. There are five schools in Kampung Ayer currently in operation, namely Sekolah Rendah Sungai Siamas, Sekolah Rendah Saba Darat, Sekolah Rendah Bendahara Lama, Sekolah Rendah Haji Tarif, and Sekolah Rendah Tanjung Kindana.
One school, namely Sekolah Rendah Pehin Dato Jamil, was vacated on 28 February 2025 due to unsafe infrastructure conditions. To ensure that the structure of the school buildings still in operation remains safe and well maintained, the Ministry of Education takes the following approach:
First, the implementation of continuous maintenance through contract facilities management including repair and maintenance works on wooden floor and wall structures and concrete structures such as columns, floors and beams;
Second, cooperation with the Public Works Department to carry out technical assessments and implement structural repair works requiring specific expertise;
Third, pest control, particularly termites that can affect building structures, through the department’s term contract; and
Fourth, cooperation with the District Office for the repair and maintenance of jetties and bridges located outside the school grounds to ensure safe access to the school.
These measures are implemented continuously and monitored from time to time to ensure the safety of the school community is always guaranteed and that school buildings continue to function well in the long term. That is all and thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question of Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin to Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri.
Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Good morning and greetings.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Kaola would like to thank Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin for the question raised regarding the cooperation of the Department of Energy with Higher Education Institutions and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, ERIA in determining the energy mix.
In that regard, kaola would be pleased to seek the permission of Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for kaola to combine the answer to this question with the question from Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan since both are related to national energy mix planning.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
So question 6 and question 7.
Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II
God willing.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Please proceed, Yang Berhormat.
Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
In response, the Department of Energy continues to strengthen international, regional and domestic cooperation to ensure that the determination of the national energy mix is based on technical and economic studies as well as risk assessments, including through cooperation with ERIA, ASEAN Centre For Energy, ACE and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC in long-term energy mix scenario modelling.
The integration of renewable energy towards achieving the target of increasing renewable energy capacity to at least 30 percent by 2035 under the Brunei National Climate Change Policy as well as assessing the feasibility of low-carbon technologies such as green hydrogen, e-fuels and carbon capture and storage. The findings of this study become important input in determining the national energy strategy, particularly for the medium and long term towards 2035 and beyond.
For the medium term, focus is given to strengthening electricity energy infrastructure to support the integration of renewable energy, including solar energy, while advancing the Brunei-Sarawak cross-border electricity project as part of the ASEAN Power Grid initiative in line with the memorandum of understanding signed in September 2025. For the long term, the focus is on assessing the potential for the development of low-carbon technologies.
In upholding the titah of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with the Ceremonial Opening of the First Meeting of the 21st Session of the Legislative Council, this is for Negara Brunei Darussalam to support the development of high-value downstream projects as well as enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the national energy sector.
Meanwhile, at the domestic level, the department also cooperates with Universiti Brunei Darussalam, UBD and Universiti Teknologi Brunei, UTB to strengthen research, technical analysis as well as local capacity development in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency and low-carbon technology.
God willing, through continuous cooperation with international, regional and local institute partners, the determination of the national energy mix will continue to be strengthened in a planned manner to ensure the security, assurance and resilience of the national energy sector in facing economic uncertainty as well as changes in the global energy landscape.
That is all that kaola can convey, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question of Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings, and greetings. Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and thank you also for the question raised by Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir regarding how the balance between economic development and forest conservation is managed in national land use planning.
The balance between economic development and forest conservation is managed through the implementation of existing related policies as well as the coordination of national land use planning with the relevant agencies. What is meant by the implementation of the existing policies at present is that there are two policies:
First, the national forestry policy and second, the national biodiversity policy and strategic action plan. The national forest policy plays an important role in ensuring sustainable forest management. It is a policy responsible for preserving, developing and managing forest resources for the purpose of preservation and improvement of quality of life, encouraging the socio-economic progress of the people as well as providing environmental facilities and ecological balance for the long term.
Through this policy, Negara Brunei Darussalam is committed to maintaining forest reserves at at least 55 percent of the country’s land area. Meanwhile, the national biodiversity policy and strategic action plan aims to manage biodiversity resources sustainably by 2030. This policy covers 4 goals, 18 targets and 50 actions focusing on environmental conservation, socio-economic development and sustainability for future generations.
In addition to the implementation of those policies, the Forestry Department also plays a role as a member of the site identification committee coordinated by the Town and Country Planning Department under the Ministry of Development in providing views and technical input on any development proposals involving forest areas and forest resources.
At present, the country’s forest cover comprises more than 70 percent of the total land area of the country and of this total, about 41 percent has been gazetted as forest reserves covering conservation, protection and production areas, as well as recreation and national parks. This approach ensures that forest areas of ecological importance continue to be preserved while economic development can be carried out in a planned and sustainable manner. Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question of Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you to Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann regarding the question on the latest achievements in the aspiration for a clean nation, green earth and the benchmarks or KPIs used to measure it.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In reality, this aspiration is for a sustainable environment, a clean and green surrounding under the sixth national outcome, namely under Wawasan Brunei 2035. This effort involves various initiatives and strategic measures implemented by the government and relevant industries.
Among the main achievements under the Financial Year 2025/2026 allocation, the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation includes solid waste management, air quality management, water quality as well as efforts to reduce pollution throughout the country including urban and rural areas. Among them are:
First, the continuous River Brunei Garbage Cleaning Project which began on 16 April 2023 and this project costs BND100 thousand a month;
Second, the installation of CCTV to combat littering activities in hotspot areas throughout the districts which began in 2021, this CCTV installation has been implemented in several places and so far has recorded expenditure of BND360 thousand;
Third, the upgrading of garbage collection sites, namely LED Solar Signage at several garbage collection site areas such as in Kampong Lumapas and Jalan Binglu in Perumahan Negara Meragang, which was completed in December 2025;
Fourth, the installation of air quality monitoring equipment which was completed on 8 January 2025 and placed at the Anggerek Desa Air Quality Station in Brunei Muara District, in Bukit Beruang in Tutong District, in Bangar Town in Temburong District and in Kampong Pandan in Belait District;
Fifth, the progress in planning the waste to energy plant through request for quotation namely request proposal which is currently in the tender process, where the tender period has been extended from 3 February 2026 to 5 May 2026; and
Sixth, ongoing environmental awareness programmes including the ongoing Eco Food Waste initiative which began on 27 February 2025. Recycling Day, which is implemented twice every year beginning in 2025 and awareness sessions regarding the house-to-house waste collection service project according to the Perumahan Negara Kampung Rimba area which will begin on 1 June 2026.
Meanwhile, there are also other initiatives under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism as well as the Department of Energy including tree planting and forest conservation programmes through forest replanting projects and biodiversity conservation. To date, a total of 97,995 trees have been planted.
In addition, the implementation of renewable energy through the Solar Energy Project initiative aims to reduce the carbon footprint, encourage the use of clean energy and subsequently support the development of a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
The benchmark or KPI used to measure the effectiveness of the implementation of environmental initiatives or programmes throughout Financial Year 2025/2026 by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation is by maintaining the existing allocation and resource sources towards environmental protection as well as care.
Among the main achievements are 100 days with good air quality, namely below 50 psi, and 95 percent of major rivers achieving a good water quality index level and a recycling rate of 23.1 percent, which has exceeded the target. This percentage total is used to assess the effectiveness of solid waste management and its achievement.
Regarding KPI related to the governance of the Brunei Climate Change Office, Climate Change Office, in assessing the total reduction in carbon emission or carbon emissions. In 2024 the country successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions to 14.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide compared to the business as usual target of 17.13 million carbon dioxide in 2024, which is an achievement of 87.5 percent of the target.
This achievement is the result of a nationwide whole of nation approach among relevant agencies and relevant industries in driving the climate change agenda. All these achievements will continue to be monitored through annual reports and outcome assessments based on the KPIs that have been set. This is to ensure that the aspiration of a clean and sustainable nation can be achieved continuously and sustainably. That is kaola’s answer to the question.
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question of Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Thank you Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat for asking about the ministry’s plan in providing more computer facilities to schools or computer labs to be used for teaching IT subjects.
In 2024, all computers in school computer laboratories were replaced with new laptops involving approximately 6 thousand units to support the implementation of digital learning and teaching in schools. This number is sufficient at present to support the teaching of ICT subjects as well as technology-based learning needs in schools.
In addition, the Ministry of Education also makes plans through annual allocations to increase the number of computers in schools according to current needs including to accommodate an increase in students or any increase in co-curricular needs related to ICT. The Ministry will continue to monitor ICT infrastructure requirements to ensure that the facilities provided are always sufficient and in line with the national education digitalisation agenda. That is all and thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question of Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub 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 and thank you also to Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub for the question regarding efforts to ensure that electricity tariff rates remain competitive and affordable for consumers from the low-income group.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In ensuring that electricity tariff rates remain competitive and affordable, especially for the low-income group, the government’s approach is based on a balance of social well-being, economic competitiveness and the long-term sustainability of the energy system.
Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala, the government of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam is still able to maintain support for electricity tariffs for public use to ensure that energy costs remain affordable, thereby continuously supporting economic productivity, social well-being and national prosperity.
The residential tariff structure was reviewed in 2012 whereby previously the tariff rate was regressive, and it was changed to a progressive structure. This adjustment to the tariff was intended to ensure that the low-income group is protected through lower rates for the basic usage block, while higher usage is charged at a rate that more accurately reflects the actual cost so that the public can practise saving electricity in their daily lives. This approach enables assistance to be indirectly targeted to low-income households.
As of 2023, the first block of the residential tariff covers around 6 per cent of the total number of domestic consumers, who usually consist of low- and middle-income households whose electricity usage levels are low. In addition, further support for less capable families or individuals related to bills or electricity usage is also channelled on a case-by-case basis based on a list identified through Majlis Ugama Islam Brunei, MUIB. To date, the department has received a total of 33 applications supported by MUIB for the channelling of such assistance.
Among the methods that may also be considered is the installation of additional meters for low-income residential premises occupied by several families within the same premises. However, any consideration or approval for the installation of such meters must first be obtained through verification from the penghulu or village head.
Efforts are also focused on empowering users in controlling their energy consumption. The use of the Smart Meter System, USMS enables consumers to monitor electricity usage more closely, thus encouraging more prudent energy consumption practices and helping consumers manage their electricity bill expenses better.
In efforts to reduce the burden of consumers’ bills overall, the most critical factor lies not only in the tariff structure but also in the level of usage itself. Through the practice of energy efficiency and conservation, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, EEC. In this matter, the government continues to strengthen the implementation of EEC initiatives in an integrated manner. Among them are through:
First, the delivery of briefings on solar energy and the net-metering programme to the community through the Program Sua Muka organised by the Department of Information held in several villages and mukim throughout the country;
Second, the delivery of energy-saving briefings organised by Institut Perkhidmatan Awam, IPA, for government officers, in schools and also in several government buildings and commercial premises;
Third, the production of energy-saving videos as a result of collaboration between the Department of Energy and Radio Television Brunei, RTB;
Fourth, encouraging the use of energy-efficient electrical equipment through labelling and Minimum Energy Performance Standards, MEPS;
Fifth, issuing guidelines for commercial premises;
Sixth, the implementation of energy audits and energy management practices for the commercial and government sectors; and
Seventh, monitoring low-cost behavioural change practices such as controlling air-conditioning temperature.
These behavioural changes are very important because they not only save energy usage and reduce consumers’ bills, but are also able to shape a society that is more aware and responsible towards energy consumption. In the long term, this culture will create a community that is more conscious of the strategic value of the nation’s energy resources and the importance of using them sustainably.
That is all that can be conveyed Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question of Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck to Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II.
Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you for the question from Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck regarding the growth in the cost of living and the real income of the people as well as the government’s fiscal policy. It cannot be denied that the cost of living has increased in recent years.
This phenomenon is not limited to Negara Brunei Darussalam but is also experienced by other countries globally. Much of it is due to disruptions in the global supply chain and uncertainty in energy prices resulting from geopolitical tensions, which also directly impact our economy. In facing this international pressure, the government of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam continues to take prudent measures to ensure domestic stability and the protection of the welfare of the people, especially those in need.
Regarding the potential impact on the well-being of the people of Negara Brunei Darussalam, especially in terms of rising consumer goods prices due to disrupted supply chains and increased import costs, insya Allah, the government will continue to reduce the burden of the cost of living, particularly through maintaining the prices of subsidised goods such as rice and fuel at the current level. Without this subsidy support, the people would be more affected by inflationary pressures as experienced in most other countries.
However, assistance and subsidies need to be more specifically targeted to those who truly need them by utilising Sistem Kebajikan Negara, SKN, to ensure effectiveness and fairness in distribution.
Furthermore, the government has also provided social protection for affected groups through first, the guarantee of minimum wages and workers’ welfare whereby the government is committed to protecting workers’ rights including part-time workers through the Employment Order Chapter 278. Key measures include the enforcement of the minimum wage employment order to prevent wages that are too low and to ensure that the welfare of both employers and employees is safeguarded.
Second, to ensure the well-being of workers in retirement, Skim Persaraan Kebangsaan, SPK has been introduced and made compulsory for all local workers in the formal sector including part-time workers to guarantee old-age savings. For gig workers, contributions to SPK are voluntary in line with practices in other countries.
Third, in ensuring a sustainable labour market, the Government emphasises an integrated approach including close cooperation with industry such as aligning training so that it is relevant to industry needs, developing skills pathways for the medium term of 2 to 5 years; implementing the localization process for local workers, localization in stages with clear and systematic benchmarks. Subsequently, the government continues to actively attract quality foreign direct investment in several priority sectors to generate job opportunities beyond the current economic capacity.
As summarised during the presentation of the Supply Bill proposal paper for the year 2026/2027 on 14 March 2026, several FDI projects are now in the implementation phase and are expected to offer many job opportunities for locals when they are fully operational later. These measures, insya Allah, will help to increase the people’s income and subsequently address the impact of the rising cost of living.
That is all, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Next is the question from Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin 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.
Kaola would like to express thanks to Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin for the question regarding the impact of the integrated schooling system on the entry and exit times of Government staff, including whether there has been any disruption to the execution of duties, the effectiveness of office operations as well as the quality of public service.
The Public Service Department, JPA is currently in the process of collecting data for 3 months from January to March 2026 through the Human Resource System, SSM to examine the office attendance and departure times of public service officers and staff. The data will be used by the Public Service Department, JPA to study and explore suitable and appropriate initiatives to address any impact from the integration system related to productivity in the public service.
This data will subsequently enable the Public Service Department and the relevant agencies such as the Management Services Department, MSD to assess more comprehensively the implications on operations and the smooth execution of duties as well as the quality of public services and service delivery.
At the same time, heads of department are also responsible for continuing to monitor their respective officers and staff so as to always ensure the smooth execution of duties, including that the effectiveness of office operations is always maintained. That is all Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, thank you.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question from Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin for asking about Skim Pencapaian Guru, SPG.
Since SPG was established in 2008, several achievements have been produced as follows:
First, the continuous absorption of teaching personnel into Skim Perguruan 'G', with appointments under SPG as a whole totalling 5,021 people from 2010 until February 2026;
Second, the production of the Brunei Darussalam Teaching Personnel Scheme framework which sets a benchmark in planning and producing quality teaching personnel according to their respective fields; and
Third, for the period from 2019 until 2024, the total number of promotions was 298 people, namely 209 PG3 Education Officers, 33 PG4 Special Grade Education Officers, 54 PG2 Grade I Teachers and 2 PG5 Senior Education Officers.
In summary, 4.4 per cent of teaching personnel have been promoted. The main challenge under SPG is the absorption process from Skim G to Skim PG which takes a long time. Alhamdulillah, on 22 February 2025 a new policy was approved whereby the recruitment of teaching personnel will directly use positions under Skim PG only. With this, the old teacher scheme under Skim G will no longer be used.
That is all, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question from Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed to Yang Berhormat, Menteri Pendidikan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed for asking about the future direction of the national education system.
The future direction of the education system of Negara Brunei Darussalam is comprehensively guided by the Ministry of Education Strategic Plan 2023-2027 which was launched in September 2023. This plan was formulated to respond to the aspirations of Wawasan Brunei 2035 and is aligned with the Manpower Blueprint to ensure that every Government investment produces high-quality and competitive human capital.
The Ministry has set three main strategic goals as the thrust of this direction. Goal one, nurturing future-ready students. The main focus is to equip students with innovation skills, the ability to co-create as well as the readiness to face ever-changing future challenges as active members of society.
Goal two, enhancing an innovative education ecosystem. This goal aims to create a strong and relevant educational environment through the active involvement of all stakeholders in providing flexible educational solutions. Goal three, building human resources.
This emphasises improving the efficiency and effectiveness of services at all levels including teaching personnel and support staff through excellent professional training and high ethical standards. To ensure that this direction achieves the goals of Wawasan Brunei 2035, the ministry uses 7 Key Success Measures, KSM which are monitored closely.
KSM achievement data is used to assess the Government’s Return on Investment, ROI in the education sector. Among the KSM used are academic achievement, namely KSM 1 and KSM 2 which show the percentage of students who achieve excellence in PSR and ‘O’ Level.
However, success is not determined solely through examination grades but through the systemic impact on the country. From an economic perspective, KSM 3 measures the Gross Enrollment Rate at the post-secondary level which indicates the effectiveness of channelling students into higher education and vocational training to build a highly skilled workforce.
In addition, the effectiveness of the national education system in generating economic value is also measured through the graduate employability rate, namely KSM 5, the employer satisfaction rate KSM 6, which reflects the extent to which graduates are able to penetrate the job market and the level of employer satisfaction with their competencies. Social value and sustainability are measured through KSM 7 which ensures that higher education institutions become catalysts for advanced research and innovation through collaborative linkages with industry and international agencies which will ultimately add value to the global knowledge system.
Through the efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Education with the strong support of various government and non-government agencies, the ministry is confident that this direction will produce an educated and highly skilled people in line with the goals of Wawasan Brunei 2035, insya Allah. That is all, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
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 which is also addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you 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 asking the ministry to state whether the ministry conducts a comprehensive audit such as through the Feature Analysis Model which evaluates the effectiveness of higher education institution programmes.
Since 2020, the Ministry of Education has implemented the Graduate Employment Study and Employer Satisfaction Survey to assess the graduate employability rate 6 months after graduation as well as the level of employer satisfaction with graduates’ performance after 6 months of employment. These studies have become important instruments for monitoring the effectiveness of programmes offered at higher education institutions and ensuring the suitability of programmes with labour market needs.
To strengthen this data-based approach, the ministry will implement the Feature Analysis Model, FA Model, in a more structured manner across all public higher education institutions. The model evaluates programmes comprehensively covering 3 main components, namely, first, input including demand for programmes such as the number of first-choice applicants. Second, process including graduation rates as well as cost per student; and third, output including graduate employability rates within 6 months, job relevancy as well as graduates’ median salaries.
Through this approach, the ministry is able to identify high-performing programmes, programmes that require improvement, as well as programmes that need to be restructured or enhanced so that they are more aligned with labour market needs and the direction of national development.
Beginning in 2024, several series of meetings, discussions and workshops have been held with public higher education institutions and TVET institutions as well as relevant agencies to produce the Feature Analysis Model which, God willing, will begin to be used this year. However, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Evaluation through the Feature Analysis Model alone is not sufficient.
In addition to ensuring the quality and relevance of programmes, we also need to view this in the context of the ongoing transition in the country’s economic structure.
Several other factors such as future skills driven by rapid technological progress, demographic shifts, green transition, economic uncertainty, geopolitics and pandemics. Holistic skills need to be developed by combining technical expertise and human-centred expertise such as critical thinking, resilience and creativity.
These challenges need to be viewed within the framework of implementing the economic blueprint which emphasises the development of growth sectors and the strengthening of the country’s economic competitiveness. Therefore, in addition to ensuring that programmes remain relevant, the ministry also places emphasis on the development of other skills such as entrepreneurship and innovation capability so that graduates become not only job seekers but also catalysts for value creation and new growth in the national economy.
That is all and thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
The question from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman is also addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan
Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman who asked about the jobs that will emerge and the courses currently being and to be offered to meet workforce preparation needs towards Wawasan Brunei 2035.
In moving towards Wawasan Brunei 2035, the issue of workforce preparation needs to be viewed in the context of the country’s overall economic development. The country is strengthening the private sector, attracting Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, as well as creating more high-value and high-productivity jobs.
This is in line with the economic blueprint and manpower blueprint which identify 5 priority sectors, namely downstream processing, food, ICT, services and tourism, which have the potential to generate jobs in the future. To support this effort, the Ministry of Education will align the courses offered with current and future workforce needs.
At the same time, based on Global Trends including the World Economic Forum, Future Jobs Report 2025, skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, communication, adaptability and digital and technological skills are among those most needed in the coming decade.
In this regard, to ensure that graduates remain relevant in a rapidly changing economic landscape, courses will be designed in an integrated manner by combining mastery of technical skills and soft skills.
The Ministry of Education will focus on 4 main thrusts as follows:
First, expanding digital and AI literacy across all fields of study. Through this year, public higher education institutions and TVET are implementing curriculum strengthening with modules related to new technologies and sustainability skills to ensure that all graduates have a strong digital foundation. UBD for example through GenBESTARI will offer a Bachelor of Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security dan Digital Forensics, Data Science, Intelligence Robotics and Software Systems. Meanwhile, UNISSA has offered a Bachelor of Islamic Data Science;
Second, transforming learning methods through project-based approaches, real problem-solving and collaboration with industry so that students develop critical and systemic thinking aligned with the needs of the working world;
Third, strengthening integration with industry through more organised and structured industrial training domestically and abroad with industry to improve graduate readiness as well as reduce the mismatch gap between graduates and the job market. For example, UNISSA established an Industrial Advisory Panel comprising field and industry experts from within and outside the country to refine curriculum suited to current developments and industry demands; and
Fourth, shaping resilient and entrepreneurial graduates through active involvement in co-curricular activities so that they become not only job seekers but also job creators capable of generating value in a competitive economy.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
It is important to emphasise that workforce preparation is not only from the supply side. We also need to ensure the creation of job opportunities and a conducive working environment in line with the national economic development agenda. This effort requires a comprehensive approach through a whole of government approach, so that human capital development and job creation move in an integrated manner and mutually reinforce one another. That is all, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Thank you Your Honourable Members. Praise be to Allah, the time allocated for questions has ended and I express my thanks to both sides and now we move on to the next order of business.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Supply Bill and Development Fund Resolution Motion. Policy stage debate.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members. The Legislative Council session is still discussing the Supply Bill (2026), 2026/2027 and the Development Fund Resolution Motion at the policy stage debate.
I would once again like to remind the appointed Your Honourable Members that the focus of the debate is on policy and the Budget statement and the time limit is 15 minutes. Now I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Your Honourable Members. With the permission of Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, kaola today take part in the debate on the Supply Bill for the Financial Year 2026/2027, which enables a sum of money to be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund to finance the services and needs of the country.
Based on the presentation that has been shared, the National Budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 amounts to BND6.3 billion. In kaola’s view, this amount not only reflects the government’s annual expenditure requirements, but also illustrates the country’s priorities in ensuring the continuity of development, the well-being of the people, economic stability, and national resilience in facing current and future challenges.
This is important given that the state of the world at present is still overshadowed by various uncertainties, including moderate global economic growth, inflationary pressures in several regions, geopolitical tensions, changing patterns of international trade, as well as increasingly evident environmental challenges, particularly climate change.
In this regard, kaola is of the view that national expenditure at this time must always be based on 3 main considerations, namely fiscal resilience, implementation effectiveness, and the country’s ability to adapt to new risks, including risks arising from climate change.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
In this connection, kaola would like to place particular emphasis on the issue of climate change, which in kaola’s opinion should continue to be given more comprehensive attention in the planning and implementation of national expenditure. Climate change today is no longer merely a long-term matter or something discussed only in the international context; rather, its effects have been and are being felt in increasingly evident forms, including unpredictable weather, unusually heavy rainfall, floods, rising temperatures, threats to water resources, coastal erosion, as well as pressure on public infrastructure and exposed settlements.
In this matter, kaola appreciates that the government has shown a clear commitment through the Negara Brunei Darussalam climate change policy, which outlines the country’s direction towards low-carbon development while at the same time strengthening national resilience against the effects of climate change. This direction is also in line with the country’s aspiration to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Such an approach is highly appropriate and forward-looking. However, in Kaola’s view, those aspirations and commitments must always be supported by strong implementation, effective coordination, relevant regulations, as well as allocations that can truly translate into concrete action on the ground.
Kaola also sees that efforts towards low-carbon development highlighted in the Budget presentation, including those related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon emission reduction, are very encouraging developments. For example, the implementation of a 30MW photovoltaic power plant project, which is expected to contribute to a significant reduction in carbon emissions each year, is a very positive step. Initiatives like this not only help the country reduce its carbon footprint, but also open up opportunities for the development of green industries, knowledge transfer, strengthening local capacity, as well as the creation of new economic opportunities.
In other words, the climate change agenda should not be viewed solely within the scope of the environment, but should be understood as an agenda that also touches on economic development, national competitiveness, job creation, technological mastery, and the well-being of future generations.
However, kaola would like to stress that the approach to climate change cannot focus only on mitigation, namely efforts to reduce carbon emissions. At the same time, the adaptation aspect must also be given balanced attention, namely efforts to ensure that the people, settlements, public facilities, and national infrastructure are better prepared and better protected from the physical effects of climate change.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
In this context, experience and practice at the global level show that countries facing high climate risks have focused not only on green energy, but also on aspects of physical protection, early warning systems, disaster risk management, ecosystem restoration, and strengthening community resilience.
For example, there are countries that have invested on a large scale in coastal protection barriers, flood mitigation systems, drainage management, and the restoration of mangrove areas as part of long-term adaptation measures. This shows that protecting people and property from the effects of climate change requires a comprehensive, integrated approach guided by careful risk assessment.
In this matter as well, many international studies show that early protective measures are far better and more economical compared to the costs of repair and recovery after damage has occurred. Therefore, a preventive approach must always be given priority in national development planning. In relation to this matter, kaola would like to draw attention to settlement areas exposed to the risk of coastal erosion and wave threats, especially residential houses located near the coastline.
Among the areas that deserve attention are residential houses in coastal areas such as Kampung Danau, Tutong District. In kaola’s view, issues involving such areas should be seen within the framework of climate change adaptation and not merely regarded as ordinary infrastructure issues. This is because the impacts that arise not only involve physical damage to houses and the surrounding environment, but also touch on the safety of residents, family comfort, economic stability, as well as the protection of property and community livelihoods.
In this regard, kaola is of the view that the government should continue to examine and, where appropriate, further strengthen efforts to build wave barriers and other coastal protection measures in areas identified as high risk. Such measures are important to protect settlements, reduce coastal erosion, ensure public safety, reduce losses, and minimise greater damage costs in the future.
At the same time, kaola is also of the view that these protective measures can be considered more comprehensively, including through an approach combining engineering structures, restoration of coastal ecosystems, beach recreation planting, as well as periodic monitoring of changes in the coastline and local risk levels.
Kaola also notes that the budget presentation stated an allocation of BND148.21 million to enhance the country’s capability to face any emergency and handle unexpected incidents. In kaola’s view, this allocation is highly significant, especially in a world increasingly exposed to the risks of natural disasters and climate-related disruptions.
However, kaola would like to suggest that the spirit behind this allocation should not only focus on response after incidents occur, but should also be expanded to aspects of preparedness, prevention, early protection, and strengthening community resilience, including in more exposed coastal areas.
In other words, the country’s readiness to face emergencies should not be measured only through the number of assets or the efficiency of response, but also through the extent to which the country succeeds in reducing risks before incidents occur, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring that the country’s physical development truly takes into account the reality of climate change.
In that regard, allow kaola to put forward several suggestions:
First, that climate change continue to be managed as a basis within the planning framework of ministries and departments, including in preparing development projects, expenditure allocations, infrastructure design, and community protection;
Second, that policies, guidelines, and regulations related to coastal protection, development in risk areas, mitigation, and climate change adaptation be continuously reviewed and updated from time to time so that they remain relevant and responsive to actual conditions;
Third, that more detailed and continuous risk assessments be carried out in areas exposed to coastal erosion and wave threats, including in the Danau area, Tutong District, so that measures such as the construction of wave barriers and coastal protection can be implemented according to actual priorities and needs;
Fourth, that the approach taken in addressing this issue be implemented in an integrated and cross-agency manner, given that climate change touches various sectors such as the environment, development, security, housing, welfare, infrastructure, and community well-being; and
Fifth, that efforts towards low-carbon development and environmental protection be accompanied by clear performance indicators so that every allocation provided can be evaluated in terms of effectiveness, outcomes, and benefits to the people and the country.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
In conclusion, kaola would like to state that good expenditure is not assessed merely by the size of the allocation, but more importantly by how clear its direction is, its implementation percentage, the transparency of its monitoring, and the tangible benefits to the people.
In this connection, kaola very much hopes that every allocation that has been planned will continue to be closely monitored, objectively evaluated, and ensured to truly reach its original objective. The people will have greater confidence when they can see that the policies outlined are not only sound in planning, but also effective in implementation and provide real protection and benefits in their daily lives.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, overall kaola support the Supply Bill (2026), 2026/2027 because this expenditure reflects the government’s efforts to continue safeguarding the well-being of the people, strengthening economic resilience, enhancing national preparedness, as well as giving increasingly clear attention to the issue of climate change and the need to strengthen national resilience in facing its effects; with that, kaola support that this Bill be approved.
That is all, and with Allah’s guidance and success, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
I invite 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. (Prayer recited). Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings, and greetings of peace.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
First, kaola with full respect and reverence would like to express my highest gratitude to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for wisely giving kaola the opportunity to participate in debating the Supply Bill (2026), 2026/2027. Kaola would also like to express thanks to Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II, as well as all personnel of the Ministry of Finance and Economy who have worked tirelessly in producing a presentation of the Supply Bill that is easy to understand.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
Praise be to Allah, as in previous financial years, efforts towards increasing economic growth in the current financial year have been carried out despite the challenges that had to be faced. Once again, praise be to Allah, efforts towards economic diversification and the strengthening of the non-oil and gas sector have also been reinforced and will continue to be pursued, God willing. With the diligent efforts of all parties and by placing trust in Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, kaola am confident that the country will continue to remain resilient by ensuring that the nation’s fiscal resilience is always secured and sufficient so that it can support the needs of the development agenda and future generations.
In this effort, we are grateful to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala because with the existence of initiatives and new projects that have been undertaken throughout the past year, this shows the Government’s continuous commitment for the sustainability and resilience of the nation’s economy.
Kaola am pleased to refer to the presentation by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II regarding total expenditure amounting to BND6.3 billion for Financial Year 2026/2027, with national expenditure of BND6.25 billion in Financial Year 2024/2025 and compared with revenue of BND3.53 billion, the country still recorded a budget deficit of BND2.72 billion.
Efforts towards reducing this deficit must be addressed through continuous and integrated efforts by the Government as facilitator, and the private sector as well as foreign investors as the engine or driver of the country’s economic growth. The involvement and active role of government-linked companies, GLCs, in jointly driving economic growth are also felt to be catalysts and machinery in this integrated effort. A spirit of mutual understanding between the Government, government-linked companies and the private sector is very important in jointly ensuring that efforts to drive business activities and open up existing opportunities are swift and productive.
Kaola also believe that if the joint effort from all parties runs smoothly, we will be able to move even faster in invigorating each of our business activities for economic growth and to increase the nation’s fiscal revenue.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Kaola would like to refer to the presentation of the 2024-2025 Budget during last year’s 21st Meeting Session. Kaola had raised the issue of the decline in estimated revenue collection for Financial Year 2025-2026 as compared with the revenue collection for Financial Year 2024-2025 by BND94.6 million.
In this year’s budget presentation, the estimated revenue for Financial Year 2026-2027 is BND2.335 billion, which is a further decrease of BND414.2 million when compared with the updated estimate for Financial Year 2025-2026 of BND2.74 billion. This decline stems, first, from a drastic decrease in oil and gas revenue, namely from BND1.93 billion in 2025-2026 to BND1.499 billion; and second, from tax collection from BND2.172 billion to BND1.741 billion.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. During kaola’s debate in that 21st Meeting Session, kaola proposed several ideas that could be implemented by several ministries and departments in efforts to increase the nation’s fiscal revenue. In kaola’s debate this time, kaola would like to address several matters that can contribute to the country’s economy and increase the nation’s fiscal revenue.
One of the main sectors in diversifying the country’s economy is food such as beef, goat meat, chicken, rice, vegetables and eggs, as well as produce from crops. It is indeed known that chicken and eggs have achieved 100 per cent self-sufficiency. In fact, more than 100 per cent. The question is whether this chicken and egg production will truly be guaranteed if disasters such as COVID or geopolitically related issues occur again?
Well done, because we have already achieved a 100 per cent self-sufficiency level in the production of chicken, meat and eggs.
However, we should not be proud of this achievement because the raw materials for producing or raising broiler chickens and layer chickens are still imported 100 per cent from abroad. This means we still face high risks as shared in the budget presentation. We face an increasingly challenging global environment with uncertainty in the world economy caused, among others, by geopolitical tensions, changes in the global trade structure and the challenges of climate change.
This is where there is a saying that agriculture is a silent weapon. This is also where it is important that we must plan to produce our own raw materials for our own livestock production. Is it not in our thinking to produce our own chicken meat, the raw materials for which can be obtained locally without depending on the mercy of foreign countries? The chicken meat I mean here is free-range chicken. This free-range chicken would serve as an additional food source in emergencies.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. What then of goats, which in fact can be reared 100 per cent in this country, where the raw materials are available within the country itself, or napier grass which can be planted on our green and fertile land. Fodder, for example, can be planted in Brunei.
Now we move to crops, the majority of which are imported goods. 52 per cent of the total majority in 2024, what is it called, kaola only just the day before yesterday here in 2024, are imported goods. 52 per cent, amounting to 254 thousand kilograms, are tomatoes; ginger 99 per cent imported, amounting to 831 kilograms; turmeric 83 per cent, 98 thousand kilograms; mint leaves 98 per cent, 55 thousand kilograms; daun nyirik 86 per cent, 144 thousand kilograms; coriander leaves 98 per cent, 114 thousand kilograms; celery leaves 99 per cent, 107 kilograms; sweet potatoes 80 per cent, 453 kilograms; galangal 71 per cent, 78 thousand kilograms; pisang berangan 97 per cent, 436 thousand kilograms; yellow watermelon 99 per cent, 366 kilograms; Honeydew 99 per cent, 4.6 thousand kilograms and many others that kaola will not elaborate on here.
Why are we still importing crops such as these? Whereas our vast green land can easily produce them. Here, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. The analogy of such imports is like a country such as Iceland or Greenland, snow-covered all year round, but importing ice. Kaola believe that these raw material production activities, through exploration and maximising agricultural development areas that still span thousands of hectares yet to be explored, or through raw material processing factories, will be able to open very broad opportunities to local entrepreneurs as well as foreign investors.
This is because it will certainly further enliven grass planting and the manufacturing industry that is not only capable of supplying raw materials domestically, but also penetrating international markets, meaning our food security will be guaranteed, God willing, and at the same time it will raise the nation’s fiscal revenue.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. As we strive to explore new sectors with the potential to generate fiscal revenue as well as the country’s economic growth, allow kaola to revive one product or service that we have had for a long time which kaola believe, (audio unclear) what kaola mean is the Halal Certificate and Halal Brunei Logo which are highly trusted globally, as was also stated by a fellow Your Honourable Member yesterday, and a report kaola referred to from The Daily Express dated January 2026 that the halal industry has emerged as one of the fast-growing sectors globally. It is no longer only for food and beverage products but also for products such as cosmetics, medicine, logistics, finance and tourism.
From statistics received from Malaysia, Digital Economic Cooperation, the global market value of the halal industry reaches USD2 trillion a year and is expected to increase to USD2.8 trillion in the coming year. The growth of this halal market is driven by the expansion of halal products and services used not only by Muslims but also by non-Muslims who prioritise the values of safety, hygiene, purity and ethical confidence related to halal standards or halal certification.
In this connection, kaola propose that the country’s halal certification with the Halal Brunei logo, which has long been recognised globally, be fully utilised not only for domestic market use and needs but also globally. One product proven to have potential is meat, where the slaughtering place abroad must have a certificate from the authority in Negara Brunei Darussalam. With a halal certificate obtained by that overseas slaughtering centre, not only is the benefit for importation into this country, but it can also be used for the global marketing of meat from that centre. What our country gains as a benefit is the royalty or licence rate that the country can determine, and this is for the country.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Allow kaola to continue a little more. Two minutes
(Yang Berhormat Yang Di Pertua gestures agreement)
And from another perspective, the budget presented by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II recorded business revenue from BND25.9 billion in 2015 increasing to BND35.4 billion in 2024. This means an average of almost BND1 billion a year over the past 10 years. The question is, how much is the Government’s fiscal revenue from this business income? Kaola am confident that it is already in the Government’s thinking to amend corporate tax policy to be extended to all types of businesses whether enterprise, Section 16 and 17, so that the Government can maximise the nation’s fiscal revenue.
And from another angle, claims for repayment of arrears from the public and companies to the Government are also one of the efforts to collect the nation’s fiscal revenue. The arrears kaola mean include, among others, repayments for house ownership under the National Housing Scheme awarded since long ago, arrears of land and door taxes, arrears of water payments and arrears of Government land lease payments that have for years not been paid by individuals and companies in the country leasing private land.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
In closing, as has just been debated, kaola fully support the Supply Bill 2026/2027, and apologise, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, for taking 1 minute and 56 seconds. Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Good morning and greetings of peace. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
Praise be to Allah, by His grace and permission, kaola stands today to also take part in debating the Annual Supply Bill for Financial Year 2026/2027, which has been presented to enable a sum of money to be withdrawn from the consolidated fund to finance Government services.
Based on the discussion that has been shared, the national budget for financial year 2026/2027 amounts to BND6.3 billion. In the view of kaola, this amount reflects a great trust not only in ensuring the continuation of administration and national unity, but also in determining the country’s strategic priorities in a global economic environment that remains uncertain.
At a time when the world is still facing moderate global growth, geopolitical tensions, changes in the structure of international trade, increasingly rapid technological developments as well as the pressures of climate change, the national budget truly functions as a tool to strengthen resilience, increase productivity and prepare the country for the future.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Kaola notes that this budget is driven within the framework of the theme “Bersama Menjayakan Wawasan Brunei 2035”, with three main priorities, namely strengthening physical stability and financial governance, empowering the economy through transformation and innovation, as well as ensuring social sustainability and future development.
All these priorities are indeed very important, however in the view of kaola, there is one fundamental question that must be given sharper attention in assessing the effectiveness of this budget, namely the extent to which this budget is truly capable of addressing the issue of unemployment and at the same time empowering local human capital so that it is aligned with the needs of the national economy. For kaola, this is among the most important measures of the true success of a budget.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
We can indeed be proud of several positive practices, for example business revenue has increased from BND25.9 billion in 2015 to BND35.4 billion in 2024. Likewise, the number of jobs in the private sector increased from 100,028 people in 2014 to 155,200 people in 2024. Meanwhile, the private sector participation rate also increased from 53 per cent to 70 per cent. This shows that the private sector continues to grow and plays an increasingly important role in the national economy. Nevertheless, this achievement should not cause us to overlook the challenges that still exist in the labour market.
Based on the preliminary report of the 2025 Labour Force Survey, the unemployment rate for residents aged 18 years and above is 5.0 per cent, an increase compared to 4.7 per cent in 2024. Although this increase may appear small numerically, in reality it carries a clear message that the issue of unemployment still cannot be considered resolved.
More than that, the presentation also showed that around 60 per cent of employers still face challenges in obtaining and retaining local workers. Meanwhile, the labour force participation rate in 2024 was 67.4 per cent. This indicates that the challenge we face is not merely a lack of job opportunities but also touches on the issue of skills mismatch, suitability of work attitude, productivity and the capability of the local workforce to meet industry demands.
Therefore, kaola is of the view that the issue of unemployment needs to be seen more deeply and should not be discussed only in the context of numbers alone. This issue is a structural issue, this issue is a competitiveness issue and this issue is also an issue concerning the future of the nation’s human capital.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
In this regard, kaola wishes to underline that the main focus of this budget should be human capital development. This is because under any economic circumstances, the most important asset owned by the country is its own people. The presentation slides clearly highlighted several structural challenges facing the country including the mismatch of skills with industry needs and the rapid pace of technological change including Artificial Intelligence, AI.
In the opinion of kaola, this needs to be addressed more firmly and more quickly. We cannot continue to depend on old approaches in preparing the workforce for new demands, we need an Education, Training and Skills Development System that is truly dynamic, responsive and centred on the real needs of industry. We need graduates and job seekers who not only possess academic qualifications, but also technical skills, digital skills and resilience, discipline, adaptability and high professional values.
Kaola notes that in terms of achievement, the country has a commendable foundation. Among them, Universiti Brunei Darussalam ranked 347th in the world in 2025, thereby placing the country among the top 25 per cent of the world’s best institutions. The country also ranked 43rd out of 175 countries in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2025, that is, among around the top 32 per cent of countries in the world.
These achievements should be appreciated, however the bigger question is the extent to which these achievements are translated into graduate employability, increased productivity and reduced unemployment among local citizens. In the view of kaola, this is a matter for us to strengthen a more tangible relationship between education, training and the job market. What is taught must be relevant to what is needed, what is appointed and trained must be aligned with what is growing, and what is planned in the budget must be capable of producing human resources that can truly fill the spaces in the country’s strategic sectors.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
In the presentation as well, it was noted that the country is focusing on 5 priority sectors, namely Oil and Gas Downstream, Food, Services, Tourism and ICT. This is a very clear indication of the direction of the national economy. This means that human capital development can no longer be general in nature and too broad without focus.
Instead, human capital development must truly revolve around meeting the needs of these priority sectors. If the country wants to expand the ICT sector, then digital training, data skills, automation, cyber security and AI must be intensified. If the country wants to strengthen the food and agrifood sector, then training in modern production, food safety standards, agricultural technology, logistics and product branding must also be strengthened. If the country wants to develop the services and tourism sectors, then language skills, hospitality, marketing and customer experience need to be intensified. Without such clarity, we will continue to face a situation where job opportunities are created, but suitable workers are still difficult to obtain.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
At the same time, kaola also highlights another matter that is very important in this budget debate, namely the role of local entrepreneurs, especially those who produce local products with high market value. In the view of kaola, local entrepreneurs can no longer be seen merely as small players operating at the margins of the economy. On the contrary, they need to be seen as part of the national strategy in expanding domestic value-added, creating jobs, increasing exports and building economic resilience.
In the presentation, several important initiatives were highlighted to strengthen local enterprises including the MSME Roundtable in December 2025, Enterprise Growth Connect 2025, Brunei Startup Summit, Employment Series Workshops and Youth Opportunities Unlocked 2025. All these are good steps and show commitment to strengthening the local entrepreneurship ecosystem. However, kaola is of the view that the true success of local entrepreneurs is not measured only in terms of the number of participants in programmes or workshops, but also by the extent to which they are able to produce quality products and services, competitive through standards and able to penetrate wider markets.
This is why kaola sees the issue of production quality as something very crucial. If we truly want to see local products have high market value at domestic and global levels, then local entrepreneurs need to be assisted, not only in terms of marketing, but also in terms of production technology, standards compliance, certification, quality analysis, packaging, branding and access to export market networks.
In this matter, kaola is interested in the establishment of the Brunei Integrated Analytical Laboratory or BIAL, which is the first food testing laboratory introduced by the private sector. This is very important, because it can speed up the testing process related to food safety, chemical residues, DNA and halal management requirements, thereby helping local entrepreneurs meet the requirements of regional and international market standards.
In the view of kaola, this is the kind of support infrastructure that truly has impact. It not only helps enterprises survive, but helps enterprises move up to a higher level. Good local products must be proven good through standards and local products that want to compete abroad must be able to prove their quality consistently.
In addition to that, kaola also sees developments such as Brunei Week in Singapore in September 2025 and the participation of 12 local companies in the China-ASEAN Expo as very positive steps. Efforts such as these are important in opening markets, elevating the Brunei brand and showing that our local products have the potential to be on the regional stage. But to truly succeed, local products must have added value, uniqueness, consistency and production capacity capable of meeting market demand.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Kaola also touches on the fact that the role of local entrepreneurs needs to be seen in a larger context, namely as important partners in addressing the issue of unemployment. When local enterprises grow, when local products increase in value, when the domestic production chain is strengthened, then more job opportunities can be created for local people. In this regard, the presence of 25 FDI companies that had begun operations as of December 2025 and created around 4,000 job opportunities with 48 per cent filled by locals is a good development. In addition, 18 more FDI companies are still in the enterprise phase and are expected to create around 3,000 more job opportunities.
However, kaola wishes to stress that the benefits of this foreign investment must truly flow into the domestic economy, meaning that local enterprises need to be given the opportunity to become part of the supply chain in tourism services, logistics, maintenance, joint production and technology transfer.
In other words, we do not only want investment to come, but we want that investment to empower local capacity. This is where the importance of an approach such as Enterprise Growth Connect 2025 lies, which seeks to connect MSMEs with strategic business opportunities and increase in country value. Kaola is of the view that such an approach needs to continue to be expanded, because it contributes to two major increases at once, namely empowering local enterprises and creating wider job opportunities.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Kaola also wishes to state that the enforcement measures under the Employment Order, minimum wage for seven institutions beginning 1 April 2025, are appropriate steps in protecting workers’ well-being. However, to ensure more sustainable salary factors in the future, the country needs to focus attention on improving skills, productivity and work values.
Good wages will not endure and high productivity will not be achieved without truly quality human capital. Therefore, kaola is of the opinion that the success of this budget must be measured not only by the rate of savings, not only by the level of expenditure, but by the extent to which it is able to produce three clear outcomes: First, unemployment is reduced; Second, local human capital becomes more...
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Honourable Member. Your time is up.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman
May I continue? Just a little more.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
That is all.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman
That is all? Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Thank you, Honourable Member. Please be seated.
Your Honourable Members. Now I invite 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. (Prayer recited). Peace be upon you and good day.
First of all, kaola would like to express my thanks to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for giving way for kaola to take part in the debate on the Supply Bill for the Financial Year 2026/2027.
Kaola would like to express my deepest thanks to Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II for the extensive, detailed and clear presentation of the budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027 on the direction of Budget 2026/2027 and the objectives to be achieved. The budget theme for the five-year period beginning in 2026 is “Together Towards Realising Wawasan Brunei 2035”. A total of BND6.3 billion overall has been issued from the consolidated fund. A total of BND3.53 billion is revenue collected and the remainder is a deficit.
A large portion of the budget is for emoluments at 36.7 per cent, recurrent expenditure 38.8 per cent. Meanwhile, for development projects BND400,080. This deficit trend is worrying because we have experienced deficits for so long as if there is no way out. Perhaps other options need to be considered to increase government revenue. Options that do not burden the people so that the country’s financial stability can be guaranteed.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Kaola welcomes this budget presentation which kaola characterises as pro-growth because it places serious emphasis on efforts towards economic diversification by prioritising investment in infrastructure development, innovation and human resources. Kaola is pleased that BND576.085 million has been allocated to the Ministry of Education for the advancement of education and skills development in this country. This does not include the amount allocated to higher institutions. This allocation is to improve the quality of education in this country including digital literacy and vocational training for students so that they are ready for the future job market, insya Allah.
Alhamdulillah, as informed by Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan and also by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II, students and educational institutions in this country have achieved success at various levels domestically and abroad. Kaola says syabas and congratulations to those who have succeeded and also to the Ministry of Education. This is due to the efforts of all parties concerned in education so that education in this country reaches world-class standards. May this success be manifested into an achievement that brings impact to the progress of the country.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Kaola is confident that the budget for 2026/2027 and the budgets to come are capable of supporting the Government’s efforts in realising Wawasan Brunei 2035 if we remain focused on achieving this Wawasan Brunei 2035. This is despite the currently slow economic growth, the global conflict situation that disrupts the supply chain, causing disruption to transport and our investments abroad. In addition, the country is also facing the challenges of climate change which we have already experienced recently. Effects which could disrupt whatever planning has been made.
Wawasan Brunei 2035 will not be easily achieved if we still assume that our lives will continue in the comfort zone. If we assume that we can still rely solely on income from oil and gas resources as we have enjoyed since the 1970s when oil revenue made up more than half of the country’s total gross output. Now oil and gas revenue has greatly decreased, therefore it is important that we strive to diversify the economy as something that must be pursued and achieved as quickly as possible.
We have no other alternative besides diversifying the economy. Several countries in the ASEAN region have been able to emerge from the poverty line through economic diversification. Our country is in a better position than those countries and kaola is confident we will be able to compete with them.
To achieve economic stability, kaola supports investment in human resources that empowers the people through education and training, improving the efficiency of government services so that a generation emerges that is innovative and creative, progressive, high-impact and ICT- and AI-friendly, capable of exploring and developing industries with great potential such as the downstream industry, agri-food, aquaculture and fisheries, the construction industry, tourism, the digital economy and others.
Therefore, kaola fully supports the 2026/2027 budget which focuses on:
First, active and effective economic diversification in several sectors already identified as being able to contribute to increasing GDP such as oil and gas downstream, food production, tourism services and ICT;
Second, investment in education to produce a highly educated generation that is ready to face future jobs where expertise in ICT and AI is required;
Third, investment in improving the level of efficiency of civil servants who can carry out their duties efficiently, with integrity, professionalism and innovation. They should be important assets for a ministry, department or wherever they serve;
Fourth, the provision of public facilities such as electricity supply, water supply, roads, housing, comfortable and safe public transport; and
Fifth, investment in healthcare such as providing hospital and clinic treatment facilities and the required workforce.
Alhamdulillah, the Ministry of Health has also allocated BND646 million in this year’s budget. In addition, kaola welcomes what was stated by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the private sectors and it is hoped this includes giving them incentives whether in terms of access to finance or facilitating registration, licensing, recruitment, market access and so on.
There are many examples in ASEAN countries where starting from SMEs and small entrepreneurs they became big industry players. Next, using Public Private Partnership, PPP capital to finance Government projects. Third, continuing efforts to attract foreign investment into this country. And fourth, all these matters are not new and have often already been voiced in this august Council.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Kaola is of the view that what was presented by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan II is the key to enabling us to achieve sustainable growth which should receive our very serious attention for implementation. Our success in attracting several foreign investors to this country such as Hengyi, Brunei Fertilizer, Mitsubishi and others stated in Yang Berhormat Menteri’s presentation shows that our country has the potential to attract even more investment with attractive incentives. We are facing low economic growth among ASEAN countries. Unemployment is still at a high level, foreign direct investment and tourist numbers are also low. This situation needs to be addressed wisely and immediately.
Here kaola would like to quote the titah of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam at the Ceremonial Opening of the First Meeting of the 22nd Session of Majlis Mesyuarat Negara last Thursday, 22 Ramadan 1447 Hijrah corresponding to 12 March 2026 in which His Majesty wanted more aggressive implementation action as well as resilience in formulating national development policies and strategies particularly towards Wawasan Brunei 2035 including continuous efforts in exploring strategic investment in sectors that can further stimulate the country’s economic growth and efforts to strengthen Government fiscal. End of titah.
We need to be aggressive in bringing in foreign investors, aggressive in advancing the agricultural sector, we need to be aggressive in encouraging local MSMEs and aggressive in many matters. Our positive economic growth is awaited by the people and residents of this country because of its positive impact on the people and residents of this country in terms of the creation of job opportunities, high income, better public facilities and a more secure and brighter future, insya Allah.
Therefore, in this august Council, kaola once again says in relation to the allocations that have been presented by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan II and kaola fully supports that whatever has been recorded in the Economic Blueprint, Social Blueprint can be implemented very aggressively because our future depends on the success of Wawasan Brunei 2035 and our people are waiting to see how far we will achieve whatever has been recorded in those blueprints.
That is all that kaola wishes to convey, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua in the debate in support of the Supply Bill (2026), 2026/2027. Kaola concludes with a prayer that Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam and Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri and the entire royal family will always be granted health and well-being. Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin. And with Allah is all guidance and success, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Thank you Yang Berhormat for participating in the debate that we have been conducting over the past few days. Now, I think it is appropriate for us to take a short break for 15 minutes and we will resume the debate to enable the Official Members by Virtue of Office to make, what is it called, their respective contributions. I adjourn this meeting.
(The Council breaks briefly)
(The Council resumes)
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Your Honourable Members. The Council now resumes for us to continue our debate. We have already heard the arguments put forward by the Yang Berhormat Appointed Members and now I will invite the Yang Berhormat Official Members by Virtue of Office regarding the same matter in this policy-level debate.
I would like to remind that Yang Berhormat Ministers are given 30 minutes to present their arguments and as I have also given to the Appointed Members, if needed I am prepared to hear additional arguments subject to the present circumstances.
Now to begin the list that is before me for the next debate, I now invite Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd. Yusof, Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri II. Please proceed Yang Berhormat.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri II
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings, and greetings.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, for giving kaola the opportunity to share in this august House the main focus and direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for this year and the coming year.
First of all, kaola on behalf of the ministry, with all due respect, would like to record the highest appreciation and thanks to the Government 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, for the approved allocation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Financial Year 2026/2027 amounting to around BND124 million. With this allocation, the ministry can and will continue to carry out its duties in strengthening the interests and foreign policy of Negara Brunei Darussalam through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy in order to ensure the country’s prosperity, security and sovereignty.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
In recent years, the international landscape has changed rapidly and geopolitical and geoeconomic conditions continue to become increasingly complex and uncertain. In this matter kaola, I highly uphold the titah of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam when opening the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara this year, namely that the country must always be alert to international geopolitical turmoil and its effects on global economic challenges. At present, we are witnessing a conflict situation in the Middle East region, namely the war between the United States together with the Zionist regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement strongly condemning that action. At the same time, Negara Brunei Darussalam also regrets that the war has involved retaliatory attacks against neighbouring countries of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In this matter, we have undertaken diplomatic efforts with the countries in the Middle East affected by this war. This war triggered by the United States together with the Zionist regime has caused much destruction to the region. Kaola made telephone calls to foreign ministers in the region including the foreign ministers of Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates in the days and weeks following the attack. Through these, kaola/I conveyed very deep concern regarding the situation faced by those countries and also expressed solidarity, the solidarity support of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Negara Brunei Darussalam has also cooperated with ASEAN countries to issue a statement expressing deep concern over the attacks initiated by the United States and the Zionist regime as well as the retaliation by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Negara Brunei Darussalam also co-sponsored a resolution at the United Nations Security Council regarding the action of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the Gulf Cooperation Council countries or GCC. This escalation of tensions not only affects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries but also creates serious and prolonged impacts on the region as well as globally.
We also see competition among major powers and trade disputes affecting regional and global economies. At the same time, changes in the foreign policy approach of major powers have affected and weakened the existing international order. Meanwhile, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and the conflict in Palestine, are still ongoing and in some cases becoming more tense. In this matter, our country continues to reiterate its position against the use of force and calls for full respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
We also urge all parties to exercise restraint, self-restraint, cease hostilities and prioritise efforts to de-escalate the situation and continue dialogue and diplomacy in order to preserve regional peace and stability.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
The South China Sea is a strategic global maritime route. This sea is relied upon by many countries in this region and beyond, including Negara Brunei Darussalam, especially in international movement and trade. Therefore, our country has an interest in ensuring that the South China Sea remains a peaceful and stable sea.
In this regard, Negara Brunei Darussalam will continue to actively cooperate with the countries concerned bilaterally as well as multilaterally in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. This includes emphasising the importance of concluding the Code of Conduct of Parties in The South China Sea or COC, which we expect will be finalised at the end of this year. This very important step will contribute to the country’s security and continued economic development.
In the context of world turmoil and these strategic challenges, the ministry will continue striving to ensure that Negara Brunei Darussalam is always alert, vigilant and ready to adapt its foreign policy approach so that it remains relevant.
The ministry’s objective is clear, namely to practise a positive foreign policy and maintain good relations with other countries and safeguard national interests in ensuring the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Negara Brunei Darussalam, ensuring our independence, our sovereignty and our territorial integrity. This approach is important in promoting a peaceful and stable international environment, thereby ensuring the country’s security, well-being and prosperity in the long term.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
With the proposed allocation and with international challenges becoming increasingly complex, this ministry remains committed to strengthening interests as well as expanding the role of Negara Brunei Darussalam through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy at the international level. This is implemented through an effective and pragmatic foreign policy based on principles that have been the pillar of the country’s strength for the past four decades.
This includes dialogue and peaceful resolution. Balanced relations with major powers, emphasising the importance of upholding international law and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries. This approach emphasises a balanced, open and constructive position with all countries.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
Taking into account the current global situation we are going through and may face as we move into the future, kaola and I would like to share several priority agendas of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2026.
First, Negara Brunei Darussalam will continue to strengthen bilateral relations and strategic cooperation especially with neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Good neighbourly relations are the basis of stability, and they also support national security and economic development. Beyond the Southeast Asian region, Negara Brunei Darussalam will continue to expand cooperation with friendly countries including strategic partners such as the People’s Republic of China, countries in the Middle East and Western countries.
Alhamdulillah, we have also seen many positive developments including the implementation of strategic dialogues with countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan. This cooperation is also carried out through respective strategic plans in priority areas. Through this approach, more trade and business opportunities can be explored towards driving the country’s economic growth and making it more resilient.
In relations with global powers, Brunei will continue to maintain a principled and pragmatic position, focused on dialogue and peaceful resolution in order to gain mutual benefits and advance national interests. Therefore, cooperation with partner countries will continue to be strengthened through exchange visits, bilateral consultative mechanisms at various levels as well as more strategic initiatives to identify key areas and potential that provide mutual benefit.
Second, Negara Brunei Darussalam will continue to support ASEAN efforts to ensure that ASEAN remains relevant, united and resilient. We will also continue to emphasise ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture. Negara Brunei Darussalam’s membership in ASEAN brings value from various aspects, namely economic, strategic and socio-cultural. Therefore, ASEAN remains the main core of the foreign policy of Negara Brunei Darussalam in strengthening this small country in an increasingly challenging world.
From an economic perspective, ASEAN free trade agreements as well as ASEAN agreements with dialogue partners facilitate local entrepreneurs and traders in exploring and penetrating regional and international markets more easily. From the socio-cultural perspective of ASEAN, the people of Negara Brunei Darussalam, especially youth, have opportunities to enhance valuable experience and exposure. This is through exchange programmes, volunteerism and youth development activities aligned with current developments.
We also benefit from technical assistance and capacity building. This encompasses various areas such as disaster management, climate change, public administration, food security, terrorism issues and maritime and sea law. At the same time, we can take part in addressing increasingly worrying cross-border challenges such as climate change, maritime security, cyber and economic resilience. Our country can expand opportunities for cooperation with ASEAN dialogue partners in areas of interest including economy, development, security, digital and also AI. Negara Brunei Darussalam can also participate in scholarship programmes, courses and expertise exchanges offered by ASEAN dialogue partners.
The country also contributes to the ASEAN agenda to achieve a more resilient, innovative and inclusive regional future in this changing global landscape. This includes jointly advancing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. For the information of this august House, Negara Brunei Darussalam is the country coordinator for ASEAN-European Union dialogue relations from 2024 to 2027.
In this matter, the country will coordinate and chair strategic cooperation between ASEAN and the EU. This involves hosting several meetings including the 25th ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the end of this month of April in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Through this meeting, ASEAN countries and EU countries have the opportunity to discuss the progress of ASEAN-EU cooperation, especially in areas of common priority, as well as the future direction of ASEAN-EU dialogue relations. In doing so, Negara Brunei Darussalam can also take the opportunity to further strengthen cooperative relations with European countries towards achieving mutual benefit.
The third priority is relations at the multilateral level. Negara Brunei Darussalam will continue to be active and consistent in international forums. For a small country, a rule-based multilateral system or multilateralism is very important. It protects sovereignty and ensures fair and equal opportunities in addressing various global challenges.
Therefore, Negara Brunei Darussalam will continue to support multilateralism. We will also stress compliance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. This includes respecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. At the international level, Negara Brunei Darussalam also continues to voice this position through national statements and active participation in relevant forums. This reflects the country’s commitment to upholding international peace, stability and justice.
In this regard, Negara Brunei Darussalam will continue to work closely with partners at the multilateral level to advance these interests. The country’s position on the issue of Palestine is also consistent and unchanged and grounded in principle, whereby the country continues to voice unwavering support for Palestine and its people, particularly regarding the two-state solution with 1967 borders and the inalienable rights to self-determination.
This includes voting in support of international resolutions related to Palestine as a manifestation of the country’s support and solidarity towards the struggle of the Palestinian people. As a concerned and responsible member of the international community, the country and the public also contribute to addressing humanitarian crises caused by disasters or conflicts. This is according to available capacity. This includes the channelling of contributions and aid to Myanmar in April last year, to Syria in June 2024, to the Republic of Türkiye in May 2024 following the earthquake and natural disasters that struck that country.
The assistance extended is also carried out through cooperation with partner countries and the international community. Negara Brunei Darussalam has cooperated with Jordan in delivering civilian aid to Gaza and channelled contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA. In addition, Negara Brunei Darussalam demonstrates its commitment in supporting the role of the UN in ensuring global peace by participating in the United Nations Interim Force or UNIFIL mission located in Lebanon since 2008 in line with the mandate of the UN Security Council. All these efforts reflect the country’s principled and responsible approach in strengthening international cooperation and reinforcing multilateralism.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
In addition to the priorities that kaola mentioned earlier, this ministry also safeguards the welfare of the people of Negara Brunei Darussalam abroad through the 43 representative offices currently in existence. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will always act accordingly should an emergency situation occur that could endanger the safety of our citizens abroad. This includes natural disasters, pandemics, civil unrest, states of emergency or security threats in the country concerned.
As kaola, I conveyed yesterday, any Brunei Darussalam citizen who plans to be or is abroad is advised to register through the e-Register system on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry also emphasises to the public the need to obtain travel or medical insurance before travelling abroad. This is very important to ensure welfare and safety and also to provide peace of mind to the individual concerned, especially if a health emergency or unexpected expenses occur such as accidents, illness, arrangements and repatriation of remains.
Regarding the turmoil in the Middle East, the ministry will continue to monitor the situation and be ready to provide advice from time to time. All Bruneians currently in the region, totalling 760 people, are advised to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautionary measures by prioritising personal safety.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also continue to enhance and further strengthen the role of representative offices abroad. These representative offices function as a contact point or liaison between agencies of Negara Brunei Darussalam and agencies abroad. This includes supporting and facilitating the efforts of our main agencies or lead agencies in further expanding opportunities in trade, investment, agriculture, tourism as well as exploring potentially cooperative areas.
At the same time, the ministry always places importance on the welfare affairs of our officers and diplomats serving abroad to ensure that their well-being, safety and capability are always assured, protected and developed. Likewise with locally engaged staff serving in our representative offices, who are important human resource assets in ensuring the smooth operations of representative offices. Every achievement and success of the foreign policy of Negara Brunei Darussalam requires strong support, cooperation and full commitment from all Your Honourable Members and all government agencies.
Through a whole of government approach, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work closely with other ministries and government agencies in safeguarding and advancing national interests towards realising Wawasan Brunei 2035.
That is all that kaola, I can convey regarding the main focuses and direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And with that, peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Now I invite, Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. (Selawat recited). Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings, and greetings.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
Those whom peramba, kaola, respects. First, kaola would like to express gratitude for the permission of Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for kaola to deliver remarks in this noble House regarding the focus of the National Budget for Financial Year 2026/2027, particularly those related to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has formulated and arranged various initiatives according to the priorities that have been set in line with the aspirations outlined in the Ministry of Home Affairs Strategic Plan 2023 - 2027, which is based on security and well-being, in the effort to support the National Budget theme, namely ‘Together Realising Wawasan Brunei 2035’, guided by the three main focuses of the National Budget that have been set.
In this matter, the ministry’s role covers several main areas. Among them are immigration control and national registration, labour regulation as well as the preservation of the working environment in the private sector, security, fire response and rescue operations, disaster management, prison institution management as well as district and municipal administration. This approach is implemented in an integrated and inclusive manner involving various stakeholders including leaders at the grassroots level based on the ministry’s vision, namely ‘Together Maintaining Brunei Darussalam as Peaceful, Prosperous and Dynamic’.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
Touching on the first focus of the National Budget, namely strengthening fiscal stability and financial governance. Alhamdulillah, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the departments under it have implemented several measures to ensure the use of financial resources in a more prudent and efficient manner.
Among them is the implementation of leasing for departmental operational vehicles as part of the Fiscal Consolidation Program. This also includes initiatives that have been implemented in previous financial years which kaola had shared in this noble House during the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara meeting in 2025.
In supporting the second focus of the National Budget, namely empowering the economy through transformation and innovation, the Ministry also places emphasis on efforts to digitalise work processes as well as improve the efficiency of service delivery, among them through the One MOHA System Project which will include integrated and efficient emergency management system components involving the public and the digitalisation of the ministry’s internal work processes as well as improvements in service delivery to the public.
In addition, the Immigration and National Registration System or INRS under the Department of Immigration and National Registration is also being implemented to enhance productivity as well as the efficiency of immigration and national registration information management.
Besides enhancing service delivery to the public, this system includes several main modules such as identity card, border management, visa and passes, citizenship, entry permits, registration of births, deaths and adopted children as well as law enforcement. To date, 6 modules have already been used, while the others are still at the trial stage and, God willing, are expected to be completed in this Financial Year 2026/2027.
In addition, the ministry is also implementing the consolidation of maintenance for the INRS system, namely the Immigration National Registration System, with the National Labour Management System, NMLS. This step aims to improve operational efficiency, strengthen system governance and ensure that ICT infrastructure is always at an optimum and secure level.
This initiative also helps ensure that network and system security are continuously protected from cyber threats and reduces the risk of disruption to the ministry’s critical systems. With this maintenance consolidation, it also supports the first focus of the national budget, namely strengthening fiscal stability and financial governance.
In line with the third focus of the national budget which emphasises ensuring social sustainability and future development, the ministry is also planning various initiatives that focus on strengthening public safety and well-being, community development as well as the improvement of public facilities. From the aspect of strengthening public safety, the ministry gives priority to enhancing public safety infrastructure as well as emergency response capability.
Among the main initiatives is the procurement of 30 Water Tender Ladder units, of which 10 units arrived in November 2025. In addition, under the 12th National Development Plan, the ministry is also carrying out strategic procurement including the purchase of Light Fire Attack Vehicle, LFAV, new fire engines including onboard equipment as well as training for fire and rescue personnel with a total value of BND2.9 million.
With this more modern and efficient equipment, it will further enhance the capability, preparedness and speed up the response of the fire brigade when facing emergencies and disasters. These vehicles are also specially designed to enable operations to be carried out in interior areas or routes that are difficult to access by large-sized fire engines. This at the same time increases the team’s capability as first responder in emergency situations.
Meanwhile, in terms of community preparedness, the ministry through the Fire and Rescue Department and the National Disaster Management Centre continues to implement various public awareness programmes related to disasters and safety. The main purpose of these programmes is to ensure that the community is more prepared, understands the risks faced and knows the actions that need to be taken during emergencies. In the effort to preserve community well-being, the ministry places emphasis on strengthening the screening process for films and public entertainment so that their content is always aligned with the national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy.
In addition, under the 12th National Development Plan, Projek Pembangunan Penjara Maraburong phase 4 and phase 5 are also being continued with the aim of increasing the level of security, streamlining prisoner management in a more systematic manner as well as improving the prison institution’s capability in carrying out control, rehabilitation and reintegration functions of prisoners more effectively. The completion status of phase 4 has reached 96.21 per cent and is targeted for completion in March 2026, while phase 5 is still at the design stage and is expected to be completed in 2028.
In addition, the project to upgrade land control posts at the national borders is also being implemented to strengthen border security through the provision of more systematic operational facilities as well as the construction of permanent buildings that meet current operational needs.
The implementation of this project is also expected to improve the smooth flow of movement in and out at the national borders, provide comfort to the public as well as provide a more conducive working environment for officers and staff on duty. At present, the project is still at the design stage and is expected to be opened for tender in July 2026.
From the aspect of community welfare, the ministry has also allocated provisions to improve various public facilities that are basic daily needs of the public. This includes works to improve bridges in Kampong Ayer as well as upgrade community halls, public toilets, stalls and markets. This includes improvement and upgrading projects for 32 bridges spanning 5 kilometres as well as 6 jetties aimed at increasing safety, accessibility and supporting the socio-economic activities of Kampong Ayer residents.
In addition, 1 term contract has also been established for the purchase of timber for repair works on bridges spanning 1.25 kilometres which will be carried out using manpower in the District Department.
Repair works on community halls as well as stalls and markets in all four districts will also be carried out and are expected to begin implementation in Financial Year 2026/2027 with the aim of supporting the community’s social and economic activities while improving the safety and well-being of local residents. Besides ensuring that the available infrastructure is in good and comfortable condition for use by the public and business operators, the ministry also gives attention to cleaning and area maintenance services so that the environment remains continuously clean, orderly and safe.
In line with efforts to support initiatives towards community welfare, one of the ministry’s important focuses is the strengthening of mukim and village institutions. In this regard, the ministry will continue to empower the community economy through the strengthening of Program Satu Kampung Satu Produk with the aim of opening more entrepreneurship and employment opportunities so that each village is able to generate its own economic resources.
This effort is in line with the ministry’s aspiration to form a community that is more self-reliant, innovative and progressive. To support the recovery and reintegration efforts of prisoners into society, the ministry’s allocation through the Prisons Department is also channelled towards the implementation of rehabilitation and reintegration programmes through the provision of vocational training. Through this initiative, prisoners are given the opportunity to empower themselves with relevant skills while preparing them to obtain employment and begin a more productive new life after being released.
In the effort to strengthen the competency of the workforce and grassroots leaders, the Ministry of Home Affairs through its departments will continue to place emphasis on human resource capacity development through the implementation of training programmes and competency development planned systematically based on needs analysis as well as current competency gaps.
In addition, the ministry also prioritises support for penghulu mukim and village heads through the implementation of the Takaful Scheme for Penghulu Mukim and Ketua Kampung. As the frontliners who always interact directly with residents, this scheme aims to ensure that the welfare and protection of grassroots leaders are always preserved, thereby supporting the effectiveness of service delivery at the grassroots level.
Overall, all programme and project planning implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs is based on the commitment to ensure that the safety, well-being and welfare of the community are always preserved. These efforts also reflect a whole of government and whole of nation approach that demands close cooperation between Government agencies, the private sector, community leaders as well as all levels of the people in jointly preserving the peace, stability and harmony of the nation.
The role of Penghulu Mukim and Ketua Kampung as grassroots leaders is the main link between the Government and the community, besides playing an important role in fostering unity, strengthening social well-being as well as ensuring that every Government policy and initiative can be implemented effectively at the community level. Therefore, the Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with grassroots leaders through a more inclusive and integrated approach including empowering leadership capacity, expanding community participation as well as encouraging a culture of cooperation in addressing current challenges to ensure that the well-being of the community is always preserved.
And with the continued support and backing from Your Honourable Members in this noble House as well as the cooperation of all parties, God willing, the Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to remain committed to strengthening public safety, improving community well-being and empowering communities in line with the aspirations of Wawasan Brunei 2035.
That is all, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Wabillahi taufik walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
I now invite Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abd. Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (prayer recited). Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings, and greetings.
First of all, kaola would like to express gratitude to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for the opportunity given to kaola to deliver a preliminary review related to the debate on the Supply Bill (2026), 2026/2027. Thanks are also extended to Your Honourable Members who have participated in debating the issues, especially those under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
Kaola, with full respect and reverence, on behalf of all officers and staff of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and its departments, would like to convey the highest appreciation before the Council of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam for the gracious consent to provide the approved allocation for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism for Financial Year 2026/2027 amounting to BND88.76 million.
On this occasion, kaola would also like to record appreciation to Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II for the presentation of the proposed Supply Bill (2026), 2026/2027.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
The main emphasis in the allocation provided for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism for Financial Year 2026/2027 is to focus on the planning and implementation of programmes and initiatives directed towards efforts to:
First, support the growth and increase in industrial output under the food sector;
Second, support the growth and development of the tourism industry; and
Third, support the development and conservation of the nation’s forests in order to ensure a clean and healthy environmental balance.
To drive growth and increase industrial output under the food sector as well as ensure national food security, the ministry’s strategy has shifted from a focus on primary production to a holistic ecosystem approach. This includes empowering the processing industry and the production of value-added products based on agriculture and fisheries. Strategic priority will be given to strengthening the value chain comprehensively to ensure a more competitive and integrated agrifood sector, and in turn guarantee national security.
Next, the ministry is committed to increasing domestic food production through strategic planning by strengthening synergy among entrepreneurs as the main drivers of the industry and integrating the whole of nation and whole of government approaches so that we are able to address sectoral challenges comprehensively while exploring new growth prospects. The momentum of initiatives implemented throughout 2025 forms a strong foundation to ensure future success based on the collective commitment of all stakeholders.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
The priority of the allocation for this Financial Year will be strategically focused on efforts to upgrade and provide basic infrastructure. The ministry’s goal is to ensure that every agricultural and fisheries development area is equipped with adequate and conducive water supply, electricity, and drainage systems. The provision of this infrastructure is a key catalyst to facilitate entrepreneurs in starting and expanding all their enterprises, while at the same time strengthening the nation’s food security sustainably.
To increase productivity to an optimum level, the allocation is also channelled to encourage the use of modern technology in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. In line with this, the ministry will continue to be committed to strengthening excellent farm governance in order to attract new entrepreneurs, especially the youth generation, to venture into this sector as a career.
In addition, priority is also given to strengthening the capacity of departments as Competent Authority to ensure safety, food quality and ease of access to global markets. This initiative is supported through the provision of recognised infrastructure, facilities and reference laboratories as well as the development of expert personnel to meet international standards. This also includes efforts to strengthen the cold chain, cold chain and facilitate logistics processes specifically for export purposes.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
All of these strategies and emphases are based on the Food Industry Roadmap, which serves as a strategic framework to drive the growth of a competitive food sector with special emphasis on producing products that are halal, safe and of high quality. In addition, this ministry encourages the use of modern technology in agriculture and fisheries including aquaponics, solar energy, drip systems, vertical farming and table systems for flood-prone areas. In aquaculture, the Recirculating Aquaculture System, RAS and Internet of Things, IoT are used to monitor quality while drone assists in fertiliser and pesticide spraying and paddy farm data analysis.
As a proactive effort towards sustainability, the ministry has implemented several strategic initiatives including encouraging the circular economy to ensure a sustainable environment. This includes the implementation of initiatives under the ministry’s sectors, among them Regenerative Agriculture, Regenerative Agriculture. This approach aims to optimise crop yields through the natural restoration of soil fertility, by using compost produced from agricultural organic materials without affecting natural resources.
The second is pesticide free to enhance the marketing of premium and high-quality agricultural products that emphasise the use of natural materials in crop management and crop pest control.
The third is fisheries resource management which includes programmes such as deploying artificial reefs, artificial reefs to enrich the marine fisheries system; the Shrimp Recovery Programme to guarantee the quality of local sea shrimp; and the control of the catching and sale of udang bakara and bekara and crabs through shrimp size measurements and egg-bearing crabs to address the threat of supply stock shortages.
The Diversification of Species Programme through the establishment of fish breeding facilities such as pompano, grouper, red snapper and also other than selongsong fish using technologies such as Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, RAS and the Restocking Program in the release of freshwater prawn seed in the waters of Brunei Darussalam to support the gradual increase of the wild freshwater prawn population over the long term.
Next is enhancing farm biosecurity at agricultural and fisheries farms by implementing certification of Brunei Good Agriculture Practice, BGAP, Brunei Good Husbandry Practice, BGAHP dan Brunei Good Aquaculture Practice, BGAqP to ensure that agricultural and fisheries activities are carried out safely, responsibly and sustainably with emphasis on food safety and livestock health, and encouraging the transition to the use of solar energy resources and aqua-photovoltaic technology integrated with pond farming activities as implemented by one of the aquaculture companies in this country.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
Through a positive growth trajectory and the strengthening of an integrated value chain ecosystem, this sector is expected to contribute significantly to increased GDP, strengthen food security and the country’s export value. In line with the nation’s aspiration to increase output from the food sector, the implementation of strategies also focuses on growth in the primary and downstream industries by attracting the involvement of Foreign Direct Investment companies as well as government-linked companies, GLCs to strengthen the food industry value chain ecosystem.
This includes the production of input materials, exploration of sources of supply from various other countries, enhancement of capacity and expertise, and the implementation of development and research. This initiative not only encourages national economic activity but also opens employment opportunities for locals to choose agriculture and fisheries as career options.
At the same time, through the implementation and strengthening of the food industry value chain ecosystem, export drive initiatives have been implemented to further enhance the downstream and processing sectors. This initiative is carried out to provide support to entrepreneurs involved in the value chain, covering the pre-production phase up to market access. With this initiative, several programmes have been implemented including the Product Enhancement Programme, the Input Material Improvement and Storage System Programme, Site Preparation, and the Capacity Enhancement Programme.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
In efforts to strengthen the country’s continuously growing rice and paddy output, this ministry will continue paddy research initiatives to identify superior rice varieties that are high-yielding and meet consumer tastes in this country.
With this, a paddy research centre facility has been established to implement a comprehensive research programme in hybrid rice breeding as well as sustainable agricultural cultivation techniques funded under the RKN12 allocation planning and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2027. The ministry is also still in the consultation stage with neighbouring countries to explore paddy cultivation opportunities to guarantee this country’s food security.
In terms of export performance, the overall value of food exports for 2025 was around BND13 million. The export value of the agriculture and agrifood sector recorded an increase of around 52.4 per cent compared to 2024, with the highest commodities being animal feed and chicken eggs, which respectively contributed 55 per cent and 43 per cent of the total exports.
In 2025, overall export value for agriculture and agrifood-based products was 4.7 metric tonnes with a value reaching BND7.68 million. Around 22 million chicken eggs worth BND3.3 million were exported to Singapore. In addition, several new agrifood products produced by local companies have also been successfully exported to Singapore and the neighbouring state of Sabah.
The export value of the fisheries sector was 3.4 metric tonnes amounting to BND5.68 million, with the three highest commodities being tuna, shrimp and selongsong fish, contributing 70 per cent, 11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively. In addition, a fisheries product that successfully penetrated a new export market was Tilapia Marine to the United States. This success in penetrating international markets reflects the effectiveness of the ministry’s strategic initiatives in empowering entrepreneurs to increase food production in this country.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
Next, to ensure the growth and development of the tourism industry, the ministry is optimising the direction and strategic initiatives in the Tourism Industry Roadmap to ensure that every implementation is relevant, sustainable and meets industry targets. The ministry will continue to drive the development of the tourism sector through prudent yet high-impact management of allocations. The ministry remains focused on optimising existing resources to strengthen the competitiveness of tourism products based on culture, nature and adventure, culture, nature and adventure. This strategy will be synergised with improvements in infrastructure quality and service delivery to ensure maximum return in attracting tourists to this country.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
To strengthen the destination profile, the ministry will more actively and aggressively implement the promotion and marketing agenda of Brunei Darussalam through broad-impact strategic advertising campaigns with various promotional methods such as: advertisements in international newspapers and news outlets, expo participation, use of marketing consultant services, use of various social media platforms and collaboration with social media influencers as well as digital marketing in promoting Brunei Darussalam as an attractive tourism destination in this region at the global level, Brunei’s presence is expanded through strategic participation in international expos and business networking sessions in key markets such as Dubai, Sydney, Japan, South Korea, Shanghai and Taiwan to explore more dynamic cooperation opportunities.
Next, in 2026, 6 new target markets have been identified to promote and attract tourists to this country including Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Canada, USA and also the Middle East. The Tourism Development Department will appoint overseas marketing representatives to strengthen the effectiveness of traditional and digital promotion, particularly in dynamic markets such as Korea, China and Japan. This initiative aims to overcome communication constraints as well as access to local digital platforms that are geo-locked such as Douyin, Naver and WeChat. In line with this effort, the department is also in the process of obtaining marketing consultation services.
This step aims to formulate a comprehensive strategy that not only focuses on existing markets, but also explores the potential of long-haul market including the Middle East, North and South America and Europe to ensure sustainable global competitiveness. In addition, the ministry will implement the Visit Brunei Year 2027 initiative as a major national agenda to be carried out in conjunction with the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam ascending the Throne for the 60th year. As an early proactive measure, the pre-launch implementation phase of Visit Brunei Year 2027 is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of this year to ensure infrastructure and marketing readiness by positioning Brunei as a main destination in conjunction with the grand celebration.
In this regard, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam has also welcomed the Visit Brunei Year 2027 initiative which coincides with the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam Ascending the Throne as a strategic catalyst for realising that aspiration.
Therefore, its implementation requires a structured approach, effective delivery and strong commitment from all parties so that this initiative truly reflects the nation’s aspirations and upholds His Majesty’s titah. Next, to strengthen the digital tourism ecosystem, a total of 700 activities and products have been integrated into the tourism product directory through the portal www.explorebrunei.gov.bn.
These local products are categorised according to specific segments such as culture and heritage, nature and adventure to meet diverse markets. The ministry will also remain committed to increasing industry competitiveness through the Service Providers Enhancement programme as well as the Tourism Package Development Workshop.
This initiative aims to diversify the variety of existing tourism products while ensuring the quality of service delivery meets international standards. In addition, the ministry will continue to enhance service excellence and industry standards through the offering of 7 types of capacity-building courses covering specialised industries such as bird watching, skills courses for frontliners, story-tellings for tour guides, entrepreneurship programmes and others.
This strategy is further strengthened through the implementation of 12 briefing series at educational institutions to build a tourism talent pipeline among future generations. In addition, efforts to enhance workforce professionalism continue to be intensified through the creation of 14 competencies and career pathways under the supervision of the Manpower Industry Steering Committee for Hospitality and Tourism.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
Touching on developments in the tourism sector, the number of international tourist arrivals to Negara Brunei Darussalam in 2025 recorded around 763 thousand tourists, showing an increase of 13 per cent compared to 2024. This increase was contributed by the breakdown of tourist arrivals by land, air and sea. Respectively, these increased by around 14 per cent, 7 per cent and 46 per cent, where the significant increase was in tourist arrivals via cruise ship.
In efforts to promote our country as a leading cultural destination, every arrival of cruise ships is welcomed with traditional dances, guling tangan and hadrah. This initiative is not merely a reception, but is also a strategic step to create a deep impact in showcasing the richness of the nation’s cultural heritage to international tourists.
And in 2025, a total of 15 cruise ships docked and this number is projected to increase to 32 in 2026. As of this March, a total of 11 cruise ships have visited this country. At present, 62 travel agents have been officially registered and licensed under the Tourism Development Department. Of that number, 31 tourism agents are actively conducting inbound tourism, an increase of 210 per cent compared with only 10 travel agents actively engaged in inbound tourism in 2022.
In addition, Rancangan Kemajuan Negara projects and PPP projects have also been implemented to provide and improve specific infrastructure at tourism destinations in this country such as upgrading public facilities and the construction of boardwalk bridges, the Directional and Information Signboard Installation Project and PPP projects for gazetted sites under the Tourism Development Department.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
The next main focus of the ministry’s allocation is to support the development and preservation of the nation’s forest resources to support sustainable development in line with the national forestry policy and the Climate Change Development Policy and also to help strengthen the ecotourism industry in this country.
Through comprehensive greening and forest rehabilitation programmes, efforts to preserve forest resources will continue to be intensified to optimise forest capacity as an effective carbon sink. This strategy not only aims to maintain ecosystem balance, but is also the country’s proactive step in addressing the impact of global climate change as well as ensuring Brunei’s natural heritage remains sustainable for future generations and also for the development of the ecotourism industry in this country.
This effort is carried out in cooperation with the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Office as part of the implementation of the sixth strategy, namely Carbon Pricing under the Brunei Darussalam climate change policy. At this stage, priority is given to strengthening the technical foundation and feasibility assessment related to national forest carbon. This initiative is also supported through collaboration with strategic partners with international expertise to ensure that the development of the national forest carbon mechanism is based on strong data in line with international standards and has the potential to support sustainable implementation in terms of policy, governance and finance.
In increasing the contribution of the forestry sector to GDP, the ministry is committed to driving the transformation of the downstream industry through strengthening an integrated supply chain. This strategy focuses on optimising the use of local timber materials from the primary industry to be processed into final products with high added value.
As part of efforts to expand the market and strengthen the development of the local timber industry, the Wood Products Expo organised annually since 2021 has become a strategic platform in showcasing innovation as well as increasing the commercial value of local woodcraft products.
Branding efforts are also strengthened through the implementation of the Brunei Wood Product logo during the 2024 wood products expo, which functions as a premium quality certification to guarantee the confidence of domestic and international markets.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
This ministry will continue to strengthen multilateral cooperation through engagement with international organisations such as the ASEAN Forest Cooperation Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This involvement not only strengthens technical knowledge transfer, but also positions the country as a key player in the global sustainability agenda.
As evidence of the country’s commitment to international engagement, the country will shoulder the responsibility of hosting the FAO Asia Pacific Regional Conference next April, which is expected to be attended by more than 40 FAO member countries. This conference will open opportunities for collaboration, especially in the agriculture and fisheries sectors and indirectly have a positive impact on the tourism sector in this country.
Next, strengthening youth involvement in the agriculture and fisheries sectors is also a strategic agenda of the ministry, considering that this group are leaders of innovation who will guarantee the sustainability and assurance of the nation’s food security in the future. In this regard, the ministry through its programmes has been actively implementing a support ecosystem through programmes and initiatives such as the Youth Exposure Programme, Pilot Programme, Business Expansion, Advisory Services and other programmes specially designed to attract and build the competencies of entrepreneurs, especially among youth.
Overall, the total number of youth entrepreneurs actively involved in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism activities was 118 people in 2025, of whom 86 were actively involved in agriculture, 7 in fisheries, 3 in forestry and 22 in the tourism industry.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.
The ministry is also implementing initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem of the primary resources and tourism industry as an effort to diversify the national economy, diversification. This effort was manifested through the inaugural Primary Resources and Tourism Expo 2025 themed ‘Innovative and Sustainable Primary Resources and Tourism’ which serves as a strategic platform to showcase the outstanding achievements of local entrepreneurs in the agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism sectors. In particular, those who have successfully penetrated the global export market. The peak of this aspiration was graced by the presence of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam at the Launching Ceremony, symbolising the nation’s highest support for the development of this sector.
Through its combination with the 4th Local Products Expo, this initiative has proven the effectiveness of its economic impact by achieving sales of BND200,000 within three days of organisation. This achievement not only reflects the competitiveness of the local production industry but also shows the growing and encouraging capabilities of local entrepreneurs including youths. The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism together with its departments carries out this unwavering commitment to strengthen existing programmes while planning new strategies to increase the productivity of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism. All the achievements and latest developments that kaola has presented reflect the ministry’s determination in supporting the wellbeing of the people and the prosperity of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Kaola would like to record the highest appreciation and thanks to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for the opportunity given to present this trust. May our efforts be blessed by Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala for the sake of a glorious future for the homeland. That is all, Wabillahi taufik walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta'ala wabarakatuh. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members. I think that is enough for our sitting today. I propose that our meeting be adjourned now. God willing, we will reconvene tomorrow, Tuesday, 17 March 2026, starting as usual at 9.30 in the morning.
That is all. Wabillahi taufik walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta'ala wabarakatuh.
(The Council meeting was adjourned)
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website, you may be able to link to other websites which are not under our control. We have no control over the nature, content, and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, we take no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.