DAY 2 MORNING

Reading Summary

📖 Reading time: 75 minutes
📊 Word count: 14,953 words

5TH AUG 2026 MORNING

(The meeting commenced at 9.30 a.m.)

Yang Mulia Jurutulis

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Second Meeting of the 22nd Session of the Legislative Council convenes on its second day today, Wednesday, 21 Safar 1448 corresponding to 5 August 2026, and is preceded by the Doa Selamat.

DOA SELAMAT

(The Doa Selamat was recited by Yang Mulia Yang Mulia Begawan Mudim Awang Abdul Latif bin Haji Saman)

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. Your Honourable Members. We are grateful to Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala because by His bounty, mercy and permission alone, we are able to be present this morning for the second day of the Second Meeting of the 22nd Session of the Legislative Council.

Blessings and peace be upon our great leader Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam, his family members, companions and his followers who are obedient and faithful until the end of time.

We will begin today with the next business of the meeting.

Yang Mulia Jurutulis

Time for oral questions and answers.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Your Honourable Members. We now move to question time. Before us is the list of questions submitted.

I begin with the first question, which has been received from Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin, and this question is addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Ekonomi dan Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Ekonomi dan Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings, and good morning.

Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and thank you also for the question raised by Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin regarding integrating risk communication, community preparedness and public confidence into food security response policies and mechanisms to ensure that society remains resilient.

Alhamdulillah, food security, food security remains a main focus of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Taking lessons from the experience of facing the COVID-19 crisis, the ministry continuously takes proactive measures to minimise disruptions to the national food supply chain in ensuring that food security remains safeguarded.

Various efforts have been and continue to be implemented through various measures, namely strengthening the value and monitoring of food supply availability data including early assessment of increases in local production costs, fertiliser prices and also food such as rice, chicken, eggs, meat and vegetables as well as fish.

Second, is strengthening the whole value chain especially for imported agricultural and fisheries supplies such as fertiliser as well as fish and shrimp seed, namely by maintaining fertiliser stocks for at least three months and chicken feed stocks for at least six months.

Third is strengthening export initiatives to increase production capacity for exports not only aimed at meeting external market demand but also directly helping to achieve more than self-sufficiency level. For example, egg supply at present has not only reached one hundred per cent self-sufficiency.

Fourth is cooperating across ministries, agencies and stakeholders through the establishment of the National Community Addressing the Impact of the Middle East Conflict specifically to study and address resilience, resilience, geopolitical and energy issues that may impact the food security ecosystem.

Fifth, at the international level, Negara Brunei Darussalam has signed an MoU with the Republic of Singapore, namely the MoU on Strengthening Trade and Investment Cooperation in Food and Medical Products. This MoU aims to ensure close cooperation between both countries in food security and the supply of medical products if the countries face a crisis.

In this regard, several working groups have already been established, namely the Working Group on Food Supply and Working Group on Medical Products, whose membership consists of officers from both countries to discuss ongoing efforts that can be implemented together. These existing approaches and efforts are the main mechanism in ensuring that the food supply chain in this country will be secured.

In relation to the question raised by Yang Berhormat, an organised communication strategy is important not only to guarantee public confidence, but also to help strengthen the government's efforts in ensuring food security. The ministry from time to time provides explanations and subsequently holds consultations regarding the government's current strategies not only to the public but also to important stakeholder such as food supplier importer and also distributor for food.

This ministry also has close cooperative relations with food operators, retailers and staple food importers through continuous interaction with these operators and traders, it will not only help the ministry formulate the interventions required but also enable the private sector to jointly ensure a stable supply chain and diversify import sources and seek alternative sources that are more cost effective as substitute to existing import sources.

So it means during COVID-19 apparently at that time we were having regularly communication especially with stakeholders who play an important role in food supply. So, alhamdulillah, because of that we are able to obtain alternative sources that are more competitive and also of better quality.

Thus the ministry remains committed to continuing these proactive and integrated measures, particularly in strengthening relations and close cooperation especially with the private sector in order to jointly ensure continuous food security to protect the wellbeing of the people. That is all Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

The next question is from Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed which is also addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Ekonomi dan Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Ekonomi dan Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings, and good morning.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Allow me, considering that there are three similar questions submitted to kaola regarding Visit Brunei Year ini, allow kaola to answer all three at once, namely questions PL200, PL215 and PL302. The ministry's approach in, may kaola, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua ah?

(Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua gestures by nodding in agreement)

The government's approach in making Visit Brunei Year 2027, VBY2027 a success is not solely oriented towards increasing visitor arrivals, volume driven tourism. Since the tourism market of Negara Brunei Darussalam is more focused, the strategy applied is towards high-value tourism, High value, High Yield Tourism, namely attracting visitors who have the tendency to stay longer, longer length of stay, spend more, higher average spend and enjoy unique and quality experiences.

To achieve this objective, several main approaches are being implemented. First, promoting tourism more widely and aggressively. The ministry continues to strengthen international promotional initiatives through active participation in 24 expos and roadshows in target markets. This marketing strategy is further strengthened through cooperation with international news agencies such as CNN, Euro News and also Al-Jazeera for TV and other media promotion and in addition the implementation of six digital campaigns with online travel agents such as Skyscanner, Room2Rio, Trip.com, Klook, Agoda and Ctrip. In addition to that also, 10 internationally recognised Key Opinion Leaders have been invited to cover Visit Brunei Year 2027 this year insya Allah.

In addition, there is, as I mentioned earlier, participation in 24 expos not only in East Asia but also in Europe and also in Australia and the US.

Second, strengthening the offering of high-value tourism products and experiences. Through Visit Brunei Year 2027, the ministry is developing more curated tourism experiences, namely experiences that are specially planned, have added value and reflect the uniqueness of Brunei Darussalam.

Among the experience themes that will be highlighted and included in the calendar of event are nature exploration, adventure and nature exploration, arts and economy, creative arts and creative economy, cultural heritage and community, cultural heritage and community based tourism, gastronomy and local food, culinary tourism, sports and recreation sport and recreational tourism, as well as Islamic heritage and tradition, Islamic heritage and tradition.

This approach will provide opportunities for local operators to produce new products, packages and experiences that enable visitors not only to come to visit but also to take part, interact and spend in Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Third is strengthening the organisation of international-standard events and activities throughout the year. The ministry is arranging the national event calendar for Visit Brunei Year 2027 which includes cultural festivals, gastronomy, sports, conferences and also trade exhibitions, MYCE.

The organisation of quality events not only plays a role in attracting international and regional visitors, but can also increase demand for the accommodation sector, food and beverages, transport, tourism activities as well as local products.

Among the events that will be organised are insha Allah the SOAS Bridge Marathon, International Art Festival, holding an International Food Festival and many more.

In addition, Visit Brunei Year 2027 coincides with the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with 60 years on the throne in 2027, which is a major opportunity to introduce Negara Brunei Darussalam at the international level through various events and special experiences during the celebration.

Fourth, encouraging grassroots involvement in providing tourism packages and services. The ministry realises that the success of Visit Brunei Year requires comprehensive involvement not only from travel agents, hotels and also airlines, but also communities including village and mukim residents.

Therefore, the Tourism Development Department will continue to engage and encourage Mukim Consultative Councils and Village Consultative Councils to be directly involved in holding activities to make Visit Brunei Year 2027 a success. Alhamdulillah, so far the response from the Mukim and Village Consultative Councils has been very encouraging.

Fifth, fully leveraging digital platforms in making the Visit Brunei Year 2027 campaign a success. The ministry is actively cooperating with international strategic partners such as online travel agent such as Agoda, Ctrip and Klook in enhancing Brunei's promotional reach and facilitating tourists in obtaining information and making accommodation bookings and tourism activities online.

I would like to take this opportunity here to call on the private sectors involved to jointly make full use of this platform to make it easier for tourists to book their programs.

The ministry is also collaborating with financial institutions and strategic partners to expand the development of digital payments among tourism operators. This takes into account international tourism trends that increasingly depend on cashless payments.

Therefore, the ministry is working to introduce digital payment facilities to tourism vendor including small enterprises at stalls so that they can better benefit from tourist spending for their income.

Sixth is improving tourism facilities and infrastructure provided not only by the government but also the private sector. For example, the investment in a resort by Borneo Eco Resort Sdn. Bhd. will provide another new attraction in this country insya Allah in the near future.

In addition, the Tourism Department is also busy providing new signage at interesting places and also tourism locations especially along the sides of highways and also leading to those tourism areas.

Seventh is conducting a national hospitality campaign. This hospitality campaign is an initiative to improve the quality of tourism services so that they are more courteous, polite and friendly especially among frontline workers. Insya Allah, this project is a national project that will involve ministries to enable us to improve our service especially the frontliners.

So overall, Visit Brunei Year 2027 is not only a tourism marketing campaign but is a comprehensive effort to develop a tourism ecosystem that is more valuable, inclusive and sustainable.

The success of Visit Brunei Year 2027 will be measured not only through the increase in visitor numbers but also through the increase in duration of stay, tourist spending, business returns to local operators especially communities as well as the spillover to society as a whole.

That is all that kaola can convey regarding that question earlier. Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

The next question received is from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman and this question is addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan. Please.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan

Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (prayer recited).

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Your Honourable Members. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings. First of all, kaola would like to express thanks to Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman for the question raised.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Non-communicable diseases or NCDs continue to be one of the strategic priorities of the Ministry of Health as these diseases are the largest contributors to the burden of morbidity and mortality or death. In addition to increasing demand for healthcare services, the Ministry is currently developing BruMAP-NCD 2026-2035 with the support of the World Health Organization or WHO as a long-term strategic plan to strengthen the prevention, early detection, treatment and management of non-communicable diseases.

As for measures to reduce the NCD mortality rate, several approaches have been taken by the Ministry of Health. Among them are education, prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and continuous prevention. Priority is also given to health education and promotion in schools, workplaces and communities.

Screening and early detection programmes are also being implemented, together with the strengthening of primary healthcare as well as a whole of government and whole of society approach and the creation of an environment that supports healthy living practices.

The Ministry of Health gives priority to prevention and early detection because these measures not only help reduce deaths caused by NCDs but also reduce disease complications, improve patients' quality of life and reduce the need for more complex treatment in the future.

In addition, the Ministry continues to strengthen the capacity of the health system through the strengthening of primary healthcare, coordination of screening services, management of chronic diseases in hospitals and specialist services, and the use of data and digital technology such as BruHealth and Bru-HIMS 2.0 to support capacity planning and improve the quality of service delivery.

In terms of allocation to address NCDs, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, allocations related to non-communicable diseases cover various service components including education, health promotion, prevention, screening, diagnostic testing, treatment, medicines, rehabilitation and specialist services.

Therefore, it is difficult to specifically separate expenditure for prevention and treatment purposes since most health programmes and services are implemented in an integrated manner and support both aspects simultaneously. This includes the implementation of screening programmes, delivery of primary healthcare services, follow-up treatment, health education as well as chronic disease management, all of which simultaneously contribute to prevention efforts, early detection, treatment and disease management.

Nevertheless, the Ministry is of the view that investment in prevention, early detection and effective disease management is the best step to reduce disease complications, reduce hospital admissions, reduce the need for more complex treatment and ensure more efficient and sustainable use of health resources in the long term.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. The Ministry of Health will continue to strengthen efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases through a comprehensive evidence-based approach involving the whole government and society. The Ministry's goal is to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, improve the people's quality of life and ensure that the national health system remains sustainable in meeting the needs of present and future generations.

That is all, thank you. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

The next question from Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed is also addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan

Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and thank you also to Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed for the question raised.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. The proposed approach has indeed been and is being implemented by the Ministry of Health through various initiatives that combine health monitoring, community involvement, the use of digital technology as well as encouragement for continuous behavioural change.

Among the main initiatives is the National Health Screening Programme through BruHealth. To date, nearly 8,000 risk assessments were carried out from January to June 2026 alone. More than 6,500 individuals were identified as requiring further screening and nearly 1,600 screening appointments were successfully booked through BruHealth.

Next, Health Index BruHealth, where more than 122,000 assessments have been submitted by users, enabling more personalized health monitoring.

Next, BN on The Move, which recorded 17.55 billion steps during the period January to June 2026, involving between 29,000 and 33,000 active users each month and using gamification and digital rewards to encourage physical activity.

Next, the HEAL Programme or Happy Environment and Lifestyle, which involved 2,200 participants through community activities related to healthy eating, physical activity, mental health and tobacco prevention.

Next, Program Mukim Sihat. The Ministry of Health had previously implemented Program Mukim Sihat in several mukims and villages as an initiative to empower local communities to continuously practise a healthy lifestyle. This programme emphasises behavioural change and the capacity to practise healthy habits while also encouraging the ownership of the Mukim and Village Consultative Councils in leading health promotion activities with continuous support from the Ministry of Health.

The effectiveness of this approach can be seen through the increase in the organisation of health activities such as walkathon and fitness programmes undertaken by communities themselves throughout the country.

In line with efforts to strengthen this initiative, Program Mukim Sihat has been expanded into the Program Happy Environment and Active Lifestyle or HEAL. Through this programme, the Health Promotion Centre collaborates with several fitness centres to carry out regular physical activities at the community level. This programme has received a very encouraging response and reflects the community's continued commitment in supporting efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases through the practice of a healthy lifestyle.

Next, the BALANCE Programme for diabetes patients. More than 80 per cent of participants who completed the programme showed improved HbA1c control, namely better diabetes management.

The Ministry will continue to strengthen the use of BruHealth as an integrated platform for risk assessment, screening, health monitoring, health challenges and chronic disease management.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

The Ministry of Health will continue to strengthen the use of digital technology, community involvement and a data-based approach to increase public participation in efforts to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases.

The Ministry's goal is not only to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, but also to empower the people to take a more active role in caring for their own health towards a society that is healthier, more productive and has a high quality of life.

That is all, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Next, the question from Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin is also addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan

Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. First of all, kaola would like to express thanks to Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin for the question raised.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

The Smoking Cessation Clinic or KBM is among the main interventions of the Ministry of Health in helping individuals stop using tobacco or nicotine products through a comprehensive approach, which includes structured counselling, regular follow-up monitoring and pharmacotherapy treatment according to individual needs. This service is provided by all health centres throughout the country including at Hospital Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam, Temburong and is managed by certified smoking cessation counsellors.

Its effectiveness and achievements for the period 2023 to 2025 show that 75 clients successfully quit smoking after participating in the programme. The annual smoking cessation success rate was between 7.9 and 14 per cent, in line with international findings showing that quitting smoking is a challenging process and requires continuous support.

However, several clinics in the country achieved more than encouraging success, such as the Seria Health Centre which recorded a success rate of more than 45 per cent, alhamdulillah.

The approach implemented by KBM is in line with the World Health Organization's clinical treatment guidelines for smoking cessation which emphasise the combination of counselling and pharmacotherapy as the most effective intervention to help individuals stop using nicotine products.

Among the main challenges identified is ensuring that the individuals involved remain motivated and attend follow-up sessions throughout the smoking cessation process, as nicotine addiction has a high relapse rate. In addition, the Ministry of Health also sees the need to improve early detection, strengthen the referral system to the Smoking Cessation Clinic and encourage greater participation of new clients, especially in areas that still record low service utilisation.

Nevertheless, the follow-up attendance rate exceeding 70 per cent in 2025 and for the period January to May 2026 shows that the majority of participants remain committed to receiving support throughout the programme.

Data from the Smoking Cessation Clinic is continuously evaluated to identify patterns in service use, examine the factors influencing success in quitting smoking, identify areas requiring strengthened promotion and referrals, and improve service planning, counsellor training and resource distribution in a more targeted manner. This data-based approach enables the Ministry of Health to strengthen prevention policies and interventions so that they are more responsive to the needs of target groups.

As for prevention among adolescents and youth, to strengthen prevention efforts among adolescents and youth, the Health Enforcement Unit, Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, continues to conduct briefing sessions in schools on the dangers of smoking and vape use as well as the provisions under the Tobacco Order currently in force. In addition to enforcement, an early intervention approach is also implemented.

Students found smoking or using vape will be given advice and referred to the Smoking Cessation Clinic to obtain professional support to stop using nicotine products. This approach is not intended solely to punish, but to give them the opportunity to change behaviour earlier, thereby reducing the risk of nicotine addiction and tobacco-related diseases in the future.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

The Ministry of Health will continue to strengthen the Smoking Cessation Clinic as one of the important interventions in the national tobacco control strategy through an evidence-based approach, early detection, health education and multi-party cooperation. Our goal is not only to help more individuals stop using nicotine products, but also to shape a generation that is healthier and free from tobacco and vape addiction, in line with the national aspiration Towards a Healthier and More Prosperous Society.

That is all, thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

The next question is from Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin, and this question is addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Ekonomi dan Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Ekonomi dan Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri

Alright, thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and thank you as well for the question from Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin regarding the ministry's efforts to ensure the country's participation in Free Trade Agreements can produce measurable economic achievements as well as benefits that can be felt by local entrepreneurs, the government and the people.

Your Honourable Members. In general, through negotiation sessions and continuous engagement with relevant stakeholders, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry through the Trade and International Economic Relations Division frequently conducts negotiations and consultations to obtain the country's position on free trade agreements that will be or have been signed in ensuring that they are aligned with existing national policies and laws.

From the aspect of local enterprises, among the benefits that have been obtained is access to the global market where Free Trade Agreements, FTA can expand market access to FTA partner countries covering ASEAN countries, Australia, Canada, the People's Republic of China, Chile, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and the United Kingdom.

Secondly is the elimination and reduction of tariffs for imported and exported goods that fulfil the criteria of rules of origin, rule of origin. For example, local manufacturers, local producer will be able to enjoy cost savings from the reduction or elimination of custom duty and subsequently make exported local products more competitive in the international arena.

As an example, a local product that has been exported using the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, ATIGA is chicken eggs to the Republic of Singapore.

At the same time, Negara Brunei Darussalam through Brunei Fertilizer Industry has also effectively leveraged the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area and has penetrated the Australian and New Zealand markets in exporting granular urea and also urea.

Next, under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Partnership, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, CPTPP, BFI has also expanded the export market for urea to Latin American countries, Chile and Peru.

The country is also able to export iron and steel products to Canada and Mexico. The examples given are tangible results in which the respective companies have been able to benefit from the free trade agreements.

In addition, this ministry also emphasises the importance of stakeholder engagement with government agencies, the private sector and industry associations. Through close cooperation with the Brunei Economic Development Board, this ministry has also conducted several awareness sessions as an effort to promote the use of certificates of origin, certificate of origin and the benefits of FTA as a whole, among them through CPTPP stakeholders' engagement, BIMP-EAGA Business Council, ASEAN-Korean Centre, and Brunei-Hong Kong Seminar.

As a step forward, a workshop will be held at the end of this year to raise awareness of the benefits of the upgraded ATIGA, namely the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, to relevant agencies including the private sector in this country.

Furthermore, this ministry is also active in disseminating information regarding the benefits of the FTA through the Brunei Trade website and official social media. This awareness effort is hoped to encourage export activities, particularly opportunities for PMKS to participate in global value chains.

In addition, this country also gains access to capacity-building programmes offered by FTA partners as a platform to share best practices and exchange knowledge on compliance with export standards and product quality improvement in order to be more competitive in the international arena, especially for local companies.

For example, capacity building for competition and consumer protection enforcement agencies, whereby AANZFTA has provided assistance to enhance technical knowledge, investigation skills and case-handling capabilities while fostering strong networks with agencies in the ASEAN region, Australia and New Zealand.

At the same time, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will always welcome cooperation and strategic engagement with the private sector, industry associations and stakeholders in jointly safeguarding the country's interests and benefiting from existing and future free trade agreements.

That is all, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

A question from Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam which is also addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Ekonomi dan Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri. Please proceed Yang Berhormat Dato.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Ekonomi dan Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri

Thank you once again Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thank you also to Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam for the question raised regarding the review of price increases and the overall value chain to identify the causes of price increases.

Price increases are a global phenomenon currently being faced by most countries. Global economic uncertainty including geopolitical conflicts has affected oil prices, energy costs, international transport and logistics costs, in addition to disruptions in the global supply chain.

The increase in costs at every level of this value chain can ultimately be translated into higher prices of goods paid by consumers.

Therefore, the government constantly examines the entire value chain to understand the factors contributing to price changes and to ensure that any increase is based on actual costs.

To understand the conditions of particular industries and to assess and identify the causes of price increases, among the initiatives implemented by this ministry is holding consultations and engagement with traders, especially distributors and suppliers.

This approach has been implemented in understanding the impact arising from the Middle East crisis on the plastics industry and shipping cost in this country. This approach enables the government to take appropriate mitigation measures when necessary, based on evidence, evidence-based, and subsequently balance consumer interests with the continuity of business operations in an ever-changing economic environment.

Apart from that, this ministry also implements and enforces the Price Control Act for subsidised goods, namely rice, sugar and gasoline as well as certain essential goods such as cooking oil and infant formula milk. Through this enforcement, the government ensures the affordability and accessibility of these goods to the public.

Enforcement of the act also contributes to the stability of the country's inflation rate even though the country is exposed to global economic uncertainty such as international inflation and global supply chain disruptions and increases in raw material costs, which in turn affect fluctuations in the prices of goods.

At the same time, to ensure the market and avoid negative effects due to excessive intervention, the government also places emphasis on improving price transparency, price transparency. This is implemented through an initiative to monitor the prices of selected essential food items, updated weekly, involving the collection of price data from more than 100 retail premises and supermarkets throughout the country.

This price information will continue to be publicised through the Pengguna Bijak application, which is currently in the process of being improved to enhance security aspects and is expected to be reintroduced in the near future to facilitate consumers in making informed price comparisons.

Meanwhile, the price information continues to be shared through the Consumer Affairs Division website to ensure that the public has continuous access to the relevant information.

In addition, the price monitoring initiative also helps the government examine price changes to ensure that such changes are justified. This initiative enables the government to detect sudden price increases and identify the causes of the increase, whether due to factors such as rising raw material costs or supply chain disruptions.

Analysis of price monitoring data serves as an early warning signal to enable any intervention, including integrated intervention, to address issues that have the potential to affect price stability.

In addressing the impact of price increases, traders also play an important role in ensuring a stable supply chain by diversifying import sources and seeking lower and more reasonable import costs as a substitute for existing import sources.

In this regard, the ministry remains continuously committed to preserving price stability and strengthening economic resilience through a whole of government approach and the implementation of the industry roadmap under the Economic Policy Coordination Division as a strategic instrument to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the industrial ecosystem for the country's specially prioritised sectors.

Through such review, the ministry is able to identify opportunities to improve industrial productivity and competitiveness, address gaps in infrastructure, logistics and supporting industries, as well as expand local value-added activities and identify domestic production to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the resilience of local industries.

Overall, this approach is implemented to enable the ministry to address cost-influencing factors throughout the value chain encompassing aspects of enforcement, monitoring, awareness and strengthening industrial competitiveness and improving supply chain efficiency.

This effort is intended to support supply and price stability in the long term, while advancing more sustainable economic growth and enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy.

That is all, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

The next question is from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof addressed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan

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.

First of all, I would like to express my thanks for the question from Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

The Ministry of Health continues to give attention to the modification and upgrading of health facilities, including the provision and replacement of medical equipment as well as consumable supplies to meet the needs of increasingly developing health services.

Several modification and upgrading projects have been and are being implemented in phases at health facilities, namely projects that have been completed at RIPAS Hospital in 2025 as follows, namely the upgrading of Ward 15 and the Orthopaedic Clinic.

Meanwhile, projects that are being implemented and planned are the establishment of primary function tests in respiratory medicine, DORM; upgrading Wards 10 and 11 to become the new ICU; construction of a consultation room for detainees in the Emergency Department area; modification for Uro-oncology and Urodynamics at the Urology Clinic; upgrading three operating theatres, OT, namely OT Three, Four and Five; modification and relocation of the Finance and Procurement Unit at the Engineering Plant and Laundry Building; modification of Point-of-Care Testing and Quality Assurance and the Patient Safety Unit at the Central State Lab; expanding the Outpatient Pharmacy into Medical Records and expanding the triage area at the Emergency Department.

In addition, the modification of a bungalow in Kiarong to be used as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Clinic, CHARMS; construction of a new bungalow for DCDC consultation rooms in Kampung Kiarong.

In addition, at Hospital Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Tutong, the relocation of the blood collection area to one that is more elderly-friendly and suitable for wheelchair users; upgrading of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic; modification of the Dental Services Clinic space and modification of the former TB Ward for the placement of the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, ORL, Ordology Clinic, Paediatric Clinic and Speech and Language Therapy Clinic as well as upgrading of public toilets.

In addition, the hospital also has plans to turn the extension building of the National Isolation Centre or NIC into a rehabilitation centre or step-down hospital.

The proposed placement of the National Dental Centre, or National Dental Centre is currently under review to ensure the suitability of the location, scope of services and requirements, and the addition of dental clinic facilities throughout the country is also being implemented in phases to improve accessibility to dental services and reduce congestion at existing clinics.

These efforts are aimed at ensuring that all government facilities are always in a safe, well-functioning and conducive condition.

In addition to the modification and upgrading projects, several projects under Rancangan Kemajuan, RKN12 are also being implemented, such as the Construction Project for the New Block of the Emergency Department at Hospital Suri Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait.

This project is expected to be completed in October 2026 and will increase the capacity and capability of the hospital concerned in providing more efficient and safer emergency services, and will strengthen the hospital’s preparedness in handling increases in the number of patients, critical cases as well as emergency and disaster incidents.

In addition, under RKN12, several projects will be implemented. The relocation project for the new block of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, which will have an additional 500 beds, is now in the process of preparing tender documents by the appointed consulting firm after the conceptual design was approved by the Executive Committee of the Ministry of Health.

The construction project for the new Surgical Block and Adult and Children’s Rehabilitation Block at Hospital Suri Seri Begawan Kuala Belait as mentioned earlier, and the Construction Project for the Mengkubau Health Centre including dental services costing BND15 million, are in the design phase with the appointed consulting firm.

Next, the Construction Project for the Health Centre, Bandar Seri Begawan and Blood Collection Centre amounting to BND28 million and the Construction Project for the New Reference Laboratory Block costing BND35 million, which includes the construction of the Scientific Reference Laboratory and National Reference Laboratory.

These projects aim to strengthen and expand the capacity of clinical services, improve the efficiency of service delivery and meet the healthcare needs of the growing population and residents.

Although there are challenges related to the global supply chain, delivery periods as well as procurement processes for certain equipment and consumable materials, the Ministry of Health continues to take mitigation measures and conduct continuous monitoring to reduce disruptions to service delivery and ensure that patients’ clinical needs can always be met.

Among the efforts implemented are the repair and maintenance of medical equipment, preventive and corrective maintenance of medical equipment to ensure equipment is always in good working condition.

Procurement of medical equipment and dental chairs on a continuous and phased basis every year to increase the number of equipment according to priority and replace old medical equipment that has reached the end of its service life.

Procurement of medical consumable supplies or medical consumables is carried out through contract tenders to ensure consistent and uninterrupted supply, while obtaining competitive and reasonable prices through long-term contracts.

At the same time, an online inventory system is also being developed to enable stock monitoring to be carried out in real time, or real time. It will forecast usage trends, identify needs earlier and enable the procurement process to begin before stock levels reach a critical stage.

That is all in response, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

The next question is from Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck, also directed to Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan

Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and thank you also to Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck for the question raised.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, the Ministry of Health has indeed formulated a long-term strategy to ensure that specialist service capacity continues to grow as part of a comprehensive health system transformation while focusing on access, quality and affordability.

This priority is driven through the new iteration of BruMAP, specifically to strengthen prevention, early detection and clinical management of non-communicable diseases or NCD before patients require more complex specialist treatment.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health continues to expand specialist service capacity through the introduction of several new services over the past few years. Among them are Scoliosis Treatment Services, kidney transplant or renal transplant, liver transplant, liver transplant, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation or TAVI, MitraClip, Implant Cochlear as well as the establishment of an integrated diagnostic laboratory to ensure that the people and residents have access to more comprehensive treatment within the country.

In addition, the Ministry of Health is also exploring the use of digital technology and Artificial Intelligence or Artificial Intelligence to support the delivery of health services, including helping to improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning and clinical decision-making in order to ensure more precise, efficient and effective treatment for patients.

This is important because NCDs such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease remain the main causes of death and morbidity in Negara Brunei Darussalam.

The capacity of specialist services will be expanded in phases and based on population needs, disease burden, facility capability, medical technology and workforce availability.

The Ministry will also strengthen primary healthcare, referral pathways and back-referral so that specialist services can be focused on patients who truly require specialised expertise.

Workforce alignment is a key enabler, including training planning, expertise development, career pathways, succession planning and workforce retention.

Although the current health workforce ratio is 23 doctors, three dentists, 79 nurses and midwives, as well as two pharmacists for every 10 thousand population, the Ministry’s focus is not only on increasing workforce numbers but also on ensuring the right mix of expertise, balanced distribution and optimal workforce utilisation to meet health service needs.

The multidisciplinary approach will be strengthened through optimising the roles of doctors, nurses, Allied Health Professionals, clinical pharmacy and primer care teams to support continuous treatment of NCD patients.

The digital transformation of Bru-HIMS 2.0, Bruhealth integration, more comprehensive patient records and support for clinical centres will assist with referral capacity planning and continuity of care.

The implementation of this strategy will be aligned with the Manpower Blueprint and Wawasan Brunei 2035, particularly in developing a highly skilled population and improving the people’s quality of life.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that patients receive the right treatment at the right time, in the right place, with faster, fairer and more sustainable access to specialist services.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. The Ministry of Health will continue to strengthen the capacity of specialist treatment services through strategic planning, the use of human capital, digital transformation as well as the strengthening of the healthcare system as a whole.

The Ministry’s goal is to ensure that every patient continues to have access to specialist treatment services that are quality, efficient, equitable and sustainable.

That is all, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Thank you Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan. Thanks are also extended to Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Ekonomi dan Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri for answering the questions submitted by Your Honourable Members Yang Dilantik. I believe the time allocated for Question Time has ended and we now move on to the next Order of Business.

Yang Mulia Jurutulis

Motion Number 4/2026. Motion to Support Alignment Towards Achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Your Honourable Members. We are still debating the Motion that has been proposed. I will now open the floor for debate on this Motion with a time limit of 15 minutes for each Member, and I would now like to invite Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin. Please proceed.

Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (prayer recited). Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings.

First of all, kaola records appreciation for the opportunity to also take part in debating the Motion on Coordination Towards Achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035 today. Kaola also wish to express utmost gratitude for the titah of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam during the opening and closing of the 92nd Cabinet Ministers’ Conference which clearly outlined the importance of strengthening coordination in the implementation of Wawasan Brunei 2035 through the appointment of Coordinating Ministers.

In kaola’s view, this step is a governance reform that is timely and reflects the wisdom and concern of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam to continue strengthening coordination, accelerating implementation and ensuring that national development efforts are carried out in a more integrated manner so that the benefits can truly be felt by the people.

In that regard, kaola fully support this Motion as well as the whole of government approach which forms the basis of that coordination.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Kaola understand and am aware that many strategic proposals have already been discussed, including the views and proposals that kaola and other fellow members voiced during the Wawasan Brunei 2035 debate last year.

The country is also not lacking in policy plans, blueprints or KPIs. Our focus now is no longer on dedicating more to additional planning and plans but on strengthening implementation, execution, accelerating delivery, delivery and ensuring that the results can truly be felt by the people.

In this context, kaola see the appointment of Coordinating Ministers as a very important mechanism. Kaola’s focus is not to question the reappointment. Rather, it is to ensure how this mechanism functions as a coordination system capable of addressing cross-ministerial issues and capable of strengthening the government’s shared delivery chain as well as accelerating the achievement of the national outcome.

The national outcome that kaola mean here and wish to touch on is specifically related to economic growth, poverty reduction and food security as had also been discussed by other Your Honourable Members during the debate last Monday.

Therefore, allow kaola to put forward several suggestions which, in kaola’s view, can further strengthen the implementation of the coordination of Wawasan Brunei 2035.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In kaola’s view, to ensure the achievement of that national outcome, the existing KPIs need to be aligned towards its achievement.

In kaola’s opinion, we do not need to reinvent the wheel or add new KPIs. Instead, the Coordinating Ministers can make use of and align the existing KPIs in the ministries to assess the extent to which the combined efforts of the ministries contribute to the achievement of the national outcome and its impact at the national level, rather than being viewed merely from the performance of each ministry separately.

For example, if one of the national outcomes is economic growth, then the question is: to what extent do each policy, programme and KPI implemented by various ministries truly contribute to the increase of the country’s economic growth?

In this matter, Brunei Darussalam actually has various advantages that need to be leveraged more strategically. For example, halal certification not only fulfils compliance requirements, but is also a national brand and economic asset that has great potential to open international markets if its entire ecosystem continues to be strengthened.

Likewise, the outputs of research, innovation and technological development from local higher education institutions such as UNISSA and other institutions. That potential should not stop at the educational level alone, but needs to be translated into products, services, technologies and enterprises that are capable of generating added value for the national economy.

In this context, the role of the Coordinating Ministers is very important to ensure that such efforts do not move separately according to their respective ministries or agencies, but are coordinated as a complementary national economic development ecosystem through the alignment of existing KPIs.

In kaola’s view, such an approach is not only able to strengthen coordination, but also helps ensure that existing KPIs move towards the same goal, so that the achievement of the national outcome can be felt by the people.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. The second proposal that kaola wish to put forward is that this coordination be supported by an Integrated National Performance Monitoring System based on the national outcome.

In kaola’s view, good decisions depend on accurate, up-to-date, valid and comprehensive data. Therefore, we need a single source of truth that integrates information from various ministries so that national performance is assessed based on indicators and data that are aligned.

This does not mean that all ministries need to use the same system or abolish existing dashboards. What is more important is to ensure that all that information can be integrated and shared responsibly so that data related to the national outcome no longer remain in the silos of their respective ministries, but instead provide a comprehensive picture of the country’s progress towards Wawasan Brunei 2035.

For example, if one of the national outcomes is towards poverty reduction, the measure of its success should not focus merely on the amount of assistance that has been channelled, but on the extent to which that assistance has truly succeeded in changing the lives of recipients and helping them break out of the cycle of poverty.

To assess that matter, data from various ministries and agencies need to be integrated so that the development of each recipient can be monitored comprehensively, starting from the assistance received, participation in programmes, skills improvement, job opportunities and up to their level of ability to be self-reliant.

This is where kaola see the importance of coordination among various ministries and agencies through the Integrated National Performance Monitoring System that kaola propose to identify the target group, reduce application backlogs, expand job opportunities, improve skills, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that recipients are able to be self-reliant and not depend on government assistance in the long term.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Kaola’s final proposal is that this coordination should also be supported by a culture of continuous performance assessment as well as rapid corrective action that is evidence-based.

In this regard, kaola am of the view that not all delays stem from weaknesses in implementation; at times they are caused by capacity constraints, global economic changes, technology, supply chain disruption or geopolitical factors that are beyond the country’s control.

Therefore, the performance review process needs to be accompanied by risk assessment, root cause analysis as well as an adaptive and flexible approach so that Brunei’s implementation remains relevant to current challenges.

My apologies, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, to continue a little further.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Yang Berhormat, one minute.

Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. For example, if the country sets food security, food supply security, as a national outcome, the work should not be measured only through the amount of stock reserves.

What is more important is the extent to which the country truly has a resilient system to guarantee food supply under any circumstances. This requires a more forward looking approach including scenario planning, as was touched on by Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Keselamatan Negara, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II during the debate last Monday.

In addition, this approach also requires continuous risk assessment and ongoing uncertainty assessment, diversification of import sources as well as expanding strategic investment cooperation with food-producing countries so that our import sources are not dependent.

In closing, once again kaola fully support the Motion on Coordination Towards Achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035 as well as the appointment of Coordinating Ministers as a strategic step to strengthen governance and accelerate the implementation of the national agenda.

Kaola hope that all parties understand the same direction, work together as one team and jointly carry out this trust with full commitment.

Then, God willing, all challenges can be addressed and Wawasan Brunei 2035 can be achieved for the benefit of the nation and the people, as we aspire.

Lastly, kaola pray that Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala grants guidance and wisdom to the Coordinating Ministers as well as the entire government machinery in carrying this trust. Wabillahi taufik walhidayah, thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Thank you, Yang Berhormat. Your Honourable Members, I think it is most appropriate for us to take a break for 15 minutes before we continue to hear the arguments from the next Your Honourable Members and we will, what is it called, reconvene again later.

(The Council adjourned briefly)

(The Council resumed sitting)

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Our meeting resumes and we begin by inviting Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam to deliver her speech, please.

Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. (prayer recited) Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings.

Praise be to Allah, first of all kaola would like to record appreciation to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for the opportunity for kaola to also participate in debating the Motion, Supporting Coordination Towards Achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035, presented by Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Keselamatan Negara, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II.

Kaola also humbly expresses the highest gratitude for the wisdom and foresight of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam who has taken the strategic step of appointing three Coordinating Ministers and several new ministers into the line-up of the State Cabinet Ministers. Within less than a decade towards Wawasan Brunei 2035, the country needs to leave behind the silo approach and strengthen cooperation as well as coordination across sectors.

The effort to realise the vision is a shared responsibility. All Cabinet Ministers as policy implementers, supported by Members of the Legislative Council appointed as strategic partners and the whole rakyat, through a whole of government and whole of nation approach in the truest sense.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members.

As has been presented by fellow Your Honourable Members earlier, kaola is also of the view and agrees that coordination needs to function as a national operating system, oriented towards national outcomes or national outcome across sectors by clarifying the roles, ownership and accountability of every party, addressing cross-ministerial obstacles and measuring outcome achievement continuously.

This system should be driven based on several main processes including developing a clear and integrated national outcome framework, expediting the process of project approval and implementation, strengthening workforce matching and placement, giving primary focus to quality and resilience as well as establishing a National Wawasan Dashboard.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, Your Honourable Members.

Allow kaola to debate through three national outcomes which, in kaola's view, need to become national priorities to be addressed. Kaola supports Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises or MSMEs as one of the important foundations in the country's economic growth.

So far, support for MSMEs covering initial financing assistance, training, digitalisation, certification and marketing is managed by separate agencies.

Therefore, all approval processes and delivery of such support need to be coordinated in one integrated mechanism, led by one lead agency and implemented according to a clear timeline.

At the same time, skills development and job placement need to be matched with the actual needs of MSMEs. This step will strengthen the capability of enterprises to face challenges, grow and penetrate international markets.

MSME policies and initiatives need to be evaluated based on their impact and feasibility to be mapped to clear outcomes. All agencies must move in parallel towards one goal, namely MSMEs that are productive, competitive and able to provide quality employment to local citizens. Identify existing KPIs that assess actual changes in MSME performance in several aspects including revenue growth, productivity, contract value, exports, quality employment and business sustainability. Factors of success and failure also need to be assessed and identified.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members, kaola also strongly agrees that food security is one of the important foundations in national security policy.

To achieve this national sector outcome, the country requires integrated coordination that identifies basic food items, level of demand, local production capacity and the risks of dependence on food imports which expose the country to supply disruptions and price increases caused by factors such as climate change and geopolitical tensions.

The country also needs to avoid full dependence on one country or one supplier. Security is not focused solely on the amount of local production but must encompass supply availability, the ability of the rakyat to buy food at affordable prices, nutritional quality and price stability.

It is also supported by sufficient strategic reserves with alternative supply sources, cold chain and emergency response to face trade, weather, disease or price disruptions while ensuring that basic food remains affordable for the local rakyat and all residents.

Agricultural and food operators need to be given integrated access to land provision, technology financing, labour, water supply, production inputs and technical services.

The effectiveness of support should not be measured merely by the amount of assistance but by assessing its impact on increased yields, reduced production costs, continuity of operations and the ability of operators to meet market demand consistently.

This requires a complete support ecosystem including storage, processing, transportation and effective market access facilities.

Local production must also be coordinated with wholesalers, retailers, food operators as well as government and private agencies to ensure local produce is marketed efficiently, reduce produce spoilage and create a stable and sustainable market.

It also needs to be complemented with a strategy to reduce dependence on resilient imports, assessed by setting phased targets as KPIs. Measures of success must also include the availability of basic food supply, local production productivity and price stability.

Therefore, food security cannot be achieved through production alone; it requires coordination from the production stage until food reaches consumers and this cannot be carried out by one ministry or one agency alone.

With an integrated approach by the relevant agencies in the private sector, government and private sectors, God willing we will be able to build a food system that is more productive, stable, affordable and resilient.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Poverty has been identified as one of the critical challenges in social and human manpower policy.

Because of that, poverty eradication or zero poverty must become a major national outcome to be achieved.

To strengthen this achievement, a clear and up-to-date poverty line needs to be established as a basis to identify the level of challenge and effective interventions. Income alone also cannot be made an accurate measure of poverty.

It needs to take into account aspects such as housing, education, health, family dependants and access to basic services. The causes of increase must be studied comprehensively so that interventions truly provide a pathway out of poverty.

Assistance programmes managed by various government and private agencies need to be reassessed and coordinated towards one goal, namely families moving out of poverty sustainably. Financial assistance must be accompanied by opportunities to increase income through employment, skills upgrading and entrepreneurship.

Measures of success should not be based on the number of aid recipients or the amount of aid distributed but on the increase in household income, the number of families that successfully move out of poverty and their ability to remain out of poverty over a certain period of time.

With coordination across the whole machinery of government and the private sector, every family can receive effective intervention and have a clear pathway to move out of poverty with dignity and in a sustainable manner.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Across the three examples of national outcomes that kaola have presented, a national vision dashboard needs to be established as a platform for monitoring implementation and reporting on progress, obstacles and decisions towards achieving the vision. The main KPIs must be displayed including targets, current achievements, lead agencies and corrective actions.

Information needs to be updated from time to time and be accessible to the rakyat at an appropriate level. With this, the government can identify lagging targets and accelerate action while the rakyat can follow its progress. This will strengthen transparency and accountability as well as ensure that every shortcoming is accompanied by follow-up action for improvement.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. In conclusion, kaola would like to stress that the proposals kaola have presented are not intended to lecture, but are a sharing in debating the motion that reflects the spirit of togetherness and unity of action for us to jointly make Wawasan 2035 a success.

The appointment of three Coordinating Ministers with the cooperation of the other Ministers and the support of the Appointed Council Members carries a great trust to unite the direction of national development.

Therefore kaola once again expresses full support for this motion as a step to strengthen integrated coordination for the well-being of the rakyat and national development. The strength of the structure lies not merely in the appointment of Ministers but in the implementation of their policies.

The country does not need additional plans but firmness to implement, solve problems and complete actions through a whole of government and whole of nation approach where all parties work in one team towards one shared goal.

The challenge of the vision lies not in the number of documents or programmes but in wider opportunities, more secure lives and services that meet the needs of all levels of society. When policy is embodied in implementation and its results reach the rakyat, only then does the aspiration of the vision become reality.

Kaola end with a reminder and reflection for us all to reflect together, that a believer is like one building, one part strengthening the other part.

This is an excerpt of the meaning of a hadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam which proves the importance for us to unite and support one another to ensure the strength and unity of the ummah. By uniting we will be stronger.

That is all, wabillahi taufik walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta'ala wabarakatuh. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Now I invite Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri.

Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Tenaga, Huluan dan Hiliran)

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, (prayer recited).

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. First of all, allow me to record my highest appreciation and thanks to Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua for the opportunity given to me to debate the Motion on the Coordination of the Implementation of Wawasan Brunei 2035 which was presented by Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Keselamatan Negara, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II.

As has been conveyed by several Your Honourable Members earlier, indeed this Motion is most timely in the implementation phase towards achieving the goals of Wawasan Brunei 2035. With less than a decade remaining, our priority is no longer on planning alone but on ensuring that every initiative is implemented swiftly, in alignment and with a tangible impact on the people and the nation.

In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to explain the role of the energy sector in strengthening the security and assurance of energy supply, particularly in supporting economic growth and sustainable national development.

First of all, I humbly convey my highest appreciation for the titah 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 in conjunction with His Majesty’s 80th birthday.

His Majesty titah expressed that although the position of energy supply in Negara Brunei Darussalam is in a good state, the country is not exempt from facing geopolitical uncertainties and external challenges that may affect energy security. His Majesty also emphasised the value of responsibility of all parties in using energy resources prudently. His Majesty’s titah provides clear guidance that energy security cannot depend solely on the provision of supply alone; rather, it requires long-term planning, forward-looking policies, strong governance and integrated coordination so that the energy sector continues to be a catalyst for economic progress and national well-being.

In this regard, the Department of Energy, Prime Minister’s Office upholds His Majesty’s titah with full loyalty, attention and commitment in strengthening the planning, coordination and strategic implementation of the national energy sector.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. The global energy landscape is undergoing rapid changes due to several factors including geopolitical uncertainty, technological change, the transition to low-carbon energy and increasing domestic energy demand. Therefore, the development of the energy sector requires a whole of nation emphasis that brings together the expertise, resources and commitment of all parties to ensure that every policy and investment complements one another towards the same goal.

The Department is and will continue to strengthen short-, medium- and long-term strategic planning for the energy sector to ensure that development is pursued in a more comprehensive and integrated manner oriented towards implementation outcomes. The purpose is to shape an energy sector that is resilient, competitive and sustainable as a catalyst for achieving the aspirations of Wawasan Brunei 2035.

This planning focuses on four strategic goals, namely maintaining the resilience of the upstream oil and gas sector, strengthening the development of high-value downstream industries, ensuring that the national supply of electricity and fuel remains safe, sufficient and reliable, and accelerating the development of low-carbon energy as a source of future economic growth.

All of these strategic goals are not only intended to meet the needs of the energy sector but also support the national agenda in strengthening security, increasing economic competitiveness and creating new opportunities for the people.

In line with the whole of government approach that has been described by Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Keselamatan Negara, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II, the Government has established several cross-ministerial and industry coordination platforms to strengthen strategic implementation.

Among them is the Upstream Growth Steering Committee which plays a role in accelerating the implementation of strategic enablers to stimulate exploration and development activities in the upstream oil and gas sector, and the Energy Security and Efficiency Steering Committee which coordinates the implementation of strategic initiatives and projects aimed at strengthening national energy security including the development of renewable energy, energy efficiency and electricity supply infrastructure.

Alhamdulillah, these platforms have enabled cross-agency issues to be addressed more quickly and in a more integrated manner, thereby strengthening policy coordination as well as the implementation of national strategic projects. This is the approach that will continue to be applied by the Department in strengthening the role of the energy sector and supporting coordination roles towards the achievement of Wawasan Brunei 2035.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. The assurance of energy supply is one of the main foundations for the objectives related to policy coordination portfolios as presented, particularly in supporting national security, economic growth and the well-being of the people. A safe, stable and sufficient energy supply ensures the continuity of essential services, supports economic activities and increases investor confidence.

In this regard, a proactive and forward-looking approach to strengthening the resilience of the energy sector ensures that the country is always prepared to face any geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions or other external challenges. Among the measures implemented is the updating of the Fuel Directive including controls on the purchase of subsidised petroleum products. This measure aims to meet domestic needs and ensure that the nation’s fuel resources are used prudently.

The Department of Energy also continues to monitor the nation’s strategic fuel inventory by maintaining a minimum reserve stock of 14 days for Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG and 21 days for petroleum products as a preparedness measure. This strategic stock provides a buffer for the country’s needs in the event of unplanned supply disruptions.

The Government has also established the National Committee on Addressing the Impact of the Middle East Conflict and Current Developments as a whole of government coordination platform to assess geopolitical risks and coordinate proactive and integrated mitigation measures including in relation to energy supply, logistics chains and critical services.

In addition to strengthening preparedness, the Department is also enhancing the country’s capacity to manage and respond to any disruption in energy supply. The Department of Energy has coordinated the Business Continuity Plan, BCP throughout the downstream chain of the energy sector including the assessment of critical usage, the preparation of standard operating procedures and simulation and field exercises, namely tabletop and field exercises, to test the level of preparedness of all related agencies.

A Crisis Management Team has also been established to coordinate responses to any incident in the energy sector as well as to strengthen coordination among government agencies, industry parties and grassroots leadership so that decisions and actions can be implemented in an orderly, effective and inclusive manner.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Thank you to Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin for her concern regarding the role of the assurance and security of electricity supply in economic growth. The essence conveyed by Yang Berhormat is in line with the Department’s long-term strategic plan in ensuring that the nation’s energy supply is secure, reliable and sufficient.

In this regard, the country’s electricity generation capacity will continue to be increased through the development of the second phase of the Bukit Penggal Power Plant project with a capacity of 215 megawatts and the second phase of the Berakas Power Company Power Plant with a capacity of 132 megawatts. Meanwhile, the Cross-Border Interconnection project is targeted to reach a final investment decision in early 2027.

At the same time, the nation’s energy mix continues to be diversified through the development of renewable energy projects. The construction of a 30-megawatt Solar Power Plant in Kampung Belimbing, Subok, implemented through a public-private partnership or Private Public Partnership, PPP, is expected to begin operations at the end of this year.

To ensure that electricity can be transmitted quickly and continuously, the upgrading of the electricity transmission and distribution system is being actively implemented. The implementation of projects under the Twelfth National Development Plan, RKN12, including the interconnection of the national grid through the Perdayan 66 kilo-Volt Project, insya Allah, will improve the reliability of the national electricity supply as measured by the System Average Interruption Duration Index or SAIDI.

The Government is also giving attention to the management of energy demand, among others through the proposed adjustment of the electricity tariff structure and rates for the commercial sector. This matter was touched on by Yang Berhormat Menteri-Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri during the first session of the 22nd Legislative Council Meeting earlier this year. The adjustment to a progressive tariff for the commercial sector, proposed for implementation in 2028, is a continuation of the updating of tariff rates for the residential sector implemented in 2012.

This adjustment will ensure a more sustainable and competitive tariff structure, while at the same time encouraging the prudent use of energy. It will also support infrastructure upgrades to strengthen the reliability and assurance of the country’s electricity supply. All these efforts are implemented to protect the nation’s energy security as a foundation for daily life, the delivery of essential services and economic growth.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. Based on this strong foundation of energy security, the energy sector will continue to be advanced as a catalyst for economic growth, industrial development and the enhancement of national competitiveness.

In the upstream sector, several strategic projects are being planned and implemented to support the continuity of the nation’s oil and gas production. This includes offshore projects such as those managed by Syarikat Petronas Carigali Brunei Limited, PCBL and Syarikat EnQuest, which insya Allah will commence production in 2029.

In addition, the licensing round for several undeveloped blocks launched in 2025 is currently undergoing an evaluation process of the bids received and is targeted to be finalised by the end of this year.

The development of the downstream oil and gas sector is among the priority sectors that have been described by Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Ekonomi dan Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri. These efforts will continue to be strengthened through Pulau Muara Besar as a crude oil refining and petrochemical hub as well as Sungai Liang Industrial Park, SPARK as a gas-based downstream industry. At present, the Phase 2 Refinery and Petrochemical Plant Project is planned to begin construction in 2027.

Insya Allah, Phase 2 will also expand high value-added downstream activities, thereby further broadening the country’s downstream sector chain.

Moving forward, in line with changes in the regional energy landscape and aspirations towards low-carbon growth, the country is also exploring low-carbon downstream industries as a new source of growth. This exploration includes the implementation of studies with regional partners such as the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, namely ERIA. This field has the potential to attract quality investments, expand industrial value chains, and create business and high-skilled employment opportunities.

To realise this potential, the Government will continue to enhance understanding in developing an ecosystem that supports the development of this industry. This ecosystem encompasses aspects of technology, infrastructure, financing, supply chains and appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks including green economic development supported by strong sustainability assurance or low carbon assurance.

By leveraging the existing strengths in the energy sector, low-carbon downstream industries have the potential to become a new source of growth in supporting economic diversification as well as the country’s long-term growth.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. In line with changes in the industrial landscape, technological progress and the energy transition, the Department will continue to ensure that the local workforce possesses skills aligned with the current and future needs of the energy sector. This effort is in line with the direction shared by Yang Berhormat Menteri Penyelaras bagi Dasar-Dasar Sosial dan Tenaga Manusia dan Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri.

Through the Manpower Industry Steering Committee, MISC, Energy Working Group, the Government coordinates strategic workforce planning for the energy sector together with operating companies, contractor companies, educational institutions and related agencies. This platform focuses on workforce needs planning, competency development as well as the coordination of training and curriculum according to industry needs.

This includes through the Skills and Capacity for Alternative Low-Carbon Energy Framework, namely SCALE, which focuses on skills development in the field of low-carbon energy. Through initiatives such as the Solar Internship Programme, local students have the opportunity to gain direct practical experience in the implementation of large-scale solar energy projects, thereby strengthening workforce preparedness to support the development of the energy sector in the future.

In closing, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members. The Department of Energy in the Prime Minister’s Office together with the Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam and the Electricity Authority of Brunei Darussalam play an important role in ensuring compliance, kaola would like to continue, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, compliance with safety standards as well as creating an orderly, competitive energy sector environment trusted by investors.

Coordination is also strengthened through cross-sector steering committees to ensure strategic interconnectivity between aspects of policy, regulation and implementation. The effectiveness and alignment of this cross-agency cooperation will continue to be improved from time to time as needed.

Insya Allah, the Department of Energy in the Prime Minister’s Office will continue to carry out its trust in strengthening the security and assurance of energy supply, supporting economic growth, developing human capital and ensuring that the development of the energy sector continues to benefit the people and the nation.

I am pleased to support this Motion Supporting Coordination Towards Achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035. Strong, integrated coordination guided by national priorities is the key to more effective implementation of government policies and strategies for the progress of the country and the well-being of the people.

I also greatly welcome any suggestions, views and constructive comments from Your Honourable Members in continuing to strengthen the whole of nation approach towards achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035.

That is all, wabillahi taufik walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta'ala wabarakatuh. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Now, I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan.

Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan

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

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Kaola would like to express support for coordination efforts towards achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035, particularly through a more structured and integrated approach involving cooperation across ministries, government agencies, the private sector and the community.

First of all, kaola would like to extend utmost gratitude before the Council to Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam for His Majesty’s wisdom in consenting to the appointment of Menteri-Menteri Penyelaras.

In kaola’s view, this step is most appropriate because the achievement of Wawasan Brunei 2035 is not the responsibility of one ministry alone; the whole of government and whole of nation approach must be translated through coordination that truly delivers impact to the people.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. The country already has various development frameworks such as the 12th National Development Plan, the Economic Blueprint, the Manpower Blueprint and the Social Blueprint. Our challenge now is not merely a lack of policies, but ensuring that all these plans move in one direction, do not overlap and produce tangible results.

In that regard, kaola proposes that cross-ministerial KPIs be established to measure shared outcomes, especially in the areas of local employment, economic development, investment and increasing the people’s income. For example, the target of increasing local employment requires coordination between education, skills, the economy, investment, industry and labour policy.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Kaola would also like to touch on the grassroots economy. Mukims and villages have potential in agriculture, fisheries, food, handicrafts, culture, tourism, services and the digital economy, and so kaola proposes that a community economy approach be considered by identifying the potential of each village and mukim.

At the same time, local MSMEs need to be given room to grow and become part of the supply chain of large companies, downstream industries and government projects. Our goal is not merely to produce more businesses but to ensure that MSMEs are able to endure, grow, provide employment and penetrate export markets.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Economic development must also be supported by human capital that is ready to face the future. With the development of AI, automation, data and digital technology, we need to ensure that education and training are always aligned with industry needs. Kaola proposes that cooperation between the education sector, the government and industry be strengthened through industry-based training, upskilling and reskilling, especially in AI, data, digital technology and cybersecurity.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

In expanding the digital economy, cybersecurity and personal data protection must also not be overlooked. The people’s data that is collected and processed, including through the provision of services abroad, must have appropriate protection and control. This is important to protect the people from data breaches, identity theft, financial fraud and impersonation.

At the same time, threats of scams and online fraud are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Therefore, coordination between the authorities, financial institutions, telecommunications companies and digital service providers must continue to be strengthened. This includes warning mechanisms and rapid response actions to protect the people.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

If we look at the 3 areas of coordination that have been consented to by Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, namely national security, economic policies, and social and human resource policies, all three are interrelated. Security provides stability, while the economy provides opportunities and resources.

Meanwhile, social development and human resources ensure that the people have skills, jobs and well-being. Therefore, the success of this coordination must be measured not only through the number of programmes or activities but through outcomes felt by the people.

Are local jobs increasing? Are MSMEs growing further? Is investment generating added value and local employment? Are the benefits of development reaching villages and mukims? And in the digital economy, are the people safer from scams and misuse of data?

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

In conclusion, kaola would like to support 6 main matters, namely:

First, strengthening cross-ministerial KPIs based on outcomes and impact on the people;

Second, developing the community economy by identifying the potential of villages and mukims;

Third, empowering local MSMEs so that they are able to grow into industry suppliers and penetrate export markets;

Fourth, aligning education and human resources with the needs of the future economy including AI and digital technology;

Fifth, strengthening cybersecurity, personal data protection and scam prevention; and

Sixth, ensuring that every policy and development plan has clear measures of success.

Finally, kaola once again extends utmost gratitude to Kehadapan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam for His Majesty’s wisdom in consenting to the appointment of Menteri-Menteri Penyelaras.

Kaola believes all these ministers can strengthen the coordination of national development so that all policies, planning and resources can move in one direction and produce tangible benefits for the people. God willing, under the leadership and wisdom of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, Negara Brunei Darussalam will continue to move forward as an advanced, resilient, safe and prosperous nation that benefits all the people.

In addition, kaola welcomes the government’s move in restructuring JobCentre Brunei under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and kaola hopes this change is not merely in terms of the administrative sector but can strengthen the function of JobCentre Brunei in matching locals with job opportunities.

Increasing employability and skills as well as ensuring that more job opportunities can be utilised by the local workforce.

In the end, the effectiveness of this step must be seen through tangible results. More locals obtaining employment, building stable careers and subsequently contributing to the country’s economic development as well as the achievement of Wawasan Brunei 2035. With that, kaola supports coordination efforts towards Wawasan Brunei 2035.

That is all. And with Allah comes all guidance and success, and peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah the Most High and His blessings.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

I now invite Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir.

Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir

Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua (prayer recited).

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. First of all, allow kaola to extend utmost gratitude before the Council to Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam for His Majesty’s wisdom and royal consent in establishing Menteri-Menteri Penyelaras as a new mechanism to strengthen policy coordination and the implementation of national development.

In His Majesty’s titah, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam emphasised the importance of unity and shared responsibility as well as the need for the machinery of government to move as one team to ensure that national development can be implemented more effectively.

In kaola’s view, this is the main strength of the establishment of Menteri-Menteri Penyelaras, namely ensuring that ministries do not move on their own but complement one another and share the same direction in achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. In supporting this coordination motion, kaola would like to focus on one matter, namely how this coordination can be translated into improving the socio-economy of the people, especially at the district, mukim and village levels. In kaola’s opinion, Wawasan Brunei 2035 is not only about economic growth at the national level; its success must also be felt by the people at the grassroots.

Each district, mukim and village has its own strengths and uniqueness. Some have potential in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, food, handicrafts, culture, the creative economy and many others. The question is how can we turn these strengths into viable economic activities capable of increasing product income?

In that regard, kaola proposes that an approach of Satu Kampung Satu Ekonomi be introduced. This concept does not mean that each village produces only one product, but that each village is identified based on the strength of its resources, skills and economic uniqueness. Each village can be empowered based on its strengths and uniqueness, whether in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, culture, handicrafts, traditional food or the creative economy, to generate income and open wider economic opportunities for the community.

In this way, we can do more than just help village entrepreneurs do business; we can build a village economic ecosystem.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

We already have a foundation through programmes such as Satu Kampung Satu Produk or 1K1P. Kaola sees this programme as having great potential to be expanded from merely producing products into a chain of economic development. We need to help entrepreneurs not only produce goods but ensure that those products have quality, packaging, branding, certification, digital marketing, access to financing and markets.

What we want is a clear journey, from idea to product, from product to market and from the local market to the export market. If successful, village enterprises can grow into stronger MSMEs and in turn create job opportunities for local residents.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. This is where kaola sees the role of Menteri-Menteri Penyelaras as being very important. Village socio-economic development cannot be seen as the responsibility of one ministry alone. It requires coordination between ministries and agencies related to agriculture, fisheries, tourism, development, the economy, education and training, youth, finance, infrastructure, digitalisation and community development.

Therefore, kaola would like to propose that an integrated village socio-economic development plan be established with the involvement of ministries, government agencies, local authorities, penghulu and village heads, Majlis Perundingan Mukim dan Kampung, the private sector and the community. Each village can have its own economic profile and potential map. With clear data and targets, we can assess the effectiveness of each programme.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Kaola would also like to touch on youth as drivers of the village economy. We want young people in villages to be given space to bring new ideas and new technology.

Thus, they can be trained in digital entrepreneurship, social media promotion, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, content creation, product photography and business management. This is important because today’s market is no longer limited to the village or district area.

With digital technology, products from a village in Tutong, Belait, Temburong or Brunei Muara can be marketed throughout the country and even have the potential to penetrate foreign markets. Therefore, kaola sees village digitalisation as also being part of the strategy to achieve Wawasan Brunei 2035.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

In addition, we also need to view villages as part of the national tourism chain. We have traditional food, handicrafts, historical stories, river culture, forests, agricultural areas and various local identities that have tourism value.

If organised in an integrated manner, we can develop village-based community tourism that not only attracts tourists but provides direct income to the community, for example visitors come to a village not only to see a place but to enjoy local food, buy village products, participate in cultural activities and experience the life of the local community. This creates an economic chain, tourists come, entrepreneurs earn income, local products are sold and the village economy grows.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

In attracting investment, kaola is of the view that we need to shift from merely looking at the amount of investment to the value of investment to the people. We need to ensure that every investment brings real value to the country through job creation, opportunities for locals, MSME involvement, transfer of skills and technology, as well as economic expansion at the district and village levels.

With this approach, investment does not only enter the country, but its economic value also flows to the community.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Kaola would also like to propose that every district have clear economic targets based on its strengths. In this way, the development of each district becomes part of one national economic strategy. Villages develop, districts progress, the economy is diversified and the country becomes more resilient.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua.

Kaola would like to conclude with one matter: Wawasan Brunei 2035 will not be achieved only through government policy; this requires cooperation between the government, the private sector and the people. Menteri-Menteri Penyelaras have an important role in ensuring that this cooperation truly takes place and does not stop at the planning stage. Therefore, kaola would like to present three main proposals:

First, establishing a survey of the economic potential of each district, mukim and village;

Second, introducing the Satu Kampung Satu Ekonomi approach as one of the strategies to strengthen the grassroots economy; and

Third, establishing an integrated village socio-economic development plan with targets, implementation periods and measurable performance indicators. Kaola believes that when every village is given the opportunity to develop its strengths, the people will not only become recipients of development but drivers of national development.

Finally, kaola once again extends utmost gratitude before the Council to Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam for His Majesty’s wisdom in establishing Menteri-Menteri Penyelaras. Kaola fully supports this coordination effort and hopes that the mechanism will strengthen cooperation between ministries, accelerate policy implementation and ensure that the benefits of development reach the people, including at the mukim and village levels. The strength of every village is the strength of the district, the strength of every district is the strength of the country. With the unity of the government and the people, God willing, we can move together towards Wawasan Brunei 2035 for the well-being of the people and the prosperity of Negara Brunei Darussalam.

And with Allah comes all guidance and success, and peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah the Most High and His blessings. That is all, thank you.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

Your Honourable Members. Alhamdulillah, I think it is sufficient for us to sit for this morning and I propose that our meeting be adjourned. Insya Allah, we will reconvene this afternoon, as usual starting from 2.30 in the afternoon to continue the subsequent discussion.

So, with that, we adjourn the meeting and we will reconvene again later this afternoon.

Sekian Wabillahi taufik walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi ta'ala wabarakatuh.

(The Council meeting resumed at 2.30 in the afternoon)