DAY 6 MORNING
5TH MARCH 2024 - MORNING
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Yang Mulia Jurutulis
The first meeting of the 20th Session of the Legislative Council convened on this day, Tuesday, 24th of Sha'ban 1445 corresponding to 5th March 2024, commenced with a Prayer for Safety.
DOA SELAMAT
The Prayer for Safety was recited by Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Awang Suhaili bin Haji Metali Al-Hafiz (Imam of the Jame’ Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque).
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate All praise to Allah who has glorified Islam through jihad.
O Allah, forgive our sins and the sins of our parents and teachers, and those who have rights over us.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah, the Creator of all.
The 20th Legislative Council meeting. As always, we have our offerings here for our great patrons, companions for the family of the nobility, A loyal nation followers for the explorers of the land faithfully until the end of time.
Allah is the Greatest, the Legislative Council is still discussing the Appropriation Bill (2024), 2024/2025 that has been introduced by the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II.
Therefore, to allow us to deal with the topics contained in the said Bill, I task this session of the Legislative Council and we conclude this session at the Committee stage entirely.
(The Legislative Council session was adjourned) (The session proceeded as a Committee)
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members, this assembly is now in full committee stage to discuss the Supply Bill (2024), for the fiscal year 2024/2025 which was proposed by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II, in the Committee Meeting held last Monday, we had approved the budget for the Ministry of Home Affairs and its departments.
Before we move on to the next topics, I have been directed due to official reasons, Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan is unable to attend the State Legislative Council Conference today and in the coming days.
Therefore, to continue our debates without any disruption in this honourable chamber, I have decided to postpone the debates and discussions on the topics under the Ministry of Education until the arrival of Yang Berhormat Menteri Pendidikan later. Now we will move on to the next topics.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Topics SH01A to SH06A - Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members, we will now discuss the schedule for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. Before I open this topic for debate and discussion as usual, I would like to give the opportunity to Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan to make a statement about the budget preparation as well as regarding the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism for the fiscal year 2024/2025. Yang Berhormat Menteri, please.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you. Your Honourable Members, beforehand, kaola would like to express my gratitude to Yang Berhormat Pengerusi for giving kaola the opportunity to present information before discussing the budget proposal for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
Furthermore, kaola, with all due respect and reverence on behalf of the entire Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and its departments, wish to express our highest gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibn Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam for His Majesty’s consent in providing an allocation supported for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism amounting to $112.34 million for the fiscal expenditure year 2024/2025, of which $67.39 million under the ordinary expenditure allocation to finance $41.77 million in emoluments and recurrent expenditure of $25.6 million.
For the 12th National Development Plan project, a plan price of $275.09 million has been allocated, where a sum of $44.95 million has been supported to be provided under the development expenditure allocation for the year 2024/2025. At this juncture, kaola also wish to express appreciation to Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II for the presentation of the proposal paper for Supply Bill (2024), 2024/2025.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members, food security is an important agenda which is a major conversation and needs to be addressed immediately not only at the national but also at the global level including our own country.
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, although we are in the epidemic phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, efforts in enhancing the domestic food production sector will continue to be vigorously pursued. Specifically in terms of production of agriculture, fisheries, and other agricultural and fishery-based processing products. Despite recognizing that we are limited to various current challenges related to global issues such as geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, climate change, and uncertain economic situations among others have led to issues of increased cost of production and food imports due to rising logistics and transportation costs including the increase in costs for raw input supplies such as seed supply, fish seeds, fertilizers, livestock feed, and others, most of which are still highly dependent on imports.
However, God willing, through the planning and implementation of several programs and initiatives that have been and are being implemented continuously by the ministry and its departments and with the commitment and perseverance of entrepreneurs, farmers, fishers, breeders, and fishermen concerned also through cooperation and collaboration with agencies and other related parties through the whole of nation and whole of government approach, the issues and challenges faced will be able to be managed together. We acknowledge that these challenges have somewhat affected the performance of the output from the food sector compared to the previous year. Nonetheless, we are still able to contribute to the supply of foods such as chicken, chicken eggs, fish, rice, and vegetables for the country's population.
Overall, the performance of the output from the food sector comprising output from the agriculture and agri-food industry and the fisheries industry has recorded a decrease of about 9% i.e., from $786.92 million in 2022 to $716.3 million in 2023 which is generally contributed by a decrease in the output value from the agriculture and agri-food industries around 4.5% i.e., from $595.71 million in 2022 to $549.75 million in 2023 and the fisheries industry around 21.1% i.e., from $211.21 million in 2022 to $166.57 million in 2023.
The output for buffalo and cow commodities has decreased due to the fresh beef and buffalo supply (imported live stock slaughter) had returned to normal even from before the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020/2021. The decrease in buffalo and cow meat output in 2020/2021 was caused by an increase in imported buffalo and cow live stock slaughter to avoid red meat sources for the residents of Negara Brunei Darussalam considering that the buffalo and cow meat supply was unavailable due to movement restrictions and logistical issues due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the importation of buffalo and also beef has started to be implemented since last year. This is to ensure the supply and price stability of meat for the use of citizens and residents of this country.
The output of the aquaculture industry, especially shrimp farming, has largely declined because of shrimp disease infections to the largest serakiat caterpillar livestock in this country. This also involves the output of processed fishery products to be affected considering shrimp is the required raw material.
Apart from that, in terms of self-sufficiency achievement for the main focused commodities, we have achieved 100% self-sufficiency of broiler chicken and chicken egg supply, and 71% self-sufficiency for fish and shrimp supply. While for tropical vegetables and tropical fruits each reached about an estimate of 72% and 42% self-sufficiency and rice about 8% self-sufficiency. The ministry is determined to continue to strive to increase the output of these main commodities under the agriculture and fisheries sector, not only to ensure the supplies in this country are secured but also to contribute to the increase in the amount and value of exports.
In efforts towards enhancing the production of white rice, the ministry through the Fisheries and Agriculture Department will continue research efforts on rice to identify high-yield, superior rice varieties that meet consumer taste by continuing and utilizing cooperation with research agencies and institutions including with Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Centre and Yuan Longping High Tech Agriculture Co. Ltd. from the People's Republic of China and from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) based in the Republic of the Philippines, with a target to increase rice output for the Sovereignty Area from 5.6MT/ha per season through planting the Sembada188 rice variety currently to 7-8MT/ha per season in the near future. Towards this, the Department of Agriculture and Agri-business is actively implementing a pilot project of integrated planting of hybrid rice variety aimed at producing about 7.5MT/ha per season.
In addition, the Department is also focusing on study efforts to increase farm productivity in non-irrigated areas i.e., from 1MT/ha to 3MT/ha per season. Currently, 4 types of rice varieties for non-irrigated areas have been identified and are undergoing trial in the Temburong District.
In addition, through relentless effort and cooperation between the relevant departments under this ministry, and with other ministries as well as the commitment of entrepreneurs and other relevant parties, we have successfully:
Exported chicken eggs to Singapore for the first time on February 1, 2023, around 300 thousand chicken eggs were successfully exported to Singapore and as of February 2024, a total of 6 million chicken eggs valued at nearly $1.1 million have been exported, and this will continue to be enhanced in the future.
In the plant industry, we have also successfully exported Cavendish bananas to Sarawak in May 2023 and as of February 2024, we have successfully exported more than 2.5 metric tons of Cavendish bananas.
In terms of agricultural exports, besides exporting shrimp produced by Golden Corporation Sdn Bhd, tuna from Yamako Pacific (B) Sdn Bhd and Gemilang Cerfi Sultan Venture Sdn Bhd, for the first time, we have managed to export seabass fillets, a value-added product produced by FDI Baramundi Group Brunei Sdn Bhd, which has been exported to Singapore starting November 2022, and as of March 2024, this company has exported 3.6 metric tons of frozen fish valued at $0.06 million.
Moreover, we encourage value-addition to our food outputs where entrepreneurs have produced meat-based processing products and other processed food products that have also successfully penetrated the markets of Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore with an export value of about $0.36 million.
This ministry, through the relevant departments, will continue to collaborate with entrepreneurs and other relevant parties in making resolutions, planning, and preparations to export agricultural products and other entrepreneur outputs such as chicken meat, processed meat-based products, and others, especially in emphasizing the importance of complying with regulations set by the importing countries such as ensuring food safety aspects are met and the value chain for industries under this livestock sector will continue to be strengthened.
As a continuous effort to assist entrepreneurs and farmers in marketing their farm outputs directly to the public, the ministry has initiated the 'Pasar Kitan' program at the Agribusiness Centre in Rimba Gadong and it is hoped that it will encourage Micro and Medium Entrepreneurs (MKS) to work even harder in increasing the output of their bodies in the future to generate their income sources.
In efforts towards strengthening the value of the country's export continues to increase from Negara Brunei Darussalam, especially for the China market, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism has signed two agreements with the General Administration Of Customs (GACC), People's Republic of China, namely the "Protocol On Inspection, Quarantine And Veterinary Sanitary Requirements For Wild Aquatic Products" and "Protocol On Inspection Quarantine And Veterinary Sanitary Requirements For Cultured Aquatic Products". This is expected to open up broader opportunities for increasing the exports of 176 types of fishery products to China.
In the development of the tourism sector, this ministry has successfully organized several series of activities to support the development and stimulate economic activities related to the tourism industry in this country.
Domestic and international tourism such as through the management of programs like 'Kenali Negara Kitani (KNK)' have been promoted to promote and increase awareness among not only international tourists but also local residents about domestic tourism products and tourism packages offered in each district.
In an effort to attract foreign tourists to this country and to spend within the country, the Department of Tourism Development is actively organizing domestic events such as:
Brunei December Festival annually since 2013, which in 2023 saw 53 events held covering Islamic events, food and culinary, sports, adventure and recreation, arts and culture, digital technology and ICT, as well as shopping. In addition to the Brunei December Festival, 31 hotel premises and accommodations were highlighted, 51 'Kenali Brunei Kitani' packages from tourism agencies and as many as 28 food promotions from restaurants were shared. Furthermore, the Brunei December Festival also featured the Local Product Expo aiming not only to provide a platform for local entrepreneurs to market their products directly to buyers but also to indirectly provide an additional attraction to support domestic tourists by encouraging shopping during the holiday season at the end of the year.; and
The organization of Brunei Mid-year Conference and Exhibitions 2023 (Brunei MYCE 2023) to diversify tourism products in this country focusing on scientific meetings, idea incubation, showcasing new investments in funding reception, and fostering various fields for networking activities and scientific inquiry and agreements among the delegates and entrepreneurs from within and outside the country.; and
The organization of Brunei Gastronomy Week, which was introduced in 2016 and in 2021 was rebranded as the Brunei Gastronomy Festival lasting for a week on February 23rd, in conjunction with the 40th National Day of Negara Brunei Darussalam. The main strategy of the Brunei Gastronomy Festival 2024 is to provide opportunities and attract more uniqueness from restaurants, hotels, and food providers on various platforms, attracting the public, visitors from abroad and also within the country to enjoy food in this country. So far, more than 30 restaurants have participated in the Brunei Gastronomy Festival 2024.
Towards strengthening targeted tourism promotion specifically in foreign markets, promotional and international marketing activities carried out by the ministry through the Department of Tourism Development include:
Conducting digital marketing through collaboration with international Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia, Tripadvisor, and Agoda, offering special campaigns to promote adventure and cultural eco-tourism packages. In addition, the department has identified and collaborated with international social influencers, leveraging their reach to promote Negara Brunei Darussalam as a tourism destination. Among the social influencers invited to promote Negara Brunei Darussalam include influencers with many followers from various countries such as Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Australia, and three influencers from the Republic of Korea.;
This year, more influencers will be invited to this country from the Republic of Singapore, Japan, and the People's Republic of China, including special niche influencers in fields like diving, birdwatching, etc.;_
Strengthening marketing efforts and participating in tourism exhibitions and expos to the Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, and the People's Republic of China.;
The ministry will also further strengthen cooperative efforts comprehensively with responses as recently done in Singapore by collaborating with local tourism agents and foreign tourism agents to provide specific packages to the mass-marketing market besides conducting one-to-one session at workshops for local and foreign tourism agencies to foster cooperation, knowledge exchange, and business development.; and
In addition, organizing familiarization tours for foreign tourism agents and building a network of knowledge and obtaining firsthand experience by visiting some tourism destinations in the country.k. These familiarization tours are also introduced by the media and tourism agents with the cooperation of various parties such as Royal Brunei Airlines, the Association of Travel Agents Brunei, Brunei Association of Hotels. In 2023, over 50 tourism agents and media from 5 countries were invited and successfully attracted tourists to this country from Vietnam, United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, and also Taipei.
Currently, there are 48 registered and licensed tourism agents under the Department of Tourism Development. Out of these agents, about 10 tourism agents are actively carrying out inbound tourism activities, bringing tourists into Negara Brunei Darussalam by air and cruise. This ministry encourages other tourism agents to be more proactive in carrying out inbound tourism activities to attract more tourists to visit and spend in this country, contributing significantly to the GDP and balancing the outflow of the country's currency abroad.
In terms of development and offering tourism packages, the Department of Tourism Development is focusing on nature, culture, and adventure in these three years. In addition, it provides packages that are attractions for specific markets such as Educational Tourism Package, Golf Tourism, etc. In this connection, the Department of Tourism Development, in cooperation with tourism agents and this country, will continue to develop special tour packages with interesting themes and stories.
Exploring and developing eco-tourism packages including River Trail Packages, which involve traversing the Brunei River, Meradayn River, and Temburong River. These areas host a variety of birds and wildlife which can be observed. With this project, the department aims to make rivers an alternative route for the public and tourists, offering an exciting travel experience while enjoying wildlife and biodiversity by boat. Consequently, the department has reviewed the existing infrastructure in these areas, including jetties. The utmost importance is given to the safety of jetties and boats not only for the public but also for tourists. This department collaborates with several government agencies such as the City Department, District Department, and Public Works Department to jointly review the jetty infrastructure in these areas.; and
In terms of culture, the department, in collaboration with Royal Brunei Airlines and travel agents, has provided several packages such as "Brunei Bah Makan", which includes the sale of delicious local foods like ambuyat and ayam buluh while visiting iconic places in Bandar Seri Begawan, engaging with homes in the Water Village, Gadong Night Market, museum tours, witnessing and participating in weaving activities at the Arts and Crafts Centre, visits to the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and the Temburong District;,
Beyond environmental and cultural tourism, the Nation of Brunei Darussalam has also long promoted Islamic tourism packages, which are not limited to mosque visits but also showcase Islamic culture and daily life. The Islamic Tourism Packages offered include:
Visits to mosques (Mosque Tour);,
Visits to the Gallery of Islamic Arts and Calligraphy Studies Center Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation;,
Visits to the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Treasury.
To assist travel agents in creating attractive packages, the Tourism Development Department in collaboration with EGNC is preparing a directory as a guideline that lists tourist attractions, tourist service bookings, accommodations, and food and beverage outlets. The availability of this directory will facilitate travel agents in providing quality and attractive packages. From the aspect of tourism infrastructure and facilities in the country, the ministry will continuously upgrade and improve work so that tourist places are more conducive, for example, the construction of concrete bridges from Kampung Lurong Sikuna to Kampung Pelka Lama in cooperation with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Development, facilitating tourists to visit and enjoy the Water Village atmosphere easily and safely.
Additionally, road signs for tourist attractions in the Temburong District and Tutong District, especially on the Tutong-Telisai Highway to Tanjung Maya Village and Lamunin Village, have been installed to ease and expose visitors and tourists to various tourism activities in the relevant areas.
Addressing the issue of public restroom cleanliness, it cannot be denied that the condition of public restrooms in this country is very disappointing and not well maintained. Therefore, the Public and Private Restrooms Cleanliness Committee chaired by the Tourism Development Department is actively conducting audits of public restrooms according to the Brunei Darussalam Standard (PBD) 32:2017 under the ASEAN Public Toilet Standard. The aim is to improve the quality of public restrooms in key areas including customer satisfaction, tourist convenience, and fostering good restroom etiquette.
The Nation of Brunei Darussalam has received several awards through the ASEAN Public Toilet Awards since 2019, including public restrooms at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation Complex, Brunei Technology Museum, Brunei International Airport, and several notable restaurants and attractions in this country.
Regarding enhancing the knowledge and skills of tourist guides to enrich the tourist experience, the Tourism Development Department has also provided a Guidebook (Tour Guide Trails) which will be incorporated into the Basic Tour Guide Course for tourist places such as Luagan Lalak Forest Recreation Park (Belait District), Tasek Lama (Brunei and Muara District), Ulu Temburong National Park and will be extended to other tourist areas.
Alhamdulillah, with the relaxation of control measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 last year, the number of tourist permissions to the Nation of Brunei Darussalam has increased from 35,701 tourists in 2022 to 133,630 tourists last year.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members.
In implementing programs and initiatives to boost outputs and industries under the key sector, it is crucial to involve the youth. Their participation in agriculture and aquaculture is essential as they are the pillars who will contribute to and lead the nation's leadership in the future.
In this regard, the ministry through its departments has and will continue to implement programs and initiatives to attract more youth involvement in this field.
Alhamdulillah, in recent years, through the implementation of programs such as the Pilot Agricultural Projects, Agribusiness Expansion Program (contract farming), Youth Agricultural Exposure Program, etc., it has indirectly succeeded in attracting several young entrepreneurs to the agriculture field, including fisheries.
Overall, the number of young entrepreneurs actively involved in agricultural and fishery activities is 155 individuals in 2023. Out of these young entrepreneurs, 148 are actively engaged in agriculture and 7 in fisheries.
On this occasion, I call upon the youth who are currently seeking employment to step forward and consider agricultural and fishery activities as a field of employment or a permanent career option to generate income and simultaneously contribute to the country's economic growth, ensuring food security and exports.
Besides initiatives and programs focusing on the youth, the ministry also pays attention and supports the implementation of programs and initiatives to involve the community and villagers. For instance, in communal farming activities in Rural Agriculture Areas (KPLB), including supporting the One Village One Product (1K1P) initiative.
Towards this, the ministry collaborates closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) in assisting and further strengthening the production capacity and market outlets for products produced by the communities and village involved.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members.
The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and its departments will continue to ensure that the outputs and contributions from the main resources and tourism sectors to economic growth will increase every year and thereby create job opportunities for local youths.
Towards this, the main emphasis in the budget proposal prepared for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 focuses on planning and implementing programs and initiatives leading to efforts to:
- Support the growth and increase the output of the Food Sector industries;
- Support the Development and Conservation of Forest Resources, not only towards environmental conservation but also to contribute to the country's economic development.; and
- Support the Growth and Development of the Tourism Industry. In supporting the growth and improvement of the food sector, the focus is not only on efforts to increase output from primary production activities but also on efforts to enhance outputs from agricultural, fisheries processing activities, and value addition, including strengthening the overall ecosystem and value chain associated with these industries.
The main emphasis of growth utilization this year will prioritize efforts to upgrade and provide the basic infrastructure of the industry, hoping all Agricultural Development Areas have sufficient and conducive supplies of electricity, water, and drainage. This is to facilitate entrepreneurs to start and expand enterprises and contribute to national Food Security.
Priority will also be given to implementing programs to enhance the capacity and capability of departments as Competent Authorities. This includes monitoring food safety and quality and easing market access through facilities such as reference labs accredited through Qualified Personnel to meet international standards and best practices like Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), Good Animal Husbandry Practice (GAHP), Good Aquaculture Practice (GSP), and HACCP.
Additionally, this allocation will also be channeled towards encouraging entrepreneurs to utilize modern actors and techniques such as vegetable technology using aquaponics systems, the use of solar energy, drip and vertical farming in protected houses, table systems suitable for use in flood-prone areas, Recirculating Aquaculture System for fish and shrimp cultivation, Internet of Things system for water usage management, drone technology monitoring for pesticide distribution and data analytics monitoring in rice fields, practicing good farm management and governance, and ensuring and encouraging more new enterprises to join up to the agricultural and fisheries sectors, among others.
The focus and emphasis are in line with the Food Industry Roadmap, which serves as the basic guideline towards driving growth and increasing food sector outputs, especially for halal, safe, and quality food products. With the development and positive growth of outputs as well as strengthening the entire ecosystem and value chain related to the industry under this food sector, it is hoped to significantly contribute to the increase in GDP, food security, and also to the growth in the quantity and value of the country's exports.
Environmental and climate change issues also continue to receive attention from the ministry as was highlighted by Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam during the Official Opening Ceremony of the First Meeting of the 20th Legislative Council Session this year.
In supporting the development and conservation of the country's forest resources, the ministry through the Forestry Department will continue to ensure that efforts to protect and preserve the country's forest resources including biodiversity diversification are carried out continuously to ensure that the country's development activities are in line with sustainable development and at the same time support the implementation of the National Climate Change Policy of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
In addition, the ministry will also continue to maintain innovative measures and approaches to increase forestry outputs. In efforts to improve quality and increase government revenue collection through the forestry sector, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism is working with the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat to implement a carbon project. This project also supports the strategy of the National Climate Change Policy of Negara Brunei Darussalam, particularly Strategy 6 which is Carbon Pricing.
In realizing this initiative, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism through the Forestry Department is implementing initiatives such as:
The Forest Resource Inventory project to obtain the latest data on the carbon sink capacity of forest resources in this country to establish baseline data;
To validate and adapt data from the project as complete, accurate, and legitimate, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism is working with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA);
One of the criteria for the carbon project is the implementation of planting new trees. Towards this, the Forestry Department has identified potential degraded areas to be designated for carbon projects which will then be implemented using the 12th National Development Plan allocation.
The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism will continue to negotiate and work in collaboration with relevant parties to explore the country's potential for benefiting from carbon trading in the future.
Furthermore, to address the problem of human and crocodile conflicts, several initiatives have been implemented through the Wildlife Division, Forestry Department as follows:
As an immediate and continuous action, the installation of crocodile warning signs has been carried out to provide warnings to the public about the presence of crocodiles. To date, 100 signs have been installed throughout the country covering all four districts. A public awareness program has also been held intending to provide information on managing human and crocodile conflicts and the efforts and actions taken by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. This public awareness program is intended to include dialogues or forums and disseminations through social media and mass media. Since 2023 until now, a total of 28 public awareness programs have been conducted.
The Crocodile Capture Together Program (Program Tangkap Buaya Bersama) was introduced to address crocodile conflicts in the Kampung Ayer since February 2023. A total of 51 trap sets were installed in the Mukims of Tamoi, Burong Pingai, Saba, Peramu, and Sungai Kebun.
The Forestry Department collaborated with the Fire and Rescue Department and the Royal Brunei Police Force to address human and crocodile conflicts and conduct integrated activities including patrols and public awareness programs.
The Forestry Department has obtained the services of crocodile capture experts from abroad for more effective captures.
Currently, the Forestry Department is conducting a crocodile population study near the Kampung Ayer area. This study is a mandatory step for consideration by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) secretariat before the crocodiles can be utilized economically. In addition, the study has reached a 90% completion rate for the Brunei Muara District area. The study will be extended to the Temburong River, Belait River, and Tutong River.
The Forestry Department is also planning to complete the Crocodile Rescue Estate to house captured crocodiles for sustainable economic utilization. It is hoped that this will be implemented with private sector collaboration in the future.
To support the growth and development of the tourism industry, the ministry through the Tourism Development Department is in the process of preparing and updating strategic directions and identified initiatives to be classified as planned within the Tourism Industry Roadmap.
The department will continue to emphasize efforts towards development, diversification, strengthening, and promotion of tourism products based on culture and natural beauty while ensuring facilities, infrastructure, and service innovations in tourism are continuously improved to attract and increase the number of tourist arrivals to the country.
In addition, apart from encouraging foreign tourist arrivals, the ministry will also continue to strengthen and promote domestic tourism through programs such as Kenali Negara Kitani, Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE), Brunei December Festival, Local Product Expo, and Brunei Gastronomy Festival, etc., to encourage local residents to vacation and explore within the country, especially during school holiday seasons, to stimulate and further invigorate economic activities in the country.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members,
Towards supporting the growth and increase of outputs from the food sector:
Under the Recurring Expenditure provision, about $9 million is allocated to finance the paddy purchase scheme, to facilitate the country's rice production program which includes encouraging tourists based on doubling rice cultivation, purchasing high-yield hybrid rice seeds, and financing rice processing services to rice, among others;
Under the provision for the 12th National Development Plan Expenditure, an approximate of $237.06 million has also been allocated to finance major projects and strengthen the food industry value chain for the agricultural and fisheries sectors, among them:
A program to enhance vegetable output using high technology to generate a Gross Domestic Product amounting to $17.55 million;
Livestock industry development plan to generate production amounting to $18.1 million;
Provision of infrastructure to enhance the agricultural industry across the country for Phase 1 and 2 amounting to $90 million;
A program to enhance rice production output to support the country's food security amounting to $1.82 million, which includes upgrading and repairing rice research and development infrastructure such as building a cage house and upgrading existing cage houses with an irrigation system, and setting up a rice breeding laboratory facility as well as cold storage for seed storage and rice research tools to increase capacity and competency in rice research;
A program to enhance irrigation system capacity in agricultural development areas across the country Phase 2 amounting to $68.26 million;
A program for the construction of infrastructure for effluent and waste drainage systems amounting to $38.95 million;
Towards enhancing fishery production, the ministry allocates $4 million to provide and upgrade infrastructure facilities for small-scale fishermen to increase capacity for boat landing and launching facilities, and basic infrastructure to improve safety for small-scale fishermen to operate;
Development and opening of sites for aquaculture industry provided with an allocation of $10.53 million;
Enhancing infrastructure in existing aquaculture sites totaling $1.9 million;
Opening and developing new aquaculture sites amounting to $1.59 million.
Towards supporting the development and conservation of the country's forest resources, about $18.45 million is provided under the 12th National Development Plan expenditure to finance programs towards strengthening environmental sustainability, including the implementation of waste reduction projects on degraded forest areas, enhancement of forest conservation activities, and forest certification.
In addition, $1.5 million is provided for Sustainable Forest Management Certification;
The program to enhance forest conservation to support the environment by reducing environmental impact and climate change and allowing carbon generation through carbon certification totaling $5.21 million;
Increasing the supply of timber stock through the method of forest plantation based on Sustainable Forest Management practices totaling $8 million;
Increasing the supply of timber through Silvicultural Enrichment Planting based on Sustainable Forest Management practices totaling $2.1 million;
Improving forest product output through the construction of inspection and forest output control stations amounting to $0.85 million;
Meanwhile, to support the growth and development of the tourism industry, about $7.32 million is provided under the 12th RKN expenditure to strengthen tourism products.
However, in the implementation of these development projects and facilities, the ministry does not solely rely on government financing alone but also explores more efficient methods and approaches that can reduce dependence on government allocations alone, for example, through PPP, as currently implemented for the restaurant construction project at Bukit Patoi which can be supported by both local and foreign tourists.
Under the 12th RKN allocation, planned projects for the tourism sector include upgrading Taman Rekreasi Hutan Pudak Selirong by $1.58 million, including upgrading infrastructure and enhancing facilities at Taman Rekreasi Hutan Pudak Selirong. Meanwhile, the Tourism Board also intends to upgrade the Cultural Gallery and Tourism Building at Kampung Air for $1.36 million to refurbish the interior of the building and provide interactive equipment using digital technology methods.
Strengthening basic infrastructure and public facilities at tourist attractions in Negara Brunei Darussalam to the tune of $3 million, which includes upgrading and providing several facilities for the safety and convenience of visitors and tourists such as jetties along the Brunei River, Serunding Kedayan, Sungai Mengkai to develop river cruising and dive tourism activities in Negara Brunei Darussalam, and improving the quality of the tourism industry in Negara Brunei Darussalam amounting to $1 million for Green Tourism Standards, Tourism Premises Star Evaluation, and Workforce Capacity Development in the tourism industry.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members.
The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and its departments will remain committed to implementing existing programs and initiatives and ensuring as well as contemplating new strategies and initiatives to ensure that outputs from the agriculture, fisheries, and also forestry as well as tourism industries will continue to grow by further efforts to attract the participation of new entrepreneurs in agriculture and fisheries including the involvement of local entrepreneurs, GLCs, and Foreign Direct Investment. This ministry also encourages relevant entrepreneurs to remain committed, progressive, and consensual to expand and grow their enterprises and trade activities, adopting modern technology and techniques and practicing good governance to ensure that output will continue to increase year by year, contributing significantly to GDP growth such as food and exports and generating employment opportunities for local youth.
In this regard, opinions, suggestions, and ideas from Your Honourable Members are very much welcomed to assist the ministry in carrying out this mandate and responsibility for the prosperity of the people and the country.
That is all peramba can convey as information to all parties regarding the basics of the burden and as part of the information on the formation of activities endorsed by this ministry to provide guidance before we debate the allocations provided to the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. Peramba sincerely thanks Yang Berhormat Pengerusi for the opportunity given.
Thank you, وبالله التوفیق والهیدایة وسيادة رعاكم الله تعالى بقدرته وسلمتم
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan for the comprehensive explanation regarding the direction and hospitality in the preparation of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025.
Your Honourable Members, titles SH01A to SH06A - Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism are now opened for debate. I have a list of Your Honourable Members who would like to participate in discussing these relevant topics.
Therefore, I will allow Your Honourable Members to pose questions and subsequently for Yang Berhormat Menteri to provide answers or responses.
I will start by inviting Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan.
Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan
سؤال: أدآة أسكول
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members.
Kaola is pleased to record a vote of thanks to Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan regarding the significant information about the direction and planning towards the anticipated progress.
Kaola fully supports the recommendation by my colleague Yang Berhormat Chong Chin Yee in promoting ambuyat as an exotic food favored by the local population and tourists. Ambuyat is also a choice in restaurants or for family meals at home.
The Tutong District once organized the Tutong Food Carnival in 2018 and 2019, which featured ambuyat as the main activity of the event, receiving encouraging response from the public.
Moreover, downstream products from sago can also be produced by local entrepreneurs such as sago biscuits under the 1K1P product and others. This development can somewhat positively impact the country's economy and provide opportunities for local youth to realize this sector specifically in the Small and Medium Industries (IKS).
However, in energizing our promotion of ambuyat, kaola sees through a broader study of the capacity and capability in providing raw materials for the industry in the coming period. If we observe, there are only a few factories involved in this industry and there are also complaints from factory entrepreneurs about difficulties in obtaining quality guaranteed raw materials. Therefore, it's important; kaola hopes the Department of Agriculture, especially, to provide strategic plans towards mass cultivation of sago palm trees. This includes providing awareness programs and the purpose of sago market orientation to encourage the cultivation of sago palm among farmers, and at the same time, this industry can contribute to the country's economic advancement.
Furthermore, kaola touches on the tourism industry in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Here, what is meant are all programs and projects to upgrade tourist places have been incorporated into RKN-12 and kaola hopes that this effort can pave the way for the advancement of the local tourism industry, thereby further enhancing the desired tourism activities.
In this regard, kaola sees a disorganization in planning some activities and events whether at the national or district level, where some of these events have a significant impact on the tourism sector. In connection with this, kaola urges the Tourism Development Department to sit together with relevant parties such as District Departments, Municipal Departments, Mukim and Village Consultative Councils, and any interested parties to discuss Brunei Darussalam's annual event calendar, and besides managing the Brunei December Festival (BDF) held every year, Kaola hopes that the Visit Brunei Year program can be reintroduced, which is a special program designed to attract the tourism industry to Negara Brunei Darussalam. It is important as a measure of local tourism innovation and capability. Requesting clarification from Yang Berhormat Menteri regarding this.
Thank you. وبالله التوفيق والهداية والسلام عليكم ورحمة ال له وبركاته
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan for the question posed. The first topic concerning sago palm cultivation is crucial for ambuyat production enhancement.
Perhaps the ministry will look into this matter further with the Department of Agriculture, which is crucial at this time. One criteria that 'we' truly consider is the value because of our limited lands so the commodity or plantation's value is an important criterion to consider.
So, the Ministry through the Department of Agriculture will examine whether the mass planting of sago palm trees to meet the 'ambuyat' needs can be certified. We will do that, God willing.
Regarding the inconsistency in activities between activities highlighted by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism through the Tourism Finance Department and regional and city activities.
Actually, this activity involves a committee named Brunei Tourism Development Board where ministry representatives participate to share ideas not only from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Transport and Info-communication, Tourism Agents and also the Association of Hotels and airlines included there. Perhaps we will look into this. More representation from the regional parties will also be invited to provide input to Brunei Tourism Development Board.
As for the Visit Brunei Year proposal, several international scale projects are currently being reviewed that might include this as part of the suggestion. Thank you for the proposal from Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan regarding whether to hold a Visit Brunei Year. We will look into this and it will be included in the proposed arrangements being reviewed for implementation in the next one or two years. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed.
Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Peace be upon you, and God’s mercy and blessings, and good health.
Firstly, kaola would like to express appreciation for the detailed presentation from the Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan. Kaola would like to speak under Title SH06A – Department of Tourism Development related to progress in the tourism sector regarding public transport issues in this country.
This issue is a significant challenge in our efforts to promote tourism in our country. Although there has been an increase in bus service schedules, several improvements are needed in terms of bus schedule consistency, camp quality, and facilities provided. Some of the bus deficiencies observed include buses not being driven with air conditioning and comfortable seating. This becomes a basic prerequisite for the comfort of public users and tourists.
Moreover, creating an app for the public to download to know the bus schedules is needed. Kaola has been searching for bus apps, and what is available in the search engine is an app named Move It, but it is not under government management. Therefore, it is important to have an application managed by the government to ensure its quality and credibility.
Additionally, the distance between each stop should also be reconsidered. Excessive distance between stops makes it difficult for tourists to move around the cities. Delays cause tourists to prefer walking, which not only wastes time but also negatively affects their tourist experience in this country.
Regarding the e-hailing service Dart, in koala's own experience using the app service for example, even though dart could be a good implementation, it still hasn't reached a satisfactory level. The delays in receiving requests and picking up passengers are among the issues that need to be addressed.
Kaola has conducted several trials using this service and experienced long waiting times, sometimes up to 30 minutes because Dart drivers had to make rounds to drop off previous passengers at their destinations. This problem might be due to a lack of Dart drivers in the Nation of Brunei. Therefore, we need to strategize to attract more people, especially the unemployed, to consider this field.
Additionally, we also need to consider more comfortable and quicker payment methods for public users, whether for buses or Dart. The introduction of a scanning system or tap and go, as practiced in some countries, could help reduce inconvenience and speed up the payment process.
By implementing various improvements, we can reduce risk and enhance the safety of public users, including tourists. Enhancing public service quality can also reduce the increase in illegal taxi services.
For instance, most workers in this country, including koala's own domestic helper, tend to use illegal taxis even though they are illegal because they are a cheaper and faster option. This shows that there's a service deficiency in the public transport services provided in our country. Hence, it is hoped that by improving public transport, we can ensure tourists and local users can enjoy a safer and more comfortable experience while touring our country.
Moreover, as we hope for the upcoming budget as described in the previous Supply Bill presentation and the allocations provided to implement 10 projects under RKN-12 to further enhance tourism products including strengthening basic infrastructure and public facilities at tourist attractions.
That's all and thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, and thank you to Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed regarding the public transport issue, especially buses. Indeed, it is acknowledged that it is a current priority point for us with tourists is public transport whether transportation from hotels, from the airport to hotels or from hotels to attractions.
I think actually consultations have been made with the Ministry of Transport and Info-communication to find ways to further strengthen public transport facilities, especially buses at this time. What the Tourism Department is doing at this time, for tourists currently, is immediately recommend to install the Darul Application so that if they find it difficult to get a bus, they have the Dart app to use for their visits. That is the current advice of the Department of Tourism Development to tourists, and we are also working with the phone provider where when they buy a sim card for the tourist, the Dart application is included so that they can use Dart as a major and prime mover.
However, clearly, the tourism issue, we are also working with the Ministry of Transport and Info-communication trying to find ways to further improve the facilities and comfort for public people to use public transport, specifically buses. Perhaps that's all I can give as of now to answer that question, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I understand the Menteri Pengangkutan dan Infokomunikasi would like to provide further details concerning buses or public transport. Please go ahead.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pengangkutan dan Infokomunikasi
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. I would like to add regarding the public transport question. For your information, this will be explained in more detail in the future meeting when discussing the Budget of the Ministry of Transport and Info-communication.
But at this time, I would like to share that this matter is desired and several plans will be presented which includes the 3-tier public transport model also shared during the Session of Discussion with Your Honourable Members of the Legislative Council, where the mobility system consisting of individual e-hailing or taxi services, shared seat e-hailing, and the public bus network. These are among the things that will be implemented which have been allocated in the 2024/2025 Budget Planning.
In this relation, the ministry has also updated strategies and objectives where the system or strategy previously has been revised and updated with the current situation to be more durable and viable.
So, the issues raised by Yang Berhormat earlier regarding mobile applications services and such are among the things that have been included in the planning to be implemented in this year's budget and RKN. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you. I invite Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir.
Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
The Fisheries Wealth Results Committee has agreed to provide accuracy and analysis and to deliver precise reports that could lead to a better situation for the fisheries sector. Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members, beyond the usual objections, including to the Minister of Energy on the presented preamble. Hopefully, all planned development agendas can be produced and realized successfully, God willing.
The ornamental fish industry has become an activity capable of providing substantial income to entrepreneurs. This industry is increasingly developing across the nation and contributing to the country's economic development. Ornamental fish are among the industries with very high potential for advancement. Even the Brunei community is not excluded as among the admirers of ornamental fish.
Our country has about 200 freshwater fish species, some of which have great potential as ornamental fish. The popular species is, of course, the "besokik" species. Malaysia is among the world's largest ornamental fish producers, having successfully reached an annual production volume of nearly 700 million fish compared to 458 million fish in 2005.
Based on Malaysian aquaculture articles, the Fisheries Department targets RM600 million in gross national income (GNI) through the ornamental fish business, capable of creating 100,000 job opportunities. This shows that the ornamental fish industry indeed has high potential to be explored by our local youths 'Kitani'.
In connection with this, kaola suggests that the ornamental fish industry be developed as an effort towards diversifying the economy beyond oil and gas in Negara Brunei Darussalam through several initiatives.
First, providing guidance and training in keeping ornamental fish.
Second, providing initiatives or business capital injections to encourage startups.
Third, facilitating the marketing of ornamental fish products for export and local markets, and kaola would like to know to what extent entrepreneurs have ventured into the ornamental fish industry in Negara Brunei Darussalam?
Furthermore, kaola would like a clarification on the development of tourism activities in the Temburong District since the Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Bridge was fully built and used based on the Department of Tourism Development statistics, how many tourists visited Temburong, and whether there is an increase or otherwise? I seek clarification from the Yang Berhormat Menteri regarding this.
Thank you, May Allah grant success and guidance, Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, and also Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Nasir for those two questions and suggestions.
Regarding the ornamental fish industry, indeed, this industry has the potential to be realized. So far, three entrepreneurs have already ventured into and engaged in the ornamental fish breeding. There used to be FDI from abroad, but it did not materialize due to an issue at that time.
Therefore, those interested in venturing are welcomed to meet with the Fisheries Department for those interested in ornamental fish breeding; the Fisheries Department will be able to provide guidance and advice to allow 'people' to have the knowledge to start ornamental fish farming.
In addition, the Fisheries Department will also provide a special size for "people" to venture into. In terms of capital, I think the capital we can manage. There might be certain facilities that we have at the moment, especially with the cooperation of ODA, probably we can have a joint co-marketing for local youth for a matching grant to assist them in starting their businesses.
I think anyone interested in venturing into the breeding of ornamental fish is welcomed. Most of the people involved are hobbyists who are really interested, passionate, so right now, three companies have ventured into it.
Regarding the tourism efforts in the Temburong District, it has indeed started to grow, increasing in terms of activity. Perhaps as kaola mentioned earlier, we have, thankfully, an increase, many have started coming to Brunei from over 35,000 people from 2022 to 2023 now 133,630 people. It is indeed a good increase, God willing. We actually hope that in the near future, we're back to the pre-Covid time of 2019, where it was over 300,000, this is the target that we want to achieve.
Temburong District is indeed one of the attractions for tourists because right now, we are promoting culture, adventure, ecotourism, and the environment. Our strength, especially in the Temburong District, is indeed endeavored to further increase the quality content available now in the packages for the Temburong District to attract even more visitors. God willing
it's apparent many tourists come to Negara Brunei Darussalam, we target within 1 to 2 years, we will be able to achieve, God willing, to record levels before COVID-19, which is more than 300,000 coming to Brunei in 1 to 2 years. There is indeed an encouraging trend not only in the Temburong District but across all districts, God willing.
Regarding the question from Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan about palm sap cultivation. For your information, a total of 50 acres of land have been gazetted for palm sap cultivation in Kampung Ukong.
A company has begun operating a modern processing facility in Kampung Ukong for the production of ambuyat there. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members, I propose that we take a 15-minute break, and we will resume this debate later.
(The Committee took a short break)
(The Committee reconvened)
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members. This council reconvenes to examine and consider the Bill 2024, Supply 2024/2025 proposed by the Yang Berhormat Menteri at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy III. This Committee is still considering the budget for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and its departments.
I still have a list of Your Honourable Members who wish to ask a few questions to discuss and present relevant topics.
I start this discussion by inviting Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya'akub. Please, Your Honourable.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya'akub
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Yang Berhormat, after hearing the presentation by the Yang Berhormat Menteri of Primary Resources and Tourism, kaola feels it is very comprehensive and clear about the direction of the ministry's spending. Kaola touches upon agarwood. Agarwood planting was often spoken about since agarwood has high market value.
It has received very encouraging interest among the public interested in planting it on a large scale. The agarwood industry, among the timber sectors, has potential for downstream development. Additionally, many entrepreneurs have yet to explore opportunities, especially in the creation of perfumes and furniture. Agarwood has high value and market both domestically and internationally, and it's known as the most expensive wood with high cultural value. According to Berita Harian Online press statements, currently, agarwood products, primarily oil, can only be obtained from three sources: distillation of natural forest supply, sustainable plantations, and synthetically.
While the top 10 export destinations are the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Malaysia, India, Laos, Japan, China, Taiwan, Oman, and Hong Kong. The global demand is predicted to continue rising at an Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6% until 2033.
Currently, the global market for agarwood oil is valued at USD250 million, equivalent to $333 million, and is expected to reach USD540 million, equivalent to $605 million, in the coming decade. However, in Malaysia, the supply rate is only 40% of the demand, whereas 1 liter can be sold for around USD10,000, equivalent to $13,460, up to USD14,000, equivalent to $18,850 in the market.
In the Tutong District, kaola knows, there are 3 entrepreneurs producing agarwood-based products like perfumes. This is a good development and is being encouraged to further promote the agarwood industry in our country as a step towards strengthening the national economy.
In this regard, kaola would like specific clarification on what is the current situation of agarwood tree planting in Negara Brunei Darussalam? In terms of control and monitoring, are there any illegal planting activities and theft of agarwood trees reported in the forests of Negara Brunei Darussalam?
If the Temburong District is known for its gravel resources, the Tutong District is known for its white sand and is a natural resource that is still unexplored to this day. Therefore, are there any plans towards enriching this natural resource (white sand) in the future?
Thank you, And by Allah's permission for success and guidance: Ministry of Home Affairs and the Municipalities.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members. If I am not mistaken, this issue was raised last year, and the relevant Yang Berhormat Menteri has also provided information regarding the same matter, unless the relevant Yang Berhormat Menteri has any additional information on this issue.
I invite you if there is new information regarding the agarwood tree. Please, Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Regarding agarwood, what kaola would like to highlight is the high value of agarwood. So, the current problem faced by the ministry, specifically the Forestry Department, is the occurrence of numerous agarwood thefts.
Therefore, the Forestry Department, together with the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, are collaborating to tackle this theft issue. Recently, a case was detected where someone stole high-value agarwood, which was then confiscated.
That is the current situation; agarwood thefts are prevalent, but with cooperation from the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, this issue can be controlled. The modus operandi is not from within Brunei but from neighboring countries.
That is all kaola can inform. Regarding the plantation of agarwood, currently, the plantation in Brunei mostly consists of small-scale types, but one of the major problems they're facing is finding the inoculant used to produce agarwood, which is very expensive. There hasn't been successful commercialization in Brunei yet. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I also understand that the planting process is destructive, tapping the trees is a bit debatable. The work often goes undetected so woods must sometimes be felled to acquire the needed resources, plus minus it might not be productive. For those of us who delve into this, it's not just us but also involves the production aspect.
I invite Yang Berhormat Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann.
Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Kaola thanks and congratulates Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan for the informative speech about the direction of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism's budget for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
May it be successfully realized, God willing. The tourism sector is a contributor to the country's economic growth, aside from oil and gas. The role of the government and relevant parties is crucial in encouraging this sector to continue growing.
This includes providing appropriate initiatives and assistance to farmers, including fertilizer subsidies and more. However, at present, there are complaints from farmers about the imbalance of fertilizer prices in the market. This confuses farmers due to the increase in operational costs borne every month.
In this connection, kaola requests clarification regarding the fertilizer subsidy assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture and other agrochemical aids. How are these aids managed so that they can be optimally utilized by the farmers? Besides fertilizer subsidies, what other types of assistance are provided by the government?
Next, kaola would like to address the Rural Agricultural Community (KPLB) concerning the issue of leased land. Kaola requests explanations from relevant parties about the conditions provided to improve the status of KPLB lands and what specific conditions allow these lands to be given the Temporary Occupation License (TOL) status to farmers.
Furthermore, kaola seeks clarification regarding the SOGAC-Department of Land Survey procedure. Kaola is keen to explore several places that are beautiful and have the potential to become tourist attractions that cannot be opened to the public and tourists, such as Sungai Ingei, Ulu Beliat which has several hot spring pools and caves. In the Tutong District, Tasek Merimbun is still not opened for tourist visits and the public.
If these places are opened, it can promise income to the country and local residents. Please provide your comments on this.
Thank you, May Allah grant success and guidance, and peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Yang Berhormat.
There are three initial questions regarding the cost assistance for farm inputs and fertilizer subsidy costs. As kaola mentioned earlier, 39 million has been allocated for the provision of lime purchase, fertilizer inputs, and seeds. Every year the government provides aid to farmers, especially for operating their farms with subsidy assistance but as kaola mentioned earlier, the cost of inputs is rising, so we cannot cope if the cost of seeds and fertilizers also increases.
That is the problem at the moment, with the allocation available, providing all these subsidies incurs a significant expense so it is limited in terms of fertilizer subsidy and input subsidy. Nevertheless, the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood is currently formulating a new strategy to make us more effective in improving productivity without relying heavily on artificial fertilizers. So, this is still in preparation and, God willing, it will be provided to the farming and livestock communities shortly.
Concerning the Rural Development Area (PKLB), it has now been taken over by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. It is hoped to be turned into an Agricultural Development Area.
So, the Agricultural Development Area must have KPIs. This is our effort to further increase the production which is hoped that the KPLB, which currently has part-time, uncommitted, and committed members. So, in terms of productivity, the output is inconsistent.
With the conversion to Agricultural Development Area, the Department of Agriculture hopes that farmers will become more serious, KPIs will be provided, and the land will be used optimally to contribute to the increase in vegetable and fruit production and thus contribute towards the country's food security because KPIs cover many areas with low productive vegetables, some are serious with productivity so it's uneven, there are also bushy areas, some clear.
With the effort for Agricultural Development Area, the production of agricultural produce and agrifood there will be taken more seriously, God willing, it will be ventured into.
If the Tourism Development Department indeed has areas for Tourism Development such as Luagan Lalak, Teraja. But there are certain conservation areas like in Ingai. It is a conservation area where besides its ecosystem, if many people were to enter there, it would disturb the area, so wildlife biodiversity would be threatened. There's a certain balance between conservation areas and recreation parks there.
The ministry is indeed sensitive to this matter, where it can be developed, inhabitants will be allowed to cultivate the area, and the Tourism Development Department will also provide budget allocations under RKN to provide basic infrastructure there.
But for conservation, I think under Forestry, I think we have to respect wildlife biodiversity because we are also famous for this conservation. That's the balance between tourism and conservation.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members, peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings. I thank Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan for the meaningful introduction, which will become an inspiration to the citizens if it can be successfully realized by the grace of God. Kaola greatly appreciates the suggestion from Yang Berhormat Pengerusi to address strategic issues, concise and substantial.
Addressing the Rice Farmers Advancement Project on a commercial scale covering an area of 500 hectares in Kandol. As informed, if fully implemented, with the existence of Sembada rice, which has a productivity of 4 to 5 tons per hectare per harvest. If summarized, it could contribute to achieving 84% self-sufficiency, amounting to 8.4% of the country's rice.
The question is, kaola wants to know so far, what progress has been achieved for Kandol Phase 1 and 2? What is the percentage of rice self-sufficiency in the country at the moment? What is the status of the development progress for Phase 3?
The Department of Agriculture and Agrifood has also conducted studies and tests on several types of rice introduced from the People's Republic of China and Indonesia, which have the potential to produce 7 to 8 tons of rice per hectare.
The question is, what progress has been made on the studies that have been or are being conducted?
Kaola would like to draw attention in this esteemed Council to hill paddy, which used to be the choice of local farmers for harvest. This is because it is easier to cultivate compared to wet paddy.
In relation to this, kaola suggests that the government pays attention to the potential of hill paddy if it is planted on a large scale because it is easier to maintain compared to wet paddy fields that require significant effort such as soil preparation, drainage, water irrigation, and so forth.
For the Fisheries Department, here kaola requests the construction of a boat ramp in Pekan Belait for the fishermen there. Kaola seeks clarification from the Yang Berhormat Menteri regarding the matters kaola has mentioned above.
Thank you, وبنابيك والقدير وأسأله التوفيق والسداد والعون على كل خير
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and also the Yang Berhormat. There are 4 questions there.
- Regarding Kandol;
- Hill Paddy;
- Research; and also
- Boat ramp in Kuala Belait.
Regarding Kandol, Phase 1 and Phase 2 have been implemented covering 174 hectares. So, at this time, the implementation is actively ongoing despite challenges faced by Paddy co there.
Among the challenges are because this farm is newly opened, so in terms of land stabilization it's not yet stable, there's sinking soil in those fields, so at this time Paddy co is trying to overcome this soil issue so we require places like this besides the current shortage of workers.
As of now, 'we have' about 11 or 12 local people, if not mistaken, but it's not enough and then there's a challenge to recruit more locals. So, several efforts have been made but not successful hence bringing in also foreign workers to help us produce paddy in this 174-hectare area.
Those are the two challenge issues faced. At this time, we are growing MRQ there with suggestions to slowly, once stabilized then we can introduce more high-yield varieties there.
In terms of productivity at this time in Kandol is still low, because it is a new area. The soil is not yet stable, not yet suited so production is still low between 1-2 metric tons per season. That's the current situation.
In terms of self-sufficiency at this time, fortunately, we have achieved 8% self-sufficiency, God willing, with the new hybrid, we are hoping to increase self-sufficiency to 12% if the new trial is successful. So, at this time in phase 3, the Agriculture Department holds off on focusing on the development of these 174 hectares, let it stabilize, and if it's successful, it means it will be extended.
In terms of hill paddy, yes, it's in non-irrigated areas, only the problem is the low yield of hill paddy, so the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism has also introduced paddy that can increase yield in hill areas and non-irrigated areas as well.
So, I think hopefully with the increase from 1 to 3 tons of paddy, because it's under trial at the Temburong District Department, if the taste meets Bruneian preferences it will be expanded to other areas.
Also, traditional paddies like Beras Kebun, Beras Pusu, research will be done in cooperation with foreign research agencies to increase the yield of paddies like Pusu from 1 ton to 2-3 tons a year. This will be more worthwhile in terms of returns to the farmers. In terms of research from the People's Republic of China and the Philippines, it is better, this matter is ongoing, still don't know who the variety Yuan 158, if it's not types, has potential to be further developed that can produce 7 to 8 metric tons. It has good potential, in terms of acceptability by Bruneians, Yuan is more liked compared to Sembada.
So, if successful it's introduced throughout the country that’s gated, meaning if successful we will be able to get 78 metric tons/hectare per season. That's in terms of research that has been done, we have identified Yuan 158 from the People's Republic of China that has high yield and a taste acceptable to the people of this country.
In terms of boat ramp facilities, at this time there are 7 boat ramps in Brunei-Muara District, 4 in Tutong, 2 in Belait District, and 6 in Temburong District. So, for now, we will allocate under the RKN to realize further upgrading of the existing boat ramps for upgrade. Meaning coordinate with relevant parties in Belait on how to upgrade these boat ramp facilities under RKN-12, meaning coordinate
That is all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, the answer kaola can provide to those questions.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I invite Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
(missing jawi words)
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. The motion regarding the issuance or addition of emergency funds has been clarified by the Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Perancangan during the presentation on strategies and initiatives of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, or in short MPRT.
Kaola refers to the vision of this ministry, which is in the industry of primary resources and planning that significantly contributes to growth and diversification of the economy, exports, and guarantees food security to support Brunei Vision 2035.
Alhamdulillah, kaola also extends congratulations to the ministry and also to the providers or in commodities such as eggs for achieving a 100% self-sufficiency rate in 2022 and 2023 and sufficient for export abroad.
The achievement of several other agricultural commodities also shows an encouraging increase. However, here, kaola touches on the self-sufficiency rate of livestock commodities beef and buffalo, and as mentioned before rice commodities which continue to decline over the past 5 years.
Below 10% for paddy (rice) and below 5% for beef and buffalo meat. The achievement of self-sufficiency for 2023 alone is 3% for beef and buffalo meat and 8% for paddy or rice. Efforts for cooperation and research related to the quality of paddy seeds as presented by Yang Berhormat Menteri earlier have been continuously carried out with relevant agencies abroad.
However, from the current data, the self-sufficiency rate of these commodities continues to decline, and to improve yield, as mentioned by the Yang Berhormat Menteri earlier for new projects that are implemented.
Here, kaola seeks enlightenment based on the research conducted previously, what causes have been identified that led to no increase in the self-sufficiency rate of these two commodities over such a long period of 5 to 10 years.
And what strategies and initiatives does the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism have to enhance participation of entrepreneurs especially the youth specifically graduates from UNISSA and IBTE in agriculture and agri-food preparation?
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. Efforts to increase productivity and self-sufficiency of these two commodities, in kaola's view, should be given priority over all efforts to explore new strategies while maintaining existing strategies identified as still effective.
This aims to reduce dependence on foreign imports and to meet local demand as well as ensure guaranteed food security in this country.
In addition, kaola also suggests that MPRT sharpens existing research not only to ensure the quality of crop seeds but may also cover studies on soil quality and environment at selected agricultural sites especially for suitable rice planting and in addition for MPRT to ease the application process and regulation to obtain identified and suitable agricultural and livestock sites for high productivity of these two sectors.
The sites given should be presented in a clean condition and ready for cultivation for new entrepreneurs. Not forest areas with thick underbrush or flood areas that require high costs for clearing and terrace work and are borne by the entrepreneurs. Moreover, to prepare new entrepreneurs with knowledge and skills in the fields undertaken, guidance on financial management and marketing aspects, and ensuring continuous monitoring is provided by the relevant parties in cooperation with relevant agencies for example DARe and BEBD.
Emphasizing the widespread use of the latest technology and new methods by providing dual-functioning equipment that grows together with the outcome to ensure high-quality products are produced and to open more new areas for rice cultivation and the extensive farming of buffalo and cattle equipped with basic necessities and supported by commercial or industrial sectors. Expanding marketing to the use of rice and livestock abroad through joint ventures between domestic and foreign entrepreneurs.
Finally, kaola suggest that we must continue to strive to implement new initiatives towards increasing productivity and the self-reliance standards of both these commodities to meet demand and ensure food security in this country.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam. Regarding self-sufficiency in rice as well as buffalo and cattle, actually if we look at the efforts of this ministry, إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ, the ministry has successfully increased self-sufficiency from 4% to 8% starting from the year 2020. With efforts introducing high-yield varieties.
In addition, efforts to further increase water supply in rice farming areas. Efforts are also made by opening new areas such as the Kawasan Kandol, in efforts that have been made to further increase the self-sufficiency of rice in this country. So this rice, إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ, as kaola have stated earlier, 2 initiatives have been made:
Introducing 1,158 currently has yield in trial, which small scale can produce 8 metric tons. An increase from 5-6 metric tons to 8 metric tons; and
In addition, currently for boutique irrigated rice, the ministry has also identified and conducted trials on irrigated rice from the People's Republic of China which can produce 6 tons. Here it is hoped it can initially produce 3 metric tons, which from 1 ton to 3 metric tons because the conditions are different there.
With these 2 initiatives, it will be further increased in the near future. If successful in the trial, it will further enhance the livelihood per sack to 12%, إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ.
But this depends on several factors, the main factor is the ways they prepare this plantation and the ways they prepare the field which is important, if followed, observed from previous lessons from Sambada (18B) these are the fields that successfully use up to 8 metric tons because of their efforts in managing this field.
So close cooperation is needed between the Department of Agriculture and Agri-food and also the farmers to work together on these efforts as agreed upon, as recommended, advised by these rice parties. To get the maximum yield. That is one of the major factors causing why rice yield is sometimes low even though it has the potential to be high.
Second is the type of soil in Brunei. Sometimes it has acidic soil and it requires a lot of intervention by the farmers to prepare the soil. That is among the challenges faced by rice farmers in this country. However, the Department of Agriculture and Agri-food will continue to work with farmers to increase rice production in this country.
In terms of buffalo and cattle, from 2% to 3% I think it has been made known that our area 'kitani' is very limited. So this area if calculated opening wide like what kaola stated during the last MNM, how many thousands of hectares to plant grass.
So if tens of thousands of hectares are for planting grass alone, it will jeopardize 'kitani's' forests. Sometimes it's not practical to achieve self-reliance through cultivation in this country but nevertheless, the Ministry of Primary Resources through the Department of Agriculture is making new strategies where apart from importing animals from Australia there are efforts closer to 'kitani' will be designed to enable 'kitani' to achieve good self-reliance, improved food security in terms of buffalo and cattle.
At this time, it is still under negotiation and will be informed in the future to find a strategy to enable 'kitani' to further increase self-reliance in terms of buffalo and cattle with assistance from neighboring countries.
In terms of youth involvement, it is recognized as kaola mentioned in the introduction, I declared one section on youth which has been recognized that youth are the supporters who will become leaders and also will lead the industry at this time.
As kaola have stated earlier, as many as 155 people have been involved in the youth development programs from several years ago, 155 youths have been actively involved in agriculture and fisheries with youth schemes, pilot schemes, and joint projects between the ministry and financial firms such as BIBD and TAIB. We are looking for sponsors to promote active involvement of youth in agriculture.
In terms of technology at this time, most of the youth participating, the ministry encourages the use of high technology such as protective vertical farming and these are sprouting that are made at this time leach. Most of the places under the 12th National Development Plan are to provide sufficient infrastructure such as land clearing, electricity, and water. With these infrastructures, it will facilitate the use of technology as seen in Kampung Tungku at this time.
It will not continue as a milestone to guide to high productivity for agricultural entrepreneurs. Agripreneurs will produce high-quality yields and give a significant impact on the country's economy.
That's all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, koala's response to the questions that have been asked. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members. Let us pause our discussion in the Committee Meeting and we will reconvene in the State Legislative Council.
(Committee Meeting adjourned)
(State Legislative Council reconvenes)
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members. Now we reconvene in the National Legislative Council Conference. That's enough for our meeting this morning and I would like to adjourn the National Legislative Council Conference and we will reconvene this afternoon as usual starting at 2.30 pm.
That's all,
وبلتوفيق والهداية، والسلام معلميكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
(National Legislative Council adjourned)
YANG DI-PERTUA
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib, P.S.B., S.J.L., P.H.B.S., P.J.K., P.K.L., Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
AHLI RASMI KERANA JAWATAN (PERDANA MENTERI DAN MENTERI-MENTERI)
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 Wadidien, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, Perdana Menteri, Menteri Pertahanan, Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi dan Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, D.K.M.B., D.P.K.T., King Abdul Aziz Ribbon, First Class (Saudi Arabia), The Order of the Renaissance (First Degree) (Jordan), Grand Cross of Crown Order- G.K.K., (Netherlands), Medal of Honour (Lao), DSO (Singapore), Order of Lakandula With The Rank of Grand Cross (Philippines), The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Second Class (Ukraine), Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama (Johor), DSO (Military) (Singapore), P.H.B.S., Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Menteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim, D.K., S.P.M.B., D.S.N.B., P.H.B.S., P.B.L.B., P.J.K., P.K.L., Acting Judiciary of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam dan Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official duties)
Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, P.S.S.U.B., D.P.,M.B., P.H.B.S., P.B.I.L., P.J.K., P.K.L., Minister of Religious Affairs, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (R) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd. Yussof, D.P.K.T., S.M.B., P.H.B.S., Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official duties)
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., Minister of Health, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew bin Abdullah, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official duties)
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd. Yusof, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., P.J.K., P.I.K.B., Minister of Foreign Affairs II, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official duties)
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., P.S.B., P.I.K.B., Minister of Home Affairs, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abd. Manaf bin Haji Metussin, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., S.N.B., S.M.B., P.S.B., P.K.L., Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abd. Rashid, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.I.K.B., Minister of Development, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr. Dayang Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Md. Salleh, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L., Minister of Education, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official duties)
Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, P.S.N.B., P.S.B., Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, P.S.N.B., S.M.B., P.I.K.B., Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
AHLI YANG DILANTIK ORANG-ORANG YANG BERGELAR
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.H.B.S., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.H.B.S., P.J.K., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.J.K., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
AHLI YANG DILANTIK ORANG-ORANG YANG TELAH MENCAPAI KECEMERLANGAN
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Saffiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam, S.U.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck, P.S.B.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee, P.I.K.B.
Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Mohimi, S.M.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin, S.N.B., S.M.B., P.I.K.B.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin, S.M.B., P.S.B.
Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin, P.I.K.B.
AHLI YANG DILANTIK MEWAKILI DAERAH-DAERAH
Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin, P.I.K.B., P.K.L., Penghulu Mukim Lumapas – Daerah Brunei dan Muara.
Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat, P.K.L., Ketua Kampung Subok - Daerah Brunei dan Muara.
Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed, Ketua Kampung Putat – Daerah Brunei dan Muara.
Yang Berhormat Awang Mohamad Ali bin Tanjong, P.K.L., Ketua Kampung Lumapas “B” – Daerah Brunei dan Muara.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Daud bin Jihan, P.I.K.B., P.K.L., Ketua Kampung Belimbing – Daerah Brunei dan Muara.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman, P.I.K.B., Penghulu Mukim Bukit Sawat – Daerah Belait.
Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann, Ketua Kampung Bukit Sawat – Daerah Belait.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya'akub, P.I.K.B., Penghulu Mukim Ukong – Daerah Tutong.
Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan, Ketua Kampung Sengkarai – Daerah Tutong.
Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir, P.S.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.P., Ketua Kampung Labu Estet dan Piasau-Piasau – Daerah Temburong.
HADIR BERSAMA
Yang Mulia Dr. Dayang Hajah Huraini binti Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Jaya Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hurairah, P.S.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L., Jurutulis Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Mulia Pengiran Hajah Zaidah binti Pengiran Haji Petra, Assistant to the Clerk of the Legislative Council, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
(The session began at 9:30 AM)
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