DAY 10 AFTERNOON
15TH MARCH 2023 - AFTERNOON
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(The meeting resumed at 2.30 pm.)
Your Honorable Speaker
Honorable Members of Parliament, the National Assembly is still discussing the proposed 2023 Bill, Supply 2023/2024, by the Honorable Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and the Second Minister of Finance and Economy.
Therefore, to enable us to continue discussing and examining the topics in this Bill, I propose that we adjourn this National Assembly meeting and reconvene at the Committee Level.
(The meeting was adjourned)
(The meeting continued as a Committee)
Your Honorable Chairperson
بسم للاالرحمن الرحيم. Honorable Members of Parliament, the meeting is now fully reconvened at the Committee Level. أ ْلح ْمدُ ِ هلِلAt the Committee Meeting held this morning, we have completed the approval of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism topic.
However, before we continue to examine and discuss the next ministry, I have been informed that Your Honorable Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Second Minister of Defense would like to make a statement to answer the questions raised by the Honorable Members appointed earlier this morning.
I invite Your Honorable Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Second Minister of Defense to speak.
Your Honorable Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Second Minister of Defense
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker, for the opportunity for me to provide some answers to the questions raised earlier. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, good afternoon and greetings.
I will not read out the questions from the Honorable Members, as their statements were also lengthy and I believe that the Honorable Members still remember the questions, some of which have been answered by the Honorable Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism. As an additional answer, I will touch on the role of the Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA) in controlling the use of chemicals in the agricultural industry.
On this occasion, I would like to thank the Honorable Member for the questions raised earlier.
SHENA has held several meetings with the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood over the past 2 years. Among the initiatives that have been implemented include increasing the awareness of the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood on safety and health in the workplace and conducting several joint inspections with agricultural and livestock farmers.
These efforts will be continued through closer collaboration in increasing awareness and knowledge of safety in this sector. Regarding the use of toxic pesticides, at present, there are no specific regulations focusing on the management of chemicals or hazardous substances.
However, some of the management issues are contained under the Occupational Safety and Health Order 2019 (Hazardous Substance), where SHENA enforces the labeling, use, storage, handling, and transportation of toxic chemicals in the workplace only.
At present, there is also a Poison Act enforced jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood. There is also a national initiative led by the Ministry of Finance and Economy involving relevant agencies to develop a holistic national regulation on chemical management.
In 2021, SHENA has issued Industry Guidance Notes on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Among its contents are the use of appropriate safety equipment to handle specific tasks such as gloves for chemicals, respiratory equipment, goggles, and so on. This note is promoted to the public through SHENA's website and social media platforms as a reference source for industrial parties.
In this matter, SHENA also intends to introduce more guidelines to ensure that the work environment is safe for all sectors. Regarding the channel to facilitate users to make any complaints or inquiries, SHENA has introduced an online complaint space on its website last year. SHENA also encourages the public to report any incidents or workplace accidents to the 24-hour hotline at +673 7332200.
In addition, I would like to share about the efforts to improve capabilities in chemical management, where a workshop was organized by the Prime Minister's Department, namely the National Training and the Sound Management of Chemicals under the European Union Chemicals, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Centre's of Excellence Initiative on November 7 last year.
Among the objectives of the workshop are:
Identifying risks and hazards;
Awareness of legal provisions and principles for the sound management of chemicals and chemical waste, legal requirements for chemical transport, and principles of detection and decontamination for chemical incidents; and
The principles of Personal Protective Equipment and how to use it.
The workshop was attended by officers from relevant agencies such as the Department of Internal Security, Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Customs and Excise Department, Ministry of Health, Fire and Rescue Department, Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRE), and SHENA. The workshop was delivered by experts and lecturers from abroad in the field of chemistry such as toxicology, chemical incidents, contaminated management, and waste management systems.
That is the explanation and answer from me regarding the role of SHENA and its responsibilities. Thank you. ### Your Honorable Speaker Thank you, Your Honorable Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Defense. Honorable Members. Now we will move on to the next ministry.
Deputy Clerk
Title SJ01A - Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Your Honorable Speaker
Honorable Members. The committee now moves on to the topic of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Before we open the floor for discussion on this topic, I would like to give the floor to Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs to present the budget for his ministry for the Financial Year 2023/2024. I invite Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs to speak.
Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Peace be upon you and may the blessings of Allah be upon you. Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker, for allowing me to present the Budget of the Ministry of Religious Affairs this afternoon. I would also like to greet my colleagues and fellow parliamentarians. I am grateful to Allah for allowing us to be here together to present the Budget of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the Financial Year 2023/2024.
As part of the government machinery that supports and realizes the three focuses of the National Budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has been allocated a total amount of $270,258,865.00.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs will utilize the allocation given to implement religious programs according to the areas it leads and will ensure alignment with the National Budget theme for 2023/2024, 'United in Building a More Prosperous Future' in the three focuses that have been presented, namely:
- Maintaining public welfare;
- Supporting inclusive and resilient national recovery; and
- Developing a dynamic, proactive, and innovative human capital.
Your Honorable Speaker, the National Budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024, like the budgets presented in previous years, aims to bring goodness by fulfilling the needs to achieve balanced progress for the integrity of the country and the welfare of the people. The integrity of the country is its safety, and the welfare of the people is their comfort in living in a clean, beautiful, and comfortable environment, with respect and security.
At the same time, their basic needs are guaranteed, and other needs are also taken into account. This is what is planned and programmed in the allocated budget. Therefore, Your Honorable Speaker, in the context of our country, Brunei Darussalam, a kingdom, a country of customs and traditions, a country of faith, and a country of virtues.
Therefore, I describe that the budget presented by Your Honorable Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Second Minister of Finance and Economy recently, like the previous budget, fulfills the demands of Islamic teachings. It is clearly a budget to support the programs of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for the development of the country with balanced progress and aimed at improving the welfare of the people.
Balanced progress for the country ensures its integrity and the well-being of its people, who live in a clean, healthy, and safe environment, as mentioned earlier.
Meanwhile, improving the welfare of the people is by fulfilling their basic needs as well as caring for other needs to give meaning and continuously enhance their perfection and well-being.
In such a situation, in our context, the people of Brunei Darussalam fulfill the main objectives and targets, namely the five مقاصد شرعية:
Preserving religion;
Preserving life;
Preserving intellect;
Preserving property; and
Preserving lineage, meaning preserving the lineage of mankind, ensuring its continuity, and the continuity of generations of perfect humanity.
Therefore, in line with this, I am pleased to state that the provisions in the budget supported for the Ministry of Religious Affairs are to support programs that, although their names are specifically religious, have a positive impact on the welfare of the people and the security of the country, namely its integrity.
Your Honorable Speaker, I state that one of the main areas led by the Ministry of Religious Affairs is Islamic education. It is implemented through religious schools and Arabic studies through Islamic Higher Education at the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College and through Quranic memorization studies at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Tahfiz Institute.
As usual, in the Budget for the Financial Year 2023/2024, provisions have been made to support its administration and implement its programs under the title of Maintenance (Promotion of Intellect), amounting to $201,255,681.00.
This indicates the continuous commitment of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for the continuity of Arabic education and schooling, especially as established by His Majesty's late father, Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, 60 years ago.
The importance of religious schooling has been emphasized again for its continuity as a religious education institution through the Compulsory Religious Education Act 2013.
Allocation (1) of the Act states that every parent, if their child is a school-age child on January 1st of the school year, must ensure that their child is registered as a student in a religious school that year and continues to be a student for the compulsory education period. The compulsory education period is interpreted in Provision (3) of the Act.
The religious education period provided is a religious school designed for 7 years but can be completed between 7 to 8 years.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. In the past 6 decades, which can be said to be 2 generations of our country's people, even if not entirely, but it is sufficient to say that generally, people who have received systematic religious education or at least have been exposed to and influenced by it have received positive exposure and influence.
The meaning of systematic education is the teaching by qualified religious teachers according to the teachings of والجماعة السنة أهل and the Shafi'i Mazhab through formal schooling with a determined syllabus and curriculum, not learning religion in a superficial way that is not fully understood, which allows for diverse understanding and practices.
أ ْلح ْمدُ ِ هلِل, diverse understanding and practices in practicing and understanding religion can be avoided in this country thanks to formal religious education. With that, we practice religion in this country in a safe, comfortable, and pleasant manner.
Next, Your Honorable Speaker, I am pleased to state that the Arabic medium secondary school subjects encompass both general and religious subjects. It may seem difficult and burdensome for students, but they are able to follow it.
Looking at the achievements in general subjects in public examinations for the PSR levels that are equivalent to it, namely SSRU for the religious stream, it has brought them to the Brunei Cambridge O-Level and A-Level which are equivalent to the Brunei Religious Education Certificate and Brunei Higher Religious Education Certificate, and the results of their participation in these public examinations are not disappointing, although not entirely impressive, but still satisfying and encouraging. This means that there is still a need to improve and enhance it in many aspects of schooling, students, teachers, and even parents.
I am pleased to announce the results of the PSR examinations. From the years 2017 to 2021, the target achievement for grades A to C was 92.47% in 2017. However, the actual achievement exceeded the target at 94.95%. Similarly, in 2018, the target was 92.89%, but the achievement was 97.12%.
Furthermore, in 2019, 2020, and 2021, the targets were exceeded with achievements of 98.61%, 97.37%, and the same trend continued in 2021.
In the Brunei Cambridge GCE 'O' Level, the target for 5 'O' levels and above in 2017 was 34.20%, but the achievement of the Arab Secondary School, an Islamic school, was 41.1%. However, in 2018, the target was 36.75%, but the achievement dropped to 34.67%. After that, in 2019, 2020, and 2021, all targets were exceeded. Similarly, in the BCGCE 'A' Level, achieving 2 'A's and above, the achievements were also أ ْلح ْمدُ ِ هلِل, exceeding the targets in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Looking at the progress of the Arab School, their participation in extra-curricular activities such as competitions at the national, regional, and international levels is commendable. Their achievements are impressive, especially considering their Arabic education background.
For example, in the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA) 2022 program held in Pakistan, the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Arab Women's Secondary Religious School (SUAMPRIPAHS) received a Merit award, أ ْلح ْمدُ ِ هلِل. In the same year, at the 10th ASEAN Quiz-Regional Level competition in Myanmar, the Brunei Islamic College won third place. In 2022, at the Young Inventor Challenges (YIC) in Malaysia, the Brunei Islamic College once again achieved a place, although not in the top 10. However, considering the participation of 451 contestants, our school achieved a position in the semifinals and top 166 out of 451.
These successes began in 2019 with the APICTA in Vietnam and the 2019 ASEAN Cyber Kits Cam, also in Vietnam. The Brunei Islamic College and the Arab Belait School each received a merit award and a bronze award, respectively. In addition to Malay, Islamic Religious Knowledge, and even English, general subjects such as Science and Mathematics are also taught. Therefore, Arab Religious School students have the opportunity and eligibility to pursue higher education in their chosen fields, including non-Islamic studies, both domestically and internationally.
Parents and their children are wise in their choices. Meanwhile, I also acknowledge that the need for religious education through the Arabic Islamic School Institution, Al-Quran Tahfiz Institute, and the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College requires efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning, the quality and qualifications of teachers, and the quality of educational institutions.
These matters are very important, especially considering the need to prepare teachers, students, and learners to adapt themselves to a progressive and dynamic education system according to the standards and needs of the future. In other words, the efforts must start now for the future. These efforts are certainly aligned with the framework of achieving Goal 1 of the National Vision 2035 to produce an educated and highly skilled population through several established initiatives.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. Furthermore, the religious services provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, in addition to religious education under the category of the Aqal Promotion Learning Program, also include special religious areas in several programs and activities. As stated in the budget book. The Maintenance and Promotion of Religious Programs and Activities are allocated a total of $29,594,377.00.
The Maintenance and Promotion of Wealth Programs and Activities are allocated a total of $28,709,502.00. The Maintenance and Promotion of Life and Progeny Programs and Activities are allocated more than $10 million, namely $10.69 million. I am pleased to provide only brief details, Your Honorable Speaker, and I expect to provide more in my response during the question and answer session, Insha'Allah. I am pleased to start by addressing the issue of collecting and distributing zakat. This is a matter or issue that is circulating among the community, namely in terms of those who receive benefits, but those who apply for it are slow to receive a decision. Based on the report of applications through the SKN (National Welfare Scheme) online for November 2022, there were a total of 1,780 applications, of which 73%, or 1,306 people, applied for zakat distribution from MUIB. The remaining 27%, or 474 people, applied for welfare assistance at JAPEM, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. Less than half, or 664 out of 1,306 applications to the Islamic Religious Council, have been supported and approved for zakat distribution for a period of two years, with 12 new applicants and 227 others being applicants for welfare assistance at JAPEM.
Therefore, looking at these figures, Your Honorable Speaker shows that there are so many repeat applicants. That is, the repeat applicants seem to indicate a tendency for zakat recipients to continue to apply for or rely on zakat distributions and so on.
The issue is, as Kaola said, not just a matter of whether people are grateful to receive it or not, but the issue is the increasing number of repeat applicants from year to year, with no less than the number increasing. But the increase in zakat income is not significantly increasing according to the annual average, only up to 17 to 18 million.
If in the long term of 10 to 20 years, if the situation or collection does not increase significantly according to the changes in the increase of registered asnafs, it means that we will not care about the eligible applicants to become zakat asnafs. Therefore, the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei is thinking of new ways or methods to increase zakat collection.
At present, أ ْلح ْمدُ ِ هلِل zakat on wealth, zakat on business, zakat on companies, and zakat on savings have been collected well, whether they are delivered to the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei or mostly through savings, those who save in banks through their savings deductions.
This is very helpful, especially for Islamic Financial Institutions or bodies that also pay their own zakat in addition to the savings depositors in the bank. However, as Kaola said, the figure is still at $17 to $18 million.
Therefore, the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei has been looking for its methods. At present, in the final stage of the search, there are already some, but the ministry or the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei wants to ensure that before implementation, it must be regulated with its rules, methods, and SOPs that not only comply with Sharia law but also comply with financial regulations. This is very important. So in the meantime, Kaola here opens up to Your Honorable Members to provide ideas, input on other ways to increase zakat collection.
It should be noted that zakat according to the current laws must be paid by those who are obliged to pay it, namely zakat on wealth, zakat on business, zakat on companies, and even zakat on plants. So, they, أ ْلح ْمدُ ِ هلِلif there are many in the business field, but because at present there is no rule requiring them to pay, even though the provision there should be paid, they must have a religious obligation, not a legal obligation.
Therefore, Your Honorable Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, I will only summarize this matter. There are other matters in other areas, such as the religious maintenance activity program, which is allocated $29,594,000.00, the property promotion maintenance program and activity, which is allocated $28,709,000.00, and the life and lineage promotion maintenance program and activity, which is allocated $10,699,000.00.
I am pleased to provide additional details briefly regarding the zakat issue. The figures reported by the applicant through the SPK line are so apparent, so the concern is very relevant to me at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Such matters, God willing, will be easy. As for other areas such as preaching, it is ongoing, God willing, although our efforts to excel in preaching are still ongoing.
These efforts are through conventional program steps in addition to other programs that are also suitable for the skills improvement that can be mastered by our preachers. Not only from the Dakwah Center, our preachers in this country consist of many parties, including the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, who have a religious background and are capable of becoming preachers, and so on.
I think that's all I can say for now. I apologize for being so distracted at this table. Hopefully, in the next discussion, I can continue it, God willing. Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker. Peace be upon you.
Your Honorable Speaker
Thank you, Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs, for providing an introduction and explanation, especially regarding the direction planning in the preparation of the budget for the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the Financial Year 2023/2024. Honorable Members.
We are now facing the topic of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs has provided an explanation of his ministry's budget. Now, I open this topic for discussion.
With me here is a long list of Honorable Members, so I will start this discussion by inviting Your Honorable Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan.
Your Honorable Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Firstly, Your Honorable, I would like to express my gratitude for the opening remarks by the Minister of Religious Affairs regarding the plans and direction of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, particularly in promoting Islam in Brunei Darussalam. My question is:
I would like to touch on the issue of programs to enhance mosques in Brunei Darussalam. As we know, mosques are the houses of Allah and important Islamic institutions, whether they are built in urban or rural areas, or even in the interior. Alhamdulillah, several religious programs have been organized to enhance mosques, involving youth, villagers, and Muslims in Brunei Darussalam in general.
In this regard, I suggest that this program be revitalized and expanded by creating special programs, projects, or activities every year, guided and led by the Department of Religious Affairs in collaboration with the religious bureaus of the Village Consultative Councils (MPK), associations, and NGOs with similar interests, and made into an integrated religious program at the district and national levels.
At the same time, this program also targets mosques that are marginalized and less known to the public so that they can benefit equally. These programs can be diversified according to current suitability as long as they do not violate Islamic law, such as lectures on topics that are not focused on Fiqh and Tajwid, such as economics from an Islamic perspective, science and technology in Islam, and so on. Programs such as Family Day for the poor and converts, Islamic Family Day, or sales and economic programs held in mosque areas such as Car Boot Sale that can generate income for congregants and so on.
I would like to inquire about the Religious Teacher Service Scheme (SPGU) and refer to Circular Letter from the Prime Minister's Department number 12/2018 regarding the appointment requirements related to considerations for obtaining initiatives under the SPGU Scheme. I would like to express the disappointment of some religious teachers who did not benefit from the SPGU scheme.
In this regard, I would like to seek clarification from Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs on the requirements and evaluation set for an Islamic teacher to be considered for the benefits of the Islamic Teacher Service Scheme (SPGU). Thank you.
Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs
Thank you, Your Honorable. I welcome any thoughts or ideas to further promote mosque activities. At present, mosque activities usually involve congregations and events to enliven the mosque.
Your Honorable Speaker
Your Honorable, I can barely hear.
Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs
I apologize, Your Honorable Speaker. Activities related to common practices such as Quran recitation programs, Quran reading until completion, and regular programs such as reading Yasin and Tahlil every Friday night and reading Surah Al-Kahf in the morning are some of the activities that can enliven the mosque.
These programs and suggestions from Your Honorable are excellent as they provide a new pattern to the mosque, firstly by involving the youth of the mosque and the Ministry of Religious Affairs through the Islamic Propagation Center has religious youth. All of these can be combined with all available resources to activate the mosque with new programs as mentioned by Your Honorable earlier.
In addition, there is an opportunity during the month of Ramadan where mosques have ample space to be used for various purposes. For example, Ramadan stalls, but there are rules that must be imposed so that the mosque atmosphere does not become a bazaar or stall atmosphere, and so on. However, this idea can be tried with good regulations.
Returning to the involvement of youth in the mosque. Many ways have been shown by the youth of the mosque and I feel proud when I remember that Your Honorable himself was an active youth in the mosque 3 to 4 years ago and until now he is deeply rooted in the youth. If Your Honorable and other friends can start such activities that can be lifted up by the relevant departments in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, then I myself express my gratitude.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs holds an Islamic Literature Night every year, but it is quite limited because only a few participants attend. The purpose of the night is for the presentation of books or book launches published by the Islamic Da'wah Center. Programs like this can be expanded and can be combined with ideas and suggestions from Your Honorable.
Regarding the SPGU Scheme. At present, it is in the process of implementation and thousands of teachers have already entered the scheme and many more are waiting to see if they have been listed as eligible for support, but the support is not given simultaneously. If 100 or 200 people are sent, they will not be immediately accepted by the Public Service Commission (SPA) to enter the scheme, it is "queued" and the deadline is important.
I understand that there are teachers who feel they are eligible but have not been selected. I cannot interfere because there are boards with criteria and I believe that everyone in this House should give them the confidence to carry out their duties fairly, God willing. Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker.
Your Honorable Speaker
I invite Your Honorable Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir.
Your Honorable Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker, for allowing me to raise the issues that have arisen in this discussion. "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings."
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. First of all, I would like to thank Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs for his introduction. Under the title SJ01A - Ministry of Religious Affairs towards managing and planning the Supply Act (2023), 2023/2024, I hope that whatever is desired can be implemented as best as possible, God willing. I am pleased to raise some issues that require attention and consideration:
Regarding the issue of a shortage of hearses in the Temburong District, which causes problems for residents when there are multiple deaths at once and causes delays in burial arrangements. The shortage of hearses is not a new issue and should be addressed as soon as possible. In this regard, I request that the Ministry of Religious Affairs pay attention to this issue.
Regarding the issue of the surface of Islamic burial grounds. In various districts, not just in Temburong, there are lands that are hard or rocky, making it difficult to dig graves. Therefore, I request that the government provide suitable excavator machinery to facilitate the digging of hard and rocky burial grounds.
Abiskaola would like to know about the construction project of the Dakwah Center in Kampung Senukoh, Mukim Labu, which has been halted and raises questions. I would like to know the status of this project.
Regarding signboards leading to mosques, especially those that are far from the main road and located in villages. Some people have shared their experiences of not being able to locate the mosque when they want to perform prayers during prayer time. I would like to bring up the issue of Masjid Kampung Labu Estete and Surau Kampung Piasau-Piasau, Temburong, which are often visited by road users passing through the area during prayer time.
That's all, I would like to request clarification from Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs on these matters.
Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs
From what I have noted, there are four issues:
The shortage of hearses in Temburong. It is acknowledged that there is a shortage and it is not sufficient. In the records, there is only one hearse in Temburong and if there are multiple deaths at once, it will be a problem. The Department of Mosque Affairs can consider this matter and, God willing, I can note it as such. Usually, shortages like this can be covered by donations, but they can also be collected as a waqf for the hearse. In the Temburong District, the mosques are small and the congregations are not large, so the mosque's income is not as much. I feel that this suggestion or request is relevant and should be considered.
I also remember the Cemetery Land Plan across Kota Batu in the 90s. The plan was very ambitious to replace the area and its surroundings, but after finding that the land was hard, the plan was abandoned.
What is needed is facilities for people who dig graves using only manual labor, which is difficult, so machines are needed for digging. I cannot promise that it can be done, but I can study how far it can be done in Temburong and other areas in similar conditions.
The construction of the Religious Activity Center in Kampung Senukoh is not delayed, but in certain circumstances such as the COVID-19 situation, the program is slow to start. At this time, in April, there has been a decision to implement the plan, God willing. Because there is a need for a Religious Activity Center in Kampung Senukoh.
The signboard method. Currently, in Temburong, it is easy to access and anyone who comes to the Temburong area and is unfamiliar with the area to find a mosque, especially if the mosque is inside and there are no signs to lead to the mosque.
Not only for the use of the mosque, but also for the roads, there are perfect signs such as named roads that are certain and for other activities that require signboards such as mosques, schools, and so on. It can be considered and suitable to be implemented, God willing.
That's all, Your Honorable Speaker, for the four questions. Thank you.
Your Honorable Speaker
I now invite Your Honorable Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin.
Your Honorable Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker, for the opportunity given.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah. First of all, I would like to express my congratulations and gratitude for the enlightenment given by Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs regarding the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Your Honorable Speaker:
Firstly, I would like to touch on the Islamic Religious Council. Kaola was informed that the function of the Islamic Religious Council is many and very challenging, especially in the management of zakat affairs. In the issue of zakat management, many things are delayed and slow to be resolved due to a lack of manpower in that department, while zakat asnaf applications are increasing from year to year.
For example, the process of evaluating zakat recipients' applications alone takes years to wait for the response. Even requests to continue receiving zakat assistance take years to wait for the response.
Even requests to continue receiving zakat assistance take years to wait for a response. The common reason is a shortage of manpower, especially those who carry out assessment work. Another example is the delay in providing assistance such as housing construction assistance for zakat recipients.
As Your Honorable Speaker knows, there is a case that I have been informed of where housing assistance was approved and agreed upon by the Committee in 2015, but until now there are no signs of implementing the construction of the house, while the applicant has already been directed to leave their original home and has been given temporary shelter since 2020.
Your Honorable Speaker. Based on my observation and understanding of the Zakat Management Division of the Islamic Religious Council, I believe it is time to elevate it to a department so that the organization can be developed and it can fulfill its roles and functions to the people in this country more efficiently and effectively.
In fact, in my opinion, not only should the Zakat Division be elevated to a department, but the Islamic Religious Council itself should also be elevated as an independent organization because if we look at the functions of the Islamic Religious Council, it is found that its functions are much greater than a department.
If we look at the membership of the Members of the Islamic Religious Council, which consists of the Chairman of the Islamic Religious Council who is the Minister of Religious Affairs and the Deputy Chairman of the Islamic Religious Council who is the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, then the functions become even greater. Moreover, the Islamic Religious Council has its own constitution. That is my opinion, Your Honorable.
The second point is about Islamic Education. Alhamdulillah, in Brunei Darussalam, we can enjoy a religious life in peace and prosperity. I believe all of this is due to the late Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien's strong attention to Islamic education, which led to the establishment of Islamic schools in this country.
The Islamic education funding system has become increasingly better and developed under the leadership and concern of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, to the extent that Islamic schools have been built in rural areas. In the past, in addition to borrowing teachers from abroad, the teaching staff of Islamic schools consisted of trained teachers from the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers College.
Now the college has been upgraded to the University College of Religious Education Seri Begawan (KUPUSB). This upgrade is a positive initiative by the government towards improving the academic standards of future religious teachers in the college.
However, since the upgrade of KUPUSB, the role of producing religious teachers to teach in schools is no longer as it was before the upgrade, as many graduates of the University College of Religious Education have not been appointed as religious teachers, especially those who have taken undergraduate courses.
This matter needs to be given proper attention to avoid negative assessments and lack of confidence in the job prospects of KUPUSB graduates who hold certificates of expertise in the field of education.
In light of this matter, what initiatives has the Ministry of Religious Affairs taken to maintain the original purpose of establishing the religious teacher training college as a producer of religious teachers and its upgrade?
Does the Ministry of Religious Affairs also have research data on the extent to which graduates of the University College of Religious Education Seri Begawan (KUPUSB) work as religious teachers in religious primary and secondary schools since its upgrade?
Kaola also suggests that if the job prospects of graduates of the University College of Religious Education Seri Begawan (KUPUSB) are no longer focused on becoming religious teachers, it would be better if the courses offered are not limited to the field of education as stated in the certificate issued, to enable KUPUSB graduates to apply for jobs other than in the field of religious education.
There have been several reports on the issue of violations of halal certification and halal labeling orders by food business premises found in surprise inspections, and it was found that the restaurants displayed revoked halal certificates.
This matter is very concerning. Are the restaurants that display halal certificates really complying with the requirements of the issuer, and can the halal status of the food served in these restaurants be trusted?
In this matter, Kaola also suggests that besides taking strict action against violators, the authorities responsible for food control can take proactive measures to address the issue of displaying revoked halal certificates. The authorities should have the initiative to remind the holders of halal certificates to renew them before they are revoked. For example, through text messages as done by other agencies such as the Land Transport Department (JPD), insurance companies, hospitals, and others. That's all, thank you, Your Honorable Speaker. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs
Thank you, Your Honorable.
There are three points:
Regarding the function of the Islamic Religious Council (MUIB), the biggest one is zakat. The position of MUIB is a body that has its own constitution as stated by Your Honorable, and in its constitution, its position is as the highest advisor to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in matters of religion.
Is its current position not practical, hence the idea from Your Honorable Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin to make it an independent body? Therefore, the word "independent" is difficult to see because MUIB is already independent. MUIB is to oversee religious activities in the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
However, because its administration is placed under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, it remains free and independent because its responsibility is not directly to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The Ministry of Religious Affairs is only the executor of plans approved by the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei or any matter that has been submitted or presented to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and has been granted permission to be implemented. Therefore, its implementation is by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
One aspect of its function mentioned by Your Honorable Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin is zakat. Efforts have been made to establish the Zakat Department. There have been decisions made and steps taken to realize the establishment of the department.
So with its establishment, the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei will be more functional, and its zakat function will run smoothly. If this is awaited, then hopefully, we pray to Allah that the establishment of the Zakat Department will be realized in the near future, Insha'Allah.
The Religious Teachers College, formerly known as the Religious Teachers Training College before being upgraded to the Religious Teachers College of Seri Begawan (KUPUSB). At that time, we had not yet thought of providing higher education until UNISSA was established later after KUPUSB. Therefore, it is a form of higher education but is focused on education and teaching. Its graduates are only more extensive and increased according to faculties such as Shariah.
However, all the courses are teaching education and pedagogy. Therefore, graduates from the Islamic Religious College are qualified in Islamic studies, educated in Islamic knowledge and its related subjects.
The question is, why aren't all graduates becoming teachers now? This issue arises as more and more of the country's educated children in Islamic studies are coming from abroad, not only in Egypt, Jordan, and Malaysia, but also within the country, such as UNISSA.
So, the number of graduates from higher education in Islamic studies is indeed in the market for work and to serve in the field of religion, including as teachers. Graduates from KUPUSB colleges compete with graduates from Islamic higher education centers inside and outside the country.
The very obvious difference is in the 70s to the 90s, where the colleges were actually designed to produce students to become teachers. The scheme was correct, as mentioned by Your Honorable Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin. Therefore, it was tailored for teachers, based on the needs of one year, and the intake of one year was not more than 120 people.
The annual requirement is between 90 to 100 people, and taking into account that not all will pass, those who will be targeted to become religious teachers are 90 to 100 people. So, they are tailored to serve as religious teachers.
Awareness of halal. Actually, as expected by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the public should be alert to the awareness of the position of halal food in this country. Labels for products and halal certificates for places are just one guarantee that states the origin of a matter that has doubts. The doubt means that we cannot eat it if, for example, the meat is not slaughtered properly. We do not know if it is slaughtered properly or not, so we establish slaughter regulations, and after the regulations are implemented, we provide certification.
To what extent is this possible in the Bruneian term "tekabirkah" for the Shariah Affairs Department that handles the Halal Food Division? "Tekabirkah" they are in this situation. This is the question, if we only add manpower, it will never be enough, but what is most important is the way of working that must be improved.
These are the ongoing improvements being made in that department, in addition to the public's own awareness. That awareness is by providing accurate information, if there is any doubt, it should be sent directly to the relevant party.
The suggestion to contact the relevant parties, holders of revoked halal certificates and so on, via SMS or what is currently in use, is a good suggestion and I note it to be conveyed to the relevant parties. Thank you.
Your Honorable Speaker
I now invite Your Honorable Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusuf.
Your Honorable Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusuf
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Your Honorable Speaker, first of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Your Honorable Speaker for giving me the opportunity to discuss the allocation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the Financial Year 2023/2024.
I would also like to express my highest appreciation and gratitude to Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs for presenting the budget of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and explaining the direction of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Your Honorable Speaker, as we all know, the Tanmiah Body of the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei was established as an entity of the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei to carry out its duties in planning and acting to manage the finances of the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei.
This body also manages and handles the transfer and transfer of movable and immovable property from the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei Fund by implementing appropriate investment plans.
Its goal and function is also to develop the assets of the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei Fund through regular and effective development plans and Shariah-compliant investments. What I myself can observe at this time is that the Tanmiah Body has been actively investing conventionally in the form of rental properties and commercial buildings.
I believe that it is perhaps time for the Tanmiah Body to explore diversifying its investment forms, whether in the industrial or Shariah-compliant enterprise sectors that can bring significant socio-economic benefits and impacts to the community and the country.
However, it requires research on the availability of the relevant project to be managed. This is just an example, if there is a plan to build a large-scale processing and production factory for pepper and tomatoes.
These pepper and tomato products can also be cultivated among the recipients of zakat or those who are among the recipients of assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and perhaps local entrepreneurs can also grow and produce these peppers or tomatoes to supply to the relevant factory.
In addition, it will bring downstream industries such as opening bottle manufacturing or packaging manufacturing and others.
All of these productions may also be utilized by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that require these products.
Indirectly, if there are downstream industries, it will certainly provide many job opportunities for local residents, including the intended recipients of assistance or zakat recipients and also recipients of assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
What is important that I want to emphasize here is that we try to open the minds of those concerned so that we can instill a way for them to be self-reliant, not fully dependent on assistance from the relevant bodies.
In summary, I suggest that this approach be considered as best as possible if it is deemed appropriate.
Brunei Darussalam also aims to achieve Wawasan Brunei 2035. We often hear and echo the pure intention of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, to make Brunei Darussalam a zikir country. All citizens and residents of this country uphold and support His Majesty's intention.
The problem now may be a lack of understanding and not feeling what is meant by a zikir country, which we should explain to the public so that we can achieve what is meant by a zikir country. Therefore, here I want to clarify what is meant by the actual characteristics of becoming a zikir country.
What are the more effective and efficient strategies or initiatives for us to move towards making Brunei Darussalam a zikir country?
All three of them want to touch on the Mosque Takmir Committee, which has also been touched on by Your Honorable Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan.
Sometimes, the Mosque Takmir Committee not only plans to handle religious activities but also various charitable and community activities solely to unite and create understanding in the local community, as well as to enliven the mosque.
There are also requests or proposals from the Mosque Takmir Committee to request for donations to open a fund to provide assistance to the less fortunate, orphans, sometimes to buy a hearse and upgrade the mortuary room, and so on.
What Kaola wants to raise here is the long period of time it takes to obtain permission, which often takes too long, sometimes with many documents that need to be submitted, as well as the required details.
Therefore, Kaola explains here that the procedure for submitting applications and the process of obtaining permission will be reviewed and updated to expedite and facilitate the process, not to delay it, to enable the Mosque Takmir Committee to move quickly, especially for the benefit and interests of the community and the surrounding village.
This has happened before, where someone wanted to donate their property to upgrade the mortuary room, but due to the lack of permission, it had to be postponed. These issues need to be considered together for the common good.
Finally, Kaola would like to express here about the processing of obtaining halal certification. Sometimes, the applications submitted to the relevant authorities have too many details and a very long checklist. It is undeniable that they are also responsible for following certain procedures to ensure the validity of halal, whether in restaurants or business premises. Some take up to a year or two. What about the position of these traders? Will they continue their business?
Even though they have spent thousands or even hundreds of thousands of ringgit, they are still waiting and sometimes asked if it is still in the process, checked repeatedly.
What I want to raise here is for it to be studied or updated, to simplify the process of obtaining this halal certificate for the benefit of and to encourage local traders to continue to progress and engage in their business and enterprise affairs.
Those are some of the issues that I want to raise here. Once again, I thank Your Honorable Speaker for giving me the opportunity to discuss matters related to the budget of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Thank you and peace be upon you. May Allah grant us success and guidance. Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs, I thank you.
Your Honorable Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama
I thank Your Honorable for raising these issues.
Indeed, the matters raised by Your Honorable are very much considered by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in the sense of improving the quality of services.
Kaola returns to the example of delays in obtaining permission to open a charity box or delays in processing halal certificate applications.
All of these matters, Kaola can state that the thoughts in the ministry are thoughts to improve as Your Honorable desires.
Input from Your Honorable is very useful in this matter and Kaola hopes it will be considered, and anything that needs to be improved can be done here and there.
In fact, for someone to endow, it should not take time until "nuhun nafsunyakan inda jadi" (until the soul is gone and it is not done). The plan to endow can be made directly to the Secretary of the Islamic Religious Council, and if it is a common matter, the Secretary of the Islamic Religious Council will process it as usual, and Kaola thinks that if it is urgently needed, it can be done within a month or even less.
But if it is done through the mosque to the Department of Mosque, the Department of Mosque to the Islamic Religious Council, that is one of the procedures that Kaola has seen needs to be improved.
Regarding the halal certificate, Your Honorable indeed has inputs or external inputs that require if this is the management method, it will not only bring convenience to the public but also bring difficulties to the public. Therefore, the existence of halal certificates and halal labels is to guarantee the halalness of food for Brunei consumers so that it will not be caused by weaknesses that exist.
Therefore, Kaola is really moving towards that and inputs from Your Honorable. It remains for Kaola to go to the relevant department when they do not get the necessary information fully.
So, this issue is back and forth because the procedures that I feel are not friendly are considered by the public to be a problem that needs to be fixed.
Regarding the Tanmiah Body, Your Honorable, actually conventionally it is a body that manages to develop the assets of the Islamic Religious Council which consists of waqf assets or other assets and at this time there are conventional, its capital is trying in the field of property through rental houses or shops, offices, and so on.
This has been in the last 3 to 4 years, the Islamic Religious Council is not actually an issue that has been considered by the council and decided by Your Honorable, the council decided to provide material capital for entering alternative investments. There are plans that have been prepared and approved. In the end, it cannot be implemented by the relevant partners, for example, business affairs. Apparently, it does not guarantee the safety of the assets of the Islamic Religious Council and so on. These are among the things that make it happen.
So, such things are also thought to have a way and a reason for happening. For example, if we complain that Muslim companies in the poultry industry are because they do not have enough capital to develop the company. Not the company adding cages. That means like providing food for chickens and just one example.
This is necessary because in this field, we should all think together. So far, we have not been able to find such a way. Unless we will joint venture with existing companies that require capital injection and the Islamic Religious Council allows the Tanmiah Body with such provisions and negotiations towards this matter, for those who have failed, they will still fail and those who will come will hopefully be able to be done.
The Tanmiah Body recently, together with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, made a visit abroad to see the best practices for developing these assets.
So, they have obtained estimated inputs and hopefully there will be benefits to the Islamic Religious Council and to the Ministry of Religious Affairs to propose plans that can be implemented as well as possible for the purpose of developing the assets of the Islamic Religious Council. As the Tanmiah Body was established.
The examples given by the Pehin mean that for such companies, if they are followed by the asnaf who participate in the Program Pemberdayaan Zakat Asnaf (PROPAZ) plans, whether they attend training at the Youth Development Center or anywhere in the industry that provides them with training, they need capital and the capital is obtained from zakat and does not need to go to the Badan Tanmiah, but failure will still occur if they themselves are not able to develop their business and so on.
This is another aspect. There is a need not only for skills to make something work, but there is also a need to understand business affairs. In this regard, I commend the efforts of the Islamic Dakwah Center together with the initiative from Islamic banks and now the mualaf entrepreneurs.
It seems that they can develop, God willing, with the right support and efforts they can do it.
Compared to other asnaf, so far we cannot record the success they have achieved except for their individual success.
I will answer about this Negara Zikir. I think it is enough for now that I talk about Negara Zikir from what has been "preached" and explained through lectures and knowledge sessions, that in this country or its contents, there are people who remember Allah.
We sit here and remember Allah, we remember Allah wherever we are or in short, we work remembering Allah, in any field remembering Allah.
Remember Allah in business, so everything in the country is heading in that direction. This is not only ceremonial, but with our understanding, we remember zikir, meaning a country that remembers Allah.
So whatever the characteristics of the country, whatever the needs in the country are in line with remembering Allah in any form and in line with remembering Allah. This matter has been preached a lot and I think there should be no more confusion. But to add to its understanding, what is thought by the Honorable Pehin can be thought by the Ministry of Religious Affairs or any relevant positions in the field of religion now to further expand the socialization of this Negara Zikir because the Ministry of Religious Affairs itself has a strategic plan regarding مقاصد شرعية.
To implement the Shariah objectives in its understanding at this time, the processes of understanding the Shariah objectives are preparing its index.
So, if Kaola feels that the state of Zikir can be continuously carried out in such a way, the true understanding of what will be done. So, if Kaola feels that there should be no doubt about what His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah meant by Negara Zikir, it is where we remember Allah.
Remembering Allah brings about obedience, a sense of humility, and a feeling that we are only servants of Allah and that all our beliefs come from Allah and only to Allah. That is what we hope for, Your Honorable.
Kaola feels 'rapus' (complete) with the four questions that have been answered. Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker.
Your Honorable Speaker
I invite Your Honorable Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin.
Your Honorable Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker. Peace be upon you and may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you. Respected Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. The question is regarding the halal status of imported food. Perhaps, Your Honorable Speaker, this matter involves several ministries.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the supply of halal imported food. The significant impact has been felt since the closure of the country's borders in 2020 until 2021. During this period, the general public in Brunei Darussalam experienced difficulties in obtaining imported food supplies for raw meat such as beef, buffalo, and goat, and frozen processed meat such as nuggets and sausages.
As reported by the relevant agencies, this is due to halal observers being unable to carry out halal observations outside the country during that period.
Praise be to Allah for the initiative of the observer task force, which was also assisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that the country's supply is sufficient.
Kaola's question is: -
Kaola would like to seek clarification from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Does imported canned meat such as Chicken Curry from Malaysia or Corned Beef from Brazil or China require inspection by Halal Food Control Officer (BKMH) as is done for raw and processed meat? If raw or processed meat is under the Halal Meat Act (183) and if canned meat is under the Public Health Food Act (182), which is the Ministry of Health.
If halal certification is not required, is the halal stamp issued by a foreign country such as Malaysia that can be seen on the canned food sufficient to certify processed imported meat?; and
This question is directed to the Honorable Minister in the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. Has the ministry researched and evaluated the risks of processed canned meat imports in terms of infectious diseases and food safety, for example in Australia? Any food, especially those based on animals, requires research on infectious diseases and food safety before it is allowed to enter the country.
Thank you also to the Honorable Minister in the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the introduction and presentation earlier. Your Honorable Speaker, those are my questions. Thank you.
Honorable Minister in the Ministry of Religious Affairs
Thank you Your Honorable Speaker and thank you Honorable Member. The question raised is regarding canned meat products and ready-to-eat products. Does it require certification from the Ministry of Religious Affairs under the law or not.
So far, there is no such requirement that can be done. Only the Honorable Member has mentioned earlier that it is under food control. Here there is some kind of collaboration in terms of administrative management only. The responsible body for food health, if it is related to food, will consult with the Department of Halal Food Control.
Part of it at one level, the matter of halalizing the food itself is left to the Halal Food Control Department.
But at this time, specifically by being implemented under the law by the Ministry of Health as a way of cooperation in terms of halal, the relevant party requests cooperation for its halalness. It is indeed difficult, because now there is also a misunderstanding between products that are ready-to-eat and those that are ready to be cooked. Meat products such as chicken and beef that are only required to supply raw meat.
So this matter, if I may, I request to refer more carefully to Your Honorable Speaker to provide an answer that can convince. I myself am speaking here, and I think it may cause others to misunderstand.
Let me refer to the relevant parties under my authority in the Halal Food Division to assist me in explaining or shedding light on this matter.
Those were the two questions for me. The question for MPRT is subject to the discretion of Your Honorable Chairperson, whether my colleague, Your Honorable Minister in the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism concerned, will come forward to provide an answer. Thank you.
Your Honorable Chairperson
I now invite Your Honorable Minister of Health.
Your Honorable Minister of Health
Okay, thank you Your Honorable Chairperson.
بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم السالم عليكم ورحمة هللا وبركاته. Here, I would like to shed some light on the role of the Ministry of Health in this halal process.
So, if there is a party from the Shariah who gives an example of processed meat to be ensured of its halal status, the Scientific Department will analyze whether it is pork or otherwise in the product, for example, certified halal meat has no other mixture.
And maybe there is a misunderstanding among people, like this state says it is halal, has Brunei checked if it is not halal.
Here, I would like to explain a little bit, so it depends on what is done in the lab, checking the halal status has various processes. Sometimes, if for example, a machine has 100 parts, it can detect one that is not halal. That's one in hundreds chance. That is the strength of the machine to check halal or not halal.
But if the machine is more specific or sensitive, one in 100,000, it can detect it, so the strength of the machine to detect pork, even if it is a drop in 100,000, it can detect it, that means the machine is sensitive.
So here, sometimes other people explain 'oh, in other countries, it is also halal, why in Brunei it is not halal'. Only the machine we have made here is quite sensitive. It is a drop in a hundred thousand, it can detect it. If asked about other countries, what makes it like, for example, one in 100, that is where the difference lies.
So, what is stated here is not that the machine we made is to ensure its halal status, we, the Ministry of Health, especially the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, want to ensure its halal status.
So that's why sometimes there are differences regarding the issue of halal from our country and other countries. That's all, Your Honorable Chairperson, thank you, Your Honorable Chairperson.
Your Honorable Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker, and thank you to Your Honorable Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin for the earlier question. Just to add on to what has been mentioned by my colleague, Your Honorable Minister of Health, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism is responsible for imported meat, frozen meat, and live animals. They require a veterinary health certificate to ensure that the source of the animals and meat is free from disease.
Regarding processed meat, which has been cooked and canned, I think there is an agency that processes this mainly under the Brunei Darussalam Food Authority. Normally, a health certificate from the exporter is required.
The processed meat requires a health certificate as well. Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker.
Your Honorable Speaker
I now invite Your Honorable Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd Salam.
Your Honorable Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd Salam
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and may Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you.
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker. Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members, I would like to congratulate Your Honorable Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs, for the opening speech on initiatives planned towards strengthening the propagation of Islam through the preservation or promotion of religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property in the management and administration of the ministry for the benefit of the people and residents of this country, God willing.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members, I would like to refer to the Initiative on the Preservation of Property, Especially Related to the Management of Zakat Property Account Code 001/000.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members, regarding zakat on property, I refer to the earlier speech on the issue of zakat collection on property, which has not shown a significant increase in recent years, compared to the increasing number of zakat applicants.
In my opinion, this issue is significant and should be addressed holistically by the Minister of Religious Affairs in this august House, as I believe that the issue of zakat collection on property needs to be addressed holistically to achieve zero poverty in this country by 2035, as the pure intention of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam in the opening ceremony of the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Legislative Council in 2008.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members, the issue of imbalanced zakat collection must also identify its root cause.
To make relevant improvements, we need to understand why this is happening. It may be due to various factors. So, among the identified factors that can contribute to the low collection rate or no increase in zakat collection are:
- Lack of awareness or understanding of the types of zakat on wealth among the public.
- Lack of knowledge about the obligation to pay zakat.
- Lack of understanding of the importance of paying zakat.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members.
I believe that in our country, Brunei Darussalam, there are many generous people who will not hesitate to fulfill their responsibilities as zakat payers or zakat issuers. However, perhaps there is a lack of awareness. In my opinion, zakat on wealth has various types, as we all know.
So, there may be some people who are not aware that they are included in the group of people who are obliged to pay zakat. For example, zakat on savings, zakat on income.
In my opinion, there needs to be widespread awareness about zakat on wealth, explaining to the general public what types of zakat on wealth must be issued. Because when I ask, most of the answers come from business people, wealthy people, people who issue zakat on gold and silver.
Rarely do people mention that there are those who do not know that their income is subject to zakat when it reaches the haul and nisab.
So, widespread awareness through existing platforms is needed continuously, not just for a period. We need to spread the word to the people and citizens of Brunei about zakat on wealth. Who is required to issue zakat.
For a period or consistently on social media, in sermons, in our seminars, we need to hold knowledge circles about it. We need to publicize it to the general public.
That is my opinion on one of the reasons. Then, the public is also unaware of the management of the zakat collection that has been issued. Meaning, where does the zakat go, who receives it, how much, for example.
In my opinion, this needs to be declared every year after the distribution is made. This is to explain to the general public for the purpose of increasing their trust, especially those who have issued zakat, where their zakat goes. Who, which group, how many recipients, how many payers.
One of the contributors to the lack of increase in collection is the traditional payment method. This means that people still have to pay in cash, for example, the calculation of gold zakat must be brought to the authorities at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Therefore, simplifying the zakat calculation and payment methods will provide convenience to our society. Nowadays, people prefer online payments using ATMs and the like.
These simplified methods, God willing, will provide convenience to the public in fulfilling their responsibility in zakat payment matters. For example, for the calculation of gold zakat, we can involve mosques for the public to inquire about the calculation of gold or silver assets they have, whether they are in possession or in gold shops.
Although most of these gold shops are monopolized by non-Muslims, there is no problem for them to weigh the gold and silver assets they have because they have their own experts to weigh the weight or amount of gold and silver they have.
In this regard, I am pleased to suggest that it is appropriate to discuss with the relevant parties to establish a national zakat management system, similar to the management systems that have been actively developed in other services in our country's administration. This is to support the country's aspiration to make Brunei Darussalam's people a smart nation through comprehensive digital inspiration. Therefore, I think it is possible to consider this in the zakat management process.
In this regard, I am pleased to suggest that before any initiative is implemented, a comprehensive study should be conducted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to identify the extent of Brunei's society's awareness and understanding of zakat matters and its importance to the country and the people's welfare.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. Regarding the number of poor and needy recipients, I would like to draw the attention of all members of this honorable council to the productive zakat distribution program known as the Zakat Recipients Empowerment Program (PROPAZ) under the administration of the Department of Islamic Religious Council at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
As we all know, PROPAZ has introduced several productive programs since its establishment in 2007 as one of the efforts of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to address poverty issues and develop the social welfare of the Asnaf group in this country. However, the success of these programs requires the cooperation of all parties, including government sectors, private sectors, and NGOs in this country.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. I am interested in a study conducted by a graduate student from the Falkuti Islamic Development Management (UNISSA) regarding PROPAZ programs from 2008 to 2013, which have shown positive effects in helping to improve the participants' economy and reduce the poverty rate.
Therefore, I suggest that the PROPAZ programs be further improved. This is because I believe that their implementation needs to be reassessed as I have not been hearing much about it lately. Perhaps the Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs can shed some light on the current PROPAZ programs and their management.
How are they managed and what has been their effectiveness in recent years? In an effort to improve these programs, I also suggest that all weaknesses in their implementation be re-evaluated for improvements to be made.
Furthermore, I suggest the implementation of Fardu Ain knowledge to the Asnaf group and educating them and the community about the advantages of entrepreneurship from our religious perspective. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and support must also be provided until this group can truly succeed and support themselves and their families. We should not only provide assistance as mere aid.
What is more important is the concept of helping the Asnaf group to help themselves, support their livelihoods, and provide them with education on proper financial management in entrepreneurship.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. Next, I would like to present my views on small-scale livestock farming businesses operated by local youths to generate additional income. In this case, it is related to small-scale chicken farming carried out independently by youths.
The issue is about the status of self-slaughter of the animal and the public's perspective on it. Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. Referring to Part III, Title of Slaughterhouses in the 2011 Fresh Meat Order which under Article 83(3) of the Constitution of Brunei Darussalam states that animal slaughter must be carried out in licensed slaughterhouses or premises authorized by the Director.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. For the information of everyone in this honorable House, licensed slaughterhouses charge a fee for each livestock slaughtered. This certainly increases the operating costs of these small business owners.
Therefore, to reduce these operating costs, some entrepreneurs slaughter the livestock they sell themselves. This self-slaughter, however, raises doubts and negative perspectives among the public because entrepreneurs cannot provide any proof that their slaughter is legitimate and recognized. Even though they are qualified individuals who have performed the slaughter.
So in this matter, I request clarification from Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs. How can the Ministry of Religious Affairs help these small business owners minimize the operating costs of their companies? Because in this matter, there are proposals that I would like to present here so that small entrepreneurs are given a slaughter certificate, which is permission for them to slaughter the livestock they want to sell to avoid public doubt and as proof that the slaughter is legitimate and recognized. In addition, with this certificate, these Small Business Owners also hope that they will be able to earn additional income by freelancing to slaughter livestock in existing slaughterhouses if there is a need for additional services.
So in this matter, I request the views of Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs. In addition, I also refer to the command of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during the Opening of the First Meeting of the Nineteenth Session of the Legislative Council on March 2nd, regarding the important role of the Legislative Council in promoting the country's economy and the efforts of His Majesty's Government to continue to develop it sustainably and competitively.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. Lastly, this is just a suggestion from myself regarding the Aqal 005/003 and 005/004 Promotions for Secondary and Primary Education. As the Ministry of Religious Affairs is responsible for the implementation of religious education in this country, I am pleased to suggest that the ministry, through the Department of Islamic Studies, introduce a co-curricular activity to be implemented in Arabic schools and religious schools, namely archery, which is a sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad and encouraged for Muslims to learn besides swimming and horse riding as it can strengthen the ummah and the country. The implementation of this activity will not only produce students who have mental and physical resilience but also educate the spiritual and emotional aspects of students to become disciplined and patient individuals and educate students to increase their focus and concentration on all matters, especially learning.
This is in line with the saying of the Prophet Muhammad, "The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer."
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. Those are my suggestions and thank you for giving me the opportunity and chance to speak.
"Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. May Allah grant us success and guidance, and blessings be upon you."
Your Honorable Minister of Religious Affairs
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker and also to Your Honorable Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd Salam. I think the Council has heard the questions and suggestions at length. Regarding the matter of zakat collection, I certainly appreciate Your Honorable Speaker's invitation earlier for colleagues and friends to provide inputs, and the inputs from Your Honorable Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd Salam will be noted as matters that can be brought to the ministry, especially to the Brunei Islamic Religious Council regarding zakat and so on, on how to educate the public.
It is not that the public is not being educated about this matter, but the impact has not yet reached the level we hope for. So that is what we are actually aiming for. The methods and so on, Allah willing, those inputs from Your Honorable Dayang Hajah Safiah will be noted well, Allah willing.
There are two immediate answers regarding the status of individual slaughter. Your Honorable has already quoted or referred to the provisions of the law regarding this matter. Slaughter must be carried out at slaughterhouses.
The issue raised by Your Honorable is what if individuals who have livestock businesses and sell their livestock products, slaughter themselves and are given certificates. This can be considered in terms of implementation and so on, but first, I need to clarify the details of such companies.
So, to what extent can this matter be helped? Your Honorable's concern is to help them from paying slaughterhouses to send their livestock products to slaughterhouses, paying slaughterhouses to increase their capital costs. Therefore, we need to think about how to provide them with certificates.
Certainly, providing certificates in the sense of slaughter being carried out at slaughterhouses is certainly contradictory, but how it can be implemented without contradiction is what we will consider together, Your Honorable Speaker.
This sports activity is a trend, a tendency that actually exists among our people and not just our people. This trend actually comes from abroad. That means wanting to practice the Sunnah of the Prophet, so everyone involved, including children at the school level, wants to practice the Sunnah of the Prophet.
One of the Sunnahs of the Prophet is archery, which is made into a co-curricular sports activity. So this matter can be considered and further thought about, Your Honorable Speaker. Because its suitability is not rejected, questioned about the Sunnah, but its suitability as a school activity. Let's think about it from that perspective.
Some places in this country are aware of safety issues in the face of threats of injury and so on, Your Honorable Speaker.But the reasons of others who support many sports that can pose such risks, such as shooting training and so on, we need to look at the pros and cons of this matter.
I want to remind you not to immediately remember one thing that is the Sunnah done by the Prophet and then we will immediately implement or follow it, with the hope that we will implement the Sunnah and get intercession from it. Hopefully, we will do so, but we also need to consider its suitability, Your Honorable Speaker.
So I can improve the enlightenment up to that point. The next input may need to be explained in this Parliament for the record, God willing, I will explain it later, Your Honorable Speaker. Thank you.
Your Honorable Speaker
I also believe that it is highly likely that other Honorable Ministers such as the Minister of Education, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports may provide input regarding archery, which is a sport that is highly favored by the people here.
I think that's enough discussion on this matter for now and I would like to propose that we adjourn our Committee Meeting and reconvene in the National Assembly.
(The Committee Meeting is adjourned) (The National Assembly reconvenes)
Your Honorable Speaker
Honorable Members. We are now reconvening in the Session of the National Assembly. I have been informed that tomorrow morning's session of the National Assembly may not be attended by some Cabinet Members and also by Appointed Members for official reasons.
Therefore, I have decided to continue our meeting tomorrow, Thursday, March 16, 2023, starting at 2.30 pm.
May peace and mercy be upon you. And with Allah's guidance and blessings.
ADJOURNED
(The National Assembly is adjourned)
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