DAY 13 AFTERNOON
20TH MARCH 2023 - AFTERNOON
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(The Council Meeting resumed at 2.30 pm)
Your Honorable Speaker
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and may Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you. All praise be to Allah.
The National Assembly meeting resumes this afternoon and we are still discussing the Supply Bill (2023), 2023/2024.
To enable us to continue discussing and examining the topics contained in this Bill, I propose that we adjourn this National Assembly meeting and reconvene at the Committee level.
(The National Assembly meeting is adjourned)
(The meeting continues as a Committee)
Your Honorable Speaker
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Honorable Members. The meeting is now fully convened at the Committee level to consider and discuss the Supply Bill (2023) for the year 2023/2024 one by one.
Earlier this morning, the Committee Meeting began to examine and discuss the Ministry of Development and its departments. Before we resume examining and discussing this ministry, I understand that there are several Honorable Cabinet Ministers who wish to make statements or explanations regarding questions from the appointed Honorable Members that have not yet been answered and to add incomplete explanations.
I invite the Honorable Minister of Education to begin.
Your Honorable Minister of Education
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker. Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah.
Thank you for the opportunity given to me to add explanations following the answers given by the Honorable Minister of Development regarding several matters raised by Honorable Members earlier this morning.
Regarding tree planting activities in schools as mentioned by the Honorable Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman. I am pleased to share that the Ministry of Education through the Science, Technology and Environment Partnership Centre (STEP Centre) plays a role in implementing the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Policy (BNCCP) strategy 10, which is awareness and education through close cooperation with the Brunei Darussalam National Climate Change Secretariat (BNCCS).
In the year 2022, a total of 2,101 or 105.05% of the target of 2,000 tree plantings have been carried out by higher education institutions, departments, divisions, centers, and units in the Ministry of Education, achieving the target overall.
For tree plantings under the category of educational institutions, data shows that primary and secondary schools under the supervision of the Schools Department recorded 1,210 trees. Meanwhile, at the level of higher education institutions, each recorded:
i. Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) with 370 trees;
ii. Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) with 133 trees;
iii. Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) with 100 trees;
iv. Politeknik Brunei with 40 trees; and
v. Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) with 204 trees.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education will carry out the planting of 2,000 new trees as a target in 2023.
Regarding the matter related to the Authority for Accreditation of Career in Architecture, as raised by Your Honorable Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumi, I am pleased to share that the National Council for Accreditation of Qualifications (MKPK), chaired by the Minister of Education, specifically through the small engineering and architecture committee, plays a role in recognizing architecture-related study programs offered by local and foreign educational institutions.
Furthermore, the National Council for Accreditation of Qualifications (MKPK) together with the Board of Architects, Professional Engineers and Quantity Surveyors (BAPEQS) has produced the Architecture Accreditation Manual as a guideline for recognizing architecture courses in Brunei Darussalam that are comparable to the requirements of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). At the same time, Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) offers the BSc in Architecture Program and Master of Architecture, in which these programs are in the process of meeting the requirements of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Regarding the issue of traffic congestion in school areas, as raised by Your Honorable Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin.
I am pleased to share that for the construction of new school complexes, it goes through a planning alignment process involving relevant government agencies such as the Public Works Department, including the Road Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Electrical Services Department, and others.
The technical views and advice will then be used as a guide in the design process by the architects. At the design stage, it needs to be aligned with internal traffic flow, the well-being of the area or parking areas, emergency access roads, and so on. The design plan will also be presented to the Department of Roads, Public Works Department for advice, and subsequently to ABCi for approval before construction.
The allocation for project implementation is also a contributor to the implementation as designed if there is no reduction in scope of work for road construction in school areas. For existing schools, which are experiencing road congestion issues, the Ministry of Education will conduct research with relevant stakeholders according to suitability and priority.
That's all, Your Honorable Speaker, that I can convey. Thank you.
Your Honorable Speaker
Thank you, Your Honorable Minister of Education, and now I would like to invite Your Honorable Minister of Development.
Your Honorable Minister of Development
بسم للا الرحمن الرحيم Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker. I will try to answer the questions raised earlier by Your Honorable Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin regarding matters related to the Ministry of Development.
The first question raised earlier was about strengthening zones and separating commercial, industrial, recreational, and educational residences in placing and ensuring appropriate infrastructure. In answering this question, I would like to raise the Town and Country Planning Order 2015, which is an existing regulation that regulates town and country planning in Brunei Darussalam, where it provides a legal framework for governing, regulating, and enforcing land use planning and development control using a hierarchical land use planning system.
Through development plans at the national, district, and local levels, areas in this country are zoned under certain land use planning zones such as residential, commercial, industrial, government used community facility, recreational, educational, and others. This includes planning zones to ensure sensitive environmental areas and forest conservation areas are preserved.
In controlling development, several development planning guidelines have been provided as a reference in determining planning standards and the need for certain infrastructure provision that must be complied with. As mentioned in the question raised earlier, the challenge faced is when there are some communities building structures or carrying out activities without prior approval. This is mostly found in residential areas such as conducting businesses, restaurants, workshops, stalls, and others. This matter is regrettable.
Since January 2021 until January 2023, a total of 159 cases of offenses have been subjected to enforcement action under Section 23 of the aforementioned Law, among the types of offenses are business activities such as workshops, sawmills, and storage facilities operated without permission in residential areas, as well as unauthorized additions for conducting business activities that are contrary to planning zones and special land conditions.
Of that total, 16 offenses have been successfully stopped and the rest are still in the process of appeal or further monitoring for subsequent enforcement actions. Under offenses controlled by Section 58, a total of 73 compound warning letters have been issued from January 2021 until 2023, where the types of offenses include activities carried out in pedestrian walkways, parking lots, building lines, and green areas.
Of that total, 34 compound fines have been issued, where 27 offenses have been successfully rectified. Meanwhile, the rest are still under monitoring for a second compound issuance.
Therefore, in an effort to assist the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises as well as to open up opportunities for Foreign Direct Investment in this country, while at the same time ensuring that the activities are carried out in safe and orderly designated areas in line with planning zoning for land that has been provided. In the past 3 years, a total of 72 sites have been approved under the control of the relevant agencies, where 53%, or 38 sites covering 217 acres, are for business sites.
In addition, from 2021 until now, a total of 148 planning approvals have been issued for progress to be carried out in suitable areas in line with planning zoning and special land conditions, of which 61% are for commercial buildings and 10% for industrial buildings, each located in the Brunei-Muara District.
Furthermore, efforts to enforce regulations and collaborate with relevant agencies are among the continuous initiatives of the Department of Town and Country Planning in increasing public awareness and responsibility together in creating orderly progress to generate quality of life.
Next, for the second question regarding ABCi's proposal to apply risk-based assessment in determining the necessary conditions for approval, one of the issues raised is the cost of developing housing plans for development purposes.
Regarding the question related to the cost to fulfill the needs of ABCi, the need to obtain the services of architects and engineers in building construction and housing is based on policies and laws as well as regulations in shaping and controlling the construction industry to ensure the safety and well-being of the public.
A person who will build buildings and houses will face many actual risks. Among them, to obtain a building and housing design that meets their needs and tastes, to obtain good and durable construction quality, and to find and choose competent, responsible contractors who do not take advantage of inexperienced customers, and to ensure that the building construction is completed on schedule and at a reasonable cost, especially for buildings and houses that are safe to live in.
Building a house, even a small one, requires a considerable amount of expenditure. Therefore, anyone who wants to build a house needs to get help and services from experts, namely experts who are experienced in construction and can provide planning, design, architecture, structure, and electrical services, contractor selection through bidding, and on-site supervision. These experts are architects, professional engineers, experienced and registered quantity surveyors with the Board of Architects, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, and Construction Inspectors (BAPEQS). This BAPEQS board is responsible for regulating all registered professional members, and all registered members are competent, responsible, and follow the established code of ethics.
It is also understood that the fees charged by architects and engineers for houses are actually very competitive, which professional architects and engineers have supported in response to the government's policy to ensure that the people and residents of this country can afford to own their own homes.
It should also be noted that the fees charged must be commensurate with the liability and risks borne by registered professional architects, engineers, and plan preparers in maintaining their businesses, which are almost all made up of local residents.
Land or homeowners are free to choose registered architects or professional engineers with BAPEQS and obtain several prices before agreeing to appoint an architect or professional engineer who will be responsible for the construction of the house or building from the initial stage of preparing the plans to the readiness of the house. The appointed architect or professional engineer is responsible for providing advice related to land, houses or buildings, drainage, electricity, and water, including additional prices that will be borne by the homeowner.
In designing the progress of building, safety aspects cannot be taken lightly. The appointed architect or professional engineer must ensure that the proposed design plans are in accordance with the suitability and condition of the site to be developed and require expertise in engineering aspects as well as compliance with existing guidelines, especially when developing land in hilly, swampy, and uneven areas, for example. So, that is the answer from me to the second question regarding the matter mentioned earlier.
As for the third question from Your Honorable regarding government projects being monitored with independent quality assurance and quality control surveillance. To continue answering this question regarding supervision for government projects, as Your Honorable is aware, monitoring construction and ensuring compliance with contract specifications is very important to ensure that the buildings or infrastructure built meet user requirements, are of high quality, and durable. Monitoring for government projects under the Ministry of Development is generally carried out in two ways:
Through in-house technical supervisors or in-house tending supervisors, who are departmental staff for projects carried out by the department itself; and
Through the appointment of site staff for projects managed by the controlling department or consultant.
In assisting systematic and quality monitoring, a manual has been prepared for in-house tending supervisors called the Quality Supervision Manual (QSM).
The appointment of site staff usually consists of engineers or technical officers who are qualified and experienced in construction supervision, appointed specifically for on-site supervision for a construction contract. Site staff are not government officials and are usually assigned under the responsibility of the controlling department or consultant. The number of site staff in a project also depends on the value and complexity of the project being supervised.
The methods mentioned above are actually commonly implemented for government projects, including those that have been implemented in the construction of the Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Bridge, which has shown satisfactory success and quality.
Regarding the proposal to appoint an independent QC to ensure perfect supervision, the Ministry of Development is currently studying its suitability for appointment, subject to the projects to be carried out.
For your information, for the ongoing National Housing Construction Project in Kampung Lugu Phase 2, the Housing Development Department has used the Building Quality Assessment System, Build QAS, which involves third parties in assessing the quality of house construction, particularly for Architectural Works and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) scopes.
In addition, consultants from Build QAS have also conducted training for Housing Development Department staff to provide knowledge about the assessment standards of Build QAS and to equip participants with practical skills to conduct effective internal assessments based on these standards.
The quality assessment method from third parties is expected to further improve the quality of house construction and thus avoid complaints from homeowners and reduce costs for repairs.
Next, I will move on to the fourth question from Your Honorable regarding professionalism in the construction industry for contractor staff.
Regarding technical and professional development, the Ministry of Development always emphasizes and encourages technical officers to improve their skills by obtaining professional qualifications from international professional institutions such as the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMEC), Royal Institute of British Architect (RIBA), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), and others.
At present, 64 officers who are still serving in this ministry have obtained international professional qualifications, including those mentioned earlier.
Supervision of architects, professional engineers, quantity surveyors, and real estate agents is ongoing and will continue to develop in line with the implementation of the Architects, Engineers and Quantity Surveyors Order 2011 and the Valuers and Estate Agents Order 2009.
Praise be to Allah, through the implementation under these two boards, the registration of professionals and skilled individuals currently amounts to 324, namely 59 architects, 165 professional engineers, 40 quantity surveyors, 21 registered plan builders, 13 valuers, and 27 real estate agents.
Based on the registration statistics mentioned earlier, there is a decrease of 2.2% in the number of registered individuals. This decrease is due to several specific reasons, such as changing professions, passing away, retiring, and so on. However, the growth rate of registered professionals is expected to be around 5% annually.
The ministry conducts an Assessment of Professional Competency to determine significant experience in their respective professional disciplines towards regular registration. As an option to obtain professional qualifications through chartered or professional membership from recognized professional institutions.
The ministry shares the same view as mentioned by Your Honorable earlier, in ensuring the development of professional individuals in both the public and private sectors, the ministry always supports the implementation of effective orders and currently ongoing collaborations with other relevant government agencies, especially higher education institutions in the country, in an effort to produce a new generation of local professionals for the sustainability of human resources in the aforementioned professions.
In this effort, the ministry has collaborated extensively with the ASEAN Business Services Sectoral Working Group, ASEAN Valuers Associations, UTB, IBTE, SHENA, BDNAC, as well as local professional institutions such as PUJA and BIG.
Continuous collaboration aims to produce a direction for the implementation of laws and regulations, provide guidelines for graduates to start professional development before undergoing the Professional Accreditation Framework assessment at the academic level and continuous professional education proficiency courses from local and foreign institutions, project supervision, and certification of plan submission risks with the relevant authorities requiring professional qualifications.
This ministry has achieved recognition in the ASEAN region for three professional careers, namely architects, professional engineers, and property valuers. Within it, 40 local professionals have registered as ASEAN Architects and ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineers, paving the way for collaboration in the region.
Furthermore, the ministry also directs its target to achieve recognition in the field of architecture at the Asia-Pacific Economic Countries (APEC) level. Insha'Allah, it will open the way for other fields to obtain international recognition in the future.
The Ministry will continue to actively strive and collaborate with relevant government agencies of countries in relevant industries in the private sector to maintain standard operations and strengthen the professionalism of registered professionals in the country in accordance with the provisions of the current laws and regulations.
This includes assisting in realizing job opportunities for local graduates who are believed to have relevant academic education and are interested in engaging in the relevant industry towards achieving local employment among locals and registered professional growth according to the supervised qualifications to achieve highly skilled and professional citizens.
Regarding the issue of professionalism in the construction industry for employees and contractors, which is a specific question that reviews the financial rewards that were previously given as an incentive to employees who achieved professional levels, it is suggested that more graduates want to upgrade their qualifications. This is a good suggestion, and this proposal will be presented to support the relevant parties.
This is a criterion for awarding contracts, namely the proposal for strict performance records of contractors in using medium-sized enterprises as sub-contractors and the contractor's track record initiative that helps locals in the company achieve professional status. This matter will also be taken well for further study and evaluation.
Similarly, the proposal to review the requirements of contractors in Classes 5 & 6, to have at least one Executive Management Director who is a professional registered among them. This matter will also be considered and evaluated for its suitability later, when and where we will implement it.
The use of engineering project management consultant services in the business title. BAPEX has been overseeing business names for architects, professional engineers, and quantity surveyors since 2018. BAPEX has collaborated with ROCBN to discuss that the owner is a registered Professional Engineer when applying to be categorized as a consultancy service in ROCBN.
With the registration of the company's business, the relevant Professional Engineer is eligible to apply for permission to become a qualified person. In this matter, the ministry will sit to enforce the obligation to register as a professional engineer for contractors and suppliers.
Your Honorable has raised several proposals regarding the construction of mosques and suraus in the National Housing Scheme plan, as well as reviewing traffic rates in school areas and promoting green technology and alternative energy in participant model homes in the National Housing Scheme.
In response, the housing construction project in the National Housing Scheme area includes the provision of a Masterplan for the housing area. The Masterplan is a plan for the provision of housing sites and also includes the provision of public facilities such as police stations, fire stations, health centers, mosques, schools, and so on.
According to the needs, which are in line with the increasing population living in the housing area. In this regard, the implementation of projects for the provision of public facilities is under the responsibility of the relevant agencies. For example, the mosque construction project is under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, as explained when discussing the Ministry of Religious Affairs topic.
The infrastructure scope for the housing project also includes the provision of road networks, which includes the provision of pedestrian and bicycle lanes to emphasize sustainable and energy-efficient design concepts, the need for traffic studies to show the traffic generated by development in the housing area is also taken into account in designing the road network. This ministry takes good note of proposals for housing models that integrate re-initiatives as support for Brunei Darussalam's climate change policy.
Alhamdulillah, since several years ago, the Housing Development Department has incorporated the Green Building Initiative in the construction of public housing. Two housing projects have successfully obtained Green Mark Certification, namely the National Housing Project in Kampung Lugu (1,000 units), cluster-type houses, and the National Housing Project in Kampung Lambak Kanan (300-unit apartment) based on criteria such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, environmental protection, indoor environmental quality, and so on.
Meanwhile, two ongoing housing projects, namely the National Housing Project in Kampung Lugu Phase 2 (1,000 terrace houses) and the National Housing Project in Kampung Tanah Jambu Phase 7 (950 terrace houses), are also expected to obtain Green Mark Certification with a gold rating, in line with the requirements and needs of the projects. InshaAllah, the need for Green Mark Certification and other initiatives will continue for Housing Development Department projects in the future.
Regarding professional ethics and whistle blower protection that was raised earlier today. In responding to it, professionals registered with the BAPEX institution are bound by the Professional Conduct and Ethic Regulation 2018. Any registered individual is obligated to act in the best interest of public enforcement and comply with all laws in general. Therefore, registered professionals are generally required to be ethical when disclosing any misconduct by other professionals, such as providing ethical warnings, not publicizing wrongdoing, and respecting the design of opinions made by fellow professionals that do not conflict with laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines.
Is there any whistle blower protection as raised by the Honorable Member earlier? Looking at the laws and regulations in the construction industry, this is not yet recognized. However, as a policy measure made in several other countries to ensure the existence of integrity in the construction industry, large companies involved in construction are usually required to establish an internal organizational integrity system, which is a preventive measure against misconduct by employees in these companies so that they can comply with the ethics of integrity in dealing with their employers or clients according to their respective contracts.
This is among the good practices practiced in other countries where construction industries have achieved a higher level of integrity in the Transparency International Anti-Corruption Perception Index. This is also a step forward.
Therefore, to build and elevate the construction industry, especially in the private sector, so that this integrity can be ensured as a collective effort not only from the government but also the same commitment on the private side so that there is a commitment to jointly elevate this integrity.
In one of these, talking about the issue of whistle blower protection. In its requirements or requirements to elevate this integrity, there will be a channel where any whistle blower in an organization's staff, if they find any misconduct that violates existing regulations, this person is responsible as an ethical requirement to report this matter.
So in other organizations, there is a Chief Integrity Officer who is required to receive reports from whistleblowers and whistleblowers will be protected so that no action will be taken or their names will be kept confidential to encourage more people to come forward to make reports if there is abuse of power, fraud, corruption or other risks that could compromise standards and quality in the construction industry.
That is briefly what I can convey regarding the questions raised by Your Honorable Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin earlier this morning.
Thank you, I would like to express my gratitude to Your Honorable Speaker for the opportunity to answer these questions earlier.
Your Honorable Speaker
Thank you, Your Honorable Minister of Development. Honorable Members. The Committee Meeting is still discussing and deliberating on the Topic of the Ministry of Development and its Departments.
I still have on my list, 2 Honorable Appointed Members who would like to participate in discussing this topic of the Ministry of Development.
Therefore, I now invite Your Honorable Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin.
Your Honorable Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah.
Your Honorable Speaker. First of all, I would like to congratulate Your Honorable Minister of Development on the informative introduction regarding the Ministry of Development and its Departments last Saturday.
All praise is due to Allah, through that introduction, some of the questions that I wanted to ask have been answered. Hopefully, what has been planned will be implemented as best as possible.
Your Honorable Speaker. All praise is due to Allah, the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is very concerned about the welfare of its people. Hopefully, with the Financial Budget 2023/2024 that has been allocated for the Ministry of Development, it will further enhance the comfort of the people's lives in this country, especially through the development of public infrastructure facilities such as housing construction projects, road maintenance, water supply and so on.
Regarding the housing construction project, I express gratitude for the efforts of the Government and the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation in developing a total of 476 houses under the Bolkiah A and Bolkiah B Housing Projects, with the aim of improving the quality of life and welfare of the people.
This shows His Majesty's concern for the basic need of a perfect dwelling. The project also includes the construction of a mosque and a parking area. What I want to raise here is about the parking facilities in the Kampong Bolkiah, Kampong Tarap Bau, and Kampung Setia areas.
Recently, especially after the completion of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Bridge over Sungai Kebun, the number of cars parked in the housing areas has increased compared to before. This situation has also caused residents to park their vehicles on the roadside and even on the main road, Jalan Kasat, Kampung Tarap Bau, and Kampung Setia, causing congestion and difficulties for road users, especially during rush hour.
This situation also makes it difficult for heavy and long vehicles such as trailers, lorries, and the like to pass through. It even disrupts the smooth flow of emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks.
This issue has become more and more prolonged and has now become a concern for road users, as voiced by netizens on social media.
Therefore, I suggest that the relevant parties, especially the Ministry of Development, address this issue as soon as possible, either by expanding the existing parking area or by other reasonable means, as it is very disruptive to road users and for the safety of road users.
In addition, traffic enforcement authorities need to monitor this issue regularly and take appropriate action to prevent unwanted incidents.
Furthermore, I also suggest that traffic lights be installed at the Lumapas Road, Kasat, Lupak Luas 4-way junction because since the construction of the bridge, Lumapas Road has become a busy road with many cars passing through. For safety reasons, it is requested that traffic lights be installed because at this 4-way junction, the road leading out of Kampung Kasat, Putat, and Lupak Luas is hilly, making it difficult for those exiting from there. This has caused several accidents.
So, that's all perhaps Your Honorable Speaker that I want to voice out.
Your Honorable Menteri Pembangunan
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker and thank you to Your Honorable for the question or suggestion raised earlier. This matter has been presented and discussed in the deliberation session.
The Ministry is aware of the issues raised, especially regarding the Bolkiah A and Bolkiah B Housing Projects and also the issue raised earlier regarding traffic congestion and lack of parking space in the area.
The suggestion to install traffic lights to reduce traffic congestion in the area has been discussed several times in several discussions in the Ministry of Development and previously there was also engagement with the Ministry of Home Affairs which includes the authority of the District Office to find ways to solve these issues.
Insha Allah, hopefully this matter will not take much time to find a solution later to take appropriate actions.
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker.
Your Honorable Chairman
Your Honorable Speaker, I invite the Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy to speak. Please, Your Honorable.
Your Honorable Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker. I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer a question raised by Your Honorable Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin this morning regarding the Panchor Mengkubau RPN Project, which the Brunei Economic Development Board was the implementing agency around 2010-2015.
I would like to clarify that the information shared regarding the Singapore Arbitration by Your Honorable earlier is inaccurate.
So, since this matter is still in the legal process, I suggest that this matter not be discussed in this honorable chamber. Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker.
Your Honorable Chairman
Thank you, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy II. I now invite Your Honorable Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir.
Your Honorable Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and greetings. Alhamdulillah, first of all, I would like to congratulate Your Honorable Minister of Development for the introduction of the 2023/2024 Supply Bill, and hopefully it will achieve the desired perfection, insha Allah.
I would like to raise under Title SK03A regarding the requirements for asphalt road construction in residential areas. As I understand it, the requirement for construction is at least 30 houses. I would like to request a review of this requirement as it may not be suitable for villages with only 4 or 6 houses in one junction.
Secondly, I would like to request clarification on Jalan Selangan, Batang Duri, Mukim Amo and Jalan Temada, Mukim Bokok. Is there a plan to upgrade these roads?
Furthermore, I suggest upgrading the signboards. This is necessary as a guide for the public and tourists to access their destinations. Not all areas in Temburong District receive GPS coverage. I request clarification from Your Honorable Speaker.
Thirdly, regarding Title SK04A and Title SK06A. Currently, there are two legal stone quarry companies operating in Temburong. However, these companies have encountered problems in producing the expected volume of stone to meet market demand. This is due to the current areas experiencing a shortage of stone resources.
In this regard, I suggest that the government consider opening up new and more strategic areas to obtain higher quality and greater volume of stone production to ensure a consistent supply to meet market demand.
Next, I would like to touch on Title SK08A Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRE). Batang Duri Recreational Park was fully handed over to JASTRE in 2002.
Initially, it was under the control of the Temburong District Department. It is one of the tourist destinations that has recreational facilities such as rest huts, children's playgrounds, public toilets, and so on.
In addition, the park also has a mini zoo that houses several species of exotic animals. However, some facilities are outdated and the condition of the animal cages and enclosures is no longer suitable and needs to be upgraded and repaired.
Efforts to transform Batang Duri Recreational Park are crucial to ensure its relevance and remain a major attraction for visitors and tourists to Temburong District. Is there a plan to further develop Batang Duri Recreational Park?
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker
Your Honorable Menteri Pembangunan
Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker and also thank you to Your Honorable for the previous questions. In response to the first question earlier regarding several proposals related to the topic under SK03A application for upgrading roads.
Through the Public Works Department, the ministry has a program plan to upgrade gravel roads to asphalt under the National Development Plan. This has been a target since the Fifth National Development Plan.
The aim is to improve roads not only in the Temburong District but also in other districts. This is based on the conditions that have been allowed, namely the number of houses for each junction is at least 5 with a density of at least 30 houses per kilometer of road length prorated. And thirdly, junction roads must be built to gravel level.
So for this explanation, the minimum number of houses is only 5 and not 30 as many have misunderstood from previous applications. The 30 houses per kilometer is the density.
So applications where there are 5 houses on the road can already apply, but the application is subject to the values based on the current conditions to be implemented according to the waiting list and the approval limits under the National Development Plan.
Your Honorable Speaker
So, Your Honorable Minister, we have to wait for another 25 houses?
Your Honorable Minister of Development
For your information, at this time there are more than 200 on the waiting list according to the queue, Your Honorable Speaker.
To answer the next question regarding the main roads along Jalan Selangan, Batang Duri, Mukim Amo and Jalan Temada, Mukim Bokok.
The Public Works Department has indeed made plans and programs to upgrade main and small asphalt roads by widening them and building asphalt road shoulders to improve more efficient and safe infrastructure quality. This program includes roads in Batang Duri, Jalan Temada, Jalan Selangan, Bokok and so on.
This program is proposed through the upcoming National Development Plan, to be implemented and based on its approval later. The Public Works Department also has plans and programs to install road signs based on the needs from time to time.
Regarding the two quarry companies that are operating, it is reported that there are 6 new sites with a total area of 1,964 acres in the Temburong District that underwent geological studies in 2014 and were identified to have the potential for high-quality Kelikir stone resources with a volume of 46.9 million cubic meters.
In this regard, the future requirements include ensuring that entrepreneurs can comply with guidelines, terms, and regulations for stone extraction and comply with the Mining Act Chapter 42.
This new mechanism and procedure will ensure that regulations and policies are complied with, which have never been made or complied with before. And when this area is opened for mining, there will be several new conditions according to the updated laws that need to be complied with, including several payments that need to be made. This new mechanism and procedure ensure that regulations and policies are complied with by stone extraction entrepreneurs to prevent pollution to the environment, flora, and fauna in the affected areas.
In sha Allah, once the study and discussions with relevant parties have been completed, this matter will be realized. That's all the answers that I can provide from the previous questions. I would like to express my gratitude to Your Honorable Speaker.
Your Honorable Speaker
I now invite the Honorable Minister of Home Affairs to provide the necessary information.
Honorable Minister of Home Affairs: Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker.
I am pleased to add that, regarding the question raised by the Honorable Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan on March 18, 2023, about the establishment of a committee to address the issue of collapsed houses, especially in the Kampong Air area, my colleague, the Honorable Minister of Development, has some information to add.
As previously stated, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Development have held discussions with the Public Works Department regarding the structural report of houses in Kampong Air, which aims to identify the condition of houses that are no longer safe to live in.
In sha Allah, this report is expected to be completed and subject to assessment progress at the end of May 2023. The Brunei and Muara District Office will use this report to hold discussions with the village heads and chiefs concerned to inform or give notice to homeowners about the condition of their houses that have been identified as unsafe to live in.
As of April 2021 until March 20, 2023, the Brunei and Muara District Office has issued 4 letters to homeowners to vacate their houses due to being unsafe to live in.
The Brunei and Muara District Office, in collaboration with the Electrical Services Department, the Prime Minister's Department, and the relevant village chiefs, with the consent of homeowners, has also carried out the disconnection of electricity supply to 20 houses, whether the houses are vacant or no longer safe to live in.
That is all I have to report as per the question asked by Your Honorable. Thank you, Your Honorable Speaker.
Your Honorable Speaker
Thank you to the Honorable Minister of Home Affairs for the additional information provided.
I now invite the Honorable Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin to speak.
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, Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. Thank you very much, Your Honorable Speaker, for allowing me to raise issues related to the Ministry of Development.
It involves ABCi and the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, both under the Ministry of Development and the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, as well as the Department of Water Services and the Department of Electrical Services, Prime Minister's Department.
This is just a proposal. I only focus on ABCi's involvement with the agricultural industry, which focuses on either vegetable gardens or livestock farming. I feel compelled to address the problems faced by local farmers, smallholders, and local farmers who have not received electricity and water connections for the past three years.
For your information, Your Honorable Speaker, to develop a lot or plot of land for agricultural activities, it is done through either the Agricultural Development Area (KKP) under the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, or the Temporary Occupancy License (LTS) Land, Development Ministry Land Office.
For vegetable growers, whether using conventional systems or modern technologies such as hydroponics, fertigation, or aquaponics, these systems require water pumps that depend on electricity.
To obtain an electricity connection to the farm, especially if it involves the workers' residence or farmhouses, the farmer must appoint a qualified person (QP) for the preparation of the workers' residence plan, parking, boundaries must be measured, and so on. This QP is an architect, surveyor, engineer, and so on. Without a QP, electricity will not be connected.
Your Honorable Speaker, may I present a case study of some of our local farmers who practice fertigation, aquaponics, hydroponics, and conventional farming.
They have raised concerns and procedures regarding the ABCi regulations for farmhouses. These farmers are doing their best to grow vegetables for the country's needs. They intend to install staff cabins and washrooms on their farms for the workers to use.
The cost of building a staff cabin is only $2,800.00, and the toilet cabin is $1,500.00. However, ABCi requires the construction of a concrete platform with beams and footings according to the size and standards set by structural engineering.
For your information, this requirement is the same as building a two-story house or bungalow in the same residential area. This can be seen under the Building Control Order 2014, which requires safety standards, as the Honorable Minister of Development mentioned in the introduction.
Regarding the cost, the expense of building a farmhouse using a Qualified Person (QP) and a registered contractor can be up to $32,000.00. Why is it necessary to use a registered contractor? Because it is a requirement.
I do not deny that ABCi's main role is safety standards. Safety means life. We appreciate ABCi's concern for the safety of farm residents. However, at the same time, these modern technology farmers have spent a considerable amount of money building greenhouses and other facilities. According to interviews I have conducted, some people have built five greenhouses, and now three of them are damaged due to the lack of electricity. This is not just one case, but many. The question is, how do we balance the heavy requirements imposed by ABCi on farmers for safety standards?
As the Honorable Minister of Development mentioned in the introduction, reducing the risk that affects the public is essential.
At the same time, the Department of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, through these farmers, aims to improve the country's economy and income, thereby increasing GDP.
Another discussion is the QP (Architect, Engineer, Surveyor), which consists of locals who are under PMKS. Without business, as Your Honorable Speaker mentioned earlier this morning, PMKS from the agricultural industry perspective is not running because the cost of obtaining electricity is high. This makes young people and entrepreneurs who are starting to venture into the agricultural industry feel afraid and hesitant to get involved.
Due to the jurisdictional conflict between ABCi and the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, the victims are the farmers. This is where coordination between departments plays a role. Your Honorable Speaker suggests that the requirements be relaxed by providing a grace period or probation, and the farmers can also produce their products while applying for QP. So there will be no loss for all parties.
Peace be upon you and may Allah's blessings and guidance be with you. Thank you again, Your Honorable Speaker.
Your Honorable Speaker
Honorable Members. We have heard a problem presented by Honorable Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin.
I believe this issue is a cross-cutting issue between several ministries, it would be good if the relevant ministries discuss it first and they will provide a suitable answer in a short time and not at this time.
So I give them the opportunity to discuss it and it is likely that they will be able to provide a suitable answer at some point before this meeting ends.
Honorable Members. Will any of the Ministers give a reaction?
Honorable Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism
"Perhaps" Your Honorable Speaker, I think we will follow the suggestion of Your Honorable Speaker, we will discuss it later.
Your Honorable Speaker
Honorable Members. We are now almost finished discussing Topic SK01A to Topic SK08A - Ministry of Development.
I think that's enough for this ministry and I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Honorable Minister of Development for answering the questions calmly and patiently.
Now is the time, I think, for us to vote on this topic. I now ask Honorable Members who agree to pass this topic, please raise your hand.
(All Members raise their hands in agreement)
Your Honorable Speaker
Thank you, it seems that all Honorable Members agree. So the Ministry of Development topic is passed.
Deputy Clerk
Topic SK01A to Topic SK08A - Ministry of Development is included in the Schedule. Topic SL01A to Topic SL06A, namely the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Your Honorable Speaker
Honorable Members. It seems we are making progress. We are now starting to discuss the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and its departments.
As usual, I would like to give way to Your Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports to deliver his/her opening remarks, particularly on the direction in the preparation of the budget for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for the Financial Year 2023/2024.
I now invite the relevant Your Honorable Minister.
Your Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم and greetings. Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. With utmost respect and reverence, I am pleased to express my highest appreciation to Your Honorable Speaker for providing me with this opportunity to deliver my opening remarks on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, also known as MCYS.
We are grateful that the theme for the Financial Year 2023/2024, "United in Building a More Prosperous Future," is in line with MCYS's continuous efforts, in collaboration with the national approach, to achieve the goals of the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, towards Wawasan Brunei 2035. What is important is the effort towards empowering, nurturing, and caring for the welfare of the people, which requires the united cooperation of all levels and layers of society.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports presents its highest respect to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for the provision of a budget of $83,813,020.00 for the Financial Year 2023/2024.
Your Honorable Speaker. As stated by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during the Official Opening Ceremony of the First Meeting of the Ninth Session of the Legislative Council, which is to use the session wisely to present strategic and important issues for us to give our thoughts and find appropriate solutions, based on this direction, allow me to elaborate on the 4 strategic focuses as a complement to the continuous implementation of the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for the Financial Year 2023/2024 and the Empowerment, Enhancement, and Engagement (3E) efforts.
Through the first strategy, which is in the field of community, we continue to advance towards a progressive society, towards a united, resilient, and caring society.
A total of $23.75 million has been allocated for the program to advance the Progressive Community, including the improvement of infrastructure and facilities, which includes $15.8 million for General Assistance Services and Empowering Welfare Recipients, $1.5 million for Services for Persons with Disabilities, and $3.4 million for Strengthening Family Institutions. Among the efforts under this strategy are:-
After almost 3 years of implementation since its launch on July 15, 2020, ََ ْل َح ْمدُ ّ ٰلِلthe National Welfare System (SKN) has now incorporated assistance from the Islamic Religious Council (MUIB), the Department of Community Development (JAPEM), and the latest being the Annual School Needs Assistance (BKPT). The inclusion or integration of aid into this system has generated a database that is combined with Artificial Intelligence analysis using a Power Business Intelligence (Power BI) program as an added value to the establishment of this system. The AI feature built into this system will certainly optimize the use of the system and also expand the scope of analysis in terms of geolocation and its relationship with the socio-economic status of SKN applicants and recipients.
The Poverty Eradication Action Plan outlines strategies and initiatives aimed at increasing the resilience and economic independence of the target group to break the cycle of poverty and reduce dependence on the government, as well as updating the Monthly Welfare Assistance Guidelines (BKB) to ensure more effective intervention programs that are caring and meet the needs of the people.
The Persons with Disabilities (OKU) Action Plan, which was reviewed in 2021, has outlined the development of an OKU ecosystem that will contribute to improving the quality of life of OKU, providing equal rights for Persons with Disabilities and empowering Persons with Disabilities and their families inclusively. This action plan is planned to be documented this year for the reference of relevant parties.
The Elderly Action Plan will also be documented this year in an integrated manner with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in prioritizing governance, development, empowerment, health, welfare, and friendly support systems for the elderly towards Successful Ageing.
One of the initiatives in caring for and supporting the elderly is the nationwide implementation of the Elderly Care Program with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and volunteers to emphasize welfare and well-being, as well as raising awareness of the challenges faced by the elderly.
Under the Child Welfare Action Plan, the Child Protection System is constantly strengthened to meet current challenges since the launch of the National Framework on Child Protection (NFCP) in 2020. In addition, the Registry of Children and Young Persons in Need of Protection (RCYPNP), which was launched on April 1, 2022, is a centralized national database for collecting and maintaining records of children in need of protection and relevant family members' details to ensure more holistic interventions. As an added value to NFCP, the provision of Foster Care Program Guidelines is also targeted for this year.
In accordance with the wishes of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Family Action Plan has been reviewed for the years 2023 to 2027 to ensure that the Family Action Plan 2023/2027 is thoroughly researched and aligned with the direction and goals of the Social Blueprint of Brunei Darussalam. This review is also to further detail the actions that need to be taken by government and non-government agencies in helping to improve the position and well-being of family institutions in the country.
The research on Women's Development in Brunei Darussalam has been completed and is now in the final stages of preparing a final report that includes policy recommendations and initiatives to address the key issues that affect and hinder women's development in Brunei Darussalam, especially in terms of their economic livelihoods and work-life balance.
This is important in ensuring strong family institutions. One of the main findings of the research is that although women's development in the country has made significant progress, there are still several areas that require basic research to ensure that the women of the country can reach their full and optimal potential. The results of this research will be included in the Women's Action Plan.
In terms of infrastructure provision, Alhamdulillah, the New Building Project for the Belimbing Shelter Home in Subok has been completed and fully occupied since December 2022, accommodating 52 children and adult women. Meanwhile, the OKU Complex Project is still in the design phase before being opened for tender.
Establishing a Social Blueprint with the Prime Minister's Department as a complement to the direction and alignment of the national effort of Wawasan Brunei 2035 in achieving the second goal of High Quality of Life for the People.
If I may share, the majority of this social blueprint has already been achieved, reaching 90%, and it will be completed in a short time.
The second strategy, in the field of youth, we continue to focus on producing visionary youth as leaders of national development.
A sum of $10.21 million has been allocated for programs to produce visionary youth, including improvements to infrastructure and facilities, which includes $650,000.00 for the Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Development Program for Youth and almost $3 million for Youth Development Capability.
The National Youth Policy and Strategy Action Plan 2020/2024 has outlined several programs and initiatives for the empowerment and strengthening of the youth ecosystem.
Based on the performance of the National Youth Policy and Strategy Action Plan 2020/2024, 61% of programs and activities in the second year have been successfully implemented. Among the efforts under this strategy are:
Enhancing capacity building through relevant skills training and industries, and shaping holistic identity and human capital, including through efforts:
Strengthening the quality of Youth Development Centre programs to improve youth employability in obtaining more meaningful jobs, becoming entrepreneurs, and continuing skills training or education. It is shared that 61% of employability was recorded from 2020 to 2022, with 261 obtaining jobs, 24 engaging in entrepreneurial activities, and 40 continuing education.
The National Service Programme (PKBN) by incorporating civil defense elements in training to further strengthen identity, resilience, volunteerism, and disaster preparedness. Recently, 539 PKBN trainees from the 11th intake have completed their training course on March 16, 2023. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam expressed confidence in the added value of the PKBN curriculum during the closing ceremony, and alumni of PKBN will be more prepared to offer their voluntary services to address any natural disaster when needed.
In addition, PKBN, in collaboration with the Brunei Technical Education Institute (IBTE) and MPEC, has implemented 2 cohorts of the Jati Diri Program involving 300 IBTE students; and
- Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam to enhance leadership and teamwork spirit. It is shared that 2,500 youth participants have attended the OBBD program in the past 3 years.
Strengthening the Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in various industries led by the Youth Entrepreneurship Steering Committee, including through the provision of incubator programs and platforms for youth entrepreneurs to start businesses and the provision of land for agricultural activities. Among others, in collaboration with Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Community and Outreach (EICO) and LiveWire Sdn. Bhd, 40 youth participants have been exposed to business management.
Infrastructure Preparation. The focus is on the upgrading of youth centers as centers of excellence in implementing programs and activities aimed at empowering youth, including leadership and personal development. More than 43,000 users of Youth Centers in all four districts and 533 users of Youth Center dormitories have been recorded for the year 2021 to 2022.
Value development in shaping character and holistic human capital. More than 38,000 youths have participated in leadership, religious, health, and comprehensive capacity development programs. The implementation of these programs is led by the youths themselves with an increase of 52% from the previous year; and
Youth involvement at the international level by recognizing the contributions of youth leaders in the field of volunteering in line with world-class policy goals and strategies to enhance a culture of unity among all communities.
The third strategy in the field of sports. We continue to strengthen an inclusive and excellent sports ecosystem that focuses on strengthening High-Performance Sports as well as continuing efforts to improve sports for the community.
A total of $15.93 million has been allocated for programs aimed at strengthening the sports ecosystem, including nearly $700,000 for the development of sports associations and over $3 million for the development of athlete, coach, and sports medicine capabilities.
It is intended to create a stable athlete environment, develop sports with the potential to win medals, develop elite athletes, provide infrastructure for high-performance sports preparation, and ensure inclusivity of sports for the community.
Among the efforts under this strategy are:
Mobilizing and implementing strategies and action plans to strengthen High-Performance Sports towards developing elite athletes who can win medals in High-Performance Sports at regional and international levels and strengthening inclusivity of sports for a healthy, prosperous, and united country with sports. In this regard, it is shared that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to implement a monthly allowance of $800.00 to selected athletes through the Athlete Financing Program (PPA) under the Sports Excellence Incentive Scheme. Five athletes, three from Wushu sports and two from Pencak Silat sports, will receive this allowance from 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023.
Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of sports organization management and administration through the capacity building of national sports association leaders, sports technical officers, coaching and expertise in the field of sports; and
Availability of infrastructure for hosting regional and international sports events. Upgrading will continue to be implemented with sports infrastructure being upgraded and improved in phases and stages according to international standards without undue pressure on the country's fiscal system.
Fourth strategy. In the field of culture, we continue to strengthen the national identity and identity as the core of the country's development based on Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB). Among the efforts to enhance Dynamic Culture and Preserved Heritage is an allocation of $24.55 million for the Strengthening of Identity and Patriotism program, including the construction, implementation and appreciation of heritage, history and culture as well as improvements to facilities and amenities which include $1.9 million for Strengthening Cultural Arts Activities; $10.2 million for Language, Literature and Library; $8.6 million for Museum Activities including Preservation, Heritage and Promotion; and $3.8 million for Strengthening Research, Documentation and Preservation of History.
Among the efforts under this strategy are:
Elevating Malay as the Official Language of the Country. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports through the Department of Language and Literature will continue to enhance activities to dignify Malay language through competitions, writings and publications. So far, the Language and Literature Bureau has started building a smart platform and e-dictionary digital application, collecting more than 12,500 pantun, almost 8,000 corpus research entries and more than 350 entries of Malay terminology. In empowering reading culture, the Language and Literature Bureau continues to actively rebrand libraries as community centers and hubs for various learning activities.
Launching the opening of the Brunei History Centre as the Centre of Excellence for Brunei History and Sultanate on February 9, 2023, which will be marked by the launch of the Collection Room of the Late Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama Professor Emeritus (Dr.) Haji Awang Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri. The establishment of this special reference source is aimed at adding value in enriching and expanding the sources of Brunei's history, culture and customs, and at the same time becoming a landmark of recognition for the Brunei History Centre as a Centre of Excellence.
Enhancing Research, Documentation and Preservation of History. Over the past four years, the Brunei History Centre (PSB) has been actively involved in implementing several initiatives through collaborations with strategic partners such as UBD, UNISSA, KUPUSB, Government and Private Institutions, Brunei History Society (PESEBAR), History Experts and Graduates/Higher Education Institutions to enhance the standard and quality of research in expanding, enriching and diversifying the sources of national historical materials for reading and reference by higher institutions, researchers, government agencies, private sectors and the public. Especially for our future young generation.
Improving the preservation of heritage treasures provides learning opportunities for the public in museums such as the Brunei Museum, Hab Tenaga Brunei Royal Wharf, My Museum My Heritage Project. أَلْحَمْدُ ِّلل His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has officially launched the Hab Tenaga Brunei, Royal Wharf on 23rd October 2022. The restoration and improvement project of the historical building is an example of the Restoration and Preservation of Historical Buildings that are reused into state-of-the-art buildings, namely a museum showcasing the progress of the Oil and Gas Industry through the latest technology. Meanwhile, the Brunei Museum Improvement and Upgrading Project is currently in Phase Three, which is the renovation of the interior space.
Enhancing the image and visibility of the country at regional and international levels through the organization of regional and international activities. This year, Brunei Darussalam will host the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN-COCI) meeting.
The implementation of the ASEAN Walk project in the Sungai Damuan Recreational Park, which will complete the sculptures from 10 ASEAN countries. Brunei Darussalam will be the first ASEAN country to complete the 10 sculptures of ASEAN countries in the country.
Brunei Darussalam, together with Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, will also jointly promote the use of Kebaya as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO and increase the number of Memoranda of Understanding with friendly countries in the fields of Culture, Heritage, Arts, History and Language. Participation in events such as the Muscat International Book Fair is an example of utilizing the Memorandum of Understanding platform in the field of culture with friendly countries.
Providing cultural spaces to the community, through projects under the 12th National Development Plan, including:
The Old Council Chamber as the National Library (Nadir Collection) and National Art Gallery.
The Brunei Academy of Arts and Culture curriculum has been prepared earlier this year.
Transforming the Bandar Seri Begawan Library into a Community Library, providing various facilities for the public to learn and create through the RELAX concept, which stands for Reading, Entertainment, Recreation, Attraction, Knowledge, and Sharing.
Your Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members. It goes without saying that all the strategies and actions that have been presented can only be implemented effectively through the cooperation and contributions of strategic partners and various parties through the whole of the nation approach.
"Insha Allah", with the cooperation of Honorable Members as the leaders of the grassroots, the voice and ears of the people, we will be able to further strengthen our efforts to achieve our common goal of a Brilliant Brunei Nation.
That is all and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Your Honorable Speaker for giving me the chance to deliver the opening remarks.
Thank you and "Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh", with the hope of safety and success from Allah SWT.
Your Honorable Speaker
Thank you to the Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports for delivering his opening remarks on his ministry's budget planning for the Financial Year 2023/2024.
We have heard some positive things that will be implemented in the following year. We always pray that the outlined targets will be fully achieved. "Insha Allah".
I have a rather long list for Honorable Members who would like to participate in discussing this Ministry's topic.
However, with the statements presented by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and to allow us to observe the matters that have been touched upon.
It is best to adjourn our committee meeting and we will examine or discuss this topic with a clearer mind tomorrow, "Insha Allah" and hopefully we will resolve these relevant topics before we conclude our meeting tomorrow afternoon.
I suggest that we adjourn this Committee Meeting and we will reconvene in the National Assembly Meeting.
Your Honorable Speaker
Honorable Members of Parliament. We are now reconvening the session of the National Parliament Meeting. I suggest that we adjourn for a break after a long day of session, إن شاء الله we will resume the session tomorrow on Tuesday, 21st March 2023, as usual starting at 9.30 am.
That is all, عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته. سلام والحمد ِللهِ ربِّ العالمينَ. وبهِ نستعين. وبهِ نتوكلُ على اللهِ. وباْللهِ التوفيقُ والهدايةُ.
ADJOURNED
(The Parliament Meeting is adjourned)
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