DAY 7 MORNING
6TH MARCH 2024 - MORNING
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Yang Mulia Jurutulis
The first meeting of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara for the 20th Session based on Wednesday, the 25th of Syaaban 1445 corresponding to March 6, 2024, was initiated with a prayer for safety.
DOA SELAMAT
The prayer was recited by Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Awang Suhaili bin Haji Metali Al-Hafiz (Imam of Jame' 'Asr Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque).
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, his family, his companions, and those who follow his guidance.
We are grateful to Almighty Allah s.w.t for with His abundant mercy and permission we are able to gather again this morning to convene on the seventh day of the First Meeting of the 20th Session of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.
Blessings and peace be upon our Great Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, his family, his companions, and his faithful followers until the end of time.
Your Honourable Members. In the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara session that we held yesterday and today, we are still discussing the Budget Appropriation Bill (2024) for 2024/2025 which was read by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II.
To enable us to examine the topics contained in the said Bill. Yesterday's midday meeting I invite the Laws and this council will be able to cover at the Committee Stage.
(The council session was adjourned)
(The meeting resumed as a Committee)
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Allahumma salli 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala ali Sayyidina Muhammad. Your Honourable Members. The meeting is now in full Committee Stage to discuss the amendment of the Supply Bill (2024), 2024/2025 as proposed by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II.
Your Honourable Members. This Committee meeting is still discussing and deliberating the Budget Title of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and its departments. So far, I have requests from 3 Your Honourable Members who still wish to participate in discussing and debating the relevant topics.
To start, I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin. Please, Yang Berhormat.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim, Allahumma salli 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala ali Sayyidina Muhammad, wa barik wa salim Allahumma aj'al hadha al-balad aminan wa barik lana fi sa'ina wa muddina wa sarif 'anna al-waba'a Wa al-balai Wa sharra al-asqam.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Allahumma salli 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala ali Sayyidina Muhammad Allahumma aj'al biladana wa bilad al-muslimin fi wada'a w-ahfazha bi hifzhika alladhi la yudam.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. Thank you very much, my sir, for the gratitude and praise, and peace be upon you.
Thank you to Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan for the enlightenment and clarification about the ministry's development direction, focus, and priorities in the year 2024/2025.
Kaola have several questions and views, some of which are suggestions from issues that kaola have raised in the last meeting. Kaola also have several issues, some of them wish to be conveyed by the citizens through kaola.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. The first matter, ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard Award for Kuala Belait. Alhamdulillah Lord of the Worlds. The achievement is the result of hard work from Kuala Belait, which is known for its exceptional capability in processing the delivery of this Award, which has successfully met the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard Award. This marks an important milestone in Kuala Belait's quality transformation from a town into a tourist city.
As a local born and residing in Kuala Belait, kaola am thrilled with the developments reported by the ministry that has categorized Kuala Belait to meet the strict criteria as an ASEAN tourist city. The expectation of Kuala Belait residents according to the city's definition is a rapidly developing city with the infrastructure of a metropolis. The Tourist City status indicates that Kuala Belait has various tourist destinations, Insha'Allah. Congratulations to the ministry's citizens.
However, it is essential for the ministry's citizens and relevant agencies in Kuala Belait to maintain the dignity and glory of this award to ensure that Kuala Belait's title as ASEAN Clean Tourist City provides clean, sustainable, and truly meaningful tourism by improving and introducing more attractions and upgrading the facilities in this new city.
Kaola seeks enlightenment, could Yang Berhormat provide insight into what plans, strategies, and specific funds have been outlined and allocated in the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Expenditure to ensure Kuala Belait continually meets the expectations associated with this prestigious award.
The citizens of Kuala Belait hold high hopes for this prestigious recognition. The ministry will continue efforts to translate this award into actual actions to enhance the quality of life and tourism experiences in Kuala Belait. The hope of Kuala Belait citizens is that this award will not just remain a memory as an imaginary award designed on the night of the ASEAN Tourism Award Ceremony, but it should genuinely symbolize reality to ensure the country's reputation and the ministry's credibility are not undermined if this award is left as merely a label and becomes a national joke.
Kaola must admit, the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard Award is less embarrassing compared to being nominated and winning the Best Public Toilet Award, knowing the actual conditions of most public toilets in our country are not truly representative.
Please note, by the way, the many foreigners seen shopping with their families at a supermarket in the Panaga area, Seria, are not tourists, but workers in the oil industry and also families of the British Armed Forces (Gurkha) residing in Seria.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. In the prologue, Yang Berhormat did not mention the award achieved by Kuala Belait. Perhaps it escaped attention. What kaola wishes to convey is the ingenuity of the citizens hoping while looking for suitable prestige products to implement for accepting the prestigious ASEAN Tourism Award that truly reflects reality and if 'there aren't any suitable ones' to be nominated, then showcase and products that reflect the unique identity of Negara Brunei Darussalam as a Melayu Islam Beraja nation introducing Malay traditions, a country rich in fauna, flora, greenery and clean air, and peace even if these tourism products won't receive an award at the ASEAN Tourism Award night.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. Questions:
Revenue production targets from the Ministry's Strategic Plan. In the previous Fiscal Year, the ministry anticipated a large return from the agriculture and agribusiness sector. In Fiscal Year 2022/2023, the expected revenue was $924 million, but the actual result only reached 2/3 of the target with a total of $627 million. The budget also in Fiscal Year 2023/2024, the expected revenue is $775 million which was only achieved $716 million.
Looking ahead, ambitious revenue targets have been set for Fiscal Year 2024/2025, and subsequently, with expected revenue of $979 million for Fiscal Year 2024/25, $1.2 billion for Fiscal Year 2025, and $1.3 billion in Fiscal Year 2026. A growth of 15% to 20% respectively, which is a doubled 100% target for Fiscal Year 2026/2027, $1.4 billion from the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 budget of $780 million. A staggering target that we pray and hope will be achieved;
Please enlighten, what new approaches will be introduced and assistance extended to business traders, agricultural agribusiness that will guarantee the ministry's expected targets as reality will be achieved even though last year's and this year's estimates have not been met. This is a challenge because during kaola's and friends' visits to agricultural sites, because most of our entrepreneurs still employ basic traditional farming, rely on workforce and not much on mechanisation and automation to improve productivity and ease manual work. Although these targets promise impressive returns, it poses a question about revenue;
Is this revenue stream conducted with a financial audit that shows the actual revenue generated by farmers or is it merely based on estimates of production output from entrepreneurs and calculated by the ministry without considering actual sales prices and volumes? because this trend is critical if the absence of actual revenue reports and public reporting using annual production estimates does not reflect the real situation about economic challenges and financial shortages (cash flow) faced by small and private entrepreneurs. Young farmers in our country facing cash flow difficulties not only limit efforts to increase production but also challenge their survival in continuing their agricultural enterprises.;
Therefore, kaola's target is crucial to determine the reliability and accuracy of these revenue projections especially in the context of addressing economic challenges by reporting actual revenue as a KPI and another KPI to consider is how many farm entrepreneurs are growing.
RKN-12 - The Department of Agriculture and Agrifood under Account Code 1210 - To Generate Food Security $237 million is now requested in RKN-12 and $33 million is requested for expenditure for the Financial Year 2024/2025. I request clarification under Account Code 1210/003 which shows a sum of $18 million for this year and in relation, it was counted to generate an income of $300 million in 2018 and $108 million from the year 2020. Is this a typo or error or an old target? If an old target, has this target been achieved and if new expenditure, please enlighten me on how much production estimate will be achieved for the Financial Year 2025/2026?;
Codes 001/000 to 004/000 - Forestry Department. I request an explanation on the revenue from sales of primary industry products ($34 million) and the revenue from sales of wood-based downstream industries amounting to $9.5 million. Is this government revenue or does it include estimates from logging entrepreneurs?
I request that we be consistent in reporting the outputs in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry so that if it is an estimate, let there be an independent process to ensure the validity of the reported results. Under Code 002-000 - Management & Development of Resources and Forest Industries a sum of $2.5, under expenditure and RKN-12, under Code/Account 1207 - Strengthening Environmental Sustainability $17 million is requested.
I, kaola, request enlightenment, is the country's income from the sale of logs, the only treasure of the country that means resetting everything back to worth the profit gained by logging entrepreneurs and what it gives to the country and whether it's worth with the cost of replanting, maintenance of replacement trees and the cost of repairing highways damaged by heavy vehicles carrying logs fully funded by the government. Are there clear criteria/guideline that need to be monitored to ensure the economic value of a tree is at maximum with no wastage until the dust of that tree becomes a source of income. What percent of a tree contributes to the country's income?;
To strengthen food security guarantees. In efforts to address food security issues, we focus on domestic agriculture and agrifood efforts. I believe to diversify food security, the concept of self-sufficiency should be coupled with alternative strategies by diversifying and increasing multiple secure sources of supply of essential food.
Is there any strategy in the RKN-12 expenditure to explore, invest abroad in agriculture and agrifood to enhance and diversify food sources with countries that have fertile resistance owning established agro-industries, existing agricultural industry workers, and are logistically secure? With the aim that all outcomes from agro investment are specifically for the country. This strategy is not only an alternative secure food source.
This investment can also be used to place selected officers to obtain plots of the already established agricultural land. This is an alternative view for the security source of supply.;
Concepts of Rural Community Farming, Family Self Sufficiency. The people in the villages used to be self-sufficient by farming and rearing around their houses, picking vegetables, herbs like "lada", teruna, fruits such as "kepayas", bananas and rearing chickens, ducks for meat and eggs in the area around the house. When we moved from the village to resettlement schemes and into urban areas, where gardening and rearing are limited and not accustomed, it makes all kitchen needs such as vegetables, eggs, meat, and fruits have to be bought.
There is a suggestion from the public for the ministries and government agencies to consider opening government-owned vacant green belts near the Kampung Housing Scheme in residential areas of the country to be made into layered community farming areas, not as much as 10 hectares per family but just enough small-scale gardening size and the yields for their own use to reduce daily family expenses. The government opens the area and provides training and helps to buy quality, easy-to-handle food items, and hopefully, the interest in small-scale gardening will lead to interest in expanding the site and when there is this interest, applicants can be encouraged to follow agricultural plots in ministry schemes. This initiative will help families reduce daily expenses while providing an alternative form of recreation; and
The public also wants to know if our self-sufficiency in meat, chicken, and egg production is sufficient but the grievance of the public is often the price of meat, chicken, and eggs rise although it does not involve import costs. Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, I would like to remind Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan, there are several questions from the public raised last year that have not been answered. Some of them have already been answered yesterday followed by some questions from other Your Honourable Members. I will not repeat all the questions here, enough for me to list some for the record and allow me to provide an alternative perspective.
Among them is Generating Economy from Tourism Industry. Please incorporate tourism themes when the ministry employs regional and global social influencers in promoting our potential tourism packages.
Collaborate with the Ministry of Health to introduce the medical tourist industry, filling vacancies or raising the utilization of specialist centers without affecting services for locals;
Collaborate with the Ministry of Education, private institutions to promote Negara Brunei Darussalam as a learning destination showcasing the completeness of family values and Islamic values targeting the Middle East, Islamic Nation, and family-oriented clientele. Not only filling the wallets of learning visitors but choosing Negara Brunei Darussalam for them to leave their children for schooling. We don't need to 'nguar' if we appear as a country that is conservative in developing entertainment venues, indeed we should be proud and embrace it is what it is and make our conservatism as a uniqueness. Our strength to attract a family-based living style.;
Collaborate with the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports along with the Brunei Olympic Council and domestic sports agencies to promote the country as a sports destination at the international and regional levels. Moreover, in the levels of school children Youth Sports Development as a stepping stone for us next season to host larger sports events. Increase the chances of hosting major sports like inter-university sports, youth sports including football, and the like.;
Collaborate with the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports as already stated. Promoting the longest bridge in Southeast Asia to hold an international marathon to be held next year and also promoting half triathlon involving the bridge for swimming, cycling, and running.;
Take the opportunity to promote, bringing out transit passengers using Royal Brunei Airlines and Brunei International Airport for urahsm and Islamic-based tourism in Negara Brunei Darussalam.;
Assess opportunities for cooperation with BIMP-EAGA and the relocation of Indonesia's capital to Nusantara in the Borneo Islands, what strategies and initiatives have been and will be utilized by taking advantage of this development?
Perhaps one unexplored theme of tourism product is niche tourism collaborating with the Tourism Board with private individuals who have collections of unique items or car collections owned by some of our notable people to hold a special expo that will attract a special type of niche tourism.
That's all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. I convey the views and suggestions from the public for the ministry to provide enlightenment.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin for the questions and suggestions submitted. The answer will follow
To respond...
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan. I would like to note that Your Honourable Members pay attention that we try as much as we can to raise matters that are closely related to the budget we are currently facing and if we wish to present proliferating questions, where do we aim with these questions?
If we can focus our questions on major issues, issues faced by the public for example, public complaints on how we review obstacles to improve the situation. But if we only raise questions, and from one question stems, begets grandchildren, where do we aim eventually with these myriad of questions?
Eventually, perhaps sometime if Yang Berhormat Menteri cannot answer these questions, it will delegate its officers to answer these questions in writing. If that happens, then the value of this Council we hold to discuss these important matters will fade. So, I would like to draw our attention to be careful.
Indeed, every year we expect to discuss many questions, but nevertheless, opportunities are opened to Your Honourable Members to hold face-to-face meetings or informal gatherings with the relevant ministries. Therefore, not all interventions are directly linked to the lessons of the Yang Berhormat Menteri, but are also valuable as meeting the Permanent Secretary or their officers. Whether individually or in a group, with sincerity, answers can be obtained and these answers can be shared with their respective constituencies who requested such questions. I request if we could revise this strategy so that we will focus our attention on the main issues and not on proliferating issues like these.
I will ask again where are we heading with these questions. We already know that Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam in his speech, several times during the Opening Ceremony of the State Legislative Council for as long as we have convened for 20 years, Kebawah Duli Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan has emphasized, we reestablish this Council, so Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam has proclaimed that our duty is to be a vessel, a bridge between the people and the government.
I hope it will be used as an actual bridge, not a bridge that may lead to the collapse of the bridge we are building. I hope we take this very seriously. Please proceed, Yang Berhormat.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Regarding the questions posed by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin. The first question is related to the Clean Tourism City Award that ASEAN has awarded to Kuala Belait. Indeed, I think less embarrassing is not appropriate to use because less embarrassing, we have to acknowledge that the Municipal Department Daerah Belait was working hard. They applied to be nominated.
After being assessed, they succeeded. I think they have merits for the award. It’s not just any award, but based on assessment and an Audit Committee to declare Kuala Belait as the Clean Tourist City Award. I think the Municipal Department Daerah Belait deserves recognition for their hard work in achieving this award.
This award is actually based on performance achieved. So, any agency can nominate and present it to the Jabatan Kemajuan Pelancongan to be judged and it's up to the committee. What are the plans to maintain this award? Actually, a lot of efforts have been expanded further as you have mentioned, like the available tourism packages which make it more appealing. This does not only apply to the Brunei-Muara District or Temburong District but also to all districts.
As you have stated, there are already more than 200 packages available in the activities inventory, which can be accessed online. So, these activities or attractive places, the ministry and responsible agencies will work together to further strengthen or increase the attractiveness of these areas.
These are the efforts made by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism under the Jabatan Kemajuan Pelancongan to ensure that these places become more appealing and their content more solid for sale to tourists.
The second is ambitious targets. What strategies will be used to achieve the targets stated in the Financial Year 2024/2025 Allocation? As mentioned yesterday, bringing the ministry’s target amounts above information. It was also stated technology driven.
To improve productivity, we cannot rely on traditional farming, productive plantation, or fishing. We cannot rely on traditional fishing. So, this activity will be adapted like vertical farming. Under the RKN, the current focus is on providing basic infrastructure for water and electricity.
With this basic infrastructure, it will enable farmers to build greenhouses and vertical farming. Also, allocate areas for technology-based activities.
Besides, encouraging young people with dynamic and innovative thinking to lead these farms further. Those are among the efforts to increase productivity and output.
Besides primary production, currently, secondary production includes downstream activities which are a pillar to increase national output. We realized that the value of primary production is not as high as with downstream.
Currently, as you mentioned yesterday, there are 6 to 7 companies that have successfully penetrated overseas markets through downstream.
Furthermore, the ministry, in collaboration with the trade department and MFA, has been seeking market access. We managed to gain access to Singapore, Sarawak, Sabah, China, and Australia. With these market opportunities, our production will increase without limits. We can export beyond just serving the domestic market, which is limited.
With these overseas opportunities, it will further encourage our entrepreneurs to strive and progress. And we promote export driven. Those are our efforts to increase production and also results from the importance of the fishing industry.
The third one is under Code/Account 1210-003, is it a typo? Upon your referral to the book, there is no typo. Actually, under Code/Account 1210-003 is the Livestock Industry Development Plan to Generate Outputs of $106.8 million in 2015 to $300 million in 2020.
This is actually RKN11 that has been carried forward. So, there is a current plan, we have reached that target in 2020, which we have successfully produced $362.52 million more, which is higher than the target. Actually, there is already a new target stated by Yang Berhomat. So, the old target has been achieved.
Regarding the statistical price report, actually, the prices collected are not estimates, assumptions, or estimations; they are the result of feedback from farmers. The price is the farm gate price. It’s slightly lower than retail price. How reliable is it? If we refer to the company act, once the company is "Sendirian Berhad", they are obliged to have an audited financial statement every year.
So, that's the information for those "Sendirian Berhad", that information we get. It has been audited. No need for us to audit. It’s different for sole proprietorships, they can't disclose, there is no requirement to obtain a report. To evaluate from the 'keyword', their sales at the farm gate and not retail price.
Regarding timber. Actually, in terms of the value of primary and downstream output, it is real data from the output volume from companies. Most of the timber companies that are private limited have been audited. Every piece of timber produced has been taxed, and every output also provides actual data and is reported to the Revenue Division under the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
Actually, we are not selling logs, we are now selling downstream products. By the will of God, what we are doing now is not producing raw but encouraging downstream to process to maximize the value of our timber.
The fifth question is about food security, regarding the multiple sources of food we have, by the will of God, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Economy, is currently negotiating with several countries to explore alternatives to diversify our basic food sources. If there is progress, it will be reported to Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin regarding this matter.
The sixth question is family self-sufficiency, this ministry has encouraged if farming activity is carried out in residential areas. It is well received and the ministry can also provide advisory services. Actually, 2 to 3 years ago, cheap and viable vertical farming models were made that can be operated in the backyard, without needing large land to plant vegetables, mustard greens, and so forth.
It is indeed encouraged but must ensure safety, disease, and cleanliness are considered in agricultural efforts. Besides, it must pass through land terms, but backward farming by the public is encouraged to further supplement their own food supply.
Regarding the prices of meat, chicken, and eggs. Actually, even though we do not import chicken and eggs, we expect egg supply to be a replicante of about 40% towards import. The problem now is the price has risen to 60%, 80%, 70% of the chicken price causing price increases. We encourage more entrepreneurs.
Currently, there is one entrepreneur supplying feed to farmers but if more people are encouraged. However, this feed mostly consists of commodities like soybean and maize which are dependent on the world price and difficult to control in terms of price.
The eighth unanswered question from Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin regarding several collaborations.
Currently, collaborations have been ongoing with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. Negotiations have been made to include it as one of the topics, including health tourism and education tourism. Even now, JIS is hosting Summer Camps for students coming to Negara Brunei Darussalam.
At the same time, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, is actively consulting to revitalize for the incoming students to the country, consulting with tour agents to bring students to Brunei. The ministry will take them on negotiations and view areas and attractions to enable more students to come to Brunei for holidays here.
In addition, the university is actively conducting exchange programs such as at Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Currently, there are 300 exchange students in Negara Brunei Darussalam. The Ministry of Health and the Department of Tourism Development have also had consultations with private service providers such as Gleneagles JPMC and PJSC to help provide vacation packages for health tourism but are still at the service stage and are expected to proceed smoothly.
Regarding the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, indeed, the Department of Tourism Development and the ministry have long collaborated with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports where most of the attractions are related to culture, museum performances and to further enlighten culture tourism here.
God willing, as you stated, if there are no obstacles and involving various agencies, it will be carried out next year. The ministry cooperates with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and other agencies.
That's all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, my answer regarding the question and views presented by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan, it seems there is much interest in tourism and tourism efforts that need to be implemented to attract tourists from outside the country. I'm not trying to join in suggesting the upcoming tourists, just in our discussion since yesterday no one thinks of senior citizen tourists whereas senior citizens are people who have money, young people are targeted to come to our country but it seems we are not keen on senior citizens. They have money and they can afford to go on first class and they can stay in suites of our hotel, maybe it would also be good to look at ways to attract senior citizens.
As a senior citizen myself, I also have an interest if abroad, we no longer fight in activities that require a lot of energy. But have you ever heard of the art of doing nothing? I think Yang Berhormat Menteri Kesihatan mentioned some time ago, efforts to reduce stress, for the wellness of our body that has worked a lot. About time we sort of take things easy and there emerges the art of doing nothing. Please, Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, for pointing out retirees and senior citizens, actually there is a current proposal on the part of the Department of Tourism Development, where there is an interest group, very powerful group, confidence that these executives from ex-chairmen, ex-CEOs of multi-national companies tend towards Brunei.
Currently we are in negotiation with them. They are very high networth people and have many requirements including not being able to enter through the proper normal way lane, need VIP lane, and for bus transportation to avoid traffic jam, all those kinds of things.
So to make everything hassle-free. Art of doing nothing but at the same time, hassle-free visit. We are currently negotiating with that organization to enable them to bring high net worth of senior citizens to Brunei.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin.
Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be on the most noble of messengers, his family and companions all together. Thank you very much to the honourable Minister of Energy, Industry and Urban and the Minister of Communications and Primary Resources and Political and External Affairs.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, I record our highest appreciation for the clear introduction of Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan about the actions, planning and direction of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism the day before yesterday.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members, we all know that Negara Brunei Darussalam has vast forests that are always preserved and also produce quality timber.
I believe that timber which has special qualities and high quality, I feel it would be very interesting if utilized by it towards assessing the integrity of souvenirs that could become a source of income for entrepreneur craftsmen (souvenirs).
Related to this matter, I would like to know what steps or actions are taken by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism in providing facilities to entrepreneur craftsmen (souvenirs) especially in granting permission for timber extraction.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, outside we have also opened many recreational places and hiking which also become the favorites of the people of Negara Brunei Darussalam. According to my assessment, recreational places and hiking like Taman Rekreasi Tasik Lama, Bukit Saeh, Bukit Sipatir, Bukit Patoi, Bukit Menangis, Bukit Dadap and others.
They have their own attractions so I suggest that those places enhance the existing tracks to ensure the safety of users.
Thus, the place can be introduced as a hiking site for tourism response from entrepreneur craftsmen or places for holding special events at an international level such as cross-country, endurance activities and so forth.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin regarding the two questions previously. One is about entrepreneur craftsmen (souvenirs) wood and the second is about making tracks and also recreation centers more robust.
Actually, the first question, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism through the Department of Forestry does recognize that making souvenirs is important to further add value to timber products. Actually, there are more than 20 entrepreneur craftsmen found in organized workshops. We have organized workshops with two groups already.
These are ways to develop further. But unfortunately, more than 20 of these people are mostly part-time entrepreneurs, so teachers, working with the government, providing services. Looking at their products, the quality is good and their equipment very advanced because they are passionate, some are using 3D printers and laser cutters.
The effort of the Department of Forestry is to ensure they are upgraded, not just working in workshops and we hope they move to a dedicated area to become full-time and generate sufficient finances and of course we are working with Bank Usahawan and DARe where if not mistaken, there are three companies that have agreed to move and be developed in a dedicated place for business.
Regarding timber selection, indeed the Department of Forestry will assist them in finding their timber sources. But it's not a big issue for them, sometimes most of the timber they use is reused timber to be modified.
It has already been under the radar of the Department of Forestry to ensure people who make souvenirs especially for tourists, locals also like it. Every time if there is an expo held, it's unprecedented. That’s very encouraging and that's our effort to update cooperation with DARe and Bank Usahawan.
Regarding recreation areas like Bukit Saeh, Taman Rekreasi Tasik Lama, I think it actually depends on who owns the recreation park. If it's the Department of Forestry like in Bukit Patoi, Temburong and in Luagan Lalak it will be upgraded. While the other areas will be coordinated by the Department of Tourism and in cooperation with the Ministry of Development and also the Ministry of Home Affairs to together upgrade these attractive recreational areas, God willing.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I invite Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin.
Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin
Thank you, wise Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. I begin by welcoming and expressing my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the honoured committee that granted me this opportunity and thank you, my distinguished peers and the honourable gentlemen and ladies, for this opportunity that you have given me to stand and participate with you in the discussion and raise these valuable questions.
Congratulations to Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan for the clear information in providing the Budget and direction of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism for the Financial Year 2024/2025.
My first question to you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, is about the Department of Fisheries.
Apologies, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Thankfully, Negara Brunei Darussalam is blessed with oceans containing immeasurable treasures. Just imagine if our country were to be landlocked.
In addition to 2A revision edition 2018, it allocates the declaration of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering an area extending up to 200 nautical miles from the country's coast, which is about 38,600 square kilometers, roughly seven times the size of this fortunate land. Our size is only 5,765 square kilometers; the 200 nautical miles depends on the terrain, not flat because there are high and hilly areas, steep and so on, just like lands on the mainland.
This offshore area, containing seabed treasures, offers opportunities for larger scale offshore fish farming compared to river areas or maritime borders including the Brunei Bay, which is only 3 nautical miles.
My second question, has the Fisheries Department allocated any gazetted fish farming areas within this zone? Are there companies already operating in the area? What measures are there, if any? Apologies, Yang Berhormat Pengurus, this question is a bit 'multi-part'. Security considerations to ensure the operations of companies outside these areas are protected from being breached by external elements.
If these cages are placed 100 miles off the coast and there's theft or piracy at sea, where would the workers seek help?
Secondly, please allow me, Yang Berhormat Pengurus to touch on the Tourism Department. This includes actually reaching out to elderly tourists. I would like to suggest about tourism, it was raised last year in Majlis Mesyuarat Negara because it is a subsector capable of generating income for the country's economy.
After COVID-19, the number of tourists to this country has increased, although in my opinion, it is also considerable for me, but after opening.
With ongoing efforts that have been highlighted, planned, and implemented, how can we further enhance the existing attractions? With an allocation of roughly $3 million for the Tourism sector for the year 2024/2025, planning and implementation will be very beneficial.
However, we still have the potential to attract foreign investors, inviting them here along with several countries of various races. For example, to develop and enhance islands and other places in the country with unique advancements or developments.
What I mean by unique is, for example, and an idea that could be adopted is the development of resorts that have mixed development, resort and mixed development, uniquely themed to a specific country. For example, we take the German Association because from the Legislative Council of the Federal Republic of Germany came recently.
Pulau Berambang is developed by investors from the Federal Republic of Germany. When tourists visit and stay at that place, it has characteristics and life like in the Federal Republic of Germany, imagine having an experience of German, tranquility and hospitality in Pulau Perambang, Brunei Darussalam. Or experience French tranquility and hospitality in Pulau Selat, Brunei Darussalam or Dutch in Pantai Muara and many more unique attractions not only for tourists from Europe and other countries but automatically for the local people, especially the elderly.
Why I categorize this idea as unique is because it's not available in our neighboring countries. Another aspect regarding the investor, for example from the Federal Republic of Germany, they have invested a significant amount, such as $50 to $100 million to develop a resort or mixed development or just a resort. Thus, automatically, these investors will work hard to recoup their ROI (Return of Investment), which will automatically attract tourists from their own country.
This is my experience when I was abroad, like in Thailand, Hua Hin, Pattaya. There, they have places themed after multiple countries, but we need to control it. Don't let their culture infiltrate, don't let them have their October Fest here, we must control that.
Secondly, Yang Berhormat Pengurus, actually, there's not much more we need to do regarding tourism. We don't need to show off tall buildings, just pure forests, beaches, and unpolluted rivers are enough.
For example, I have taken friends from outside Europe for a walk from Burutah for the first time, actually, disembarked at the Kampong Ayer Jetty and reached the Damuan River. They were amazed by the Istana Nurul Iman, saying 'Sultan of Brunei is very wise'.
I asked why? 'Look at the majestic palace but there's no pollution'. When they reached where the boat was, I feared, it would be 'snapped' by a crocodile. The water was fresh.
This was what made them proud. If they want to attract them to Brunei for shopping, they have plenty of shopping there. They come here to relax, sunbathe, typical for Caucasians.
If we analyze, taking just 1% of the world's population, just 1%, not 10%, from the 7.88 billion recorded in 2021, divided over a 5-year period, we would get 15,000,600 tourists, the target must be high. Every month, over 5 years, would be 1,000,300 tourists. If every month, 6,000,500, if every day 42,739. Apologies, if over 5 years, 15,000,600 tourists 1%, if every month we will have 6,000,500 and if every day 42,739 tourists.
Third, the Forestry Department. Please allow me, Yang Berhormat Pengurus, to raise the issue of agarwood once more. My question, what I want to emphasize, is that agarwood is becoming extinct. I would like to correct that the agarwood trees being stolen is an issue that has been happening for a long time. Agarwood trees are a national treasure that needs to be protected and conserved because of their high value and ability to generate income and contribute to the country's economy.
My question, what kind of inoculant is allowed for use by the operators? Inoculant is a tool for injecting to harm the tree. This tree is peculiar because the more it is injured, the better it is and the more it emits a fragrant smell, but if naturality, it will wait for 'temparik', if 'temparik' wounds the tree, then it is injured. Now, with modern methods like inoculant.
But there are chemical inoculants and permitted ones. The problem with chemical inoculants is that they deplete the soil and damage its ecosystem. That's my question, what kind of inoculant is used?
Secondly, what actions are being taken by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism because agarwood is becoming extinct, if not conserved, it's original essence will become extinct as those who steal agarwood, from neighboring countries, are skilled and leave nothing in the forests.
From past experiences, over 10 years ago, when I could still travel, due to agarwood surveying, I flew by helicopter to the concerned area. Indeed, stories from the forest police or the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, they do stay in the forests, are experts, and are difficult to control.
Furthermore, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, regarding the Agriculture and Agrifood Department. I am pleased to refer to Code 1210-003 RKN-12 allocation amounting to $18,095,783.00. For the development plan of the livestock industry aiming to increase production from $106.8 million in 2015 to $300 million in 2020 and includes overall infrastructure for agriculture and rice is a total of $237 million. إن شاء الله, this amount will provide a broader opportunity to develop this sector to contribute to the diversification of the country's economy.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, the next matter is about food security. But I will look at it from a different angle. The first issue in food security is what I call paddy security.
Currently, the country's rice production level is at 8%, which is far from sufficient for national self-sufficiency. It's been 40 years since independence, various types of rice have been planted in the country with many trials and researches, yet the wide areas that have long been neglected until they dry up. Rice varieties like Sambada 188, BDR5, MR076, Pusu, Berio, and Adan are currently planted. And still under research are AWD101 to 103 and Yuan1601 planted in non-irrigated fields.
My question, after more than a decade of trials, what type of rice will we establish that meets the taste of the people, which will we focus on as the country's rice type for large-scale production with our own large-scale rice varieties that do not need to be imported from other countries? This is what food security means to me. I believe in producing our own varieties here in this country and planting them on our own soil. With the establishment of our own rice on a large scale, we will be able to achieve self-sufficiency for the country. This is what I mean by paddy security.
We also see that the soil of Brunei Darussalam is very fertile, even buildings have grass growing on them. This is actually a challenge for us.
The second thing is about meat security, specifically for four-legged animals such as buffalo, cows, or goats. This issue has been raised in the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Session 2023 extensively about animal meat with the proposal that we can achieve self-sufficiency through the production of our own breeds of cows and buffaloes initially by bringing in high-quality breeds from abroad.
Undeniably, this issue is a waiting game. In fact, I am waiting for MPRT, MPRT should also be waiting for me, so there has been a misunderstanding this year.
Thus, our direction that currently depends only on imported raw meat from abroad to ensure that the citizens and residents of this country have enough supply of imported food sources.
In fact, I am very worried because this is not a direction that supports the country's food security, in fact, it leads us to feeding security only. This strategy will not last long or be sustainable, especially since we have already felt the challenges and difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, how we felt panicked at that time.
So, what I emphasize here again is, "prepare the umbrella before it rains", before a pandemic or another major issue strikes us again like a car that is already "dying", the warning signs are there, but if we proceed without preparedness, it means we will crash.
So, let's prepare as quickly as possible, not just move but jump and reduce or stop our dependency on imported meat from abroad. I am also very disappointed because the grass that will be planted requires tens of thousands of acres.
I just returned from a highly populated country in Asia, which successfully managed cattle breeding. I had a long discussion with them because what I have seen here is that every 1,000 cows only need between 45 to 90 acres.
No matter, let's do 100 acres for 1,000 cows. This is what is meant by feedlot. So, if there are 5,000 cows, only 500 acres are needed. I have inquired with the Agriculture Department as well, that we still have over 9,000 acres of land to be cultivated and 3,727 acres have been offered, the remaining is 3,206.49 acres including agricultural stations, swamp areas, prone to flooding, and peat soil areas.
So, these areas, rather than being unused, I believe can actually be used for rearing cows and buffaloes in Brunei Darussalam.
The next thing is about egg security. I touch on the increase in export rates of eggs from 300,000 in February 2023 to 6 million in February 2024. This is a good thing for the country's economy and looks good only to some parties.
Congratulations on being able to export. However, there are also concerns and questions posed to me and also the people especially those who use eggs for daily use and as a food source.
In our excitement, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism needs to first address the issue of domestic egg prices which have risen and are still expensive to this day. For example, size B eggs which used to cost around $4 have jumped to an average retail price of $6 per tray currently.
Why, when we export these eggs, do we run out of eggs which spikes the retail price of eggs domestically and sometimes eggs are not sufficient for domestic use? Essentially, why feed someone else's child and not prioritize our own first.
In conclusion, and while affirming and expressing gratitude, please let me know if you need anything.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, and thank you Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin for the questions posed.
Regarding the several questions asked:
Regarding fisheries that relate to offshore. Currently, there are areas as much as 17,722 acres prepared for offshore consisting of Victoria 4700 acres, Nankivell 6613 acres, Littledale 4264 acres, Pelong A 2000 acres, and Pelong B 120 acres.
Areas for offshore aquaculture operations. As of now, 2 companies have applied, namely Hiseaton and Barramundi. Both are FDI companies, which have been operating in the Pelong Rock areas currently.
Thankfully, these areas will be promoted more actively to allow more FDIs to come to Brunei to operate these areas.
Regarding security, it's an important factor there to ensure that these areas are free from threats involving security to allow guaranteed patrols alongside other agencies such as the Royal Brunei Police Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Internal Security Department, Immigration and National Registration Department, and Labour Department.
Moreover, in these areas, signboards have been erected and signal lights installed to prevent the public from approaching the fish farms.
Regarding tourism, the second question is about FDI for tourism here, indeed we have many unique areas.
Thankfully negotiations have been done as stated yesterday, cooperation with BEDB to make a package, all attempted package strategies have been tried but none attracted interest.
The Ministry's effort is to package several areas to be offered to FDI or PPP companies to enable them to operate areas like Pulau Selirong and other islands.
At this time, FDI is being promoted with BEDB to allow FDIs to make investments there.
Regarding the agarwood tree, actually no inoculant has been used yet, but at this time, research and studies have been made for the use of inoculant by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism through the Forestry Department in collaboration with Universiti Brunei Darussalam regarding the agarwood inoculant using fungal inoculant.
Currently, it's still in the early stages, whatever has been researched and used will be shared to stakeholders interested in the agarwood tree.
Regarding agriculture, paddy security and types of rice to be discussed have already been extensively covered yesterday, regarding rice strategy, no need for me to explain further about rice initiatives that could benefit the farmers.
I think it's enough that I explain about paddy security. God willing, regarding meat security has been discussed with Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin himself after last year’s Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Conference. Indeed, we have done studies using 40,000 areas for grass alone.
If there are other alternatives, we have recently negotiated with a neighboring country. According to them, the same requirement, we have alternatives, we welcome Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin to come and explain to us, what methodology should be used by the Agriculture Department to enable self-sufficiency for this meat.
We feel negotiations have been conducted, but waiting is not productive. We have done study there, it is not economical to do it in Brunei, if there are better alternatives, we hope the ideas can be shared with us, and definitely, it will be well received.
Regarding the need for eggs, it's not like "monkeys in the forest are nurtured, one’s own child at home starves", in fact, the ministry analyzes the need for eggs every month, if the egg requirement decreases, the import and export are halted. That's our job here not to blindly export out of the country.
Indeed, it's scrutinized and estimated every 3 months to be reviewed and analyzed whether it suffices or not, if not enough export will indeed be stopped, not exported every month, every week and it's controlled.
Moreover, once in November, a neighboring country experienced a shortage of eggs. So because of that egg shortage, many of our eggs were sucked into the neighboring state. The effort of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism is to stop exports to Singapore, to divert to the sudden needs, that's the beauty now our production is exceeding our self-sufficiency, if there's a shortage it's diverted, meaning no need to import.
As it was before during the Hari Raya season when we once again started importing eggs, the local egg entrepreneurs were in an uproar. Now, it's no longer a problem, because there is more than enough supply of eggs. Hence, during the shortage of eggs, exports were halted and imports were initiated.
This indeed is the agreement made with the egg entrepreneurs. It's not just about thinking of food security in Brunei, but in Malaysia as well, should there be a shortage of eggs, exports will be halted. That is how we practice here and not "anak keru di hutan disusui, anak sendiri di rumah kebuluran". To clearly understand, our priority is to first suffice our country if the supply exceeds then we export.
That is all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, from my explanation so as to avoid any misunderstandings and misconceptions about our food exports. Our priority is the food security of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan.
Alhamdullilah, with the assurance from the concerned Minister, we can be reassured that we will have a sufficient supply of eggs for the upcoming Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Insya'allah
Your Honourable Members, I believe we have discussed quite extensively on the Budget for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
The Your Honourable Members who wished to participate have already raised their questions and suggestions, and I believe it is now time for us to vote on this matter.
Your Honourable Members in favor of the titles SH01A to SH06A, please raise your hands.
(All members raise their hands in agreement)
Thank you, it appears that all members are in agreement. Thus, the mentioned titles are approved.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Titles SH01A to SH06A for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism are incorporated as part of the Schedule.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members. It would be advisable for us to adjourn this meeting for 15 minutes to allow us some rest, after which we will resume.
(The Committee Meeting briefly adjourns)
(The Committee Meeting resumes)
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members. The assembly is now back in session to review and deliberate on the Bill (2024) Expenditure, 2024/2025 proposed by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri and Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II. The Committee Meeting earlier has already debated and discussed and subsequently approved the titles under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
We will now move on to the next titles.
Yang Mulia Jurutulis
Title S01A - Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members. We have now moved on to the title under the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
So as usual before I open this schedule for debate and discussion, I would like to invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama to present information about the policies and direction of his ministry as well as clarifications and assurances regarding the Budget Appropriation for the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the Financial Year 2024/2025. I now invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, for allowing "kaola" to present the Budget Estimate for the Ministry of Religious Affairs at this moment.
"Kaola" is grateful to Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala for the opportunity, by His grace, to join fellow colleagues and representatives who have kindly taken the time to be present together at the Dewan Serbaguna Negara in conjunction with the Ministry of Religious Affairs budget session for the Financial Year 2024/2025.
As one of the administrative machinery of the Government under Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, the role of the Ministry of Religious Affairs is to provide services in its field, i.e., the religious field, and other ministries in their respective fields.
In carrying out these responsibilities, the ministry operates with the vision 'together towards a brilliant life worldly and hereafter' and with the mission 'to empower religious life and strengthen its officialdom guided by the laws of Syariah, the spirit of the constitution and the sovereignty of the nation's law as well as the spirit of the Melayu Islam Beraja philosophy'.
In this matter, with three main strategic focuses supporting the Vision Brunei 2035, they are:-
- Effective Religious Education where the ministry is a joint leader in education;
- Effective and Strong Da'wah as the religious pioneer; and
- Guarantee of Welfare and Social Security as a joint pioneer in social security.
These main strategic focuses are aligned with the theme and focus of the Budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025, which is 'United in Building a More Prosperous Future' or 'Building A Prosperous Future Together', a theme retained from previous years.
Considering the theme and the focus of the National Budget are retained, in efforts to dedicate the quality of services provided, the ministry with its mission and vision along with its focus, supports the priorities for the Financial Year 2024/2025. Therefore, the Budget Strategy of the Ministry of Religious Affairs emphasizes prioritization according to the following sectors:-
- Education - Allocating a large portion of the Budget supported because the field of education is known to be the largest development for the Ministry of Religious Affairs. It is the primary task within the Ministry of Religious Affairs services;
- Da'wah Field - Enhancing the delivery of effective and continuous strong Da'wah by utilizing technology and social media to penetrate layers of society that tend to interact with such platforms, thus further enhancing the work path with strategic Da'wah partners to expand existing Da'wah work;
- Zakat - "Kaola" is pleased to mention that, with the establishment of the Zakat, Wakaf and Baitulmal Department approximately 8 – 9 months ago, the collection and distribution of zakat on property and fitrah can be carried out more effectively and timely. It leverages the burden on the needy and indirectly contributes to reducing the government's fiscal pressure, because income from zakat is a contribution from the Majlis Ugama Islam Brunei, not from state revenues or certain collections included in the treasury;
- Infrastructure Preservation - continuous work on the maintenance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs infrastructure under term contract to maintain facility management in the near future, so that existing infrastructures are always in a preserved state and protect from larger damages that would result in high expenditures;
- Improvements in Restructuring - this is an ongoing internal effort of the ministry for administrative efficiency over time, ensuring services are relevant to provide religious services to the residents of Negara Brunei Darussalam as desired, in line with the implementation of policies and strategies of Religious Affairs;
- Implementation of Syariah Law. It includes in the Ministry of Religious Affairs' efforts to increase the level of efficiency and professionalism of its officers, while supporting academic efforts to produce legal practitioners, i.e., individuals in the field of Syariah law will become legal practitioners in the said field;
- Improvement of Halal certification activities - which perhaps Your Honourable Members here still wish for this to be a plan that has been set forth in this Assembly multiple times to have an online platform for Halal certification and so forth.
For today's Conference, "kaola" is pleased to state that the implementation of such a platform which was allocated for the Ministry of Religious Affairs with an amount of $1 million is transferred to an integrated platform under the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
So, insya'allah, hopefully, its implementation will be more effective, insya'allah. Moreover, the increase in Halal certification activities is by considering its potential to be recognized and accredited by other countries.
Therefore, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, the budget support given to the Ministry of Religious Affairs is as follows:
What was previously referred to as salary payments is supported by $234,925,960.00, Recurrent Expenditures amounting to $34,156,000, thus the total Ordinary Expenditure is $269,81,960, added with Development Expenditure supported by $16,817,396 making the grand total of $285,899,356.
Based on the breakdown of the allocation given, it approves several expenditure programs that have been aligned with the 5 Maqasid Syariah and making sectors in the expenditures of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Let's say in asset promotion i.e., asset preservation, the amount allocated is $25,500,000 from the mentioned allocation and promotion or preservation of religion amounting to $29,400,000.
Next, in terms of promotion or preservation from a certain aspect, "kaola" forgot, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, there's confusion in the page.
It is clear there as well that the preservation and promotion of life and heritage, or where the preservation of health is allocated $11 million, and the preservation and promotion of intellect is likewise stated to be the largest at $202,900,000, which if broken down into percentages, amounts to 75.4% of the entire budget.
These sectors are where the expenditure will be focused, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs in terms of asset promotion along with the Hajj Management Department, Zakat Affairs Department, Wakaf and Baitulmal, and the Islamic Religious Council.
Then, in religious promotion, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is together with the Mosque Affairs Department, Islamic Da'wah Centre, Islamic Religious Promotion Division and in life promotion, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is with the Syariah Affairs Department (Family Advisory Ministry), which is the Religious Enforcement Division, Halal Food and Goods Division.
Then, in intellectual promotion, with the Ministry of Religious Affairs along with the Islamic Studies Department, Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College, and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Quranic Studies.
In Projek Pembangunan RKN, kaola expresses joy that the Development Expenditure is amounting to $16.8 million allocated for the coming Fiscal Year with a plan cost of $191 million for several major projects covering education access facilities such as adding blocks in several religious schools nationwide, adding/facilities for Hassanal Bolkiah Boys’ Arabic Secondary School, Sixth Form Centre, and the development of 2 new schools for Kampung Kulap and Kampung Bolkiah.
In addition, an allocation of $2.3 million has been provided, where the plan cost is $23.9 million to build additional facilities at the existing KUPUSB campus at Batu Satu, Jalan Tutong and an amount of $200 thousand the plan cost in the 12th National Development Plan is $20 million also provided for the construction of a permanent campus for females at the Institute of the Qur'an Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
Under the Strengthening of Islamic Da'wah Development, the construction of a building for the Islamic Religious Activity Centre, Religious School of Kampung Senukh was provided an amount of $295 thousand, the plan cost is $1.47 million. And a total of 12 mosques in the RKN are planned to be built with an annual allocation given amounting to $9.86 million, which the plan cost is $64.3 million.
These mosques can be mentioned in the Brunei-Muara District, for the Financial Year 2024/2025, it is stated as $8.3 million in the 12th RKN, the allocation is $40.1 million, which is the construction of a new mosque for the National Housing Scheme Kampung Mengkubau has been completed, construction of a new mosque for the National Housing Scheme Kampong Meragang is in the final stage and newly the construction of a mosque in the National Housing Scheme Kampung Rimba, construction of a new mosque in the Indigenous People's Land Grant Scheme Kampung Mata-Mata for Kamp B, construction of a new mosque Kota Batu, New Mosque Junction at Bunegg Lapang, construction of a prayer hall in the National Housing Scheme Kampung Tanah Jambu and construction of a new mosque Kampung Lugu, in Brunei-Muara.
While in Kuala Belait, the allocation given for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 is $1.4 million, the plan cost $14 million.
The construction of a new mosque for the National Housing Scheme Kampung Lumut, construction of a new mosque in STKRJ Kampung Telisai, construction of a new mosque in the National Housing Scheme Kampung Panggua while in Temburong there are two plans in 2024-2025 given an allocation of $22 thousand, the 12th RKN is $8 million, this $22 thousand 'kitani' have early works for the construction plans of a new mosque in Kampung Batu Apoi and Kampung Selapon.
Furthermore, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, kaola also wishes to state that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is allocated a net renewal amount of positions as follows (9) clean positions meaning after considering what is absorbed and what is adjusted namely 36 absorptions of Daily Wages positions, from Recurrent Service 2 additional positions through trade-off via Job Circular, 5 adjustments of Academic Energy Service Scheme (SPTA) positions, 394 adjustments of Religious Service Scheme (SPGU) positions, and the abolition of 23 Open Vote positions, the abolition of 2 Daily Wages positions so the net is a total of 9 additional positions included.
Furthermore, kaola wishes to mention the efforts of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in ensuring the quality of religious education especially student achievements in religious schools, in Arabic schools namely the lower and secondary levels through the improvement efforts of the Islamic Studies Department which have shown several improvements for the Key Performance Indicators set to achieve the desired goals as follows:-
Teachers who achieve level 3 and above in Brunei Teachers Standard, Teachers Performance Appraisal increase to 94.2%, the previous year was 91.7%; and
Schools are at level 3 and above in All School Evaluation increase to 94.7%, the previous year 93.3%. Primary School Assessment (PSR) obtaining grades A to C increased to 94.66% in 2023 and the previous year 91.29%.
Brunei Higher Religious Education Certificate (STPUB) obtaining Mumtaz grade increased to 53.33% in 2023 from the previous year 43.96%.
Brunei Higher Religious Education Certificate (STPUB) also obtaining Jayyid Jiddan grade and above increased to 82% in 2023 to 75.53% in 2022.
In the meantime, there are challenges going forward for the Ministry of Religious Affairs through the Islamic Studies Department to improve the decline in the results of the Brunei Religious Education Certificate (SPUB) examination for aggregates 6 to 8 which declined from 16.24% to 10.7%.
Brunei Religious Education Certificate also declined in terms of that aggregate figure from 76.62% to 69.5% and the subjects involved are also the examinations taken in Arabic secondary schools namely general subject examinations which are Brunei Cambridge General Certificate of Education O’ Level 5 or more above reduced from 37.86% to 33.81%.
This is a challenge for future efforts to overcome it
Kaola would like to touch a bit on the integration of religious subjects into general education schools which was emboldened last 1 November 2023 that supports involving learning levels from Preschool to Grade 3 religious schools integrated to years 2 to 5 general schools. In this integration, the religious subjects included in the integration at this time are complemented with Islamic Education Subjects.
With this integration, several initiatives have been implemented among them involving the aspect of research updates to the existing curriculum adjusted with the new time allocation of that subject.
At the same time, the curriculum integration will also be aligned with religious learning needs at every level starting from primary school (Integration System) to religious school and secondary level. This integration also involves teachers and experts from higher education institutions in this country.
Kaola wants to emphasize the curriculum construction process. Currently, Islamic Education emphasizes aspects of inculcating pure values, elements of truth and wisdom aimed at improving nurturing, understanding, and skills according to the needs and age levels of students.
This is also adjusted by taking into account the needs of living a religious life within a society where for ‘kitani’ it’s not only Muslims in schools but also non-Muslims.
So, the learning takes into account these aspects. Kaola believes this will come up in questions later, maybe later kaola can elaborate further.
But, one thing that appears to have an impact on religious schools is in terms of buildings. In its impact, it appears that only a few students and teachers are remaining in religious schools. The interaction figure is larger if estimated roughly, about 23 out of 37 thousand religious school students are integrated. While the rest is about only 24 thousand remaining in religious schools, obviously the building appearance is minimal.
What happens to these buildings? So, the clarification implemented for religious schools is the placement of grades 4, 5, and 6 with special religious schools. The buildings of special religious schools are fully utilized and optimized comprehensively with adjustments by choosing the building capacity and student density.
This involves the catchment area Yang Berhormat Pengurus. In the school, there are grades 4, 5, and 6 students who require a catchment area where they learn. So, the schools are still used. Even though it appears there are many schools, but they are not abandoned, stalled, and neglected.
In fact, the building is used for a shared approach with several general schools and adult religious classes, religious reading classes, senior citizens' regulations, and also other uses. However, things like this are still in the process for improvement and updating.
Lastly, briefly about zakat. With the establishment of the Zakat Affairs Department, Wakaf and Baitulmal which is already 8 months old, it is hoped zakat including in its collection and distribution is carried out in an orderly and efficient manner. Empowerment programs and initiatives to strengthen the capabilities of 'ansaf' zakat are 'unveiled' in a planned and effective manner.
The management of initiatives to expand the development of wakaf assets and baitulmal, which are crucial for the target groups of zakat beneficiaries known to have issues of delays and so forth, is expected to improve with the establishment of this department, enabling the search for methods to expedite or cater to the needs of those in need, and to address the backlog of applicants, among other concerns.
Furthermore, the Department of Zakat, Wakaf, and Baitulmal also takes the initiative to increase collections. The wakaf section will be more regulated with its rules and regulations, which are currently in the final stages of reading.
Once finalized, the management of wakaf will be more organized, its benefits more tangible, and it will contribute significantly to the socio-economic well-being of the Muslim community in this country, as wakaf brings fiscal contributions.
For instance, wakaf for mosques reduces government expenditure on mosque maintenance. Currently, there is a mosque construction fund.
Thus, its implementation is very effective in reducing government fiscal burdens. Similarly, other types of wakaf, like hearses and mortuary rooms in mosques that lack such facilities. If the vehicle and room cost is estimated between $30 to $60 thousand, it can save government allocations. This is highly anticipated.
Kaola briefly wants to emphasize that during the period 2022-2023, a total of 13,428 applicants have been accepted through the National Welfare System (SKN).
Additionally, zakat distribution for the poor, muallaf, Al-Gharimin, and amil increased from $20.9 million in 2021 to $24.2 million in 2022, and to $25 million in 2023.
Such matters are of great interest for kaola to elaborate on kaola's response if there are related questions, and certainly, if there are questions regarding how to update in overcoming the delays and so forth.
Not only to increase income but to address delay issues among the community in general.
Kaola attempts to summarize, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Kaola 'jumps' to the next point, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Another matter kaola mentioned here, which might be discussed later, relates to the high number of religious field graduates, including tahfiz, who remain unemployed.
Based on data provided to kaola here, from the Secretariat of Manpower Planning and Employment Council, as of January 2024, 40.7%, which is 352 graduates out of 864 graduates with Islamic Religious Education qualifications, are actively seeking employment. Of these, 344 (39.8%) are graduates of Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPUSB) while only 8 are from the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah because the intake there does not reach hundreds, only tens.
These 8 are sufficient to meet some of the 2,588 job opportunities offered in various sectors. Thus, kaola hopes this analysis is convincing enough and at the same time, we face the issue of lack of employment opportunities for high education graduates.
There are mismatch issues, among others. This is a national issue that we can resolve at the national level with several alternatives discussed in this Council.
There are reasonable inputs that will inform us on this matter. But one thing that must be recognized is that education is prioritized, especially in the Vision of Brunei 2035, to produce "An Educated, Prosperous, and Successful People?"
This means that as long as the government is able to support their learning, we will not regret how much they learn. The challenge is in directing them toward fields that we need most.
Religious fields should not be considered unnecessary; its necessity is because we see it only for serving in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, but in fact, if we consider their sincerity, they can also enter into the mainstream public service, which has been proven from graduates of the Institut Tahfiz al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah entering mainstream services as BAS officers, for example.
Some have become District Officers or in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. Such matters are encouraging, it's important that we analyze and rationalize this issue at a higher level of responsibility for evaluation. That's all kaola can present, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, within the limited time.
Kaola just wants to conclude this presentation with the verse 41 from Surah Al-Haj;
(It means: "Those Muslims, when we give them a chance to occupy a part of the earth, meaning to make them live in states, with systems and regulations, then they will implement religious duties (as a priority), establish prayer, pay zakat, enforce good (Amar Ma'ruf), forbid evil (Nahi Mungkar) and all these are for the sake of جلا جلاله, to achieve the objectives.")
Kaola wants to clarify here, the terms mentioned here should not be understood narrowly. The term prayer is for everyone, not just limited to those in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, but we all, Alhamdulillah, have implemented this. But regarding زَكَاة, it is indeed allocated and mandatory only for those who are able.
So, how capable they are, Yang Berhormat Pengurus. Certainly, it means not just zakat but it implies that there must be efforts to improve the economy.
Those capable are successful in their respective fields. Thus, apart from conducting religious duties like prayer and fulfilling human rights, the side in advancing the economy is called zakat, and in today's context, there are various taxes.
Taxpayers are similar to zakat payers, that is, people who are capable and as a result of economic development, then the country targeted by مَا شَآ ءَ اللّهُ, then, Alhamdulillah, Brunei Darussalam can be said to be part of such a country.
Likewise, with Amar Ma'aruf Nahi Mungkar, doing good and not just religious guidance will act and legally not only Shariah but we have also established common law as takzir.
Therefore, its implementation is national, not sectoral, looking at ministries, Yang Berhormat Pengurus.
That is what koala hopes for, hopefully, what is permitted by جلا جلاله, we have Brunei Darussalam with our system.
May, Insha'Allah, what He bestows upon us, indeed what we know and is allocated as best as possible, will not be misused and wasted, then the result as a good intention Insha'Allah will be more, not misused, abandoned, wasted then Insha'Allah will increase its value.
If you misuse, abuse it, etc., then accept the consequence Insha'Allah as a result of it then koala, with that Insha'Allah developed as Brunei Darussalam with its balanced modernity Insha'Allah with such intentions will receive His blessings under a visionary, fair and wise king.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. And Minister of Religious Affairs and the government
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Alhamdulillah, thank you to Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama for such a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the direction and priorities in the preparation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025.
Your Honourable Members, I think it would be best if we adjourn this Committee Meeting for now and reconvene later in the Conference of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara.
(Committee Meeting adjourned)
(Majlis Mesyuarat reconvened)
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members. We are now reconvening in the Conference of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, I believe that is all for our meeting this morning.
I would like to adjourn the Conference of the Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, and we will resume the conference later this afternoon at 2.30 pm as usual.
(Majlis Mesyuarat adjourned)
YANG DI-PERTUA
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib, P.S.B., S.J.I., P.H.B.S., P.J.K., P.K.L., Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
AHLI RASMI KERANA JAWATAN (PERDANA MENTERI DAN MENTERI-MENTERI)
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertua Negara Brunei Darussalam, Perdana Menteri, Menteri Pertahanan, Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi dan Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, D.K.M.B., D.P.K.T., King Abdul Aziz Ribbon, First Class (Saudi Arabia), The Order of the Renaissance (First Degree) (Jordan), Grand Cross of Crown Order- G.K.K., (Netherlands), Medal of Honour (Lao), DSO (Singapore), Order of Lakandula With The Rank of Grand Cross (Philippines), The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Second Class (Ukraine), Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama (Johor), DSO (Military) (Singapore), P.H.B.S., Menteri Kanan di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Menteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim, D.K., S.P.M.B., D.S.N.B., P.H.B.S., P.B.L.B., P.J.K., P.K.L., Penghastas Kehakiman Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertua Negara Brunei Darussalam dan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official duties)
Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, P.S.S.U.B., D.P.M.B., P.H.B.S., P.B.I.L., P.J.K., P.K.L., Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd. Yussof, D.P.K.T., S.M.B., P.H.B.S., Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official duties)
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., Menteri Kesihatan, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew bin Abdullah, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official duties)
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd. Yusof, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., P.J.K., P.I.K.B., Menteri Hal Ehwal Luar Negeri II, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official duties)
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., P.B.S., P.I.K.B., Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abd. Manaf bin Haji Metussin, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., S.N.B., S.M.B., P.S.S.B., P.K.L., Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abd. Rashid, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.I.K.B., Menteri Pembangunan, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr. Dayang Hajah Romizah binti Haji Md. Salleh, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L., Menteri Pendidikan, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official duties)
Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, P.S.N.B., P.S.B., Menteri Pengangkutan dan Infokomunikasi, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, P.S.N.B., S.M.B., P.I.K.B., Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
AHLI YANG DILANTIK ORANG-ORANG YANG BERGELAR
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.H.B.S., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.H.B.S., P.J.K., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.J.K., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
AHLI YANG DILANTIK ORANG-ORANG YANG TELAH MENCAPAI KECEMERLANGAN
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Salfiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam, S.U.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
Yang Berhormat Awang Lau How Teck, P.S.B.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee, P.I.K.B.
Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin, S.M.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin, S.N.B., S.M.B., P.I.K.B.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin, S.M.B., P.S.B.
Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin, P.I.K.B.
AHLI YANG DILANTIK MEWAKILI DAERAH-DAERAH
Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin, P.I.K.B., P.K.L., Penghulu Mukim Lumapas -Daerah Brunei dan Muara.
Yang Berhormat Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat, P.K.L., Ketua Kampung Subok - Daerah Brunei dan Muara.
Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed, Ketua Kampung Putat - Daerah Brunei dan Muara.
Yang Berhormat Awang Mohamad Ali bin Tanjong, P.K.L., Ketua Kampung Lumapas "B" – Daerah Brunei dan Muara.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Daud bin Jihan, P.I.K.B., P.K.L., Ketua Kampung Belimbing – Daerah Brunei dan Muara.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman, P.I.K.B., Penghulu Mukim Bukit Sawat – Daerah Belait.
Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann, Ketua Kampung Bukit Sawat – Daerah Belait.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya'akub, P.I.K.B., Penghulu Mukim Ukong — Daerah Tutong.
Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan, Ketua Kampung Sengkarai — Daerah Tutong.
Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir, P.S.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.P., Ketua Kampung Labu Estet dan Piasau-Piasau — Daerah Temburong.
HADIR BERSAMA
Yang Mulia Dr. Dayang Hajah Huraini binti Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Jaya Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hurairah, P.S.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L., Jurutulis Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Mulia Pengiran Hajah Zaidah binti Pengiran Haji Petra, Penamaq Timbalan Jurutulis Mesyuarat Negara, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
(The meeting began at 9:30 a.m.)
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