DAY 14 MORNING
18TH MARCH 2024 - MORNING
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Yang Mulia Jurutulis
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The First Session of the 20th Legislative Council session commenced on the fourteenth day today, Monday, 7th of Ramadhan 1445 corresponding to 18th March 2024, preceded by a prayer of safety.
DOA SELAMAT
The prayer of safety was recited by Yang Dimuliakan Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Awang Suhaili bin Haji Metali Al-Hafiz (Imam of the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque).
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, all praise be to Allah, who has bestowed upon us his grace, generosity, and honor, and we praise him and are grateful to him for his grace, mercy, and honor, because with His abundant mercy and permission, we are able to gather this morning to convene on the fourteenth day in The First Session of the 20th Legislative Council session.
Blessings and peace be upon our Great Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, his family, his companions, and his faithful followers until the end of time.
Your Honourable Members. The Legislative Council is still discussing the Bill (2024) Supply, 2024/2025, which was proposed by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy.
Therefore, to enable us to continue our examination of this Bill smoothly and orderly, I adjourn the Legislative Council session, and we will reconvene fully in Committee Stage.
(The Legislative Council was adjourned)
(The session reconvened as Committee)
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Your Honourable Members. This assembly is now in full Committee stage to consider the Bill (2024), Supply 2024/2025 proposed by Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kewangan dan Ekonomi II.
Your Honourable Members. The Committee meeting last Saturday has moved on to topics under the Ministry of Development and we have already heard the introductory presentation on the planning and direction of the Ministry of Development from Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan himself.
Therefore, I now open Titles SK10A to SK08A for debate. I will invite a few appointed Your Honourable Members to present their questions, after which I will invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan to provide answers or responses, whether to be answered now or to be responded to in writing later.
Now to start, I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya'akub.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya'akub
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace be upon you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honorable Members. Thank you to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan for the efforts and strategic planning towards budget governance for the Financial Year 2024/2025. What kaola hope is that it can be implemented in accordance with the desires and goals of the ministry.
Referring to the introduction of projects under RKN-12, which allocates $261 million to implement projects to upgrade and repair the clean water treatment plant and pond system in all districts. Kaola very much welcome this effort considering the issue of water is often raised by the public.
This includes problems of low water pressure, inconsistent water quality, frequent damage and leakage in the main pipes requiring the replacement of new water pipes.
This situation forces residents to provide their own water treatment and pumping systems at home. On the other hand, it also benefits the companies producing water treatment systems due to the high demand for clean water.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. This is not a correct development towards improving the quality of life of the people. Kaola very much hope that with this amount of allocation provided, it serves as a measure towards improving the clean water system in Negara Brunei Darussalam, at least comparable to developed countries that have the best tap water and can be directly consumed.
In this regard, kaola would like enlightenment from the Ministry of Development, what are the clean water quality targets in Negara Brunei Darussalam by the year 2035, that is, ensuring clean water to consumers?
Furthermore, kaola voice the public's concern regarding the sewage system using septic tanks through the soak away system or absorption system in the ground as we are aware. This system is often used in sandy areas as well as areas without main drains.
This includes areas in Tutong District such as occurring in Kampung Danau and Kampung Telesai. This system is found to be ineffective and causes residents to hire private services to regularly empty their septic tanks at a very high cost.
In this case, does the government have plans to provide a sewage system in certain areas, especially in village areas as kaola stated earlier.
That's all kaola can convey, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
With Allah's guidance and direction, Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed.
Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
I intend to withdraw from participating in the debate because the same issue has already been brought up by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya'akub. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you. I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. Kaola does not forget to thank Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Menteri Pembangunan for the introductory, direction, and planning of the Ministry of Development and its departments in managing and planning the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025.
Kaola touches on the quality standard of building materials in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Various types of building materials are already being sold in hardware stores or retail stores.
It is indeed difficult to assess the quality of these items, especially as there is not much difference between one brand and another in terms of specifications, manufacturing, and quality.
Moreover, consumers could be deceived by counterfeit construction materials, which are quite convincing. However, issues of durability, such as quick deterioration, are related to consumer safety when products of unknown quality are used in construction projects.
Products that have a safety label or certification are the best choice for consumers. For example, the SIRIM label for Malaysian-made products guarantees both quality and consumer safety.
In this connection, kaola suggests that a recognized organization should be established to assess and examine the quality of local and imported products.
Any product with a brand safety label is safe and meets the standards set by government agencies.
What are the efforts and methods used by the Ministry of Development to ensure government projects use high-quality materials?
Furthermore, kaola is pleased to voice concerns regarding the longhouse issue in Kampung Teraja, Mukim Labi in Belait District. The Kampung Teraja longhouse has existed since 1950 and is still inhabited and has become a tourism destination in Belait District.
The longhouse is built near a river. The condition of the riverbank erosion raises concerns for the longhouse residents.
Immediate action is very much needed, especially riverbank repair works to ensure the safety of the longhouse residents.
In this regard, kaola requests that relevant parties give due attention. That is all kaola can convey.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, peace and blessings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan.
Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. Praise be to Allah, when hearing the introductory last Saturday presented by Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan, kaola is optimistic in hoping that all that is planned will be implemented as best as possible. At the same time, it gives a positive impact towards enhancing the welfare of the people and the country's progress.
On this occasion, kaola is pleased to present a couple of matters. First, regarding the issue of environmental pollution caused by sand extraction activities in the Paku River, Telisai, Tutong District area. This is not a new issue, but it has been a topic of discussion among local residents on social media due to its impact on the land and local community environment as well as the natural ecosystem.
The floods often occur due to the shallow state of rivers and main drains caused by sand silt. The conditions of the Pepakan River and Danau River, which were once places where residents caught fish, have now become mud channels, creating a sand island in the Danau River, and thus damaging the ecosystems of these rivers.
This issue can no longer be 'covered up'; it is clear before our eyes. This is not the time to point fingers at concerned parties, environmental issues are a collective concern. However, if not addressed, it could have adverse effects on the land of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
In this regard, I would like to know what measures have been taken by the ministry to ensure that sand extraction activities comply with the stipulated requirements, especially in protecting the environmental ecology?
Secondly, regarding the numbering system for residential houses. There are some houses without numbers, and this has caused difficulties for relevant parties, especially in emergencies such as ambulances, etc.
This issue occurred in Kampung Penabai, Kuala Tutong when paramedics had to go to the Village Head's house due to failing to find the patient's house because it was unnumbered.
In this regard, I suggest that the relevant parties update the house numbers in Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Thirdly, concerning the Tatangan Persiaran Sungai Tutong, Pekan Tutong area, which was completed and inaugurated on April 22, 2012. With the construction of this waterfront area, it has transformed the landscape of Sungai Tutong's bank into an attractive recreational area.
12 years have passed, several structures on the riverbank have begun to deteriorate, and some lights are not functioning, somewhat affecting the beauty of the area and requiring immediate attention. Tatangan Persiaran Sungai Tutong arguably needs transformation in all aspects, including being iconic with value to tourist attractions.
In connection with this, I hope that this matter can be given attention, including providing transformation plans for the area over the next few years so that Pekan Tutong does not fall behind in the currents of change.
I am pleased to voice the public's complaints regarding traffic congestion at the Lebuhraya Tutong Telisai traffic light junction between Jalan Enchi Awang and Jalan Kuala Tutong in Kampong Sengkarai, Daerah Tutong. Traffic congestion has worsened recently, especially during peak hours due to the convergence of road users from all directions.
In connection with this, I would like to know, is the government aware of this issue and are there any plans to upgrade the road by constructing a flyover to reduce the traffic congestion faced by road users?
Thank you,
With Allah's guidance and blessings, peace be upon you and mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I now invite Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee. But before that, I would like to comment briefly before potentially inviting Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan to provide their reaction or response.
I am surprised at some of the matters brought up earlier, there seem to be several questions that could be resolved by the respective district officers.
I think it's unnecessary for us to elevate such matters to national issues. District affairs should be left within the districts and it's up to the district officers to execute or demand the relevant parties so that they can be carried out properly.
If they cannot be executed by them, then I think it could potentially be brought to the attention of Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri in the annual consultation he usually holds.
I think that would be an easier place to resolve it because when mentioned here, we often wonder "Where is this place?". So it derails our actual focus, which should be on the matters we are discussing at the moment.
However, I now invite Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. First of all, I would like to thank Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan for the introduction.
I appreciate ROC Brunei for streamlining company registrations from months to days and the growth and development in the non-oil and gas sector.
Despite this progress, several business owners have faced delays in obtaining Occupational Permits for modifications and startup operations, affecting their break-even time and further burdening the entrepreneurs.
The official guidelines on the business.gov.bn website have outlined 6 steps and a 38-day timeline process for the Construction Permit application, whereas the Occupational Permit is supposed to take only 7 days. However, feedback received indicates that the application process exceeds the expected timeline.
My question is, can the ministry share the percentage of applications that meet this 38-day target? Considering these delays, is there a plan to improve the timeframe for the Occupational Permit process?
Furthermore, I would like to draw attention to the specific requirements tied to land ownership that limit side business activities to the ground floor only.
Considering the suitability of the location and its proximity to commercial and residential shops, I suggest that this policy be reconsidered to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises by using upper floors, which usually have more competitive rental rates.
It is significant to emphasize the importance of effective alignment between the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to enhance the business ecosystem in Brunei.
My question is, can the ministry share information on the steps taken to improve cooperation among these ministries?
This will ensure that the policy not only aligns with collective goals but also avoids any unproductive and inefficient efforts.
Next, the third issue is about urban planning. Urban planning is crucial to ensure sustainable growth, improve and enhance future life and development.
However, observations have revealed a lack of infrastructure for pedestrians, considerations for public transport transit such as buses, and facilities for the differently-abled and persons with disabilities in residential areas. This was also mentioned in the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Strategy Workshop last June, where bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths in Brunei are developed sporadically and lack a cohesive strategy.
This raises questions about why these critical elements are overlooked in our early city planning. Moreover, what progress has been made since the workshop was conducted?
Furthermore, considering the significant amount of allocation for the national housing scheme every year is important to address residents' feedback on amenities for residents and the community.
Amenities are the heartbeat of community life for residents and are significant for creating a cheerful, united, and inclusive atmosphere.
They not only enhance the well-being of residents but also improve physical and economic health. However, it is clear that many national housing scheme areas are not and insufficiently equipped with basic facilities and amenities.
Even though the Ministry of Health continuously emphasizes maintaining and controlling health, many residents comply by engaging in physical exercise such as jogging and children playing in motorist areas.
This clearly shows a lack of safe and special outdoor activities for residents in those areas. This observation has raised concerns about children's safety while promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Moreover, there is a lack of aligned infrastructure for full development in encouraging entrepreneurship as stated in the 1K1P initiative.
The emergence of roadside stalls and homebase businesses has been rising, showing the spirit of entrepreneurship in our society and residents.
However, with the absence of suitable strategic locations and high traffic areas, how do other agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Economy II initiative support the growth and development of these businesses effectively?
Based on these observations, how often does the government receive and care about public input into the planning process, and what steps are taken to ensure that the national housing scheme and community planning not only reflect our people's needs and aspirations but also provide the necessary infrastructure to support a healthy, entrepreneurial, and prosperous community life?
That's all from me, thank you Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I now invite Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann.
Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. kaola would like to express my gratitude for the introduction by Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan regarding the 2024/2025 Budget expenditure on the direction and planning of the Ministry of Development according to the set period and targets.
The migration of villagers to new settlement areas such as national housing transfer areas or indigenous people's areas is a phenomenon that we need to accept with an open heart. This is because new settlement areas provide comprehensive infrastructure and strategic location for all conveniences. This commonly occurs not only in our country but also in other developed countries.
In relation to this, does the ministry through the Department of Town and Country Planning have strategic plans towards diversifying village areas including gazetting areas of commercial land status and the like?
In addressing the issue of insufficient and distant garbage disposal sites in village areas, I seek clarification on the provision of garbage disposal sites by the government.
What is the ratio used for one garbage disposal site for each resident income area and what are the future plans towards improving the quality of garbage disposal sites to be more systematic?
Thank you,
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad and all his family and companions.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I now invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan to give his response.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Allow also kaola to refer to the questions raised earlier as there were 5 Yang Berhormat Members who have posed questions.
kaola will first refer to the question raised by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya'akub, firstly referring to Projek RKN-12 with a total of $261 million and the question raised regarding the target water system quality in this country by 2035 in guaranteeing clean water to users.
In response, the long-term planning of the mentioned RKN funded projects such as upgrading existing infrastructure projects and replacing equipment in treatment plants in this country as well as efforts to review, reassess the design and water treatment processes practiced thus far.
In improving a more effective and safer water treatment process, بِسْمِ اللهِ اِنْ شَاْءَ اللهُ with the completion of these projects, it will be able to further enhance the water supply system to be more effective and more reliable.
Among the ongoing projects to be implemented in RKN-12 include the works that have been made and are ongoing for RKN-11, firstly upgrading existing water treatment plants already operating mostly for more than 20 years such as Layong Water Treatment Plant, Bukit Barun, Badas Water Treatment Plant in Seria and Batang Duri Water Treatment Plant, Temburong.
Secondly, the construction of Bukit Barun Water Treatment Plant phase 8, a new plant which is currently under implementation to further provide 120 million liters per day of clean water supply to Brunei-Muara and Tutong District to meet the increasing demand until 2035.
Thirdly, upgrading the Agis-Agis Water Treatment Plant which currently has a capacity of 36 million liters per day to increase production to a capacity of 72 million liters per day, double, which will start in April 2024 and is expected to be completed in April 2026.
Fourthly, upgrading the Batang Duri Water Treatment Plant, Temburong District which will add another 20 million litres per day from the current 5 million litres per day, taking into account the growth in Temburong District ensuring sufficient supply, along with the completion of several new infrastructures in Temburong District with the establishment of a permanent university for UNISSA and other planned developments under the authority of the Temburong District development currently managed by the Temburong District Office.
Fifthly, the management of non-revenue water for the water supply system in Negara Brunei Darussalam phase 3.
This initiative is important to reduce water wastage and reduce losses borne by the government due to leaks in old pipes and also causing water wastage.
The sixth is the water supply source study for Negara Brunei Darussalam until 2035 by reviewing and updating the national water supply system planning and ensuring the water supply infrastructure development is in line with the Brunei Land Use Plan.
The seventh initiative being planned by this department is to obtain services from third parties that can inspect and evaluate the quality of clean water produced from the water treatment plants in this country in accordance with ISO standard for example ISO 17025 to further improve the assurance of water quality produced.
That's the answer regarding security and assurance of water. Referring to the second question by Yang Berhormat earlier regarding the planning to provide sewage systems in certain areas, particularly in the villages mentioned in Kampong Danau and Telisai.
The Public Works Department has plans to extend centralized sewage systems to rapidly developing or densely develop areas. The provision of centralized sewage systems will be implemented in phases according to capacity and allocation available considering funding for providing this system is quite substantial.
For areas where development is not as dense as raised earlier, septic tank systems are recognized as suitable for use as well as in other countries with similar population density (less dense areas).
For Your Honourable’s information as well, the septic tank treatment system and this software system, it should be known, are made with the need for periodic maintenance. It is not maintenance free to ensure the water flow is always functioning, and the quality of sewage treatment does not contaminate the environment and it is the homeowner's responsibility to ensure it is cleaned within a suitable period which is usually specified.
Next, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, allow kaola to refer to the question raised by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohd. Salleh bin Haji Othman.
First, kaola would like to express my deepest thanks for the shared views and suggestions raised regarding the proposal for a recognized organization to examine the quality of local product outputs to meet the set standards.
This is a good proposal. However, it will require a specific approach with the national standard center and related departments.
At present, there are goods that are tested and recognized by foreign bodies such as SIRIM as mentioned earlier and it is encouraged for the public to choose goods that have had their quality certified by recognition bodies as mentioned.
Furthermore, kaola would like to add to the question raised regarding the quality of construction materials where for government projects it is a requirement to use registered and recognized construction basic materials and building materials under the Ministry of Development.
These recognized products need a quality certification like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 and test reports from recognized test laboratories.
In addition, each department implementing projects is also required to list technical specifications and standards in contract documents for the construction materials to be used according to the project scope requirements which also include the necessities for material durability tests required.
Each item supplied in the project needs to provide a test certificate or certification before being approved for use.
For your information as well, the Ministry of Development has an initiative to become a full member in the Asia Pacific Accreditation Council (APAC) and with this accreditation, any laboratory conducting basic construction material testing can be accredited and registered to be recognized in line with internationally recognized laboratories.
This also aims to reduce burdens such as technical barriers in import and export activities, especially for basic construction materials, and will help in recognizing local products.
Regarding the issue of erosion in the river near the longhouse in Kampung Teraja Mukim Labi District of Belait. Thank you to Yang Berhormat earlier for sharing this complaint, and the Ministry of Development will direct the Drainage and Sewerage Department to make an inspection there later if it can be confirmed that there is a safety risk to the longhouse from the complaint report about the erosion in the nearby river.
On this occasion as well, if kaola can also share if there are complaints or welfare issues like this, so they can be reported directly to the department heads in JKR, where after several series of discussions and silaturrahim between the Ministry of Development and the Your Honourable Members, 'kitani' have shared direct phone numbers to the Department Directors.
So, this platform and channel can be used fully by reporting directly. So, there is no delay if there are urgent safety risks that can be addressed as best and as quickly as possible.
In this matter, in line with the suggestion from Yang Berhormat Pengerusi earlier, any matter that involves issues that can be resolved at the district level, then 'kitani' can go through the existing communication channels.
Furthermore, kaola request to refer to the question raised by Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan.
The first question, from Yang Berhormat earlier, is about the steps taken by the Ministry of Development in ensuring that sand extraction activities comply with the conditions provided in protecting the environmental ecology.
In this matter, as also suggested in the question from Yang Berhormat earlier, this environmental pollution issue is prioritized as a monitoring and action by the ministry.
More so, the pollution issue involving sand extraction activities in Sungai Paku, Telisai, District of Temburong.
Regarding the impact caused by these sand extraction activities, the Department of Environment will carry out river dredging works especially in Sungai Telamba, Sungai Pepakan, Sungai Danau, and the mouth of Sungai Tutong which will be implemented under the allocation for the 12th National Development Plan.
One of the steps taken by the ministry is by providing guidelines for exploration and quarry mining which contain the conditions and regulations that must be followed by each sand mining operator who operates.
This guideline will set regulations for companies conducting sand extraction activities in order to preserve the environmental ecology. So far, there are 7 companies conducting sand extraction activities and so far, all seven companies have been found committing violations including the failure to provide a sediment control mechanism causing floods and water pollution in the river.
Secondly, is uncontrolled and unplanned sand extraction. Third, activities that damage government infrastructure surrounding drains, highways, and electrical pillars located in the area.
These are among the matters for which warnings and reprimands have been issued to the companies concerned in ensuring every activity conducted is orderly and can maintain protection of the areas and environmental habitats as well as public property there.
At this time, the Ministry of Development is in the process of drafting more precise acts and guidelines for monitoring and enforcement actions as well as the consideration of fines that can be taken into account for offenses in such quarry activities, إن شاء الله, to be resolved by the end of this year.
The second question raised earlier by Yang Berhormat Awang Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan is about the proposal for updating numbers, regarding the provision of flyovers due to the increasingly crowded and dangerous traffic conditions in areas near Kampung Sengkarai.
In brief as well, this planning has been made and for the planning of the 13th National Development Plan. This matter has already been put in the sequence to address that area.
But at this time, with Yang Berhormat raising this matter, kaola will arrange for the Roads Department to monitor the intersecting roads for any possible methods that can improve the situation temporarily while 'kitani' can realize the planning for constructing a flyover at the road in the 13th National Development Plan.
Next, kaola request Yang Berhormat Pengerusi to answer the question raised earlier by Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee, the first question about the delay in obtaining an occupational permit for modifications and starting operations.
In this matter, first, kaola would like to correct also that the 38 days mentioned earlier are for 6 steps or stages in the development application process which are 14 days for the application process for planning permission, another 14 days for building approval application process, 2 days for the process of obtaining permission to start construction works, 1 day to manage the fire inspection date, another 1 day for the fire inspection, and 7 days for OP (occupational permit) application.
So, all these comprise these 38 days. All this is the process within government departments only. There are also actions by developers between each step or stage and the duration of these steps doesn't include construction work which usually takes much longer, months or years.
According to experience and also research from ABCI, the problem is not actually in the application for obtaining an occupational permit, the problem that often delays this progress is in the processes before submitting an occupational permit application. Among the problems often faced include construction works not yet complete, construction not following the allowed plans, etc.
Among them also are after constructions are made and complete but have caused damage to public infrastructure. Especially damage to roads due to during that construction period with cars and heavy machinery moving in and out in the area causing the roads to be damaged, some very badly damaged.
Where this process has led to complaints from local neighbors where this construction is made and also becoming a condition for the roads to be 'repaired' first and fixed again before the occupational permit is issued.
That is also why these matters become a delay to ensure whether contractors can comply with these regulations before issued as a condition to issue the occupational permit.
In 2023, ABCi received a total of 7,380 applications which were processed in the order of application reception. For the three processes conducted at ABCi alone, the percentage of applications achieving the target according to TPOR working days from July 2023 is an average of 89%.
In this case, the ministry's target is to achieve 100% meeting the target, several improvements have been made since last year including the addition of officers and also upgrading the rank of officers more suitable for processing these applications. Besides that, ABCi is in planning together with involved agencies to further improve the application system through One Biz.
Among complaints received about the current system is it requires improvements to be more user-friendly, and online applications should not be made 'back-and-forth' or repeatedly as frequently complained about. Thus سُوۡرَةُ ٱلنَّبَإِ this upgrade system will be able to improve this situation to be better.
Regarding the question of improving effective coordination among the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Thank you for this suggestion, and this matter is an important priority in supporting the socio-economic development of the country.
In terms of infrastructure development and land use, where collaboration is the basis of importance to enable a plan to run smoothly and actually, this collaboration exists well so far.
With the collaboration through a committee that has been created for example through the National Land Use Planning Council along with Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri and Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan chairing along with kaola in the Ministry of Development to plan several plans involving land use in this country.
One of the steps that have been taken is like the coordination of development implementation in the Temburong District, to open opportunities for local investment and entrepreneurs through the Temburong District Development Authority, which is now handed over to the relevant agencies to continue planning and implementation of development in the Temburong District but this collaboration is still relevant and will continue between the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, and other ministries.
These collaboration measures are crucial for the alignment of policies and planning through the National Land Use Planning Council platform in realizing the business and industrial potentials identified under the Government Land Lease program to be developed by local investors and also foreign investment in joint ventures.
As an example that can be shared here is the Expression of Interest to Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Maintain Government Land at Jalan Pemancha in Bandar Seri Begawan, which has been advertised.
The Ministry of Development has received a favorable response from developers to develop sites at Jalan Pemancha. This project is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Development along with the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Preview of the land use planning under the 12th National Development Plan is among the other measures carried out by the Ministry of Development through the Department of Town and Country Planning. Among the objectives of the preview is to review land use planning policies and strategies at the national, district, or local levels to support efforts in enhancing a more conducive business ecosystem. This includes re-examining the Bandar Seri Begawan Masterplan in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The third question from Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee is regarding the lack of public infrastructure facilities in residential areas and also sustainable urban initiatives through the use of ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy. The need for infrastructure connectivity is also emphasized in the guidelines and planning standards for housing, business, industrial, and other developments, which are among the planning standards that must be adhered to in the provision.
Any development plan or project before it is granted planning permission for example the requirement to provide pedestrian walkways must follow certain sizes and widths to facilitate movement of the public or its use.
In addition, the Department of Town and Country Planning also collaborates with the Public Works Department to implement a pilot project known as Pedestrian Masterplan to provide a connectivity network or pathway network for pedestrians in commercial areas and government building areas located in the Old Airport Complex Berakas.
Regarding the ASEAN Sustainable Urban Strategy workshop held in June 2023, the Department of Town and Country Planning is now preparing an action plan as preparation for the collaboration sustainability project with Universiti Brunei Darussalam to expand the ASUS or ASEAN Sustainable Urban Strategy which is localisation of strategy through sustainable urban initiatives.
This includes a proposal to collaborate with UN Habitat to obtain technical expertise assistance during the implementation of this project. The sustainability of this project is a development from the pedestrian master plan project which will be further expanded to connect several commercial areas into a connectivity master plan.
The fourth question previously from Yang Berhormat is about the importance of receiving and caring for public input in the planning process so that the planning implemented reflects the needs of the people's aspirations and provides the necessary infrastructure in supporting a healthy, entrepreneurial, and prosperous community life. Thank you for these suggestions, a good suggestion.
In addition to this, as a compliment to this suggestion, efforts made by the Housing Development Department in planning residential areas usually a study is conducted first to produce a master plan or master plan so that infrastructure and needs whether in terms of life, economic, and community needs are taken into account and planned as holistically as possible, also taking into account the existing infrastructure in the residential area.
So, in planning this master plan, discussions are held including surveys with relevant parties to ensure as much as possible their needs are taken into account and when this master plan is made at the final stage and it is given again, discussed again to get their views on it.
And it can also be said that after this process is done, 'we' will get an ideal master plan but because of some issues, the implementation of this ideal master plan needs to be done in phases, in stages, according to the presence of financial enablers for 'us' to do in phases. That's among them, these things have been done but have not yet shown also the ideal infrastructures that were emphasized through the social outreach processes presented earlier.
Regarding amenity areas like recreational areas, the Housing Development Department has provided several areas like in the National Housing areas in Tanah Jambu, in Rimba, Kampung Lugu, and Bukit Beruang and this matter is still of importance that needs to be provided subsequently.
Regarding entrepreneurship. This business must also follow the existing regulations so as not to cause problems and inconvenience to anyone especially if it involves safety issues, for example, trading by the roadside without obtaining permission, is a violation of land regulations and endangers road users. In this case, the government assists in providing more suitable sites for these small traders.
So, the National Housing Regulation Scheme does not allow businesses in residential areas except in designated places. It aims to maintain safety, public tranquility, and neighborhood as well.
Often receive complaints from the public where there are residential areas running businesses causing traffic congestion, many people parking up to encroach into the residential areas of neighbors and some causing damage to roads and also the garden areas of neighbors there.
These are among the things that are still being addressed, ongoing due to the actions of some homeowners who conduct business in residential areas.
In addressing this issue, the Housing Development Department also reaches out with Village Heads and Mukim Heads in those residential areas, to be able to take into consideration what more appropriate actions are in addressing this issue and also thinking of more suitable places to be made sites that can be provided by the government to encourage those who run business efforts in those residential areas.
Kaola apologizes Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. If kaola can continue with the next answer from the question of Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann.
His earlier question was about the ministry's actions regarding efforts to urbanize village areas and gazette areas of commercial land status and the like.
Through the Tutong District Development Plan, for example, Tutong District Plan 2005/2025, Bandar Tutong, and Mukim Pekan Tutong are to be maintained as the main focus of development, the need to expand the existing urban areas was also identified.
Second, is to spur development in village areas especially in rural areas. Several rural growth centers have been identified to be made into Growth Centers, an example currently being worked on is the Growth Center in Kampung Lamunin Menengah with an area of 1,321 hectares, Growth Center in Kampung Kebia 170 hectares, and Kampung Pak Bidang 207 hectares.
The land use planning and development strategy is to provide residential, industrial, and business areas to attract populations to those growth areas.
So, this is an example in Tutong District. So, for Yang Berhormat earlier that question also possibly a reference specifically to the Belait District that can also 'we' discuss later with this connection to what plans for the interior areas in the Belait District later.
Regarding the second issue which is the ratio used for a rubbish disposal site for each population settlement area and future planning towards improving the quality of rubbish disposal sites. The issue of rubbish disposal sites is often raised. The government in this matter has made investments of millions of dollars in providing rubbish collection services including the provision of existing rubbish disposal sites.
This includes collection works and disposing of rubbish to the waste disposal site in Sungai Paku.
Indeed there are these rubbish collection services through the private sector where customers pay monthly, behind that the government is still incurring high expenses in the effort to ensure cleanliness through these collections and waste disposal.
Rubbish disposal sites are managed by JASTRe seen in villages throughout the country totaling 44 sites which are 12 sites in Brunei-Muara District, 28 sites in Tutong District, 11 sites in Belait District, and 296 trash cans along the roads in Temburong District.
The government also provides door-to-door household waste collection services free of charge for residents in Kampong Air, residents in Kampong Batu Marang, and residents in Kampong Sungai Bunga as one of the efforts to ensure that waste is not thrown into rivers and to ensure the cleanliness of Sungai Brunei from waste pollution.
As has also been informed in the past year, this situation is not sustainable and less effective because government expenses for maintenance of sites and infrastructure, and waste collection works are about $1.3 million per year, not including expenses for collecting waste that is illegally disposed of by irresponsible individuals. The placement of the mentioned waste disposal sites is based on the needs and evaluation made with the villagers themselves through discussions with village heads and district chiefs by selecting suitable and strategic places for each need in each settlement area.
In the government's effort to continue providing good service, the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) also strives to improve capacity, among others by upgrading several waste collection sites in Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong, and Belait districts such as expanding the area, adding waste skips, upgrading the site structure condition for the convenience and safety of the public entering and leaving to dispose of waste, increasing the frequency of waste collection and cleaning of site areas. Waste sites in Brunei-Muara District also provide 13 units of the latest and advanced Hydraulic Portable Electrical Waste Compactor machines that can accommodate waste up to 15 stamps compared to regular waste skips that only fit for 5 waste loads.
To answer what the government's plan is in the future to improve the quality of waste disposal sites to be more systematic, this is one thing I mentioned in the introduction where we have plans to establish an incinerator waste to energy plant as a step forward to solve the issue of waste disposal.
In addition, efforts are also made by the Legal Division to master and review the provision of power to JASTRe and also in overseeing matters involving waste disposal.
Regarding the road project, I welcome the proposed effort mentioned earlier concerning efforts to repair damaged roads, and as mentioned earlier, it should be so that complaints can continue to be made through 'our' established channels whether by direct phone or sending messages via WhatsApp, so we can handle these matters as quickly as possible without having to wait for a session in this noble House.
Regarding the inland areas in the Merangking, Sukang, and Melilas areas, I visited these areas in December and saw the condition of the roads there requiring repair. So, efforts are being made through a term contract currently made to repair these roads by taking some exceptions where there is a dirt trail involving the road, half of which has been damaged and sunk, and this will require further scrutiny in getting an assessment of the necessary works to be done and will also indicate some allocations required to repair the condition.
Regarding this road, in 2022, the Public Works Department (JKR) has implemented 2 road repair projects on a sectional basis in the Mukim Bukit Sawat and Mukim Sukang area along 1.04 kilometers where the repaired road with asphalt finish while 1.6 kilometers of road is embanked and leveled using crusher run with fine stones.
Currently, the Public Works Department has started work on leveling roads in 3 mukims in Ulu Belait, these works aim as a periodical contract to level damaged roads along the inland road in Belait District as a step forward to ensure the highways can be passed better. InshaAllah, the Public Works Department will carry out repair works continuously using the existing periodical contract.
There are also a total of 7 areas along the road that have experienced landslides for which allocations are requested to address under natural disaster, 2 projects have started in February while the rest are still waiting for permission.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, that is the answer to the matters raised by Your Honourable Members earlier. I thank you.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan. I now invite Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri who would like to make an intervention related to the question posed by one of the Your Honourable Members earlier.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Thank you also to Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee for the suggestion submitted. To add only, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, regarding the Master Plan Development of Bandar Seri Begawan and the Districts.
As I have also conveyed in my introduction some time ago, at this time the Ministry of Home Affairs is reviewing the Master Plan Development of Bandar Seri Begawan that was approved in 2011, along with reviewing District Plans in the areas handled by the Department of Urban Planning and Rural, the Ministry of Development which aims to align the direction of the Master Plan Development of Bandar Seri Begawan with taking a whole of nation approach, namely by establishing working committees at the departmental level, for the time being, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, involving Municipal Department, District Department, Department of Urban Planning and Rural as a resource person.
Additionally, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, regarding the issue of stalls by the roadside, also I have conveyed in my introduction which the Ministry of Home Affairs is always working closely with the Ministry of Development in addressing the issue of stalls located by the roadside.
As I have also shared, a total of 13 plots of land throughout the country have been provided through the Land Use Planning Council led by the Ministry of Development.
Informed me, the current status of two plots of land, one in Kampung Tagap, Mukim Sengkurong and one in the Skim Tanah Kurnia Rakyat Jati Kampung Sungai Buloh, Mukim Mentiri have been gazetted under the District Department of Brunei and Muara. On 7th March 2024, the stalls provided in Kampung Tagap have begun to be used and operated by the Village Consultative Council and the District Consultative Council in Mukim Sengkurong.
While the other 11 sites are in the gazetting process where seven sites have been given early development permission by the Ministry of Development and by the grace of Allah, the Ministry of Home Affairs through the District Departments will utilize the mentioned sites for the use of villagers to trade. That is all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you to Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri for providing additional input to the matters discussed. We now continue the debate and I invite Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir.
Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings, and good health.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. Alhamdulillah, I welcome the introduction presented by Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan regarding the Budget Planning 2024/2025. May it be implemented effectively and efficiently.
I would like to touch on the National Housing Scheme and Skim Tanah Kurnia Rakyat Jati. I voice regarding the issue of land ownership if it is sold to a second party through a written agreement with a value agreed upon together. This sale is made due to financial pressure or to pay debts incurred. The second party has lived in the said house and continued the monthly payments to the government according to the schedule in the original owner's name.
There is a situation where the original owner has passed away and has a son who is married and needs a house to continue his married life. In this context, I would like clarity on this issue:
Does the second party have rights over the said house based on the agreed written agreement?;
If the owner of the National Housing Scheme or Skim Tanah Kurnia Rakyat Jati passes away, do the owner's heirs have the right to claim the land and house as the legitimate owner?;
What actions does the government, especially the Housing Development Department, take if the owner of Skim Tanah Kurnia Rakyat Jati sells the land without the government's permission or knowledge?
Next, I am pleased to touch upon the matter of milestone stones placed along the roads or borders. Generally, they are placed at every interval of one kilometer or 1.6 kilometers. The function of these milestone stones is crucial for road users as a reference and indication of the position and distance to the desired destination. It is admittedly true that these days the existence of these stones is no longer needed due to the use of map applications or widespread travels.
However, there are some road areas, especially in the Temburong District, that do not have these milestone stones, and some areas do not receive internet and GPS coverage. The existence of these milestone stones is essential in case of emergencies such as vehicle breakdowns, road accidents, etc. In this regard, I suggest that the installation of these milestone stones could be given attention regarding its importance and function to the public, especially in strategic road areas.
That is all I can convey, and I seek enlightenment from Your Honourable regarding this matter.
Thank You, With Allah’s guidance and mercy, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I invite Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, for the opportunity to partake in the discussion on the Ministry of Development Budget Title for the year 2024/2025.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise belongs to You, Lord of the worlds. And peace and blessings on our Prophet Muhammad and all his family and companions.
Thank you very much to the Minister of Development for the substantial introduction regarding the Ministry of Development Budget to support the planning and implementation of several strategic projects of the ministry and also the maintenance of existing infrastructure and facilities, and such clear explanations to the questions posed.
Thank you, my Lord. The majority of the allocation supported is for the Public Works Department under Title 1216 – Public Facilities for land transportation and road infrastructure projects amounting to $144,830,758. As stated by the Public Works Department, there are potholes every less than two kilometers and pavement cracks every less than five kilometers.
Currently, the damage is only repaired by patching these potholes and pavement cracks, which will worsen in a short period. With this allocation and with integrated maintenance works, which are planned and scheduled, the repaving works will last longer and save finances in the long term.
The Public Works Department has a Highway Maintenance Unit which perhaps its function could be reactivated because from the outside, it seems there are no activities as the office looks deserted. I am aware of plans like in Code 1216-008 and 1216-010, which include upgrading district roads and repairing and resurfacing asphalt roads including village roads, branch roads, and main roads. Village roads, in particular, in some areas have never been upgraded since they were built.
It is hoped that in implementing these projects, consideration will be given to strategic areas and remote areas where not only the comfort of the local residents is considered but their dependency on the existing roads which are safe for managing their daily lives.
Regarding these roads, I would like to ask the Ministry of Development and the Temburong District Development Authority whether they have plans for the Temburong District road network to be expanded considering this district will become a growth centre in the near future. Only what we have now is the plan to upgrade roads including the road to Batang Duri.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, in SK02A - Housing Development Department, I would like to thank the government of His Majesty Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for prioritizing the provision of national housing to the people in this country. Several housing projects have already been planned under this title, and this will reduce the current list of applicants.
I would like to refer to the Key Performance Indicator on the number of vacant houses not allocated due to damage, which amounts to 1,388 units. This is not a small figure, the target of the Housing Development Department is to repair these houses so they are safe to live in and will be distributed.
What I wish to raise here is for the ministry to ensure this issue does not recur and for the Housing Development Department to ensure all housing units are livable upon handover.
We currently have an ongoing project in the National Housing Kampung Lugu which was reported to have issues with its workers. It is hoped this does not delay its completion and also the quality of work. The Housing Development Department must be firm with contractors and monitor their work to ensure completed projects are not substandard.
There are several questions about this housing I would like to touch on here with permission from Your Honourable Pengerusi:
How much is the backlog of uncollected dues? Because some of the recipients are in categories of people unable to pay these arrears? How will the ministry resolve this issue?;
The Ministry of Development should also review the suitability, updating of policies, and eligibility requirements for obtaining a house. I believe there are loopholes where someone is given housing but it turns out later they are capable of owning their land without needing to apply for the National Housing Scheme or the Native Land Grant Scheme. Sometimes, these houses are left vacant, not occupied by applicants, or rented out to or sold to others.;
I also believe the housing financing facilities from the financial session and government loan facilities for eligible staff on the list of applicants that have been introduced should also be facilitated for applicants to use them. This so that applicants in this category can pay for their houses themselves without relying on the government.; and
Next, I would also like us to think together about how the Ministry of Development and especially the Housing Development Department can reduce reliance on the government for building houses under the National Housing Scheme and STKRJ with private sector participation and through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models. This has been a long-standing consideration in the Ministry of Development but has not yet produced results.
Next, I seek clarification regarding the Native Land Grant Scheme, is it still being continued? I believe with the allocation of land, they will build their houses without burdening the government. Lands in the Temburong District, for example, I believe are suitable to be given to accelerate development in that area. And these areas will be made a model for future housing areas. We should be able to build a housing model in Temburong District.
Next, I would like to raise the issue of land owned by several owners (land with multiple owners). This land is difficult to develop if one of the co-owners has legal issues such as bankruptcy. After the development agreement is signed, is there no solution for other owners who don't have legal issues to proceed with the development of the house instead of it being hindered because one of them has legal problems.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, finally, I would like to highlight the plight or issues faced by local professional consultants in the construction industry. Currently, the business environment is not favourable to them because first, there is a lack of government spending in the built environment, and second, due to government procurement methods and also government regulations and procedures that delay payments. Some of them are still waiting for payment for completed works, which will surely affect their future projects.
Currently, the number of them who are active is dwindling and they are concerned that the government's tendency to offer projects through design and build will further complicate their situation. In my view, in the long term, this will be detrimental to the country. Whereas the construction industry has been identified as an industry that can generate economic growth, create jobs, and improve the welfare and quality of life of the citizens through the development of infrastructure and public facilities. I would like this matter to be reviewed by the Ministry of Development and also the relevant ministries so that they, being the lifeline of the construction industry in this country, remain playing their role in the physical development of the country and the country's overall growth.
That is all, Your Honourable Pengerusi, thank you.
In pursuit of guidance and enlightenment, peace be upon you along with the mercy and blessings of Allah.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pehin. I now invite Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the most honorable of the prophets and messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. With due respect, firstly, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to Yang Berhormat Pengerusi for giving me the opportunity to participate in the debate on the Ministry of Development's allocation for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025. I would also like to thank and congratulate Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan for outlining the roadmap and initiatives that have been and will be implemented according to the identified strategic priorities. This is also to safeguard the welfare, well-being, and prosperity of the citizens and residents of Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. I would like to address the issue of housing. It is undeniable that many families and individuals, especially those who have started families and are employed, are heavily reliant on housing provided by the government through housing schemes, especially those who have been waiting for many years, sometimes decades, with the waiting list growing over time.
I also note, as mentioned in the introduction by Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan in the presentation for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025, about the current housing development projects being processed and the initiatives that will be undertaken by the Ministry of Development in several identified housing areas.
Regarding the need for housing construction, as touched upon earlier by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman.
I would also like to mention here, regarding the ever-increasing need for housing, I seek clarification from Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan.
Has the Ministry of Development achieved the target of 27% home ownership in 2023 as stated in its strategic planning for the years 2018 to 2023?
What are the strategies or plans, whether new alternatives, for the medium and long term apart from the current national housing schemes to address the housing issue, especially to reach the strategic planning of the Ministry of Development targeting 85% home ownership by 2035?
I believe, as practiced by neighboring ASEAN countries such as Singapore or Malaysia, that some of the housing projects provided by the government are privatized to reduce the government's burden in providing allocations and increase the construction of affordable housing, especially for those with moderate and low income. For example, in Singapore, which has established the Housing Development Board as a Statutory Body responsible for providing quality and affordable housing in a conducive environment, especially for vulnerable communities.
I believe this matter should be taken into consideration by the Ministry of Development in collectively increasing the number of houses in Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. In the construction industry, builders and contractors are responsible for the management and implementation of a project, whether government or private. Given the significant role of builders and contractors, selecting experienced, quality, and knowledgeable builders and contractors to handle a project must be prioritized.
I refer here to the ABCi website, where 1,745 builders or contractors were registered with ABCi as of 2024. The Registration Procedure for Builders and Contractors Ministry of Development 2020 also outlines the requirements for builder registration, including that company owners must have at least a technical qualification in construction or equivalent with related experience in the construction field.
In this regard, I seek clarification from Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan, out of the total 1,745 registered builders in ABCi, what percentage or number of total contractor owners registered have the qualification and graduation in the technical field as required in the Registration Procedure for Builders and Contractors Ministry of Development 2020?
I believe the registration control for builders and contractors should be tightened so that we can together prevent misuse or 'Ali Babakan’ by those unskilled and unknowledgeable from becoming builders or contractors in this country.
Additionally, in also ensuring the construction quality guaranteed according to the specified standards or specifications and to avoid losses not only on the government's part but also the public if it does not meet the required standard or standard.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. I would like to mention here, that is, professional architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors who are not registered in this country. As we jointly propel the country towards Wawasan Brunei 2035 aiming for High Quality of Life for Its Citizens, we are always aware and prepared to ready the requirements for utilities, public infrastructure facilities as envisioned by the Ministry of Development "Providing a Unique and Sustainable Built Environment to Enhance the Quality of Life towards Conducive National Development".
Construction professions such as architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors are the backbone to realizing this vision because they are professionals equipped with various education, training, and experience to guide, monitor and ensure the overall design process of construction of infrastructure or housing is satisfying and according to the standards set.
Just as the Brunei Medical Board plays a role in regulating medical doctors and dentists practicing in Negara Brunei Darussalam through registration according to the medical practitioners and dentists act.
The profession of architects, professional engineers, and quantity surveyors is regulated by a body Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors (BAPEQS Board) which its order has been enforced since 2014. In other words, all professions of architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors in this country legally must be registered with the Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors. Thus, the best practice standards set by the board are always adhered to and easily controlled by the board with the sole purpose of ensuring service level and quality are guaranteed.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Member, what is your question?
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof
What I wish to raise here, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, is about this registration. I am imagining what the scenario would be, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Alright, let's continue questioning the minister, Your Honourable.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof
May I proceed, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi? What I mean to say here, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, is about the Section 14 law stating that it is prohibited to hire an architect, engineer, or quantity surveyor not registered with the board and anyone violating Sub Section 1 commits an offense and may be fined not exceeding $2,000 for the first offense and $5,000 for the second.
What I intend to refer here, from the statistics of the total number of foreign workers under the Foreign Worker License year 2022 from the Labour Department, that as many as 490 individuals were registered as engineers and 163 as architects and 131 as quantity surveyors so meaning here 497.
Indirectly, these individuals are not registered with the said board. This is considered as violating the employment ethics required under the said order. And sometimes these individuals act as freelancers.
In this regard, I would like to seek enlightenment from Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan on the actual number of these individuals registered under the Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors? Are those who are not registered allowed to provide services and recognized in their respective professions in this country?
In maintaining the credibility and quality of work, all construction projects are preserved and guaranteed, what are the steps to ensure best practices according to each profession as outlined by the Ministry of Development, especially to comply with the regulations of the esteemed Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors?
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. May I proceed? I am most grateful, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
As it is understood now, the regulations enforced by ABCi require any individual wishing to develop a private home to appoint several Qualified Persons. Time and again, there are complaints from the public about the high costs of Qualified Person services, reaching around $20,000. This is in addition to the cost of building the house.
Moreover, questions have been raised about the role of ABCi in controlling the services provided by these _QP_s and monitoring the fees they charge.
This undoubtedly imposes an additional cost burden felt by the public who wish to build private homes, especially those of moderate income and even more so those of low income.
I wholeheartedly believe that the Government under His Majesty the Most Blessed Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is more inclined to encourage the public to build private homes according to their own means.
This is because it also helps reduce the government's burden if they apply for housing through the National Housing Scheme.
I opine that it would be appropriate for the Ministry of Development, especially ABCi, to review or impose controls to prevent fees from being excessively high, which could burden the public, and possibly introduce regulations to control the fees charged to these QP_s if appropriate.
Comparing those who obtain housing schemes, they are more privileged and not burdened with the payment for QP to build homes compared to those who build their own private houses.
As such, Your Honourable Members and Yang Berhormat Menteri, is there an effort by the ministry to introduce a price control mechanism as I've mentioned?
Perhaps it's time for ABC to play a more active role in easing the burden of owning housing on their initiative.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. I would like to touch upon maintenance, cleanliness, and control in commercial areas.
What I wish to focus on here is about the roads in several commercial areas such as Batu Bersurat, Mengalit, Serusop, and Gadong, which often suffer damage or have been damaged for a long time, causing these damages to become habitual for the owners and the public visiting these commercial places.
It cannot be denied that some commercial areas have taken the initiative and are responsible for maintaining and repairing the access roads to their areas and also maintaining the cleanliness of their surroundings.
This responsibility is carried out by building owners or imposed on tenants by the building management. Here, there exists a grey area or uncertaintly in responsibility for these damaged roads causing the repair work to take too long or, more disappointingly, be left as it is, as seen in several areas.
The cleanliness is also unsatisfactory. Compared to foreign countries, the practice usually involves the maintenance of private roads in commercial areas and their cleanliness is a joint responsibility of the building owners or strata title owners in the area through a joint management body or management cooperation.
This practice is very effective in holding private building owners collectively responsible for maintaining the roads and cleaning the surroundings related to their respective commercial interests.
In this connection, Your Honourable Members, I would appreciate enlightenment from Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan, are there any plans in this scenario and it is about time in this country, if no such laws or regulations as practiced abroad exist yet, to be responsible for maintaining, repairing, and also cleanliness of the concerned commercial areas including roads whether by establishing a joint management or joint cooperation.
I see this as very important for us to collectively be responsible in ensuring that areas in the vicinity are always in good condition as well as clean and free from environmental pollution while ensuring comfort and safety for the public.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. I wish to touch here regarding waste disposal. To ensure a sustainable living environment that is green, clean, healthy, and safe, one of the aspects involves waste management methods such as solid waste disposal including industrial waste, and healthcare waste management.
In this country, one of the long-standing methods is the conventional landfill disposal for building waste up to this day.
Here, I take note that as previously mentioned in the introduction, where Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan has also provided an explanation that there are plans for the infrastructure of an incinerator system waste to energy expected to commence operations in 2029.
I would like to emphasize considering the risks of healthcare waste or medical waste and industrial waste that can pose harm and risk impacts to humans, animals, plants, food, water systems, or other elements like environmental pollution, in this matter, I would appreciate enlightenment from Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan on the following aspects:
Does the planned incinerator system waste to energy infrastructure include healthcare or medical care waste and industrial waste?
In the interim, how are healthcare waste and industrial waste disposal procedures carried out? Are they implemented according to WHO recognized standards and where are the disposal sites for both types of waste? Are they guaranteed and certified by responsible authorities to not cause pollution, danger, or risks?
As raised in the last legislative council session, I would like an explanation or what is the development so far? Have legal provisions and regulations been established for the management and disposal of all three types of waste?
Your Honourable Members and Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, I would like to discuss the Government Assets in Infrastructure System. The implementation of a management system (GAIS) will enable the government to carry out a more robust and organized maintenance system to be used at the ministry levels.
It is intended to provide an integrated system for the management of government assets thoroughly according to the asset life cycle or transition of use, conservation, and disposal for the monitoring and maintenance of government assets more orderly.
I understand that these projects were tendered in 2017 with several main objectives. In this regard, I see that the scope is very welcome and good.
However, I see the need not only for ICT experts but also for scrutiny in terms of law, cost-benefit analysis, and so on.
In this regard, I would like to request clarification from Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan, what is the status of development and implementation of this project? Is it proceeding as planned or are there pressures in implementing this project?
How does the ministry plan and ensure that this project can bring a significant impact in strengthening the care of assets and infrastructure in a more cost-effective way?
I apologize if I have been overly lengthy in my explanation, however, I conclude with وبالله التوفيق والهداية. والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I now invite Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, esteemed sir. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, I thank those in charge and the contributors for their efforts, and the ministers especially for making these efforts effective and asking for success and blessings from Allah.
Thank you to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan for presenting such a clear introduction in preparing the Budget and the direction of the Ministry of Development for the Financial Year 2024/2025 on the 5th of Ramadan 1445, corresponding to March 16, 2024.
In this noble council, kaola want to discuss matters with the Departments under the Ministry of Development, namely the Housing Development Department, the Land Department, the Water Services Department, and JASTRe.
First is regarding the Ministry of Development Department. During the 2023 State Legislative Council session, kaola raised issues about local and foreign investors facing difficulties in developing government land through government land lease due to lengthy processes and policies, which affects our speed in obtaining national income and development contributing to the country's economy.
Kaola is grateful for the response from Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan previously, which stated that 26 sites would be released for Expression of Interest or Request for Proposal. After a year, kaola want to know their current status and whether the process has been updated to prevent time-consuming delays.
The second issue for the Ministry of Development Department relates to abandoned buildings, in other words, ones that have not been used for a long time due to being old and severely damaged. Kaola also heard that these vacant buildings are being occupied by unrelated individuals and could potentially become hubs for unwanted activities.
Kaola question, are there any plans or strategies from the Ministry of Development Department for these buildings to be opened to the private sector for development, as suggested by the Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II through the PPP method, or whether those building areas can be developed into houses to accommodate the current national housing needs of the people in this country.
Secondly, the Housing Development Department. During the 2023 State Legislative Council session, Kaola proposed that the Housing Development Department be transformed into a corporate entity to enhance the current National Housing Scheme's model into one that is more affordable and cost-saving for the country.
However, it appears Kaola still do not have further information on its progress, and Kaola believe we are still using the same approach as of now, given the 12th RKN allocation for national housing provision totals more than $276 million.
Therefore, kaola will not raise the incorporation matter until there's progress on it and allow kaola to highlight some issues regarding the existing approach of the National Housing Scheme. However, the issue Kaola will raise in this noble council is:
With the 12th RKN allocation totaling more than $276 million, which can only develop homes, terrace houses like in RPN Lugu amounting to 1,600 units as mentioned in Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan's introduction. This will take 5 years while many are still waiting on the list, including those who have been waiting for decades.
Kaola question, are there any more creative plans or strategies from the Ministry of Development through the Housing Development Department to empower the involvement of local private companies to invest and assist the government in reducing government expenditure while accelerating the development of national residential houses. For example, can 2,000 houses or more than the 1,600 be built with the price allocated for the 12th National Development Plan.
The next matter that kaola want to bring up under this Department comes from discussions kaola had with peers a few months ago. Some of them live in houses on their own land, while others reside in STKRJ and RPN houses provided by the Government.
From the group that has long lived in STKRJ or RPN areas, they raised several questions and suggestions to kaola, including:
- They have lived in RPN for a long time but have never received a letter from the Land Department to pay land tax;
- Some did not receive the original grants, only copies;
- Some mentioned that previously, the houses were bungalow type on land, and they could add extensions as the family grows, but now only terrace houses are being built, which might be difficult to extend if the family grows;
- Some have been waiting for decades without receiving a house, even though they have already received a house award letter, and complaints that early applicants did not get it but late applicants did due to their high salaries;
- Some make extensions 'as they wish' using foreign contractors, and some extend it to cover the entire land area; and
- Some are interested in developing the vacant lands in RPN areas that have not been developed for a long time into commercial centers.
So, from these 6 issues, questions arise in kaola mind, and after doing some research, kaola proceed with kaola second and subsequent questions or suggestions.
Regarding those who have lived in RPN for a long time and have not paid land tax, kaola believe this might be an internal process issue between the Housing Development Department and the Land Department.
Logically, to obtain the land grant, complete information needs to come from the Housing Development Department to the Land Department with specified dates when the grant becomes effective to facilitate the Land Department in calculating the amount of tax to be imposed.
If kaola assumption is correct, kaola question, how many houses have not been registered in the Land Department out of the more than 30,000 units that have been completed since long ago.
Secondly, what is the estimated land tax collection still to be collected, and does the tax collection start from the registration date in the Land Department or the date the recipient receives the keys? This amount is calculated as department revenue contributing to the country's fiscal income.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Kaola 'ani' also 'fiddled with' a calculator, estimating the amount if kaola's assumption is 'correct'. If suppose 10,000 houses have not been registered in the Land Department and have been residing in that house for 20 years, the taxes that should have been collected since the person received the keys amount to $2 million for land taxed at $10 per quarter-acre.
This is if all 10,000 are outside urban areas. If some are located in urban areas such as Mata-Mata Relocation, it could be more than $2 million because the tax in urban areas is B$50.00 per quarter-acre.
The third regarding making expansions 'as they wish'. Kaola's suggestion, if the future house design could be a simple, affordable, and pre-approved ABCi design for future extensions. It wouldn't be necessary to apply to ABCi again.
Kaola believe this could avoid excessive extensions while ensuring the safety of inhabitants and the welfare of neighbors 'next door'. Sometimes houses in relocations sprout 'left and right wings', etc.
Fourth, perhaps kaola could also make a suggestion regarding the issue of only terrace houses being built currently and the long wait due to low salary. Kaola's suggestion if also considering the design of these houses to be family-friendly as the family grows.
Maybe start with a simple, affordable design but allow for extensions as suggested above when the family grows. Why kaola suggest a simple, affordable design is to make it a purchasable house for the low-income group, and the government might be able to build more houses than currently.
The fifth is about the vacant lands within the National Housing Plan (RPN) areas that have not been developed by the government for years and could be offered to the private sector for development, and revenue from leases, rent, or profit-sharing could be collected by the government through the Housing Department, significantly increasing government revenue.
The next department is the Land Department, the online land system. Isn't there a consideration to improve the database system and online land applications for online transactions of land ownership transfer registration, etc., to be introduced?
Kaola believe this would enhance efficiency and speed up revenue collection, avoiding losses in the country's revenue collection, especially from the lease of government land.
Another suggestion, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, if it's already online, it would be excellent to implement a push SMS system similar to the Land Transport Department. This SMS would serve to remind landowners to pay their taxes every year because currently relying on people to remember can be a bit difficult and sometimes payments are made for several years at once. This issue affects the government's revenue collection each year.
Fourthly, the Water Services Department. Praise be to Allah, thankfully, $226.6 million has been allocated in RKN12 for the works of improving the main water pipe network and water tanks, as well as the distribution network improvements for all districts with selected areas including Lambak Kanan as introduced by Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan.
This is expected to reduce issues of main pipe leaks or bursts that have previously affected the well-being of the populace. We are also thankful to Allah for projects including catchment areas and water sources that will be developed to produce water for the country until 2035, which will proceed smoothly and all affairs facilitated by Allah.
Kaola extend congratulations and millions of thanks to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan, their officers, and other agencies involved.
Kaola is also grateful for efforts to address the Smart Meter issue (USMS) that has been a concern for the public in recent months, possibly due to the system and devices themselves being fixed by the responsible company or leaks in the piping within the owner's premises that have been unnoticed.
Kaola have heard minor issues from the voices of some people complaining about the installation of Smart Meters at their premises leading to water bills from the Water Services Department being charged hundreds or thousands of dollars whereas there are no leaks within the premises, and the issue may arise from the billing system.
Kaola seek clarification on this. Regarding Smart Meter, when will it be installed in government department buildings? From Kaola's observations when visiting certain government offices, including when going to the toilet during a football event. For your information, Kaola loves football.
Kaola noticed there are pipe leaks that have been ignored and waste water, which have not been repaired for so long.
Kaola believes that installing Smart Meters in government offices will ensure there is no unchecked wastage.
Lastly, regarding JASTRE. Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, the last matter concerns JASTRE in Kaola's questions and proposals during the debate session of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Kaola touched on the status of tourism in the country and how unique attractions could attract both domestic and international tourists to visit the country.
As we know, there are 10 or perhaps more parks and beaches across the country under the jurisdiction of JASTRE.
Kaola propose that strategic parks and beaches should be gazetted under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism to allow the ministry to open tenders for these areas to be developed by local or foreign investors into unique attractions as Kaola mentioned before.
With God's guidance and direction. Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings.
That's all, thank you Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I now invite Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and salutations upon his messengers, our master Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.
Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings and a good day.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, for giving me the floor. Thank you also to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan for such a comprehensive and clear introduction containing the direction, focus on achievements, and initiatives that have been, are in progress, and will be implemented by the Ministry of Development.
Kaola also appreciates the clarification by Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan last Saturday in response to Kaola's question to Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negara regarding land use planning in the Temburong District.
Since several issues have already been raised by my fellow Your Honourable Members here, Kaola will only present one or two questions and perhaps one suggestion to Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan.
The first matter is more of a suggestion. Kaola observes that the Ministry of Development and its departments are one of the ministries that have been allocated a significant amount in the 12th National Development Plan. The allocation is about $277 million for the Housing Development Department and about $457 million for the Public Works Department.
Thank God, Kaola hopes that the projects listed in the 12th National Development Plan under the Ministry of Development will catalyze the construction industry for the next five years and inject new spirit and breath into the stakeholders, especially those active in this sector. Kaola hopes these projects will be implemented and completed according to the set timeline, God willing.
In this regard, Kaola would like to suggest strengthening regulations to further increase the involvement of local business development in this construction industry.
In addition, transparent and robust monitoring should also be implemented to strengthen compliance with industry standards. Competency training and skill enhancements should also be held for local youths involved in the construction industry from time to time.
The second matter has been raised by fellow Your Honourable Members, which is about the country's housing. But Kaola will touch on it from a perspective that might be slightly different but ultimately aims at the same issues.
As we know, the funding allocated for housing construction is quite substantial at $277 million. But considering, the number of applicants for these houses is also significantly high, with a waiting list of about 11,000 people.
So, if we calculate based on the allocation of $277 million, it can only accommodate about 3,000 houses over the next five years. This means there is a huge gap in meeting the construction of affordable housing.
At the same time, the price of properties constructed by the private sector is still high. In other countries, the housing market is one indicator of economic growth. This is because the provision of housing is largely undertaken by the private sector and supported by financial institutions for construction loans or end financing. It will have a positive spin-off on economic growth.
Based on these factors and matters raised by fellow Your Honourable Members earlier, Kaola feels the issues of housing provision require new methods that should not only be addressed by the Ministry of Development but also other agencies like the Ministry of Finance and Economy and financial institutions in the country to work together in providing affordable housing to the citizens and residents of this country.
Towards this end, Kaola, like other Members, request clarification from Yang Berhormat Menteri regarding the strategies or viable options planned by the Ministry of Development specifically and related agencies in general in tackling the issue of housing provision holistically.
And the last point is about the maintenance of the Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Bridge. As we are aware, this bridge has been opened and operational for about 3 years now. Initially, upon its opening, it might not require much maintenance.
However, in the medium and long term, the maintenance expenses will surely increase year by year. If Kaola is not mistaken, according to technical officials' estimates, the amount needed is about 1% of the total construction cost of the bridge, which is about $16 million a year.
Additionally, under Title 1216-Title 014 at the Public Works Department, there is also a project for the installation of a Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS) for this bridge which Kaola believes also needs continuous maintenance.
In this connection, kaola would like to request enlightenment from Yang Berhormat Menteri of Development, perhaps the Ministry of Finance and Economy, on the steps forward for generating additional revenue to cover these maintenance expenses, especially which kaola believes would require in-depth scrutiny before being introduced.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
May Allah grant success and guidance. Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
Thank you.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members. While Yang Berhormat Menteri of Development is reviewing the answers he might present in response to the questions posed by the 5 Your Honourable Members who have raised or asked questions, I would like to suspend our meeting for 15 minutes.
(Meeting is suspended)
(Meeting resumes)
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Members. Before our brief recess, the Committee was still discussing topics under the Ministry of Development.
We have already heard the questions raised by several Your Honourable Appointed Members.
I would now like to invite Yang Berhormat Menteri of Development to provide responses and explanations to the questions posed.
I invite Yang Berhormat Menteri of Development.
Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pehin Pengerusi. After hearing several questions raised earlier by Your Honourable Members, the issues raised are mostly significant, involving housing issues, construction industry issues, matters affecting the interests of and significantly impacting the sentiments of the community because these are issues related to our needs and life in our society, and more so as these matters fall under the service responsibility of the departments under the Ministry of Development.
Considering these questions involve cross-cutting issues related to road maintenance, housing issues, construction issues, and investment issues in steps forward to improve methods and ways in which we implement reforms as suggested.
So, if possible, kaola suggest that these matters be scrutinized to prepare answers so that they are more accurate, providing the necessary responses to the questions raised with several scenarios mentioned.
So, if possible, kaola will prepare this to be segmented based on the big subject like housing and also investment matters thought of and efforts made and other matters involving roads, infrastructure, and other utilities, so if possible kaola requests space to prepare the answers in writing and also to be presented and if possible also to be included in the hansard later.
That is kaola's request, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, unless there are simpler questions that can be answered about land ownership under the National Housing Scheme raised by Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir earlier.
Among them, is what if the person has passed away, do the heirs have rights to the house based on the written agreement agreed, and if the homeowner sells the house is the sale recognized?
To answer this, it is important and also need to be clarified briefly among the questions that can be answered compared to very generic matters from the questions raised earlier.
Actually, with this question, land and house owners under the National Housing Scheme found selling their land and house clearly violate regulations and conditions set.
If a land and house owner has passed away, heirs can claim the land and house by submitting a transfer application to the Housing Development Department according to the transfer conditions set by the said department.
The government through the Housing Development Department will take action against land and house owners found selling land and houses under the National Housing Scheme like retracting the land and houses. That briefly addresses the question raised by Yang Berhormat.
So as kaola mentioned earlier, with your permission, this matter will be more orderly by providing written answers that will be presented later. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Yang Berhormat Menteri of Development, I have no objections to the proposal from Yang Berhormat Menteri of Development and 'maybe' it would be good for us to continue, in my list there are five more Your Honourable Members who like to inquire and it is very likely that these questions are related to the significant issues that Yang Berhormat Menteri of Development described as major challenges faced.
So, without further ado, I now invite Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the noblest of Prophets and Messengers, our leader Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and peace be upon you. Kaola do not have significant questions mentioned by Yang Berhormat Menteri of Development. Kaola have only two subjects, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. The first question is about waste management.
Kaola wishes to emphasize the important issue of waste management in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Thank you to the ministry for efforts to address waste management including initiatives such as the daily no plastic bag campaign and the planned waste to energy incinerator project expected to start operating in 2029.
However, at present, Negara Brunei Darussalam still faces challenges in waste management. According to Yang Berhormat Menteri of Development in his introduction, the current data on the country's waste generation rate is 1.2kg per capita per day, which is the second highest after Singapore among ASEAN countries.
The Sungai Paku disposal site is also predicted to reach its full capacity by 2030 with about 500 to 600 tonnes of waste deposited daily. Insufficient waste management poses significant environmental challenges including greenhouse cases contributing to future climate change and health risks.
Therefore, kaola suggest that the ministry increase infrastructure and enhance recycling services in Negara Brunei Darussalam to effectively address waste management challenges.
Kaola's first question, what specific initiatives are being run by the ministry to reduce actual waste generation rates in Negara Brunei Darussalam, considering the current rate of 1.2kg per capita per day in 2023?
Are there targeted programs or campaigns aimed at reducing waste output such as promoting sustainable consumption practices or offering incentives for waste reduction efforts among industries and households?
Is the ministry conducting research and development (R&D) on a comprehensive National Waste Management Plan for Negara Brunei Darussalam?
Kaola's suggestion, considering the waste to energy incinerator project has two advantages, namely addressing the increasing waste management issue and substituting 8 megawatts of energy dependence on oil and gas. Kaola recommend that this project be expedited considering the Sungai Paku disposal site, which accounts for 90% of the country's waste, will reach its capacity limit earlier than expected in 2030.
Second, the ministry considers constructing an advanced and comprehensive recycling plant. By developing this facility, Negara Brunei Darussalam can not only reduce the pressure on the increasingly full waste disposal sites but also have an opportunity to generate economic added value through the export of recyclable materials. Enforcing stricter waste management laws to divert non-recyclable waste materials from waste disposal sites.
Fourth, increasing public awareness campaigns on social media to promote proper waste disposal practices including waste separation, especially at the household level.
Fifth, providing incentives to businesses to practice sustainable waste management and for individuals who recycle.
And finally, implementing recycling bins in public places including government and private buildings. God willing, kaola believe Brunei can become a leader in waste management in this region, demonstrating commitment towards environmental sustainability and serving as an example for other ASEAN countries.
The second issue kaola would like to raise, Your Honourable Chair, regards water security. Kaola would also like to propose some suggestions and raise several questions regarding the sustainability of Brunei Darussalam's water supply.
Regarding the assurance of an adequate water supply in Brunei, kaola believe this is also a crucial priority for the country. Comprehensive efforts are required to address challenges in water supply and demand.
Brunei Darussalam faces various challenges related to water supply including the effects of climate change such as extreme droughts or continuous rain. Disruptions in electrical power supplies also affected the nation's water supply. Although efforts are made to provide access to clean water for all, there are still concerns about the decline in water quality, either due to changes in raw water conditions or the aging water distribution system.
The ministry's efforts in providing an adequate water supply have been globally recognized. Initiatives such as 'Brunei Darussalam Towards Water Security 2021-2035' show commitment towards efficient water management. To address these challenges, transparent hydrology planning and the integration of cost and revenue analysis in water services are required.
This will facilitate the development of effective tariff methodologies and policies that can encourage users to efficiently utilize resources including commercial usage, for example, the increasing water transport companies should have more strategic water usage tariffs and contribute fairly towards the costs of water services.
To ensure financial sustainability in wastewater treatment, it's critical to align service revenues with operating and capital maintenance costs. By promoting water conservation and reuse strategies through tariffs, we can balance the decline in clean water supply.
With the goal of this strategy, we can maintain an adequate water supply in Brunei for future generations. International cooperation and joint efforts are key to ensuring continuous access to clean water for all Brunei residents.
Kaola would like to ask several questions:
What measures has the ministry taken to allocate resources for efficiently handling the raw water treatment process, addressing water outages and problems from other sources including planning to implement a desalination process by 2035 as outlined by the ministry in 'Brunei Darussalam Towards Water Security 2021-2035'?
How is the Brunei government addressing non-revenue water issues, especially after reports indicated that between 33% to 45% of treated water was lost from the country's water channels in 2021.
Is there recent data showing a decrease in this water loss and what measures are taken to reduce the country's expenses from these losses?
Please also enlighten us on the non-revenue water management and planning project for the water supply system in Brunei Darussalam Phase 3, code 1220/009. Is this project considered an effective measure to address operation losses in our water supply system? Has there been a decrease in water arrears in the country after implementing the Unified Smart Metering System (USMS) and what are its effects on the reduction of still high water arrears in the country? Is the government planning to review the water pricing system in this country especially for the agricultural and industrial sectors with the aim of encouraging innovation and savings in the use of this country's water? and
What lessons has the ministry learned from water supply disruptions due to electrical power disruptions in October 2023? Is there a reevaluation process for the business continuity plan for clean water supply in this country to prevent similar occurrences from happening again and what are the effects on the measures being taken to improve the reliability of the water supply system in the long term?
Thank you, Your Honourable Chair. Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I invite Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam.
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam
Thank you, Your Honourable Chair.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praises be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Peace and salutations upon the noblest of prophets and messengers, our leader Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions.
Your Honourable Chair and Your Honourable Members. Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings, and good health to all.
Kaola take this opportunity to express my gratitude towards the Honourable Minister of Development for the presentation on ministry initiatives last Saturday.
Your Honourable Chair and Your Honourable Members. According to the Population and Housing Census statistics from the Economic Planning and Statistics Department in 2021, there are 44,711 senior citizens, those aged 60 and above, and 7,024 people having at least one disability in this country.
These groups are part of society who have the right and equal opportunities to live a conducive and barrier-free life for easier movement, promoting social integration, and giving them the opportunity to be more independent within the community as other societal members, even with physical disabilities and capabilities.
Your Honourable Chair and Your Honourable Members. Initiatives to upgrade public facilities have been largely implemented by the ministry. Kaola am grateful for these initiatives.
However, the facilities available to facilitate access or movement for the elderly and people with disabilities in this country are still at a low level. Examples include wide pathways or pedestrian lanes for wheelchair users to access places like public attractions, recreational and tourism spots for their affairs in government, private and commercial buildings, or to educational institutions and places of worship (mosques).
This includes public toilet facilities and the accessibility of public transportation. As a result, these groups face mobility challenges in society due to existing infrastructure inadequately supporting their physical needs and abilities.
In developed countries, governments have committed and prioritized inclusivity in providing infrastructure granting equal rights and opportunities to all community members to create social stability and a fully accessible conducive environment regardless of privileges or abilities. It also serves as an attraction to tourists requiring this accessibility.
In this regard, kaola seek clarification from the Honourable Minister of Development regarding the accessibility facilities in this country and the ministry's plans for them.
As a major step toward inclusivity and to raise public awareness about equality for all parties, kaola am also pleased to suggest that the Ministry of Development review existing policies and consider enforcing inclusive design regulations with the provision of accessibility facilities for the special groups kaola mentioned earlier as a primary requirement in the construction of new buildings and public places in this country.
And for the Ministry to review existing buildings, whether government, private and commercial, and public places and public transportation in this country and plan improvements to create these facilities compatible with existing designs.
The provision could be made in phases over a period determined by the Ministry based on the review. The availability of accessibility facilities reflects the government's attention to the well-being of all citizens regardless of age and ability levels.
Additionally, it will also promote the country as a tourism destination friendly to all groups including the elderly and people with disabilities.
Your Honourable Chair and Your Honourable Members. The second matter, kaola refers to the Title SK03A-Public Works Department and adds issues raised by some of our respected Your Honourable Members earlier.
The rapid increase in population and vehicles in this country as road users, especially on the main routes, has resulted in congestion every day, particularly during peak hours. This situation will become even more severe or worse when accidents occur, and construction work is carried out on these routes.
In this regard, kaola is delighted to propose that the Ministry of Development and other relevant parties conduct a comprehensive study on the road system and urban planning in this country, taking into account the increasing number of users and vehicles as well as the limited public transport system in this country.
The findings of the study should establish policies and forward actions to improve the current situation of the road system and infrastructure by emphasizing the need to provide special lanes for emergency vehicles like ambulances, which often get stuck in traffic congestion, causing delays and at the same time endangering other users.
Kaola also happily suggests that construction or improvement works that are not urgent should be carried out outside peak hours, for example, at night, subject to the duration of the work being carried out.
Likewise, to ensure that the remnants of construction works are not left by contractors, causing more than the usual congestion and affecting many parties like emergency vehicles, public and private servants, and school students.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Now, I invite Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin.
Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
In the name of God the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, praises to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
With His help, we seek assistance, and peace be upon you.
First and foremost, kaola thank Yang Berhormat Minister of Development for the opening remarks and congratulations on the efforts carried out by the Ministry and the direction of the Ministry of Development.
Kaola will not elaborate too long because the issues that kaola will raise have already been thoroughly addressed by my colleagues such as the ABCi issue and Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Bridge.
However, kaola will briefly touch on the Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Bridge as it involves investment exceeding $1 billion. This investment amount is very large. The bridge is often used by foreign vehicles because the bridge's provision shortens the journey and can reduce travel time to the intended destinations.
My question to you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, is whether the government will charge a toll fee on foreign vehicles just like the ASEAN Friendship Bridge in Sungai Baram?
That's all, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, thank you.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Now, I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Daud bin Jihan.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Daud bin Jihan
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, all praise be to Allah, the One, the Overpowering, the Exalted, and blessings and peace be upon the chosen Prophet and upon his family and companions and those who follow his guidance and footsteps.
Congratulations and thank you to Yang Berhormat Minister of Development for the opening remarks given last Saturday regarding the Ministry's focused direction for the 2024/2025 Budget.
Kaola would like to voice complaints from residents of the Tanah Jambu Housing Scheme, especially those living on Binglu Barat and Binglu Selatan Streets. They have to travel 12 kilometers to return to the RPN Tanah Jambu intersection, using a u-turn near the Meragang Sixth Form Centre through the Muara-Tutong highway in the direction of Tutong-Muara and return through the direction of Muara-Tutong, as an alternative road they use to avoid traffic congestion.
If they use Muara Road, it will take a long time to reach their individual homes, especially when returning from work on weekdays. This matter has been voiced through the mass media, i.e., Borneo Bulletin article made on April 19, 2023.
Kaola also addressed complaints from ambulance drivers through Whatsapp; they explained that the road they traveled was too far to reach certain homes on Binglu Barat or Binglu Selatan to respond to emergency calls, resulting in some patients not receiving assistance. Kaola just wants clarification, if there are any plans to address complaints from various parties. That's all, hopefully beneficial.
Praise be to Allah, by whose grace good deeds are accomplished, and I ask for your prayers and many thanks.
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you, and now I invite Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin
In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. The Most Merciful among those who show mercy, peace, and blessings upon the noblest of Prophets and Messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you. Peaceful greetings and a blessed Ramadan to all.
First, thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, for allowing kaola to participate and discuss the allocation for the Ministry of Development for the Financial Year 2024/2025.
Thank you to Yang Berhormat Minister of Development for the enlightenment and explanation related to the development and direction of priorities and focuses of the Ministry of Development.
Kaola realizes that there have been many questions asked, and perhaps kaola's question will add to the questions that need to be answered.
Issue 1. Account Code 003-000 - Management of the Construction Industry, aims to prioritize safety by complying with regulations and standards. The issue kaola wants to raise is concerning technical whistleblowing and their protection. Imagine a flat building must be demolished after 5 years because the iron structure in the pillars rusted. Imagine big potholes in the roads caused by insufficiently compacted foundations. Imagine pollution from toxic waste dumped at uninhabited public places.
These are technical damage scenarios that not only can cause property damage and environmental pollution but also can result in loss of life. Issues like this can be avoided if those who are aware make early interventions by reporting activities within their organizations that may violate standards and do not follow the standard operation procedures (SOP) to the appropriate agency.
There are people within organizations who are aware of questionable activities but don't know where or don’t want to voice out or are afraid of being labeled as instigators and subject to disciplinary action.
Following discussions last year, kaola believes it is time for the ministry to review developments related to complaint issues and protections that need to be provided to those involving unethical behavior within organizations.
The need to practice professional ethics in every field of work is not new but in the context of industrial accidents and issues detrimental to the society, property, and institutions, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of professional ethics in work.
Professional ethics require individuals in their professions to take responsibility at every stage of the project from the design phase, construction, operation, maintenance to the completion of the project to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and property.
Furthermore, it is vital for professional individuals to report any activities within their organizations that they believe are questionable or potentially have a negative impact on humans, the environment, and public property. Those who bravely speak out to report organizations involved in dubious activities (whistleblower) must be protected.
The question is, please announce if the principle of professional ethics and guidelines providing protection to whistleblowers has been established as work ethics.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Your Honourable Member. I am not quite sure what is being discussed now.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin
Kaola want to ask if there are laws to be allocated within the Ministry of Development to protect whistleblowers?
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
So, what does it mean whistleblowers that 'we' will protect? What kind of whistleblower is it, does it mean that person will divulge government secrets or what? Where every officer is required to sign a document stating that as an officer, they cannot divulge anything they hear and know that is contrary to government regulations, contrary to secrets that must be kept.
If they divulge something contrary to government secrets, then there is no protection that can be given to them.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin
What kaola mean here, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, is technical whistleblowers who are professionals in agencies.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I guess things that have happened overseas that haven't occurred or might not happen in our country, we shouldn't turn into a drama here. I don't think things like this can happen.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, kaola have a different opinion because..
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
If not necessary, let's not bring or 'we' discuss in this Council. Unless we have real evidence that something has happened, something explosive that resulted in loss of lives or loss of government property. That's what should be protected. Perhaps those who know about this, meant by whistleblowers earlier? I don't know the actual situation.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin
The whistleblower meant here, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, is someone who knows the standards that should be followed in doing work but are not followed and not asked to follow.
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
I guess there is no such organisation...we are not living in a perfect world, there's no one organisation whose staff is perfect, unless 'we' have robots, A.I now. Everything runs perfectly. If there are humans, indeed 'we'... He disagrees with his leader, 'various issues' arise. He disagrees with the section head, also various issues arise.
So when something comes up then accusations will spread. However, things like that will be investigated according to the regulations that exist. So for 'us' to tell now to the public we will protect whistleblower. It means 'we' acknowledge there are wrongdoings happening in the government, where people will secretly disclose things that shouldn't be revealed to the public. What happens in western countries is up to them. 'No need for us to follow' in that matter.
I guess what happened to whoever his name is, Australian or the test that now has collapsed in London and whistleblowers sued by the United States at this time, that does not become a precedent for 'us'. 'No need for us' to question things like that.
I guess 'we' are just discussing 'those' that may not bring anything to 'us' ourselves. So, please focus 'our' attention on what 'we' should do, what 'we' should consider that is in front of 'us'.
I apologize to the Honourable Member for interrupting 'perhaps' thoughts or ideas when making their suggestions. But, I guess as a person older than others in this Council, I guess I have a duty to 'tap on the shoulder' that things that might not happen and we have certain laws, then we should run them.
Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin
Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi, for the admonition. Just to clarify not kaola intent to provide protection to people releasing government secrets, but it is about professional ethics. So, kaola close the discussion on the advice of Yang Berhormat Pengerusi.
The second issue, the management of development projects for housing schemes. Much has been said about this issue. Kaola understand so far, there are more than 11,000 applications in the national housing scheme that have been supported as eligible still waiting their turn and there are more than 60,000 applications, correct kaola if wrong, that are still in the process of assessment and every year thousands of young people, new families apply for housing. الأحفظ لكم
About 2000 houses are ready to be handed over to the fortunate people owning subsidized houses under the government. The issue often raised in this Council and also raised by Yang Berhormat peers, how to increase the quantity, increase most of the houses ready each year and also quality in terms of design, comfort of space that can be afforded with the government's restricted offer expenses.
Kaola's suggestion is to evaluate several financing models to ensure continuous project and monthly housing payments could be made and introduced immediately and ensure affordability and sustainability from the government side to increase and accelerate more houses in the housing scheme and also making various repayment models by the recipients different according to ability in terms of duration and appropriate amount so that the housing scheme runs smoothly.
Kaola also understood the size of the houses under this scheme in 120-130 square meters and the limited site is because of the fact of the government's ability to make the site and houses within a limited budget. Is there a plan to reassess the suitability of the existing design by taking feedback from people who have lived in terrace houses, semi-detached houses and there are houses meeting kitchens, on the suitability of such house designs with the characteristics of Brunei people? And causing extensions to increase that is not balanced and because of that addition, it causes home insurance cannot be renewed.
Kaola's suggestion, maybe it's time to evaluate the need for the establishment of an overarching body as suggested by some Members here that is independent, something like a housing development board responsible for planning and building housing in the national housing scheme that among other things provides comfortable housing and suitable design models following Brunei people's patterns including seeking to secure funds and also making payment collection.
This agency could also be held responsible for providing services akin to housing estate management ensuring the environment of the housing scheme is always controlled and monitored to be always safe, fresh, suitable as a housing place and not become a neglected place. Members of this housing development board could be comprised of retired professional members from government agencies and the private sector who have no interest to avoid the emergence of conflict of interest.
The second suggestion, seek clarification if there are plans to 'open up' new village capitals of the new national housing scheme and district planning scheme to ask for feedback from the public, private members and government agencies before it is built.
The third suggestion, most of the land in the Belait District is government land or gazetted under control for oil exploration or forest reserves. Private land is very limited for the construction of private houses causing the price of land to be unaffordable by young professionals and young families.
Is there a rumor for the government to open up more land sites to be opened for private housing but built on the scheme of awarding land to allow building private houses with their own funds or housing loans taken individually?
This would ease the government's burden to make housing for young professionals who want to build houses with their own funds.
The third issue, Code 003 - Management of Estate Maintenance and Vacant Building Facilities. In the KPI, there is a target to repair vacant buildings with a baseline of a thousand houses, the target is 50% for 2024/2025 40% and 3% subsequently.
Referring to the issue of monitoring of government assets that are empty and not used last year, what is the status of actions taken regarding the establishment of a committee board to control the government's outcomes in this country and how much budget allocation will be provided for this purpose and target timeline for solving this problem?
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. The fourth issue 'biskaola' wants to convey is energy-saving initiatives. Please describe specific steps that have been introduced to encourage the use of green technology in various government infrastructure projects. More than just statements saying that this project implements Green Mark Certification requirements gold rating from BCA Green Mark Singapore.
In making a clear comparison, kilowatt per hour energy consumption is lower due to the use of suitable building materials and designs, with a lesser percentage of rainwater usage. And are similar factors considered in the evaluation and awarding of contracts based on project lifetime cost rather than just the initial construction costs in the contract awarding process? Is the ministry taking steps to include alternative energy sources such as solar energy or energy-saving initiatives in government projects?
Furthermore, please detail any training programs or financial assistance tax incentives available for technology implementation incentives funding that can be applied for by private parties wishing to incorporate green technology initiatives into their work related to the ministry, and how is the implementation ensured to run smoothly and benefit the environment and community as a whole?
In the advancement of solar technology, are there any plans to install solar street lights in places far from major highways that are not close to infrastructure and housing?
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi and Your Honourable Members. Issue number five, code 003/000 - Construction Industry Management. Are there plans to ensure private housing (estate developer) are registered to ensure they contribute to the nation's treasury by being taxed when doing business in Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Kaola means this is not about agents selling houses and kaola understands they must be registered as a business entity, nor contractors building estates but what kaola means is individual developers who make direct negotiations with landowners, these developers make profit without risk and do not contribute directly to the country.
Sixth, the SeBorneo Train Project. Currently, there is a viral video showing foreign initiatives about the Interborneo Railway Network. The network shows the scope of the train network including Negara Brunei Darussalam. The people are excited about this initiative as viewed from the comments because it not only provides an alternative form of transport for commuters, it will also reduce the need to own vehicles due to long daily travels from home.
Kaola requests clarification from Yang Berhormat if the ministry has preliminary plans and will also assess the suitability to participate in this network and ensure the country's needs are considered in selecting stop locations and train routes.
Kaola will stop here, Yang Berhormat Pengerusi. Kaola gives the opportunity to Yang Berhormat Menteri to provide explanations and kaola thanks for the opportunity to raise these issues discussed in this noble Council.
والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Yang Berhormat Pengerusi
Thank you, Your Honourable Members. There are 5 more Your Honourable Members who have raised questions. It's likely that Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan would like to answer these questions.
However, I think it's quite late for 'us'. So, it would be good if 'we' adjourn our meeting for now and 'we' will reconvene at the State Legislative Council.
(The meeting is adjourned)
(The meeting resumes)
Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua
Your Honourable Members. We are now reconvening in the State Legislative Council session. I think that's enough for our session today.
I would like to adjourn the State Legislative Council session, and we will reconvene إن شاء الله tomorrow, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 starting from 10.00 AM.
That's it,
وبالله التوفيق والهداية، والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
(The meeting is adjourned)
HADIR
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.N.B., S.L.J., 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-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance and Economy and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, D.K.M.B., D.P.K.T., King Abdul Aziz Ribbon, First Class (Saudi Arabia), The Order of the Renaissance (First Degree) (Jordan), Grand Cross of Crown Order- G.K.K., (Netherlands), Medal of Honour (Lao), DSO (Singapore), Order of Lakandula With The Rank of Grand Cross (Philippines), The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Second Class (Ukraine), Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama (Johor), DSO (Military) (Singapore), P.H.B.S., Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Menteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim, D.K., S.P.M.B., D.S.N.B., P.H.B.S., P.B.L.I., P.J.K., P.K.L., Special Advisor to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official affair)
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.L.I., P.J.K., P.K.L., Minister of Religious Affairs, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (R) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd. Yussof D.P.K.T., S.M.B., P.H.B.S., Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Defence, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official affair)
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., Minister of Health, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official affair)
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew bin Abdullah P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official affair)
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., Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official affair)
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmadddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., P.S.B., P.I.K.B., Minister of Home Affairs, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abd. Manaf bin Haji Metussin, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., S.N.B., S.M.B., P.S.B., P.K.L., Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Negara Brunei Darussalam. (Not present due to official affair)
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abd. Rashid, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.I.K.B., Minister of Development, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr. Dayang Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Md. Salleh, P.S.N.B., S.P.M.B., P.I.K.B., P.K.L., Minister of Education, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, P.S.N.B., P.S.B., Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, P.S.N.B., S.M.B., P.I.K.B., Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
AHLI YANG DILANTIK ORANG-ORANG YANG BERGELAR
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.H.B.S., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.H.B.S., P.J.K., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman, P.S.N.B., D.P.M.B., P.J.K., P.I.K.B., P.K.L.
AHLI YANG DILANTIK ORANG-ORANG YANG TELAH MENCAPAI KECEMERLANGAN
Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Safiah 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., Clerk of the Legislative Council, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Yang Mulia Pengiran Hajah Zaidah binti Pengiran Haji Petra, Acting Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Council, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
(The session began at 10.00 a.m.)
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