LegCo Representative Members comment on budget

|     Azaraimy HH     |

Commenting on this year’s budget, YB Awang Haji Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad, representating Zone 1 of the Belait District suggested that investment infrastructure should be further augmented to further attract foreign and domestic investment that can contribute towards the national economy.

YB Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Kerna Dato Paduka Seri Awang Hj Yaakub bin Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Dato Paduka Awang Hj Zainal applauded the 2013/2014 budget, which he said showed a responsible allocation.

He said this comprehensive allocation shows the government’s good governance and the benevolent and caring leadership of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

YB Awang Hj Jumat bin Akim, representing Zone 4 of the Brunei-Muara District asked on the allocation for the Lumapas-BSB bridge, which is $70 million. He asked whether the allocation is in phases or not.

He also raised the issue of inflation, suggesting that a study should be undertaken to find out how inflation has impacted the effectiveness of assistance given to the poor.

“As grassroots leaders, we received visitors or recipients of government assistants, who sometimes asked us whether they can apply again if they have exhausted the funds given to them,” YB Awg Hj Jumat said.

YB Awang Hj Mohd Yusof bin Hj Dulamin, representing Zone 2 of Belait and Seria also expressed his happiness at the allocation of the budget to eliminate poverty and he hoped the aspiration to achieve zero poverty will be realised.

YB Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Awang Hj Othman bin Uking touched on the $1.5 million allocation to train youth in technical and vocational.

He asked the government to provide funding to those who has successfully completed their training so that they can put their knowledge to good use. This will also help reduce unemployment and contribute towards economic development.

In line with the theme of this year’s Supply Bill, it is appropriate that the education of youths, who are the country’s assets, is placed highly in the budget, including religious education.

She said that not only the school infrastructure needed to be focused on, but also students’ safety, taking into account the recent tragedy involving the loss of lives of students.

She added that safety measures must not to be taken lightly and must be taken pre-emptively to prevent a recurrence of the accidents.

YB Awang Hj Zulkipli bin Hj Abdul Hamid, as a LegCo member representing the private sector applauded the allocation of budget this year and welcome the Supply Bill 2013/2014, which also focussed on the development of human capacity especially among youths.

He said the real development of a nation is in the development of its human capacity.