Azlan Othman
Projects under the Ministry of Development (MoD) continue to be implemented in an orderly manner amid the pandemic, said Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Ir Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar during a dialogue session with Legislative Council (LegCo) members yesterday.
The minister said the COVID-19 outbreak has a profound impact on daily activities, including projects under the ministry.
However, with the ministry’s business continuity plans, projects continue to be implemented, he said.
Dato Seri Setia Ir Awang Haji Suhaimi said the MoD’s strategy in supporting the government’s priorities is in line with Brunei Vision 2035.
This meant ensuring water security and the provision of continuous clean water supply, public housing development, opening up of government lands that have been identified for mixed development investment, infrastructure development for flood and natural disaster mitigation as well as supporting strategies under climate change policies and contributions for the establishment of ASEAN Climate Change Centre in the country.
Meanwhile, the MoD is actively implementing and enhancing enforcement efforts to control activities under their jurisdictions, which includes raising public awareness on the importance of compliance with construction, planning, land or cleanliness laws that affect the safety, while preventing environmental pollution.
Meanwhile, LegCo member Yang Berhormat Ar Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Abdul Rahman said the attention and focus of the MoD is evident through the involvement and active partnership with international delegations such as ASEAN in related meetings, especially on the agenda of Trans boundary Haze Pollution and climate change in the ASEAN region.
She is also proud of one of the statements made by the Minister of Development on the air quality in the Sultanate during the 22nd Meeting of the South ASEAN Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution (MSC) in November 2021.
She said, “It is hoped that such efforts and initiatives will continue to be maintained and improved from time to time in line with the expectations of the ministry to ensure that the plans implemented are ‘actionable’, ‘realistic’ and ‘cost-effective’ in taking the delivery approach to achieve the desired result.”
However, Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty said, there are still issues including remedial measures from the ministry on matters that have been raised at the previous dialogue sessions and LegCo meetings.
During the meeting, LegCo members were briefed by the Permanent Secretary (Planning, Land Use and Environment) at the MoD Dr Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak. The session paved the way for the ministry and LegCo members to have open discussions and exchange of views in further improving the quality of the ministry’s services and programmes.
Also in attendance was the Deputy Minister of Development Dato Seri Paduka Ar Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin; Permanent Secretary (Infrastructure, Housing and Professional) at the MoD Ir Awang Haji Amer Hishamuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Zakaria; Deputy Permanent Secretary (Construction Industry and Development) at the MoD Sr Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Mohd Yaakub; and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Corporate and Law) at the MoD Aidila binti Haji Mohamad Salleh as well as heads of departments and senior officers.
