Issues discussed during the dialogue between the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) and Legislative Council (LegCo) members offer a path forward for the future, said Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman at the ministry premises yesterday.
The issues included imported products with questionable halal status; matters related to zakat, waqaf and Baitulmal; and plans to strengthen religious education and Arabic schools.
Meanwhile, LegCo members representative Yang Berhormat Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam expressed appreciation for the information shared by the ministry on its planning, achievements, developments, progress and challenges.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary at the MoRA Haji Mohammad Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim shared the ministry’s strategic plans for 2020 to 2024 which will guide in the planning and implementation of religious services as well as a measure of achievements at the international level, especially on the MABIMS platform.
In addition, the ministry has taken strategic steps to optimise its human resources to ensure that the implementation of religious services will be more systematic.
The dialogue also focused on the issues raised during the deliberations on the supply bill and provisions for 2023 and 2024.
Earlier, LegCo members visited the Zakat, Waqaf and Baitulmal Management Department to take a closer look at the operations and services.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan, Ra’es of Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) at the MoRA Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Religious) at the MoRA Haji Abdul Rajid bin Haji Mohd Salleh as well as heads of departments and divisions under the ministry also attended yesterday’s dialogue. – Azlan Othman
