The 20th session of the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting came to a close yesterday, with adjournment speeches from LegCo members and over 700 questions posed over the course of 18 days.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin said he “emphasised on efforts to diversify the economy, especially agriculture, transportation and tourism, fishing, downstream oil and gas”, which needs quick, continuous action and cooperation with the private sector.
Among the highlighted issues were the bus transport system, housing and food security.
Meanwhile, LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin said that he is “aware of the response from the public who followed the LegCo meeting” and assured that despite not being reported in the media, answers to issues raised were received at the later stage. LegCo member Yang Berhormat Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam called for efforts to boost sustainable economic growth for quality lifestyle towards attaining Vision 2035.
“By empowering the economy towards sustainability, we can control social issues plaguing the nation and identify weaknesses to enhance the efficiency of services,” she said.
She also said civil servants need to be open, especially those rendering welfare services, by considering the perspectives of skilled people, including youth, graduates and prospective public servants.
Meanwhile, LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman summarised the essence of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s titah at the opening of the LegCo meeting: increasing employment; improving people’s well-being; reducing poverty; maintaining health; ensuring a clean, unpolluted and sustainable environment; and strengthening national security.
He expressed confidence that “every ministry will use the allocated budget prudently to develop the country.”
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Dr Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin said, “Monitoring expenses is crucial, and it is important to adhere to its implementation to avoid any shortfalls. Any government projects should have a positive impact on the welfare of the people.”
He added that education should adapt the latest technologies and speaking on the construction of a new Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) campus in Labu, Temburong District, urged the acceleration of the process as the building has the potential to become an iconic symbol not only for Temburong but also the country.
Meanwhile, LegCo member Yang Berhormat Amran bin Haji Maidin believes LegCo members must “go to the ground” to realise the national vision as the people are looking for answers to issues such as public facilities and unemployment.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann said there are issues raised annually, but have not been tackled appropriately by the authorities. Thus, he called on LegCo members to focus on these pressing issues, while acknowledging that not all issues can be solved amid the current financial constraints.
He also said it was high time for Belait to be named the second district as it is the source of oil and gas and that the Client’s Charter should be closely followed as some applications are still slow in implementation.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir said, “In this digitalisation era, we need to diversify services and demolish the use of paper.”
He also said festivities such as ‘Temburong Bisai’ should be further supported while calling for the issue of low wage in the private sector to be addressed.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Mohd Salleh bin Haji Othman said, “Guidance on the latest technologies must be made to boost production and the farmers subsidised.”
Meanwhile, LegCo member Yang Berhormat Mohamad Ali bin Tanjong called for support for local products and grassroots efforts to boost initiatives such as One Product, One Village (1K1P). – Azlan Othman
