Legislative Council (LegCo) members continued their scrutiny of the Ministry of Religious Affairs yesterday, raising a number of issues from zakat matters to the halal certification process during the 20th session of the Legislative Council meeting yesterday.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md Yusof made queries on the role of the Zakat, Waqaf and Baitulmal Management Department in the raising of zakat, waqaf and baitulmal; Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman called for a review of aid provided from zakat funds and construction of more relief homes; and Yang Berhormat Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin called for a strategy to increase the collection of zakat as well as spread the knowledge of its importance.
Meanwhile, Yang Berhormat Dr Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin made queries on the collection of mosque funds and payment of imams and bilal; Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin asked about the exposure of youth to mosque activities such as the recitation of the call to prayer; and Yang Berhormat Haji Salleh Bostaman inquired on the status of mosque facilities for the disabled.
Minister of Religious Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman in reply to the queries highlighted that the ministry emphasises high accountability in the management and implementation of mosque funds.
On the Zakat, Waqaf and Baitulmal Management Department, the ministry plans to add more professional staff to reduce delays in zakat and waqaf matters, he said.
The minister said actions to improve facilities for the disabled and the mosque’s basic needs are being considered.
Yesterday’s meeting also saw LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim call for a faster and more efficient halal verification process.
In response, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin noted the role of the Brunei Darussalam Food Authority to prioritise and ensure food quality and safety, while Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said the food inspection process in the laboratory takes eight working days to confirm the safety of food.
