Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof highlighted that muzakarah plays an important role as a forum for constructive dialogues and a catalyst in supporting the PMO’s mission in coordinating and implementing policies and initiatives of the government, with the engagement of stakeholders in line with whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approaches.
The minister said this during a dialogue between the PMO and Legislative Council (LegCo) members at the PMO building yesterday.
In his opening remarks, the minister recalled the 19th LegCo Session in 2023 where issues related to Brunei Vision 2035, civil service, job opportunities and recruitment, and strategic affairs in the energy sector were raised.
The minister briefed LegCo members on the progress of the initiatives implemented and future plans of the PMO, such as the Brunei Vision 2035, closely monitored through the ‘Kerangka Kerja Wawasan 2035’ aligned with the three related blueprints, and efforts in achieving United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The minister also touched on reform on policies and regulations in the civil service to improve the effectiveness of service delivery, and the issue of unemployment and recruitment in the private sector as well as plans to generate job opportunities for certain groups.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi, noted the developments in the energy sector, specifically initiatives towards securing the supply of energy resources such as the increase of coverage to Mukim Sukang and Melilas in the Belait District, to ensure sufficient supplies of oil and gas to provide electricity, petroleum products and LPG cylinders.
Initiatives with the aim to enhance the sustainable growth of the energy sector, especially the extraction of resources from the deep ocean and development and exploration activities as well as efforts in expanding the downstream oil and gas sector were also shared by the minister.
Meanwhile, in terms of job opportunities, the minister said there are ongoing efforts to address the matter through the Bruneianisation directive and generating entrepreneurial opportunities for locals through the local business development directive.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi said priority has been given to the management of greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector – both upstream and downstream – to move the country towards net zero.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin, who led the 19-member delegation also delivered a speech during the meeting.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah was also in attendance. – Rokiah Mahmud
