The theme for the 2023-2024 financial year, ‘Building a Prosperous Future Together’, has been extended to the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 financial years, ensuring the continuity, alignment and assessment in the medium term towards the expenditure’s policy and objectives, enabling the government to carry out initiatives and projects planned or currently being implemented.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah underscored this in his presentation at the 20th session of the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting yesterday.
The theme will focus on three new priorities: raising well-being and productivity; fostering sustainable economic diversification; and building a dynamic and visionary human capital.
The government will commit to the welfare of the people by emphasising on a healthier, educated and productive populace to contribute to the stability of the nation towards a more prosperous future.
The government will also continue to invest in infrastructure development, upgrading the people’s quality of life across sectors including transportation, telecommunications and basic amenities such as water and electricity, while expanding the services network and provision of national housing.
To meet ever-rising energy needs and ensure sufficient, reliable and quality supply, BND400 million has been allocated to implement 36 projects under the 12th National Development Plan (RKN12), including the construction of the second phase of Bukit Panggal Combined Cycle Generator as well as upgrading and strengthening the network system across the Sultanate.
Additionally, BND277 million will be used on nine projects under RKN12 to increase the provision of national housing, including Kampong Lugu Phase 2B, Kampong Rimba Phase 6, Kampong Salambigar, Kampong Lumut Phase 7 and Kampong Tanah Jambu.
Meanwhile, BND261.1 million will be used to ensure a more effective and reliable supply of clean water to the public, by upgrading and improving LOJI2, treatment plant and sewerage systems across the four districts.
The government will continue to prioritise digital transformation initiatives by improving service efficiency, performance and productivity to ensure the people receive accessible and high-quality services.
Meanwhile, BND19.4 million will be allocated for the implementation of Electronic Management System Judiciary Body System 2.0, Management of Syariah Court System 2.0 and Technology Courts System.
Meanwhile, BND29.4 million will be used for the implementation of four projects – the Mapping Utility Project; MOD integrated Platform Project; Government Asset and Infrastructure System Project; and Housing Application System and Online Bill.
On education, BND21.2 million will be used for the implementation of National Education Management System, Education Data Management System (EDMS) and School Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERPS).
For the health sector, BND256.53 million will be allocated to building health and medical infrastructure, including building a new block at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, upgrading Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Kuala Belait and the construction of the Bandar Seri Begawan Health Centre and the Department of Laboratory Services.
Another BND62.5 million will be spent on the implementation of the Bru-HIMS 2.0 System, which includes the Intelligent Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Intelligent Care Plan and Clinical Pathway Recommendation and Structured Data System, with BND25.8 million allocated for the maintenance of Bru-HIMS and improving the BruHealth system capabilities such as diabetes management system, online appointment and consultation.
Meanwhile, BND26.87 million will be allocated to ensuring quality services that meet the community’s health needs, including BND10 million to replace the clinical and non-clinical support service, BND7.2 million on nurse and laboratory personnel services from Gleneagles Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) and BND3.9 million on food for patients at hospitals nationwide.
A total of BND89 million will be provided for the purchase of medicines, medical disposable items and laboratory needs at hospitals and health centres.
The payment of services at the Coronary Medical Treatment Services at JPMC, The Brunei Cancer Centre and Brunei Neuroscience, Stroke and Rehabilitation Centre has been transferred from the Ministry of Finance and Economy to the Ministry of Health to increase the accountability towards the effectiveness and efficiency of expenditure for treatment, aside from providing a complete picture of the original cost of overall healthcare. BND120 million will be added to the BND30 million allocation, totalling BND150 million, the minister said.
To tackle critical health issues, BND37 million has been allocated to support crisis management and assistance to affected individual or communities, including prevention and treatment as well as research on infectious diseases.
Meanwhile, BND50 million has been allocated to exploring green building initiatives to support the nation’s commitment towards net zero emissions, BND17.6 million to ensure environmental sustainability, BND1 million to prepare the National Adaption Plan for Climate Change, BND62.5 million for implementation of 16 projects to prevent floods and BND25 million for natural disaster management.
The minister also shared that BND17.5 million will be used for a programme to improve the vegetable production through technologies; BND68.3 million to upgrade the water system at agricultural development sites across the country; BND5.8 million for the implementation of seven projects to improve infrastructure, facilities and amenities to support the increase in paid production, livestock and aquaculture industries; and BND9 million under the Paddy Buy Back Scheme and for purchase of hybrid paddy seeds.
To the improve the infrastructure to increase productivity to drive growth and diversification of the economy, the government will provide BND80 million for infrastructural improvement in the agriculture industry.
Meanwhile, BND39 million has been allocated for the infrastructure of sewerage and waste disposal programme; BND18.1 million for the livestock industry development programme; BND18.5 million for implementation of five projects to develop the aquaculture industry; and BND10 million for upgrading and provision works for the infrastructure and basic facilities at agricultural development sites. – Lyna Mohamad
