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 underscored the importance of economic diversification as the cornerstone of Brunei’s future resilience and growth, in a titah during the opening ceremony of the 20th Legislative Council (LegCo) session at the LegCo Building in Jalan Dewan Majlis on Tuesday.
Emphasising the pivotal role of the LegCo, His Majesty also called upon its members to be torchbearers in steering the nation towards a diversified economic landscape.
His Majesty acknowledged the nation’s positive economic outlook, with the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office predicting a 2.4 per cent strengthening in 2024.
However, the monarch highlighted the imperative to move beyond dependence on oil and gas sectors, citing uncontrollable factors like declining production and market volatility.
Efforts to diversify have been undertaken, but His Majesty stressed the need for sustained and enhanced strategies.
Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by LegCo Speaker Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamad Taib and Clerk to the Privy Council, Secretary to the Cabinet Ministers’ Council Dr Hajah Huraini binti Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Jaya Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hurairah.
A sergeant-at-arms carrying the mace signifying the commencement of the LegCo proceeding – led the monarch’s procession into the conference hall.
Before the opening ceremony, the LegCo convened to review and confirm the minutes from the first meeting from the 19th LegCo session, which ran from March 2 to March 28, 2023.
The session will deliberate and approve the supply bill 2024-2025, which will undergo three stages before it is approved and gazetted for adoption on April 1, 2023. – Lyna Mohamad
More details on Wednesday’s Borneo Bulletin
