10th Legislative Council Session officially opens

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Mar 7, 2014: Issues and areas of concern which are affecting the people of the Sultanate will be heard and resolved at the 10th Session of the Legislative Council.

The meetings usually span two weeks when new and existing issues pertaining to national budget and other relevant national matters are discussed.

Steeped in tradition and protocol, the officiating of this year’s session was attended by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, other members of the Royal Family, Legislative Council members and invited guests.

Uniformed personnel from the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), led by its marching band, assembled in front of the Legislative Council building on Jalan Menteri Besar to greet the arrival of Legislative Council Speaker Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Hj Isa Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Hj Ibrahim, who later joined other Legislative Council members in welcoming the Royal Family.

His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah was the first to arrive at the Royal Dais, followed by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah. The arrival of His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office soon followed, signaling the nearing arrival of His Majesty.

Following His Majesty’s arrival at the Royal Dais, the RBPF marching band played the national anthem. The monarch then proceeded to inspect the Guard of Honour, and was escorted by YB Pehin Dato Hj Isa.

His Majesty and accompanying members of the Royal Family were then ushered into the Conference Hall.

The Cokmar or the Royal Mace – a sterling silver crafted sceptre and symbol of authority – led His Majesty’s entrance into the hall, where all 30 Legislative Council members, foreign dignitaries and invited guests waited.

His Majesty then delivered a titah before commencing the 10th Legislative Council session.

In his titah, His Majesty touched on several issues including initiatives to improve the investment and business climate in Brunei, ensuring the welfare of the local workforce in the private sector is taken care of.

He also reiterated the Syariah Penal Code Order was a big step forward for the country, and not a conservative and backward move as certain groups have claimed.

State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz (Dr) Hj Abdul Aziz Juned then recited the doa selamat marking the end of the opening ceremony.

Following this, YB Pehin Dato Hj Isa announced the proceedings would continue in the late afternoon. YB Pehin Dato Hj Isa had previously approved the minutes of last year’s 9th Legislative Council session.

The afternoon session saw Minister of Education YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong; Minister of Health YB Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof;

Minister of Industry and Primary Resources YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar; Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister’s Office YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Ibrahim and Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office YB Pehin Datu Singamenteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar answering questions from representatives of the Legislative Council from all four districts.

 

 

source: The Brunei Times