Rokiah Mahmud, Izah Azahari & Hakim Hayat
“The commitment from all levels of society, especially government policyholders, is very much needed in the implementation of current and forthcoming matters by the government, particularly in terms of human capital development, the economy and the strengthening of the country’s fiscal resilience.”
This was said by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud, in his motion of thanks on the second day of the Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
“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 has urged for dialogues between LegCo members and government agencies to be carried out, without needing to wait for LegCo meetings. The discussions should be carried out in a vigorous, yet healthy manner, particularly with regard to issues that are beneficial to the country,” His Majesty said.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Wahab bin Apong noted that there are several opportunities and steps to stimulate the progress of commercial activities as well as explore growth of new industries, such as construction, real estate, agriculture, tourism, and transportation logistics.
“Hard work is needed from various parties to examine the suitability of existing policies and processes together to see if they can be formulated to meet the needs of local investors and interested parties,” he said.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Naim bin Haji Kamis suggested addressing the issue of fiscal reduction by providing support to village consultative councils to empower the One Village One Product (1K1P) through structured entrepreneurship courses that give clear directions to trainees.
Yang Berhormat Awang Naim believed that giving recognition to those who succeed may inspire others to follow suit.
Meanwhile, LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Tahamit bin Haji Nudin opined that the country needs to maintain the stability of national development towards more comprehensive economic digitalisation to ensure that the country does not lag behind.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Emran bin Haji Sabtu, meanwhile, raised his concern over the technological gap between the youth and the older generation.
Representing Temburong District, he said digital services and products should be inclusive to all, including those with different abilities.
Yang Berhormat Haji Emran also believed a harmonious family can shape a prosperous community and complements the human capital ecosystem, which he said is one of the pillars in the Brunei Vision 2035.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Mohimin bin Haji Johari @ Jahari lamented the issue of ‘Ali Baba’ businesses which he said is now mushrooming in the country, despite repeated calls for solutions in previous LegCo meetings.
‘Ali Baba’ is a term describing business practices involving indigenous and non-indigenous cooperation to take advantage of affirmative action provisions favouring indigenous natives of the country.
He said that a policy should be made to control the registration of companies against foreign shareholders, adding that specific terms and conditions should be implemented to protect locals from being used by ‘Ali Baba’ entrepreneurs.