| Azaraimy HH |
IT IS appropriate to discuss issues or questions prior to the next Legislative Council (LegCo) session to determine their strategic relevance and also to avoid similar questions being raised during the session, the Minister of Home Affairs, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, said.
In his concluding speech at the 12th session of the LegCo yesterday, the minister also noted that the LegCo session will be more interesting and beneficial if it discusses how the government and the people could think together in addressing the types of challenges that the nation will face and what appropriate action plans could be taken to tackle them.
This is the best approach considering the current situation of the country as there are only 20 more years left to realise the 2035 Vision, he added.
“Alhamdulillah, the session was able to approve the Supply Act 2016-17, which will enable the government to implement the National Development Plan, in order to enhance economic and social development to secure the well-being of the citizens and residents in the country,” the minister said.
He thanked LegCo Speaker YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib for his leadership towards ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the session and for providing opportunities for members to air their views as well as the Cabinet Ministers for providing answers.
“This was an effective session held with a spirit of mutual respect and in line with the concept of Malay Islamic Monarchy,” he added.
This year’s session was far different from previous sessions due to the big challenges currently being faced by the country amid the global economic downturn and declining national income as a result of falling crude oil prices the minister noted.
Photo shows an overview of the Legislative Council (LegCo) at the end of yesterday’s session. – DEAN KASSIM
“The session was able to discuss the direction of programmes for 2016-17 that focus on the efforts of the Government of 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 to strengthen the economic climate to support continuous development.
“Priorities were identified to achieve the direction through multiple efforts that involve not only government sectors but also the private sectors as well as the individuals and the society in the country,” he said.
Among the important agenda of the session was finding ways to reduce dependency on oil and gas through enhancing foreign direct investment and create a conducive business environment by improving the ease of doing business.
The need to emphasise on delivery approach, prudent spending to maximise impact as well as value added initiatives that are being implemented by the government were also discussed in depth.
The minister said the nation is thankful to the leadership of His Majesty for providing a realistic allocation for the 2016-17 budget to ensure peace and well-being of the citizens and residents in the country.
“Throughout the session, a number of questions and problems, opinions and suggestions were heard and discussed. However, many of these suggestions require deep government assessments, especially those that need a budget allocation, and at the moment these may not be suitable to be implemented as the nation is currently experiencing a fiscal deficit,” the minister noted.
In the speech, he referred to the titah His Majesty delivered during the opening ceremony of the LegCo session which called for the importance of holding discussions on strategic matters that bring positive benefits to the nation.
The minister noted that majority of issues discussed were on the ‘operational’ level.
In this context, he suggested that these types of issues be brought and tackled at respective ministries without waiting for the next LegCo session.
Speaking to the LegCo members, the minister said in the current economic situation that is becoming increasingly challenging, the nation cannot afford to be complacent and must become aware that the journey ahead will not be easy.
“With people becoming more educated and their expectations becoming more complex, we must be ready to adapt (to changes) quickly, innovatively and efficiently.”
Amid the current global economic scenario which is becoming more competitive, volatile and unpredictable, the country can no longer afford to operate with a ‘business as usual’ approach, he said.
“We must unite in order to ensure our economy continues to grow and be sustainable for the benefit of future generations of the country. Our responsibility is not limited to safeguarding the well-being of today’s generation, but we also have to ensure that the prosperity we enjoy today will also be experienced, Insya Allah, by future generations,” the minister said.
“The actions we take today will have implications in future. The sacrifices that are being made today are an investment for the future. The challenges today can be seen as opportunities tomorrow.”
The minister also emphasised the importance of eliminating the mindset of depending on the government in any matter.
As an example, the minister took the case of rubbish littered indiscriminately in public areas. This is closely related to the mentality, mindset or character of the people. This will not become an issue if everyone understands that maintaining a good living environment is the responsibility of all the citizens.
At the community level, the minister said, the rubbish issue can be tackled through supporting entrepreneurship which will not only ensure a cleaner environment but also generate jobs for the local community.
“There are people who depend on others to solve their problems, and there are people who depend on government to solve their problems. As a matter of fact, maintaining cleanliness is an obligation in Islam,” the minister added.
“The government and the people need to work together in building a sustainable economic and social system. As a government machinery, we in this hall (LegCo) must unite with the people and make sure all individuals have their respective roles in nation building,” the minister said.
“We already have a dream and an aspiration to be realised, which is the Brunei Vision 2035. Challenges surely await us. I agreed with my cabinet counterparts that this is not a time to question whether we can achieve the Vision 2035, but we have to prepare for it and implement it and ask ourselves what is our role and contribution towards achieving the nation’s aspiration,” the minister concluded.
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