| Azlan Othman |
THE Legislative Council (LegCo) yesterday unanimously passed the national budget of B$5.3 billion for the Financial Year 2018/2019, which takes effect on April 1, 2018.
With the passing of the budget, the 14th LegCo session came to a close after 12 days of deliberations.
The budget for the new financial year was announced by Minister of Finance II YB Dato Seri Paduka Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah on the third day of the LegCo session on March 7, 2018.
It was discussed over the past 12 days by the Cabinet Ministers and appointed LegCo members and approved without any amendment.
In his closing remarks yesterday, Special Adviser to 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 and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim, said that a total of 40 issues relating to the Prime Minister’s Office have been raised during the 14th LegCo session and called for the LegCo members’ contributions to assist the government in general and the Prime Minister’s Office in particular in upgrading its service.
“Their feedbacks will add value in reviewing the strategies and policies implemented by the government, especially the Prime Minister’s Office, in accordance with needs and priority,” he noted.
The minister congratulated the appointed LegCo members for raising questions and making wise and relevant statements on matters that are beneficial to the government and the people.
“The role played by the members is appropriate and in line with the aspiration His Majesty expressed in his titah which called for the council to discuss issues and ideas that can bring changes to the nation.
“I am delighted with the performance of the members including women. Their questions reflected their hard work in presenting facts in detail with thorough statistics. It is also in line with His Majesty’s titah which urged the LegCo members to be involved and raise ideas and views without fear for the sake of all and the nation.
“We are ready to listen to more ideas and proposals that will help enhance the government’s productivity and generate economic growth. I hope that members could extend consultation beyond this building to discuss matters that can bring big changes as aspirated in His Majesty’s titah.
“We must also realise the situation faced by the nation and continuously work together to support our monarch’s leadership that prioritises the welfare of the people with a whole-of-nation approach. People in this country should strive for developing the nation in accordance with their respective roles and their plans will receive support from all levels and bear fruit as aspirated,” the minister said.
“The Prime Minister’s Office welcomes the LegCo members to discuss and air proposals to improve the performance of the government and enhance the development of the nation,” he added.
