Legislative Council of Brunei explained

Legislative Council of Brunei
Native Name:Malay: Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei
Coa Pic:ADIL LAILA LOGO VER 2.png
Coa Res:250
Coa-Res:250
House Type:Unicameral
Leader1 Type:Speaker
Leader1:Abdul Rahman[1]
Election1:11 February 2015
Members:37[2]
Term Length:5 years
Meeting Place:Legislative Council Building, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Website:Legislative Council of Brunei
Established:18 October 1959[3]
Constitution:1959 Constitution of Brunei
Session Room:File:MMN7.JPG
Leader2:Hassanal Bolkiah
Leader3:Huraini Hurairah
Leader2 Type:Prime Minister
Election2:1 January 1984
Leader3 Type:Clerk
Election3:9 January 2024
Last Election1:20 January 2023[4]
First Election1:18 October 1959

The Legislative Council of Brunei (Malay: Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei; Jawi: Malay: {{Script/Arabic|مجليس مشوارت نڬارا بروني; abbrev: Legco) is a national unicameral legislature of Brunei. The council comprises 36 appointed members, that only has consultative tasks.[5] [6] Under Brunei's 1959 constitution, His Majesty Hassanal Bolkiah is the head of state with full executive authority, including emergency powers since 1962. The Council holds its sitting annually in March at the Legislative Council Building in Bandar Seri Begawan.

History

The period of the State Council came to an end in September 1959 with the adoption of Brunei's first codified Constitution. The Legislative, Executive, and Privy Councils took the role of the council itself.[7] The Legislative Council was established in 1959 by virtue of Article 23 of Brunei's Constitution of 1959. The 1959 constitution included five advisory bodies, including a Legislative Council, and granted the sultan full executive authority. When the left-wing Brunei People's Party (BPP), which aspired to overthrow the monarchy, gained all 10 of the council's elected seats in 1962, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III invalidated the results.[8] Its first sitting was held at Lapau on 21 October 1959.

Following the nation's first election on 30 and 31 August 1962, the Legislative Council's initial meeting was held on 10 October 1962. Part of the constitutional rules governing general elections were suspended in 1962, and members' seats were filled by royal appointment beginning on 28 August 1963.[9] Upon the establishment of the new Legislative Council in September 1962, the party attempted to forward a motion aimed at stopping the formation of Malaysia. The council meeting was rescheduled until 5 December because it was afraid of losing the discussions. The BPP sent a resolution to the government of Brunei to be presented in the next council meeting prior to its convening.[10]

The Brunei People's Independence Front Party (BAKER) party's Secretary-General II, Zainal Abidin Puteh, presented a motion during the May 1968 Legislative Council Meeting that called for Brunei to become independent and establish a democratic system of governance. He insisted throughout the conference that a poll be conducted by the government to determine the people's desires for independence and constitutional progress. A spokesperson of the BAKER party, Pengiran Mohammad Samli bin Pengiran Lahab, also called for the introduction of a democratic type of governance in Brunei in May 1968.[11]

On 12 April 1970, the 1965-elected council was dissolved after completing their 5-year term. The 1970 elected-council was dissolved on 15 December 1977 with the approval of the Sultan of Brunei, according to the Chapter 55 of the 1959 Constitution. The Sultan has agreed to reform and re-elect several members from the previous council. A new council was officially reconvened on 22 December 1977.[12] Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah dissolved the council on the following day. The inaugural meeting of the council took place on 27 December 1983, and it was disbanded on 13 February 1984.[13] Hence, legislative powers were fully vested in the Sultan.

After a 21-year hiatus, the Sultan reconvened on 25 September 2004, with the proposed modification to the 1959 constitution as its first item on the agenda. The Council approved a constitutional proposal that would have increased its size to 45 seats, 15 of which would be elected. The Sultan disestablished the council on 1 September 2005 and, on the following day, reestablished the Council based on the amended version of Brunei's Constitution. Five members of the new Legislative Council, who were indirectly elected to represent village councils, were appointed by the Sultan in September 2005. In 2006 and 2007, plans for a 45-member legislature with 15 seats up for public vote were still on the table, but elections were still not scheduled by year's end. All state authority remains in the hands of the sultan's family and chosen successors, and the Internal Security Act (ISA) keeps the sultan's personal authority largely untouched.

The Legislative Council met in 2006 and 2007 to examine government spending, suggesting that it has adopted budget review as a regular duty in recent years. The plans for elected Council members, Brunei's 2006 membership in the Asian Development Bank, and government initiatives to promote the private sector while combating corruption and radical Islam are all considered preparations for the anticipated depletion of the nation's oil and gas reserves, which currently make up 90% of state revenues. This modest increase in Council activity and increased focus on government spending are all part of these preparations. With the money, the government has long been able to stave off calls for political reform by keeping the majority of the populace in work, lavishing them with benefits, and exempting them from paying income tax.

A member of the Council asked information from the second finance minister of the nation during a meeting in March 2007 regarding government investment organizations like the Workers Trust Fund and the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). The Minister of Home Affairs, a member of the sultan's appointed cabinet, urged for prudent use of the national budget in April in yet another sporadic appeal for accountability. On 6 March 2007, the Sultan gave his permission to be present at the International Convention Centre in Berakas for the opening ceremony of the first sitting of the Legislative Council's third session. Additionally present were Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commerce, and Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. The People's Awareness Party (PAKAR) was completely disbanded, and the president of the Brunei National Solidarity Party (PPKB) was forced to resign. In addition, the government's Registrar of Societies tightened its supervision over political party activity in 2007.

The first meeting of the fourth session of the Legislative Council began on 4 March 2008 at the new building in Jalan Kebangsaan. The Sultan officiated the grand opening by signing a plaque shortly after receiving the Royal Salute and inspecting the guard of honour by the personnel of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF).[14]

Roles

Since 1959, the council has played significant roles towards Brunei; not only to consider and approve budgets and revenue estimates, but also to advise the Sultan on the drive of the Government, to review policies implemented by the Government and to pass bills and motions brought by the Government and other members of the council.

Legislative procedure

The Council follows the practice of other Commonwealth parliaments. All bills presented in the Council go through three readings. All bills, however, must obtain prior approval from the Cabinet prior to their presentation in the council. Once a bill is passed, a bill must obtain Royal Assent in order to turn such bill to an Act.

Speakers of Legislative Council

No.PortraitNameTerm of officeRef
Took officeLeft office
1Pengiran Muhammad AliMarch 19591 September 1962[15]
2Abu Bakar Salleh10 October 19621963[16]
3Ibrahim Mohammad JahfarJune 196319 February 1971[17]
4Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam14 July 197130 November 1974
5Pengiran Abu Bakar1 December 197412 December 1981
6Pengiran Anak Kemaluddin Al-Haj12 December 1981 13 February 1984[18] [19]
Council dissolved
(6)Pengiran Anak Kemaluddin Al-Haj25 September 20041 March 2011[20] [21]
7Isa Ibrahim1 March 201111 February 2015[22] [23]
8Abdul Rahman Taib11 February 2015Incumbent[24]

Membership

The Council comprises the Sultan, the Crown Prince,[25] cabinet ministers and three types of members: members with titles, members representing districts, and members among outstanding Bruneians. All members, other than the Sultan, are appointed by the Sultan in accordance with Article 24 of Brunei Constitution. The rest of the deputies outside of the cabinet, which are deputies ex-officio of the LegCo, are appointed for five year terms.

Ex-Officio members

Since 24 October 2023 (a reshuffling of the Cabinet which had served since 30 January 2018), the Council consists of the following ex-officio deputies:[26] [27]

!Ministry!Minister
Prime Minister's Office
Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Development
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Finance and Economy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Home Affairs
Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism
Ministry of Religious Affairs

Titled persons

Title Name Portfolio
Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman IbrahimMinister of Finance II (2015–2018)
Minister at the Prime Minister's Office (2005–2018)
Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan YusufMinister of Health (2010–2015)
Minister of Home Affairs (2005–2010)
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (2002–2005)
Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang HajiSuyoi OsmanMinister of Education (2015–2018)
Minister of Development (2010–2015)
Minister of Health (2005–2010)
Ambassador of Brunei to France (1991–1996)

Persons who have achieved distinction

Pursuant to Second Schedule of Article 24 (1) (a) (iii),[28] these seats are given to persons who have achieved distinction in their own professional field or for good contribution to communities across Brunei.

TitleName Portfolio
HajahSafiah Abdul Salam Islamic Studies Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs
MrDirector of Hua Ho Department Store (since 2018)
Vice President of the Brunei-China Belt and Road Promotion Association Council (2022–2024)
Member of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce's Honorary Advisory Group (2024–2026)
MsChong Chin YeeCEO and co-founder of Memori, UnikLearn and Mirath
Board member of the ASEAN Young Women Entrepreneurs Club
Vice President of the Young Entrepreneur Association of Brunei
Dr. HajiMahali Momin Director of Schools' Inspectorate at the Ministry of Eduction
HajiSalleh BostamanManaging Director of Brunei LNG (2008–2012)
HajahRosmawatty Abdul MuminPermanent Secretary (Upstream) in the Energy Division, Prime Minister's Office
Pengiran HajiIsa Aliuddin President of the Brunei Association of Agricultural Farmers
Managing Director of Maya Breeder Farm

District representatives

These deputies of the districts are appointed by the Sultan among those village heads and penghulu of townships (mukim), which since the 2010s are elected directly by the people of their areas.

Districts Name Portfolio
Belait 1data-sort-value="Hamid" Salleh OthmanPenghulu of Mukim Bukit Sawat
Belait 2Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee AnnVillage head of Kampong Bukit Sawat
Tutong 1data-sort-value="Wahab" Tekpin Ya’akubPenghulu of Mukim Ukong
Tutong 2Abdul Aziz HamdanVillage head of Kampong Sengkarai
TemburongSulaiman NasirVillage head of Kampong Labu Estate and Kampong Piasau-Piasau
data-sort-value="Muara" Brunei-Muara 1Amran MaidinPenghulu of Mukim Lumapas
data-sort-value="Muara" Brunei-Muara 2Lawi LamatVillage head of Kampong Subok
data-sort-value="Muara" Brunei-Muara 3Zainol Mohamed
data-sort-value="Muara" Brunei-Muara 4Mohamad Ali TanjongVillage head of Kampong Lumapas 'B'
data-sort-value="Muara" Brunei-Muara 5Daud JihanVillage head of Kampong Belimbing

Clerk to the LegCo

As of 9 January 2024, the position is held by Dr. Dayang Hajah Huraini binti Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Jaya Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hurairah.[29] She succeeded Pehin Orang kaya Pekerma Jaya Dato Paduka Haji Judin bin Haji Asar, who have held the position since 1 January 1993.[30]

Legislative Council building

Since achieving independence, this is the first time that the nation held the council meeting at the new grand parliament building on 4 March 2008, the construction for which began in March 2005 under the 8th National Development Plan. Three blocks make up the structure. In addition to office space and a conference room, the building has a banquet hall, library, meeting rooms, auditorium, surau, gym, VIP rooms, and canteen. It also has a parade ground in front of the building, parking, a landscaped area, and a three-acre lake. Judin Asar, the council's clerk, claimed that the new structure would help the council carry out its mission to provide better services to the government and country, particularly those pertaining to the privy council, legislative council, and cabinet ministers meetings.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brunei Darussalam . 5 July 2018 . 2 February 2020 . 2 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200202233218/https://data.ipu.org/content/brunei-darussalam%3Fchamber_id%3D13582 . live .
  2. Web site: Ahli-Ahli . 2021-09-08 . 2021-09-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210908192248/http://www.councils.gov.bn/JMM%20Site%20Pages/Ahli-Ahli.aspx . live .
  3. Web site: MAJLIS MESYUARAT NEGARA . DOKUMEN-DOKUMEN PERLEMBAGAAN CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS . 32, 76.
  4. Web site: 2023-01-20 . New Legislative Council appointed » Borneo Bulletin Online . 2023-01-21 . New Legislative Council appointed . en-US.
  5. Brunei Darussalam . United Nations . Human Rights Council . 4 . 27 August 2022.
  6. Web site: Brunei . 2022-08-27 . United States Department of State . en-US.
  7. Hussainmiya . B. A. . September 2000 . "Manufacturing Consensus": The Role of the State Council in Brunei Darussalam . Journal of Southeast Asian Studies . . 31 . 2 . 349 . 2014-09-14.
  8. Web site: Refugees . United Nations High Commissioner for . Refworld Freedom in the World 2008 - Brunei . 2023-03-11 . Refworld . en.
  9. News: 1970-04-15 . Majlis Mashuarat Negeri di-bubarkan . 1 . Pelita Brunei . 2023-09-17.
  10. Web site: BRUNEI'S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN 1966 AND 1984: CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES OVER ITS SECURITY AND SURVIVAL . 2024-04-17 . docplayer.net.
  11. Web site: BRUNEI'S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN 1966 AND 1984: CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES OVER ITS SECURITY AND SURVIVAL . 2024-04-17 . docplayer.net.
  12. News: 1977-12-28 . Ahli2 M.M.N. yang di-susun semula . 1 . Pelita Brunei . 2023-07-17.
  13. Web site: Sultanate - News Negara Brunei Darussalam Sultan officiates LegCo meeting . 2023-03-11 . sultanate.com.
  14. Web site: Sultan opens new Legislative Council building . 2023-03-11 . bn.china-embassy.gov.cn.
  15. Horton . A. V. M. . 2005-01-01 . Negara Brunei Darussalam: obituaries 2005 . Borneo Research Bulletin . English . 36 . 16–29.
  16. News: 1962-10-17 . Pembukaan Rasmi Majlis Meshuarat Negeri Yang Baru . 5 . Pelita Brunei . 2023-07-19.
  17. News: 24 February 1971 . Speaker M.M. Negeri Meninggal Dunia . 1, 4–5 . Pelita Brunei .
  18. Web site: 2021-12-11 . Masyarakat mainkan peranan bantu banteras jenayah rasuah » Media Permata Online . 2023-01-29 . Masyarakat mainkan peranan bantu banteras jenayah rasuah . en-US.
  19. Web site: 2017-03-20 . Majlis Mesyuarat Negara: Acuan Kebruneian » Media Permata Online . 2023-01-29 . Majlis Mesyuarat Negara: Acuan Kebruneian . en-US.
  20. News: 25 September 2004 . DEWAN MAJLIS . 1 . Majlis Mesyuarat .
  21. News: 1 March 2011 . DEWAN MAJLIS . 1 . Majlis Mesyuarat .
  22. News: 1 March 2011 . DEWAN MAJLIS . 1 . Majlis Mesyuarat .
  23. News: Md Zain . Nurliah . 2 March 2016 . MMN wadah permuafakatan . Malay . . . live . 9 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210909060025/http://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Lists/Rencana/NewDisplayForm.aspx?ID=283&ContentTypeId=0x0100AB69AA555002494AB2FB40905279B027 . 9 September 2021.
  24. Web site: 2023-01-20 . New Legislative Council appointed » Borneo Bulletin Online . 2023-01-21 . New Legislative Council appointed . en-US.
  25. He is a member of Cabinet of Brunei. Therefore, he is a member of the Council.
  26. Web site: 2023-01-20 . New Legislative Council appointed » Borneo Bulletin Online . 2023-01-21 . New Legislative Council appointed . en-US.
  27. News: Hj Abu Bakar . Rasidah . Bandial . Ain . 7 June 2022 . HM: New cabinet must carry out duties with "full loyalty and responsibility" . The Scoop . live . 19 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220706085753/https://thescoop.co/2022/06/07/hm-new-cabinet-must-carry-out-duties-with-full-loyalty-and-responsibility/ . 6 July 2022.
  28. Web site: Archived copy . www.agc.gov.bn . https://web.archive.org/web/20210831213423/http://www.agc.gov.bn/AGC%20Images/LOB/cons_doc/dokumen-dokumen_perlembagaan_2008.pdf . 2021-08-31 .
  29. Web site: Clerk of Legislative Council . 2024-08-09 . Jabatan Majlis-Majlis Mesyuarat.
  30. Web site: 2021-06-19 . Clerk of Legislative Council . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20210619143040/https://www.councils.gov.bn/JMM%20Site%20Pages/Clerk%20of%20Legislative%20Council.aspx . 2021-06-19 . 2024-08-09 . Jabatan Majlis-Majlis Mesyuarat.