The suggestion for a special zone to serve alcohol to support the tourism industry in Brunei came under intense criticism and disapproval from the Cabinet Ministers at the Legislative Council meeting.
YB Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Md Zain bin Haji Serudin, Minister of Religious Affairs, yesterday said, " because the tourists know, when they want to consume alcohol, they can do it more freely in their own countries. Not only can they drink it, they can even take a bath in it too".
"Today they want this zone, later they may want clubs, then what else? Prostitution zone? Then casino zone," the minister asked.
"All these elements will bring bad name to the country," he added.
There was also a call to review the policy on bringing in alcoholic drinks to Brunei, proposed by a representative the previous day, as a measure to curb empty beer cans discarded at beaches, roadsides and recreational areas.
The proposal to create an "alcohol zone" during this year's LegCo session surprised many public members.
The Minister of Religious Affairs offered a justification for his disapproval and displeasure on the suggestions.
Economically speaking, according to YB Pehin, such an allocation or allowance will jeopardise the country's prestige in the global Halal market and be counterproductive to the Halal branding of the country. Religiously speaking, it is a transgression against the religion and a sin not only to those who serve but also everyone in the country for allowing it to happen.
While disapproving the proposal, YB Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Md Zain acknowledged the contribution of tourism industry towards the economic development that is clearly seen from the economic data of neighbouring countries.
However, he downplayed the need to establish such a special zone stating that the nation's tourism industry does not rely on alcoholic drinks.
"The tourism policy in this country had been clearly explained by the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, that is to limit the importation of alcoholic beverages into the country is in line with the principal of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB)," YB Pehin said.
"The policy is also in line with the aspiration of the nation to become 'Zikir', the minister said.
"What we are most afraid of is the wrath of Allah," the minister added. "The wrath of Allah will not only come for the doer but others as well," he stated.
"This is why we need to fight to maintain Brunei as a peaceful country called The Abode of Peace," he concluded.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Fined for taking another man's cash at ATM machine
An Indonesian was slapped with a $1,500 fine after he pleaded guilty to misappropriating someone else's money that was left at an ATM machine. If he fails to pay the fine, he will be imprisoned for two months.
The Bandar Magistrate's Court heard that 29-year-old Syamsul Hamongan Nasution was in a queue at a bank's Cash Deposit Machine (CDM) in Pekan Muara, as he waited for his turn to use the machine to pay his credit card bills on the night of December 29, 2009. In front of the defendant was another customer (the complainant) who was depositing money into the machine to pay his car loan.
After waiting for some time for the receipt to be issued by the CDM, the complainant left the place thinking that the money had been deposited even though the receipt had not been printed out.
When it was Syamsul's turn to use the CDM, he inserted his credit card into the machine. After he pressed the 'OK' button, the money that had earlier been inserted by the previous customer came out.
Syamsul took the money, estimated to be more than $400, from the machine and went outside to look for the complainant. But he was nowhere to be found.
The court was told that Syamsul decided to keep the money in his wallet.
On January 7, 2010, the bank called up the complainant saying that he had missed his car loan repayment for a month. The next day, he was informed by the bank that the money that he thought had been deposited in December had been ejected by the CDM.
The complainant reported the matter to police who retrieved CCTV images from the bank and discovered that the money had been taken by Syamsul.
After being arrested on March 18, 2010, Syamsul immediately admitted that he had used the money to buy a ticket to Jakarta. He paid $431 to the complainant yesterday.
The Bandar Magistrate's Court heard that 29-year-old Syamsul Hamongan Nasution was in a queue at a bank's Cash Deposit Machine (CDM) in Pekan Muara, as he waited for his turn to use the machine to pay his credit card bills on the night of December 29, 2009. In front of the defendant was another customer (the complainant) who was depositing money into the machine to pay his car loan.
After waiting for some time for the receipt to be issued by the CDM, the complainant left the place thinking that the money had been deposited even though the receipt had not been printed out.
When it was Syamsul's turn to use the CDM, he inserted his credit card into the machine. After he pressed the 'OK' button, the money that had earlier been inserted by the previous customer came out.
Syamsul took the money, estimated to be more than $400, from the machine and went outside to look for the complainant. But he was nowhere to be found.
The court was told that Syamsul decided to keep the money in his wallet.
On January 7, 2010, the bank called up the complainant saying that he had missed his car loan repayment for a month. The next day, he was informed by the bank that the money that he thought had been deposited in December had been ejected by the CDM.
The complainant reported the matter to police who retrieved CCTV images from the bank and discovered that the money had been taken by Syamsul.
After being arrested on March 18, 2010, Syamsul immediately admitted that he had used the money to buy a ticket to Jakarta. He paid $431 to the complainant yesterday.
H1N1 a warning from Allah, State Mufti tells religious scholars
H1N1 is one of the many warnings from Allah so that mankind strengthen their faith and stay away from wrongdoings.
This was stated by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Aziz bin Juned in his keynote paper entitled "Influenza A (H1N1): Warning from Allah". His text of speech was read by the Deputy State Mufti, Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awg Hj Suhaili bin Awg Hj Mohiddin.
The matter was highlighted yesterday at a national seminar for religious scholars and experts on influenza A (H1N1).
H1N1 indicated, among other things, that the pig is a filthy animal which is 'haram' and a source of many diseases as stated in the Quran, he said.
The pig harbours many viruses and parasites that could not be destroyed even after the meat is cooked. The virus or parasite, if transmitted to humans, can cause many dangerous diseases like influenza A, Japanese B Encephalitis, Stomatitis, Mycorditis, Brucellosis and Leptospirosis, he said.
The State Mufti said that it is unfortunate that some pork products have penetrated the Islamic world without the knowledge of Muslims.
Pig-based ingredients are found in medicine, shoes, brushes, foods and equipments, he said. It is also used in cooking oils, soap and cosmetics.
Meanwhile, Dato Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Metussin bin Hj Baki, Syariah High Court Judge, highlighted the wisdom of forbidding pigs. He said in the Quran, the word pig is mentioned in four surahs, namely, al-baqarah (verses 173), al-maidah (verses 3), al-an'am (verses 145) and surah al-nahl (verses 115).
From the four surahs, Islamic scholars summarised that the pig is haram, forbidding pork not just for food but also for medical purposes. However, the prohibition is changing and it can become permissible such as in an emergency.
On pig organs and tissues, Imam Al-Qurtibi agreed with scholars who said that all parts of the pig's body are filthy except for its fur. However, many scholars, including Mazhab Syafie, forbid the use of pig fur.
This was stated by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Aziz bin Juned in his keynote paper entitled "Influenza A (H1N1): Warning from Allah". His text of speech was read by the Deputy State Mufti, Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awg Hj Suhaili bin Awg Hj Mohiddin.
The matter was highlighted yesterday at a national seminar for religious scholars and experts on influenza A (H1N1).
H1N1 indicated, among other things, that the pig is a filthy animal which is 'haram' and a source of many diseases as stated in the Quran, he said.
The pig harbours many viruses and parasites that could not be destroyed even after the meat is cooked. The virus or parasite, if transmitted to humans, can cause many dangerous diseases like influenza A, Japanese B Encephalitis, Stomatitis, Mycorditis, Brucellosis and Leptospirosis, he said.
The State Mufti said that it is unfortunate that some pork products have penetrated the Islamic world without the knowledge of Muslims.
Pig-based ingredients are found in medicine, shoes, brushes, foods and equipments, he said. It is also used in cooking oils, soap and cosmetics.
Meanwhile, Dato Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Metussin bin Hj Baki, Syariah High Court Judge, highlighted the wisdom of forbidding pigs. He said in the Quran, the word pig is mentioned in four surahs, namely, al-baqarah (verses 173), al-maidah (verses 3), al-an'am (verses 145) and surah al-nahl (verses 115).
From the four surahs, Islamic scholars summarised that the pig is haram, forbidding pork not just for food but also for medical purposes. However, the prohibition is changing and it can become permissible such as in an emergency.
On pig organs and tissues, Imam Al-Qurtibi agreed with scholars who said that all parts of the pig's body are filthy except for its fur. However, many scholars, including Mazhab Syafie, forbid the use of pig fur.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Suspens melihat rawatan
Sekitar jam 8.00 malam, setiap malam Jumaat dan malam Isnin, rumah Haji Abu Kasim Ismail atau lebih mesra dengan panggilan Ustaz Abu Kasim sudah didatangi tetamu.
Ada yang datang berseorangan, berdua, bertiga dan ada yang datang secara berkumpulan.
Semasa penulis berada di situ, kelihatan sebuah kereta diletakkan di halaman rumah Ustaz Abu Kasim. Di dalam kereta itu, seorang wanita sedang menjerit-jerit sambil meronta. Tetapi butir pertuturannya tidak dapat difahami. Wanita itu terpaksa dikawal oleh dua lelaki muda yang mempunyai talian persaudaraan dengannya.
Di ruang tamu pula, kelihatan dua anak gadis sedang duduk sambil diawasi oleh ahli keluarganya. Gadis itu kelihatan resah. Matanya meliar dan sesekali cuba meronta, sesekali ketawa mengilai.
Beberapa pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim yang berada di ruang tamu kelihatan turut membantu menenangkan gadis itu.
Tetamu yang lainnya nampak tenang dan ada yang berbual-bual sesama sendiri sementara menanti kedatangan Ustaz Abu Kasim.
Seperti kebiasaannya, tepat jam 8.30 malam, pintu dapur rumah itu terbuka dan muncul Ustaz Abu Kasim dengan berpakaian jubah berwarna biru lembut, bersongkok putih sambil tersenyum dan memberi salam kepada semua tetamu yang begitu sabar menantinya.
Sudah menjadi kelaziman, setiap kali Ustaz Abu Kasim muncul beliau akan disambut oleh beberapa ahli Darusysyfa' Warrafahah sambil bersalaman dan berpelukan tanda ikatan ukhwah sesama sahabat seperjuangan. Merekalah yang menjadi pembantu kepada Ustaz Abu Kasim dalam menunaikan fardu Kifayah, menolong tetamu-tetamu yang datang untuk mendapat rawatan mengikut kaedah perubatan Islam.
Tatkala itu, suasana di ruang tamu rumah Ustaz Abu Kasim kelihatan kembali tenang sementara tetamu-tetamu yang datang untuk mendapatkan rawatan diminta duduk dalam bentuk barisan seperti saf sembahyang. Pada malam itu, penulis menganggarkan jumlah tetamu yang datang untuk mendapatkan rawatan ialah sekitar 40 hingga 50 orang.
Mujurlah, ruang tamu rumah Ustaz Abu Kasim yang bersambung dengan ruang makan keluarganya itu agak luas dan dapat menampung kehadiran tetamu yang agak ramai.
Lebih kurang 10 minit kemudian, Ustaz Abu Kasim mula membaca surah al-Fatihah diikuti dengan ayat Kursi dan bacaan zikir-zikir dengan nada seperti lazimnya Imam membaca ayat-ayat Lazim ketika bersembahyang. Beliau membacanya sambil berjalan melalui celah saf tetamu yang duduk itu.
Suasana mulanya agak hening.
Hanya suara Ustaz Abu Kasim sahaja kedengaran.
Di luar rumah, sesekali kedengaran bunyi kicauan burung dan juga cengkerik. Tidak berapa lama kemudian, seorang pesakit tiba-tiba menjadi tidak sedar sambil menjerit seolah-olah kesakitan. Ada pula seorang lagi kelihatan bertukar watak menjadi pendiam, dengan matanya merenung tajam ke arah depan.
Namun Ustaz Abu Kasim terus membaca zikir-zikirnya tanpa henti, sementara pembantu-pembantu beliau pergi mendapatkan pesakit yang menjadi histeria untuk memberi bantuan sambil membaca doa-doa tertentu.
Perhatian penulis ketika itu, tertumpu pada seorang pesakit yang sedang histeria kerana penulis begitu teruja untuk mengetahui apa yang berlaku seterusnya, seperti menonton filem seram yang penuh suspens pula.
Pesakit itu, seorang wanita. Terdengar dia berkata; "Jangan kacau aku.. pergi.. pergi."
Seorang pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim cuba menenangkan wanita itu, sambil membaca ayat-ayat tertentu petikan dari surah al-Quran.
Kala itulah wanita itu menjadi semakin agresif manakala penulis mendengar pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim berkata kepada wanita itu; "Kau keluar sekarang... kalau tidak, siap kamu."
Pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim seolah-olah berdialog dengan wanita itu, yang kelihatan seperti dirasuk.
Beberapa ketika kemudian, selepas 'bertengkar' dengan wanita yang dirasuk itu.. penulis nampak, wanita itu memegang lehernya seolah-olah menahan sesuatu daripada keluar dari mulutnya.
Kemudian dia seperti mahu muntah dan dengan segera pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim menghulurkan bungkusan plastik untuk menadahnya. Selepas 'muntah' pesakit wanita itu, kelihatan sedar semula dan dalam keadaan letih serta beransur-ansur pulih seperti sedia kala.
Pada pengamatan penulis, daripada kalangan pesakit itu, tidak kurang daripada 10 orang 'bertukar watak' seperti kerasukan semasa Ustaz Abu Kasim membaca zikir-zikirnya. Mereka yang 'kerasukan' itu akan ditenangkan oleh para pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim yang sememangnya sentiasa bersedia untuk menangani keadaan seperti itu.
Mana-mana pesakit yang begitu teruk 'kerasukannya' maka Ustaz Abu Kasim sendiri yang datang menenangkannya. Yang lain diserahkan kepada pembantu-pembantunya sahaja.
Pada mereka (pembantu-pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim), ia adalah suasana biasa sahaja. Seorang pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim, memberitahu penulis, pernah terjadi apabila seorang pesakit tiba-tiba bertukar menjadi amat agresif setelah dirasuk syaitan.
"Sampai lima enam orang kami terpaksa memegangnya," kata seorang pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim.
Sesudah Ustaz Abu Kasim selesai membaca zikir-zikir perawatan, beliau akan mula memberi rawatan kepada pesakit-pesakit, seorang demi seorang hinggalah semuanya dirawat. Memandangkan, begitu ramai pesakit yang datang, rawatan biasanya berakhir hingga ke tengah malam.
Menurut Ustaz Abu Kasim, bilangan tetamu yang datang mendapatkan rawatan ada kalanya lebih ramai lagi sehingga 70 orang dan beliau tetap membantu mereka memberi rawatan hingga ke pukul 2 pagi.
Penulis sempat bertanya kepada Ustaz Abu Kasim; "Tak letih ke ustaz?"
"Letih tu memang letih la.. Tapi apa nak buat. Saya hanya membantu orang ramai yang mempunyai masalah... ini adalah kerana Allah," jawab Ustaz Abu Kasim sambil tersenyum.
Ada yang datang berseorangan, berdua, bertiga dan ada yang datang secara berkumpulan.
Semasa penulis berada di situ, kelihatan sebuah kereta diletakkan di halaman rumah Ustaz Abu Kasim. Di dalam kereta itu, seorang wanita sedang menjerit-jerit sambil meronta. Tetapi butir pertuturannya tidak dapat difahami. Wanita itu terpaksa dikawal oleh dua lelaki muda yang mempunyai talian persaudaraan dengannya.
Di ruang tamu pula, kelihatan dua anak gadis sedang duduk sambil diawasi oleh ahli keluarganya. Gadis itu kelihatan resah. Matanya meliar dan sesekali cuba meronta, sesekali ketawa mengilai.
Beberapa pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim yang berada di ruang tamu kelihatan turut membantu menenangkan gadis itu.
Tetamu yang lainnya nampak tenang dan ada yang berbual-bual sesama sendiri sementara menanti kedatangan Ustaz Abu Kasim.
Seperti kebiasaannya, tepat jam 8.30 malam, pintu dapur rumah itu terbuka dan muncul Ustaz Abu Kasim dengan berpakaian jubah berwarna biru lembut, bersongkok putih sambil tersenyum dan memberi salam kepada semua tetamu yang begitu sabar menantinya.
Sudah menjadi kelaziman, setiap kali Ustaz Abu Kasim muncul beliau akan disambut oleh beberapa ahli Darusysyfa' Warrafahah sambil bersalaman dan berpelukan tanda ikatan ukhwah sesama sahabat seperjuangan. Merekalah yang menjadi pembantu kepada Ustaz Abu Kasim dalam menunaikan fardu Kifayah, menolong tetamu-tetamu yang datang untuk mendapat rawatan mengikut kaedah perubatan Islam.
Tatkala itu, suasana di ruang tamu rumah Ustaz Abu Kasim kelihatan kembali tenang sementara tetamu-tetamu yang datang untuk mendapatkan rawatan diminta duduk dalam bentuk barisan seperti saf sembahyang. Pada malam itu, penulis menganggarkan jumlah tetamu yang datang untuk mendapatkan rawatan ialah sekitar 40 hingga 50 orang.
Mujurlah, ruang tamu rumah Ustaz Abu Kasim yang bersambung dengan ruang makan keluarganya itu agak luas dan dapat menampung kehadiran tetamu yang agak ramai.
Lebih kurang 10 minit kemudian, Ustaz Abu Kasim mula membaca surah al-Fatihah diikuti dengan ayat Kursi dan bacaan zikir-zikir dengan nada seperti lazimnya Imam membaca ayat-ayat Lazim ketika bersembahyang. Beliau membacanya sambil berjalan melalui celah saf tetamu yang duduk itu.
Suasana mulanya agak hening.
Hanya suara Ustaz Abu Kasim sahaja kedengaran.
Di luar rumah, sesekali kedengaran bunyi kicauan burung dan juga cengkerik. Tidak berapa lama kemudian, seorang pesakit tiba-tiba menjadi tidak sedar sambil menjerit seolah-olah kesakitan. Ada pula seorang lagi kelihatan bertukar watak menjadi pendiam, dengan matanya merenung tajam ke arah depan.
Namun Ustaz Abu Kasim terus membaca zikir-zikirnya tanpa henti, sementara pembantu-pembantu beliau pergi mendapatkan pesakit yang menjadi histeria untuk memberi bantuan sambil membaca doa-doa tertentu.
Perhatian penulis ketika itu, tertumpu pada seorang pesakit yang sedang histeria kerana penulis begitu teruja untuk mengetahui apa yang berlaku seterusnya, seperti menonton filem seram yang penuh suspens pula.
Pesakit itu, seorang wanita. Terdengar dia berkata; "Jangan kacau aku.. pergi.. pergi."
Seorang pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim cuba menenangkan wanita itu, sambil membaca ayat-ayat tertentu petikan dari surah al-Quran.
Kala itulah wanita itu menjadi semakin agresif manakala penulis mendengar pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim berkata kepada wanita itu; "Kau keluar sekarang... kalau tidak, siap kamu."
Pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim seolah-olah berdialog dengan wanita itu, yang kelihatan seperti dirasuk.
Beberapa ketika kemudian, selepas 'bertengkar' dengan wanita yang dirasuk itu.. penulis nampak, wanita itu memegang lehernya seolah-olah menahan sesuatu daripada keluar dari mulutnya.
Kemudian dia seperti mahu muntah dan dengan segera pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim menghulurkan bungkusan plastik untuk menadahnya. Selepas 'muntah' pesakit wanita itu, kelihatan sedar semula dan dalam keadaan letih serta beransur-ansur pulih seperti sedia kala.
Pada pengamatan penulis, daripada kalangan pesakit itu, tidak kurang daripada 10 orang 'bertukar watak' seperti kerasukan semasa Ustaz Abu Kasim membaca zikir-zikirnya. Mereka yang 'kerasukan' itu akan ditenangkan oleh para pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim yang sememangnya sentiasa bersedia untuk menangani keadaan seperti itu.
Mana-mana pesakit yang begitu teruk 'kerasukannya' maka Ustaz Abu Kasim sendiri yang datang menenangkannya. Yang lain diserahkan kepada pembantu-pembantunya sahaja.
Pada mereka (pembantu-pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim), ia adalah suasana biasa sahaja. Seorang pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim, memberitahu penulis, pernah terjadi apabila seorang pesakit tiba-tiba bertukar menjadi amat agresif setelah dirasuk syaitan.
"Sampai lima enam orang kami terpaksa memegangnya," kata seorang pembantu Ustaz Abu Kasim.
Sesudah Ustaz Abu Kasim selesai membaca zikir-zikir perawatan, beliau akan mula memberi rawatan kepada pesakit-pesakit, seorang demi seorang hinggalah semuanya dirawat. Memandangkan, begitu ramai pesakit yang datang, rawatan biasanya berakhir hingga ke tengah malam.
Menurut Ustaz Abu Kasim, bilangan tetamu yang datang mendapatkan rawatan ada kalanya lebih ramai lagi sehingga 70 orang dan beliau tetap membantu mereka memberi rawatan hingga ke pukul 2 pagi.
Penulis sempat bertanya kepada Ustaz Abu Kasim; "Tak letih ke ustaz?"
"Letih tu memang letih la.. Tapi apa nak buat. Saya hanya membantu orang ramai yang mempunyai masalah... ini adalah kerana Allah," jawab Ustaz Abu Kasim sambil tersenyum.
Friday, March 19, 2010
$4.9B for ministries under Supply Act
A total sum of $4,985,785,600 has been authorised and allocated, out of the government's Consolidated Fund, for the service of the financial year of 2010/2011, revealed the Second Minister of Finance during the morning session of the third day of deliberations for the sixth Legislative Council Meeting yesterday.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abd Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim highlighted that a new act known as the Supply Act has been enacted by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam that would commence on April 1, 2010. There are two funds that the government draws allocations from - the Consolidated Fund, which covers operating costs, and the Development Fund, which funds the National Development Plans. According to the second finance minister, the government's fiscal budget for the year 2010/2011 will have a deficit of some $1.02 billion, which was due to the unstable world prices of oil, the increasing level of maturity of the country's oil wells that have affected the production and the increase of higher operating and maintenance costs.
The country's economic growth is predicted to increase by more than two per cent assuming that petroleum demand and oil prices will increase, projects under the development plan undergo rapid implementation and the Brunei Methanol Company begins operations.
YB Pehin Dato Hj Abd Rahman listed out the recipients of the $4.9 billion funds.
Defence and public security topped the list by receiving 18.55 per cent, or $1,049,054,830, which included provisions to overcome infections and natural disasters. Out of this figure, $5 million each would be further allocated to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance respectively to cover operating costs in overcoming natural disasters and infections.
The area of social harmony and poverty eradication will receive 5.79 per cent or $327,313,000. Out of this figure, $3 million would be allocated to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to continue their poverty research works; $9 million as allocation of aid donation; and $23.4 million for the Supplementary Contributory Pension Scheme.
In addition, $656.3 million has been allocated for the development of public facilities, such as electricity supply, housing, roads, recreational and sports areas.
As a way to improve the capacity building of the country's human resource, $1,108.1 million has also been allocated for the planning and implementation of human resource development, which includes education and religious issues.
A further $1,050 million has also been earmarked to improve the economic activities of the Sultanate. Of this figure, $245.1 million will be channelled to the industry and commercial sector; $105.7 million to the transport and communications sector and $42.9 million to the ICT sector.
A sum of $356,320,520 has been allocated to departments under the Prime Minister's Office.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abd Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim highlighted that a new act known as the Supply Act has been enacted by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam that would commence on April 1, 2010. There are two funds that the government draws allocations from - the Consolidated Fund, which covers operating costs, and the Development Fund, which funds the National Development Plans. According to the second finance minister, the government's fiscal budget for the year 2010/2011 will have a deficit of some $1.02 billion, which was due to the unstable world prices of oil, the increasing level of maturity of the country's oil wells that have affected the production and the increase of higher operating and maintenance costs.
The country's economic growth is predicted to increase by more than two per cent assuming that petroleum demand and oil prices will increase, projects under the development plan undergo rapid implementation and the Brunei Methanol Company begins operations.
YB Pehin Dato Hj Abd Rahman listed out the recipients of the $4.9 billion funds.
Defence and public security topped the list by receiving 18.55 per cent, or $1,049,054,830, which included provisions to overcome infections and natural disasters. Out of this figure, $5 million each would be further allocated to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance respectively to cover operating costs in overcoming natural disasters and infections.
The area of social harmony and poverty eradication will receive 5.79 per cent or $327,313,000. Out of this figure, $3 million would be allocated to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to continue their poverty research works; $9 million as allocation of aid donation; and $23.4 million for the Supplementary Contributory Pension Scheme.
In addition, $656.3 million has been allocated for the development of public facilities, such as electricity supply, housing, roads, recreational and sports areas.
As a way to improve the capacity building of the country's human resource, $1,108.1 million has also been allocated for the planning and implementation of human resource development, which includes education and religious issues.
A further $1,050 million has also been earmarked to improve the economic activities of the Sultanate. Of this figure, $245.1 million will be channelled to the industry and commercial sector; $105.7 million to the transport and communications sector and $42.9 million to the ICT sector.
A sum of $356,320,520 has been allocated to departments under the Prime Minister's Office.
2010 budget
The following is the allocation of budget for government ministries and departments:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade:
Ministry of Defence:
Ministry of Home Affairs:
Ministry of Finance:
Royal Customs and Excise Department:
Treasury Department:
Licensing Services:
State Store and IT Department:
His Majesty's Sultan's Flight Services:
State Printer's Department:
Attorney General's Chambers:
State Judiciary Department:
Department of Electrical Services:
National e-Government Centre:
$173,679,410
$511,983,000
$19,036,500
$343,773,106
$14,159,000
$10,714,000
$406,196,780
$3,842,500
$117,414,321
$10,477,400
$10,929,200
$8,438,200
$117,264,300
$23,238,600
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade:
Ministry of Defence:
Ministry of Home Affairs:
Ministry of Finance:
Royal Customs and Excise Department:
Treasury Department:
Licensing Services:
State Store and IT Department:
His Majesty's Sultan's Flight Services:
State Printer's Department:
Attorney General's Chambers:
State Judiciary Department:
Department of Electrical Services:
National e-Government Centre:
$173,679,410
$511,983,000
$19,036,500
$343,773,106
$14,159,000
$10,714,000
$406,196,780
$3,842,500
$117,414,321
$10,477,400
$10,929,200
$8,438,200
$117,264,300
$23,238,600
Visa and status problems of Permanent Residents
Minister of Home Affairs, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Adanan, said in the application for re-entry permit, re-entry visa and citizenship, there are immigration and national registration laws that need to be abided by, for instance on charges for re-entry permit and re-entry visa.
He was responding to YB Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin's queries at the Legislative Council meeting.
The minister said the ministry will look into any differences in charges for stateless PRs and PRs who have foreign citizenship.
The minister said that Permanent Residents could apply for citizenship as long as they fulfill the requirements.
The minister added in 2009, there were 210 PRs who became citizens which included both applicants born in Brunei and overseas.
Exemption was also given to illiterate and aged residents in the Malay language assessment. A total of 117 were given such exemption and granted citizenship. From 1962 to 2009, 7,505 Permanent Residents had passed the oral and written tests to obtain their citizenship.
Earlier, YB Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin raised the issue of re-entry visa and re-entry permit charges for Permanent Residents.
He said in Brunei, there are two types of Permanent Residents: locally-born PRs and foreigners who hold PR status with a foreign passport.
He asked why locally-born PRs have to pay $50 annually for a re-entry permit and $10 annually for a re-entry visa but foreign PRs pay a lower fee annually for a re-entry visa.
He also asked why locally-born PRs have an endorsement in the Certificate of Identity as stated in their travel document.
YB Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin said the laws governing this rule are outdated and need to be revised.
He urged the authorities to improve the image of the local-born PRs and re-phrase the 'Certificate of Identity Brunei Darussalam' as 'Certificate of Identity Brunei Darussalam Protected Person' which would upgrade the status of local-born PRs.
He also highlighted the "loss" of locally-born PRs to other countries who have given them citizenship. Many doctors, pilots and professionals who are local PRs have left the country as they are unable to obtain citizenship in Brunei.
Meanwhile, YB Dato Paduka Hj Idris asked about the upgrading works at Labu checkpoint in Temburong.
The Minister of Home Affairs said it was initially built as a temporary checkpoint. "But we will review its upgrading works."
On the Puni-Ujong Jalan checkpoint in Temburong as raised by YB Dato Paduka Hj Puasa, the minister said a contractor, Ocean Quarry and Construction, has been selected and will finish the work in 18 months, which is in July 2011.
He was responding to YB Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin's queries at the Legislative Council meeting.
The minister said the ministry will look into any differences in charges for stateless PRs and PRs who have foreign citizenship.
The minister said that Permanent Residents could apply for citizenship as long as they fulfill the requirements.
The minister added in 2009, there were 210 PRs who became citizens which included both applicants born in Brunei and overseas.
Exemption was also given to illiterate and aged residents in the Malay language assessment. A total of 117 were given such exemption and granted citizenship. From 1962 to 2009, 7,505 Permanent Residents had passed the oral and written tests to obtain their citizenship.
Earlier, YB Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin raised the issue of re-entry visa and re-entry permit charges for Permanent Residents.
He said in Brunei, there are two types of Permanent Residents: locally-born PRs and foreigners who hold PR status with a foreign passport.
He asked why locally-born PRs have to pay $50 annually for a re-entry permit and $10 annually for a re-entry visa but foreign PRs pay a lower fee annually for a re-entry visa.
He also asked why locally-born PRs have an endorsement in the Certificate of Identity as stated in their travel document.
YB Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin said the laws governing this rule are outdated and need to be revised.
He urged the authorities to improve the image of the local-born PRs and re-phrase the 'Certificate of Identity Brunei Darussalam' as 'Certificate of Identity Brunei Darussalam Protected Person' which would upgrade the status of local-born PRs.
He also highlighted the "loss" of locally-born PRs to other countries who have given them citizenship. Many doctors, pilots and professionals who are local PRs have left the country as they are unable to obtain citizenship in Brunei.
Meanwhile, YB Dato Paduka Hj Idris asked about the upgrading works at Labu checkpoint in Temburong.
The Minister of Home Affairs said it was initially built as a temporary checkpoint. "But we will review its upgrading works."
On the Puni-Ujong Jalan checkpoint in Temburong as raised by YB Dato Paduka Hj Puasa, the minister said a contractor, Ocean Quarry and Construction, has been selected and will finish the work in 18 months, which is in July 2011.
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