BY Rokiah Mahmud
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 on Thursday officiated the opening ceremony of the 18th Legislative Council (LegCo) session at the Legislative Council Building at Jalan Dewan Majlis on Thursday.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah were also present.
The opening ceremony marked the start of deliberations on the national budget for the financial year 2022/2023.
Prior to the opening ceremony, the first meeting of the session was convened to verify the minutes of previous LegCo session, from March 15 to 25, 2021.
A sergeant-at-arms carrying the royal mace – a sterling silver-crafted sceptre representing the symbol of authority – led the monarch into the conference hall. His Majesty later delivered a titah.
LegCo Speaker Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib will chair the session this year, assisted by Clerk to the LegCo Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Jaya Dato Paduka Haji Judin bin Haji Asar and Deputy Clerk to the LegCo Rose Aminah binti Haji Ismail.
The LegCo session enters its 18th year this year, since it 2004 reinstatement. There are currently 36 LegCo members comprising ex-officio members, titled persons, individuals who have achieved distinction, and district representatives.
This year’s session will deliberate on and approve issues of importance, including the Supply Bill 2022/2023, which will be done through three stages prior to its approval, and will come into effect April 1, 2022.
The LegCo session will be held in a limited capacity, and the public can follow the daily recorded discussions via Radio Television Brunei (RTB) Perdana and RTB Sukmaindera at 9pm for the morning session, while the afternoon session will be aired at 10.40pm. The daily reports can be accessed at www.majlis-mesyuarat.gov.bn.
-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin