When the Mimbar Speaks of the Future

“Bersedia” - For What, Exactly?

The youth are told to be ready. But ready for what?
This isn’t just another sermon. It’s a challenge to all of us.
From AI to underemployment, this KopiTalk with MHO column breaks down what the mimbar said—and what society must do next.

Read the full piece and join the conversation.

By Malai Hassan Othman | KopiTalk with MHO

On the first Friday of August 2025, a message echoed from the pulpits of mosques across Brunei - but it wasn’t solely about the hereafter. Instead, it was a call for the future.

Titled “Belia: Harapan Negara”, the national Friday sermon urged Bruneian youth to embrace ilmu, sahsiah, jati diri, and economic contribution. 

Yet, the khutbah did more than uplift. 

It stirred. In an era defined by automation, AI disruption, climate uncertainty, and a shifting economic landscape, the call from the mosque felt louder, deeper - almost as if the mimbar was stepping into a vacuum that policymakers had left unfilled.

It raises a profound question: What does it mean when the religious pulpit, long seen as a space for spiritual reminders, becomes the loudest voice calling Brunei’s youth to readiness and relevance in a rapidly changing world?

A Sermon Amid Restlessness

• Dana Perlindungan Pendapatan Rakyat via Baitul Mal to support vulnerable households during economic shocks.

• Reform of basic cost-of-living structures, including targeted subsidies and national food/housing cooperatives.

• Youth and Elderly Economic Transformation Plans to create middle-skill, medium-term jobs in health, food security, digital, and green sectors.

• Early warning systems for economic downturns with automatic policy triggers.

• Platforms for safe civic expression, including regular town halls and legal protection for public feedback.

Across coffee shops and online forums, the sermon sparked conversation. Not because of its eloquence - Brunei has no shortage of eloquent preachers - but because of its timing. 

Many young people in the country today are caught in a paradox: well-educated, digitally literate, and globally aware, yet underemployed, underpaid, or simply uninspired.

Even more unsettling is the reality faced by their parents and grandparents. As one commentary puts it:

“Ramai yang sepatutnya bersara masih perlu bekerja kerana tiada simpanan mencukupi, manakala anak muda pula menganggur, menunggu giliran yang tak kunjung tiba.”

Unemployment and hidden joblessness continue to plague the youth. Meanwhile, inflation, a rising cost of living, and an ageing population strain the social fabric. 

People are afraid to speak out, fearful of losing their jobs or social support. Posters that call youth the "Hope of the Nation" seem disconnected from a lived reality that feels increasingly hopeless.

One recent graduate shared anonymously:

“Kami disuruh bersedia, tetapi untuk apa dan ke mana? Setiap kali mohon kerja, nda dapat. Mahu mula bisnes, nada modal. Lama-lama semangat pun hilang.”
 

Belia Bukan Rizab Pasif

The sermon’s call for youth readiness aligns with an urgent national imperative. 

As highlighted in a detailed analysis released earlier this month, Brunei’s strategic dependence on oil and gas (over 90% of exports and around 60% of GDP) leaves it acutely vulnerable to global price shocks and resource depletion.

"Wawasan Brunei 2035" envisions a dynamic and sustainable economy - but getting there requires human capital, not hydrocarbons. It requires youth.

Programs such as DARe, iCentre, and the National Digital Economy Masterplan 2025 have laid the groundwork. 

PKBN has instilled patriotism and discipline. Volunteer efforts during COVID-19 showed what Brunei's young are capable of. But these successes remain fragmented and under-leveraged.

Brunei’s youth must not be treated as passive reserves. They are not waiting to be used; they are demanding to be empowered. 

In today’s context, "bersedia" (readiness) doesn’t just mean being physically or spiritually prepared. 

It means being strategically, economically, and intellectually ready.

When Faith Speaks to Policy

What made this khutbah unique is not just its moral message, but its timing. 

With AI threatening traditional jobs, digital disruption changing industry landscapes, and youth increasingly restless, the religious sector has stepped into a national conversation many ministries have avoided or only paid lip service to.

Yet, sermons alone are not enough.

If the call to readiness is serious, it must be met with structural reform. Among the strategic proposals recommended by civic voices:

Without such actions, the mimbar risks being reduced to a noble voice crying in the wilderness.

Between the Pulpit and the Policy Desk

This convergence of faith and future could be transformative if taken seriously. 

The mosque cannot replace the ministry, but it can provoke the conscience of one. 

When the mimbar speaks of the future, it is not encroaching on policy - it is reminding policymakers of their promises.

In the end, a nation is not built by slogans or sermons alone. It is built when every segment of society - from the pulpit to the parliament, from the youth to the elders - marches in one direction.

As Imam Al-Ghazali once reminded us, 

"Jika kamu ingin melihat masa depan sesebuah bangsa, maka lihatlah keadaan belia hari ini." 

The mimbar has now pointed us to that mirror. What we choose to see - and do - from here will determine not just our economy, but our very identity.

And perhaps, in the weeks to come, Brunei's ministries, industry leaders, educators, and lawmakers should not just quote the sermon - they must sit with the youth, listen with humility, and act with urgency. (MHO/08/2026)

KopiTalk with MHO is a column that reflects the voice of the rakyat and offers grounded insights into Brunei’s path forward.
 

"Data Spike or Trust Dip? What Brunei’s Internet Anomaly Might Reveal"

📱 KopiTalk with MHO

📝 By Malai Hassan Othman | 24 July 2025

 

When a single voice speaks up, we often dismiss it as a fluke. But when that voice resonates across homes, neighbourhoods, and WhatsApp groups - we are no longer dealing with coincidence. We are witnessing a pattern. And patterns deserve attention.

On July 23, a letter published in the Borneo Bulletin Opinion Page interrupted the quiet complacency of Brunei’s digital landscape. 

A user, writing under the pseudonym Blue Dolphin, shared a troubling experience: unexplained spikes in home broadband data usage beginning June 24. 

Their family changed passwords, disconnected devices, and tried everything - to no avail. 

The data consumption surged abnormally until, curiously, it stopped only after a formal complaint was filed.

Even more concerning? The telco’s response was not an investigation, not an apology, but a suggestion: "Why not re-contract for two more years - with a larger data quota?"

And just like that, a technical anomaly transformed into a business opportunity. But at whose expense?

A Familiar Frustration in an Unfamiliar Form

For many Bruneians, this is not news. It is déjà vu. Social media threads and family group chats are filled with similar experiences:

"I barely use my mobile data, but it disappears in days."
"Every month before billing, the usage spikes."
"They just tell you to buy more quota."

The patterns are disturbingly consistent - yet the response is consistently dismissive.

At the centre of this digital riddle stands AITI - Brunei’s telecom regulator. Intended to be the bridge between providers and consumers, many now view it as a shield - not for customers, but for the telcos.

 

The Global Context: Not Just a Brunei Problem

Across Southeast Asia, telcos have faced scrutiny for similar practices:

• In Malaysia, Celcom and Unifi encountered backlash over billing glitches and phantom data spikes. Investigations revealed backend errors and pressures to upsell packages.
  
  
• In Singapore, public pressure led regulators to mandate real-time usage tracking and third-party audits. Consumers there can access logs showing which device used which data, and when.
  
  
• In Indonesia, Telkomsel and XL Axiata were found to have auto-renewed hidden data packages, draining customer credit without consent. They were fined and compelled to offer opt-outs.

The catalyst in each case? Public outcry, documentation, and regulatory intervention.

 

What Might Be Happening in Brunei?

Based on regional parallels and public responses, four possibilities emerge:

1. Metering Glitch or Software Bug
   Backend updates or caching errors may misreport data consumption. Complaints followed by sudden normalisation suggest silent resets.
   
   
2. Silent Overcounting or Misattribution
   Data might be double-counted or misattributed among users on shared infrastructure.
3. Upsell Tactics Linked to Usage Spikes
   Some telcos globally have connected usage spikes to end-of-contract cycles, encouraging customers to upgrade.
   
   
4. Infrastructure Bottlenecks or Misconfigurations
   Shared fibre nodes or routing errors may route others' usage through a single account.

These are not mere speculations — they are documented elsewhere. The question is whether Brunei has the mechanisms to detect or disclose them.

Real Voices, Real Impact

Since Blue Dolphin’s letter, more Bruneians have come forward:

“My 1300GB plan was used up before the month’s end. I purchased a 60GB boost at 11 pm; it was gone by 7 am. That’s never happened before.”

“We’re a small family. We stream videos as usual. But lately, our broadband slows down four times a day. No explanation.”

“My bill shows recurring 0.03-cent call charges, day and night. I reported it; they fixed it temporarily. But it kept reappearing.”

“I requested usage logs to check my data. They told me, 'It’s not in the system.' How can we verify anything then?”

Others have resorted to downloading Wireshark, a technical tool for packet-level monitoring, to track their usage. 

When ordinary users are forced to act like network engineers, trust is already broken.

One user remarked:

“It’s $10 for 5GB here. In Malaysia, that gets you 20GB. Why are we paying more and getting less?”

 

The Real Issue Isn’t Just Data - It’s Trust

When usage spikes are unexplained and transparency is lacking, the public is left to speculate. When complaints yield contracts instead of clarification, it raises suspicion. And when regulators remain silent, that silence becomes deafening.

What Needs to Happen Now

This moment calls for a shift in policy, accountability, and respect for the user.

We need:

• Transparent usage logs per device and period
• Independent audits of billing and metering systems
• Clearer communication when anomalies arise
• Regulatory encouragement for consumer reporting platforms

Brunei can look to models like Singapore’s IMDA, where usage disputes are documented, investigated, and resolved through an accountable framework.

Final Sips from the Cup

Brunei aspires to be a smart nation, a digital leader, and a trusted global tech hub. 

But none of that will matter if citizens feel they can’t trust the meter that tracks their household connection.

Unexplained data spikes may appear to be a technical issue. But when they occur en masse and no one provides answers, they become a crisis of governance.

Before we ask people to spend more, let’s offer them more clarity.

Before we advocate for re-contracts, let’s show them the logs.

Because what Bruneians truly want isn’t just more data.

They want the truth. (MHO/07/2025)

Owning Land, Leasing Trust: New Land Rules Stir Hope, Doubt, and Debate

Brunei’s bold new land policy promises ownership rights for stateless residents and lease options for foreigners.

But behind the legal wording lies a storm of questions: Who truly qualifies? And is “ownership” simply another word for renting with regulations?

🔍 In this special investigative piece, KopiTalk with MHO explores public sentiment, policy gaps, and real-life cases that challenge the promise - and the limits of reform.

👉 Read more and decide: Is this a step towards fairness, or a lease on uncertainty?

By Malai Hassan Othman 

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei’s landmark Land Code (Amendment) Order 2025 (LCAO 2025), set to take effect on August 1, has been hailed by the government as a bold step toward inclusive property reform.

For the first time, stateless permanent residents (PRs) will be allowed to own a single lot of freehold land for residential use, while foreigners may hold land through lease arrangements of up to 60 years. 

However, public reaction to the reform reveals a far more complex landscape - one of hope, uncertainty, and unease.

The Ministry of Development, under royal command, announced the amendments in mid-July, framing the reform as a clarification of ownership rights and a step toward improved land governance. 

Yet online discussions and social commentary have since become battlegrounds of interpretation. 

For some, the reform marks overdue recognition; for others, it feels like a mischaracterised move that risks deeper misunderstanding. 

"If you don’t consider leasing to be owning, then your title is wrong," commented one user on a popular social thread. 

"Foreigners can only lease, not own. A lease can and will expire."

Indeed, the reform’s use of the term “ownership” is now under scrutiny. 

While Section 3D of LCAO 2025 allows stateless PRs to acquire one lot of freehold land, foreigners (classified as Orang Bukan Rakyat Brunei or OBRB) are restricted to leasehold arrangements. 

Section 3A clarifies that these leaseholds - capped at 30 to 60 years depending on intended use - require formal approval and are not guaranteed in perpetuity. 

"The word 'own' here is emotionally charged," said a retired government legal officer familiar with the previous Land Code. 

"But in legal practice, perpetuity is different from leasehold. The distinction matters."

Still, for many within Brunei’s long-marginalised stateless community, the amendment offers a glimmer of long-awaited hope. 

“Alhamdulillah, the government has woken up. Brunei for Bruneians,” wrote one user. 

Others, however, highlighted persistent financial hurdles. “I can't even afford groceries these days. How am I going to buy land?” asked another commenter. 

Some questioned whether the policy genuinely benefits the stateless or regularises existing land arrangements made under Power of Attorney or Trust Deeds - now required by Section 3B to be declared and converted into leasehold within 12 months.

Sections 3E and 3F sparked even more debate. These provisions require former Bruneian citizens or PRs to sell their freehold land within 10 years of losing their status, or risk automatic conversion to leasehold. 

Section 32A goes further by banning Bruneian citizens from acting as nominees for non-citizens or stateless PRs - rendering such trusts null and void. 

Some supported this as a long-overdue crackdown on proxy ownership and legal grey areas. Others viewed it as yet another instance of Brunei’s policy overcorrection. 

“The government is still under the delusion that investors would come flocking because of this,” wrote one commenter, noting that developers remain hesitant due to perceived legal uncertainty and inconsistent implementation.

Conversations among Yellow IC holders - many of whom were born and raised in Brunei - exposed lingering confusion over the eligibility criteria for kekal land. 

The undefined status of 'Rakyat Jati' often leads to inconsistent land decisions across districts. 

“My IC has ‘AK’ - but I was told I still can’t buy kekal land reserved for Rakyat Jati,” wrote a user. 

This ambiguity has reignited debate over who qualifies as a 'true' indigenous Bruneian, and how that affects access to property.

While some Bruneians believe that the "AK" on their identity card denotes Anak Kandung - a label informally associated with indigenous or Malay lineage - in many cases, "AK" is simply part of the naming convention used by Iban and other Dayak communities, meaning "Anak" (son or daughter of). 

The Land Department, however, does not consider the use of “AK” in one’s name as legal proof of Rakyat Jati status, which further compounds confusion around eligibility for kekal land. 

This illustrates the policy’s lack of transparent criteria, where identity, ethnicity, and access to land often collide.

From a broader policy standpoint, the reform has brought renewed scrutiny of Wawasan 2035 and the role of land reform in national progress. 

Critics argue that structural inefficiencies - outdated systems, weak enforcement, and high legal costs - still hamper equitable access and efficient development. 

"Fix tanah.gov.bn first before you talk about reforms," said a commenter, referencing the persistent issues with Brunei’s digital land registry. 

Concerns about exploitative land practices also surfaced. 

In one recurring tactic, a BND250,000 plot may be lost over a BND20,000 debt due to sale and purchase agreements or trust deeds that heavily favour the lender, leaving landowners with little recourse due to legal cost barriers.

There are also troubling cases involving Temporary Occupation Licenses (TOLs). 

In one case, land initially awarded under a TOL for commercial use was shifted under a company name, without the full awareness of all stakeholders. 

A foreign permanent resident, by their corporate position, then leased the land to a third party without consulting the Bruneian awardee. 

When discovered, the local stakeholder sought legal redress, only to face litigation threats. 

Authorities ultimately revoked the TOL, not because of any wrongdoing by the awardee, but due to procedural breaches committed by one of the partners and the ‘illegal’occupant.

Legal experts reviewing the case described it as a textbook fiduciary breach and warned that such abuses - if unchecked - could be legitimised under vague corporate arrangements.

To its credit, the government has acknowledged the reform’s complexity. 

Officials cited consultations with the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Brunei Law Society before finalising the amendment. 

Yet public confidence hinges on broader engagement - particularly with those affected by legacy disputes and inconsistent enforcement. 

In sum, the Land Code (Amendment) Order 2025 seeks to chart a new course on a well-worn path. 

It grants hope to the stateless, redefines ownership lines, and reasserts national interests. 

But whether it opens doors to meaningful home ownership or merely extends a lease on uncertainty remains to be seen. 

While the reform aims to modernise Brunei’s land policy, it must remain anchored in the spirit of the nation's constitutional foundation - upholding the philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB). 

The preservation of Bruneian land for Bruneians is not just a legal matter, but a legacy issue tied to national identity, sovereignty, and collective memory. 

Ensuring clear criteria, robust enforcement, and transparency is key not only to safeguarding land rights, but also public trust.

As one seasoned observer aptly put it:

“In Brunei, laws are often written to perfection. It’s in the execution, the follow-up, and the heart behind the law where real trust is either earned - or eroded.” (MHO/07/2025)

 

 

 

His Majesty Leads with Vision - Are We Aligned?

“Titah 79 isn’t just a birthday speech. It’s a call to action. A King leads - will the nation follow?” From land reform to digital ethics, fair wages to youth empowerment - His Majesty has spoken. The question now: Are we listening?

By Malai Hassan Othman

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 16 JULY 2025: The titah of His Majesty the Sultan on his 79th birthday was no ordinary royal message. It was a quiet yet firm reminder that leadership is being exercised with vision, responsibility, and rahmah. 

Yet one cannot help but feel - His Majesty is waiting for the rest of us to move. As always, the speech opened with gratitude and humility - our cultural hallmark of harmony and decorum. 

But for those who listen closely, this titah was more than ceremonial - it was a mirror held up to the nation.

Wawasan Brunei 2035 is now said to be semakin rancak - a diplomatic nudge that we are still in motion.

“Rancak” isn’t “berjaya sepenuhnya.” It's movement - but not arrival. 

And the rakyat can feel that. The blueprints - human capital, Social, and economic - are acknowledged. 

But His Majesty knows: ideas are not enough. We’ve had taskforces, studies, and consultants - but the rakyat still queue, still wait, still wonder. 

So when His Majesty praises the initiatives, it's also a subtle push: Walk the talk, now, not later.

Policies must evolve with the times, adapting to shifting social landscapes and genuine public needs. 

Hence, the overdue Land Code amendment will take effect this August. 

For the stateless, long waiting on the sidelines - it’s a flicker of recognition. And a restoration of dignity. 

It's not just the law. It's keadilan and ihsan. It's His Majesty saying: No Bruneian, regardless of status, should be left behind.

Then came the digital agenda. AI, cybersecurity, and a Data Protection Order - timely and necessary. 

Yet again, His Majesty shows leadership with balance. Innovate, yes - but don’t lose our ethics. 

The law comes first, then the rush to digitise - a gentle but clear warning to the over-eager tech elite. 

To tech players and policymakers - this is a reminder: protect the people, not just the systems.

The labour policy announcement speaks volumes. 

Minimum wage laws now apply to seven white-collar industries: banking and finance, ICT, security, tourism and hospitality, professional engineering, medical and dental, and private higher education. 

Banks, ICT, medicine, and even universities, where pay inequality often hides behind degrees and reputations. 

It reflects the spirit of His Majesty’s message: fair wages are not just the right of factory workers, but of all workers, regardless of sector or status.

In youth development, sixteen new SkillPlus courses aim to future-proof a generation. 

But more than an opportunity - it’s a wake-up call: Anak bangsa ku, bangkitlah. Jangan lalai, jangan tunggu lama-lama. 

His Majesty doesn’t scold, but he doesn’t flatter either. 

He quietly calls out: rise, learn, lead. 

To agencies and GLCs, the message is unmistakable: you are appreciated, but now it's time to prove your worth. Civil servants are thanked. Similarly, our security forces and those serving abroad are also affected. 

However, gratitude must translate into urgency, empathy, and tangible results. 

The private sector is acknowledged. But it must now be felt, especially in employment, fair wages, and innovation.

To the people, the ruler has led with wisdom and endurance. But he cannot walk alone. 

There’s a quiet ache in the titah - a desire for shared burden, for national maturity. 

Because His Majesty may be patient. But time isn’t. And the rakyat is watching. 

The titah ends with a prayer. Not just for peace, but for keberkatan. 

For unity with purpose. And a heartfelt thanks to all who made the celebration possible - from national to district committees, whose quiet service supports the spirit of our monarchy.

So the real question isn’t whether the King will lead - he already has.

The real question is - apakah kita sudah bersungguh-sungguh menjunjung titah membangun bangsa?(MHO/07/2025)