Brunei’s Legislative Council: Reform in Motion or Just Housekeeping?

"Brunei’s Legislative Council convenes to shape the nation’s future, balancing governance improvements with economic resilience, education reforms, and public service efficiency. As ministers defend policies and legislators push for more decisive action, the question remains - are these steps laying the groundwork for progress, or are they a continuation of routine housekeeping?

By Malai Hassan Othman

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, MARCH 2025: The seventh day of Brunei’s Legislative Council proceedings saw ministers defending government policies amid growing calls for more decisive action on governance, economic strategy, and public services.

While ministers highlighted ongoing reviews, performance evaluations, and policy refinements, some legislators pressed for bolder and more immediate solutions to Brunei’s economic and social challenges.

The question looming over the debate: Is the government focused on genuine reform or merely engaged in a housekeeping exercise - fine-tuning existing structures without real forward momentum?

Governance and Public Service: Fixing the System, But To What End?

A major issue was Brunei’s slight decline in the World Bank’s Government Effectiveness Index, prompting questions about the accuracy of national performance assessments.

Concerns were raised during the Legislative Council debate about Brunei’s slight decline in the World Bank’s Government Effectiveness Index.

Lawmakers questioned whether data gaps in national performance assessments had contributed to the ranking and called for a reassessment of the evaluation framework to ensure more accurate performance measurement.

However, legislators pointed to internal reports revealing that over 50% of government agencies received only a one-star rating under the national performance evaluation system.

One legislator asked: “What’s the bigger concern here - our ranking or our actual governance performance?” A question that remained largely unanswered.

Ministers pledged to update outdated key performance indicators (KPIs) across government agencies, but some legislators worried that fixing performance metrics was becoming a substitute for fixing actual performance.

Brunei’s bureaucracy is notorious for its slow-moving reforms, and the focus on "improving assessment methods" rather than tackling the root causes of inefficiency raises concerns about whether the government is engaged in a housekeeping exercise rather than a real push for better governance.

Historical Context: Efforts to streamline government performance have been recurring over the years, with previous administrations launching various review initiatives aimed at improving efficiency.

However, despite these attempts, public complaints about bureaucratic inefficiencies and slow implementation of reforms persist. Legislators continue to question whether the current efforts will yield tangible improvements or remain another internal assessment exercise. Will this latest initiative yield actual improvements, or will it be another exercise in internal self-assessment without concrete results?

Economic Strategy: Revenue Diversification or Business as Usual?

Brunei’s 2025/2026 Supply Bill advanced to the committee stage, but not before tough questions on economic resilience, spending priorities, and the slow progress of diversification efforts.

The Minister of Finance and Economy II, Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah outlined a fiscal consolidation program, promising “enhanced revenue streams” and public-private partnerships (PPPs) as key strategies.

"We are carefully exploring revenue options, ensuring that any measures introduced remain equitable and do not burden the public," he stated.

While the plan aims for long-term financial sustainability, legislators expressed concerns about the continued reliance on oil revenue and the government’s slow response in attracting significant foreign direct investment (FDI).

One member questioned: “What specific industries are we prioritizing for diversification? And what incentives are we offering to foreign investors?”

The minister’s response was measured but lacked specifics, leading some to question whether Brunei is still in the "exploration" phase of economic diversification instead of implementation.

Despite repeated discussions on economic resilience, there was little clarity on new investment drivers or concrete steps to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons. With global markets shifting, Brunei’s slow approach to diversifying its economy could prove costly.

The government allocated BND 552,343,750 to the Prime Minister’s Office and its agencies, with BND 324,296,400 for salaries and BND 228,047,350 for recurring expenditures.

Meanwhile, over BND 500 million per year is spent on electricity, fuel, and rice subsidies, while BND 70 million has been allocated over five years for water infrastructure.

Expert View: Analysts studying Brunei’s investment climate have observed that the country faces challenges in attracting long-term FDI, citing bureaucratic delays and insufficient incentives as key barriers. Past reports from regional economic studies have pointed to regulatory inefficiencies as a deterrent to foreign investors, limiting Brunei’s ability to diversify its economic base.

Education Reform: Are We Preparing Students for the Future?

The Minister of Education, Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh, presented updates on the national curriculum reform, noting that the new framework introduced in November 2023 aims to balance academic excellence with real-world skill development.

"We are ensuring that our students receive a holistic education that equips them for future challenges," the Minister stated.

However, legislators raised concerns about teacher readiness, resource constraints, and whether the curriculum adequately aligns with market needs.

One legislator asked: “Are we preparing students for the workforce, or just revising textbooks?”

Historical Context: The issue of skills mismatch between graduates and job market demands has been a recurring concern in Legislative Council debates, with calls for stronger links between education and industry. Although recent reforms emphasize technical and vocational training (TVET), legislators questioned whether these efforts have translated into meaningful employment opportunities for graduates.

Healthcare and Mental Health Services: Long Overdue Reforms

The long-delayed Kampong Pandan Health Centre has finally received approval to proceed, following repeated calls from legislators and the public.

"We have now completed the necessary evaluations, and the project will move forward," the Minister of Health, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, confirmed.

Mental health was another key issue, with lawmakers urging stronger nationwide initiatives beyond awareness campaigns.

The Minister detailed collaborations between the Ministry of Health and religious authorities, integrating spiritual and psychological approaches to mental health care.

Expert View: A medical professional from RIPAS Hospital noted that while religious-based interventions are helpful, “the lack of psychiatric specialists remains a major gap in Brunei’s healthcare system.”

Agriculture & Food Security: A Lingering Challenge

Concerns were raised about delays in fertiliser subsidy distribution, affecting farmers' ability to maximise crop yields.

The Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, acknowledged supply challenges, particularly in the distribution of fertiliser subsidies, and pledged improvements.

However, legislators pushed for a more structured long-term strategy to prevent recurring shortages and ensure better support for local farmers.

Historical Context: Brunei has aimed for greater self-sufficiency in agriculture since the early 2000s, but subsidy delays and inconsistent policies continue to hinder local farmers’ productivity.

Conclusion: A Government Stuck in Review Mode?

The seventh day of proceedings revealed a government engaged in refining policies rather than introducing forward-thinking reforms.

Ministers largely emphasized ongoing reviews, policy adjustments, and performance evaluations, while legislators pushed for more decisive and results-driven action.

With the 2025/2026 budget now moving to the committee stage, the real test will be whether these discussions lead to meaningful changes or remain an internal exercise in system maintenance.

For Brunei’s policymakers, the challenge ahead is not just managing the present—but actively shaping the future. (MHO/03/2025)