Darussalam Assets Clarifies: Petition a Formality, No Impact on Operations

“Case closed, lessons learned. Darussalam Assets clarifies the billion-dollar adjustment as Brunei’s SOEs move forward with renewed focus on growth and governance.”

By Malai Hassan Othman | KopiTalk with MHO

The billion-dollar question that sparked online debates and public curiosity in Brunei has finally been answered. According to the Borneo Bulletin, Darussalam Assets confirmed the share adjustment was purely administrative.

The report explained that Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd, wholly owned by the Government, described the High Court petition as a procedural requirement to confirm a special resolution on share capital adjustment.

Under company law, such steps are considered routine corporate processes that require court filing. The Bulletin reported that the adjustment had no impact on daily operations, financial position, or liabilities.

The company was further reported to have stressed that the adjustment was purely administrative in nature. It urged the public to rely only on official communications for verified information.

The Bulletin noted that Darussalam Assets reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, integrity and professionalism, while underlining its contribution to Wawasan 2035, economic diversification, job creation and strengthening long-term national resilience.

For many, the sight of a billion-dollar figure in court notices was enough to raise eyebrows. The natural question followed: how can billions simply disappear from books?

Earlier KopiTalk articles examined these concerns, discussing possibilities ranging from unpaid share capital to uncollected debts and legacy overvaluations. Critics dismissed such reporting as unnecessary, yet public response clearly showed an appetite for greater clarity.

This episode highlights a plain truth. Governance is not merely about technical compliance; it is about public trust. Silence fuels rumours, but explanation restores confidence in institutions and processes.

Even if this adjustment was administrative, the sheer scale of the figure meant the public deserved an explanation. Darussalam Assets, according to the Bulletin, has now provided that explanation in official terms.

With the clarification reported, the issue can be considered closed. Still, lessons remain: timely communication prevents unnecessary speculation, while transparency and accountability are central pillars of stronger institutions and public trust.

As Brunei advances Wawasan 2035 and continues to explore the long-discussed idea of a national stock exchange, financial credibility and clarity will be indispensable to sustaining investor confidence.

The debate was never about stirring unrest. It was about understanding what was already visible in the public domain. People do not demand perfection, but they do expect clarity.

Darussalam Assets has now provided its answer. The conversation moves forward with renewed focus on sound governance, diversified growth, and the stability that transparency secures in nation-building. (MHO/10/2025)

Editor’s Note: KopiTalk has not seen the original press statement. This account relies on the coverage published in the Borneo Bulletin on 2 October 2025.