Countdown to Wawasan 2035: Can Brunei Beat the Clock?

The clock is ticking on Brunei’s boldest promise.

With less than a decade left, Wawasan 2035 faces its most critical test yet. In the chamber, ministers and MPs debated everything from falling foreign investment to youth unemployment — and whether the nation can deliver before time runs out.

The next 10 years will decide more than an economic plan. They will decide the future.
 

By Malai Hassan Othman / KopiTalk with MHO/August 2025

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The vibe in Brunei’s Legislative Council on Aug. 4 felt like a ticking clock. With less than ten years left to hit the goals of Wawasan 2035 - the ambitious plan to turn this small, oil-rich country into a diverse, educated, and skilled society - lawmakers weren’t just checking on progress; they were grappling with the reality that time is running out.

It was a mix of reflection and motivation. Ministers and council members took turns speaking, swinging between confidence in the country’s stability and urgent calls to speed things up.

“Without peace and security, our efforts to diversify the economy and make social progress will struggle,” said Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd. Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II. 

His message hit home: Brunei's political calm and security aren’t just nice to have; they’re essential for any real change.

Blueprints and Benchmarks

The government laid out three main “blueprints” - the Manpower Blueprint (2024), the Social Blueprint (2025), and the Economic Blueprint (2021). 

These plans are Brunei’s roadmap for the final stretch, covering everything from future-ready education to sustainable farming.

Officials came ready with stats: Brunei’s 2022 PISA scores shot up across the board, ranking the country among the top three in ASEAN. 

The UN rated Brunei 60th out of 193 in human development this year, and IMF data from April put its GDP per capita at seventh in the world. 

Ministers promised data-driven policies, clear performance indicators, and even an E-Pemedulian Pelanggan feedback portal for citizens to keep tabs on progress.

YB Pehin Dato Seri Haji Awang Halbi highlighted some recent wins: near-universal electrification at 99.99 per cent, with the national grid finally reaching Mukim Sukang in Belait; the launch of AI-driven public service tools; and the Personal Data Protection Order set to kick in on Jan. 1, 2026.

The Skills Gap Dilemma

But those numbers didn’t hide ongoing issues. Economic resilience was a hot topic, with several lawmakers pointing out the gap between what’s taught in schools and what’s needed in the workplace. 

Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof shared a worrying stat: 3,849 Bruneian youth were categorised as NEET - “Not in Education, Employment, or Training” - in 2021. 

As of June 30 this year, 13,710 Bruneians were job hunting, with youth unemployment at 16.8 per cent and over 5,000 degree holders still searching for work.

Reality checks revealed a tougher scene: up to 1,500 students leave school each year without solid literacy or numeracy skills; only about 35 per cent succeed in O-Level exams. 

Meanwhile, 75,000 foreign workers are filling jobs alongside 14,000 unemployed locals and 32,600 under-utilised workers. 

Solutions ranged from a comprehensive education review to vocational training aligned with industry needs, enhancing graduate matching platforms, and turning high-performing trainees into permanent roles to keep talent at home.

Investment Slide and Economic Pivots

If education was one challenge, foreign investment was another. Lawmakers were concerned about a drop in FDI - from US$3 billion in 2022 to US$1 billion in 2023, the lowest in ASEAN.

 
They called for a real one-stop agency to guide investors, eliminate duplicate approvals, and ramp up utilities and connectivity upgrades. 

They argued that having export-grade certification for goods and skills should be the norm.

Others pushed for activating Strategic Development Capital and even using some reserve funds to boost non-oil sectors: green tech, halal industries, Islamic finance, exclusive tourism, and smart agriculture. 

Upgrading industrial sites, creating free economic zones, and making it easier for SMEs to get credit - potentially through an expanded Bank Usahawan - rounded out the suggestions.

A Chorus of Priorities

From the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew bin Abdullah acknowledged the tough global climate but insisted that Brunei’s finances were solid enough to support steady growth. 

Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim cautioned against “changing priorities too often,” saying frequent shifts could stall progress.

For Dayang Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abd. Salam, the urgency felt personal. “We have less than ten years left; the goals need to be real for everyone,” she said, calling for a cultural shift in the civil service. 

A recent public sector review found only two agencies at the top tier last year, while 26 needed improvement. Safiah advocated for outcome-based monitoring, public performance dashboards, and user-friendly e-services.

Social Currents and Warning Signs

Welfare numbers also shocked the room: by April 2024, over 10,000 Bruneians were getting monthly state aid, with about 73 per cent of them being able-bodied. 

There were calls for a “Social Mobility Dashboard” and a revamped SKN 2.0 to shift assistance towards wage subsidies, microloans, and flexible hours - all paths out of dependency.

Some suggested grounding policies in Maqasid al-Shariah and tracking inequality through the Gini coefficient and a global multidimensional poverty index. 

Others highlighted rising social risks: a 14.6 per cent increase in recidivism, with 60 per cent of drug offenders reoffending; nearly double the HIV cases since 2019; cybercrime jumping to over 1,100 cases in 2022; and a 72 per cent rise in out-of-wedlock births among Malay Muslims.

Everyday Lives, Rural Reach

Stepping away from the stats, members like Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin emphasised judging Wawasan by its impact on everyday life - smoother roads, better healthcare, and reliable public services.

Rural representatives, including Haji Daud bin Jihan, stressed that national growth needs to include the countryside, ensuring equal access to infrastructure, education, and digital resources.

Connectivity was key to that promise. Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha committed to improving transport and broadband links, while Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abd. Manaf bin Haji Metussin championed tourism and agriculture as the twin pillars of diversification.

SMEs, Halal Industry, and Local Empowerment

Dayang Chong Chin Yee pushed for more support for SMEs, from targeted incentives to simpler regulations, arguing that small businesses are crucial for job creation. 

Several members echoed that call, demanding faster halal certification and tackling “Ali Chandran” - foreign-front businesses undercutting locals in retail and construction.

 
They suggested bringing Shariah scholars directly into the halal value chain to boost Brunei’s competitive edge.

Awang Lawi bin Haji Lamat added that infrastructure plans should prioritise local contractors to keep economic benefits within the country.

The Narrowing Window

By the end of the session, everyone seemed to agree: Wawasan 2035 is still within reach, but only if the next decade is broken into three-year deliverable blocks, tracked through a national KPI dashboard covering 37 key indicators, with public updates every quarter.

Outside the chamber, the streets of Bandar Seri Begawan buzzed along at their usual slow pace - a reminder that for most Bruneians, national visions are measured not in policy papers but in the roads they drive, the jobs they hold, and the futures they dream up for their kids. 

In that gap between ambition and everyday life, the final chapter of Wawasan 2035 will unfold. (MHO/08/2025)
 
 

RKN12: A Second Look - Behind Budget Lines and the Chains That Still Bind

RKN12: Billions on Paper, But Are We Moving Forward?

Brunei’s BND 9.785 billion plan promises transformation — yet contractors wait, projects stall, and the economy contracts.

Are we breaking barriers, or just polishing the chains that still bind us?

Read the full KopiTalk with MHO report: RKN12: A Second Look — Behind Budget Lines and the Chains That Still Bind

By Malai Hassan Othman | KopiTalk with MHO - August 2025

 

The real strength of a national plan is all about how well it’s executed.

As Brunei’s 12th National Development Plan (RKN12) kicks off its second year, people are feeling hopeful, but some doubts still hang around. 

The issues from RKN11 are still fresh in everyone’s mind. With RKN12 moving forward on a BND 9.785 billion budget - almost half of which will be allocated to carry-over projects - the focus is shifting from planning to how honestly and effectively things are getting done.

From the BND 4 billion set aside for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, BND 1.7 billion is earmarked for RKN12 implementation, while BND 1.2 billion is allocated to clear up the leftovers from RKN11. The rest goes to operational and miscellaneous expenses. These numbers paint one picture; the reality out there tells a different story.

A TITAH MISSED OR MERELY QUOTED?

In two important speeches - the first during the launch of Wawasan 2035 and the second on His Majesty the Sultan’s 79th birthday - the monarch warned against being complacent, incompetent, and hypocritical. 

He pointed out issues like enforcement failures, bureaucratic delays, and the gap between strategy and actual results, asking for transparency and accountability instead of just catchy slogans. 

But in the routine of departmental meetings and ministerial briefings, how many of these calls are taken seriously as real mandates rather than just PR talk?

THE DEBT OF INACTION

We’ve got some ongoing problems in our development efforts, like delayed payments to contractors, inconsistent project oversight, and depending too much on foreign consultants without enough tech transfer. 

Small and medium enterprises - touted as key players in diversification - are struggling with confusing procurement systems, while young entrepreneurs often hit a wall of complex applications, unclear procedures, and radio silence from agencies.

Even worse, there’s a growing gap between investment plans and what’s happening on the ground. 

Budget allocations might look good, but records from the Ministry of Finance and Economy show consistently low spending rates, with millions left unspent each year - not because of fiscal caution, but due to a lack of action.

A DANGEROUS DEPENDENCE, A FRAGILE FUTURE

As pointed out in external analyses like the April 2025 ASEAN Briefing Report, Brunei’s efforts to diversify the economy are still overshadowed by oil. 

Oil and gas make up more than 50% of GDP, and government revenues fell from BND 5.4 billion in 2023 to BND 2.6 billion in 2024. Total reserves are expected to run out by 2048. 

If RKN12 is our lifeboat, it can’t afford to spring any leaks.

Priority sectors like tourism, halal manufacturing, Islamic finance, the digital economy, agriculture, and aquaculture often get mentioned in government documents. 

But too often, these sectors feel more like dreams than reality. 

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is lagging compared to regional competitors, with investors pointing to slow processes, unresponsive licensing, and a shortage of skilled labour as major issues.

Projects in places like Temburong have faced logistical hiccups and payment delays, quietly showing the gaps between vision and reality.

THE REALITY CHECK

Despite the BND 9.785 billion commitment under RKN12, Brunei’s economy shrank by 1.8% in the first quarter of 2025. 

DEPS data shows declines in both the oil and gas sector (-1.5%) and the non-oil economy (-2.0%), with investment dropping by a concerning 13.2%. 

These numbers challenge the optimism around RKN12, suggesting that ambitious plans haven’t yet turned into real progress.

WHAT THE PEOPLE SEE

In Brunei’s kampongs, towns, and business circles, trust in national planning documents is fading. 

This isn’t because people don’t believe in the nation’s goals, but because the average person feels left out of the conversation. 

They hear big speeches but don’t see any startup parks. They read about irrigation plans but pass by unused farmland. 

They hear about innovation but find themselves held back by outdated rules that treat business as a potential threat instead of a partner.

A CRY FOR INTEGRITY IN DELIVERY

RKN12 is a big opportunity - not just to win back public trust but to show that planning can lead to real results. 

It’s a chance to make development truly people-focused - not just in documents but in visible, meaningful outcomes. 

This moment calls for turning national planning from a ritual into reality, and from big ideas into actual progress.

His Majesty’s speeches shouldn’t just be seen as ceremonial soundbites. They’re genuine calls to action that need to be acted upon. 

Ignoring them now risks not only policy stagnation but also quietly dishonouring our national resolve. (MHO/08/2025)

 

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)