• Today: September 19, 2026

LegCo member calls for end to overlapping government functions

Overlapping responsibilities among government agencies continue to hamper business growth and investment, with Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin expressing hope that the appointment of three Coordinating Ministers will streamline decision-making and improve public service delivery.

Speaking in support of the motion on coordination towards achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035 during the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting on Wednesday, the appointed member described the establishment of the Coordinating Ministers as a timely and strategic initiative to strengthen governance, enhance cross-ministerial coordination and accelerate national development.

He expressed appreciation to His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, for the Cabinet restructuring announced on June 4, saying it reflects a forward-looking approach as Brunei enters a critical phase in achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035.

Citing His Majesty’s titah, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa said ministries must work as one team with shared national objectives rather than operate in isolation.

Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin. PHOTO: INFOFOTO

Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in the livestock industry, he said businesses often face lengthy delays because they must deal with multiple ministries and agencies on matters such as land acquisition, infrastructure, licensing, halal certification, vehicle permits, foreign labour recruitment and the importation of raw materials.

He said overlapping functions and unclear jurisdiction frequently slow decision-making, creating uncertainty for businesses and weakening investor confidence.

Describing the creation of the Coordinating Ministers as “the best news” for industry players, he proposed establishing a dedicated coordination platform to act as a single point of contact for resolving inter-agency issues related to trade, investment and economic development.

The platform, he said, should have the authority to coordinate actions between ministries, monitor the progress of applications, expedite decisions and ensure issues are resolved within a reasonable timeframe.

Such a mechanism would eliminate the need for businesses to approach multiple agencies separately, improve the efficiency of government services, strengthen the business ecosystem and support economic growth, he added.

Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa also said a stronger coordination mechanism would improve transparency, strengthen governance and reduce opportunities for corruption through clearer accountability.

He stressed that peace and security remain the foundation of Brunei’s stability and long-term development, noting that national security today extends beyond defence to include cybercrime, misinformation, extremism, economic threats and geopolitical uncertainty.

He called for a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Nation approach involving the private sector and the public to address these challenges, while reminding citizens to value and safeguard the peace and stability that Brunei enjoys.

Concluding his speech, he expressed confidence that under His Majesty’s leadership, and through stronger coordination between the government, private sector and the people, Brunei would be well placed to realise the aspirations of Wawasan Brunei 2035.

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/Lyna Mohammad

Venues

BSB

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Leave a Comment

Total visitors: 3,720,794 | Today's visitors: 20,408
Updated: 20:31:03