# Legislative Council of Brunei

The Legislative Council of Brunei (Malay: Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei; Jawi: مجليس مشوارت نڬارا بروني‎; abbrev: Legco) is a national unicameral legislature of Brunei. The council comprises 36 appointed members, that only has consultative tasks. Under Brunei's 1959 constitution, His Majesty Hassanal Bolkiah is the head of state with full executive authority, including emergency powers since 1962. The Council holds its sitting annually in March at the Legislative Council Building in Bandar Seri Begawan.

## History

The period of the State Council came to an end in September 1959 with the adoption of Brunei's first codified Constitution. The Legislative, Executive, and Privy Councils took the role of the council itself. The Legislative Council was established in 1959 by virtue of Article 23 of Brunei's Constitution of 1959. The 1959 constitution included five advisory bodies, including a Legislative Council, and granted the sultan full executive authority. When the left-wing Brunei People's Party (BPP), which aspired to overthrow the monarchy, gained all 10 of the council's elected seats in 1962, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III invalidated the results.
Following the nation's first election on 30 and 31 August 1962, the Legislative Council's initial meeting was held on 10 October 1962. Part of the constitutional rules governing general elections were suspended in 1962, and members' seats were filled by royal appointment beginning on 28 August 1963. Upon the establishment of the new Legislative Council in September 1962, the party attempted to forward a motion aimed at stopping the formation of Malaysia. The council meeting was rescheduled until 5 December because it was afraid of losing the discussions. The BPP sent a resolution to the government of Brunei to be presented in the next council meeting prior to its convening.
The Brunei People's Independence Party (BAKER) party's Secretary-General II, Zainal Abidin Puteh, presented a motion during the May 1968 Legislative Council Meeting that called for Brunei to become independent and establish a democratic system of governance. He insisted throughout the conference that a poll be conducted by the government to determine the people's desires for independence and constitutional progress. A spokesperson of the BAKER party, Pengiran Mohammad Samli bin Pengiran Lahab, also called for the introduction of a democratic type of governance in Brunei in May 1968.
On 12 April 1970, the 1965-elected council was dissolved after completing their 5-year term. The 1970 elected-council was dissolved on 15 December 1977 with the approval of the Sultan of Brunei, according to the Chapter 55 of the 1959 Constitution. The Sultan has agreed to reform and re-elect several members from the previous council. A new council was officially reconvened on 22 December 1977. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah dissolved the council on the following day. The inaugural meeting of the council took place on 27 December 1983, and it was disbanded on 13 February 1984. Hence, legislative powers were fully vested in the Sultan.
After a 21-year hiatus, the Sultan reconvened on 25 September 2004, with the proposed modification to the 1959 constitution as its first item on the agenda. The Council approved a constitutional proposal that would have increased its size to 45 seats, 15 of which would be elected. The Sultan disestablished the council on 1 September 2005 and, on the following day, reestablished the Council based on the amended version of Brunei's Constitution. Five members of the new Legislative Council, who were indirectly elected to represent village councils, were appointed by the Sultan in September 2005. In 2006 and 2007, plans for a 45-member legislature with 15 seats up for public vote were still on the table, but elections were still not scheduled by year's end. All state authority remains in the hands of the sultan's family and chosen successors, and the Internal Security Act (ISA) keeps the sultan's personal authority largely untouched.
The Legislative Council met in 2006 and 2007 to examine government spending, suggesting that it has adopted budget review as a regular duty in recent years. The plans for elected Council members, Brunei's 2006 membership in the Asian Development Bank, and government initiatives to promote the private sector while combating corruption and radical Islam are all considered preparations for the anticipated depletion of the nation's oil and gas reserves, which currently make up 90% of state revenues. This modest increase in Council activity and increased focus on government spending are all part of these preparations. With the money, the government has long been able to stave off calls for political reform by keeping the majority of the populace in work, lavishing them with benefits, and exempting them from paying income tax.
A member of the Council asked information from the second finance minister of the nation during a meeting in March 2007 regarding government investment organizations like the Workers Trust Fund and the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). The Minister of Home Affairs, a member of the sultan's appointed cabinet, urged for prudent use of the national budget in April in yet another sporadic appeal for accountability. On 6 March 2007, the Sultan gave his permission to be present at the International Convention Centre in Berakas for the opening ceremony of the first sitting of the Legislative Council's third session. Additionally present were Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commerce, and Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. The People's Awareness Party (PAKAR) was completely disbanded, and the president of the Brunei National Solidarity Party (PPKB) was forced to resign. In addition, the government's Registrar of Societies tightened its supervision over political party activity in 2007.
The first meeting of the fourth session of the Legislative Council began on 4 March 2008 at the new building in Jalan Kebangsaan. The Sultan officiated the grand opening by signing a plaque shortly after receiving the Royal Salute and inspecting the guard of honour by the personnel of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF).

## Roles

Since 1959, the council has played significant roles towards Brunei; not only to consider and approve budgets and revenue estimates, but also to advise the Sultan on the drive of the Government, to review policies implemented by the Government and to pass bills and motions brought by the Government and other members of the council.

## Legislative procedure

The Council follows the practice of other Commonwealth parliaments. All bills presented in the Council go through three readings. All bills, however, must obtain prior approval from the Cabinet prior to their presentation in the council. Once a bill is passed, a bill must obtain Royal Assent in order to turn such bill to an Act.

## Speaker of the Legislative Council

The Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei (Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara) is a pivotal figure in the governance process, responsible for managing the proceedings and voting within the council, ensuring transparency in legislative decisions. Appointed by the Head of State, the Speaker ranks fourth in the state hierarchy and does not assume the role of interim Head of State during transitions. This position is vital for maintaining democratic principles and accountability within Brunei's legislative framework.

## Membership

The Council comprises the Sultan, the Crown Prince, cabinet ministers and three types of members: members with titles, members representing districts, and members among outstanding Bruneians. All members, other than the Sultan, are appointed by the Sultan in accordance with Article 24 of Brunei Constitution. The rest of the deputies outside of the cabinet, which are deputies ex-officio of the LegCo, are appointed for five year terms.

### Ex-officio members

Since 24 October 2023 (a reorganisation of the Cabinet which had served since 30 January 2018), the Council consists of the following ex-officio deputies:
| Ministry | Minister |
| Prime Minister's Office | HM Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (Prime Minister) HRH Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah (Senior Minister) Hon. Isa Ibrahim (Minister and His Majesty's Special Advisor) Hon. Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Halbi Mohammad Yussof (Minister) |
| Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications | Hon. Pengiran Shamhary |
| Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports | Hon. Nazmi Mohamad |
| Ministry of Defence | HM Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Ministry of Development | Hon. Juanda Abdul Rashid |
| Ministry of Education | Hon. Romaizah Mohd Salleh |
| Ministry of Finance and Economy | HM Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Hon. Dr. Amin Liew Abdullah (Second Minister) |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs | HM Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Hon. Erywan Yusof (Second Minister) |
| Ministry of Health | Hon. Dr. Isham Jaafar |
| Ministry of Home Affairs | Hon. Ahmaddin Abdul Rahman |
| Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism | Hon. Abdul Manaf Metussin |
| Ministry of Religious Affairs | Hon. Badaruddin Othman |

### Titled persons

| Title | Name | Portfolio |
| Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji | Abdul Rahman Ibrahim | Minister of Finance II (2015–2018) Minister at the Prime Minister's Office (2005–2018) |
| Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji | Adanan Yusof | Minister of Health (2010–2015) Minister of Home Affairs (2005–2010) Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (2002–2005) |
| Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji | Suyoi Osman | Minister of Education (2015–2018) Minister of Development (2010–2015) Minister of Health (2005–2010) Ambassador of Brunei to France (1991–1996) |

### Persons who have achieved distinction

Pursuant to Second Schedule of Article 24 (1) (a) (iii), these seats are given to persons who have achieved distinction in their own professional field or for good contribution to communities across Brunei.
| Title | Name | Portfolio |
| Hajah | Safiah Abdul Salam | Islamic Studies Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs |
| Mr | Lau How Teck | Director of Hua Ho Department Store (since 2018) Vice President of the Brunei-China Belt and Road Promotion Association Council (2022–2024) Member of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce's Honorary Advisory Group (2024–2026) |
| Ms | Chong Chin Yee | CEO and co-founder of Memori, UnikLearn and Mirath Board member of the ASEAN Young Women Entrepreneurs Club Vice President of the Young Entrepreneur Association of Brunei |
| Dr. Haji | Mahali Momin | Director of Schools' Inspectorate at the Ministry of Education |
| Haji | Salleh Bostaman | Managing Director of Brunei LNG (2008–2012) |
| Hajah | Rosmawatty Abdul Mumin | Permanent Secretary (Upstream) in the Energy Division, Prime Minister's Office |
| Pengiran Haji | Isa Aliuddin | President of the Brunei Association of Agricultural Farmers Managing Director of Maya Breeder Farm |

### District representatives

These deputies of the districts are appointed by the Sultan among those village heads and penghulu of townships (mukim), which since the 2010s are elected directly by the people of their areas.
| Districts | Name | Portfolio |
| Belait 1 | Salleh Othman | Penghulu of Mukim Bukit Sawat |
| Belait 2 | Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann | Village head of Kampong Bukit Sawat |
| Tutong 1 | Tekpin Ya’akub | Penghulu of Mukim Ukong |
| Tutong 2 | Abdul Aziz Hamdan | Village head of Kampong Sengkarai |
| Temburong | Sulaiman Nasir | Village head of Kampong Labu Estate and Kampong Piasau-Piasau |
| Brunei-Muara 1 | Amran Maidin | Penghulu of Mukim Lumapas |
| Brunei-Muara 2 | Lawi Lamat | Village head of Kampong Subok |
| Brunei-Muara 3 | Zainol Mohamed | Village head of Kampong Putat |
| Brunei-Muara 4 | Mohamad Ali Tanjong | Village head of Kampong Lumapas 'B' |
| Brunei-Muara 5 | Daud Jihan | Village head of Kampong Belimbing |

### Clerk to the Legislative Council

As of 9 January 2024, the position is held by Dr. Dayang Hajah Huraini binti Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Jaya Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hurairah. She succeeded Pehin Orang kaya Pekerma Jaya Dato Paduka Haji Judin bin Haji Asar, who have held the position since 1 January 1993.

## Dewan Majlis building

The new Dewan Majlis building, approved by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, was constructed with a budget of B$62,199,466.53 and covers an area of approximately 26 acres (11 ha), including a 3-acre lake. Located along Jalan Kebangsaan, it is 15 minutes from the city centre. The building features a unique design inspired by classical Greek and Roman architecture, symbolising order, strength, and stability, while incorporating local Malay and Islamic cultural elements. It consists of three blocks: the main block houses the Legislative Chamber and Banquet Hall, the right wing holds the Speaker's office, library, VIP lounge, and gym, and the left wing includes administrative offices, a parade ground, a staff canteen, and a mosque. Notable design elements include symbolic columns, such as five and nine columns at the porte-cochère representing the 1959 Constitution declaration, and eight and four columns leading to the chamber symbolising Brunei's full independence in 1984. The building's dome, surrounded by 29 windows and columns, represents the 29th Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah.
Since achieving independence, the first time that the nation held the council meeting at the new Dewan Majlis building was on 4 March 2008, the construction for which began in March 2005 under the 8th National Development Plan. Judin Asar, the council's clerk, claimed that the new structure would help the council carry out its mission to provide better services to the government and country, particularly those pertaining to the privy council, legislative council, and cabinet ministers meetings.