Bandar seri begawan: After convening for 11 days, the First Meeting of the 22nd Session of the Legislative Council concluded its proceedings on March 28, 2026, and was adjourned to an undetermined date. The Council approved a resolution in accordance with Article 83(3) of the Constitution of Brunei Darussalam 1959, along with the Speaker of the Legislative Council's Speech. The session commenced with Questions for Oral Answers raised by the Appointed Members, focusing on marriage application procedures and rice production enhancement.
According to Radio Television Brunei, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohammad Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Defence, elaborated on the regulations surrounding marriage applications. He noted that citizens or permanent residents intending to marry, either domestically or abroad, must secure necessary approvals to ensure alignment of records and information across relevant agencies.
In addressing the construction of the Persons with Disabilities Centre building, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports highlighted that several international visits and studies had been conducted. These efforts, as stated by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Nazmi bin Haji Awang Mohamad, aim to incorporate best practices from other countries into the centre's inclusive design and management, thereby empowering the community it serves.
The session also covered the appointment guidelines for the Board of Directors of Government-Linked Companies (GLC). The Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, revealed that a dedicated committee is responsible for determining board membership. Regular assessments of the board's performance are conducted to ensure GLCs operate with professionalism and transparency.
Regarding rice production, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism discussed strategies to achieve self-sufficiency. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin announced plans to establish a Hybrid Rice Research Centre. This initiative aims to advance research on rice varieties compatible with local soil and climate conditions. Furthermore, the minister emphasized the importance of private sector collaboration to boost investment in the technologies for local paddy production, processing, and marketing.