Legislative Council of Brunei Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei مجليس مشوارت نڬارا بروني | |
---|---|
Type | |
Type | |
Leadership | |
Speaker | Abdul Rahman Mohamed Taib[1] since 11 February 2015 |
Structure | |
Seats | 37[2] |
Length of term | 5 years |
Meeting place | |
Legislative Council Building, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei | |
Website | |
Legislative Council of Brunei |
The Legislative Council of Brunei (Malay: Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (مجليس مشوارت نڬارا بروني)) or the "Legco" is a national unicameral legislature of Brunei. The Council holds its sitting annually in March at Legislative Council Building in Bandar Seri Begawan.
The council was established in 1959 by virtue of Article 23 of Brunei's Constitution of 1959. Its first sitting was held at Lapau on 21 October 1959. In 1984, the Council managed to hold 32 meetings; the last one being the 21st Meeting held on 12 February 1984. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah dissolved the council on the following day. Hence, legislative powers were fully vested in the Sultan.
Brunei had no legislature until 25 September 2004, when the Sultan decided to reinstate the Council using the old system. Brunei, once again, had a legislature. 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.
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.
Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara | Term in Office |
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Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar | 1960-1961 |
Ali bin Mohammad Daud | 1961-1962 |
Abu Bakar bin Mohammad Salleh | 1962-1971 |
Mohammad Alam Abdul Rahman | 1971-1974 |
Abu Bakar bin Omar | 1974-1981 |
Kemaluddin al-Haj | 1981–1984, 2004-2011 |
Isa Ibrahim[3] | 2011-2015 |
Abdul Rahman Mohamed Taib[4] | 2015–present |
The Council comprises the Sultan, the Crown Prince,[5] 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 subsequent list as below are returning members of LegCo appointed by Sultan on 12 January 2017 as announced in Pelita Brunei,[6][7] except members of cabinet who are appointed in January 2018.
Since 30 January 2018 (reshuffle after 3 years since October 2015), the Council consists of the following:[8]
Ministry | Minister |
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Prime Minister's Office |
|
Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications |
|
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports |
|
Ministry of Defence |
|
Ministry of Development |
|
Ministry of Education |
|
Ministry of Energy |
|
Ministry of Finance and Economy |
|
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
|
Ministry of Health |
|
Ministry of Home Affairs |
|
Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism |
|
Ministry of Religious Affairs |
|
Title | Appointed Members | Notes |
---|---|---|
Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang |
Abdul Hamid bin Bakal | Religious Manteri below Manteri 8[9] |
Pehin Orang Kaya Putera Maharaja Dato Paduka Awang Haji bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Dewa Dato Paduka Awang Haji |
Abdul Ghani bin Abdul Rahim | Manteri 32[10] |
Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Dewa Dato Paduka Awang Haji |
Hasrin bin Sabtu | Manteri 32[11] |
Pursuant to Second Schedule of Article 24 (1) (a) (iii),[12] these seats given for persons who have achieved distinction on their own professional field or good contribution for communities across Brunei
Returning member | Notes |
---|---|
Hafimi binti Abdul Haadii | |
Abdul Hamid "Haji Sabli" bin Arshad | |
Iswandy bin Ahmad | |
Khairunnisa binti Ash'ari | |
Ong Tiong Oh | |
Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Abdul Rahman | |
Umarali bin Esung |
Districts | Returning member | Notes |
---|---|---|
Belait 1 | Abdul Hamid bin Mumin | Previously worked as penghulu of Mukim Liang |
Belait 2 | Hanapi bin Mohd Siput | Previously worked as village head of Kampung Labi I |
Tutong 1 | Abdul Wahab bin Apong | Previously worked as penghulu of Mukim Tanjong Maya |
Tutong 2 | Ramli bin Lahit | Previously worked as penghulu of Mukim Telisai |
Temburong | Emran bin Sabtu | Previously worked as penghulu of Mukim Bokok |
Brunei-Muara 1 | Ali bin Maon | Previously worked as penghulu of Mukim Berakas 'B' |
Brunei-Muara 2 | Mohammed bin Osman/Othman | Previously worked as village head of Pekan Muara and Kampong Sabun before appointed as MP |
Brunei-Muara 3 | Naim bin Kamis | Previously worked as penghulu of Mukim Kota Batu |
Brunei-Muara 4 | Tahamit bin Nudin | Previously worked as penghulu of Mukim Gadong 'A' |
Brunei-Muara 5 | Mohimin bin Johari | Previously worked as village head of Kampong Limau Manis |
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.