BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei’s monarch introduced a significant cupboard reshuffle on Thursday, creating new key portfolios and appointing two of his youthful sons to their first ministerial positions.
The shake-up, which marks the primary main cupboard overhaul since 2022, sees the best variety of feminine appointments within the nation’s historical past, inserting ladies in key management roles together with training minister and throughout three deputy minister portfolios.
The sultan additionally introduced the appointment of three coordinating ministers, new roles aimed toward strengthening coverage coordination throughout authorities as Brunei enters a essential part in implementing its nationwide blueprint, Wawasan 2035.
Amongst different key modifications is the restructuring of the Ministry of Major Assets and Tourism into the Ministry of Financial system, Commerce and Business — a transfer aimed toward “accelerating the event of precedence sectors,” His Majesty stated.
Most cupboard ministers have retained their positions to make sure “continuity and stability,” the notable exception being the long-serving spiritual affairs minister, who shall be retiring.
Royal household steps into key portfolios
In a televised broadcast, His Majesty stated he would proceed to carry the important thing roles of Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Minister of Finance.
The Crown Prince, HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, 52, retained his place as Senior Minister on the Prime Minister’s Workplace (PMO) and Deputy Chairman of the Wawasan 2035 Supreme Council.
The sultan’s second eldest son, HRH Prince Abdul Malik, 42, has been appointed Minister on the Prime Minister’s Workplace, marking his first cupboard function. He additionally serves as Chairman of the Board of Administrators for the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Basis.
His second youngest, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, 34, was appointed Minister of International Affairs, a job beforehand held by the sultan himself. The prince will proceed his navy profession whereas taking part in an energetic function within the Wawasan Brunei 2035 Supreme Council, the monarch stated.
To spearhead coverage coordination, His Majesty named the three new coordinating ministers:
Pehin Dato Hj Halbi Hj Mohd Yussof will function Coordinating Minister for Nationwide Safety, whereas retaining his portfolios as Second Minister of Defence and Minister on the Prime Minister’s Workplace.
Dato Dr Hj Abd Manaf Hj Metussin will function Coordinating Minister for Financial Coverage, and has been appointed Minister of Financial system, Commerce and Business within the newly-restructured ministry.
Dato Hj Ahmaddin Hj Abd Rahman has been appointed Coordinating Minister for Social Coverage and Manpower, whereas retaining his function as Minister of House Affairs.
Returning cupboard members convey continuity
Dato Dr Hj Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah will keep on as Second Minister of Finance — a place he has held since 2018 — and shall be chargeable for main home and worldwide funding portfolios, in addition to overseeing the efficiency of government-linked firms.
Profession diplomat Dato Hj Erywan PD Hj Mohd Yusof will proceed to function Second Minister of International Affairs, a job he has held since 2018.
Different ministers retaining their portfolios are: Minister of Well being Dato Dr Hj Md Isham Jaafar; Minister of Growth Dato Hj Mohd Juanda Hj Abd Rashid; and Minister of Training Datin Dr Hjh Romaizah Hj Mohd Salleh.
In the meantime, a number of portfolios noticed promotions and shifts:
Pg Dato Hj Mohd Tassim Pg Hj Hassan has been promoted to Minister of Non secular Affairs, changing the outgoing Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin PDP Hj Awg Othman, who’s retiring after serving in numerous cupboard roles since 2005.
Dato Mohd Riza DP Hj Mohd Yunos has been promoted from deputy minister at PMO to Minister of Transport and Infocommunications. He replaces Pg Dato Hj Shamhary Pg Dato Hj Mustapha, who shall be taking up the portfolio of Minister of Tradition, Youth and Sports activities.
After serving as tradition, youth and sports activities minister since 2022, Dato Hj Nazmi Hj Mohammad will tackle the place of Minister on the Prime Minister’s Workplace (Civil Service Governance).
Elsewhere, Dato Hj Sofian Hj Sabtu has been promoted from deputy minister to Minister on the Prime Minister’s Workplace (Safety and Regulation), whereas holding on to his function as Director of Inner Safety Division.
Dato Hj Mohamad Azmi Hj Mohd Hanifah has additionally been promoted from deputy minister to Minister on the Prime Minister’s Workplace (Power, Upstream and Downstream).
Document feminine appointments in deputy ranks
The deputy minister appointments highlighted a wave of feminine illustration within the new cupboard, with three ladies taking key roles.
Hjh Tutiaty Hj Abdul Wahab was promoted from everlasting secretary to Deputy Minister of Financial system, Commerce and Business.
Dr Nor Imtihan Hj Abdul Razak adopted go well with, transferring from everlasting secretary to Deputy Minister of Growth.
Pg Datin Hjh Zety Sufina Pg Dato Hj Sani will proceed as Deputy Minister of Finance, a job she has held since 2022.
Moreover, the Rector of Universiti Sultan Sharif Ali, Dato Dr Awg Hj Norarfan Hj Zainal, has been appointed Deputy Minister of Training.
Wanting towards 2035
His Majesty pressured that these modifications have been launched to additional strengthen governance because the nation enters a decisive decade.
“With lower than a decade remaining to realize Wawasan 2035, success will depend upon the knowledge and dedication of the brand new management, in addition to the unity and shared accountability of cupboard members,” the sultan stated.
