His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday officiated the opening of the first meeting of the seventh session of the Legislative Council at its building in Jln Menteri Besar.

Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah.

Upon arrival at the Legislative Council building, His Majesty received a royal salute at the dais and inspected a guard of honour mounted by personnel of the Royal Brunei Police Force.

His Majesty later delivered a titah. Prior to the arrival of His Majesty, the four new ex-officio members of the Legislative Council took their oaths in a swearing ceremony in the presence of the new Speaker of the Legislative Council, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Hj Awg Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim.

The new members are the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office, YB Pehin Datu Singamanteri Col (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Awg Hj Mohd Yasmin bin Hj Umar; Minister of Religious Affairs, YB Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj Mohammad bin Pg Hj Abdul Rahman; Minister of Home Affairs, YB Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awang Othman and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah.

The new Speaker in his brief remark said the meeting will deliberate the budget expenditure for 2011-2012 and urged Legislative Council members to discuss in a constructive manner. - Borneo Bulletin (2nd March 2011)