THE public will be all eyes and ears as the 9th Session of the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting begins today.

The opening ceremony of the stately event was held yesterday, which was officiated by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

The opening ceremony of the LegCo Session began as LegCo members, dressed in full traditional stately attire arrived earlier at the State Legislative Council Building to await the arrival of His Majesty and members of the royal family.

Before the arrival of members of the royal family, uniformed personnel from the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) led by its marching band, assembled in front of the LegCo building to greet the arrival of the LegCo Speaker YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Hj Awg Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Hj Ibrahim.

The first royalty to arrive for the opening ceremony was HRH Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, followed by HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, then HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office arrived soon after.

The arrival of each member of royalty saw the playing of the national anthem by the RBPF marching band.

The arrival of His Majesty was then announced. His Majesty took a royal salute to the national anthem and consented to inspect a guard of honour, escorted by YB Pehin Dato Laila Utama Hj Isa and the bearer of the royal umbrella.

His Majesty was then ushered into the conference hall, accompanied by the cokmar or the Royal Mace, a sterling silver crafted sceptre which represents a symbol of authority.

His Majesty then delivered his 9th Legislative Session titah.

Earlier, just before the opening ceremony, inside the conference hall, Speaker of the Legislative Council, YB Pehin Dato Hj Isa, reminded that matters discussed during the previous Legislative Session be taken into consideration and not delayed.

The speaker said addressing the matters as soon as possible will help to establish a more efficient process for matters discussed during this Legislative Council session, and this will also indirectly showcase the important role of the Legislative Council session as discussion forum that is really constructive.

The speaker added that this will also show to the public the caring attitude of the Government of His Majesty towards the issues facing the subjects and citizens of Brunei Darussalam.

“I fully believe that the official members have taken appropriate actions towards the matters discussed in the last Legislative Council session and it is also hoped that the actions taken fit the aspiration of the government,” the speaker said. - Borneo Bulletin (8 March 2013)