By M K Anwar
In a major announcement that caught everyone by surprise, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to announce a major reshuffle of Cabinet Ministers and at the same time announced the appointment of several new faces in the ministerial line up. This the the first major reshuffle in 17 years.
The announcement made in a titah yesterday afternoon was broadcast on television and radio.
His Majesty in the titah said that in order to continue peace and prosperity that have been achieved by His Majesty's Government and also to give some individuals the chance, His Majesty was announcing the reshuffle of his Cabinet Ministers and appointing several new ones.
His Majesty as the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and also the Minister of Finance.
His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince will be the Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office.
HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah retains the position as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Hj Mohamed Taib is now the Minister of Education. Pehin Haji Abdul Rahman was previously the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources.
YB Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Mohd Zain bin Hj Serudin retains his position as the Minister of Religious Affairs.
The new Minister of Industry and Primary Resources is YB Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Hj Ahmad bin Hj Jumat who previously was the Minister of Development.
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Awang Abu Bakar bin Hj Apong is appointed as the Minister of Communications.
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awang Hj Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Mohd Yussof is now the Minister of Home Affairs.
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Paduka Hj Suyoi bin Hj Osman is the new Minister of Health.
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awang Hj Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar is the new Minister of Development.
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Hj Mohammad bin Hj Daud is the new Minister of Culture Youth and Sports.
A new post has also been created under the Prime Minister's Office called the Minister of Energy, which will be held by YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Paduka Awang Hj Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Paduka Hj Abd Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim is appointed as the Minister of Finance II.
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Paduka Lim Jock Seng is now the Minister of Foreign Affairs II.
Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Hj Eusof Agaki bin Hj Ismail is appointed as the Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office.
YB Pehin Datu Singamanteri Col (L) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yasmin bin Hj Umar is appointed as the Deputy Minister of Defence.
YM Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammd bin Pengiran Hj Abd Rahman is the Deputy Minister of Education.
YB Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman is appointed as the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs.
YM Dato Paduka Hj Hamdilah bin Hj Abdul Wahab is the Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources.
YM Dato Paduka Hj Yusof bin Hj Abdul Hamid is the Deputy Minister of Communications.
YDM Pehin Orang Kaya Dewa Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awang Hj Dani bin Hj Ibrahim is the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs.
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah is appointed as Deputy Minister of Health.
YM Dato Paduka Dr Hj Mat Suny bin Hj Mohd Hussein is the Deputy Minister of Development.
And YM Dato Paduka Awang Hj Yakub bin Abu Bakar retains his post as the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
His Majesty also announced yesterday that the post of State Mufti and the Attorney-General be elevated as Ministerial posts.
The new appointments have taken effect from yesterday, 15 Rabiulakhir 1426 Hijrah corresponding to May 24, 2005 for the next five years.
His Majesty said that we should be thankful to Allah the Almighty because Brunei in implementing several things has managed to advance and be at the same level as different countries in the world.
"In particular, in the field of governance and its management, we have proven our abilities that are high in comparison with others and with that we have achieved the nation's objectives in different fields."
His Majesty also advised the new ministers and deputy ministers that have been appointed to discharge their duties, power and obligations with honesty, sincerity and trustworthiness as well as upholding the solemn promise and concept of loyalty to the monarch.
To those that have not been appointed, His Majesty expressed appreciation and thanks for all their efforts and contribution.
In line with what His Majesty said in the titah that is "to give some individuals the chance", several new faces and new blood have been infused into the Cabinet.
The new Cabinet has been expanded to 16 with the introduction of the Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Minister of Energy, the position of Minister II, State Mufti and Attorney-General.
The previous expansion in 1988 saw the addition of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.
For the first time three new Deputy Minister posts -- Ministry of Development, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources - have been created in the Cabinet.
- Borneo Bulletin
(25th May 2005)
