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The Penghulu of
Mukim Lumapas, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Bakar bin Mansor highlighted
the maintenance of mosques, prayer halls and religious schools. He said
reports or complaints had been made but no repairs have been done. To
this, the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Seri
Utama Dr. Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd. Zain replied the ministry takes such
matters seriously and was monitoring the situation. However, such
reports come from all over the country and repair works would take place
in rotation. Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Bakar also proposed that
temporary religious school premises be replaced with permanent ones.
The Minister replied there’s provision for the construction of such
school under the National Development Plan.
Another
appointed member, the Penghulu of Mukim Kota Batu, Yang Berhormat
(Retired) Major Awang Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Ibrahim sought explanation
on the new Muslim cemetery on Pulau Berambang, which had been delayed.
The answer from Yang Berhormat Pehin was the project has been halted
pending the outcome of discussions amongst relevant parties. However,
the Minister assured residents in the concerned areas that a new
systematic cemetery was now open at Kampung Terunjing as well as other
sites, for the use of Kampong Ayer residents and others.
The Ketua of
Kampung Belingus, Temburong, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Sulaiman bin Haji
Ahad conveyed the good response of the district’s resident to His
Majesty’s titah for the formation of a full-fledged an Islamic
University and proposed that it be built in Temburong. In response, the
Minister of Religious Affairs, a committee already exists to handle the
matter and it’s headed by the Deputy Minister of Education. He added
the committee is tasked with matters relevant to the establishment of
the university, including its site and the services of consultant.
Issues
pertaining to the construction of mosques in Kampung Kiudang and Kampung
Sengkarai as well as the extension of Kampung Keriam Mosque, all in the
Tutong District were raised by several members. To which, the Minister
of Religious Affairs replied that the issues in question are being
considered and necessary action are being taken.
Meanwhile,
another member, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Idris bin Haji Abbas told the
committee meeting that the country’s National Housing Scheme has won
praise from neighbouring countries. However, he also highlighted
whether the budget allocated for the National Housing Projects is
sufficient to cover the increasing demands. He also sought explanation
if the opportunity to jointly implement the National Housing Scheme was
given to local consultants. In this regard, the Minister of
Development, Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Awang Abdullah said
the ministry was aware of the high demands on the housing infrastructure
and will continue to upgrade efforts towards fulfilling the people’s
needs for such housing. The Minister added the ministry would try to
expedite in providing such infrastructure through the assessment
committee and with the involvement of the country’s private sector.
Meanwhile, more
issues were raised when the Councilors met at the committee level again
Tuesday afternoon. Health, community development and environmental
pollution were among the matters that were given particular attention.
An appointed councilor, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Idris bin Haji Abbas
quoted His Majesty’s titah on the opening day of the State Legislative
Council meeting that called for careful and prudent spending. With
regards to this, he asked what the Ministry of Health’s response was to
the call for a stable economy.
The Minister of
Health, Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Suyoi replied that
considering more than twenty million dollars worth of medicines were
being spent to cure chronic diseases, the people are encouraged to
practice a healthy life style so that spending on treatment later could
be minimized. In this case, the Minister emphasized the concept of
“Prevention Is Better Than Cure”. Another appointed member, the Ketua
of Kampung Lumut Satu, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohammad Shafiee bin
Ahmad proposed that the needy such as widows, be trained in specific
skills to assist them to become self reliant. The Minister of Culture,
Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin (Retired) Major General Dato Seri
Pahlawan Haji Mohammad welcomed the proposal as such a measure could
help lessen the burden of the needy and the government at the same time.
Under the Marine
Act, legal action would be taken against any boat or barge found guilty
of committing oil spillage in the river or sea. This answer was given
by the Minister of Communication, Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Seri Setia
Haji Abu Bakar to the Ketua of Kampung Belingus, Temburong, Yang
Berhormat Awang Haji Sulaiman bin Ahad who raised the question of
pollution in the Temburong River. The State Legislative Council is
adjourned and will reconvene at nine this morning. |
