Legislative Council of Brunei

sits at the centre. Early Establishment and Constitutional Foundations (1959–1962) The period of the State Council came to an end in September 1959 with the adoption of Brunei's first codified Constitution. The Legislative, Executive, and Privy Councils took the role of the council itself. The Legislative Council was established in 1959 by virtue of Article 23 of Brunei's Constitution. The 1959 constitution included five advisory bodies, including a Legislative Council, and granted the sultan full executive authority. When the left-wing Brunei People's Party (BPP), which aspired to overthrow the monarchy, gained all 10 of the council's elected seats in 1962, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III invalidated the results. Following the nation's first election on 30 and 31 August 1962, the Legislative Council's initial meeting was held on 10 October 1962. Part of the constitutional rules governing general elections were suspended in 1962, and members' seats were filled by royal appointment beginning on 28 August 1963. Upon the establishment of the new Legislative Council in September 1962, the party attempted to forward a motion aimed at stopping the formation of Malaysia. The council meeting was rescheduled until 5 December because it was afraid of losing the discussions. The BPP sent a resolution to the government of Brunei to be presented in the next council meeting prior to its convening. The Brunei People's Independence Party (BAKER) party's Secretary-General II, Zainal Abidin Puteh, presented a motion during the May 1968 Legislative Council Meeting that called for Brunei to become independent and establish a democratic system of governance. He insisted throughout the conference that a poll be conducted by the government to determine the people's desires for independence and constitutional progress. A spokesperson of the BAKER party, Pengiran Mohammad Samli bin Pengiran Lahab, also called for the introduction of a democratic type of governance in Brunei in May 1968. On 12 April 1970, the 1965-elected council was dissolved after completing their 5-year term. The 1970 elected-council was dissolved on 15 December 1977 with the approval of the Sultan of Brunei, according to the Chapter 55 of the 1959 Constitution. The Sultan agreed to reform and re-elect several members from the previous council. A new council was officially reconvened on 22 December 1977. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah dissolved the council on the following day. The inaugural meeting of the council took place on 27 December 1983, and it was disbanded on 13 February 1984. Hence, legislative powers were fully vested in the Sultan. Reinstatement and Proposed Reforms (2004–2005) After a 21-year hiatus, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah reconvened the Legislative Council on 25 September 2004, with the proposed modification to the 1959 constitution as its first item on the agenda. The Council approved a constitutional proposal that would have increased its size to 45 seats, 15 of which would be elected. The Sultan disestablished the council on 1 September 2005 and, on the following day, reestablished the Council based on the amended version of Brunei's Constitution, commencing the first session. ==Roles==

Since its creation in 1959, the Legislative Council has played significant roles towards Brunei; not only to consider and approve budgets and revenue estimates, but also to advise the Sultan on the drive of the Government, to review policies implemented by the Government and to pass bills and motions brought by the Government and other members of the council. ==Legislative procedure==

The Legislative Council of Brunei adheres to procedures similar to those observed in other Commonwealth parliamentary systems. All bills introduced in the Council undergo three readings. Prior to being tabled, however, each bill must receive approval from the Council of Cabinet Ministers. Following passage by the Legislative Council, a bill requires Royal Assent to become an Act. In accordance with the Council's Standing Orders, statements by members must be addressed to the Speaker or, in the context of committee sessions, to the committee chair. For legislation to take effect, it must be published in the official government gazette. ==Speaker of the Legislative Council==

The Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei (Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara) is responsible for presiding over sessions of the council, managing its proceedings, and overseeing the voting process. The Speaker is appointed by the Sultan of Brunei and is ranked fourth in the national order of precedence. Unlike in some other parliamentary systems, the Speaker does not assume the role of acting Head of State during periods of transition. The position plays a central role in facilitating the functions of the Legislative Council, which is a key institution within Brunei's governance structure. == Sessions ==

• 1st session (2005–2006) • 2nd session (2006–2007) • 3rd session (2007–2008) • 4th session (2008–2009) • 5th session (2009–2010) • 6th session (2010–2011) • 7th session (2011–2012) • 8th session (2012–2013) • 9th session (2013–2014) • 10th session (2014–2015) • 11th session (2015–2016) • 12th session (2016–2017) • 13th session (2017–2018) • 14th session (2018–2019) • 15th session (2019–2020) • 16th session (2020–2021) • 17th session (2021–2022) • 18th session (2022–2023) • 19th session (2023–2024) • 20th session (2024–2025) • 21st session (2025–present) ==Membership==

The Legislative Council of Brunei consists of the Sultan, the Crown Prince, and cabinet ministers, alongside three distinct categories of appointed members: those with titles, those representing districts, and those chosen for their outstanding contributions to the nation. All members, apart from the Sultan, are appointed by the Sultan for five year terms in accordance with Article 24 of the Constitution. To be eligible for membership in the Legislative Council, a person must be a citizen of Brunei Darussalam and at least 21 years old. However, there are several disqualifications that apply. Firstly, a person who has pledged allegiance or loyalty to a foreign power or has acquired citizenship or exercised the rights of citizenship in another country may not become a member. Similarly, anyone who has demonstrated disloyalty or dissatisfaction toward the Sultan through actions or speech is excluded. Secondly, individuals who have been declared mentally unsound under any law in Brunei Darussalam are also disqualified. Any individual who has been convicted of a crime and sentenced to death, imprisonment, or a fine of B$1,000 or more, whether in Brunei or elsewhere, is not eligible for membership either. Ex-officio members Since 24 October 2023, following a reorganization of the Cabinet that had been in place since 30 January 2018, the following members of the Council of Cabinet Ministers have served as ex officio members of the Legislative Council: Titled persons Persons who have achieved distinction Pursuant to Second Schedule of Article 24 (1) (a) (iii), these seats are allocated to individuals who have achieved distinction in their respective professional fields or who have made significant contributions to communities across Brunei. These individuals are selected by the Sultan for their notable accomplishments and service to the nation. District representatives Members of the Legislative Council representing Brunei's four districts are appointed by the Sultan from among local community leaders, including penghulu (township heads) and village heads. The representatives are drawn from the 39 mukims—the second-level administrative divisions under the district level. Since 2015, penghulu have been elected directly by residents within their respective areas, providing a limited form of local electoral representation within the otherwise appointed legislature. Clerk to the Legislative Council As of 9 January 2024, the position is held by Dr. Dayang Hajah Huraini binti Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Jaya Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hurairah. She succeeded Pehin Orang kaya Pekerma Jaya Dato Paduka Haji Judin bin Haji Asar, who had held the position since 1 January 1993. == Council symbol ==

The white wig worn by the speaker during each LegCo session from 1965 to 1983 was a symbol of tradition and authority. However, starting in 2004, this was replaced with a specially adorned Malay songkok. The songkok is encircled with intricate woven patterns featuring motifs of Bunga Paku-Paku, Tadas, Bunga Akar Linggayong, and Belah Rotan, symbolising local cultural heritage. It is also decorated with the official emblem of the Legislative Council. The width of the woven ornamentation measures 3.8 centimetres. ==Dewan Majlis building==

The new Dewan Majlis building, approved by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, was constructed with a budget of B$62,199,466.53 and covers an area of approximately , including a 3-acre lake. Located along Jalan Kebangsaan, it is 15 minutes from the city centre. The building features a unique design inspired by classical Greek and Roman architecture, symbolising order, strength, and stability, while incorporating local Malay and Islamic cultural elements. The facility comprises three primary sections: the central block houses the Legislative Chamber and Banquet Hall; the right wing contains the Speaker's office, a library, a VIP lounge, and a gymnasium; and the left wing includes administrative offices, a parade ground, a staff canteen, and a mosque. Notable design elements of the building include symbolic columns, such as five and nine columns at the porte-cochère representing the 1959 Constitution declaration, and eight and four columns leading to the chamber symbolising Brunei's full independence in 1984. The building's dome is encircled by 29 windows and columns, symbolising Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as the 29th ruler of Brunei. Since achieving independence, the first time that the nation held the council meeting at the new Dewan Majlis building was on 4 March 2008, the construction for which began in March 2005 under the 8th National Development Plan. Judin Asar, the Legislative Council's clerk between 2004 and 2024, claimed that the new structure would help the council carry out its mission to provide better services to the government and country, particularly those pertaining to the Privy Council, Legislative Council, and cabinet ministers meetings. ==See also==