The Legislative Council (LegCo) is Brunei Darussalam’s Parliament which acts as the official arena for airing and resolving issues or problems within the country.
First established in 1959, the council held a total of 32 meetings until it was frozen in 1984 after the country resumed independence. Later in September 2004, the LegCo was revived and the council continued to handle internal issues and concerns over the next 12 years.
On August 11, 2016, the Department of Councils of State under the Prime Minister’s Office announced the dissolution of the LegCo. On January 12, 2017, His Majesty commanded the re-establishment of LegCo with new members sworn in on March 1, 2017. The new members received attention for being predominantly young, placing emphasis on LegCo’s new angle of youth involvement, invoking optimism from the local community.
Besides the annual expenditure, the LegCo meetings also discuss relevant and significant issues for the benefit of the people in a consultation manner carried out harmoniously.
Brunei Darussalam’s legal system is unique as it implements the English Common Law and the Islam-ordained Syariah Law simultaneously to preside over the country’s residents. The two laws are overseen by the Supreme Court and coexist to administer a system that is well-rounded and fair towards the nation.
The Attorney General’s Chambers is responsible for overseeing the execution of the laws and enacting any amendments to existing acts.
The Attorney General’s Chambers revises laws in line with changes of law pertaining to Intellectual Property Rights, Fisheries Boundaries, Consumer Rights and Syariah.
To ensure a thorough and meticulous implementation of the Syariah Law, a group of specialists spearheaded by the Chief Syar’ie Judge oversees the process.
Copyright 2019 Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2019 All rights reserved.
