PPKB Lauds New Legco Appointments
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's political organisation, Parti Perpaduan Kebangsaan Brunei (PPKB), joined the ranks of admirers in congratulating the appointment of new members to the Sultanate's Legislative Council.

The party's leader, Dr Hj Mohd Hatta bin Hj Zainal Abidin, said his organisation is confident that the newly appointed members would fulfil and realise the vision of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

"His Majesty said last year that the new council would give the people a greater voice in the government and `allow us to know the ambition and aspiration of all levels of the community and people'.

"The significance of the latest appointment is that more members are being appointed with a view of having more dialogue, openness and, debate," he said.

He added that his party would continue to support the government as well as act like a watchdog. His Majesty announced on August 31, 2005 that the Legislative Council was to be dissolved yesterday and new members appointed with effect from today.

Some 29 members of the council were appointed including five district representatives, a penghulu and four headmen representing the four districts of Brunei-Muara, Belait, Tutong and Temburong.

Last September, 21 members were appointed to the Legislative Council, which was revitalised after it was suspended in 1984.

The 1959 constitution allowed for 33 members of parliament, 16 of them elected. An amendment in 1980 provided for 21 appointed members.

Another amendment last year provided for an increase in the number of members to 45 to further invigorate the exchange of views from different interest groups and sectors.

There is also a provision for an allocation of 15 elected members from the four districts in the Sultanate to sit in the council.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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