15^th July 2000

(Unofficial Translation)

  Speech By His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’ izzaddin Waddaulah Ibini Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar’Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on the occasion OF hIS MAJESTY’S 54^TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT THE THRONE ROOM, ISTANA NURUL IMAN, ON SATURDAY, 15^TH JULY 2000.

First of all, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all my special guests who are with us today, and my sincere thanks to all well-wishers for their kind messages and felicitations.

May Allah the Almighty bless them all for their thoughtful greetings.

In a world of rapid changes and many challenges in the new century, we are thankful to Allah that our country is able to sustain peace, development and progress, as a result of concerted efforts, both from the Government sector as well as the private sector.

In the face of global competition in the new century, it is pertinent to examine and re-evaluate our management practices, adjust and up-date out-dated regulations, change the mindset to a more positive outlook, avoid wastage, reduce the national deficit, as well as increase the national income.

Though the economic crisis that hit the region is now behind us, prudence and vigilance need to be continuously observed. This is because being prudent and vigilant  is virtuous and blessed.

Projects and expenditures to be carried out should be those that are really necessary and for the interest of the people and the country.

Management of projects and budgets need to be carried out in the best possible manner, that is to say, cost-effective and value for money, and always based on established rules and regulations.

My Government is establishing the Brunei International Financial Centre.

The Centre is aimed at establishing our country to become the financial hub for services sector in the region, especially for finance, bank, securities and insurance.

It is hoped that these efforts will open up employment opportunities while enabling the transfer of technology in the field of finance to our local people.

Peace and stability in the region account for one of the main factors enabling countries in the region to enjoy prosperity and development.

Brunei and other friendly nations will always uphold the principles of cooperation and dialogue in promoting peace in the region.

This concept will also be appled in our co-operation with APEC, just as we do with ASEAN, the United Nations, Commonwealth as well as other regional and international organizations.

We ought to take full advantage of our hosting of the APEC Leaders meeting this year, as well as in promoting the Brunei Visit Year in 2001.

Our local businessmen should establish strategic alliances with foreign visitors who would include members of the international corporate world from the Asia Pacific.

I believe the role of our country can play in the regional and international economic field can be further enhanced, taking into account that our country has the potential of being the producer of Halal food.

Last year we introduced laws relating to this to ensure the supply of meat and chicken is really Halal according to Islamic Laws.

I hope that such a step will not be limited to these two but also to other food sectors including processed foodstuff.

As a country that practices Islamic teaching as its way of life, we will continue to translate its beautiful teachings in our life.

In relation to this in the new century I have asked the Development Bank of Brunei, which is 100 percent government owned and founded in 1995 to have its name changed to the Islamic Development Bank of Brunei Berhad.

It will offer its services based on our Holy Al-Quran, as Allah says in the Chapter of Al-Baqarah verse 275:

“Those who eat (or live on) usury will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the person possessed by the Satan, their bodies convulsed in fear. This is because they say, ‘Trading is just like usury,' whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden usury..."

I have also asked that the role played by the Economic Development Board to provide assistance for the Small and Medium Enterprises be added to the role of the Islamic Development Bank of Brunei Berhad.

I am fully confident that both functions of commercial banking and development financing based on Islam, God willing, will be able to help strengthen and speed up economic growth in the country.

As it is run entirely for the sake of Allah, I have no doubt that this undertaking will being benefit to our people.

In the light of rapid global changes, we realize that value system in society and people’s aspiration will also undergo changes.

We are prepared for the changes. However good value system remain our choice and indeed will be defended. These include being steadfast in loyalty and love for our faith, community, monarch and country.

All these have become part of us and will always be maintained.

Just like other people, Brunei sometimes has its problems.

Although this may be a cause for concern we are thankful to Allah that we are able to overcome the problem.

In resolving any problems we need not make noises, but what is important is the problem is resolved in the best possible manner without wasting too much time and resources.

This is our way, Brunei’s own way, which needs to be respected by others, just as we respect the ways of other people.

Briefly, about the civil service. My government has adopted a vision for the civil services in the 21^st Century, which, among other things, is aimed at uplifting the quality of service and capability of Government officers and staff.

Hopefully this vision will be well understood by all civil servants so as to ensure its success. It is high time that we consolidate our firm commitment in carrying out our duties and responsibilities.

The Government will not falter in its way to safeguard the welfare of the people.

In the field of health, my government has formed the National Committee for Health Promotion, which is responsible to outline and formulate programme for the improvement of health while promoting a healthy lifestyle of the people.

We hope that with this programme of health promotion will enable the government to reduce its burden on high medical cost and the long duration of time it takes for treatment.

We hope that with the good intention of us all in our carrying out Government efforts and programmes, will enable our country to achieve the intended aims, namely continued prosperity, peace and well-being.

Finally, I would like to record my sincere appreciation and thanks to members of the National Committee and other committees and all those involved in the programmes for the celebrations.

May Allah bless all those participants in their sincere contributions in making this year’s celebration a success.

I would also like to record my sincere appreciation to all the people including those in the civil service, uniformed groups and those in the private sector for their sincere contribution in their respective fields. 

Courtesy of the Prime Minister's Office