Bandar Seri Begawan - Two members of the Legislative Council have called upon the government to provide the public with better news resources to ensure the accurate dissemination of local news updates.

It was suggested by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Jumat bin Akim that Brunei Darussalam have a "reliable" National News Centre not merely for those in the Sultanate but to also allow other countries that have "diplomatic relations" with the Sultanate to access such information with reliability.

"A news centre can provide precise up-to-date news," he said, adding that such a practice has already been integrated into society in neighbouring countries where news published by the centre "is confirmed and researched".

Another suggestion put forward by Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad was for the government newspaper Pelita Brunei to consider daily printing as opposed to the three days a week publication. "The Information Department responsible for the said newspaper should also provide space for the Kenali Negara Kitani (KNK) initiative not simply for the use of foreign tourists but also for locals who are not familiar with the available 'facilities' in our country" he said.

In response, the Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, stated that the latter suggestion would be looked into and informed that the Information Department already has its own website accessible by the public whereas the suggestion for a daily publication will be reviewed.