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Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei

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Speaker of the Legislative Council
Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara
since 11 February 2015 (2015-02-11)
Legislative Council
StyleThe Honourable
(Malay: Yang Berhormat)
TypeSpeaker
Reports toLegislative Council
SeatDewan Majlis, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
AppointerHassanal Bolkiah
as Sultan of Brunei
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Brunei
Inaugural holderPengiran Abu Bakar
Formation29 November 1959 (1959-11-29)
WebsiteLegislative Council of Brunei

The Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei (Malay: Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara)[1] is a pivotal figure in the governance process, responsible for managing the proceedings and voting within the council, ensuring transparency in legislative decisions. Appointed by the Head of State, the Speaker ranks fourth in the state hierarchy and does not assume the role of interim head of state during transitions. This position is vital for maintaining democratic principles and accountability within Brunei's legislative framework.[2]

Functions

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The Speaker of the Legislative Council in Brunei plays a crucial role in managing the council's proceedings and voting process. When a question is posed to the council, the Speaker collects the votes by calling for "Ayes" and "Noes." If no member requests a division, the Speaker declares the result based on the voices heard. However, if a division is called, each member must verbally cast their vote, and the Speaker or chairman announces the results. In the event of a tie, the Speaker has the authority to cast the deciding vote. The Speaker also oversees the maintenance of the council's minutes, which are recorded by the Clerk. These minutes detail all decisions and significant matters, and they are signed by the Speaker. If a member identifies inaccuracies in the minutes, they must raise these through a personal explanation, submitting the issue to the Speaker for resolution. Additionally, any member wishing to ask a question must submit it in writing to the Clerk at least seven days in advance unless special approval is granted by the Speaker for shorter notice.[2]

Appointments

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The speaker of the Legislative Council is appointed by the head of state, who has the authority to designate the speaker, even when selected from outside the parliament. In the state hierarchy, the Speaker ranks fourth, following the Sultan, the crown prince (who is the Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office), and the special advisor to His Majesty the Sultan. Unlike in other countries, the Speaker does not serve as the interim head of state in the event of the Sultan's death or incapacity. The Speaker's mandate continues between legislative terms, and while the term of the Speaker differs from that of the house, there is no fixed election date or term length established. The Sultan appoints the Speaker through an official Instrument under the Seal of Brunei Darussalam,[3] and while the Speaker may be chosen from among the council members, if no Speaker is appointed or the position is vacant, references to the Speaker in the Constitution are interpreted as references to the prime minister. The Speaker serves at His Majesty's pleasure for a period specified in the appointment and can resign by addressing a letter to the Sultan. If the Speaker is appointed from among the council members, they must vacate the office if they cease to be a member. The Speaker is required to attend and preside over all Legislative Council meetings, and in their absence, another member, either appointed by the Speaker or, if none is appointed, the highest-ranking member present, will preside.[4]

List of speakers

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No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office Monarch Ref
1 Pengiran Paduka Tuan
Pengiran Abu Bakar
ڤڠيرن ابو بکر‎
(1907–1974) 		29 September 1959 1962 2–3 years Omar Ali Saifuddien III [5][6]
2 Pengiran Pekerma Setia Diraja Sahibul Bandar
Pengiran Muhammad Ali
ڤڠيرن محمد علي‎
(1916–2005) 		March 1962 September 1962 5–6 months Omar Ali Saifuddien III [7][8]
Council suspended (1962–1963)[a]
3 Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri
Dato Laila Utama
Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar
ابراهيم محمد جهفر‎
(1900–1971) 		28 August 1963 19 February 1971 7 years, 175 days[b] Omar Ali Saifuddien III [10][10]
4 Pengiran Pemancha Sahibul Rae' Wal Mashuarah
Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam
ڤڠيرن انق محمد عالم‎
(1918–1982) 		14 July 1971 30 November 1974 3 years, 139 days Hassanal Bolkiah [12]
5 Pengiran Jaya Negara
Pengiran Abu Bakar
ڤڠيرن ابو بكر‎
(1906–1985) 		1 December 1974 1981 6–7 years[c] Hassanal Bolkiah [14]
6 Pengiran Indera Mahkota
Pengiran Anak Kemaluddin
ڤڠيرن انق کمال الدين‎
(1929–2012) 		15 December 1981 14 February 1984 2 years, 65 days Hassanal Bolkiah [15][16]
Council dissolved (1984–2004)[d]
(6) Pengiran Indera Mahkota
Pengiran Anak Kemaluddin
ڤڠيرن انق کمال الدين‎
(1929–2012) 		25 September 2004 9 February 2011 6 years, 137 days Hassanal Bolkiah [16][18]
7 Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja
Dato Laila Utama
Isa Ibrahim
عيسى ابراهيم‎
(b.1935) 		10 February 2011 11 February 2015 4 years, 1 day Hassanal Bolkiah [19][20]
8 Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela
Dato Seri Setia
Abdul Rahman Taib
عبدالرحمن طائب‎
(b.1942) 		11 February 2015 Incumbent 9 years, 287 days Hassanal Bolkiah [20][21]

Notes

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  1. ^ The Sultan imposed a State of Emergency and suspended the Legislative and Executive Councils during the 1962 Brunei revolt. Only in July 1963 did the Sultan abolish the State of Emergency and restore both councils. The Sultan nominated all of the members of the Executive and Legislative Councils upon their reestablishment; none of them were elected.[9]
  2. ^ In 1963, he was appointed Speaker of the legislative council, which was then dissolved on 30 January 1965. When the Legislative Council was reconvened on 31 January 1965, he was reappointed Speaker.[10] After suspending legislative elections, the Sultan established a new Legislative Council in 1970, composed entirely of his nominees, and dissolved the 1965 council on 12 April 1970 after it completed its five-year term.[11]
  3. ^ The Sultan of Brunei approved the dissolution of the elected council on 15 December 1977, consented to reorganise and re-elect several former members, and formally reconvened the new council on 22 December 1977.[13]
  4. ^ Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah dissolved the council on 28 December 1983, just after its inaugural meeting, and disbanded it again on 13 February 1984. After a 21-year hiatus, the Sultan reconvened the council on 25 September 2004 to approve constitutional reforms, later disbanding it in 2005 and reestablishing it under the amended 1959 Constitution.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara". Jabatan Majlis-Majlis Mesyuarat (in Malay). Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  2. ^ a b "CONSTITUTION OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM (CONST. I): STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL" (PDF). Attorney General's Chambers. 2005. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Brunei Darussalam: Legislative Council". IPU Parline. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  4. ^ THE CONSTITUTION OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM (PDF). International Court of Justice. 2013. p. 22.
  5. ^ Akim, Sahari (29 September 2004). "MMN BERSIDANG SEMULA" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). p. 7. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  6. ^ Majalah Pusaka (in Malay). Vol. 44. Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 2018. pp. 38–41.
  7. ^ Horton, A. V. M. (2005-01-01). "Negara Brunei Darussalam: obituaries 2005". Borneo Research Bulletin. 36: 16–29.
  8. ^ Haji Abdul Rahman, Abu Bakar (16 June 2005). "Seorang pembesar negara kembali ke rahmahtullah" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). p. 16. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  9. ^ Haji Abu Bakar 2006, pp. 3.
  10. ^ a b c "Speaker M.M. Negeri Meninggal Dunia" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 24 February 1971. p. 5. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  11. ^ Haji Abu Bakar 2006, pp. 96.
  12. ^ Mohamad Yusop Damit (1995). Brunei Darussalam 1944-1962: Constitutional and Political Development in a Malay-Muslim Sultanate. University of London 1995. p. 407.
  13. ^ "Ahli2 M.M.N. yang di-susun semula" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 1977-12-28. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  14. ^ State of Brunei Annual Report 1974. Kuala Belait: Brunei Press. 1974. p. 401.
  15. ^ Haji Salat, Hajah Zabaidah (9 January 2012). "Berangkat menziarahi jenazah cheteria" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). p. 3. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  16. ^ a b Sani, Aimi (19 January 2012). "Jabatan Majlis-Majlis Mesyuarat adakan Majlis Bertahlil" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). p. 6. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  17. ^ "Sultan officiates LegCo meeting". sultanate.com. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  18. ^ Pg. Haji Md. Noor, Dk. Hajah Fatimah (28 February 2011). "Pembukaan Rasmi Mesyuarat Pertama Dari Musim Permesyuaratan Ketujuh" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). p. 11. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Dilantik sebagai Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 9 February 2011. p. 3. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Lantikan Yang Di-Pertua MMN" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 10 February 2015. p. 24. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Speaker of The Legislative Council". Jabatan Majlis-Majlis Mesyuarat. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
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