The Brunei contingent of the Legislative Council (LegCo) deliberated and adopted a record total of 42 resolutions alongside other attending members during the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly, hosted by the Parliament of Malaysia at the World Trade Centre (WTC), Kuala Lumpur.

Speaker of the Legislative Council Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib led the Brunei delegation. Clerk to the LegCo and officials from the Secretariat of the LegCo were also present.

Themed ‘Parliament at the Forefront for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable ASEAN’ for this year, the five-day assembly saw the 42 resolutions deliberated across six Standing Committees: Political, Economic, Social, Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA), Young Parliamentarians of AIPA (YPA) and Organisational. This marked the highest number of resolutions adopted in AIPA’s history, reflecting the region’s joint commitment to addressing challenges, strengthening resilience, and advancing connectivity for the benefit of ASEAN citizens.

LegCo members Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman and Yang Berhormat Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin represented Brunei in the Political Committee, discussing peace initiatives, cooperation against cybercrime, the role of Parliaments in defending human rights, climate change monitoring and humanitarian issues. Meanwhile, the Economic Committee saw LegCo members Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Yang Berhormat Lau How Teck and Yang Berhormat Zainol bin Mohamed discuss key issues, including the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025, green and blue economies, carbon trading, global tariffs, intra-ASEAN trade, energy security and digital economic transformation.

For the Social Committee, topics discussed ranged from social protection in the face of climate crises to alcohol regulation, TVET education standards, quality healthcare, and coordinated action on drug-related issues. LegCo members Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof, Yang Berhormat Hajah Safiah binti Sheikh Haji Abdul Salam and Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir represented Brunei in this committee.

Resolutions highlighted women’s political participation, the development of the care economy, and digital skills training to bridge the gender digital divide, which was also discussed by the WAIPA Committee, with LegCo members Yang Berhormat Hajah Safiah and Yang Berhormat Chong Chin Yee participating. The YPA Committee highlighted the role of youth in politics, leadership, digital transition, and inclusive economic development. The committee also held the inaugural YPA-AIPA working visit and Youth in Action roundtable discussion, both of which were attended by LegCo members Yang Berhormat Chong Chin Yee and Yang Berhormat Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan.

LegCo members Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin, Yang Berhormat Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin and Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Huraini binti Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Jaya Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hurairah represented Brunei in the Organisation Committee, discussing resolutions that were adopted on AIPA administration, including financial reports, annual budgets, statutory amendments, the AIPA Distinguished Award, and the appointment of a new secretary-general.

Other highlights of the assembly included a dialogue held with 14 AIPA Observer Parliaments under the theme ‘ASEAN Centrality: Catalysing an Inclusive Regional Architecture for a Sustainable Future’.

The Second Plenary Session on Saturday saw each of the committees presenting their reports, which concluded with the signing of a Joint Communiqué. In the closing ceremony, Malaysia formally handed over the AIPA chairmanship to the Philippines, which will host next year’s 47th General Assembly.

The event also witnessed the transition of the AIPA Secretary-General post from Ar Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman of Brunei Darussalam to Dr Chem Widhya of Cambodia.