For the financial year 2026/2027, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) was allocated a BND280,279,000 budget.

Of this amount, BND237,014,000 is allocated for emoluments and BND43,265,000 for recurrent expenditures, representing an increase of 0.6 per cent or BND1,677,400 compared to the allocation for the financial year 2025/2026.

The ministry’s budget was stated by Minister of Religious Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman on Tuesday during the First Meeting of the 22nd Session of the Legislative Council.

With this substantial allocation, the minister said, “The MoRA will be able to play its role effectively and remain committed to the active implementation of religious programmes, contributing to the achievement of Brunei Vision 2035 whereby religious services is one of the main components of the socio-religious aspects of Brunei Vision 2035 that we are on track toward achieving in 2035.”

He added that an allocation of BND29,025,560 has been made, which accounts for 10.4 per cent of the total allocation to support the religious services provided by the MoRA, including departments under its umbrella, such as the Haj Affairs Department, the Zakat, Wakaf and Baitulmal Department (JUZWAB), Zakat as well as the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB).

He shared, “Based on the allocation provided for the 2025/2026 financial year, the MoRA launched the BruHaj system on January 20, 2025. The system has greatly facilitated the online registration for haj, making it easier and more efficient.

“One of the positive impacts of this system is that Brunei Darussalam has received recognition and the Silver Award in the prestigious Labaytum Award by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia. The award is a testament to the high quality of haj management in Brunei Darussalam, which is considered among the best.”

Moreover, he said, “the system has had a very positive impact on making the haj registration process more systematic and organised. As of March 2026, a total of 9,672 people have registered for haj. Based on the current quota, they are expected to perform haj between 2046 and 2059.

“Therefore, the opportunity for the ease of registration like this should be utilised by people, especially the youth, as well as those in their 40s to 80s. If done earlier, it could allow for the registration of childeren and even grandchildren.”

As a continuation of this, he said, “The ministry, with the cooperation and understanding of haj and umrah operators, will continue to improve the quality and efficiency of haj and umrah management outside the haj season. It includes planning, transportation, guidance for pilgrims, and healthcare services for haj pilgrims, along with other related matters.”

Under Preservation and Promotion of Religion, he said, “An allocation of BND35,892,960 has been provided, which constitutes 12.8 per cent of the total allocation for the financial year 2026/2027.

“The allocation is intended for the implementation of religious services under the Department of Mosque Affairs, the Islamic Da’wah Centre, the Islamic Syiar Advancement Division, and the Management of Religious Affairs in various districts.

Alhamdulillah, with this allocation, the ministry will continue to strengthen the practice of Islamic values through events, Islamic holidays and programmes that involve youth, including new converts (muallaf).”

Meanwhile, under the title ‘Pemeliharaan Promosi Nyawa dan Keturunan’ he shared, “an allocation of BND10,330,130 has been provided accounting for 3.7 per cent of the total allocation.

“The funding is intended for the Syariah Prosecution Division, the Department of Syariah Affairs, and the Islamic Legal Department. With this allocation, the ministry will enforce the Syariah Penal Code Orders as part of its efforts to maintain public safety, quality of life, the protection of progeny, and the welfare of the people, ensuring that these aspects are safeguarded.”

The ministry, he said, “will continue to promote the Halal Certification and Labeling by the MUIB, ensuring that food, goods produced, imported, and marketed in the country are halal and pure.

“Through the Islamic Legal Department, the ministry remains active in reviewing Brunei’s laws, with 17 legal provisions now aligned with Islamic law. Five drafts of Syariah law have been enacted.”

The MoRA, he said, “has enacted the Religious Rules, Religious Fund Rules for Mosque Construction (2026), and the Majlis Ugama Islam and Kadi Court Act (2026), which were gazetted on January 8. These regulations will update and enhance the efficiency of managing and overseeing the collection of public donations for the Mosque Construction Fund.”

Lastly, under the title ‘Pemeliharaan Promosi Akal’, the largest allocation has been made, amounting to BND205,030,350, or 73.2 per cent of the total allocation for this financial year.

He said, “This allocation is designated for the Islamic Religious School Management Division. This includes funding for teachers and other staff involved in religious education.”

(news source: Borneo Bulletin; pic source: Info Foto, Jabatan Penerangan)