Brunei needs more religious experts

Azlan Othman

BRUNEI currently lacks and requires more religious experts to best address the negative perceptions on Islam amid the evolution of technology and rising social ills amongst the community.

YB Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Hamid bin Bakal highlighted this issue during the Legislative Council meeting yesterday. Religious experts who are truly well versed in areas such as Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Nahu and philosophy among others are much needed by the Sultanate. This will aid in not only enhancing religious knowledge but also to counter any negative perceptions on the religion brought about by the advancement of ICT.

He then highlighted His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s titah on the increment of allowances for Masters and PhD holders during a get-together with Brunei students in Egypt recently. This would further encourage students to pursue higher education and not be complacent at a degree level.

In his reply, the Minister of Religious Affairs, YB Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad bin Pg Hj Abdul Rahman explained that only the late Professor Dato Hj Mahmud Saedon had a PhD from Al-Azhar University, Egypt where it is rather difficult to obtain such qualifications. Hence, the ministry is providing a special allowance for PhD holders.

YB Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Hamid bin Bakal also questioned the issue of women attending religious classes at mosques while having their monthly menstruations. The minister said women should take this into account before entering the mosques.

Issues pertaining to religious school periods, the need to provide school buses for students and inadequate classrooms at religious schools were also raised.

The Minister of Religious Affairs highlighted that an ‘Insyirah programme’ has been introduced to address issues faced on schooling sessions. Students from preschool to Year Three will begin classes from 7.30am to 10.45am as the conventional afternoon session begins at 12 noon.

“Currently, this is the initiative undertaken to resolve the situation although not all will be pleased with such arrangements. We, however, will continue to strive in finding better ways to solve the predicaments at hand,” the minister said in responding to questions posed by YB Datin Paduka Hjh Salbiah binti Hj Sulaiman who also shared that school periods should be organised efficiently to prevent Civil Servants from continuously leaving the office to pick up their children.

On the issue of school buses, the minister explained that no such facility is available for religious school students as normally, they are also studying in government institutions and live near the school vicinity.

“The Ministry of Education looks into areas where school buses are required and if a need arises, we will assist the students. As for the school time-table, it will be analysed,” the minister said. YB Datin Paduka Hjh Salbiah raised concerns on inadequate classrooms at religious schools, which will in turn, affect a student’s learning development. She reiterated that six schools will be built under the 10th National Development Plan but for the financial year 2013-2014, only one school will be constructed at the Lambak National Housing Scheme. Hence, requesting that another block be built to save cost.

The minister highlighted that building a separate block near the primary school for religious education is not feasible and will only put a burden on the country’s financial capability. Such a concept will be looked into in the near future, nonetheless.

Meanwhile, YB Hj Sulaiman bin Hj Ahad queried on the time taken to process court cases on ‘Khalwat’ and called for such processes to be speeded up.

In response, the minister explained that Syariah criminal cases in Temburong are relatively low compared to other districts, citing less exposure to social ills as a reason behind it while encouraging the community to tackle social issues and offences relating to Syariah crimes to mould Brunei as a Zikir Nation.

The ministry has since opened up 25 vacancies to fill the posts of enforcement officers in the Temburong District as only three religious enforcement officers are stationed there. As for court cases, these need thorough investigation, arrest warrants and pressing charges, which sometimes take time. If required, such court proceedings would be speeded up but the ministry is unable to interfere in such cases.

The establishment of an Arabic school in Temburong was also raised by YB Hj Sulaiman bin Hj Ahad. The minister said that the new Arabic school, which is currently hosted in a religious institution, will be established in Kg Gadong in Temburong with a $7 million budget allocation.

YB Hj Sulaiman also called for the establishment of an Al-Quran learning centre in Temburong. The minister reiterated that although it is a good suggestion, this is not the time to do so. Brunei has established the Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Jln Tutong.

Dipetik dari - Borneo Bulletin