BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The Ministry of Religious Affairs has proposed a budget of B$280.3 million for FY 2026/27, with funding channelled towards new infrastructure and religious education.

During Wednesday’s Legislative Council session, the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin PDP Hj Awg Othman, explained that the vast majority of the funding—approximately B$237 million—is dedicated to emoluments to support the ministry’s workforce.

The remainder of the budget includes B$18.6 million earmarked for development expenditure and B$4.2 million for recurring operational expenses.

Breakdown of allocations

The largest portion of the budget, totaling B$205 million or 73% of the overall allocation, is directed toward the Department of Islamic Studies. This funding primarily manages religious and Arabic schools, covering salaries for teachers and officers, while also supporting higher education at Seri Begawan Teachers’ College and the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Tahfiz Al-Quran.

Beyond education, the ministry has allocated B$35.9 million (13%) to the Department of Mosque Affairs and the Islamic Propagation Centre to fund religious events and programmes for youth and new converts.

A further B$29 million (10%) will support services including the Haj Affairs Department, the Zakat, Waqaf and Baitulmal Affairs Department, and the Brunei Islamic Religious Council.

Finally, B$10.3 million is set aside for the Syariah Prosecution Division and the Islamic Legislation Department to ensure the continued enforcement of the Syariah Penal Code and broader efforts to align Brunei’s laws with Syariah principles.

 

Construction of mosques and religious infrastructure

A significant portion of the development fund is earmarked for physical upgrades to educational and religious facilities.

Key projects include a new campus for Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College and a permanent campus for the Female Tahfiz and Diploma ‘Aliyah Qira’at Institute.

The minister also confirmed the construction of two new schools in Kg Kiulap and Kg Bolkiah, alongside new facilities at Tanah Jambu Religious School, Belait Arabic School, and Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic High School.

Investment in community worship remains a priority, with 12 new mosques and various upgrades planned nationwide:

• Brunei-Muara: RPN Kg Mengkubau, RPN Kg Meragang, RPN Kg Rimba, STKRJ Kg Mata-Mata, Kg Sinarubai, Kg Burong Lepas, RPN Kg Tanah Jambu, and Kg Lugu.

• Belait: RPN Kg Lumut and RPN Kg Penaga.

• Tutong: STKRJ Kg Telisai.

• Temburong: Kg Batu Apoi and Kg Selapon.

Allocations have also been set aside for the construction of the Islamic Religious School Activity Centre in Kampong Senukoh.

Digitalisation of Haj registration

Th minister also shared updates on BruHaj, the online registration system launched in January 2025. The platform has successfully registered 9,672 people as of mid-March 2026.

Based on the Saudi-mandated quota and current registration volume , those who signed up in the past year are projected to perform their Haj between 2046 and 2059.

“This opportunity should be taken up by people in their teenage years through to their 40s,” he advised, noting that waiting until later in life may result in being unable to travel due to old age. He encouraged parents and grandparents to consider early registration for children to ensure they secure a spot within their lifetime.