BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei’s monarch announced a major cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, creating new key portfolios and appointing two of his younger sons to their first ministerial positions.
The shake-up, which marks the first major cabinet overhaul since 2022, sees the highest number of female appointments in the nation’s history, placing women in key leadership roles including education minister and across three deputy minister portfolios.
The sultan also announced the appointment of three coordinating ministers, new roles aimed at strengthening policy coordination across government as Brunei enters a critical phase in implementing its national blueprint, Wawasan 2035.
Among other key changes is the restructuring of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism into the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry — a move aimed at “accelerating the development of priority sectors,” His Majesty said.
Most cabinet ministers have retained their positions to ensure “continuity and stability,” the notable exception being the long-serving religious affairs minister, who will be retiring.
Royal family steps into key portfolios
In a televised broadcast, His Majesty said he would continue to hold the key roles of Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Minister of Finance.
The Crown Prince, HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, 52, retained his position as Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Deputy Chairman of the Wawasan 2035 Supreme Council.
The sultan’s second eldest son, HRH Prince Abdul Malik, 42, has been appointed Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, marking his first cabinet role. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation.
To spearhead policy coordination, His Majesty named the three new coordinating ministers:
Pehin Dato Hj Halbi Hj Mohd Yussof will serve as Coordinating Minister for National Security, while retaining his portfolios as Second Minister of Defence and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Dato Dr Hj Abd Manaf Hj Metussin will serve as Coordinating Minister for Economic Policy, and has been appointed Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in the newly-restructured ministry.
Dato Hj Ahmaddin Hj Abd Rahman has been appointed Coordinating Minister for Social Policy and Manpower, while retaining his role as Minister of Home Affairs.
Returning cabinet members bring continuity
Dato Dr Hj Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah will stay on as Second Minister of Finance — a position he has held since 2018 — and will be responsible for leading domestic and international investment portfolios, as well as overseeing the performance of government-linked companies.
Career diplomat Dato Hj Erywan PD Hj Mohd Yusof will continue to serve as Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, a role he has held since 2018.
Other ministers retaining their portfolios are: Minister of Health Dato Dr Hj Md Isham Jaafar; Minister of Development Dato Hj Mohd Juanda Hj Abd Rashid; and Minister of Education Datin Dr Hjh Romaizah Hj Mohd Salleh.
Meanwhile, several portfolios saw promotions and shifts:
Pg Dato Hj Mohd Tassim Pg Hj Hassan has been promoted to Minister of Religious Affairs, replacing the outgoing Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin PDP Hj Awg Othman, who is retiring after serving in various cabinet roles since 2005.
Dato Mohd Riza DP Hj Mohd Yunos has been promoted from deputy minister at PMO to Minister of Transport and Infocommunications. He replaces Pg Dato Hj Shamhary Pg Dato Hj Mustapha, who will be taking over the portfolio of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
After serving as culture, youth and sports minister since 2022, Dato Hj Nazmi Hj Mohammad will take on the position of Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Civil Service Governance).
Elsewhere, Dato Hj Sofian Hj Sabtu has been promoted from deputy minister to Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Security and Law), while holding on to his role as Director of Internal Security Department.
Dato Hj Mohamad Azmi Hj Mohd Hanifah has also been promoted from deputy minister to Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Energy, Upstream and Downstream).
Record female appointments in deputy ranks
The deputy minister appointments highlighted a wave of female representation in the new cabinet, with three women taking key roles.
Hjh Tutiaty Hj Abdul Wahab was promoted from permanent secretary to Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Dr Nor Imtihan Hj Abdul Razak followed suit, moving from permanent secretary to Deputy Minister of Development.
Pg Datin Hjh Zety Sufina Pg Dato Hj Sani will continue as Deputy Minister of Finance, a role she has held since 2022.
Additionally, the Rector of Universiti Sultan Sharif Ali, Dato Dr Awg Hj Norarfan Hj Zainal, has been appointed Deputy Minister of Education.
Looking toward 2035
His Majesty stressed that these changes were introduced to further strengthen governance as the country enters a decisive decade.
“With less than a decade remaining to achieve Wawasan 2035, success will depend on the wisdom and determination of the new leadership, as well as the unity and shared responsibility of cabinet members,” the sultan said.
All appointments are for a four-year term effective June 4, 2026.
SEE MORE: Full list of cabinet appointees