Council of Cabinet Ministers

History

The cabinet was established in 1959. Immediately upon Brunei's independence on 1 January 1984, the following portfolios were introduced as the first cabinet line-up:

• Prime Minister
• Minister of Communications
• Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
• Minister of Defence
• Minister of Development
• Minister of Education
• Minister of Finance
• Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Minister of Home Affairs
• Minister of Law
• Deputy Minister of Finance

On 20 October 1986, after the demise of the late Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the cabinet was reshuffled which saw the introduction of new ministerial posts, namely the Ministers of Health and Religious Affairs, and Special Adviser in the Prime Minister's Office. The reshuffle saw the cabinet being enlarged to a total of 13 ministerial and 8 deputy ministerial posts.

The cabinet was reshuffled again in 1986, 1988, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2018, and 2022. Since 2005, cabinet reshuffle typically happened every five years. However, the 2015 cabinet term lasted less than five years with a "surprise" reshuffle in 2018, with no official reason given, although it was speculated that corruption could be a reason. In contrast to the previous cabinets which served or intended to serve for five years, the 2022 cabinet shall serve for a four-year term.

On 1 April 1993, the post of Secretary to Council of Cabinet Ministers was created, with Judin Asar as the inaugural holder.

The State Mufti and Attorney General were included in the cabinet and declared ministry-level positions in the reshuffles of 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2018.

The 2005 cabinet line-up saw the introduction of new ministerial posts, namely Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Minister of Energy in the Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister of Finance, and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, the 2018 cabinet line-up saw the introduction of the new Second Minister of Defence, but the position was not renewed in 2022 reshuffle.

The 2010 reshuffle saw the appointment of Adina Othman as the first female deputy minister, holding the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports portfolio. Meanwhile, the 2022 reshuffle saw the appointment of Romaizah Mohd Salleh as the first female minister, holding the Minister of Education portfolio.

Current members

References

References

1. (2010). "Constitution of Brunei Darussalam". Attorney-General's Chambers, Brunei.
2. Pg. Haji Md. Noor, Pg. Hajah Fatimah. (22 October 2015). "Rombakan Kabinet". Pelita Brunei.
3. (30 January 2018). "Brunei ruler replaces top ministers in surprise cabinet reshuffle". [[Reuters]].
4. Ward, Oliver. (20 February 2018). "The underlying reason behind Brunei's cabinet reshuffle". ASEAN Today.
5. (April 1993). "Secretary to Council of Cabinet Ministers post created". Department of Information.
6. . (24 May 2005). ["Jawatan Mufti Kerajaan dan Peguam Negara bertaraf Menteri"](https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2005/25%20MEI%202005.pdf). *Pelita Brunei*.
7. . (22 October 2015). ["Jawatan Mufti Kerajaan, Peguam Negara bertaraf Menteri"](https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2015/Oktober/pelitabrunei_241015.pdf). *Pelita Brunei*.
8. . (30 January 2018). ["Jawatan Mufti Kerajaan, Peguam Negara bertaraf Menteri"](https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2018/Januari/pelitabrunei_310118.pdf). *Pelita Brunei*.
9. Ibrahim, Jaafar. (24 May 2005). "Rombakan keahlian Majlis Mesyuarat Menteri-menteri Kabinet". Pelita Brunei.
10. Masri, Ubaidillah. (30 May 2010). "HM reshuffles Cabinet, appoints first woman deputy minister {{pipe}} The BT Archive".
11. (7 June 2022). "HM: New cabinet must carry out duties with "full loyalty and responsibility"". The Scoop.
12. . (8 June 2022). ["Sultan Brunei rombak Kabinet, menteri wanita pertama dilantik"](https://www.bharian.com.my/dunia/asean/2022/06/963527/sultan-brunei-rombak-kabinet-menteri-wanita-pertama-dilantik). *[[Berita Harian]]*.
13. "Ahli-Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Menteri-Menteri Kabinet".