On Thursday, in Bandar Seri Begawan, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah of Brunei and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei, presided over the State Opening of the First Meeting of the 22nd Session of the Legislative Council.

The ceremony formally inaugurated the new parliamentary session and marked the beginning of debate on the National Budget for the Financial Year 2026–2027, one of the most important legislative processes in Brunei’s political calendar.  The opening also marked the Sultan’s first public appearance since undergoing knee surgery earlier this year.

During the opening session, the Sultan delivered his titah, or royal address, outlining several national priorities. In his remarks, he called on authorities to strengthen road safety measures and improve infrastructure for road users, following a recent tragedy that claimed the lives of two cyclists. He expressed sympathy to the families affected and urged the relevant authorities to consider both legislative and infrastructure solutions to improve road safety across the country.

The Sultan also emphasized the importance of integrity and good governance, reiterating the government’s commitment to combating corruption and abuse of power in both the public and private sectors. He warned that corruption, if left unchecked, could undermine national stability and public trust.

Economic resilience was another central theme of the Sultan’s remarks. He encouraged continued efforts to diversify the national economy through strategic investment in new sectors and through stronger support for private enterprise and small and medium-sized businesses. These efforts form part of the long-term national development strategy known as Brunei Vision 2035, which aims to strengthen economic sustainability while maintaining high standards of social welfare and governance.

The Sultan also emphasized that the Legislative Council serves as an important platform for addressing national challenges and for developing practical solutions to issues affecting the people of Brunei Darussalam.

The State Opening of the Legislative Council remains one of the most significant constitutional ceremonies in the country, reflecting the Sultan’s central role in Brunei’s system of government and in shaping the nation’s long-term development policies.