The morning session began with deliberations for Ministry of Defence's proposed allocation. Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohammad Yussof, Second Minister of Defence, in his opening remarks shared on the strategic planning and capacity building implementation, capability and preparedness in military medicine as well as military operation other than war specifically, which have shown improved responsiveness. Apart from that, it can also enable the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces to provide support towards national response in facing the threat of pandemic in the country.

Yang Berhormat Pehin said since the start of the second wave of the pandemic last August, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces was given the trust and bigger responsibility compared to the first wave. The Minister said the nation is not at war with the enemy in the conventional way, but the elements of existing operation planning based on military principles, concept and documents such as command and control and Civil Military Cooperation, CIMIC are deemed as relevant and are utilised in coordinating a more organised and effective national response.

Source: Radio Television Brunei