PREAMBLE

Article 18: Duties and Responsibilities of Members of the Supreme Council

1. President:

   1. Responsible as the leader of the Party for its overall administration and management and for initiating other activities of the Party in order to achieve the Party’s vision, mission and principal objectives as provided for in the Constitution of the Development Party, and to issue political statements in keeping with the provisions thereof, in addition to implementing the decisions and agreements made from time to time by the Supreme Council during any of its meetings.
   2. Responsible for appointing from among the Ordinary Members of the Supreme Council, elected during the Annual General Congress, to fill the positions or portfolios in Clause 1(d)(i) to Clause 1(d)(ix), Article 16 and to appoint, from among the elected Ordinary Members of the Supreme Council, the Head of a Committee or Bureau formed with the approval of the majority of the Members of the Supreme Council.
   3. Responsible for all the functions and duties of the Members of the Supreme Council and to coordinate them from time to time in order to strengthen the machinery of the Development Party at all levels.
   4. To take all necessary steps and actions to ensure unity, understanding and dedication of the Members of the Supreme Council in carrying out their respective duties and responsibilities.
   5. To schedule and to chair meetings of the Supreme Council and Central Executive Council.
2. Deputy President:

   1. To assist the President in the performance of his duties and responsibilities.
   2. To chair the meetings of the Supreme Council and the Central Executive Council when the President is incapacitated or unable to be present.
   3. To act as and to perform the functions of the President in his absence until the next Annual General Congress during which elections take place, or until a Special General Congress which carries the particular agenda or until a date determined and approved by three-fourths or twenty-one other members of the Supreme Council.
3. Vice-President:

   1. Responsible for assisting the functions of the President.
   2. To chair the meetings of the Supreme Council and the Central Executive Council when the President and his Deputy are incapacitated or unable to be present.
4. Secretary-General:

   1. Responsible directly to the President, his Deputy and all the Members of the Supreme Council.
   2. To be the chief administrator of the Headquarters of the Development Party at the central level and the member responsible for its administration and management and the division of work delegated to all the secretaries of Committees or Bureaus at the central level.
   3. Responsible for reporting to the President, his Deputy and the Supreme Council on all actions and activities concerning the administration of the Headquarters of the Development Party at the central level and the activities of the Party as a whole.
   4. Responsible for the flawless organization of all meetings of the Supreme Council and Central Executive Council as well as any Annual or Special General Congress.
   5. Responsible for the appointment, with the consent of the majority of members at a meeting of the Central Executive Council, of an Executive Secretary whose functions shall include attending all the meetings of the Council and to implement follow-up actions therefrom, upon the instructions of the Secretary-General and or the Assistant Secretary-General.
   6. Responsible for the organization structure and the appointment of staff for the Headquarters of the Development Party at the central level with the approval of the majority of members at a meeting of the Central Executive Council
   7. To prepare reports and statements concerning the activities and progress of the Party for review and evaluation during an Annual or Special General Congress and meetings of the Supreme Council and Central Executive Council.
   8. In general, to be charged with the overall responsibility for the administration and management of the Party from time to time.
5. Treasurer-General:

   1. Responsible for the proper custody and management of the funds of the Development Party and the finances of the Headquarters of the Development Party at the central level.
   2. To prepare and present the annual budget of the Development Party for further action by the Supreme Council.
   3. Responsible for the preparation of the annual financial statement/report for examination by the Internal Auditor of the Party elected by the Annual General Congress, or by any certified auditor appointed with the agreement of two-thirds of the Members of the Supreme Council.
   4. To present the annual financial statement/report for the preceding year ended 31 December to the Annual General Congress.
   5. In general, to prepare programmes and plans to strengthen the Party’s finances from time to time.
6. Head of Islamic Affairs:

   1. To endeavour to unite the Islamic scholars of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam and to persuade them to participate and become members of the Development Party.
   2. To organize Islamic studies programmes and to ensure the availability of qualified teachers to lead group study circles (usrah) and conduct lectures on Islamic studies and Moral Education.
   3. To provide advice on Islamic affairs to the Party and its members.
   4. To form and head a Committee for Islamic Affairs at the central level and to appoint from among eligible ordinary members of the Development Party:
      1. A Deputy Head
      2. A Vice-Head
      3. A Secretary
      4. A Treasurer
      5. A Head of Information, Education and Dakwah
      6. Four Ordinary Members of the Committee for Islamic Affairs.
   5. All appointments in Clause 6(d), Article 18 must be approved by a majority of the members of the Supreme Council and service in the Committee for Islamic Affairs shall extend for not more than three years or until the next Annual General Congress during which elections for members of the Supreme Council are held.
   6. The quorum for the Committee for Islamic Affairs to hold its meetings shall be seven members of the committee present.
7. Head of Non-Muslim Affairs:

   1. To endeavour to unite the non-Muslim population of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam and to persuade them to participate and become members of the Development Party.
   2. To organize programmes for the acquisition of knowledge, Civics and Moral Education.
   3. To carry out research and to provide advice concerning Non-Muslim affairs to the Party from time to time.
   4. To form and head a Committee for Non-Muslim Affairs at the central level and to appoint from among eligible Non-Muslim members of the Development Party:
      1. A Deputy Head
      2. A Vice- Head
      3. A Secretary
      4. A Treasurer
      5. A Head of Information and Education
      6. Four Ordinary Members of the Committee for Non-Muslim Affairs.
   5. Only Non-Muslim members elected by other Non-Muslim members during an Annual General Congress when elections take place are eligible to be appointed by the Head of Non-Muslim Affairs to fill the positions and portfolios in Clause 7(d), Article 18.
   6. All appointments under Clause 7(d), Article 18 must be approved by a majority of the members of the Supreme Council and service in the Committee for Non-Muslim Affairs shall extend for not more than three years or until the next Annual General Congress during which elections for members of the Supreme Council are held.
   7. The quorum for the Committee for Non-Muslim Affairs to hold its meetings shall be seven members of the committee present.
8. Head of the Youth Assemblage:

   1. To endeavour to unite the male youth population of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam and to invite them to participate and become members of the Development Party, where “youth” is defined as those aged 18 to 40 years.
   2. To organize activities related to the lives of young people in the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam and to instill in them the spirit of noble combativeness and love for Islam, the Sultan and Ruler, the Nation and the Nation State.
   3. To organize leadership training and entrepreneurship programmes for the benefit of the youth of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam.
   4. In general, to plan and sponsor from time to time whatever useful activity that will bring benefit to the youth of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam.
   5. To form and head a Youth Assemblage Committee at the central level and to appoint:
      1. A Deputy Head
      2. A Vice- Head
      3. A Secretary
      4. A Treasurer
      5. A Head of Information and Public Affairs
      6. Four Ordinary Members of the Youth Assemblage Committee.
   6. Only youth members chosen by other youth members at a central level Annual Youth Assemblage during which elections take place may be appointed by the Head of the Youth Assemblage to fill the positions and portfolios in Clause 8(e), Article 18.
   7. All appointments made pursuant to Clause 8(e), Article 18 must be approved by a majority of the Members of the Supreme Council and service in the Youth Assemblage Committee shall extend for not more than three years or until the next Annual General Congress during which elections for members of the Supreme Council are held.
   8. The quorum for the Youth Assemblage Committee to hold its meetings shall be seven members of the committee present.
9. Head of the Women Assemblage:

   1. To endeavour to unite the women population of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam and to invite those aged 18 years and above to participate and become members of the Development Party.
   2. To organize activities related to the lives of women in the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam and to instill in them the spirit of noble combativeness and love for Islam, the Sultan and Ruler, the Nation and the Nation State.
   3. To organize leadership training and entrepreneurship programmes for the benefit of the women of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam.
   4. In general, to plan and sponsor from time to time whatever useful activity that will bring benefit to the women of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam.
   5. To form and head a Women Assemblage Committee at the central level and to appoint:
      1. A Deputy Head
      2. A Vice-Head
      3. A Secretary
      4. A Treasureri
      5. A Head of Information and Public Affairs
      6. Four Ordinary Members of the Women Assemblage Committee.
   6. Only women members chosen by other women members at a central level Annual Women Assemblage during which elections take place may be appointed by the Head of the Women Assemblage to fill the positions and portfolios in Clause 9(e), Article 18.
   7. All appointments made pursuant to Clause 9(e), Article 18 must be approved by a majority of the Members of the Supreme Council and service in the Women Assembly Committee shall extend for not more than three years or until the next Annual General Congress during which elections for members of the Supreme Council are held.
   8. The quorum for the Women Assemblage Committee to hold its meetings shall be seven members of the committee present.
10. Head of Information and Public Affairs:

    1. Responsible for the flawless execution of all Information and Public Affairs programmes and activities.
    2. To prepare, arrange and coordinate from time to time all Information and Public Affairs programmes and activities in keeping with the vision, mission and principal objectives of the Development Party.
    3. Responsible for reporting to the President and the Supreme Council on all efforts and actions related to Information and Public Affairs activities at all levels — central, divisional and branch — of the Development Party.
    4. Responsible for reporting from time to time to the President and the Supreme Council on all plans and actions taken concerning any public affairs matter affecting the people and inhabitants of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam.
    5. In general, from time to time to prepare and to issue statements and messages of the Party as well as publications in keeping with the Party’s vision, mission and principal objectives and to disseminate widely the decisions and resolutions of the Party.
11. Head of the Discipline and Moral Conduct Committee:

    1. In general, responsible for maintaining and enforcing party discipline among members.
    2. To carry out whatever related duties and responsibilities as provided for in the Constitution of the Development Party.
12. Assistant Secretary-General:

    1. To assist the Secretary-General in the performance of his duties and responsibilities.
    2. To act as and perform the duties of the Secretary-General when the Secretary-General is on leave from work for more than fifteen days or in the absence of the Secretary-General for more than fifteen days, with the approval of a majority of Members at a meeting of the Central Executive Council, until a certain date determined by it.
13. General Duties and Responsibilities of Members of the Supreme Council:

    1. To formulate, organize and arrange from time to time whatever strategies and programmes approved by the Supreme Council and to take all necessary steps and actions to execute such programmes as long as they are not in conflict with any provision of the Constitution of the Development Party.
    2. To give heed to and take cognizance of any activity of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Ruler and of all institutions under it, as well as the activities of semi-governmental and non-governmental organizations, and to express and clarify the views, opinions and standpoint of the Development Party concerning them.
    3. To select and confirm candidates for any process of elections held from time to time.
    4. To consider and approve applications for membership and applications to form Divisions and Branches of the Development Party.
    5. To formulate regulations on matters related to elections and the candidates who will be contesting.
    6. To form committees necessary for assisting, implementing and facilitating the administration or management and the execution of all activities of the Development Party and to appoint for each a Chairman, or Head, and members.
    7. To monitor, coordinate and streamline the administration and management of the organization at the divisional and branch levels throughout the country.
    8. To resolve any misunderstanding and conflict within the Party, and to have the power, with the agreement and approval of the majority of members of the Supreme Council, to suspend for a period of ninety days or to dissolve and subsequently reconstitute within ninety days, any division and branch of the Development Party, and its administration to be taken over by the Discipline and Moral Conduct Committee during the aforementioned period.
    9. To consider and to enter into agreement to cooperate from time to time with political parties and non-political organizations deemed suitable and appropriate in the interest of national unity as long as it is not contrary to or in breach of the laws of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam.
    10. To dismiss, replace or reappoint any member of the committee formed under Clause 13 (f), Article 18, from time to time, and to have to the power to dissolve any committee deemed no longer required, with the agreement of the majority of members at a meeting of the Supreme Council.
    11. A meeting of the Supreme Council, with the agreement and approval of three-fourths or twenty-one of its members, may appoint any member of the Development Party to fill any vacancy in the Supreme Council, whether the previous member had resigned, been dismissed, died or lost his eligibility to be a member due to any legal restriction, such appointment to be made within 30 days from the effective date of the vacancy, except if an Annual General Congress during which elections take place is due to be held within that period.
    12. If the vacancy referred to in Clause 13 (k), Article 18 is for the position or portfolio of Deputy President or Vice-President or the Head of Non-Muslim Affairs, then the member appointed to fill the vacancy shall only hold the position in an acting capacity until the next Annual General Congress during which elections take place, or until a Special General Congress which carries the particular agenda or until a date determined and approved by three-fourths or twenty-one other members of the Supreme Council.
    13. The quorum for the Supreme Council to hold its meetings is twenty-one members of the Council present.
    14. In general, to plan and implement whatever endeavour and action towards the integrity of the institution of the Sultanate of the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam, the national interest, and the progress of the Party, people and the Nation State of Brunei Darussalam.
14. General Duties and Responsibilities of Members of the Central Executive Council:

    1. To assist the Supreme Council.
    2. To consider and approve applications for membership and applications to form Divisions and Branches of the Development Party.
    3. To make any decision to streamline and further facilitate the overall administration and management of the Party Headquarters.
    4. To consider and decide on any important matter arising which requires to be resolved expeditiously and subsequently to inform concerning it a meeting of the Supreme Council for its endorsement.
    5. To carry out whatever tasks and responsibilities delegated to it from time to time by a meeting of the Supreme Council.
    6. The quorum for the Central Executive Council to hold its meetings is twelve members of the Council present.