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KEYNOTE ADDRESS

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN BRUNEI:

TURNING POLICY INTO IMPACT

BY

YANG BERHORMAT

DATO SERI SETIA AWANG MOHAMMED RIZA BIN

DATO PADUKA HAJI MOHAMMED YUNOS

MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFOCOMMUNICATIONS

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

DIGITAL FUTURE CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION (DFCE) 2026

THEME

“TOGETHER TOWARDS A DIGITAL BRUNEI:

INNOVATE, EMPOWER, TRANSFORM"

TUESDAY

20 SAFAR 1448H | 04 AUGUST 2026

09.00 AM

MUNAWWARAH HALL, SETIA POINT, BERAKAS

Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh and a very good morning.

Yang Mulia Haji Jailani bin Haji Buntar, Chief Executive of AITI,

Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Senior Officials;

Industry leaders, innovators and business communities;

Esteemed Panel of Speakers and Moderators; Conference Participants;

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

1.   It is a great pleasure to officiate the Digital Future Conference and Exhibition 2026. I extend my sincere appreciation to all our distinguished guests, speakers, participants and exhibitors. Your presence reflects the growing significance of Brunei Darussalam's digital transformation agenda and our collective commitment to harness technology as a catalyst for innovation, economic diversification and sustainable national development.

2.   I commend the Authority for Infocommunications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) for once again bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, academia and innovators through this important annual platform. I am confident that DFCE 2026 will provide valuable opportunities for meaningful dialogue to strategically shape our nation's digital future.

Theme of DFCE 2026

3.   This year's theme, "Together towards a Digital Brunei: Innovate, Empower, Transform", is timely and as it is aligned with the newly launched Digital Brunei 2030. It reflects the journey towards becoming a digitally advanced, inclusive and future-ready society. Meaningful digital transformation requires a collective effort; bringing together Government, industry, academia, communities and individuals behind a common vision.

4.   At the heart of this transformation lies Artificial Intelligence (AI), a transformative force reshaping industries, economies and societies. AI offers immense potential to accelerate our Digital Brunei aspirations, but also demands responsible governance. How we harness AI today, will define our nation's competitiveness and prosperity tomorrow.

 5.   Each element of the theme carries an important message:

• INNOVATE to look beyond established ways and develop better solutions.
• EMPOWER to provide everyone with skills, confidence and opportunities to participate.
• TRANSFORM to convert innovation into meaningful improvements in how we live, work and deliver services.
  

Translating Digital Brunei 2030 into Action

6.   This brings me to the focus of my keynote today: "Digital Transformation in Brunei: Turning Policy into Impact." As we advance towards Wawasan Brunei 2035, our priority must shift from planning to execution. With Digital Brunei 2030 providing a strong strategic foundation, the task before us is to turn ambition into action; and policy into meaningful outcomes for our people. To do so, I believe five key principles should guide our digital transformation journey:

FIRSTLY: Put People and Outcomes at the Centre

                       i.         In delivering digital government services, we must actively involve citizens from the outset. Initiatives such as the Gov 2.0 Citizen Portal and government super apps should be co-created with citizens, drawing on their needs, experiences and feedback.

                      ii.         By involving citizens directly, we can better understand real challenges, test assumptions and design services that are simpler, faster and more responsive. This is innovation with purpose: developing solutions with our citizens, rather than merely for them.

SECONDLY: Work Across Organisational Boundaries

                        i.         Citizens see the Government as one Government; and businesses operate within a connected ecosystem. Under Digital Brunei 2030, interoperability, common standards, secure data-sharing, shared infrastructure and cross-border payments are national priorities.

                      ii.         Key enablers such as Digital ID and the national data-sharing platform provide citizens and businesses with secure identity verification and trusted information exchanges. No single ministry, agency or business can deliver digital transformation alone. By sharing expertise, infrastructure and resources, we can reduce duplication and develop integrated solutions.
                    iii.         Through collaboration among Government, financial institutions and industry, we are piloting “Tarus", a digital payment platform at night markets and food stalls, making everyday transactions more convenient and inclusive. This demonstrates how innovation can address practical needs and extend digital benefits to businesses and consumers in their daily activities.

THIRDLY: Build Trust by Design

                          i.         Cybersecurity, data protection and governance work hand in hand. This is further strengthened by responsible and ethical AI, embedded from the outset of every digital initiative. Innovation can only create lasting impact when people trust the technologies they are expected to use.

                        ii.         AI holds immense promise, but it also presents significant risks, including bias, misuse and the erosion of privacy if not developed responsibly. Our commitment must be to ensure that AI is not only powerful, but also safe, fair and transparent.
                       iii.         The Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, developed by AITI Working Group on AI Governance and Ethics, provides a foundation for ensuring AI is developed and used ethically, transparently and accountably. It is our national commitment to responsible innovation. Its principles should guide AI adoption across Government, businesses and society.

                      iv.         The enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Order 2025 since January further strengthens the protection and responsible management of personal data. AITI has published guidance documents and conducted industry engagements with over a thousand participants thus far to help organisations understand their responsibilities and incorporate sound data-protection practices.

FOURTHLY: Continuously Develop Our People's Capabilities

                          i.         Technology enables change, but it is people who make transformation possible. Building a digitally skilled, adaptable and future-ready society is essential to achieving our national ambitions.

                        ii.         Initiatives such as AITI's Digital Perkasa Programme, which aims to equip Bruneians with essential digital competencies through structured training and certification, together with the Brunei AI and Digital Literacy Framework and expanded upskilling programmes in AI and emerging technologies, are strengthening capabilities in coding, digital literacy and the responsible use of technology.
                        iii.         As we integrate AI into our economy, we must equip our workforce not just to use AI but to thrive alongside it. This means fostering uniquely human skills, critical thinking, creativity and complex problem-solving, that AI cannot replicate and that will be the cornerstone of a resilient workforce.

                      iv.         Digital transformation must remain inclusive. No individual or community should be left behind because of age, background, location, ability or digital experience. Through AITI's collaboration with the Big Begawan (BWN) Project, a Brunei-based social enterprise and community organisation, under the Digital for All initiative, accessible digital literacy and ICT training are being extended to special needs communities to ensure they are empowered to benefit from the opportunities created by digital transformation.
                        v.         Inclusion is also about enabling people to participate safely and confidently online. As more aspects of our lives move online, individuals must recognise scams, protect personal information and respond to digital threats.

                      vi.         We must also address the growing threat of AI-enabled misinformation and deepfakes. Strengthening digital literacy and critical thinking is paramount to ensuring our citizens can navigate the digital world with discernment and resilience.
                      vii.         Ongoing online safety initiatives such as Waspada.bn and public engagements raise awareness of misinformation, scams and emerging threats.

7.   Continued efforts by Cyber Security Brunei, the Royal Brunei Police Force and AITI to enhance public awareness of cybersecurity, data protection and responsible digital practices are critical to building a resilient, secure and trusted digital ecosystem.

 8.      I note that AITI is introducing the BruNAI programme, beginning with today's 101 Coding: AI Low-Code Sprint Workshop. This marks an important step towards developing practical AI capabilities and promoting the safe and responsible adoption of AI across our society and businesses.

A Call to Action for Our Local ICT Industry

9.      Developing our people's capabilities must be complemented by strengthening our local ICT businesses. A strong local ICT industry is essential to translating ideas into commercially viable solutions and developing homegrown innovation that responds to Brunei's needs.

​10.  However, we are operating in a highly competitive global arena. The race for digital and AI leadership is intensifying. Our local IT companies cannot afford to be passive observers, they must be active drivers.

 11.  So what must our local IT companies do?

FIRST, innovate with conviction. It is no longer enough to implement off-the-shelf solutions. Our companies must invest in R&D, experiment with AI and machine learning and build proprietary solutions that address our unique challenges, solutions that can then be exported regionally.
SECOND, build deep, specialised expertise. Generalists are easily replaced; specialists are sought after. Our companies should identify niche areas, AI-powered fintech, cybersecurity, agritech or digital health and strive to become world-class in those domains. This requires continuous learning, investment in talent and a commitment to professional excellence.
THIRD, collaborate to compete. Our local ecosystem is maturing and individual firms may struggle against multinational giants. But through strategic partnerships, consortia and joint ventures, they can pool resources, share risks and bid for larger, more complex projects. Let us see more collaboration and less fragmentation; more collective ambition and less hesitation.
12.  I am pleased that AITI will soon introduce IKTIRAF to support the development of our homegrown ICT industry by encouraging businesses to strengthen technical competencies, professional standards, governance and service quality.

13.  IKTIRAF is designed to be more than a seal of approval. It is a catalyst for competitiveness, hopefully creating a merit-based ecosystem where quality and capability are rewarded and where local firms are motivated to continuously improve. It signals to the market and to the world, that accredited Bruneian IT companies are ready, reliable and capable of delivering world-class solutions.
14.  To our local IT leaders: Do not limit your ambitions to our shores. Use IKTIRAF as a springboard to build your reputation. Leverage our stability, our multilingual workforce and our commitment to ethical business and our strategic location. Let us build an ICT industry that not only serves Brunei but also competes with the best in the region and beyond. I congratulate those that have already made their mark in the international arena.

Finally: Measure What Matters

15.  Success cannot be measured solely by the number of platforms launched, applications downloaded, or technologies deployed. The true measure lies in whether our digital initiatives solve real challenges, improve lives, and deliver meaningful outcomes for our people, businesses, and society.

16.  To support this, the Digital Brunei Council has established clear indicators to track progress and impact, including service adoption, user satisfaction, digital inclusion, business digitalisation, workforce capabilities, and the growth of the digital economy. These indicators strengthen accountability, enable evidence-based decision-making, and ensure our efforts remain focused on achieving measurable outcomes.
 17.  What does successful digital transformation actually look like for Brunei Darussalam? It is time we redefine our benchmarks.

 18.  For Brunei Darussalam, successful digital transformation will be reflected through:

First - Frictionless Public Value: Citizens accessing government services seamlessly, such as obtaining a business licence within minutes without visiting multiple counters or repeatedly providing information already held by the Government;

Second - Measurable Productivity Gains: Lower operational costs, faster service delivery and improved efficiency across the public and private sectors;

Third - Economic Diversification and High-Value Opportunities: A thriving local technology ecosystem that develops and exports digital solutions while creating quality employment opportunities for Bruneians;

and Lastly - Resilience and Trust: Strong cybersecurity protection, robust data privacy safeguards, and sustained public confidence in our digital services.

19.  Ultimately, digital transformation is not about technology alone. It is about harnessing technology as an enabler to build a more connected, inclusive, productive and resilient Brunei Darussalam that creates lasting benefits for generations to come.

Conclusion

20.  In conclusion, the theme "Together Towards a Digital Brunei: Innovate, Empower, Transform" is ultimately a call to action. It calls on us to innovate with purpose, empower people and businesses and transform policies into outcomes that can be seen, experienced and sustained.

21.  The aspirations of WAWASAN Brunei 2035 call upon all of us to embrace change with confidence, innovate with purpose and work together with unwavering resolve. Let us build a digital economy that is resilient, inclusive and globally competitive, one that creates lasting opportunities for our people and enduring prosperity for our nation.
22.  I encourage all participants to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and explore innovative solutions that will contribute to our national progress. Let DFCE 2026 be a platform for collaboration and action.

​23.  The choices we make regarding AI today, how we develop it, govern it and use it, will echo through generations. Let us choose to be leaders in responsible AI, ensuring it is a tool for empowerment, not exclusion; for prosperity, not inequality.
24.  Together, we can realise a Digital Brunei that is trusted, resilient, inclusive and future-ready, one that creates enduring value for our people, strengthens our nation's competitiveness and secures a prosperous legacy for generations to come.

25.  With these remarks, it gives me great pleasure to officially declare the Digital Future Conference and Exhibition 2026 open. Thank you.