January 28, 2026
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The enactment of the Personal Data Protection Order 2025 (PDPO) has marked a transformative era for Brunei’s digital landscape, providing a robust framework of trust, privacy and accountability to encourage digital innovation.
This includes supporting the industry by prioritising capacity building to foster a trusted environment that encourages international connectivity and economic growth.
This was highlighted by Chief Executive of the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) Haji Jailani bin Haji Buntar in his welcoming remarks at the inaugural Personal Data Protection (PDP) Conference 2026 at the Indera Samudra Grand Hall, The Empire Brunei yesterday.
Haji Jailani added, “This legislation is a core pillar of the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025, ensuring that a robust framework of trust, privacy and accountability supports our transition into a Smart Nation. Looking further ahead, the PDPO is also among the key foundations where more digital transformation undertakings are built on, greatly supporting the development of the Digital Brunei Transformation Plan.”
In the effort to build local expertise, he revealed that AITI introduced the Competency Programme for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) to ensure the local workforce is equipped with the technical skills to manage data assets responsibly. “We also offered Professional Certification under the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), whereby two cohorts have been completed in 2025, and scheduled another two cohorts this year. Furthermore, the PDP Practitioner Training continues to train and equip DPOs with the essential knowledge and practical skills to confidently take on personal data protection responsibilities,” he said.
AITI, he explained, “is now broadening our functions to also embrace the pillars of a digital future. In addition to personal data protection, AITI now regulates the postal industry, and is actively moving towards wider digital regulation. In a world of constantly evolving technology, progress is essential.”
Organised by AITI, the conference gathered over 250 attendees from government agencies, the private sector and industry stakeholders.
AITI also unveiled PDP Essentials Infokit, officiated by Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, the guest of honour.
The PDP Essentials Infokit is developed to provide a practical guide for organisations to hold accountability in the personal data entrusted to them, and contains information on how organisations can ensure appropriate personal data protection policies, processes and practices.
A keynote presentation and panel sessions of the PDP Conference 2026 featured regional experts, including Yeong Zee Kin from the Singapore Academy of Law; Personal Data Protection Commissioner of Malaysia Sharifah Rashidah binti Syed Othman; Thienchai Na Nakorn from the Personal Data Protection Committee Thailand; Adeline Tung of the Personal Data Protection Commission Singapore; Wong Kar Hong from Young Technologies Consulting Singapore; Yusof Fadli Sidek of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam; Izzul Hamzi Jomari from Gleneagles JPMC; and Eu Gene Tan of AsiaDPO.
Attorney General Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib and Acting Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Paduka Haji Khairuddin bin Haji Abdul Hamid were also present. – James Kon