Hassanal Bolkiah carried out the fourth reshuffle of his government on 29 May 2010, appointing the first female deputy minister and replacing three ministers. The announcement was delivered during a televised speech at 3:50 pm. The previous cabinet had been reshuffled in 2005 for a five-year term, followed by the next one in 2015.
The cabinet reshuffle had modifications implemented were a minor step toward better governance, even though many ministers kept their jobs and the sultan still served as finance, defence, and the prime ministership. The nation's first female cabinet member, Adina Othman, was appointed deputy minister of culture, youth and sports in the new administration. Four deputy ministers were sworn in as new cabinet ministers, and three existing ministers kept their current portfolios.
According to the sultan's televised speech, the cabinet reshuffle aimed to enhance efficiency, foster dynamic leadership, and align with national objectives. It was significant for the appointment of Brunei's first female attorney general and deputy minister, reflecting the sultan's commitment to gender inclusion. By combining experienced leaders with fresh talent, the reshuffle sought to drive economic growth and competitiveness. However, Jane's Intelligence suggested that the reshuffle was an effort to replace conservative ministers with a more corporate and technically experienced team. Despite ongoing concerns about restrictions on freedoms and gender discrimination, as noted in the U.S. Department of State's 2009 Human Rights Report, Brunei has made gradual progress in women's rights, including the removal of a policy requiring female civil servants to resign upon marriage and the appointment of high-profile women to leadership positions.
On 9 June 2010, members of the newly formed cabinet were sworn in for a five-year term during a ceremony at the palace. On 8 July, the sultan chaired the first cabinet meeting following the reshuffle, which was also held at the palace. Cabinet-level changes Colour key Minister Position before reshuffle Result of reshuffleHazair AbdullahDeputy Minister of Health Became Minister of Culture, Youth and SportsAbu Bakar ApongMinister of CommunicationsBecame Minister of EducationAbdullah BakarMinister of DevelopmentBecame Minister of CommunicationsMohammad DaudMinister of Energy at the Prime Minister's OfficeLeft the governmentSuyoi OsmanMinister of HealthBecame Minister of Development Badaruddin Othman Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Became Minister of Home AffairsPengiran MohammadDeputy Minister of EducationBecame Minister of Religious Affairs Zain Serudin Minister of Religious Affairs Left the governmentAbdul Rahman TaibMinister of Education Left the governmentYasmin UmarDeputy Minister of DefenceBecame Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's OfficeAdanan YusofMinister of Home AffairsBecame Minister of Health
Junior ministerial changes Colour key Minister Position before reshuffle Result of reshuffleBahrin AbdullahPermanent Secretary at the Ministry of FinanceBecame Deputy Minister of FinanceHamdillah Abdul WahabDeputy Minister of Industry and Primary ResourcesLeft the governmentAli ApongPermanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's OfficeBecame Deputy Minister of DevelopmentDani IbrahimDeputy Minister of Home AffairsLeft the governmentEusoff Agaki IsmailDeputy Minister at the Prime Minister's OfficeLeft the governmentYusoff IsmailMember of the Public Service CommissionBecame Deputy Minister of EducationAbdul Wahab JunedNoneBecame Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's OfficeHalbi Mohammad YussofHigh Commissioner of Brunei to MalaysiaBecame Deputy Minister of Home AffairsAdina OthmanDirector of Community DevelopmentBecame Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and SportsMustappa SiratPermanent Secretary I at the Ministry of DefenceBecame Deputy Minister of DefencePengiran BahromDeputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious AffairsBecame Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs
Later changes The sultan ordered the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) and the Department of Economic Planning and Development to be placed under the Prime Minister's Office, appointing Ali Apong as deputy minister and chairman of BEDB, replacing Timothy Ong, effective 18 November 2010. Colour key Minister Position before reshuffle Result of reshuffle Effective fromAli ApongDeputy Minister of DevelopmentBecame Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office18 November 2010
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