Strategies for future food security
YOU NUO
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
MOST parts of the developing world are facing a food crisis. How can China, as the most populous country, remain unscathed by the rising tide?
Unless two things are done, officials cannot convince the public that there is no need for fear. On the short term, the first task is to provide the actual figure of the country's grain stocks, and to guarantee a good harvest of the new crops in 2008.
The other is a long-term task. Since farm products have become more expensive, the government has to come up with a program to give the right incentives to farmers, and to cushion consumers at the same time.
Two weeks ago, the Chinese-language press questioned, and as in some opinion pieces, practically ridiculed a national grain administration official for saying that seeing no grain in the State grain storage can be a normal thing. That, as some critics said, was a tongue-twister similar to "we don't know what we don't know".
Well, it is time to know. Sources close to the State Administration of Grain are now saying that all its key officials are on inspection trips in different places of the country, following dispatches from the premier.
This is a necessary first move whenever alarm is heard, whether from inside or outside China, about the food supply. A considerable part of China's anticipated stock of 50 million tons of rice, among other staples, is usually kept in small farmers' barns rather than in the State's large storage centers. The figure is only a rule of thumb but it gives an idea of the range of the total quantity available in an average year.
How much the government can depend on that figure when it comes to planning for contingencies would require a double check. In a week or so, one would assume, the inspecting officials would come back to Beijing with the more accurate numbers about China's grain stocks.
But the grain storage officials should not be the only ones making inspection rounds. In one and half months, farmers will begin to harvest their first crop of the year.
Will there be a normal output? And will the nation's total summer crop, which makes up one-third of its yearly supply, remain at the same level as last year's? People can feel more reassured if these questions are properly answered.
However, even if these questions are satisfactorily answered, the world food price level will continue to rise — due mainly to the increasing use of land for biofuels, and the dampening effect of rising prices of inputs of farm production. These are long-term factors and are likely to push up the food price level even higher.
Between now and then, as the World Bank has warned, some countries may even go through social unrests. With or without social unrest, in no country will farm sector and the food market remain unchanged.
By contrast, not a single official economist has offered to talk about the future changes in that perspective. Officials tend to imagine that the current inflationary cycle is only temporary, or to leave such an impression on their audience, while in fact, this can hardly be the case.
A more realistic way to prepare for the future is to offer higher prices to encourage farmers to produce more, while develop some strategies to help low-income groups.
China Daily
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Cut cost of doing business in Brunei
Cut cost of doing business in Brunei
DEBBIE TOO
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
POLICY and procedures need to be simplified to create an environment where the cost of doing business is minimised in the sultanate.
Shazali Sulaiman, a partner at auditing firm KPMG and executive secretary of the Brunei Darussalam International Chamber of Commerce, said: "This issue has been raised by individuals who want to start businesses in Brunei. The number of policies and processes they have to go through to start a business sometimes are not consistent in terms of labour, miscellaneous and licence procedures".
Giving a talk at LiveWIRE's 'Become a Successful Owner Manager' workshop yesterday, he said most individuals want to start their businesses quickly and not be burdened with overhead costs even before actually starting operations.
"As you know, to get the miscellaneous licence, you have to rent (shop space) and you cannot start your business until your miscellaneous licence is approved. In the time period you rent and get your licence approved, the company will be running at massive losses before they even start and companies also have to start paying loans almost immediately," said Sulaiman.
There is also a lack of information available to people who are starting a business even though the government has improved the government procedures, he added.
He acknowledged some of the new policies meant to encourage businesses in Brunei that were introduced at the recent State Legislative Council Meeting, such as the exemption from the tax on profits for the first four years.
"The government is trying to ... make Brunei a much more investor friendly country."
He added that these fiscal incentives will obviously encourage people to do business.
Moreover, Shazali suggested that organisations concerned formulate a scheme allowing small and medium enterprises a grace period for bank loans.
"Businesses take time to settle down, to establish themselves and the grace period would certainly help a lot of companies. If they were to give a grace period of maybe, one year to two years for the payment of the principal amount and only collect payment for the service interest, it would help a lot," he said.
The Brunei Times
DEBBIE TOO
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
POLICY and procedures need to be simplified to create an environment where the cost of doing business is minimised in the sultanate.
Shazali Sulaiman, a partner at auditing firm KPMG and executive secretary of the Brunei Darussalam International Chamber of Commerce, said: "This issue has been raised by individuals who want to start businesses in Brunei. The number of policies and processes they have to go through to start a business sometimes are not consistent in terms of labour, miscellaneous and licence procedures".
Giving a talk at LiveWIRE's 'Become a Successful Owner Manager' workshop yesterday, he said most individuals want to start their businesses quickly and not be burdened with overhead costs even before actually starting operations.
"As you know, to get the miscellaneous licence, you have to rent (shop space) and you cannot start your business until your miscellaneous licence is approved. In the time period you rent and get your licence approved, the company will be running at massive losses before they even start and companies also have to start paying loans almost immediately," said Sulaiman.
There is also a lack of information available to people who are starting a business even though the government has improved the government procedures, he added.
He acknowledged some of the new policies meant to encourage businesses in Brunei that were introduced at the recent State Legislative Council Meeting, such as the exemption from the tax on profits for the first four years.
"The government is trying to ... make Brunei a much more investor friendly country."
He added that these fiscal incentives will obviously encourage people to do business.
Moreover, Shazali suggested that organisations concerned formulate a scheme allowing small and medium enterprises a grace period for bank loans.
"Businesses take time to settle down, to establish themselves and the grace period would certainly help a lot of companies. If they were to give a grace period of maybe, one year to two years for the payment of the principal amount and only collect payment for the service interest, it would help a lot," he said.
The Brunei Times
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Steady decline in oil-rich Brunei's per capita income
Steady decline in oil-rich Brunei's per capita income
SINGAPORE
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Slow fall prompts govt to invest more in education and technology
A STEADY decline in Brunei's per capita income has highlighted the need to make investments beyond its oil and gas resources, a senior economic official from the sultanate said yesterday.
The slow fall in per capita income has prompted the government to step up its investment in education and technology, said Timothy Ong, acting chairman of the Brunei Economic Development Board.
Brunei was probably the wealthiest country in the world in 1980 in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, he said at a forum in Singapore.
While Brunei remains a wealthy country, it has slipped considerably to rank 34th worldwide in terms of per capita income, Ong said at the forum organised by the London School of Economics.
The World Trade Organisation, in a recent report, put Brunei's income per capita at US$30,000 ($41,000), still one of the highest in Asia. Brunei has a population of fewer than 400,000 citizens.
"Despite our abundance of natural resources which have made us, in per capita terms, probably one of the largest exporters of crude oil in the world and the fourth largest exporter of liquefied natural gas... we have experienced over the last decade or more a slow but steady decline in per capita income," Ong said.
This prompted His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, to launch a long-term economic plan aimed at putting the country in the top 10 in terms of income per capita and quality of life by 2035, Ong said.
The plan, called Vision 2035, was an acknowledgement "of the importance of knowledge and innovation as the basis for sustainable economic growth", he said.
It was also in recognition "of the fact that natural resources itself cannot assure a sustainable economic future," he added.
Ong said that while Asia has recovered from a financial crisis that struck 10 years ago, the region needs to narrow economic and social disparities which remain, and in some cases, have widened.
"The evidence suggests that the future lies with those Asian societies most able to acquire and apply knowledge, most nurturing of creativity and innovation (and) most able to retain and nurture talented human resources," he said.
Brunei is the third-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia after Indonesia and Malaysia, and the world's fourth-largest producer of liquefied natural gas, according to the Brunei Yearbook 2007, which says reserves are expected to last for at least two more decades based on current production rates.
AFP
SINGAPORE
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Slow fall prompts govt to invest more in education and technology
A STEADY decline in Brunei's per capita income has highlighted the need to make investments beyond its oil and gas resources, a senior economic official from the sultanate said yesterday.
The slow fall in per capita income has prompted the government to step up its investment in education and technology, said Timothy Ong, acting chairman of the Brunei Economic Development Board.
Brunei was probably the wealthiest country in the world in 1980 in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, he said at a forum in Singapore.
While Brunei remains a wealthy country, it has slipped considerably to rank 34th worldwide in terms of per capita income, Ong said at the forum organised by the London School of Economics.
The World Trade Organisation, in a recent report, put Brunei's income per capita at US$30,000 ($41,000), still one of the highest in Asia. Brunei has a population of fewer than 400,000 citizens.
"Despite our abundance of natural resources which have made us, in per capita terms, probably one of the largest exporters of crude oil in the world and the fourth largest exporter of liquefied natural gas... we have experienced over the last decade or more a slow but steady decline in per capita income," Ong said.
This prompted His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, to launch a long-term economic plan aimed at putting the country in the top 10 in terms of income per capita and quality of life by 2035, Ong said.
The plan, called Vision 2035, was an acknowledgement "of the importance of knowledge and innovation as the basis for sustainable economic growth", he said.
It was also in recognition "of the fact that natural resources itself cannot assure a sustainable economic future," he added.
Ong said that while Asia has recovered from a financial crisis that struck 10 years ago, the region needs to narrow economic and social disparities which remain, and in some cases, have widened.
"The evidence suggests that the future lies with those Asian societies most able to acquire and apply knowledge, most nurturing of creativity and innovation (and) most able to retain and nurture talented human resources," he said.
Brunei is the third-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia after Indonesia and Malaysia, and the world's fourth-largest producer of liquefied natural gas, according to the Brunei Yearbook 2007, which says reserves are expected to last for at least two more decades based on current production rates.
AFP
Monday, April 7, 2008
Health services need improvement
Health services need improvement
Room for improvement: Despite efforts by the Ministry of Health to boost the quality of services for the people, there are some areas that still need to be improved. Picture: BT file photoAnna Abu Bakar
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, April 7, 2008
SOME Bruneians have called for more improvements in Brunei's health services to reach a high level of standards, as the sultanate joins other countries in observing the World Health Day today.
The Brunei Times spoke to several locals to find out what areas need to be improved on the eve of the celebration.
A 53-year-old housewife commented on the slow services at hospitals and health centres, where patients have to wait for a long time to see the doctor. This, she said has to change.
She also said that she is confused with the medical procedures as there is a contradiction as to when is actually medications are given to diabetic patients.
"According to doctors, my sugar level is on the borderline towards being a diabetic however, when I see a doctor at a private clinic, I am given diabetic medication," she said.
She added that when she went to visit the hospital again, the doctor explained that their policy is to give out diabetic medication only to those that have been diagnosed as having diabetic and well over the borderline.
"So does that mean, I am only given diabetic medication when I am suffering from chronic diabetes as opposed to being given something as a preventive measure?" she asked.
For Dee Dee, a 21-year-old employee at the private sector said that generally everything about the sultanate's health services are slow but when it comes to seeing the doctor, it lasts only for less than five minutes.
"It is understandable to wait but at the same time, waiting for two hours just to see a doctor under five minutes is ridiculous," she said.
She suggested more doctors should be employed at the Ripas hospital as "more often I always see only two doctors on duty and lots of people waiting for hours at end".
Communication with patients is another problem that was highlighted with suggestions that the doctors need to be more understanding and explain to the patient if she or he is not suffering from the common flu.
An individual working in the private sector who preferred to maintain anonymity said that she heard that a doctor in the capital who misdiagnosed a patient and was transferred to another hospital in another district. "The mistake would have been fatal to the person as he had misdiagnosed and carelessly tossed aside the person's sickness as normal or something," said the individual.
Despite the $1 fee for local Bruneians to see a doctor, the amount is not what we would expect in terms of service, said Mohamed, father of five children. "But for me, I like the idea that the Ministry of Health has taken up more and more local doctors," he said.
He said that this could be seen from local clinics, with more younger doctors and the local doctor was helpful and provided sufficient explanation, the last time he went to see the doctor at a clinic. "I felt like I was really being taken care of as opposed to the "What's wrong?" question the moment I walk in," he said.
World Health Day, is celebrated today to mark the founding of the World Health Organisation and an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to global health each year. In 2008, World Health Day will focus on the need to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change.
WHO selected this theme in recognition that climate change is posing ever growing threats to global public health security.
The Brunei Times
Room for improvement: Despite efforts by the Ministry of Health to boost the quality of services for the people, there are some areas that still need to be improved. Picture: BT file photoAnna Abu Bakar
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, April 7, 2008
SOME Bruneians have called for more improvements in Brunei's health services to reach a high level of standards, as the sultanate joins other countries in observing the World Health Day today.
The Brunei Times spoke to several locals to find out what areas need to be improved on the eve of the celebration.
A 53-year-old housewife commented on the slow services at hospitals and health centres, where patients have to wait for a long time to see the doctor. This, she said has to change.
She also said that she is confused with the medical procedures as there is a contradiction as to when is actually medications are given to diabetic patients.
"According to doctors, my sugar level is on the borderline towards being a diabetic however, when I see a doctor at a private clinic, I am given diabetic medication," she said.
She added that when she went to visit the hospital again, the doctor explained that their policy is to give out diabetic medication only to those that have been diagnosed as having diabetic and well over the borderline.
"So does that mean, I am only given diabetic medication when I am suffering from chronic diabetes as opposed to being given something as a preventive measure?" she asked.
For Dee Dee, a 21-year-old employee at the private sector said that generally everything about the sultanate's health services are slow but when it comes to seeing the doctor, it lasts only for less than five minutes.
"It is understandable to wait but at the same time, waiting for two hours just to see a doctor under five minutes is ridiculous," she said.
She suggested more doctors should be employed at the Ripas hospital as "more often I always see only two doctors on duty and lots of people waiting for hours at end".
Communication with patients is another problem that was highlighted with suggestions that the doctors need to be more understanding and explain to the patient if she or he is not suffering from the common flu.
An individual working in the private sector who preferred to maintain anonymity said that she heard that a doctor in the capital who misdiagnosed a patient and was transferred to another hospital in another district. "The mistake would have been fatal to the person as he had misdiagnosed and carelessly tossed aside the person's sickness as normal or something," said the individual.
Despite the $1 fee for local Bruneians to see a doctor, the amount is not what we would expect in terms of service, said Mohamed, father of five children. "But for me, I like the idea that the Ministry of Health has taken up more and more local doctors," he said.
He said that this could be seen from local clinics, with more younger doctors and the local doctor was helpful and provided sufficient explanation, the last time he went to see the doctor at a clinic. "I felt like I was really being taken care of as opposed to the "What's wrong?" question the moment I walk in," he said.
World Health Day, is celebrated today to mark the founding of the World Health Organisation and an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to global health each year. In 2008, World Health Day will focus on the need to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change.
WHO selected this theme in recognition that climate change is posing ever growing threats to global public health security.
The Brunei Times
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monodon project to boost local shrimp industry
Monodon project to boost local shrimp industry
Into global market: A local fishmonger showing off his catch for sale. Picture: BT file photo
IZAM SAID YA'AKUB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, March 31, 2008
THE anticipated arrival of a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Black Tiger shrimp being bred in Brunei could carve a niche in international high value seafood markets.
During the Sixth Aquaculture Seminar organised by the Fisheries Department on Saturday, the local shrimp industry was informed that the SPF process is nearly complete with genetically improved post-larvae available in September.
Dr George Chamberlain, Technical Director of Integrated Aquaculture International (IAI) disclosed the information in his update of the three-year project which has seen the IAI develop advanced aquaculture technology to produce large black tiger shrimp for export.
Stocks of black tiger shrimp have been established and moved from primary quarantine to secondary quarantine toward potential SPF status.
Once established, the breeding of SPF black tiger shrimp will be set to begin, marking a new chapter in the history of Brunei's fairly infant shrimp industry.
The importance of the SPF black tiger shrimp, which is also known as Penaeus monodon, to Brunei shrimp industry revolves around the challenges faced by the local shrimp farmers.
High costs for post larvae, feed and labour, coupled with low international prices for shrimp means that for exports will need to target a different market.
During the seminar, Dr Chamberlain outlined that the industry needs to "produce large high value shrimp for the premium markets".
The Monodon is a larger shrimp and even locally is sought after, however despite being on the verge of something potentially big, Brunei will also need to convince the International market.
Plans to acquire Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and EU Certifications are also in the pipeline, with continuing contacts with large buyers in North America and participation in international seafood shows and markets are also ongoing to further develop the brand image of Brunei's shrimp.
The results of the venture between IAI and the Department of Fisheries are not mutually exclusive to specific-pathogen-free shrimp but also genetically-improved post-larvae, high-performing feeds, and sustainable farming systems and techniques aimed to produce quality shrimp for premium markets.
The Brunei Times
Into global market: A local fishmonger showing off his catch for sale. Picture: BT file photo
IZAM SAID YA'AKUB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, March 31, 2008
THE anticipated arrival of a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Black Tiger shrimp being bred in Brunei could carve a niche in international high value seafood markets.
During the Sixth Aquaculture Seminar organised by the Fisheries Department on Saturday, the local shrimp industry was informed that the SPF process is nearly complete with genetically improved post-larvae available in September.
Dr George Chamberlain, Technical Director of Integrated Aquaculture International (IAI) disclosed the information in his update of the three-year project which has seen the IAI develop advanced aquaculture technology to produce large black tiger shrimp for export.
Stocks of black tiger shrimp have been established and moved from primary quarantine to secondary quarantine toward potential SPF status.
Once established, the breeding of SPF black tiger shrimp will be set to begin, marking a new chapter in the history of Brunei's fairly infant shrimp industry.
The importance of the SPF black tiger shrimp, which is also known as Penaeus monodon, to Brunei shrimp industry revolves around the challenges faced by the local shrimp farmers.
High costs for post larvae, feed and labour, coupled with low international prices for shrimp means that for exports will need to target a different market.
During the seminar, Dr Chamberlain outlined that the industry needs to "produce large high value shrimp for the premium markets".
The Monodon is a larger shrimp and even locally is sought after, however despite being on the verge of something potentially big, Brunei will also need to convince the International market.
Plans to acquire Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and EU Certifications are also in the pipeline, with continuing contacts with large buyers in North America and participation in international seafood shows and markets are also ongoing to further develop the brand image of Brunei's shrimp.
The results of the venture between IAI and the Department of Fisheries are not mutually exclusive to specific-pathogen-free shrimp but also genetically-improved post-larvae, high-performing feeds, and sustainable farming systems and techniques aimed to produce quality shrimp for premium markets.
The Brunei Times
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Town and country planning in Brunei
Town and country planning in Brunei
ROZAN YUNOS
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, March 23, 2008
IN BRUNEI, the land use planning system normally known as Town and Country Planning is the planning system by which the government seeks to maintain a balance between economic development and environmental quality. Its official history in Brunei is relatively recent.
However land use planning can be said to have been in existence as early as 1906 when McArthur, the first British Resident in Brunei declared that everyone should live on dry land rather than on the water as has been the tradition for last few hundred years.
Before WWII, the government's preoccupation was to get a viable and financially independent government and a modern administration and not much focused on planning and development. The government's land policy then was to establish ownership of land in the country and the disbursement of those lands later.
Before the discovery of oil, most lands were used for rubber plantations. There was a scramble for land for rubber planting by the mid-1920s. The government encouraged people from Kampong Ayer to settle on dry land and take up agriculture. In the 1930s large areas of forests were designated as "forest reserves" — totalling about 42 per cent of the country's areas. When oil was discovered in Seria, one of the first tasks BMPC, the predecessor company to Brunei Shell faced was to build an infrastructure.
After WWII, reconstruction was essential. But that was delayed as there were shortages of all kinds: materials, machinery, shipping, labour, artisans and professionals including "town planners" as stated by Horton in his paper entitled "The British Residency in Brunei 1906-1959".
A new town plan was prepared for the capital during 1947 and it was hoped to make a "serious start" on the work of reconstruction in 1948. Kuala Belait got its own plan in 1949 but the Seria model was not approved until 1950. Roads, buildings, padang, shophouses and open spaces were carefully provided for in the town plans.
The first Brunei Development Plan 1953-1958 was all embracing and with over $100 million to be spent in those first five years. The emphasis was on the implementation of resettlement schemes, the expansion of education and medical services, the provisions of water supplies, and the improvement of agriculture and fisheries.
It also called for major extensions of roads and communication, bridges, buildings, power stations and installation of broadcasting and telephone system.
The plan was a major departure from the ad hoc manner previous British Residents generally spent money.
In 1958, Borneo Bulletin reported that "rarely has a place changed its appearance so quickly as quickly as Brunei Town.
"Gone are most of the shacks — apart from the seemingly permanent hovels of Kampong Ayer — of former years, and in their places, have arisen the steel and concrete buildings of a more modern age — offices, shops, restaurants and similar enterprises".
With the existence of subsequent Five-year National Development Plans, the need to establish a proper authority was certainly required. A Town and Country Planning Authority was considered vital in order to guide the direction of Brunei's physical development efforts.
In September 1965, the State Secretariat who is responsible for the development plan established a Development Department and created the first Town and Country Planning Officer post with several other staffing including a draughtsman and a technical assistant.
Directions were also given by His Majesty Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien for the appointment of a consulting Town Planning firm, Messrs Alister MacDonald and Partners to initiate work on an Outline Development Plan for Bandar Brunei (subsequently Bandar Seri Begawan) pending the recruitment of a qualified Brunei Town Planning Officer. The preparation of the plan was in response to the rapid development that was taking place in BSB. The plan was completed and forwarded to the Development Department.
A seconded officer from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in UK arrived in Brunei to implement the Outline Development Plan, to prepare a zoning plan and to prepare physical plans for the whole country. A Town Planning Section was formed within the Development Department.
However the first plan was not able to be implemented fully and as a result of a paper presented to the Council of Ministers, it was felt that the Town Planning Section be detached to be the Town and Country Planning Department. This was formed on 1st January 1972.
A British expatriate was appointed as the first Commissioner of Town and Country Planning Department. He was then assisted by a staff of six and operated out of a small office at Jalan Kumbang Pasang. On September 19, 1972, the legislation "Town and Country Planning Order" (TCPO) was enacted which marked the beginning of real planning work.
With the 1972 Order, the department was able to play a pivotal role in guiding and controlling development in areas declared as Development Control Areas.
Several Planning schemes were produced such as Muara Planning Scheme and Gadong Planning Scheme. Two authorities — Development Control Competent Authority (DCCA) and Subdivision Control Competent Authority (SCCA) were formed. Originally both were chaired by the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning but since January 1996 the Surveyor General chaired the SCCA.
Prior to independence, Brunei faced the challenges of a new and independent nation. The need for a comprehensive framework to guide the process of physical development became evident during the 1970s and 1980s. Population growth, traffic volumes, public utilities and urban housing dominated the needs of the populace.
In 1983 the Town and Country Planning Department moved to the Public Works Department building at the Old Airport Government Complex. Internally, the department also formed the Landscape Section in that same year.
With Brunei's independence in 1984, the department came under the auspices of the Ministry of Development until today. In 1985 the Government noted the need for the preparation of the National Master Plan and called out for one to be commissioned. The preparation of this plan was carried out by an international consultant and was completed at the end of 1987.
The main aims included the preparation of a comprehensive physical and conceptual framework for the realisation of national objectives; the identification of optimum locations for a full range of land uses; and the preparation of statutory physical development plans covering the whole of Brunei. It was to secure the best use of the country's scarce land resource, and to establish an orderly framework for physical development over a 20 year period.
The enlargement of Bandar Seri Begawan also forced the planners to rethink what our capital should be and whether the old plans are still viable and workable.
Town and Country Planning faced many challenges in the future. The Town Planners need to be aware of the need to plan more and to explore creative mechanisms in order to improve the state of the country's urban and rural areas. But it is not just planners, everyone in the country need to share the roles in national planning and development. It takes focus, unity, creativity and commitment to attain goals and achievements in our efforts to build the nation.
The writer runs a website on Brunei at bruneiresources.com.
The Brunei Times
ROZAN YUNOS
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, March 23, 2008
IN BRUNEI, the land use planning system normally known as Town and Country Planning is the planning system by which the government seeks to maintain a balance between economic development and environmental quality. Its official history in Brunei is relatively recent.
However land use planning can be said to have been in existence as early as 1906 when McArthur, the first British Resident in Brunei declared that everyone should live on dry land rather than on the water as has been the tradition for last few hundred years.
Before WWII, the government's preoccupation was to get a viable and financially independent government and a modern administration and not much focused on planning and development. The government's land policy then was to establish ownership of land in the country and the disbursement of those lands later.
Before the discovery of oil, most lands were used for rubber plantations. There was a scramble for land for rubber planting by the mid-1920s. The government encouraged people from Kampong Ayer to settle on dry land and take up agriculture. In the 1930s large areas of forests were designated as "forest reserves" — totalling about 42 per cent of the country's areas. When oil was discovered in Seria, one of the first tasks BMPC, the predecessor company to Brunei Shell faced was to build an infrastructure.
After WWII, reconstruction was essential. But that was delayed as there were shortages of all kinds: materials, machinery, shipping, labour, artisans and professionals including "town planners" as stated by Horton in his paper entitled "The British Residency in Brunei 1906-1959".
A new town plan was prepared for the capital during 1947 and it was hoped to make a "serious start" on the work of reconstruction in 1948. Kuala Belait got its own plan in 1949 but the Seria model was not approved until 1950. Roads, buildings, padang, shophouses and open spaces were carefully provided for in the town plans.
The first Brunei Development Plan 1953-1958 was all embracing and with over $100 million to be spent in those first five years. The emphasis was on the implementation of resettlement schemes, the expansion of education and medical services, the provisions of water supplies, and the improvement of agriculture and fisheries.
It also called for major extensions of roads and communication, bridges, buildings, power stations and installation of broadcasting and telephone system.
The plan was a major departure from the ad hoc manner previous British Residents generally spent money.
In 1958, Borneo Bulletin reported that "rarely has a place changed its appearance so quickly as quickly as Brunei Town.
"Gone are most of the shacks — apart from the seemingly permanent hovels of Kampong Ayer — of former years, and in their places, have arisen the steel and concrete buildings of a more modern age — offices, shops, restaurants and similar enterprises".
With the existence of subsequent Five-year National Development Plans, the need to establish a proper authority was certainly required. A Town and Country Planning Authority was considered vital in order to guide the direction of Brunei's physical development efforts.
In September 1965, the State Secretariat who is responsible for the development plan established a Development Department and created the first Town and Country Planning Officer post with several other staffing including a draughtsman and a technical assistant.
Directions were also given by His Majesty Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien for the appointment of a consulting Town Planning firm, Messrs Alister MacDonald and Partners to initiate work on an Outline Development Plan for Bandar Brunei (subsequently Bandar Seri Begawan) pending the recruitment of a qualified Brunei Town Planning Officer. The preparation of the plan was in response to the rapid development that was taking place in BSB. The plan was completed and forwarded to the Development Department.
A seconded officer from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in UK arrived in Brunei to implement the Outline Development Plan, to prepare a zoning plan and to prepare physical plans for the whole country. A Town Planning Section was formed within the Development Department.
However the first plan was not able to be implemented fully and as a result of a paper presented to the Council of Ministers, it was felt that the Town Planning Section be detached to be the Town and Country Planning Department. This was formed on 1st January 1972.
A British expatriate was appointed as the first Commissioner of Town and Country Planning Department. He was then assisted by a staff of six and operated out of a small office at Jalan Kumbang Pasang. On September 19, 1972, the legislation "Town and Country Planning Order" (TCPO) was enacted which marked the beginning of real planning work.
With the 1972 Order, the department was able to play a pivotal role in guiding and controlling development in areas declared as Development Control Areas.
Several Planning schemes were produced such as Muara Planning Scheme and Gadong Planning Scheme. Two authorities — Development Control Competent Authority (DCCA) and Subdivision Control Competent Authority (SCCA) were formed. Originally both were chaired by the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning but since January 1996 the Surveyor General chaired the SCCA.
Prior to independence, Brunei faced the challenges of a new and independent nation. The need for a comprehensive framework to guide the process of physical development became evident during the 1970s and 1980s. Population growth, traffic volumes, public utilities and urban housing dominated the needs of the populace.
In 1983 the Town and Country Planning Department moved to the Public Works Department building at the Old Airport Government Complex. Internally, the department also formed the Landscape Section in that same year.
With Brunei's independence in 1984, the department came under the auspices of the Ministry of Development until today. In 1985 the Government noted the need for the preparation of the National Master Plan and called out for one to be commissioned. The preparation of this plan was carried out by an international consultant and was completed at the end of 1987.
The main aims included the preparation of a comprehensive physical and conceptual framework for the realisation of national objectives; the identification of optimum locations for a full range of land uses; and the preparation of statutory physical development plans covering the whole of Brunei. It was to secure the best use of the country's scarce land resource, and to establish an orderly framework for physical development over a 20 year period.
The enlargement of Bandar Seri Begawan also forced the planners to rethink what our capital should be and whether the old plans are still viable and workable.
Town and Country Planning faced many challenges in the future. The Town Planners need to be aware of the need to plan more and to explore creative mechanisms in order to improve the state of the country's urban and rural areas. But it is not just planners, everyone in the country need to share the roles in national planning and development. It takes focus, unity, creativity and commitment to attain goals and achievements in our efforts to build the nation.
The writer runs a website on Brunei at bruneiresources.com.
The Brunei Times
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Food security among many issues raised
Food security among many issues raised
Start of the day: Speaker of the council, Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Haji Kemaludin ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Haji Mohd Yassin (behind the bearers) arriving for yesterday's morning session of the Legislative Council meeting. Picture: Rudolf Portillo
KHAIRUNNISA IBRAHIM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
MEMBERS of the State Legislative Council yesterday discussed various issues related to the primary resources sector, particularly those concerned with agriculture and forestry, when they convened for the morning session of the ongoing state budget deliberations.
Several concerns by the public that was relayed by the non-governmental members of the council, as well as those selected to represent the four districts, included the need for greater promotion of local products and help for local farmers and fishermen.
Among the issues that were raised in yesterday's morning session of the meeting were:
Food security in Brunei
There are schemes in place to ensure that the security of the national food supply, said the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat yesterday.
He was responding to a query raised by the Belait representative to the council, Hj Mohd Shafiee Ahmad, regarding the status of Brunei's food security.
"The issue of food security is very controversial," said the minister. "However, I can say that so far there has been no incidences of food shortage."
He also noted that the country is well prepared in case crisis threatens the supply of food to the country.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said: "I can assure that the policies, process and action plans are in place to establish our position now and in the future regarding food security."
Promoting agriculture as a commercial venture
Future generations should be encouraged to view the agriculture as a lucrative commercial venture, so as to heighten local participation in the sector and increase agriculture's contribution to the gross domestic product.
"People are the most important resource and engine of growth," he stressed.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad noted that agri-business is a burgeoning field in the agriculture industry, alongside livestock and cultivation.
The ministry is actively pursuing and training youngsters to increase their interest and skills in this area.
Its entrepreneurship development centre in Sinaut, for instance, regularly hosts programmes for students during the school holidays so that they can learn about being entrepreneurial and business-savvy.
Such programmes are also hoped to spark their interest in making a living by participating in the agricultural sector.
The young should be encouraged to be less dependent on jobs in the government sector, but instead venture into the agriculture sector.
Heart of Borneo
Roadshows and meetings should be held to inform the public regarding the development of the Heart of Borneo initiative, Dato Paduka Hj Puasa Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Tudin said yesterday.
"This initiative has garnered widespread support from those countries involved," he said, but pointed out that in Brunei, interested members of the public are only able to keep tabs on the progress of the projects through reports in the media.
"Information about the Heart of Borneo (HoB) should be shared with the public through relevant meetings to discuss the aims and objectives of the initiative, its advantages and benefits, the implementation and running processes, monitoring and security issues and others, related issues such as the area allocated to the project," said Dato Hj Puasa.
"With these briefings, it is hoped that this initiative will receive the cooperation and support towards the successful establishment of the project."
In response, the minister said that while the HoB has been formally endorsed by all three Bornean governments, further action needs to be approved before the initiative can move forward.
A council to govern the goings-on of the HoB has been proposed, he added, but this is also pending approval.
While he could not divulge in detail what the HoB action plan will entail, Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said that the ministry can and will consider holding roadshows for the public.
Exploring the biomedical potential of Brunei's forests
The agreement between Brunei Darussalam and Japan's National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (Nite) to explore the micro and macro-organisms that exist in Brunei and establish a bio-research industry here is a welcome development, Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas pointed out yesterday.
"This is a positive venture, as Brunei is rich in its biodiversity, and the (agreement) can lead to added benefits for the country socially and economically," he said.
However, he questioned whether the country is legally prepared to protect its rights to its forest resources, should valuable discoveries be made and be in demand globally.
If such a legal framework should be made, it should also incorporate aspects of conservation and sustainability of Brunei's forest resources, he added.
According to Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad, Brunei has its own bio-diversity centre, which occupies several hectares in Sungai Liang.
In terms of the legal aspects of the agreement, he continued, Brunei's Forestry Department is working with the State Attorney to work out the terms of a proposed memorandum of understanding between Nite and the biodiversity centre.
The MoU will hopefully be signed this year, said the minister, who did not specify a date.
The Brunei Times
Start of the day: Speaker of the council, Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Haji Kemaludin ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Haji Mohd Yassin (behind the bearers) arriving for yesterday's morning session of the Legislative Council meeting. Picture: Rudolf Portillo
KHAIRUNNISA IBRAHIM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
MEMBERS of the State Legislative Council yesterday discussed various issues related to the primary resources sector, particularly those concerned with agriculture and forestry, when they convened for the morning session of the ongoing state budget deliberations.
Several concerns by the public that was relayed by the non-governmental members of the council, as well as those selected to represent the four districts, included the need for greater promotion of local products and help for local farmers and fishermen.
Among the issues that were raised in yesterday's morning session of the meeting were:
Food security in Brunei
There are schemes in place to ensure that the security of the national food supply, said the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat yesterday.
He was responding to a query raised by the Belait representative to the council, Hj Mohd Shafiee Ahmad, regarding the status of Brunei's food security.
"The issue of food security is very controversial," said the minister. "However, I can say that so far there has been no incidences of food shortage."
He also noted that the country is well prepared in case crisis threatens the supply of food to the country.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said: "I can assure that the policies, process and action plans are in place to establish our position now and in the future regarding food security."
Promoting agriculture as a commercial venture
Future generations should be encouraged to view the agriculture as a lucrative commercial venture, so as to heighten local participation in the sector and increase agriculture's contribution to the gross domestic product.
"People are the most important resource and engine of growth," he stressed.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad noted that agri-business is a burgeoning field in the agriculture industry, alongside livestock and cultivation.
The ministry is actively pursuing and training youngsters to increase their interest and skills in this area.
Its entrepreneurship development centre in Sinaut, for instance, regularly hosts programmes for students during the school holidays so that they can learn about being entrepreneurial and business-savvy.
Such programmes are also hoped to spark their interest in making a living by participating in the agricultural sector.
The young should be encouraged to be less dependent on jobs in the government sector, but instead venture into the agriculture sector.
Heart of Borneo
Roadshows and meetings should be held to inform the public regarding the development of the Heart of Borneo initiative, Dato Paduka Hj Puasa Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Tudin said yesterday.
"This initiative has garnered widespread support from those countries involved," he said, but pointed out that in Brunei, interested members of the public are only able to keep tabs on the progress of the projects through reports in the media.
"Information about the Heart of Borneo (HoB) should be shared with the public through relevant meetings to discuss the aims and objectives of the initiative, its advantages and benefits, the implementation and running processes, monitoring and security issues and others, related issues such as the area allocated to the project," said Dato Hj Puasa.
"With these briefings, it is hoped that this initiative will receive the cooperation and support towards the successful establishment of the project."
In response, the minister said that while the HoB has been formally endorsed by all three Bornean governments, further action needs to be approved before the initiative can move forward.
A council to govern the goings-on of the HoB has been proposed, he added, but this is also pending approval.
While he could not divulge in detail what the HoB action plan will entail, Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said that the ministry can and will consider holding roadshows for the public.
Exploring the biomedical potential of Brunei's forests
The agreement between Brunei Darussalam and Japan's National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (Nite) to explore the micro and macro-organisms that exist in Brunei and establish a bio-research industry here is a welcome development, Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas pointed out yesterday.
"This is a positive venture, as Brunei is rich in its biodiversity, and the (agreement) can lead to added benefits for the country socially and economically," he said.
However, he questioned whether the country is legally prepared to protect its rights to its forest resources, should valuable discoveries be made and be in demand globally.
If such a legal framework should be made, it should also incorporate aspects of conservation and sustainability of Brunei's forest resources, he added.
According to Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad, Brunei has its own bio-diversity centre, which occupies several hectares in Sungai Liang.
In terms of the legal aspects of the agreement, he continued, Brunei's Forestry Department is working with the State Attorney to work out the terms of a proposed memorandum of understanding between Nite and the biodiversity centre.
The MoU will hopefully be signed this year, said the minister, who did not specify a date.
The Brunei Times
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)