Tuesday, 8 June 2010

Tutong - Despite the fact that Brunei has already celebrated Energy Day four times since 2007, there is still a section of the population who has yet to change their attitude towards energy and utilise it wisely and efficiently as hoped.

The concern was raised by Awg Haji Ismail bin Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Dato Paduka Haji Hashim, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Energy, yesterday as the guest of honour during the distribution of stickers and leaflets to motorists on energy savings.
He said, "The natural resources of oil and gas will not remain forever and eventually will be exhausted. The best ways of prolonging the life of the resources is by saving and using them efficiently.

"Therefore, we as the users must comprehend the ways that we make use of energy and to start taking action now to save and use energy efficiently, as well as to minimise wastage. Don't wait until the oil and gas resources are almost depleted to ralise how important they are," he added.

The implementation of the main activities in conjunction with the 2010 Energy Day celebration "is to raise awareness among members of the public on the importance obanergy savings or at least appreciate the energy that we have and enjoy". The two main events of 'Without petroleum subsidies campaign' and 'eSaving switch off campaign' already took place on May 24.

On the `Without petroleum subsidies campaign', the Deputy Permanent Secretary said, "It has successfully raised awareness on the actual high price of petroleum compared to the subsidised prices. The campaign that was conducted only for one, day was not aimed at burdening the people of the country but to open their eyes to how fortunate they are to be able to enjoy subsidised fuel and also to raise awareness on not to waste the resources".

The 'eSaving switch off campaign' that took place from 9am to 9pm pushed the public, private sector, government sectors as well as non-profitable organisation to pledge to save energy by implementing three steps which were: to switch off lights that were not in use, switch off water heaters that were not in use and to increase the temperature of air conditioners to 24 degree celsius or above.

He also thanked 958 people, government agencies and companies who have given their pledges and become partners in the campaign that resulted in saving a total of 56.4 MWh of electricity. There were also a number of people who also took the initiatives of saving energy by carpooling and using bicycles to work on that day.

Awang Haji Muhammad Suffian bin Hj Bungsu, the Acting Tutong District Officer in another speech stressed to all the penghulu mukims and village heads to pass on the message of saving energy to villagers to support the cause.

He also highlighted that, "We as the officers and staff of the government, entrepreneurs and members of businesses as well as people from the district must support the continuous efforts of the government toward instilling the practice of energy savings in our daily lives at homes or at our workplace."

The event yesterday took place at the OG complex of Tutong District.

Similar events will also be held today at the Temburong district.

By James Kon
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin