Tobacco Order 2005

The full enforcement of Tobacco Order 2005 and Tobacco Laws 2007 has begun today, 1st June 2008. The order and the law rule that the import or sale of cigarette packs which contained less than 20 cigratte sticks will be prohibited. Failure to comply with this rule would result in a fine of B$10,000 or six months of imprisonment.

The use of cigarette pack dispensing machines was also forbidden since these machines did not monitor the sales of such products. Goods which imitated tobacco products such as 'cigarette' sweets can no longer be sold at any retail outlets.

Advertisements of tobacco products in any form, such as ashtrays or posters which contained brand names of these products was also made illegal, and they are ought to be removed. Retailers would have to ask for the consumers to produce their identification upon purchasing tobacco products as these products cannot be sold to those under the age of 18.

Vendors would be liable to a fine of $5,000 for violation of the Tobacco Order and the minor purchasing of the product could be fined at $10,000 or serve a six month jail.

A licence is made compulsory for the import and sale of tobacco products under the Tobacco Laws 2007, and only provision shops and supermarkets are issued with the license. The licence for the Tutong district will be issued on the 1st of September, alongside with Belait district and Temburong district.

An annual fee of $2500 was required to attain the license. Any violation of the Tobacco Order 2005 or the Tobacco Laws 2007 would result in the suspension or cancellation of the retailer's or importer's licence.

The licence also had to be displayed in an appropriate location in the shop where it is visible. The licence holder has also to display an anti-smoking sign within the facilities. The sign had to follow the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health. According to the terms of licence, only one pack of each cigarette brand was allowed to be displayed in the store.


(adapted from The Brunei Times, http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2008/05/16/vendors_briefed_on_new_tobacco_order_rules)

Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day 31st May

from The Brunei Times' website: http://www.bt.com.bn/en/files/digital/RBAF/SP31May.16.pdf

Fuel subsidy awareness

We Bruneians are really blessed to have so much government subsidy on fuel, I was surprised to read this news report three days ago. (click on the image below to see the chart).

Every B$10 purchase of unleaded Premium 97, B$6.21 subsidy, for B$10 Super 92 is B$6.18 subsidy, B$10 Regular 85 is B$11.46 subsidy and for B$10 Diesel is B$16.10. I never thought that diesel carries the highest subsidy. We must not take all these finite resources for granted. Let's move together towards Energy Efficiency and Conservation.
For more information on Energy Week 2008, please visit: www.energy.gov.bn/

Fuel subsidy

What is foregone for the $202mil subsidy

By Za'im Zaini

A total of 2,880 units of low-cost housing, 20 health centres, 12 schools, 170km of new roads, 100,000 new computers for schools and 1,400 scholarships for students on a first degrees course overseas.

That is the estimate the government could have spent on instead of the $202 million that the government pays in subsidies for gasoline and diesel (2007 stats). This was among what was revealed in a pamphlet distributed yesterday during the Subsidy Awareness Campaign launched at the Gadong petrol station. Present as guest of honour was Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office.

The event began with a welcoming speech from Hj Zolkiflee Hj Abdul Karim, Acting Director for Petroleum Unit. This was followed by the minister launching the awareness campaign by distribution of pamphlets and an informative poster.

The pamphlet also reveals that the amount $202 million in subsidies for gasoline and diesel is the highest figure paid by the government ever since the introduction of subsidies in 1978.

The subsidies paid for 2007 on premium 97 gasoline per litre is $0.3293, super 92 is $0.3207 per litre, regular $0.4127 and diesel $0.4990.

At the moment according to current market price, subsidies paid on premium 97 gasoline per litre is $0.49, super 92 is $0.48 per litre, regular $0.55 per litre and diesel $0.67 per litre.

Gasoline remains the highest in petroleum products used as in 2007 with over 250 million litres while in 2006 it was more than 300 million litres. Diesel use last year was less than 250 million litres usage and slightly above 200 million litres.

Brunei's price for gasoline is the lowest priced in the region per litre at a rate of $0.53 per litre as well as diesel at $0.31 per litre.

Thus, the public is urged to plan their journeys more wisely, use the bicycle or are encouraged to walk, to slow down, to make sure the car engine is in good condition - to name a few of the tips given.

The campaign is to inform the public on the price difference between subsidy and commercial, amount of government subsidy and also practical tips on how to save on gasoline and diesel usage.

from Borneo Bulletin, Sunday, 25th June 2008, http://www.brunei-online.com/sunday/news/may25h4.htm)

Supervisory and monitoring work in broadcasting matters

Supervisory and monitoring work in broadcasting matters, now responsibility of Ministry of Communications

By command of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister’s Office hereby announces that His Majesty has consented that Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Communications be appointed as Minister Responsible for Broadcasting Matters and for Haji Awang Alaihuddin bin Pehin Dato Seri Utama Haji Awang Mohd. Taha, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications to be the Director of Broadcasting under the Broadcasting Act, Chapter 180, issued through the Government Gazette Section Four Number 9/2008 dated 10th May 2008.

These appointments mark an official amendment for supervision and monitoring work in broadcasting matters from the Prime Minister’s Office to the Ministry of Communications and is effective from Wednesday, 15th Jamadilawal 1429 Hijriah corresponding to 21st May 2008. In conjunction with the transfer of the regulatory function of the Broadcasting Act, Chapter 180, a ceremony to hand over and receive the act was held Wednesday at the Dewan Amar Pahlawan of the Ministry of Communications.

Representing the Prime Minister’s Office was the Minister of Energy, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Yahya; while the Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar represented his ministry. With the amendment of the Broadcasting Act, the regulatory powers will be transferred from the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Yahya as Minister Responsible for Broadcasting Matters, to the Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar as the current Minister Responsible for Broadcasting Matters.

Meanwhile, the responsibility given to the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Ismail as Director of Broadcasting, is handed over to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Haji Awang Alaihuddin.

The Amendment of the Broadcasting Act, Chapter 180, also means that all supervisory work in broadcasting affairs such as issuing of licenses and collection of license fees as well as monitoring and enforcement work will be conducted by the Ministry of Communications.

The government media agencies, Radio Television Brunei and the Information Department, remain under the Prime Minister’s Office.

(extracted from RTB News, available online
http://www.rtb.gov.bn/rtbnews/2008/Mei/220508/story_3.html)

the Internet Code of Practice in Bruneian Law

Not many people know actually there is law governing the publication of materials on the internet in Brunei. This is under the Broadcasting Act, Chapter 180:

BROADCASTING ACT
(CHAPTER 180)

INTERNET CODE OF PRACTICE NOTIFICATION

In exercise of the power conferred by section 9 of the Broadcasting Act, the Minister responsible for broadcasting matters, with the approval of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan, has issued the following Code of Practice which shall come into force on 12 February 2001:

INTERNET CODE OF PRACTICE

1. (a) The Broadcasting Act imposes on the Minister responsible for broadcasting matters a duty to ensure that nothing is included in any broadcasting service which is against the public interest or national harmony or which offends against good taste or decency. This Code of Practice has been produced for the purpose of carrying out such duty.

(b) All Internet Service Providers and Internet Content Providers licensed under the Broadcasting (Class License) Notification 2001 are required to comply with this Code of Practice and to satisfy the Minister responsible for broadcasting matters that they have taken responsible steps to fulfill this requirement. Under the Broadcasting Act the Minister responsible for broadcasting matters has the power to impose sanctions, including fines, on licensees who contravene this Code of Practice.

2. Licensees must use their best efforts to ensure that nothing is included in any programme on Internet which is against the public interest or national harmony or which offends against good taste or decency, and in particular the following Internet content should not be allowed:

(a) Public security and national defence

(i) Contents which bring into hatred or contempt or incite disaffection against His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan or the Government; or

(ii) Contents which incite the inhabitants of Brunei Darussalam to attempt to procure the alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of any other matter in Brunei Darussalam as by law established; or

(iii) Contents which bring into hatred or contempt or incite disaffection against the administration of justice in Brunei Darussalam; or

(iv) Contents which raise discontent or disaffection amongst the inhabitants of Brunei Darussalam; or

(v) Contents which promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different classes of the population of Brunei Darussalam.

(b) Racial and Religious Harmony

(i) Contents which denigrate or ridicule any race or the religion of Islam; or

(ii) Contents which bring any race or the religion of Islam into hatred, resentment or ridicule; or

(iii) Contents which are against and outside the practices of Islam according to the Shafeite sect; or

(iv) Contents which are intended for preaching other religions other than the religion of Islam.

(c) Public and Social Morals

(i) Contents which are pornographic or otherwise obscene; or

(ii) Contents which propagate permissive or promiscuous behavior; or

(iii) Contents which depict or propagate gross exploitation of violence, nudity, sex or horror; or

(iv) Contents which depict or propagate sexual perversions such as homosexuality, lesbianism and paedophilia.

Made this 18 day of Zulkaedah 1421 Hijriah corresponding to the 12 day of February 2001.

PEHIN ORANG KAYA LAILA SETIA BAKTI DIRAJA DATO LAILA UTAMA HAJI AWANG ISA BIN PEHIN DATU PERDANA MANTERI DATO LAILA UTAMA HAJI IBRAHIM
Minister responsible for broadcasting matters
Prime Minister's Office, Brunei Darussalam

Wawasan Brunei 2035

The Brunei Darussalam Long-Term Development Plan or Perencanaan Kemajuan Jangka Panjang Negara Brunei Darussalam is a formal document outlining the country's development plans for the next 30 years. It was released by the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE), Prime Minister's Office on 19th January 2008. It urges better implementation of development initiatives in order to accelerate economic growth.

Three major components are listed, namely the Wawasan Brunei 2035 or Brunei's National Vision 2035; Outline of Strategies and Policies for Development (OSPD) 2007-2017; and National Development Plan (RKN) 2007-2012.

Quoting from the book:

(page 11)
By 2035, we wish to see Brunei Darussalam recognised everywhere for:
i. The accomplishments of its well-educated and highly skilled people
ii. The quality of life
iii. The dynamic, sustainable economy

As we work towards these aims, we will be united in:
i. our loyalty to our Sultan and our Country
ii. our belief in the values of Islam
iii. our traditional tolerance and social harmony

(pages 13-14)

Achieving Brunei 2035
We will need to develop and implement an integrated and well-coordinated national strategy comprising the following key elements:

1. An education strategy that will prepare our youth for employment and achievement in a world that is increasingly competitive and knowledge-based.

2. An economic strategy that will create new employment for our people and expand business opportunities within Brunei Darussalam through the promotion of investment, foreign and domestic, both in downstream industries as well as in economic clusters beyond the oil and gas industry.

3. A security strategy that will safeguard our political stability and our sovereignty as a nation and that links our defense and diplomatic capabilities and our capacity to respond to threats from disease and natural catastrophe.

4. An institutional development strategy that will enhance good governance in both the public and private sectors, high quality public services, modern and pragmatic legal and regulatory frameworks and efficient government procedures that entail a minimum of bureaucratic "red tape".

5. A local business development strategy that will enhance opportunities for local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as enable Brunei Malays to achieve leadership in business and industry by developing greater competitive strength.

6. An infrastructure development strategy that will ensure continued investment by government and through public-private sector partnerships in developing and maintaining world-class infrastructure with special emphasis placed on education, health and industry.

7. A social security strategy that ensures that, as the nation prospers, all citizens are properly cared for.

8. An environmental strategy that ensure the proper conservation of our natural environment and cultural habitat. It will provide health and safety in line with the highest international practices. To realise our Vision of Brunei 2035, the strategies listed above will need to be developed by both government and private bodies and implemented as a well-coordinated national strategy.

To purchase a copy of this book, it comes in both Malay and English editions, you can visit the JPKE office at Jalan Ong Sum Ping or bookstores Best Eastern, Bismi and Pustaka Remaja nationwide. The soft cover costs only B$15.00 and the hard cover is B$25.00.

see also: http://www.bedb.com.bn/why_nationalvision.htm

Brunei’s government continues to provide subsidies on rice and sugar

In response to the recent World food crisis, the supply of rice and sugar will remain subsided by the Brunei Government. This is a news report from our national Radio and Televisyen Brunei (http://www.rtb.gov.bn/rtbnews/2008/Mei/160508/story_2.html) yesterday 16th May 2008:

The government of His Majesty continues to provide subsidies on rice and sugar, two of the country’s staple food. At the same time, the government is also footing the subsidy bills for another commodity, petrol.

The Director of Information Technology and State Store, Awang Haji Umar Ali bin Haji Abdullah talked of the subsidy on rice in an interview with RTB. According to him, although Brunei relies on rice supplies from overseas, the increased price of the commodity does not affect its imports to the country. He assured that supplies are sufficient. Prices of the three types of rice supplied through the Information Technology and State Store Department and sold in the country remain unchanged and the government has no plan to increase them. The subsidies extended by the government help alleviate the burden faced by consumers in the wake of rising prices of basic necessities, in particular food items.

His Majesty’s Government currently has a long-term agreement with a major rice-producing firm in Thailand, the Chia Meng Company, a joint-venture concern with His Majesty’s Government. Brunei annually imports 33,000 metric tonnes of Homali or Fragrant rice, Thai White Rice and Glutinous rice from Thailand shipped in containers at an average frequency of twice a month. Another commodity heavily-subsidised by the government is sugar. The country imports some five and a half thousand metric tonnes of refined sugar from Thailand each year.

Although not related to food and other items of sustenance, car fuel or petrol can be regarded as a necessity, and which represents yet another commodity heavily subsidised by the government, so much so that in 2006, the government spent some $210 million in fuel costs subsidy, and $153 million just for the first quarter of 2007, thus showing a stiff increase. Clearly the government incurs huge expenditures in subsidies. According to the Economic Planning and Development Department, with the government’s subsidy scheme particularly for rice, sugar, petrol and LPG gas, the issue of price increases can be handled to the point that the consumer’s price index for Brunei Darussalam remained low compared to other countries.

Gratitude

The article below is reproduced from my favourite daily digest The Daily Brunei Resources, 22nd July 2006.

The major subsidies include:-

(a) Subsidy in fuel meaning the fuel that you buy for your cars - diesel carries the higher subsidy and slightly lesser subsidies for the other types of fuel (so everytime you drive your 3000cc+ SUV with its superturbo and using diesel like water, think of how much subsidy is in your car);

(b) Subsidy in LPG - that's the gas that you use for cooking; [(a) and (b) account for the $176 million per year]

(c) Subsidy in electricity - two major forms of subsidies here, one is the cheaper than world price for the gas that is pumped and used by the generating power plant as well as the subsidised electricity rates (unchanged for about 40+ years);

(d) Subsidy in water - same thing as electricity, unchanged for some long period of time as well;

(e) Subsidy in rice - both types of rice (the plain and the fragrant) are subsidised - the government buys the rice from Thailand and sells it to the distributors and retailers at about the same price - as well as lots of subsidies to the rice farmers and other farmers in Brunei through land, fertiliser and other things;

(f) Subsidy in sugar - where the government buys and sells cheaply to the consumers;

(g) Subsidy in education - government provides free education up to university level (about $470+ million per year);

(h) Subsidy in medical and health care - government provides free medical and health care including travelling overseas for treatments if need be (about $500+ million per year);

(i) Subsidy in housing - the housing that the government built for the resettlement and national housing are all subsidised - the house itself is, the infrastructure that goes with it, the land etc;

(j) Subsidy in day to day living - no personal income taxes or any other taxes and charges levied;

(k) Subsidy in pensions - old age pensions received are completely subsidised as the receivers never put anything in the pension fund to begin with;

and the list can go on. There are many things to be thankful for in Brunei Darussalam.

We are blessed to have a caring monarch and Government. What else could we ask for?
"...ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" John F Kennedy (1961)

State banquet or official banquet?

According to the Daily Brunei Resources (http://bruneiresources.blogspot.com), the banquet held for Head of State and Head of Government are different in Brunei Darussalam.

A State Banquet held by His Majesty Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in honour of a Head of State will be preceded by National Anthem of the two nations, a Doa Selamat, followed by the speeches of His Majesty and the visiting Head of State (e.g. King Abdullah II of Jordan; or the President of Indonesia for instance).

In contrast, an Official Banquet is held in honour of a Head of Government (e.g Prime Minister). No National Anthem will be played, but the doa selamat and speeches still carried on.
e.g. Prime Minister of Singapore.