$Unique_ID{COW00584} $Pretitle{406} $Title{Brunei Darrussalam Part 3E. Agriculture} $Subtitle{} $Author{Embassy of Brunei Darussalam, Washington DC} $Affiliation{Embassy of Brunei Darussalam, Washington DC} $Subject{brunei health ministry land department development telephone haji country dato} $Date{1988} $Log{Farm Worker*0058401.scf } Country: Brunei Darrussalam Book: Brunei Darussalam in Profile Author: Embassy of Brunei Darussalam, Washington DC Affiliation: Embassy of Brunei Darussalam, Washington DC Date: 1988 Part 3E. Agriculture [See Farm Worker: Courtesy Embassy of Brunei Darussalam] The Agriculture Department has seen its role increase in recent years with the renewed emphasis on the importance of agriculture in the National Plan. It has five main roles: - Increasing agricultural products in order to meet the 30 per cent self-sufficiency targets during the current Five Year Plan. - Diversification of agricultural production. - To train and advise on agricultural activities. - To do research with a view to increasing the importance of agriculture within Brunei. - To control the entry of animals and agricultural products with a view to preventing possible contagious diseases from entering the country. Recent developments in agriculture and its overall role in the economy are examined elsewhere in the Economic Profile (see page 122). The department sees its role as that of a catalyst, with the aim of reducing dependence on imported foodstuffs. The vast majority of Brunei's food is imported and agriculture accounts for only 1 per cent of gross domestic product. Education, advice and training are the department's main activities in improving agriculture. It runs a training college at Sinautand also funds a research centre. These measures are aimed both at boosting the number of trained agricultural personnel and widening the base of expertise. There have been notable successes in egg production and poultry. Fisheries The fishing industry in Brunei has been identified as one where it is particularly important to increase activity by local businesses. The Fisheries Department has the task of evaluating the national fisheries resources and developing them; developing aquaculture industry, such as fish farming; implementing the national fishery development plans, providing advisory services to fishermen and the public; ensuring the proper running of the Hassanal Bolkiah Aquarium, a popular venue for Bruneians to visit; and finally, implementing the fishing regulations. Fishing within Brunei's 320 kilometre fishing limit is confined to local activity only, although in other areas joint ventures are encouraged. Forestry More than two thirds of Brunei is tropical forest and the Forestry Department has declared most of this to be reserved land. It controls all forest reserves and activities and consequently the department is in charge of logging within both the forest reserves and on Government lands. It controls both exports and imports of timber and encourages the timber processing industry to expand into higher value activity, such as more sophisticated furniture production. The Brunei Government is very conscious of the environmental issues involved in forestry and has developed policies to control erosion and conserve water catchment areas. The Forestry Department also looks after the use of the forest for recreational purposes. Public Works The Public Works Department is charged with the planning, design and implementation of various development and departmental projects, such as bridges, roads, waterworks and drainage, Government buildings and other infrastructural projects. The Public Works Department also promotes the active participation of Bumiputra (local) contractors in the implementation of development projects and keeps a register of consultants and contractors. Construction work is one of the most important industries in Brunei, ranked second only to the oil and Lgas industries in its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP)-construction accounts for more than 5 per cent of GDP. One of the most demanding projects undertaken by the Public Works Department is to ensure that water supply targets are met. Water resources are difficult to develop, in spite of the high rainfall. Brunei has a high consumption, with more than 90 per cent of the population receiving treated water. The Public Works Department plans to ensure that all of the country will be covered by proper water and sewerage systems, and obviously this is problematic in some of the more remote rural areas. Electrical Services Brunei spent more than B $250 million on improving its electrical supplies during the fourth National Development Plan between 1980 and 1984. Electrical consumption is more than 400 million kilowatts a year and there are numerous generating stations and sub-stations. The Electrical Services Department is in charge of providing electricity, controlling and maintaining the safe use of electricity and registering electrical contractors. While electrification is virtually complete in Bandar Seri Begawan, the rural electrification programme is continuing. There are some 150 contractors in Brunei registered with the department and these carry out activities such as wiring cable laying and air-conditioning. Town and Country Planning Physical planning is a means of controlling and guiding the use of land and the process of change in the environment. In Brunei Darussalam, where the pace of development is extremely rapid, this co-ordination is very important. Forward planning is organised through plan preparation and development control. Regional scale and local plans, subject studies and standards have been prepared to provide a robust context for both Government and private sector development initiatives. The development control service ensures that new building fits within the plan framework and meets minimum environmental standards. Site planning is carried out for all significant projects. Site selection, earthworks and layout design and landscape planning are the major component parts. Roads, drainage and infrastructure are co-ordinated through the relevant Government agencies. The conservation and protection of the natural environment has become a growing area of concern for the department. Policies are being developed in response to both internal needs and international agreements. Survey Brunei's topography and communications problem means that land surveys are difficult to carry out. However, the Ministry of Development recognises that effective planning and land utilisation depend on the availability of good surveys and maps. The Survey Department is in charge of carrying out a systematic land survey of the whole of the country and maintaining professional standards in surveys. In its wider role it carries out more in-depth surveys such as land applications, acquisitions, consolidations, sub-divisions and land reserved for State purposes. The Survey Department also produces accurate and up-to-date maps of various scales for Government, industrial and public use. Housing Development The Government of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan is committed to sound housing for all his people and the housing programme is seen as a key element in promoting the citizens' welfare. Between 500 and 600 houses are built by the department each year under its housing and resettlement programme. The Government also provides accommodation for many of its civil servants through its housing projects. In addition to the above programmes, the Government is also embarking on a Land for the Landless Scheme. Land With a land area of approximately 5,769 square kilometres and a population of only about 227,000 concentrated in the coastal belt, land use in Brunei Darussalam requires careful control. Under the provisions of the Land Code and the Land Acquisition Act, the Land Department administers this national resource and ensures it is developed in the best long-term interests of the nation. The department is responsible for registration of privately owned land which covers about 5 per cent of the total land area in 40,000 registered lots. The continuing pace of development within Brunei has resulted in more land being needed for Government projects and this sometimes requires acquisition of private land. Under the current Five Year Development Plan there are approximately 450 projects requiring land use. Ministry of Development Telephone: 02-41911 Minister of Development: Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Laila Jasa Dr. Haji Ismail bin Pengiran Haji Damit Permanent Secretary: Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Mohd. Salleh bin Haji Hidup Public Works Telephone: 02-41911 Electrical Services Telephone: 02-42090 Town and Country Planning Telephone: 02-44591 Survey Telephone: 02-43171 Housing Development Telephone: 02-44145 Land Telephone: 02-43181 Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Language and Literature The Language and Literature Bureau, one of the principal departments of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, is responsible for promoting the development of the Malay language, literature and culture of Brunei Darussalam. To this end the Bureau is making various efforts to widen the scholastic use of Malay language. For example, while degree level courses in Malay literature have been introduced at the University, at the same time Brunei has hosted a number of important seminars on Malay language, the role of literature in Islam and developments in Malay poetry. International poetry readings and competitions have been organised with the strong support of the Bureau. Library Services In the absence of a national library, the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Library serves a wide range of needs. It has branches in all four districts and provides a mobile library service in both urban and rural areas. The Bureau operates a bookshop selling, among other publications, a quarterly academic journal, a monthly creative writing magazine and children's reading. Membership of the library, which has sections for children, young people and adults, is free. A reference library provides information on statistics, Government reports, the Brunei legal system, language and literature, associations and history. The Bruneiana Collection is heavily used by lecturers, university students, journalists, writers, producers and broadcasters. Museums Opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1972, the Brunei Museum contains six galleries including exhibitions ranging from natural history to oil and gas exploration. The Brunei Museum is also responsible for the Brunei Arts and Handicrafts Training Centre which encourages craft skills including the weaving of Brunei cloth. The Centre acts as a marketing organisation for a wide range of Brunei handicrafts. An unusual museum in Brunei is the Churchill Memorial Museum which has one of the finest collections of Churchill memorabilia in the world. Another museum, Muzium Teknologi Melayu (Malay Technology Museum) was opened in February 1988. History Centre Established in 1982, The Brunei History Centre is located next to the Churchill Memorial Museum. The Centre was founded to undertake research into the rich history of Brunei Darussalam. Among the areas of special emphasis are the genealogy and history of the Sultans of Brunei and the Royal Family, biographies of the country's statesmen and published and unpublished writings on the history of the Sultanate. The Centre is also responsible for the study of historical sites, monuments and objects which are part of the nation's heritage. The Centre sees part of its role as being to find ways of enhancing national pride and loyalty towards the rulers of Brunei and to promote the history of Brunei, both to its own people and those outside the country. Sport Sport is actively encouraged in Brunei and extensive sporting facilities are provided throughout the country. Brunei recently won a gold medal in the South East Asian Games for self-defence, and sends participants regularly to international events. The National Stadium is located in Berakas, near Bandar Seri Begawan. Football and badminton are the most popular games. Welfare Brunei has a highly developed welfare state and its administration is the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The needy are especially well cared for and the State provides its citizens with non-contributory pensions from age 60 onwards. Special welfare provision includes cash allowances to needy families, assistance to victims of natural disasters, adoption services, employment for the aged, and funds for the handicapped and orphans. The Ministry also administers a rehabilitation centre for young offenders. A counselling and advisory service has been set up to offer support to families and to act as arbitrator in domestic disputes. Pensions In addition to pensions for those over 60, financial aid is also provided to other categories including the blind, disabled and mentally retarded. In 1987 nearly B $10 million was paid out to pensioners and their dependents. In 1987 the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports had a total budget of nearly B $43 million compared to B $36 million in 1986. Welfare payments amounted to nearly B $2 million in 1987. In addition, private charitable donations are encouraged in line with the teaching of Islam, and His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family set an example by giving generously to various charities. His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan attaches great importance to the improvements in social welfare that have occurred during his reign and that of his father. Outlining his philosophy on social welfare, His Majesty said: "We have the resources to give our people a better life. Anyone who has visited Brunei Darussalam will vouch for the advancements that have been made in so many fields of endeavour for the well-being of our people. "We have devoted our resources to free education, subsidised foods and fuels, pensions for the aged and widowed, medical and health care and earnings without income tax. These and many other services are all provided to protect the citizens' welfare." Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Telephone: 02-40585 Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports: Yang Berhormat Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Hussain bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Mohd. Yusof Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports: Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Haji Awang Selamat bin Haji Munap. Permanent Secretary: Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Haji Chuchu bin Penglima Asgar Dato Paduka Haji Abdullah Language and Literature Bureau Telephone: 02-43511 Welfare, Youth and Sports Telephone: 02-42903 Brunei History Centre Telephone: 02-40166 Museums Telephone: 02-44545 Ministry of Health The quality of health care in Brunei is very similar to that of most other rich countries. An affluent life-style combined with a successful record in preventative medicine, improved water supply and sewerage disposal have meant that Brunei's health problems are not unlike those of developed countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States or Sweden. Malaria has been eliminated from Brunei since 1970, although it is still a problem in the rest of Borneo. Cholera and smallpox have been eliminated and the country carries out regular immunisation programmes. It has substantially met the health requirements laid down by the World Health Organisation in its Health for All by the Year 2000 Programme. Planners at the Ministry of Health have had to cope with an upsurge of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. AIDS is not as yet a major problem because of the country's strict religious, moral and traditional ways of life. However, the country is maintaining strict surveillance and taking preventative measures against the disease. Brunei has an infant mortality rate of 9.96 per thousand live births in 1986, and a life expectancy for men of 70.2 years and 72.7 years for women. The health service is free for Brunei citizens, with a very nominal charge for permanent residents, expatriate Government servants and their dependents. Health care is a three-tier system, with health clinics providing primary care, health centres providing secondary care and district hospitals, the tertiary and specialised care. The most important medical facility in Brunei is the 550-bed central referral hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan known as Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS Hospital). Built at a cost of B $162 million, this hospital provides diagnostic and therapeutic facilities for the whole country. In addition, there are hospitals at Kuala Belait, Tutong, Temburong and private facilities run by Brunei Shell at Seria. For medical care not available in Brunei, citizens are sent overseas at the Government's expense. Brunei's health planners place great emphasis on primary health clinics and mobile services, particularly in the remote regions. The flying medical services go to 14 areas not easily accessible by land or river. In addition to health care, the Ministry of Health collaborates with the Ministry of Development in health related projects, for example, the provision of rural sanitation and water supply. 90 per cent of the urban and semi-urban population has piped water and 70 per cent of the urban population has sewerage sanitation. The Government has an ambitious water and sanitation programme for the rural areas. In common with other advanced countries, Brunei is faced with a seemingly inescapable rise in the demand for health care and a continual rise in health costs. The Sultanate is in the fortunate position that it can afford to meet this increase and maintain the provision of, for example, the best available drugs and equipment for the health services. New facilities, such as a six bed coronary care unit and a thirteen bed dialysis centre in Bandar Seri Begawan, have now come on stream, in addition to existing facilities. The most serious problem facing the Ministry is a staff shortage. Most doctors and dentists in the country are expatriates and while Brunei is actively training its students on medical courses overseas, there is still a serious shortage. For very specialised care, Bruneians still have to be sent abroad. On economic grounds this is justifiable, considering the investment in manpower and equipment that otherwise would be needed. There is still a shortage of nurses and recent changes in training programmes have yet to produce the number of nurses required. The Ministry of Health is determined to keep nursing standards at the level of those in the United Kingdom and Singapore. However, for the foreseeable future Brunei will continue to face acute shortages of nursing manpower. The Ministry of Health is also involved in helping to fight the abuse of drugs; a programme which has been given priority by His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan and is co-ordinated nationally under the Prime Minister's Office. Ministry of Health Telephone: 02-26640 Minister of Health: Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Dr. Haji Johar bin Dato Paduka Haji Noordin Permanent Secretary: Pengiran Dato Paduka Mohammad Yassin bin Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Diraja Pengiran Haji Abd. Momin Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan announced the creation of a new department, the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, as part of a Cabinet reorganisation which came into effect on January 1, 1989. The Ministry was set up to help accelerate the economic growth of the country and to assist in the process of diversifying the economy. The departments of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and the Industrial Unit which formerly came under the Ministry of Development now form part of the new Ministry. The Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources will provide much of the drive behind ambitious plans to promote and establish industrial activities in the country. Its creation reflects His Majesty's view that well planned programmes for industrialisation should be activated not only in the short-term, but more importantly for the longer-term. In the speech to mark his birthday on July 15, 1988, His Majesty said Brunei Darussalam should implement its industrialisation programme immediately. "The country's small size and relatively small manpower should not be made excuses for the slow progress in diversification into industry under the B $3.7 billion Fifth National Development Plan," he said. Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources Telephone: 02-41911 Minister of Industry and Primary Resources: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Awang Mohammad Taib Permanent Secretary: Dato Paduka Malai Ali bin Malai Haji Othman Agriculture Telephone: 02-43144 Fisheries Telephone: 02-42067 Forestry Telephone: 02-22450 Industrial Unit Telephone: 02-41104