Answer to Oral Question PL264

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📖 Reading time: 4 minutes
📊 Word count: 578 words

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG MOHAMMAD BIN ABDULLAH @ LIM SWEE ANN

QUESTION:

Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann asked the MINISTER AT THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE to state the plans of the Department of Electrical Services to add street lights in rural areas, as the existing street lights are only in certain places.

YANG BERHORMAT MINISTER AT THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

ANSWER:

Thank you, Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم ورحمة هلا وبركاته

Good Afternoon and Greetings of Peace

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua,

1. The Prime Minister's Office welcomes the question from Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah which reflects the concern in prioritizing the well-being and safety of the residents and citizens of Negara Brunei Darussalam. It is the Government's policy through the Energy Department at the Prime Minister's Office and the Department of Electrical Services (JPE) to provide facilities such as Public Lighting, especially on main roads or shared-use roads, including roads in rural areas. The provision and installation of these facilities are assessed based on certain priorities and needs.

2. Regarding the provision and installation of these facilities, there are four (4) public lighting installation projects under the 12th National Development Plan (RKN12), one of which includes a project in the rural area of the Temburong District, namely from Simpang Tiga Puni/Bokok to Temada, which is currently being implemented and is expected to be completed in October this year.

3. For rural areas in the Belait District, several projects have been planned under the 13th National Development Plan (RKN13) for the years 2029 to 2030, including Jalan Labi, Merangking, and Bukit Sawat Phase 2.

4. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, the installation of street lights in remote or rural areas comes with its own challenges, such as higher investment costs to build additional assets or electrical infrastructure, like substations, electrical cables and so forth, to connect the power supply to the street light poles to be erected. Besides that, finalizing road planning and roadside corridor also plays an important role in determining the exact location for the installation of public lighting.

5. As an alternative step, the Government through the Department of Electrical Services will explore the installation of solar-powered street lights in rural areas, which is evaluated to be more cost-effective as it does not require the construction of additional infrastructure, and it also has lower operational and maintenance costs compared to conventional street lights. This initiative is also in line with the national goal to increase renewable energy usage as part of energy transition efforts.

6. For the installation of lights in non-rural areas, several projects were completed last year, including the lighting installation project in Sungai Bera, Anduki. Meanwhile, two more lighting installation projects are expected to be completed in mid and late 2026, namely Lorong Tiga Barat Seria and Mumong Bypass.

7. As a continuous effort to maintain street lighting assets, the Department of Electrical Services conducts scheduled inspections, specifically on the control panels of each public light, to ensure they are always in perfect and safe condition.

8. On this occasion, the Department of Electrical Services also seeks the support and cooperation of the public and all agencies to jointly maintain and preserve the facilities that have been provided for the well-being of the citizens and residents of this country. The public can report any attempt of tampering, damage, or intrusion against the assets of the Department of Electrical Services, including street lights or their equipment, by contacting the Department of Electrical Services or the Darussalam Line 123.