Answer for Oral Question PL264

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG MOHAMMAD BIN ABDULLAH @ LIM SWEE ANN asks the MINISTER AT THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE to state what are the plans of the Department of Electrical Services to add street lights in inland road areas because the existing street lights are only in certain places.

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri

Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua

بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم ورحمة هللا وبركاته

Good afternoon and greetings.

Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua,

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

2. In relation to 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 inland area of Temburong District, namely at Simpang Tiga Puni/Bokok to Temada, which is currently being implemented and is expected to be completed in October this year.

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

4. Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua, the installation of street lights in upriver or inland areas has its own challenges, among which are the higher investment costs to build additional electrical assets or infrastructure such as substations, electrical cables and so on to connect the power supply to the lamp posts to be erected. In addition, the finalisation of road planning and roadside corridors also plays an important role in determining the exact locations for public lighting installation.

5. As one of the alternative measures, the Government through the Department of Electrical Services will explore the installation of solar-powered street lights in inland areas, as this step is considered more cost-effective because it does not require the construction of additional infrastructure, while also having lower operating and maintenance costs compared to conventional street lights. This initiative is also in line with the national goal of increasing the use of renewable energy as part of energy transition efforts.

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

7. As a continuous effort in maintaining road lighting assets, the Department of Electrical Services carries out scheduled inspections, particularly on the control panel of each public light to ensure that it is always in proper and safe condition.

8. On this occasion, the Department of Electrical Services also hopes for the support and cooperation of the public and all agencies to jointly safeguard and maintain the facility assets that have been provided for the well-being of the people and residents of this country. The public may report any attempts at alteration, damage or trespass against the assets of the Department of Electrical Services, including street lights or their equipment, by contacting the Department of Electrical Services or Talian Darussalam 123.