| Azlan Othman |
HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Deputy Sultan, urged people not to be complacent, though Brunei Darussalam is located away from earthquake and big-scale natural disaster-prone areas.
“Still, our nation is regularly experiencing long period of flash floods, landslides and strong winds,” His Royal Highness said in a sabda yesterday.
Chairing the first meeting of the National Disaster Council for 2017, His Royal Highness, who is also the Chairperson of the National Disaster Management Centre, highlighted that these disasters occur almost every year due to the impact of climate change which could lead to severe natural calamities and cause unforeseen impacts.
Therefore, continuous efforts are needed to enhance preparedness and implement action plans to reduce risks and improve preventive measures, His Royal Highness said.
His Royal Highness further highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholders’ readiness in preventing and fighting natural disasters, especially increasing awareness among the general public. In this regard, all disaster risk reduction activities must be guided by a strategic framework in disaster management to ensure that action plans are implemented with a whole-of-nation approach by all stakeholders.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Deputy Sultan
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Deputy Sultan, in a group photo with officials
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and Mohamed Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohamed Yunos, Permanent Secretary (Media and Cabinet) at the Prime Minister’s Office
“The development of the strategic framework should be in line with the efforts towards achieving the goals of Brunei Vision 2035. Disaster management is a cross-cutting issue that covers various jurisdictions and roles of relevant agencies.”
His Royal Highness reminded that the most effective component of disaster management is the culture of preparedness among the people.
“All efforts and action plans must be based on best international practices and take into consideration the most relevant approaches – from disaster management to disaster risk reduction,” His Royal Highness urged.
The first meeting of the National Disaster Council for 2017 was held at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Earlier, the Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, in his capacity as the Permanent Deputy Chairman of the National Disaster Council, highlighted the importance of working together as a nation with a proactive approach to disaster management.
The minister also stated that close coordination and cooperation between multi-stakeholders have resulted in successful implementation of various actions in all disaster management cycles.
The meeting heard a number of reports presented by members of the council. They included a progress report on the outcome of the National Disaster Council Meeting in 2011 and 2016; a report on the implementation progress of the Strategic National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction 2012-2025, as well as a status update of the development of the National Strategic Policy Framework on Disaster Management presented by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs as Secretary of the Council. The meeting also heard reports on disaster events in Brunei Darussalam.
The National Disaster Council is a strategic platform established with the objective of ensuring effective disaster management in Brunei Darussalam.
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