Residents call for the review of fuel subsidies
Precious commodity: An attendant filling a vehicle at a Petrol station in Sepakat, Kuala Belait. The government is offering highly subsidised oil to the people but they should not take it for granted, said local respondents during a survey.Picture: Zamri Zainal
Sunday, June 1, 2008
BRUNEIANS are not feeling the pinch of high oil prices, being faced all over the world, but they should start realising the importance of this precious commodity.
This was stated by an employee of one of the oil and gas companies in Brunei in an interview with The Brunei Times, requesting anonymity.
The woman supported her answer with the argument that the step is required to appreciate the value of oil as it is no longer available in abundance which is a predicament that many residents have not realised.
She said that some Bruneians take oil for granted so Brunei should reduce its fuel subsidies. "It will make them open up their eyes and appreciate the price of oil in today's world."
While asked whether residents can cope with the increase in oil price, she said: "I don't know but it depends on the situation because cutting the subsidy completely and at an alarming rate will be a problem but if it is done gradually, I don't see the problem.
"Perhaps if people don't take oil for granted and value it alot more then they will do more to save the environment," she added.
The Bandar Seri Begawan resident quoted the Minister of Energy's speech at the opening of the Energy Week where he said Bruneians must distance themselves from the wait and see attitude before implementing an action.
Mohd Ariff, a 22-year-old studying in a local university, said that Brunei should reduce the fuel subsidy.
"I think that there seems to be a lack of appreciation of the subsidy, not from personal experience but because there seems to be an air of being spoiled in Brunei," he suggested.
Lack of gratitude is one thing he said and further added that despite the government trying to find ways to diversify the economy with oil no longer in abundance as before. "I just don't think that it (oil shortage) has really hit us." He acknowledged bottled mineral water is more expensive than oil in Brunei and said that "it's a shame that the rest of Bruneians don't know this as it should open up their eyes and be more grateful for the subsidy on fuel or any subsidies."
Another female resident also agreed to the idea of removing the fuel subsidy gradually.
The decision to remove the fuel subsidy will be beneficial to the Bruneian economy as it may result in increasing country's revenue. (AAB1)
The Brunei Times
This was stated by an employee of one of the oil and gas companies in Brunei in an interview with The Brunei Times, requesting anonymity.
The woman supported her answer with the argument that the step is required to appreciate the value of oil as it is no longer available in abundance which is a predicament that many residents have not realised.
She said that some Bruneians take oil for granted so Brunei should reduce its fuel subsidies. "It will make them open up their eyes and appreciate the price of oil in today's world."
While asked whether residents can cope with the increase in oil price, she said: "I don't know but it depends on the situation because cutting the subsidy completely and at an alarming rate will be a problem but if it is done gradually, I don't see the problem.
"Perhaps if people don't take oil for granted and value it alot more then they will do more to save the environment," she added.
The Bandar Seri Begawan resident quoted the Minister of Energy's speech at the opening of the Energy Week where he said Bruneians must distance themselves from the wait and see attitude before implementing an action.
Mohd Ariff, a 22-year-old studying in a local university, said that Brunei should reduce the fuel subsidy.
"I think that there seems to be a lack of appreciation of the subsidy, not from personal experience but because there seems to be an air of being spoiled in Brunei," he suggested.
Lack of gratitude is one thing he said and further added that despite the government trying to find ways to diversify the economy with oil no longer in abundance as before. "I just don't think that it (oil shortage) has really hit us." He acknowledged bottled mineral water is more expensive than oil in Brunei and said that "it's a shame that the rest of Bruneians don't know this as it should open up their eyes and be more grateful for the subsidy on fuel or any subsidies."
Another female resident also agreed to the idea of removing the fuel subsidy gradually.
The decision to remove the fuel subsidy will be beneficial to the Bruneian economy as it may result in increasing country's revenue. (AAB1)
The Brunei Times
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