Brunei: Don't commit the error of Nauru

DEAR Editor,

Congratulations to The Brunei Times for publishing the two letters "Time to start swinging Brunei" on January 23 and "Kudos for raising oil running out issue" on January 25. They may come too late in the day. Nauru is an example of how a country reliant on commodity can fall from grace seriously. When the birds couldn't defecate fast enough and the mining of phosphate got ahead of the birds doing their thing, the richest country collapsed. Now Naurans live from hand to mouth.

I think the letter writers were stating the very obvious — obvious to all, leaders and people alike — but as in keeping with Brunei style, no one wants to be the messenger of ill tidings and the leaders do not want to face up to the truth. The supposed panacea in Sungai Liang Industrial Park (Spark) and the ethanol plant is not diversification. It is oil and gas based. And if one accepts what the writer says, you will have a very big white elephant looming ahead in a few years' time. A white elephant bigger in scale than The Empire or Jerudong Park.

You do not need to go far to study the Dubai model (it's on borrowed money) or the Singapore model (building an overseas wing of the economy — but it has been losing money badly recently and shows to you that there is a loss and profit side to any investment).

Look at Kota Kinabalu (KK). It really has no significant industry to talk about except the tourism industry. And it has served the city well. You need to see what market niche you are strong at and take a strong jab at it. It will do the country well. We have no less then 500 million people in Asean. Add China, Japan and Korea and the market is beyond belief. And tourism provides not for big players, but mainly SMEs which is what we want. But the country is not serious about it. You have only a low ranking officer in charge. Instead, put a prince or princess in charge. Give it the highest exposure. If BEDB (Brunei Economic Development Board) can be successful, why not put it under BEDB? You need to spend and spend wisely and effectively. Effective and affordable air links are vital. Again look at KK. Four airlines serviced it on the Singapore route. Four budget airlines come to KK.

You have a beautiful country, lovely people and almost unspoiled scenery. Like the writer said, you should worry for Brunei when the next generation takes over. Oil and gas would have run out and then you will live on your savings. You cannot become a failed state. Your neighbours won't have it. There is no such thing as permanent friendship among states, only self-serving interests. If the two letters can bring about awareness about the acute situation Brunei will face soon enough, it is a good thing.

Friend & Neighbour

e-reader of The Brunei Times