NATIONAL HAZE ACTION PLAN OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM | | OBJECTIVE | | | POLICIES | - Obtain information on state of air quality as well as useful meteorological and weather information.
- Determine source of haze.
- Provide the public and relevant government agencies the necessary information on air quality and corresponding action.
- Safeguarding public health and safety.
- Ensure there is adequate medical and health facilities.
- Prohibit open burning during the dry period.
- Attend to local fires with the aim of achieving zero smoke emission.
| STRATEGIES Monitoring and early warning | - National air quality monitoring network (Medical and Health Department, Ministry of Health and Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Communication). Presently there are:
- Meteorological and weather information provided by meteorological office of Department of Civil Aviation
- Obtain satellite imageries
- Information exchange among ASEAN Member Countries
- Satellite imageries (spot & high resolution)
- Air quality (PSI or API levels of haze affected areas)
- Visibility
- Occurrence of haze generating fires
- Experiences in mitigating impact (environment technology and fire fighting).
| | Institutional set up | - Convene the National Committee on Haze as well as its subsidiary bodies in the event of a haze episode.
- Operationalize a Haze Information Center in the event of a haze episode
- Operationalize the fire fighting operations center at Fire Services Department Headquarters in the event there are outbreak of fires to coordinate the various field operations centers.
- The Field Operations centers are manned by an on scene commander and support team with the necessary resources and other logistical support.
| | Legislation and enforcement | - Below are among the procedures used to enforce the prohibition of open burning activities and reduction of emissions from activities that emits dust and smoke in the event of a haze episode.
- Minor Offence Act (1972, c. 77)
- Offences in the Penal Code (1952, c.22)
- His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has approved new provisions in the law to deal with open burning during dry seasons and prolonged drought.
- The new law is contained in the Emergency (Penal Code Amendment) Order 1998. A new section 277A provides for offences relating to open burning to be punishable with a fine of up to B$1000,000. Where such offences cause pollution to the atmosphere or endanger human life or property the punishment is a fine of unlimited amount and or imprisonment for a term of up to 5 years.
- For the purpose of these new provisions of the Penal Code the Minister who is designated by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam as the Minister responsible for environment will from time to time fix the "prescribed period" during which the new provisions would be enforced. The Minister may declare such period whenever there is a prolonged drought. The Minister may, by order publish in the Gazette, declare any period beginning with such date to be the commencement, and ending with such date to be the termination, of the prescribed period during which open burning is prohibited throughout the country.
- An important feature of the new offence under section 277A is that the registered landowner and the occupier can be made responsible for fires on their land.
- The Penal Code already contains in sections 278 and 285 provisions in respect of offences relating to fire which causes pollution to the atmosphere or endangers human life or property. Under section 278 the punishment for such offence is a fine not exceeding B$2,000. In view of the present situation, the fine has been increased to a maximum fine of B$100,000. Under section 285 the punishment is a fine not exceeding B$4,000. The fine has also been increased to an unlimited amount.
- With regard to minor offences involving fires, which do not endanger human life or property, these can be dealt with under the Minor Offences Act (Chapter 30) where the punishment for such minor offences is a fine of B$250.
| | Fire fighting operations | - Operationalize the fire fighting operations center at Fire Services Department Headquarters in the event there are outbreak of fires to coordinate the various field operations centers.
- The Field Operations centers are manned by an on scene commander and support team with the necessary resources and other logistical support.
Supporting agencies include: Royal Brunei Armed Forces (infantry and air force), Royal Brunei Police, Independent Fire Fighting Agencies, Public Works Department, Electrical Services Department, Forestry Department, private sector and volunteers.
- Individual command post to decide on tactical approach of combating fires and identify as well as source resources required. Reports to Technical Sub-committee on combating fires.
- Surveillance:
- Ground patrol
- Watchtower (where available)
- Air surveillance to help identify location and extent of fires
- Use of thermal imaging camera
Satellite imagery
- Methodology employed in combating fires:
- Where necessary cooperate with bordering states to combat fires that affects Brunei Darussalam's air quality.
- Information sharing with fire fighting counter parts
- Seek necessary clearance to cross national boundary
Share resources.
- Establish communication with source of potential international assistance to combat fires via:
- Independent sources
- Embassies / High Commissions
- ASEAN Secretariat
- ASEAN counterparts.
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