Daniel Lim
Brunei has made significant efforts in recent years towards achieving zero road fatalities, such as a renewed focus on improving infrastructure, enforcing traffic laws and raising awareness about safe driving practices.
While these steps have been made over the years, it is still an ongoing and long endeavour with many companies and agencies taking the initiative to help further promote road safety.
This was among the many highlights of the recent roadshow organised at Liang Lumut Recreational Club by Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd which focussed on bringing together government, private sectors, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) together with a singular goal of promoting road safety mindedness among the public.
One such mindset that Brunei LNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib highlighted is ‘Biar Lambat, Asal Selamat’.
“‘Biar Lambat, Asal Selamat’ is a phrase that I keep close to my heart,” she said. “It is an important reminder that, even if I am running late to my destination, I will always put safety first”.
“The phrase is especially relevant whenever we talk about road safety. It also reminds me of the importance of managing and planning our journey on the road as road users.”
“It can be as simple as ensuring everyone in the car wears a seatbelt, checking your tyres regularly, or ensuring that we don’t text while driving – a few simple but effective measures to ensure you and I will go home safe”.
“We are all road users, whether as a driver or passengers in an automobile, riding a motorcycle or bicycles or pedestrians.”
She highlighted how Brunei LNG has continued to play a vital role in ensuring safety remains a top priority.
“At Brunei LNG, safety is and always will be our top priority, and our slogan ‘Road Safety Starts With Me’ captures this commitment. We aspire to see our staff and business partners demonstrate their commitment beyond our fence”.
“This safety mindset or culture is not just about working safely but living our aspiration – ‘Every day we return safely to our loved ones’.”
Hajah Farida also touched and reflected on the theme for the 2022 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims – justice – and road accidents in Mukim Liang Lumut last year.
“We recorded 116 road accidents, 17 of which resulted in injuries and one fatality. Our statistics show that road accidents were due to either loss of control, careless driving, hit and run, drowsiness or avoiding animals, to name a few.”
She noted that out of these 116 road accidents, eight involved drivers aged 59 or older and three were driving without a licence.
“We can do better. We must do better,” she added.
Meanwhile, Head of HSSE Management System, Culture and Assurance at Brunei LNG Nadiah Hanim binti Md Salleh highlighted the role that Brunei LNG plays in achieving the nation’s goal of zero fatal road accidents, with the roadshow being one of the many initiatives.
“This is the first time that Brunei LNG is organising a road safety roadshow, open to the public including students from educational institutions in Mukim Liang Lumut as well as Tutong District.”
She added that the roadshow is one of the many initiatives aiming to bring this safety-minded culture to the wider public, and is in line with Brunei LNG’s Social Investment Strategy to Community Development and Welfare and support the Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Strategic Plan 2025 published by the National Road Safety Council (MKKJR).
“This roadshow is aimed especially at the younger generation as we want to help instil the culture of road safety from an early age that the road to travelling safely starts with a simple change of mindset and habits.”
Nadiah Hanim noted that, as one of the country’s top contributors to the nation, Brunei LNG is honoured to join forces with those who are already active in their efforts to raise awareness about road safety such as MKKJR, Royal Brunei Police Force, Fire and Rescue Department, Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP), Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd (BSM) and other agencies in the government and private sector.
The safety-minded culture has since trickled down to many governmental, private sectors and non-governmental organisations, as one representative from Mahkota Maju Sdn Bhd Pengiran Adi Samsul bin Pengiran Haji Annuar who was present as an exhibitor attested to.
“We want to deliver the message to all attendees of the nation’s goal of significantly reducing the number of road fatalities in Brunei by 2035,”he said, adding that this ongoing mission does not only apply to those working in various sectors, but also to the public. “At the moment, we have a lot of members from the public attending, so this is the time when we can pass on this message.”
One way that Pengiran Adi Samsul as well as Mahkota Maju aim to deliver this message is by highlighting the importance of vehicle maintenance, ranging from ensuring that the tyre treads are adequate and to ensure that the engine is regularly serviced and maintained.
While the mission towards the goal of zero road fatalities might be a long and arduous journey, Pengiran Adi Samsul is confident that safety roadshows will serve as one of the many supporting pillars in achieving the goal.
“There is a safety pledge on the MKKJR website, where there are 12,842 pledging to make the roads of the nation a safer place.” The website can be accessed at https://bruneiroadsafetypledge.com/.
Hajah Farida in urging and highlighting the importance of road safety said, “Let us pledge to do what we can within our control such as educating ourselves and others on the importance of road safety, our responsibilities and our rights as road users. Ignorance should not be an excuse in today’s age.”
