OPENING REMARKS
YANG BERHORMAT
DATO SERI SETIA AWANG ABDUL MUTALIB BIN
PEHIN ORANG KAYA SERI SETIA
DATO PADUKA HAJI MOHAMMAD YUSOF
MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFOCOMMUNICATIONS
During The Launching Ceremony of The Electric Vehicle Pilot Project
11 SYA'ABAN 1442H / 25 MARCH 2021
BRIDEX HALL 2, JERUDONG
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim,
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'Alamin Wassalatu Wassalamu 'Ala-Asyarafil Anbiya'e Wal Mursalin Saidina Muhammadin Wa'ala Alihi Wasahbihi Ajma'in
Yang Berhormat,
Dato Seri Setia Ir. Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar
Minister of Development as Co-Chair of the Brunei Nation Climate Change Council
Yang Berhormat,
Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Md. Hussein
Minister of Energy as Co-Chair of the Brunei Nation Climate Change Council
Yang Berhormat,
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism as Member of the Brunei Nation Climate Change Council
Yang Mulia,
Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw
Deputy Minister of Energy as Member of the Brunei Nation Climate Change Council
Yang Mulia,
Dato Seri Paduka Ar. Awang Haji Marzuke Bin Haji Mohsin
Deputy Minister of Development
Yang Berhormat
Members of The Legislative Council
Your Excellencies,
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps.
Yang Mulia,
Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent Secretaries
Yang Mulia,
Members of the Electric Vehicle Joint Task Force (EVJTF) Brunei Darussalam
Yang Mulia
Managing Directors, Company Representatives and Senior Officers
Friends from the media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, a very good morning to all and salam sejahtera.
1. Alhamdulillah allow me, on behalf of the coordinating ministry, convey our deepest gratitude to our special guests, my fellow Ministers, Deputy Ministers, members and representatives of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen on your presence to this morning's launching ceremony of the Electric Vehicle Pilot Project.
2. Firstly, I would like to share that this EV Pilot Project would involve various stakeholders with a target after the two (2) years completion of this project, where analysis and studies on its effectiveness and reception by the public.
3. Policies and programs relating to EVs have been and will continue to be reviewed and monitored by a Task Force that was established since early 2020 last year, namely the Electric Vehicle Joint Task Force (EVJTF) led by the Ministry of Energy. Through a whole-of-nation approach with the involvement of Government, non-Government agencies and stakeholders, the objective of EVJTF is, among others, to discuss the short-term and long-term needs for EV implementation so that the country is better prepared before the widespread deployment of EVs in the country.
4. Our event this morning as well as the activities arranged during the Launch of this EV Pilot Project which will last for four (4) days starting from the 25th up to the 28th of March 2021 which is the end of this week is one of the EVJTF Program which aims to raise public awareness about electric vehicles (EVs), to have a feel of the public's response to EVs and get more information towards the future of the EV market in the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
5. Based on the Brunei National Climate Change Policy or the BNCCP which was launched on 25 July 2020 last year, the contribution of carbon emissions from the land transport sector in 2018 is 13.6% which is the third largest sector in terms of greenhouse gas emission (Greenhouse Gas, GHG) in the Country.
6. BNCCP has set 10 strategies to pave the way for the country's resilience in climate change and lowering carbon emissions. The use and increase of EVs is the Third Strategy in the BNCCP with the target of increasing the share of EVs to 60% of the total vehicle sales in this country by 2035, inshaAllah.
7. The annual average number of new vehicle registrations in the country for the past five years is 12,658 vehicles per year. By 2035, based on EVJTF's preliminary study with the Brunei Darussalam Climate Change Secretariat, I have been made to understand that an estimated 11,400 new vehicles will be registered of which 60% or 6,800 are targeted to be EVs by 2035.
8. Towards achieving this target, the preparation of policies and programs to promote EV ownership including incentives, provision of infrastructure, customer protection, capacity building programs including retraining and upskilling, emergency response, waste disposal and continuous provision are being worked on and planned for implementation under the role of the EVJTF and this is done together with industry players and other stakeholders.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
9. On this occasion, Alhamdulillah, with the grace of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, I am pleased to share one of the incentives that will be given during this pilot project where the Vehicle License ( Vehicle license, VL) for any EV involved in the pilot project and also for those not involved in the pilot project is exempted from payment until the Vehicle License rate for EVs based on electric motor power is determined and enforced later.
10. I understand that one of the main activities that will be carried out during this pilot project is to identify strategic locations where charging stations for electric vehicles will be installed in phases and stages according to the needs of the people in the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
11. On this occasion, the public is welcome to take the opportunity of the EV showcase held for these 4 days to learn more about EVs. We also very much welcome public feedback for the use of the agencies and companies involved to assist in the general and comprehensive EV policy review as well as the marketing surveys of the companies involved.
12. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the parties involved, especially Brunei Shell Marketing Sdn Bhd (BSM), Brunei Automobile Dealers Association (BATA), Brunei Insurance and Takaful Association (BITA), finance companies and companies. -other companies for their involvement in the Launch of this Pilot Project.
13. Finally, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Committee Members of the EV Pilot Project Launch Ceremony and to all parties involved, for the support and commitment given in successfully implementing and enabling the Launch of this EV Pilot Project later.
Sekian. Wabillahi Taufik Wal Hidayah. Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
