Speech By
Yang Berhormat
Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah Bin
Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar
Minister Of Communications
Brunei Darussalam
At
Safety And Security Challenges Workshop
Monday, 7 Syaaban 1436 / 25th
May 2015
Amar Pahlawan Hall,
Ministry Of Communications
Brunei Darussalam
BISMILLAHIRRAHMANIRRAHIM.
ALHAMDULILLAH
HI RABBIL 'ALAMEEN WASSALTU WASSALMU 'ALA ASYRAFIL AMBIYAA IWAL
MURSALEEN. SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIN WA'ALA AALIHI WASAHBIHI AJMA'EEN.
Yang Mulia, Awang Abdul
Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof,
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Communications;
Yang
Mulia, Awang Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Yunos,
Deputy Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Communications;
Yang
Mulia, Awang Mohammad Nazri bin Mohammad Yusof,
Acting Director
of Civil Aviation;
Yang
Mulia, Mr Yap Ong Heng,
Director General
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
Distinguished
Head of Departments, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Assalamualaikum and a pleasant good morning to all of you.
1.
Alhamdulillah, I am pleased to be here today as the Guest of Honour, to
open the Safety and Security Challenges Workshop. Thank you,
Department of Civil Aviation for your kind invitation.
2.
I would like to welcome Mr Yap Ong Heng, Director General, Civil
Aviation Authority of Singapore and his delegation to Brunei Darussalam.
The presence of Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
representative here today to share your expertise on safety and security
is very much appreciated.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
3.
I have been in the public service for over forty years now, with
most of it being in the transport and communications industry.
Throughout these years, I am fortunate to have witnessed the progress
made, growth, and changes in the aviation sector.
4. These
are substantive changes, ranging from improvement in airport
infrastructure and capacity, air navigation technology from ground-based
to space-based systems as well as enhancement of systems and
processes. What is common between all these changes is the underlying
objective and priority, that is, to ensure the safety and security of
the travelling public.
5. Brunei Darussalam
is no exception to the ever-changing landscape and demand of this
global air industry. Last year, we have achieved a major milestone in
aviation, that is, 60 years of serving Brunei Darussalam aviation with
full dedication, professionalism, safe and efficient services.
6.
We have witnessed the evolution of the Brunei International Airport
with three major Airport upgrading works in the past 30 years. The most
recent of which is the B$150M Modernization of the airport terminal
project. Once completed by mid 2015, we will have a modern airport with
increased passenger terminal capacity of three million passengers,
double from our current capacity of 1.5 million passengers.
7.
Concurrently, our national flag carrier, Royal Brunei (RB), has also
achieved their own milestones. Just very recently, Royal Brunei
celebrated 40 years of flight since its inaugural flight to Singapore 40
years ago in 1975. Since then, Royal Brunei has modernized its fleet,
with upgrades from the first Boeing 737 narrow-body jet airliner in 1974
to a new world-class fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners in 2014. The
Airlines' core objective, which is to raise the levels of comfort and
safety, are paramount factors to passengers. This objective has always
been aligned to the strategic objectives of the Ministry.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
8.
The changes taking place in aviation have been very profound.
Aviation industry is no longer just a necessary component in the
transportation industry, but it is also a lifestyle of choice.
9.
Therefore, safety and security have major influences in the aviation
sector. The market and community in this sector demand and expect
timely action on the continual and rapid integration of new technologies
that the aviation authority and industry need to respond to.
10.
To respond to this expectation and requirement, we need to take on a
holistic approach on safety. This approach is established through
cooperative, collaborative and coordinated efforts among all
stakeholders, with the guidance of international best practices such as
that of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
11.
No matter how well and meticulous we prepare ourselves, accidents and
incidents do happen. Brunei Darussalam has experienced an aviation
incident recently. The runway excursion incident of Air Asia AK278 in
July 2014 has disrupted airport operation due to the closure of the
aerodrome. This incident is a stark reminder on the need to be ready
for any eventualities.
12. On a
sadder note, the tragedies involving Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia
Indonesia are still fresh in our minds. Our hearts go out to the victims
and their families.
13. Every day some one hundred thousand
(100,000) flights took-off and arrive safely at their intended
destination. What happened to flights MH 370 and MH 17 are unprecedented
in aviation history. We will honor the memories of those involved by
re-doubling our efforts on the lessons learnt, such as the need for
global flight tracking, flight safety over conflict zones and rapid
weather changes. These are challenges that we need to learn from, for
further improvement in safety and security, and to minimize the chance
of such incident or accident in future.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
14. Safety and security have always been among the priorities in ASEAN. During the 17th
ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) Meetings, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in
December 2011, ASEAN Ministers issued the Declaration on the Adoption of
the Implementation Framework of the ASEAN Single Aviation Market
(ASAM). The Implementation Framework was a significant undertaking that
would guide the key works of ASEAN in the aviation sector over the
subsequent four years and beyond 2015.
15.
The aspiration of ASAM is to enhance aviation safety, aviation
security and air traffic management through the harmonisation and
convergence of standards and procedures regionally. This is in line with
the goals set for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which is to
create a prosperous, highly competitive and economically integrated
market and production base in ASEAN by 2015.
16. In the
Implementation Framework, a common and coordinated approach in the areas
of aviation safety, aviation security and air traffic management will
facilitate the formation of the ASAM and further encourage the growth of
the regional aviation sector. Recognising that this would require
extensive work, it is essential for ASEAN Member States to lay a
framework for the implementation of the ASAM.
17. With our signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Republic of Singapore on Civil Aviation cooperation during the 20th
ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting, in Mandalay, Myanmar on 28th
November 2014, we have taken the first step to jointly address common
challenges, build on our common interests in aviation and harness the
opportunities that arise in this challenging yet vibrant industry.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
18.
According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),
the air transport industry is a driver of the global economy, as the
industry supports over 58 million jobs and $2.4 trillion in global GDP.
A third of all global trade by value is sent by air, making aviation a
key component of global business.
19.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stated that aviation
in Asia-Pacific contributes $265 billion worth of GDP. Boeing
forecasted that half of the world's air traffic growth will come from
the Asia-Pacific region in the next 20 years. The region will need
12,820 planes worth $1.9 trillion, representing 36% of the world's new
airplane deliveries in the next two decades. We are, indeed, in a very
vvibrant region.
20. In the
context of Brunei Darussalam, it is generally recognized that
liberalized policies could bring about many economic benefits to the
industry and consumers, such as growth in traffic (both in terms of
passenger and cargo traffic and aircraft movements), multiple air
carriers (including low-cost carriers) entering the market, increased
service options and pricing competition, development of travel and
tourism, and job creation.
21.
These are some of the key factors needed to meet the Wawasan Brunei
203. One of the aims of Wawasan 2035 is for Brunei Darussalam's per
capita income to be within that of the top ten countries of the world.
This translates into a GDP totaling $80 billion.
22.
An $80 billion dollar economy requires a Transport sector, which
supports efficient movement of people, services and goods. Some
estimates envisaged a Transport Sector that contributes up to 5% to the
GDP, which is estimated to be $4 billion. Currently, this contribution
is just below 2%. Nevertheless, safety and security must and will remain
of paramount importance in the operation and development of
international air transport, and should at no time be compromised by
economic considerations.
23. To
meet this challenge, the Department of Civil Aviation needs to
strategize and focus on how to make Brunei Darussalam's aviation sector
economically sustainable, vibrant and safe in this ever evolving
industry. In short, to stimulate growth, DCA must strive to create
confidence and promotes connectivity.
24.
To ensure the services delivered are of the highest safety standards
and in compliance with the international best practices, a
comprehensive safety and economic regulatory framework, continuous
improvements in systems, culture, processes, human capacity building,
and sustainable environment, need to be in place.
25. As
such, I am pleased that in the Air Transport Aspiration 2035, the
Department has targeted to achieve compliance rate of 80% in year 2017
and 100% compliance in year 2020, in both the ICAO Universal Safety
Oversight Audit Program (USOAP) and Universal Security Oversight Audit
Program (USAP). Specifically on safety, critical elements of a safety
oversight system must be complied with. These encompass the whole
spectrum of civil aviation activities, including areas such as
aerodromes, air traffic control, communications, personnel licensing,
flight operations, airworthiness of aircraft, accident/incident
investigation, and transport of dangerous goods by air.
26.
I am also pleased to note that the Department of Civil Aviation has
taken steps in addressing these challenges by modernizing the existing
regulatory framework, modernization of airport terminal facilities and
upgrading the communication, navigation, surveillance and Air Traffic
Management systems to enhance aviation safety and services. These
initiatives together with future Air Transport improvement programs,
indeed, are the Department strategic objective towards achieving the Air
Transport Aspiration 2035. This will highlight a significant milestone
in Economic growth, Connectivity, Confidence in Safety and Security;
and Creating job opportunities in an economically sustainable and
vibrant aviation industry.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
27.
I was made to understand that the objective of the workshop is to
promote cooperation in matters relating to civil aviation, in accordance
to their respective competencies and their respective national laws and
regulations. The outcome of the workshop would establish a solid
foundation and clear direction for aviation safety as well as for air
navigation capacity and efficiency for some years to come.
28.
I am optimistic that all participants will acquire new skill and
knowledge from the 2 days workshop. I encourage active participation
from all participants in the interesting discussion during the
workshop. With the experts present during the workshop, this is
certainly an invaluable opportunity to enhance your knowledge on safety
and security.
29. Before I conclude, may I take this
opportunity to once again welcome Mr Yap Ong Heng, Director General
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and his delegation to Brunei
Darussalam. Please do find time to explore Brunei Darussalam –
experience our rich customs and cultural heritage; our local delicacies;
and the aesthetic value of our beautiful green scenery.
30. I
would also like to congratulate the Department of Civil Aviation on
your initiative in organizing this workshop. To the members of the
organizing committee, thank you for your tireless effort and sheer
dedication to ensure the workshop runs smoothly. I wish you all a
successful and fruitful workshop.
WABILLAHI TAUFIK WAL HIDAYAH, ASSALAMUALAIKUM WARAHMATULLAHI WABARAKATUH.
