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Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2020
FOREWORD
the upgrade in infrastructure and the readiness
of users to embrace new technologies.
Cooperation and collaboration between public
and private sectors are vital in driving our digital
transformation agenda. Several initiatives are in
the pipeline to further develop and increase the
contribution of the telecommunications sector to
the growth of the economy towards the Fourth
Industrial Revolution.
Towards the vision of a Smart Nation, Alhamdulillah,
the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications
(MTIC) is now embarking on policy strategies
towards a more holistic digital transformation and
governance. In this regard, the portfolio of MTIC
has now expanded to comprise e-Government,
cybersecurity, digital economy, and most recently,
science, technology and innovation. These new
developments are hoped to enable more holistic
coordination of policy and strategic directions and
implementation of complementing initiatives.
In the transformation process towards a Smart
Nation, MTIC realised that this cannot be
implemented in silos. Hence, MTIC greatly values
the continuing support and collaborative efforts
while looking forward to forging new ties with
stakeholders from other ministries, institutes of
higher learning, the private sector, NGOs and the
public. One such example is the project with the
Centre for Transport Research (CfTR), University
of Technology Brunei which capitalises on data
analytics to improve road safety. In addition,
active planning is on-going to launch 5G pilot
projects that are aimed to explore 5G applications
in sectors such as transportation, tourism and
education, amongst others.
The role of transportation, especially in ensuring
mobility, becomes an even more vital component
in a Smart Nation. With such development, Brunei
Darussalam is at a junction to learn how to direct
and utilise the new technologies’ best attributes
and reduce the risks of an uncertain future.
However, the current infrastructure and system
is faced with rising costs, asset maintenance
challenges and stagnant ridership.
In this regard, MTIC, through the implementation of
recommendations set out under its Land Transport
Master Plan 2035 (LTMP), is putting in place policies
to support new technologies such as the traffic
management, other ITS initiatives and towards green
technologies such as electric vehicles, amongst
others. MTIC is also now reviewing the feasibility of
some projects recommended under the LTMP2035.
For Brunei Darussalam to realise Vision 2035,
the development of our nation’s transport
infrastructure is critical. Over the next 10 to 15
years, the transport system is expected to be able
to support economic growth, a growing population,
higher expectations and more diverse lifestyles.
With this in mind, it is imperative that MTIC
embarks on policy approaches which will
harness emerging new technologies which
can implement innovative features of mobility
services to improve the overall transportation
system. One example we have seen is the
introduction of Dart in May 2017, a local ride
hailing mobile application which achieved
40,000 rides within its one-year anniversary.
Furthermore, MTIC has further enhanced its
reach to the public through the TransportBN
mobile application which provides access for
the public to information on the Demerit Point
System (SiKAP), public bus and taxi information
as well as assist in the renewal of driving
and vehicle licences. Such developments
in the transport sector clearly indicate the
importance of collaboration between relevant
stakeholders to showcase new technologies
and applications to realise our vision to
become a Smart Nation.
For MTIC, 2019 has been a year of significant
policy and industry developments that
will shape the infocommunications and
transportation sector for Brunei Darussalam.
MTIC looks forward to 2020 as a year to
undertake more collaboration and strategic
partnerships in taking Brunei Darussalam
towards the status of a Smart Nation.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib
bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof,
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, Brunei Darussalam