BRUNEI’s newest landmark, the Kg Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery, situated in the water village, has been chosen as the iconic building to be “switched off” during the Sultanate’s official inaugural participation in Earth Hour.
Completed and opened last year, the $3 million facility, which houses exhibits showcasing Kg Ayer and Brunei’s origins, will switch off its lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on March 27 as testament to Brunei’s commitment to the Earth Hour initiative.
Tourism Development Department Director Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed made the announcement yesterday during a press briefing at the gallery.
“Brunei Tourism is very proud to be part of this global activity. To show our involvement, we will let this building, the Kg Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery, be used for the occasion. On the 27th, we will switch off the lights of this building for one hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm,” he said.
The Kg Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery will be switched off on the evening of March 27 as part of Brunei's official participation in the global Earth Hour event. Picture: BT/Ubaidillah Masli
Brunei is among 17 countries and regions striving to be officially recognised this year as part of the global movement against climate change. To be officially recognised, the lights of a national landmark has to be switched off voluntarily for the 60-minute event.
“Every country has their iconic landmark, like Sydney with their harbour. So this is an iconic building (for Brunei); it is right in the centre of our unique attraction in Brunei, the water village. So we will switch the lights off and be part of this global event,” the director said.
“The whole idea is that we want to show that Brunei cares about sustainability. There’s also support from the Energy Division at the Prime Minister’s Office, whereby they have sent a memo around for every (government) department to support this event,” he added.
When asked why Brunei Tourism stepped up as one of the lead agencies to participate in Earth Hour, Sheikh Jamaluddin explained that it was a good opportunity to showcase Brunei’s stance towards sustainability.
“Brunei Tourism’s job is all about creating awareness and image-building. We see this as a good opportunity to show the image of our country being part of a global event, especially when it comes to sustainability of this planet,” he said.
He added that since Brunei is an oil-producing country, the Sultanate had to show its “caring side” where it supported any activity to conserve energy and sustainable energy usage to ward off the effects of climate change, the focus of Earth Hour.
Sheikh Jamaluddin pointed out that the recent Asean Tourism Forum, which Brunei hosted in January, carried the theme “Asean, the Heart of Green – 10 Destinations, One Conservation Vision”, during which Brunei stressed the issue of sustainability.
He added that Brunei Tourism encouraged local hoteliers and “accommodation providers and users” to practise energy conservation techniques, among the initiatives the department promoted.
Speaking to The Brunei Times, Sheikh Jamaluddin elaborated the significance of choosing the Kg Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery for Earth Hour.
“This is a historical place, this is where Brunei was born 14 centuries ago,” he said.
Sheikh Jamaluddin also spoke of the building’s features, which is modelled on the traditional “grand house” on stilts overlooking the Brunei River, saying that it typifies the Bruneian culture and way of life.
Earth Hour Brunei official representative and coordinator Md Rosmarimey “Rimey” Hj Osman agreed the building signified the origins of Brunei. “This is where Brunei started.”
Rimey added that it would also be symbolic for Earth Hour Brunei to start there as well. “This building may be new but it is not just about big monuments, it is about what (the building represents). This building represents Brunei’s Kg Ayer; where we come from and where it all started. So it is good symbolically, that Earth Hour (Brunei) starts here.”
Another Earth Hour Brunei official representative, Pg Sarimah reminded that Earth Hour was not “just about switching off your lights in one day. It is about educating people and creating awareness”.
“A lot of things are in the making at this moment. The whole country is very forthcoming and supportive of this. The whole of Brunei government and people of Brunei is supporting the initiative,” she said.
Prioritising personal safety, roughly 80 to 100 people will mark Earth Hour at the gallery, while other supporters will gather along the river.
Latest by Ubaidillah Masli:
- Tutong airport mooted in district devt planning
- Fisheries products on offer in Muara
- National Awards for SMEs announced
- 'Great Barrier Reef' in Brunei
- Market credibility of Sultanate's halal guidelines rising
