HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday warned that the Sultanate must improve agricultural production and prioritise food security.

The monarch said in a titah marking his 62nd birthday that with the rise in global food prices, which has recently seen restrictions on food exports in some countries, Brunei can no longer depend on other countries to acquire rice even if it has the budget.

"The attitude of completely relying on dollars to fill stomachs is no longer relevant with the emergence of this crisis," His Majesty said prior to handing out honorary medals to recipients at Istana Nurul Iman's Singgahsana Indera Buana.

While the price of rice has remained unchanged despite an increase in subsidies, Brunei is not necessarily free from anxieties over the food shortage, His Majesty said.

"If there are rice-exporting countries that are capable of fulfilling 70 per cent of its needs including those that are still busy drafting policies in order to fulfil 100 per cent of its needs why is it that we, who are only capable of fulfilling 3.12 per cent, are not making any efforts to increase our rice production?" he asked the audience.

"So it is proper for us to have a strategic plan and a national agricultural policy, which amongst other things, make the guarantee of national food security one of its priorities," said the monarch.

In line with the government's steps to ensure the continuation of the subsidy mechanism for fuel, the monarch called on Bruneians to collectively carry out their responsibilities in conserving energy, particularly fuel. The monarch also called for continued efforts in preventing the smuggling of fuel out of the Sultanate.

"Also as important, is the conservative use of electricity on a daily basis," His Majesty said.

His Majesty also addressed the hike in prices of consumer goods, reminding the country's suppliers and businesses to refrain from increasing the prices of goods as they please.

To help decrease the dependency of the private sector on foreign workers and unemployment rates, the monarch said his government has allocated $28 million from the human resource fund for two training schemes a special programme for graduates seeking jobs and a special programme for school leavers.

The government is also currently assessing a mechanism that will guarantee the future of the citizens when they retire, and drive its implementation as well as improve the country's retirement system.

"Plans to change the lifestyle from a consumer society to a saving society must be generated early," His Majesty said.

In the context of development, the monarch touched on the approach to solid waste management, including the disposal of dangerous chemicals and bio-chemicals, saying that the time has come for Brunei to deal with this issue seriously.

"The consequences will not be small if we are slow or careless in taking care of the environment. The status of an advanced economy that we have always strived for will not be achieved if waste management in the country is still at unsatisfactory levels," His Majesty said, adding that the agencies involved have to be firm, fast, and far-sighted in handling this matter.

The monarch also called on the masses to closely cooperate in making use of prepared disposal areas.

In line with watchful eating habits to ensure the population's good health, the monarch welcomed the control of the use and sale of tobacco products.

"With the 2005 Tobacco Act enforced in June, I hope that diseases linked with the use of tobacco will decrease. I feel that we are capable enough to become the most eminent country in the world to refuse smoking. Don't forget, in our country, smoking is haram (forbidden). Don't we realise, that with the decline of serious diseases linked with smoking, it will eventually lessen the country's spending in terms of medical services?"

His Majesty also touched on the 21st Century National Education System (SPN21), which will begin early next year and is designed to take on the human and economical development challenges as well as carry the aspirations of the national vision.

In the international arena, Brunei's relations with neighbouring countries are becoming closer, His Majesty said, attributing it to Brunei's principle-bound yet pragmatic foreign policy. Brunei's commitment for peace, security and prosperity in the region has been strengthened by the signing of the Asean Charter during the Asean summit in Singapore last year, His Majesty added.

The government, said His Majesty, will also continue with bilateral trade agreements through Asean, Apec OIC, Commonwealth, WTO to open up new opportunities.

"With this the government will not neglect security, and will collectively maintain and improve it, regionally and globally. I realise the security challenges in this century are hard to predict. Therefore the country's capability to handle it is a priority," His Majesty said.

Some 30 recipients were presented with various Honours and Decoration medals during yesterday's investiture ceremony. The Brunei Times