BRUNEI FLOODS: IS THERE A LONG TERM IMPACT?

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000039

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT PASS FOR DEPT OF ENERGY BRYANB and VANDERMEYC
DEPARTMENT PASS FOR EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR BX

SUBJECT: BRUNEI FLOODS: IS THERE A LONG TERM IMPACT?

SUMMARY

1.(SBU) Beginning on January 20th, Brunei experienced the worst
flooding in over 40 years. Roads have been washed out, towns and
villages isolated and crops destroyed. At least 1500 homes have
been damaged, but the direct death toll has been limited. The
government responded slowly and Brunei experienced a rare public
outcry, especially regarding the damage done to the country's
electrical system. Ambassador Todd responded by bringing a senior
Department of Energy (DOE) official to meet with Government and
private sector officials. The meetings focused on energy and
electrical supply reliability and security. Deputy Assistant
Secretary Bill Bryan and Ambassador Todd secured a pledge to bring
in a Department of Energy assessment team to Brunei. While fund
raising continues, along with some limited infrastructure
improvement, the long term impact of the floods has yet to be
determined. END SUMMARY

FLOODING THROUGHOUT BRUNEI

2. (SBU) As many Bruneians stayed up late on January 20th to watch
President Obama's inaugural address, the rains started in Brunei and
it did not stop. Power was knocked out throughout the capital city
of Bandar Seri Begawan as well as other cities in Brunei. Water
systems also failed. Roads were washed out, houses collapsed due to
landslides, and two deaths were directly related to the initial
flooding. The rains continued until the weekend of February 7th,
2009, with occasional flooding until the end February. Flooding has
occurred throughout the country and isolated many villages and other
small communities in the Tutong and Belait districts. At one point
during the flooding, the main oil and gas producing cities of Seria
and Kuala Belait were cut off from the rest of the country as a
landslide blocked the main and only highway into these two
communities. The flooding is attributed to the heaviest rains in the
past 40 years along with very high tides.

LACK OF POWER LEADS TO RARE PUBLIC OUTCRY


3. (SBU) While heavy rains and high tides were primary causes of
much of the heavy flooding, the power outages, water system
failures, and destroyed homes and roads could not simply be
attributed to Mother Nature's ravages. The electrical system was
significantly damaged during the initial flooding as one of the main
power plants was flooded. Lack of preventative maintenance and
equipment caused the pumping systems to fail. In addition, the
electrical company has almost no spare turbines or other equipment.
(NOTE: The dedicated power system for the royal family and critical
infrastructure was not/not affected by the rains and flooding. End
NOTE). Power was out for over 3 days in some areas. This is a rare
occurrence in Brunei and caused a very public outcry that was
covered in the media. The Brunei media does not normally publish
accounts of the citizenry's dissatisfaction with the government.
The coverage focused on the lack of a timely government response.

AMBASSDOR TODD BRINGS IN US EXPERTISE


4. (SBU) Seeing an immediate need, Ambassador Todd worked with the
Department of Energy, International Programs office, to bring Deputy
Assistant Secretary Bill Bryan to Brunei on short notice. DAS Bryan
was in the region discussing DOE programs. DAS Bryan and Ambassador
Todd met with Brunei's Minister of Energy as well as senior
officials from the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) during
his short visit. The Minister was impressed that the US was able to
bring experts in on short notice. He also noted that Brunei was in
need of not only short term improvement but long term planning,
especially in the area of energy security. The failure of the power
plants was especially troubling to the government. BEDB officials
noted that Brunei has significant infrastructure needs and relies on
antiquated systems left over from the British. DAS Bryan noted that
the DOE program focuses on a system wide perspective and evaluates
where a county's energy security is most vulnerable. Of particular
note is the program's focus on electrical reliability.

NEXT STEPS
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5. (SBU) Since the flooding has subsided, there has been some
activity, most notably in fund raising. The Government established a
relief fund which has raised over 1.5 million Brunei dollars.
Reconstructed and/or new homes have been given out, some by the
Sultan himself. There have been some repairs to drainage systems but
most are on an ad-hoc basis. There has been a general public
awareness campaign about the need to be more prepared for the next
natural disaster but no specific efforts to date. However, DOE and
Embassyare working to arrange Digital Video Conferences ad follow
up visits by DOE assessments teams. We ave been working closely
with the Minister of Enrgy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trad (MFAT).


BANDAR SER 00000039 002 OF 002


COMMENT: WHAT IS THE IMPACT?
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6. (SBU) As Brunei reaches the two month mark following the floods,
questions are being raised about the long term impact. Currently,
flood relief fundraising appears to be the primary focus. The
public has started to ask, albeit quietly, when funds will be
distributed and how. The Embassy and Ambassador Todd were praised
publicly and privately for a quick reaction and we hope to build on
the success of DAS Bryan's visit. Our main concern is how
responsive the government will be now the flood's effects are slowly
fading from memory. Embassy and DOE stand ready to assist and are
moving forward with our initial plans. However, we still are not
certain if the floods will have a long term impact on Brunei's
planning and response to natural and man-made disasters.

TODD