Brunei’s fuel subsidy payments top $711 million

Brunei Darussalam has one of the highest car ownership per person ratio in the world and, coupled with the approximately 30% government fuel subsidy, the government has to date paid an accumulated amount of more than B$1 billion (US$711.23 million) in fuel subsidy. This was highlighted by the Deputy Director of the Petroleum Unit at the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of the 2010 Energy Forum, Pg Haji Harun Pg Haji Abdul Rahman. According to the deputy director, in the last five years alone, the annual government subsidy payments for gasoline and diesel fuel sold at petrol stations nationwide made up B$167 million (US$118.78 million) in 2005, B$210 million (US$149.36 million) in 2006, B$222 million (US$157.89 million) in 2007, B$340 million (US$241.82 million) in 2008 and B$153 million (US$108.82 million) in 2009. (May 28, 2010)