| Azlan Othman |

A TOTAL of 566 fire hydrants in the Brunei-Muara District were stolen, damaged or vandalised, leading to losses amounting to over BND200,000.

At the same time, 239 areas in the Brunei-Muara District are implicated, putting these places at risk. These cases have been reported to the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and Public Works Department (JKR), via its Water Services Department.

These were highlighted during a press briefing yesterday by Officer-in-Command of Operation ‘F’ branch Acting Senior Superintendent Haji Nordin bin Haji Buntan, as a representative of the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD), along with Inspector Aprizam bin Haji Mohammad of the RBPF and JKR Water Section Engineer Pengiran Haji Mohd Saiful Hazman bin Pengiran Haji Duraman.

Acting Senior Superintendent Haji Nordin said, “The fire hose couplings for the hydrants were found to be missing, during an inspection conducted by the FRD at several areas in the Brunei-Muara District.

“Most of the fire hose couplings were damaged, lost or stolen, and it is likely that such thefts will continue to increase if they are not curbed.

“The vandalism or theft of fire hydrants will bring a negative impact on the country, and would jeopardise public safety during fire incidents in high-risk areas.

“The main function of fire hydrants provided by the government through the JKR is not only to supply water to residential areas, but also as a water supply point to the FRD for putting out fires.

“It is difficult for the JKR to supply to water tankers to the public, in the event of water supply disruption and in supplying water for the FRD, especially during fire operations to protect the public.”

Meanwhile, Pengiran Haji Mohd Saiful Hazman said, “It is an offence under Chapter 121 of the Water Supply Act Chapter 26 (d) which states ‘Anyone without the permission of the water authority who interferes, opens or closes any valves, or pipe heads of fire extinguishers owned by waterworks, and if found guilty, upon conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding BND20,000.

“‘And in the event of a second or subsequent offence, is liable to a fine not exceeding BND50,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.’

“And in Chapter 27 (1) (b), it states that ‘No one can take any water for any purpose from any fire extinguisher head owned by the water authority, except by written agreement or consent. Anyone who acts in violation of this chapter will be convicted, and upon conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding BND10,000.’”

The officers also highlighted other offences which involve using fire hydrants for the purpose of filling up water bouncers, swimming pools or reservoirs; or using them for the cleaning of housing compounds, without obtaining written permission from JKR.

Regarding the theft and vandalism of fire hydrants, Inspector Aprizam bin Haji Mohamamad said, “As of March 2019, the police have received 16 reported cases of missing fire hydrants at police districts nationwide.

“In investigations conducted by the police, no arrests have been made, but the monitoring and collecting of evidence are underway, to track the perpetrators or criminals believed to have been involved in this case.

“In the meantime, if an arrest is made on any individual with the evidence, the investigation paper will be brought before the Court for the accused to face the charge under Section 379 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Chapter 22, for theft cases which, upon conviction, the accused will receive three years’ imprisonment or a fine, or both.

“If there are any damages, the accused will be charged under Section 427 of Criminal Penal Code Chapter 22, for property damage, and upon conviction, the accused shall receive a prison term of up to five years and at least two strokes of the cane.”

The public is urged to play an important role in the protection of fire hydrant and to call the police hotline at 993, to report any instances of theft or damage to fire hydrants.

Alternatively, the public can also call the FRD hotline at 995 or the Darussalam line at 123, to report the vandalism of fire hydrants or cases of open burning.