Brunei needs to be prepared for any terror threat: Official

Quratul-Ain Bandial
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

DESPITE Brunei's peaceful security climate, the country must be prepared for potential terrorist threats especially during high profile events such as the upcoming ASEAN and East Asia summits, said a senior security official yesterday.

Speaking at a four-day security workshop, Dato Paduka Hj Hamdan Hj Abu Bakar, permanent secretary (security and enforcement) at the Prime Minister's Office, said the use of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive weapons (CBRNE) is a very real threat post-9/11. "Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, there has been a proliferation of extremist groups whose intention is to engage high-profile and sophisticated attacks targeting civilians that include the use of CBRNE."

"Despite all the technical and logistical difficulties associated with such devices, terrorist groups are becoming increasingly prepared to use CBRNE materials not just as a means to achieve political objectives but as an end itself," he told over 80 workshop participants at the Public Service Institute.

Although a remote possibility, the threat of such a devastating attack cannot be ignored, the permanent secretary added. The four-day seminar aims to help government agencies prepare their manpower and security assets for the upcoming ASEAN and East Asia summits, which will attract thousands of delegates from around the world, including heads of governments such as US President Barack Obama. Coordinated action to prevent CBRNE incidents requires a high level of inter-agency cooperation within the government as well as with international organisations, said Dato Hj Hamdan.

"A growing number of actors are demonstrating the ability to affect security landscapes and are increasingly in command of more and better capabilities. One of the most important threats comes from the spread of technical knowledge that can enable dedicated individuals or groups to build CBRNE devices." The workshop is an important step towards preparing a list of measures that could reduce the risk of terrorist acts, he added. The four-day event was jointly organised by the Security and Enforcement Division and the US Embassy, which provided security experts from the United States.

Among the agencies attending the workshop were the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Brunei Police Force, Fire and Rescue Department, Internal Security Department, National Disaster Management Centre, Bio-Security Division, Department of Medical Services and Department of Agriculture and Agrifood.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times