Sunday, March 28, 2010
BRUNEI'S Empire Hotel and Country Club yesterday dimmed its lights all-around the hotel's proximity and also urged their guests and staff to consume as minimal energy during last night's observance of Earth Hour.
Although, this was Brunei's first official year of joining the Earth Hour, it was the premier hotel's second year to support the global energy-saving event.
"There is no reason to say no in participating in Earth Hour, just like the rest of the world," said the hotel's Executive Assistant Manager cum Director of Rooms Division Sumantri Endang, in an interview with The Brunei Times.
Sumantri said: "No one will protect this planet except us. What we have done is encouraged our in-house guests and hotel staff to participate in Earth Hour, by switching off their lights and consuming energy in the most minimal way."
Lights at the hotel's lobby, fitness centre, corridors and staircases were dimmed, the minute the clock struck half eight. All street lights from the hotel's guardhouse to its main entrance were switched off.
"Although we dimmed the lights, we did not compromise safety by having emergency lights which are compulsory," he said.
Sumantri added: "Even though we are (observing Earth Hour), saving energy will not be that substantial. However, this is still an indication to support the event."
Meanwhile, Director of the hotel's Property Maintenance Abd Rahim Mohd Noor said that instead of encouraging staff to use candles during the hour, they used dynamo-generated torch lights.
Sumantri noted that it defeated the purpose if they had to burn candles, instead of using lights generated by electricity. "It's not saving energy in a way if (our staff) are burning thousands of candles."
Sumantri said prior to Earth Hour, letters from their management sent to their hotel staff also encouraged their family members to consume minimum energy from 8.30pm to 9.30pm yesterday.
Abd Rahim said although the hotel did not advertise they were observing Earth Hour, he was surprised to see people pouring into the hotel at 7pm, to witness a tea-light candle display at its ground floor. "I suppose these people had it in their minds to come here and participate in Earth Hour, because we had this last year as well."
He added that the hotel recently kicked off a "green programme", in a bid to conserve energy in the long haul.
"For example, we have opted for conserving energy through a timer, which will automatically switch off our street lights and air-conditioners (at certain places) during hours around midnight," he said.
Abd Rahim said that lights in about 90 per cent of their guest rooms at the main building have already been changed to energy-saving bulbs.
Sumantri added that although it was expensive to switch to energy-saving bulbs, it saved both energy and money in the long run.
Both Bruneians and tourists seen at the Empire lauded both the nation's and hotel's initiative to officially participate in marking the Earth Hour.
Pg Rosmawati Pg Hj Metali, an education officer at the Ministry of Education, along with her husband and three children enthusiastically witnessed the dimming of lights all around the hotel last night.
"This is the message of conservation, to show Bruneians what it is about. I also brought my children to expose them to the message, and what it was all about," she said.
The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/en/news-national/2010/03/28/empire-strikes-back-against-excess
Photos by Sumantri shown earth hour activities at The Empire Hotel
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