Brunei warns of oil crunch

Brunei’s energy minister has warned people of this cradle-to-grave welfare state to curb their “extravagant lifestyle” of wasting fuel and electricity, saying the country’s dwindling oil reserves will not last forever.

Energy Minister Yahya Begawan Mudim said the government expects to spend $144m (€114m) on public subsidies this year to keep retail prices of petrol and diesel low, up from $106m (€84m) in 2005.