His Majesty Gives Away Dream Homes To The People

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Sultan of Brunei yesterday continued to lead the spectacular revolution in transforming his people's dreams into reality.

Soon after the Brunei ruler came to the throne more than a quarter century ago he had a dream: to give a decent home to every Bruneian.

That resulted in one of the largest resettlement plans in Southeast Asia ever to take shape involving an army of international architects, planners and contractors who rapidly began to change the country's landscape.

Parcels of land were given away free and houses built on easy terms under the Master Plan.

To landless Bruneians it is dream come true.

Essentially there are three categories of housing schemes the sultan's government has embarked on and into which much effort and money have been spent since 20 years ago.

They are the National Housing Development Scheme, Landless Indigenous Citizens Housing Scheme and the Land Entitlement and Infill Scheme.

The three plans are open to all eligible citizens, which aims at creating a high standard of living in a well-planned and harmonious environment and giving the people a chance to own land.

The Eighth National Development Plan describes the housing scheme as one "aimed at creating a cohesive and harmonious society in line with the objective of balanced national development."

And how has this nation of 320,000 succeeded? Very well indeed. The homes the once landless Bruneians have moved into are if not sumptuous, are most comfortable and cosy.

Suburbs in their hundreds have sprung up and today it could be said most Bruneians live a life of luxury with more than a bare roof over their heads.

"Bruneians are so lucky." That is the comment that visitors to these homes say.

And it is to some of these news homeowners the Brunei ruler presented keys and land titles yesterday.

He gave away keys to 311 people under the landless scheme for the indigenous people in Kampong Tungku and the Kampong Lambak Kanan National Housing Scheme.

Several also received land titles under the National Housing Scheme in Kampong Rimba, Gadong.

The Special Advisor to His Majesty at the Prime Minister's Office and the Home Affairs Minister Pehin Dato Awang Haji Isa greeted his Majesty on arrival at the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Saadatul Bolkiah College of Nursing.

Others waiting to welcome him were the Development Minister Dato Dr Haji Ahmad, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Dato Haji Adanan and the Brunei-Muara District Officer Dato Haji Harun.

After the key presentation ceremony, His Majesty visited the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Saadatul Bolkiah College of Nursing.

At the college, its Principal Dayang Hajah Zuraya briefed His Majesty.

His Majesty then visited the Childrens Development Centre in Kampong Kiarong. Established in 1999, the centre offers services in clinical psychology, speech therapy and those with hearing problems.

His Majesty later visited the residence of Ketua Kampong Kiarong Awang Haji Mohd Hassan. There are 308 houses in the village with the population of 4,095.

His Majesty also visited the recipients' homes of both schemes.

To date, some 740 people received their land titles in the National Housing Scheme of Kampong Rimba alone.

During the visit to one of the houses, His Majesty also cut a mango fruit known as 'Mangga Mahadir'. The mango was presented to His Majesty as souvenir.

The housing sector will continue to be given top priority to build more housing under the National Housing Development Scheme and landless indigenous citizen housing schemes.

Towards that end, $9 million or 12.33 per cent, from the total development allocation has been earmarked under the 8th National Development Plan.

His Majesty later visited the light industrial area in Lambak Kanan. His Majesty had a closer look at the Seri Pertama Garment Manufacturers Sdn Bhd, which is a joint venture enterprise.

The company's targeted income in 2005 is $45 million. It was established in 1996 where the principle markets are the U.S.A., Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

The main products are mostly knitted and woven items. In a month, the company is able to produce 40,000 to 63,000 units.

His Majesty then proceeded to the Mahkota Kristal Sdn Bhd Semaun Holdings, which was incorporated in April 2000. Here His Majesty received a souvenir from the Mahkota Kristal.

It was handed by the Permanent Secretary at the Finance Ministry Pengiran Dato Haji Maidin, who is also the chairman of the board of director of Mahkota Kristal.

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