Plans to refurbish Pontianak palace
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

The Qadariah Royal Palace in Pontianak. Photo: Hj Mohd Said 

Members of the trade delegation of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippine East Asia Growth Area Brunei Darussalam Business Council (BDBC) had given its commitment to its counterpart in Pontianak, Kalimantan to help refurbish an old palace in Pontianak. The deputy head of delegation, Hj Mohamad Pehin Ismail, said BDBC is committed to provide help in the form of materials towards the refurbishment of the Qadariah Royal Palace of Pontianak.

"The palace officials told us that the royal palace is in need of maintenance to the tune of 50 million rupiah or B$10,000. We agreed to provide the materials needed for the renovation such as paint and timber which we will send from here.

"We also agreed to help construct an arch towards entering the palace which will cost about B$1,000 to build. The arch is meant to welcome visitors to the palace as well as beautifying the palace," he said.

He said such move is made to ensure the money donated from members would be fully utilised for the renovation.

He added the palace officials would inform them of the materials needed and BDBC may go to Pontianak again to purchase the products there towards the refurbishment.

"We agreed to do this because we believe Qadariah Royal Palace may have royal link with the Brunei royalty. Furthermore, being a monarchy country we always place high esteem over the royals," he said.

The trade delegation arrived in Brunei Darussalam last Friday after spending six days in Pontianak including two days travelling by bus. They visited the Qadariah Royal Palace on April 16.

The Keraton Qadariah is the great royal palace of Pontianak with an impressive wooden structure.

Courtesy of Sunday Bulletin