Home Minister Kg Bebuloh
By Narissa Noor & Haji Minor Absah

Bandar Seri Begawan - Being on the border with Sarawak, the mouse trails in Kg Bebuloh have become a pefsistent problem in the village with smugglers breaching the border transporting contraband.

This problem was noted in a meeting during a working visit by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd Yusof yesterday morning, to Kampong Bebuloh of Mukim Pengkalan Batu.

It was highlighted by villagers during the meeting that the situation has improved recently and much of this is owed to public cooperation with the authorities in reporting such crimes.

The day began at the Kampong Bebuloh Multipurpose Hall as the minister met with members of the Mukim and Village Consultative Council of Kampong Bebuloh.

During a Q&A session, several issues were brought to the minister's attention such as the poor conditions of the paddy farms.

Paddy fields in the country have, for the past three years, produced an encouraging yield, and it is the most active form of agriculture in this village.

This year, however, yields have dropped due to flooding.

Lack of proper drainage system has been attributed to the destruction of these crops while poor road conditions leading to these paddy fields has left them inaccessible and calls have been made for proper maintenance.

Another topic of concern was road safety. The minister was asked to consider placing more road humps to discourage speeding.

Lack of streetlights in the village also poses a danger to drivers who have to manoeuvre through the dangerous corners at night.

A few issues were also raised by the Home Affairs minister.

He spoke of mothers-to-be living in rural villages and their responsibility to report the birth of their child to the proper authorities.

The law requires that any birth or death be reported within 14 days, said the minister.

After the Q&A, the Minister toured the display of handicrafts and other products made the Kampong Bebuloh residents and enjoyed a performance by the newly converted residents.

Later in the morning, the Minister went to the paddy fields to witness for himself the problems facing these farmers.

Before ending his working visit, the minister also took the chance to pay a visit to the residence of Awang Bamban bin Patang, having heard of his hardship.

The 100-year-old house, which once belonged to his great-grandfather, is in poor condition and his misfortune prevents him from building a new home for his family. The Minister of Home Affairs offered Awang Bamban and his family much needed assistance by acquiring the services of relevant authorities. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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