Discussion On District's Future Development
By Nasroul Hizam

Kuala Belait - Mukim and village heads and longhouse chief were given the opportunity to partake in a discussion on the preparation of the Belait District Plan (2006 - 2025) with the Town and Country Planning Department yesterday.

The session was aimed at enhancing public awareness and participation among stakeholders in the plan making process and to obtain feedback on issues and proposals pertaining to land use planning in the district.

The Belait District Plan is a long-term land use plan which underlines strategies as guidance for the development and an instrument for coordinating the allocation of land.

The Commissioner of the Town and Country Planning Department, Hock Kok Seng, said that community leaders play a part in preparing the inception report prior to the preparation of the finalised Belait District Plan.

The department is currently in the process of gathering a comprehensive set of suggestions and development strategies for the district to be used in an integrated framework to pinpoint the direction of future development and the focus of the district's investment in line with the objectives of the 2035 long-term national development' plan.

Hock clarified that preparing the plan is to ensure optimum use of land which is organised and supportive of sustainable development while at the same time not affecting the environment. With the implementation of the 16-year plan, it should satisfy the socio-economic needs of this generation while providing space for future generations to have a better standard of living.

However, there is a need for the public as well as stakeholders to be active participants in the process for the early identification of current issues and development potentials to avoid future complications in the plan.

Among the relevant concerns raised were abandoned buildings which are taking up space and creating an eyesore, and suggestions for improving roads , as well as to ease traffic congestion in areas close to schools.

The village head of Kg Mumong, Hj Mohd Yusop Hj Dulamin expressed his disappointment at the unequal rate of development in the district, especially with regards to his village.

He said that Kg Mumong, covering an area of about 16 square km and with an estimated population of 11,000, has been without its own school, mosque and multipurpose hall, which causes great inconveniences as well as limits the village's ability to conduct activities.

Citing the lack of shops as an example, he pointed out that villagers have to go either to Kuala Belait Town or Seria Town as there are no shops in the village itself. Children in the village go to one of the four schools located in Kg Pandan, which according to Hj Mohd Yusop, results in troublesome congestions that can last for almost an hour at, its peak moments.

"There has been so much emphasis on developing towns and cities that smaller villages are often forgotten," he lamented. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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