Temburong To Have Gallery
By Shafiyi Azahari

Temburong - The Temburong District will have its own Arts Heritage Gallery and a Bumiputra Complex that will house shops, a fastfood restaurant and a mini supermarket by mid-2007, Acting Temburong District Officer Awg MohdAbdoh Dato Seri SetiaAbd Salam said here yesterday.

In a briefing on the current status of government projects to Acting Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Dewa Pahlawan Dato Paduka Dani Ibrahim, who was making a working visit to the district, he said that the projects included the renovation of government buildings, construction of the second phase of the Bangar Town Bumiputera complex, renovation of the old Temburong district office and the housing project in Bangar for government officers.

The construction of the Bumi Putra Complex in Bangar Town is expected to be completed in February 2007. The new building will be a traditional wooden structure connected to the Pasar Bangar.

The acting minister inspected the new complex and gave some of his concerns and suggestions about the building. Deputy Temburong District Officer Awg Matusin Orang Kaya Sura Tuba told The Brunei Times here yesterday that the complex would house the first mini supermarket and a fastfood franchise for the second largest district in the country.

"There will also be a cakehouse and ample spaces for various business," said Awg Matusin. "We will also provide small stalls on the ground floor." He added that the two-storey complex would also have two surau (prayer rooms) for both men and women as well as a multi-purpose hall that could accommodate 200 people.

He said although the complex would be officially opened next July, business operations were expected to begin next March. "There is also an information centre at the ground level not only for tourists but also for everyone," he said.

According to Awg Matusin, the more than $4-million building was supposed to be finished last October but was delayed due to technical problems. A search for a new teflon supplier was cited as the reason behind the delay. The roofing material is expected to arrive in February.

After the briefing at the Temburong District Office, Pehin Dato Dani also inspected the soon-to-be completed Arts Heritage Gallery for the district. It' is located at the old Temburong District Office building and is expected to be officially opened next May. It will exhibit various artifacts from the district.

However, the building has yet to be electrified due to a budget constraint, which drew Pehin's attention and urged the relevant officials to expedite the power supply. The district officer said that the department also received assistance from the Museums Department in making the gallery suitable for the valuable artifacts.

Before leaving the site, Pehin Dato Dani took a quick look at the 1962 Memorial Hall remembering seven policemen who died defending the police station from attacks by rebels.

From the Arts Heritage Gallery, the Pehin made short stops at a small rest-house at Kampong Puni, in Kampong Belais and at the Buda-Buda Heritage Park. The housing project for government officers was the last stop for the acting minister.

The housing project is expected to be completed early next February. Each housing unit has three rooms and common facilities including a garage and can accommodate eight families. The construction of the more than $980,000 building started last May. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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