Breathing New Life Into A Dying Village Discussed

Bandar Seri Begawan – The regional seminar on Kampong Ayer has identified various matters that can contribute to the future development and continuity of Kampong Ayer.

Ideas that were produced during the seminar will be given due consideration.

Dato Awang Haji Abdul Wahab, the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, who was speaking at this afternoon's closing ceremony of the seminar said besides the historical and heritage aspects, consideration will also focus on the engineering and building aspects, including safety matters as well as water, electrical and waste collection services.

A forum on the Heritage of Life Challenges and Continuity was held prior to the presentation of certificates to participants of the seminar.

The forum discussed important aspects of coordinating the policy of management in the development of water village.

At the seminar, overseas working paper presenters actively participated in exchanging ideas that could benefit the nation especially in efforts to lay out the future direction of the water village.

The Permanent Secretary later presented certificates to the participants.

Pengiran Dr Haji Abu Bakar, the Director of the Brunei Academy Studies,  said the seminar's resolution will be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further consideration.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day four guest speakers shared ideas and thoughts on the Kampong Ayer as a living heritage.

They presented their working papers at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

According to Dr Haji Muhammad Hadi bin Muhammad Melayong, Deputy Head of the History Centre, Kampong Ayer should be preserved as a national treasure.

He called for measures to be taken to realise its potential, as it is an interesting tourist attraction and the strongest portrayal of Brunei's identity.

Meanwhile, Mrs Truong Thi Lan Tam, the Head of the Professional and Research Department of Ha Long Bay Management Department of Vietnam, spoke about Vietnam's own National Heritage site, Ha Long Bay, which has some similarities to Brunei's Kampong Ayer.

She asserted that there is an immediate need to identify and concentrate on preventing threats to the heritage's environment.

Communication and education for the community especially in the young generation to help them understand and be responsible in protecting it in which heritage protection is a decisive factor in the preservation and promotion of Heritage's values for future generations.

Cynthia Neri Zayas, an Associate Professor and Officer-in-Charge of the Centre of International Studies of the University of the Philippines,  meanwhile, called for the preservation and utilisation of the Southeast Asian aquatic cultural heritage.

She pointed as examples the Kampong Ayer of Sitangkai and that of Bandar Seri Begawan's as examples, to illustrate their enduring presence in the region's seascape.

Aquatic cultural heritage is fundamental in the correct understanding of history and culture as well as the basis for future cultural growth and development of Southeast Asian civilisation.

Dr Haji Ismail Haji Duraman, the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, touched on the development of Kampong Ayer as Brunei's heritage site.

He expounded on the historical events surrounding Brunei's heritage site and touched on its economical significance in Brunei's development.

He concluded that the skills and knowledge that have been inherited by the Kg Ayer residents should be developed further by introducing advanced technology.

This would increase productivity of the kampong and help in improving their standard of living.

In this way, Brunei can not only make Kg Ayer as a living heritage but also introduce it to the world. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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