Sultan Turns Over Land Lots, House Keys To Recipients

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei consented to present land lots and house keys to 307 recipients of the national housing and landless schemes of the indigenous people yesterday.

The ceremony took place at the Dato Marsal Primary School in Kampong Lambak Kanan.

Upon arrival at the school, His Majesty was greeted by Pehin Dato Haji Awang Isa, Special Adviser of His Majesty at the Prime Minister's Office and the Minister Of Home Affairs, Dato Doctor Awang Haji Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs; Dato Awang Haji Adnan, Minister of Development; and, Dato Awang Haji Harun, Brunei Muara District Officer.

Awang Mohammad Bahrin, Brunei Muara Judge Of Syarie Subordinate Court, led the recital of surah Al-Fatihah which began the ceremony.

In his welcoming address, the Brunei Muara District Officer touched on the implementation of the Kampong Lambak Kanan and Kampong Rimba National Housing Schemes.

He also spoke on efforts in maintaining and upgrading the cleanliness of the environment.

His Majesty first consented to present land lots to 89 recipients of the Kampong Lambak Kanan National Housing Scheme.

He then presented house keys to 133 recipients of the Kampong Rimba National Housing Scheme and Landless Scheme of the Indigenous People In Kampong Rimba.

His Majesty later consented to present house keys to two recipients of Kampong Tungku Landless Scheme of the Indigenous People.

Last to received house keys from the Sultan were 83 proud owners of semi- detached houses under the landless scheme of the indigenous people in Kampong Rimba.

To bless the ceremony, Awang Mohammad Bahrin read the doa.

After the presentation of house keys and land titles, His Majesty visited several educational institutions and houses around the Rimba National Housing Scheme and the Lambak Kanan Housing Scheme.

This Majesty's first stop was at the Dato Marsal Primary School. There, His Majesty consented to plant the Podocarpus Polystachyus tree and later, consented to release four koi fish into the school pond.

The school began its operation in 1990. Around 980 pupils are currently studying at the school from kindergarten to primary 6 classes.

His Majesty also visited several classrooms to watch pupils in action. At the ICT room, the monarch shared a light moment with a pupil, Mohamad Adi Asrol who was learning equivalent fractions.

In the science room, His Majesty chatted with one of the pupils, Dayangku Rashidah. She and other pupils were studying about parts of a flower. The school has 32 classes in the morning and afternoon sessions.

From the school, His Majesty proceeded to the community hall of Kampong Lambak Kanan National Housing Scheme. The hall houses a meeting room, a shop and a restaurant. The nearly 2-million dollar building was completed in 1993.

His Majesty also took a closer look at the Tunas Jaya of the Brunei Malay Teachers Association Primary School.

The school began its operation in August 1990. At present, there are around 503 pupils studying in the school under the guidance of 29 teachers. There are 22 classes from kindergarten one until primary 6. The school achieved a 100 per cent passes for the past ten consecutive years until 2002 in primary certificate of education examination, PCE. The success in both academic and non-academic field that has been achieved by PGGMB Schools portrays the vision and ambition of PGGMB as a teacher’s organisation with excellent and credible achievement in the country.

Later, His Majesty made a stop at the residence of Awang Haji Jair Bin Haji Wahab, Ketua Kampong Lambak Kanan. The 60-year-old leader took the post in 1997. Kampong Lambak Kanan is located in Mukim Berakas 'A', about 5 kilometers from Bandar Seri Begawan. It has more than 3,000 residents with an area of 1,300 hectares.

His Majesty’s next stop was the residence of Pengiran Haji Tuah Bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad, Ketua Kampong Lambak Kiri. Aged 65, Pengiran Haji Tuah was

appointed as the Ketua Kampong in March 1996. The 4.6-square kilometer village is home to around 2,311 residents. Most of the residents work with the government sector and some in the private sector.

His Majesty later visited several houses owned by recipients of landlots under the Lambak Kanan National Housing Scheme, where the Sultan mingled freely with the occupants, even sharing some light moments with them.

One of them was Dayang Rokiah Binti Haji Yusof who works at the Embassy Of Saudi Arabia in the country. She has been residing in the house since August last year.

Another recipient, Awang Mohamad Yamin Bin Haji Mohin also welcomed the monarch. The father of two from Kampong Lurong Sikuna has been living in the house since October 2002. The concept for the housing scheme of the indigenous citizens is to give opportunity to the citizens who do not posses a house or a land to build and own a house. The main condition is that the recipients must be Brunei indigenous citizens as stated under chapter 4 (1) (a) citizenship law which comprises 7 ethnic groups, Belait, Bisaya, Brunei, Dusun, Kedayan, Murut And Tutong.

His Majesty then proceeded to several houses of key recipients under the Kampong Rimba National Housing Scheme. He made a stop at a house owned by Awang Timbang Bin Sapar. The 47-year-old enforcement officer at the Land Transport Department has been living in the house since last year.

The monarch's next destination was the resident of Awang Tengah Bin Haji Baha. He first occupied the house in May 2001. When interviewed by RTB, he shared his deep gratitude to His Majesty for the monarch's strong commitment in the welfare of his people.

His Majesty wrapped up the visit at the semi-detached houses of the Landless Scheme For the Indigenous People Of Rimba, Gadong. Here, His Majesty's first stop was at the house of Awang Matussin Bin Haji Mat Zain who has been staying in the house since November 2001.

The Sultan then visited the house of the 40-year-old Awang Abdul Kadir Bin Metali. He works as a mechanic at Ripas Hospital and has six children. To date, a total of 18,150 applications have been approved for the scheme.

His Majesty's visit was a manifestation of his concern for the welfare of his subjects which covers all aspects of life apart from providing a comfortable home, education, health and other facilities.

The national housing scheme is aimed at creating cohesive and harmonious society in line with the objective of a balanced national development. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei 

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