Bandar Seri Begawan - The construction of houses by Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) is specifically intended for converts and the needy who are not able to build their own homes.

Yesterday, a foundation-laying ceremony was held for a house that is being built for 66-year-old Awg Ramlee A Tengah, at Jalan Junjungan, Kampong Lumapas 'B'.

Prior to being selected as a candidate eligible for home building assistance, Awg Ramlee and his family had been residing in a makeshift hut on a piece of LTS land belonging to him. The hut has a supply of clean water but the family relies on a generator for electricity.

This has left him no option but to rent a house in Kampong Lumapas using his pension money earned for 15 years of service with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; his senior citizen pension; and the balance of Zakat funds that he began receiving in October 2009 and will continue to receive until October 2014.

The house is being built at a cost of B$42,500 and features three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and bathroom.

Officiating the foundation-laying ceremony yesterday was the Managing Director of YSHHB, Awg Hj Brahim Hj Ismail, who was accompanied by representatives of the Departments of Land, Survey, Town and Country Planning, Technical Services, Public Works; and Electrical Service; as well as Building and Industry Control (ABAC) and the Brunei Islamic Religious Council.

Also present were staff of YSHHB, the Village Head of Kg Lumapas 13' and senior officers involved in the construction project.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin