Minister says there are plans to introduce fire insurance coverage covering groups of houses in specific location

Bandar Seri Begawan - There are plans to introduce a comprehensive fire insurance coverage that will cover groups of houses in a specific location, according to Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, the Minister of Development.

The minister was responding to a suggestion put forward by LegCo member YB Awang Haji Mohd Yusof bin Haji Dulamin to make it compulsory for all National Housing Scheme recipients to have fire insurance coverage.

"This is not just important but also a smart decision to protect homeowners in case of any disasters like fires," said YB Awang Haji Mohd Yusof. "We have seen houses destroyed by fire in housing schemes that have been left abandoned and remain unrepaired until today."

Citing an example of a fire incident that destroyed a few houses in the STKRJ Mumong and Lumut area that remain abandoned to this day, YB Awang Haji Mohd Yusof noted that this was because those affected have no funds to repair their houses.

And even though assistance had been sought from relevant authorities, it may take some time until help is rendered, he added.

In view of this, the minister encouraged all homeowners in the country to purchase fire insurance for their houses. At this juncture, however, there are no proper regulations to make it compulsory for them to get fire insurance.

Touching on the 'Group Fire Insurance Plan', the minister disclosed that the Housing Development Department has been in talks with Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) to introduce an insurance coverage for the protection of groups of houses in housing areas.

"We hope that if there is more interest from the public on this, we can move forward with this type of insurance," said the minister.