‘Modern life threatens neighbour relations in villages’

Ak Md Khairuddin Pg Harun
BRUNEI-MUARA

SOME Bruneian elders have expressed concerns over the recent decline of neighbour relations in their villages.

According to Batu Marang village head Hj Maidin Tarip, the demands and pressures of modern life are preventing residents from developing a proper relationship with their neighbours.

He said families are now moving out of their old villages – many due to the National Housing Scheme – and some lack the initiative to get to know their neighbours properly after resettling because of work commitments and selfishness.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, he said the population of his village had declined from 4,000 to 1,012 in 10 years because “they now have houses elsewhere”, especially those who were awarded homes under the National Housing Scheme.

“In this modern era, when people move to a new neighbourhood, it would be very difficult for them to know one another because people are busy with their own lives. But it depends mainly on the individuals,” said Hj Maidin.

“When this happens, I think the biggest challenge for grassroots leaders is to make sure the residents mingle with one another,” he said.

Asked for suggestions on how this can be achieved, Hj Maidin said organising sports activities can help the village bond.

“For example, football helps residents mingle and interact with one another,” he said.

Hj Maidin added that interactions between residents are important to prevent the occurrence of disputes within the community.

“When the community comes together, there will be a ‘peacekeeper’ among them. (The peacekeeper) can prevent fights,” he said.

Head of Kg Sg Matan Pg Hj Abdul Rahman Pg Hj Zainal said the attitude of being busy with family life is another factor that diminishes the value and incidences of bergotong-royong (voluntary community work).

“You can actually see people close their gates when their neighbours hold wedding ceremonies at some of the perpindahan houses. This actually occurs in Brunei even though it is not common,” he said.

Ramlee Hj Maidin, a resident of Tanah Jambu II National Housing Scheme, said a lack of communication has led to the change in lifestyle.

“I used to live in Kg Ayer in the 1990s. Now I have a house under the National Housing Scheme. I am very happy but I couldn’t agree more that the lifestyle has changed. I know my neighbours but we seldom talk. There’s a lack of activities in this village to get to know your own neighbours,” said the 51-year-old.

He was also concerned about letting his children play with the neighbours because of passing cars.

“It’s very dangerous to let children play in the streets,” said Ramlee.

Another resident, Hj Moksin Amit, 70, said Brunei would be an empty shell if this trend continues.

“As a senior, it is sometimes sad to see our younger generation not know their neighbours eventhough they live in the same village,” he said.

Resident of Kg Batu Marang, Japri Johari, 63, said the government should introduce more plans to ensure the residents live as a community.

“I know our village head plays an important role in this, but that’s not enough. The community has to come together. I don’t want to see our younger generation forget that Brunei used to practise gotong-royong in villages. It scares me to think that it would disappear in the future,” he said.

In the 1980s, the water village population was estimated at 40,000 but according to the 2012 national census, this had dwindled to 13,162.


Sumber - The Brunei Times