‘Quality of houses need improvement’

Billah Hasan Ak Md Khairuddin Pg Harun
BRUNEI-MUARA

SOME new homeowners and recipients under the National Housing Scheme (NHS) and Landless Indigenous Citizens’ Housing Scheme voiced disappointment on the quality of their houses yesterday.

Others meanwhile expressed hopes that the relevant authorities would consider constructing public facilities such as schools, mosques, grocery stores, health clinics and police stations to ensure the welfare and safety of the neighbourhood.

Hj Ahmad Hj Metusin, a resident from the Tanah Jambu National Housing Scheme (NHS) said he was concerned with the lack of accessibility at his new neighbourhood.

Moving in last April, the 44-year-old civil servant at the Ports Department said the entrance to the new housing scheme was difficult due to the lack of accessible roads.

Hj Ahmad said there are only two current entry points to the Tanah Jambu NHS; Jalan Bukit Kabun and Tutong-Muara highway.

“Relevant government agencies should do research beforehand to avoid these kinds of problems in the future. This is not the first time they built houses. There should be improvements,” he said.

Meanwhile, new homeowner at Kg Panchor Mengkubau, Junain Kasim, felt that the design of the homes could be improved.

Junain moved into his new home last December and his joy was met with disappointment when he realised the kitchen was not spacious enough to fit a dining table.

He added that it was also unpleasant to have the kitchen facing the toilet on the ground floor.

Junain said the limited space was not ideal in the context of Brunei’s culture of having extended family members over for a meal.

He complained about the quality of the facilities as well, citing faulty fans and lightings, cracked floors and a flood-prone garage as examples.

Junain had filed a complaint letter to the Housing Development Department last year, only to be notified that he was on the waiting list.

Another resident from Kg Panchor Mengkubau, Pg Mustafa Pg Amat, agreed that the kitchen and the position of the dining room could be improved.

“Bruneians like to invite their family members over during the weekend. But if the dining area is too small, how do you expect Bruneians to maintain the culture of visiting one another,” said the 43-year-old.

37-year-old Hj Azizul Fadli, meanwhile, raised the need for a mosque to be built for the residents of Kg Panchor Mengkubau to perform their religious duties, especially during Friday prayers for men.

“I have moved into my new house for almost a month now. I (an hoping a) mosque will be built here. I had to travel all the way to Masjid Mentiri for the Friday prayers. It is just a five to ten-minute drive, but it is also already packed with existing congregants from Kg Mentiri,” he said.

Hj Zakaria Abdul Kadir chimed in, adding that the construction of other public facilities will benefit the residents.

“We also kindly request if the authorities can consider setting up a primary school, health clinics and maybe grocery shops... especially when all the houses here are occupied,” he said.

“Nonetheless, Alhamdulillah, everything is very comfortable here. The water pressure is regular and road lamps are switched on every night, so I feel very safe,” he said.


Sumber - The Brunei Times