Housing schemes mooted in Kampong Ayer

Quratul-Ain Bandial
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

NATIONAL housing schemes should be built in Kampong Ayer to preserve the population and cultural heritage of one of Brunei’s iconic landmarks, said a member of the Legislative Council (LegCo) yesterday.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Kerna Dato Paduka Seri Hj Yaakub Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Zainal lamented the migration of people from Kampong Ayer to the mainland, saying it was contributing to the demise of the water village.

“There has been a significant migration of people from Kampong Ayer who have applied for housing (on land) through the National Housing Scheme”.

“This is a sad occurrence as it leads to the dwindling of the water village population,” he said during a session of the 11th Legislative Council.

“For hundreds of years, Kampong Ayer symbolised Brunei heritage and tradition, and was the centre of government and administration.”

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

The LegCo member proposed that the government create housing schemes in the water village itself – similar to those on land – that honour the architectural heritage of Kampong Ayer by mirroring the style of 1950s and 1960s homes.

There are already two national housing schemes located in the water village – Kg Bolkiah ‘A’ and Kg Bolkiah ‘B’ – as well as the 64 eco-friendly houses that are part of the Upgrading Kampong Ayer Pilot Project.

He said the proposal to build more public housing in the water village is in line with recommendations proposed under the BSB Development Masterplan, which touted the regeneration of Kampong Ayer as the key to attracting tourism and developing infrastructure.

“Kampong Ayer was synonymous with the title ‘Venice of the East’, as one of the largest water villages in the world.”

“If we Gooogle Brunei, Kampong Ayer will appear as one of first destinations to visit.”

This could also help solve the problem of insufficient land for housing schemes, said YB Pehin Dato Hj Yaakub.


Sumber - The Brunei Times