Belait’s property market unravels under oil & gas downturn

Workers laying cement into the foundation of new private housing near Sentral Shopping Centre in Kuala Belait

Aaron Wong
BELAIT

BELAIT’S real estate market is reeling from the downturn in oil prices as the departure of hundreds of expatriate families has left property owners struggling to fill blocks of apartments developed during the last oil price boom.

The district’s property market has long been distinct from the rest of the country, with rental rates in 2013 almost double those seen in the capital for similarly sized and furnished properties.

Today rentals, on average, stand just 10 to 20 per cent more than Brunei-Muara properties, and even selling prices, which have shown a greater resistance to the downturn, are no longer twice the cost.

The premium rentals and a proportionately higher number of apartments that have come to define the district’s property market can be narrowed down to three compounding factors, according to real estate agents.

Privately owned land is scarce along the district’s coastal mukims of Liang, Seria and Kuala Belait owing to large chunks of land allocated specifically for the oil and gas industry. Land scarcity means that coastal Belait’s potential for the supply of property is inherently lower, leading to the development of high rises and apartments.

Demand for rented properties has traditionally been strong, driven singularly by expatriates arriving in the country to service the oil and gas industry.

But ultimately, what has driven developers to rapidly build and sent buyers in droves to invest are company budgets for housing allowance that set aside $3,000 per month and above for each executive level staff.

“Three years ago, when oil prices were (hovering above $100 a barrel), people were rushing to Belait to build and buy land,” said Amanda Yang, who set up the sole Belait-based real estate agency HomeCity Property and Management in 2013.

“Clients would be lining up at the hotels, finding a place to stay; there wasn’t that much rented property available in KB at the time.

“So wherever property began to be developed, it would begin selling like hot cakes. Investors and members of the public bought. They knew the rental (they could charge) was very good. It was a situation of overdemand and lesser supply.”

The experience of developer Henry Ling Teem Hock, who completed a three-storey apartment in early 2015 along Jalan Maulana in KB, sums up the demand of yesteryear.

“We sold out all 16 units we targeted in two days,” he said. “And construction had barely begun.”

Jalan Maulana, a coastal stretch of road overlooking the South China Sea that directly leads to Brunei Shell Petroleum’s headquarters in Panaga, is home to several blocks of premium apartments aimed at wealthy expatriates.

A fully-furnished three-bedroom unit over 1,100 square feet would fetch a rent of $3,000 to $4,500 per month a few years ago but has now dropped to a range of $2,000 to $3,000.

The model that enticed property companies and the purchasing public was fairly straightforward and the potential for return on investment lucrative. A two- or three-bedroom apartment in the region of $350,000 could fetch a monthly rent of close to $3,000 if its outfitting and furnishing were upscale.

This meant investors could repay the cost in just 10 to 20 years and still have 70 to 80 years left on their lease — a promising proposition, but one that rested delicately on rental rates remaining high and tenancy a guarantee.

As oil prices took a nosedive towards the end of 2015, the situation began to unravel. Based on the number of vacated units since the downturn, real estate agents estimate that at least 400 expatriate families have left the district.

“Ninety-eight per cent of rented property in Brunei is by expatriates,” said a real agent estate who asked to remain anonymous. “And within Belait, those expatriates arrive (to work for the oil gas industry).”

At this juncture, it’s easy to point out that any upward trend in oil prices will bring stability to the property market. But since real estate agents point out that locals generally don’t rent, it’s the number of arriving expatriates in the future that will determine the fate of the rental market.

“Now the focus is to localise the workforce (especially in the oil and gas industry). If oil prices rise again but there are less expatriates arriving, the (downward) situation in rentals will remain the same,” said another real estate agent.

Still, debating the future demand for Belait’s rented properties only tells half the story. The other half is coming to grips with what will happen should the number of expatriates surge, only this time to arrive to a glut of housing options.

One way of understanding just how saturated Belait’s housing market has become is to seek out anecdotes of property owners who claim that rentals and tenancy were still better off during the oil crisis of 1999 to 2000, where prices dropped to US$10 a barrel.

Another way is to quickly survey options for purchasing housing still under construction, where one will be spoilt for choice. The sellout of high rises before completion is no longer a foregone conclusion.

But there are exceptions. Construction of residential property has spurred in a radius near Sentral Shopping Centre, the district’s first one-stop shopping mall, since it opened at the beginning of 2015.

The mall’s 18 serviced apartments under the Garden Sentral Hotel, which opened in April last year, were also fully occupied by long-term guests until recently.

The strong performance prompted KBSentral’s General Manager, Abby Lim, to extend the serviced apartment concept to two rows of terrace housing next to the mall.

Still, the wider situation in the district remains critical, especially for members of the public who were banking on tenants to rent out apartments and houses they had taken mortgages to buy.

“We (my family) bought an apartment in KB as an investment, hoping to make the money back within 20 years,” said an owner who asked not to be named.

“But we’ve been struggling to find tenants, so we repay the loan every month without rent coming in.

“It’s a difficult situation. If I can’t find a tenant in the coming months, I’ll have to cut my losses and try to sell the place.”


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Kampung Ayer losing heritage, culture: UBD research

Khai Zem Mat Sani
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

KAMPUNG Ayer is facing the threat of losing its sociocultural heritage mainly due to the beautification project in the capital and the emigration of its residents to land.

This was deduced in a research undertaken by 66 undergraduate students at the Academy of Brunei Studies (APB), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

The research looked at five villages in Kg Ayer namely Kg Setia, Kg Lurong Sikuna, Kg Burung Pingai, Kg Sumbiling and Kg Sungai Kedayan. Based on the research, several villages in Kg Ayer now no longer exist or are facing the risk of being inhabited due to migration to land.

During a handing over ceremony of the research’s results at the Brunei History Centre yesterday, the research coordinator, Noralipah Hj Mohamed told The Brunei Times that the loss (culture) of Kg Ayer are closely related to migration and modernisation.

“Two villages: Kg Sumbiling and Kg Sungai Kedayan are no longer inhabited while other villages now cease to exist,” she said.

In a 2015 report, figures from the Department of Economic Planning and Development showed that more than 13,000 people have moved out from Kampong Ayer in the past 30 years.

The water settlement was estimated to have a population of 28,000 in 1981 and as of 2011, has dwindled down to about 13,000 people.

Housing development and new buildings in the capital she said are main contribution for the migration.

“Change is inevitable. When people move out of Kg Ayer, it will have an effect on the social lifestyle of the community.

“This influences the socioculture of people in Kg Ayer,” she said, adding that time constraint and socio-economic challenges also prevent people from practicing traditions.

“For example, in Malay wedding ceremonies, there are a lot of customs that are no longer practiced by Malay people in Kg Ayer. People now are busy with work and they don’t have time to hold unnecessary ceremonies. This has led to the loss of culture within the community,” she said.

Meanwhile, one of the participating research students, Hj Md Ardini Hj Rias, said that there is a diminishing sense of community amongst Kg Ayer residents.

“People in the past were more community oriented and were always ready to lend a helping hand to other villagers. But now, as some families have moved to land and new people moving in to Kg Ayer villages, semse of community is slowly diminishing.”

Besides social and geographical changes, the research also highlighted the historical background of the five villages.

Present to handover the research to the Acting Deputy Principal of the Brunei History Research Hanafi Hj Salleh, was the APB’s Director Associate Professor Ampuan Dr Hj Brahim Ampuan Hj Tengah.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

‘Kg Panchor’s rows of vacant units worrisome’

Darren Chin
BRUNEI-MUARA

RESIDENTS of the Kg Panchor National Housing Scheme have voiced concerns that the number of yet unoccupied houses will only give rise to social ills if they continue to be left vacant.

When visited by The Brunei Times yesterday, rows of terraced and semi-detached houses were still vacant two years after being completed in March 2014.

Some houses were missing windows and concrete drain covers and a few of the front doors were either unlocked or left slightly open.

A resident of the housing scheme, Mohammad Hj Tahir, said he believes the vacant houses are easy targets for thieves.

“When I moved in about half a year ago, I already heard complaints from neighbours that their houses had been missing windows or even ceiling fans when they wanted to move in initially, so they had to request for replacements which cost the government money unnecessarily,” said the 56-year-old.

“Also, the vacant houses which have been left unlocked for some reason are making it easy and inviting perhaps to some people who might be looking for a place to commit social ills such as drug-taking or fornication - not that I’m saying that these things happen regularly,” he said.

Mohammad, who is a veteran of the Fire and Rescue Department, said the unkempt state of the exterior of the vacant houses could also attract unwanted pests such as snakes which could endanger local residents.

“Based on my many years of experience on the job catching all sorts of animals, the tall lalang grass like that growing around the vacant houses is usually where snakes could be hiding,” he said.

“Most of the time, it’s usually a harmless python. But there’s always a possibility of someone dying from a poisonous snake bite like in Malaysia,” he said, referring to a 7-year-old girl who recently died after she was bitten by a snake in the state of Kelantan.

Another resident, who wished only to be identified as Alif, said security measures have been relaxed over the last few months and that crime could be deterred in the area if the houses are all filled.

“Currently there are police patrols in the area, which I’m grateful for. But I remember security was more strict when I first moved in a year ago as construction workers would set up barricades and patrol the area themselves. But that’s no longer being done,” he said.

“I’m unsure why many units have been vacant for this long, but I trust that the housing authorities will approve the applications and draw lots (to determine the applicants who get the houses) soon so that they will be filled as the vacant houses could encourage thieves to take advantage of the situation while security is relatively lax,” he said.

Diana Asai, who moved into her terraced unit in the housing scheme in October last year, said that having a village head specifically for the residents of the 4,000 houses in the Kg Panchor National Housing Scheme would be helpful.

“Currently, there is no village head for this national housing scheme. But if there was one like in other older national housing schemes in the country, it would be helpful as he could organise neighbourhood watch patrols, especially around the rows of vacant houses,” she said.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Residents concerned over deserted housing complex

Photos show the abandoned terrace houses and the yards which are covered with long grass and trees.

Khai Zem Mat Sani
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE delayed construction of the terrace units along STKRJ Kg Rimba’s Jalan 99 has sparked some concerns from the nearby residents over the area being used by irresponsible parties to conduct immoral activities.

The Brunei Times conducted an inspection around the area, and found there were no signs or barriers indicating that the areas are off-limits from the public.

The area also hosted around 10 building blocks, consisting of five housing units each.

According to the public tip-off, many believed that people use the vacant terrace houses and its area for immoral activities.

A resident, who lives nearby and only wished to be known as Mahmud, recalled a lot of stories about electrical cables and facilities being stolen and vandalised.

“And this is worrying as the area is located just about 10 metres away from my home,” he said, adding that fornication and drug abuse could be another activities done at the area.

He also shared his experience over seeing numerous cars entering the area at night, where they would park at an area, and soon after, their lights were turned off.

He also said that such occurrence seemed “creepy” and disturbing to him.

“Since it’s located in the vicinity of our area and the houses were emptied for a long time, it turns out to be a creepy and disturbing environment.”

An elderly citizen who lived near the area, Hj Matussin Hj Bakar, 80, also mentioned about environmental effects of the deserted houses.

“The area is home to so many people. Every time we go out from this area, we pass through the emptied houses, it becomes our daily view,” he said.

He said that people who visited the area often asked similar questions. “It becomes a topic of conversation either among the residents itself or people who visited their relatives here.”

Hj Matussin also said that there’s a need to put up proper signs and gates to avoid people from trespassing into the area.

“The terrace houses have been abandoned for around 10 years and it’s due to delay in the construction work,” said the Village Chief of Area 1, RPN Rimba Mukim Gadong A.

“The house is not yet completed and it was deserted for around 10 years. There are some part of the houses are almost done and some are just left without roofs,” said Hj Adanan @ Hj Mohamed Taha.

However, neighbourhood watch programme that was implemented in the village, he said, may help the village to increase its security and together in curbing any problem that may occur in the area.

According to an official from the Ministry of Development, the authority has been aware about the problems and will address the issue as soon as possible.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Housing Focus Group to help tackle lengthy housing application process

Rabiatul Kamit
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

NATIONAL Housing Scheme (RPN) applicants in Brunei-Muara are still facing lengthy delays in receiving a house, prompting the government to form a Housing Focus Group to tackle the problem.

Development Minister Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Hj Bahrin Abdullah told the 12th Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday the current waiting period is approximately 12 years for people who applied for state-subsidised housing in the sultanate's most populous district.

He admitted the long wait was a setback for the Ministry of Development (MoD) in its nationwide target to grant applicants housing within a five-year period by 2021.

“The issue we need to take into consideration is the suitability of current methods in terms of implementing RPN, whether we will continue with our present approach and face sustainability issues or reconsider a more sustainable approach,” he said.

YB Dato Hj Bahrin explained the new approach could involve making the eligibility conditions stricter to ensure only deserving applicants receive the coveted housing.

“If we implement (such mea-sure), I think this will be subject to what is later obtained from the (review undertaken by the) Housing Focus Group. I think we may be able to manage the administration of granting land more quickly,” he said.

He said the group was recently set up with the approval of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

The focus group involves relevant ministries and departments that have the collectively task of addressing the “complex housing issue” and related matters in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

They are also expected to come up with appropriate recommendations, including future house design and construction quality, in a bid to further strengthen and develop RPN.

“The major challenge for RPN is sustainability due to the very high rate of subsidy, the inability of recipients to pay off increasing arrears and limited land resources to continue RPN as low-density (housing),” said the minister.

He also noted there were low-income individuals in need of housing, but they are not eligible under the current scheme.

During the session, several proposals were put forward by LegCo members to review the eligibility criteria to allow the growing number of permanent residents as well as landowners, who lack the resources to build a house, to apply for RPN.

While all landowners including those who inherited land are disqualified from the scheme, it was highlighted some of them were unable to build a house as they are underprivileged.

“On the other hand, there were also those who are high-income earners, and should be able to afford housing in the open market, but (instead) are enjoying the highly-subsidised housing,” remarked YB Dato Hj Bahrin.

He said the Housing Focus Group will examine the issue of inequality within the eligibility criteria and develop satisfactory measures to resolve the problem.

To date, over 24,000 government-subsidised houses have been given to applicants across the country. A total of 27,000 houses have been built with another 2,000 units slated for completion within two years.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

National housing development rises above challenges

Part of the 1000 new cluster houses at the Kg Lugu National Housing Scheme that are
still under construction with a complete model house (R) for public viewing

Julius Hong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

WITH only five per cent of Brunei’s land area available for development and 57 per cent of Brunei’s land area protected under the Heart of Borneo conservation initiative, The Ministry of Development has said that it will no longer be feasible to dedicate large swathes of land.

Hence, the government’s housing scheme has to rise above the land issue as there is a need for greater agricultural and industrial development.

According to the Housing Development Department, there are more than 10,000 housing applicants seeking properties in Brunei-Muara and some of these applications were received more than 15 years ago.

Vertical housing project

The Ministry of Development is currently developing a $55 million high-rise apartment at Lambak Kanan/Salambigar which is slated to be completed by May 2016.

In the first phase of the vertical housing project, there will be 10 apartment blocks complete with a multi-storey car park as well as recreational and sports facilities.

Each apartment unit is equipped with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, a dining room with a kitchen and a laundry room as well as a storage room.

The apartment blocks will also be built with the “green building concept”, with features that allow tenants to save water and energy.

The decision to move from single housing to high-rise apartment was made to address the growing Bruneian population and the limited amount of land available in Brunei.

A survey was distributed to the public during roadshows to obtain feedback regarding the designs of the vertical housing project with 75 per cent of the respondents saying they liked the designs.

In 2010, a survey for the second BSB Development Master Plan found that 95 per cent of poll respondents were in favour of the vertical housing with amenities and walkable neighbourhoods.

“We want to make sure people like the idea, and if it is well-received, we may build more of these units in the future,” said the previous Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman.

Currently, 2,500 units have been marked for Lumapas while 420 units have been designated in Lambak Kanan and recently Kampung Lugu was identified as a possible new site for the vertical housings.

Improvements to be made on lack of accessibility

Public facilities such as schools, mosques, grocery stores, health clinics and police stations should be constructed to protect the welfare and safety of the residents in the neighbourhood.

These were raised by residents from several of the NHS as they have to go out of their way to utilise these facilities.

Residents from the Tanah Jambu NHS have expressed a lack of accessibility as they are only able to access the neighbourhood through two entry point in Jalan Bukit Kabun and Tutong-Muara highway.

Housing design

Several concerns were voiced by homeowners and recipients under the National Housing Scheme (NHS) and Landless Indigenous Citizens’ Housing Scheme this year regarding the quality of their houses.

On March 18, YB Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi addressed a number of complaints have been raised by residents in NHS regarding the issue of water leaks and gaping holes in the roofs and ceiling in their houses.

“Looking back, we have learned our lesson from this episode. The house design, and the type or designs of roofing adopted were incompatible with the climate here,” he said.

Many have also complained about the interior design of the houses such as having the kitchen face the toilet, lack of space in the kitchen to fit a dining table are a few of the problem which are considered not ideal in the context of Bruneian culture.

“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 43-year-old Pg Mustafa Pg Amat, a resident from Kg Panchor Mengkubau.

Another resident has also raised issues about the quality of the facilities citing faulty fans and lightings, cracked floors and a flood prone garage as a few examples.

Kampong Ayer scheme

A member of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Kerna Dato Paduka Seri Hj Yaakub Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Zainal suggested that more national housing schemes should be built in Kampong Ayer.

He said that this suggestion would preserve the population and cultural heritage of one of Brunei’s iconic landmarks as well as solve the problem of insufficient land for housing schemes, said YB Pehin Dato Hj Yaakub.

“This suggestion, I believe, is in line with the BSB Development master plan for enlivening the infrastructure to accommodate the tourism industry,” he added.

He said that there is a trend of migration of Kg Ayer residents to land via the NHS causing a slow depletion of the water village and that the scheme should emphasise the necessity of keeping in line with the traditional homes on the river in terms of design and functionality

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.

Currently, there are 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.

In response, the Minister of Home Affairs said the recommendation to extend the NHS to Kampong Ayer still needs further review.

“Under the circumstances, I am doubtful as to whether it is advisable for the government to extend the NHS to the Kampung Ayer area,” said the minister.

Future schemes

Several villages in Tutong were studied by the Town and Country Planning Department for potential economic and residential development. Mukim Kiudang and several of its villages are some areas that have been identified as possible areas for development.

“The housing scheme will be able to accommodate workers for the expanding agricultural businesses within that area,” she said.

According to Town and Country Planning Officer Mawarni Hj Ahmad, the Tutong District plan has determined that Kg Pengkalan and Kg Kebia are able to accommodate over 3,000 new residents in some 700 dwellings.

The Tutong district plan is a strategic document that guides the planning and development of Tutong till the year 2025.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Penduduk Sg Liang tubuh JK cari penyelesaian

Oleh Anwar Rosly


KUALA BELAIT, 8 Julai – Sebuah jawatankuasa bertindak sementara bagi menangani isu pengambilan tanah di Jalan Kecil Sg Liang di Mukim Sg Liang, Daerah Belait telah ditubuhkan berunding dengan pihak-pihak berkenaan bagi mencari penyelesaian terbaik untuk penduduk yang terlibat.

Pengerusi jawatankuasa berkenaan Haji Taib bin Haji Awang Damit (gambar) berkata, jawatankuasa tersebut mengandungi 14 orang ahli termasuk Ahli Mesyuarat Negara Yang Berhormat Haji Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad dan Pemangku Ketua Kampung Sg Liang Haji Mohd Ibrahim bin DMS Dian di mana mereka akan mewakili 30 orang pemilik tanah dan rumah dalam sesi perbincangan dengan pihak-pihak berkenaan.

Katanya, mereka akan menghantar surat rasmi kepada pihak Jabatan Tanah dibawah Kementerian Pembangunan yang bercadang untuk mengambil balik tanah-tanah mereka bagi tujuan pembesaran tapak Taman Perindustrian Sungai Liang (SPARK) dibawah seliaan Lembaga Kemajuan Ekonomi Brunei (BEDB).

Dalam sesi temu bual bersama media di sini hari ini, Haji Taib berkata, dua isu utama yang akan dikemukakan ialah mengenai penempatan semula penduduk-penduduk yang terjejas dan cadangan penilaian tanah mengikut kadar yang sesuai.

Katanya, cadangan yang diberikan kepada sebilangan penduduk Kampung Sg Liang untuk menetap di satu kawasan di Tunggulian tidak dapat diterima atas sebab isu pampasan yang rendah serta kos-kos tinggi yang diperlukan dalam mendirikan rumah di kawasan itu.

“Kawasan di Tunggulian hanya diberikan tanah akan tetapi memandangkan isu kos yang tinggi seperti meratakan tanah, mengambil khidmat jurutera, membeli keperluan untuk membangunkan rumah dan sebagainya akan menambah lagi beban kepada kami.

“Justeru itu kami juga menyuarakan dalam surat rasmi ini untuk membincangkan isu penempatan semula dengan pihak berkenaan,” ujar beliau.

Menurut Haji Taib, matlamat utama jawatankuasa adalah untuk menghadapkan isu bagi mereka yang tidak mempunyai rumah mahupun tanah untuk didirikan manakala mana-mana penduduk yang mempunyai rumah di tempat lain tetapi mempunyai keinginan untuk mendapatkan juga tanah sendiri bolehlah juga menghantar surat secara persendirian kepada pihak yang berkenaan.

Beliau berkata bagi pihak semua penduduk di Jalan Kecil Sg Liang, mereka berharap dengan surat rasmi itu akan dapat menyuarakan perihal mereka kepada pihak atasan untuk mengadakan sesi perbincangan dalam menyelesaikan isu pengambilan tanah tersebut.


Sumber - Media Permata

‘More options, consideration for Jln Kecil residents’

Rachel Thien
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


THE Legislative Council (LegCo) representative of Belait District Zone 1 yesterday said the Land Department needs to provide “ample options” and more consideration to the 20 residents around Jln Kecil Sg Liang who will have to give up their homes and land to make way for Sungai Liang Industrial Park’s (SPARK) expansion.

Yang Berhormat Hj Mohd Shafiee Ahmad said the Land Department as the authority in charge, needs to be more considerate towards the residents.

“There should be more discussions and consultation. I would like to see a win-win situation,” he said via a telephone interview.

“We do not want to burden the government and the residents. What happens if the residents are suffering? Our government then has to shoulder the problem,” he said.

The LegCo member said several of the land and home owners in Jln Kecil approached him about the dilemma, and he advised them to attend all functions relating to the issue for further discussions.

“I told them not to blindly accept what the Land Department offers. They must discuss this properly,” he said.

In a report on June 19, residents in the area felt that monetary compensation set in letters issued by the Land Department in May was “insufficient” for residents to rebuild or purchase houses or land of similar size elsewhere.

The home owners at Jln Kecil said they were not opposed to SPARK’s expansion, and that their issue was the compensation offered and the lack of options for resettlement.

According to the same report, some residents are still repaying existing loans for the construction of their houses.

Letters by the Land Department to the residents, dated early May, called for them to meet with the department’s officers at the Community Hall of Sengkurong in the first week of June to hand over their land grants.

The letter reminded residents that those who fail to do so during the meeting are liable to a $250 fine.

It added those disagreeing with the compensation offered have the right to write to the Land Office for the matter to be referred to court.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Housing applicants given choice of living in high-rise apartments

Waqiuddin Rajak
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

PUBLIC housing applicants will be given the choice of living in high-rise apartments or continue to wait for single and detached houses, the Minister of Development said.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman said every applicant in the waiting list can choose one of the two options, as the first apartment blocks at Lambak Kanan/Salambigar are expected to be completed by May next year.

“Those who still prefer single houses may have to remain in the waiting list for a long time; indeed such houses are perceived as better but we are living in a situation where sites for (single houses) may already be limited,” he told reporters during his visit to the site of the first vertical public housing project.

“We need to consider not only the needs of the current population, but also the future generation.

“We have to get used to living in this condition. This is prevalent everywhere, unless if we are prepared to live further away from the capital city areas,” he added.

Muhammad Mansur Najib Dr Hj Mohammad Yussof, the Housing Development Department engineer overseeing the vertical housing project, about 75 per cent of survey respondents liked the design of the apartments.

However, he said the figure derived from public feedback at roadshows was still not enough to convince the government to replace the existing housing scheme with the new high-rise apartment designs.

A 2010 survey for the second BSB Development Master Plan found that 95 per cent of poll respondents supported vertical housing with amenities and walkable neighbourhoods.

There will be 10 apartment blocks complete with a multi-storey car park as well as recreational and sports facilities for the first phase of the vertical housing project, a press statement from the Ministry of Development (MoD) said.

Each apartment unit is equipped with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, a dining room with a kitchen and a laundry room as well as a storage room.

The apartment blocks will also be built with the “green building concept”, with features that allow tenants to save water and energy.

Costing about $55 million, the first vertical housing project in Lambak Kanan/Salambigar began last November.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi said prices of the apartments will still be subsidised by the goverment and will not be as expensive as single houses.

“We want to make sure people like the idea, and if it is well-received, we may build more of these units in the future,” he said.

“We have also identified a few areas that are suitable to build these apartment blocks and all of them are here in the capital, while single houses would be built in areas far from the city,” he added.

The minister said if tenants wish to move out from the apartments to larger houses, there may be ways for them to do so.

“This may include selling their unit or change to another housing unit, and this is already part of what we have planned in the long term,” he continued.

However, he also said the ministry would still need to get public feedback on vertical housing before they can decide to continue.

“We hope people will accept it because this is the future style of Bruneian homes with limited land, InsyaAllah,” said the minister.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Project ‘unpopular’ among Kg Ayer folks

Aziz Idris

ONLY 60 out of the 135 families have agreed to proceed with the Phase Two of the revitalisation project for Kampong Ayer residents, as part of an initiative to revive the Bruneian heritage in the Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) Development Master Plan.

This observation was made by Minister of Home Affairs, YB Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman on the final day of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Meeting yesterday.

The minister explained that the number showed that the project was not popular among residents.

He was doubtful whether this project should be continued or be allowed to be part of the master plan.

He said authorities must first clearly identify the benefits to the Kg Ayer community.

The Phase Two received an allocation of $26.33 million, involving 548 residents and 135 families – 129 families from Mukim Saba and six families from Kampong Peramu.

Apart from the construction of houses, the project also involves the building of an integrated connecting platform, an open area, an electric sub-station, a fire preventive system, sewerage system and water piping system.

The project is aimed at enhancing the cultural features and improving the development and structure of the Bruneian landmark.

The minister also noted several other projects within the BSB Development Master Plan, including the proposal to rebuild the existing 12 shop houses along Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, Bumiputera Commercial Trade Centre and two multi-storey car park buildings.

The unit shop houses are set to be revamped to ensure the properties along the road are “more attractive” for businesses and investors.

Open invitation for the proposal to invest, build and operate the units has been offered to interested parties and Request for Proposal (RFP) documents have been sent out.

To conclude, the minister painted the picture of Sg Kedayan promenade, which falls under Zone A of the eco-corridor project.

The Riverfront Eco-Corridor project under the BSB Development Master Plan received of a total of $40 million.

“The first stage will involve the demolishing of vacant houses, followed by other houses once occupants have been relocated to government-provided accommodation,” said the minister.


Sumber - Borneo Bulletin

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

Berfikiran terbuka, penyelidikan berterusan bantu capai Wawasan Negara 2035

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sabtu, 21 Mac. - Yang Di-Pertua MMN, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohamed Taib telah memberikan ruang kepada Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Negara (MMN), Ahli MMN, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Kerna Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Yaakub bin Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Dato Paduka Awang Haji Zainal bagi Perkara IX, ucapan-ucapan penangguhan.

Ucapan penangguhan tersebut berlangsung pada Majlis Mesyuarat Pertama dari Musim Permesyuaratan Kesebelas MMN yang bersidang kembali pada hari ke-12 sesi petang, bertempat di Dewan Persidangan MMN, Bangunan MMN.

Mengenai titah perkenan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam bagi Penubuhan Majlis Wawasan Negara 2035 dan titah semasa Istiadat Menghadap dan Mengurniakan Bintang-Bintang Kebesaran Negara Brunei Darussalam sempena Hari Keputeraan Baginda Ke-68 yang berlangsung di Balai Singgahsana, Istana Nurul Iman pada 14 Ogos 2014, Yang Berhormat menyatakan beliau mempunyai beberapa cadangan dan pandangan yang meliputi bidang pendidikan dan Program Khidmat Bakti Negara (PKBN).

Dalam bidang pendidikan, Kebawah DYMM Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam telah memperkenankan satu skim yang dikenali sebagai Skim Perkhidmatan Tenaga Akademik bagi menarik minat sumber tenaga manusia daripada kalangan tenaga akademik berkualiti bertaraf dunia, ujar Yang Berhormat.

Baginda, jelas Yang Berhormat, telah memperkenankan peruntukan tambahan berjumlah BND270,000,000 bagi menampung kos mendatangkan tenaga pengajar mahir dari luar negara untuk mengajar mata-mata pelajaran Bahasa Inggeris dan Matematik. Baginda juga memperkenalkan penubuhan-penubuhan Institut Pendidikan Teknikal Brunei bagi menerajui kemajuan Pendidikan Teknikal dan Vokasional, iaitu bertujuan melahirkan golongan berpendidikan mahir lagi mampu berdaya saing, sanggup menghadapi apa jua cabaran pada masa hadapan, terang Yang Berhormat.

Pada masa ini, insyaaAllah mampu menggantikan tenaga pengajar dari luar negara dan Yang Berhormat juga mengingatkan agar jangan lupa atau terlepas pandang dengan hasrat Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam agar pengambilan tenaga pekerja asing dapat diseimbangkan.

Jika negara kita mampu mengeluarkan tenaga pengajar yang berkemahiran dan berkualiti, ini akan mengurangkan pengambilan tenaga mahir luar dan memberikan satu pengiktirafan kepada graduan-graduan institusi-institusi tinggi tempatan, tegas Yang Berhormat.

PKBN merupakan satu kaedah yang amat sesuai untuk melahirkan warganegara yang cintakan tanah air, nyata Yang Berhormat. Pelaksanaan program ini, “Kita berharap golongan belia masa kini akan dapat memenuhi keperluan modal insan yang cukup berilmu dalam segala bidang duniawi dan ukhrawi, berketerampilan cemerlang dan dinamik. Itulah di antara inti pati titah-titah Kebawah DYMM Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam,” nyata Yang Berhormat lagi.

Di samping itu, Yang Berhormat juga menyuarakan tiga pandangan dan cadangan bagi pihak-pihak yang berkenaan bagi kemajuan negara juga.

Cadangan pertama, Yang Berhormat mencadangkan Skim Rancangan Perumahan Negara (RPN) yang dilaksanakan di darat semenjak tahun 1980-an dilaratkan ke Kampong Ayer dengan dinamakan Skim Pembinaan dan Pengubahsuaian Rumah-Rumah di Kampong Ayer.

“Di bawah skim ini, kaola bercadang struktur, reka bentuk luaran atau ‘external design’ rumah-rumah ini mestilah menggambarkan ciri-ciri ala kebruneian, iaitu bentuk rumah-rumah dalam tahun-tahun 50-an dan 60-an seperti namanya jenis Rumah Tungkup, Rumah Balah Bubung, Rumah Potong Limas, Rumah Loteng, Rumah Belanggar dan lain-lain lagi dengan tujuan sebagai aras identiti kita orang Brunei, jelas Yang Berhormat.

Perkara yang dicadangkan, nyata Yang Berhormat, adalah selaras dengan hasrat kerajaan dalam Pelan Induk Pembangunan di Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) (BSB Development Masterplan), iaitu pembangunan semula Kampong Ayer dalam menghidupkan infrastruktur industri pelancongan dan untuk mewujudkan bandar yang selesa sekali gus mengekalkan identiti kebruneian berteraskan Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB).

“Skim ini juga bertujuan bagi menampung ketidakcukupan kawasan tanah untuk membina rumah-rumah perpindahan di darat pada masa kini. Perkara ini pernah dinyatakan oleh Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan melalui temu bual beliau dengan pemberita televisyen pada bulan November tahun lepas,” tambah Yang Berhormat.

Cadangan kedua, Yang Berhormat pula mengingatkan kepada jabatan-jabatan yang berkenaan agar dapat memberikan perhatian yang secukupnya terhadap apa juga projek pembangunan kerajaan yang dikendalikan oleh pihak swasta untuk memastikan tidak berlaku unsur-unsur penipuan, kecuaian atau rasuah bagi menggalakkan kejadian yang tidak diingini berlaku setelah merujuk insiden pembangunan Maktab Sains di Daerah Belait yang lepas.

“Mengenai Pelan Induk Pengangkutan Darat Brunei Darussalam, menurut laporan yang dinyatakan melalui akhbar tempatan Borneo Bulletin bertarikh 29 Oktober 2014, Pusat Strategik dan Pengajian Dasar (CSC) melaporkan hasil kajian yang telah dibuat mengenai perkara di atas bahawa sistem Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) masih bersesuaian digunakan di negara ini dengan memberikan tambahan bilangan kenderaan sehingga menjelang tahun 2035 Masihi,” jelas Yang Berhormat.

Pandangan dan cadangan Yang Berhormat seterusnya agar kita perlu berpandangan jauh ke hadapan untuk merealisasikan Wawasan Negara 2035. Walaupun kajian awal, tambah Yang Berhormat, melaporkan Perkhidmatan Sistem Pengangkutan, BRT masih bersesuaian digunakan sehingga tahun 2035, namun penggunaan sistem pengangkutan BRT amat penting diberikan pemerhatian, kajian dan kaji selidik secara berterusan dari semasa ke semasa bagi benar-benar menentukan keberkesanannya dalam jangka panjang perlu dilakukan.

Mengambil contoh dari negara-negara maju di mana penggunaan sistem pengangkutan moden seperti MRT, sistem pengangkutan pentas, ‘on rail’, ‘underground trains’ mengambil peranan penting dalam memastikan pergerakan trafik berjalan lancar, ujar Yang Berhormat.

“Bagi negara kita, kaola benar-benar dan penuh berharap perkara yang kaola sebutkan mengenai sistem yang pengangkutan moden ini tidak akan dilupakan dan diketepikan begitu sahaja bisaitah jua perkara ini diambil ingatan dan pemerhatian serta kaji selidik diteruskan dari semasa ke semasa,” tegas Yang Berhormat.


Sumber - Pelita Brunei

Homes for less fortunate in the pipeline

PLANS are in the pipeline to build low-cost houses for the less fortunate.

YB Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Religious Affairs, said this in response to YB Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Awang Haji Othman bin Uking, who asked about the housing assistance provided by the Islamic Religious Council and plans of developing Baitulmal owned-land for the benefit of those in the asnaf zakat, poor and destitute group.

Funds from the zakat collection would be used for the construction, which is part of the “Quick Win” project run by the Prime Minister’s Office, said the minister.

“To date, two blocks of terrace houses containing eight units have been built in Ban 5 in Kampong Mulaut.

“If the person owns a land, the house will be built on it, regardless of whether the status of the land is perpetuity or Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL).

“If they do not own any land, the house would be built on a government land.

“For those who fail to get any of these two benefits, the council will rent a house for them using zakat funds.”

Among the options for this are private-owned houses and temporary accommodations in Kampong Belimbing Subok, two barracks in Belait District, four houses in Kota Batu and Kuala Lurah and five terrace houses that were constructed for the temporary settlement of new converts in Kampong Semabat and Kampong Sibut, Temburong District.

The minister said the council was continuously making efforts to develop land.


Sumber - Borneo Bulletin Online

Housing woes: ‘We’ve learned our lesson’

Rachel Thien
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Minister of Development yesterday admitted that construction for the national housing scheme could be further improved following complaints of water leaking from rooftops and ceilings with gaping holes.

During the ninth day of the 11th Legislative Council (LegCo) session, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman said action has been taken to rectify the construction problems.

“Looking back, we have learned our lesson from this episode. The house design, and the type or design of roofing adopted were incompatible with the climate here,” he said.

The minister was responding to YB Hj Awang Ahmad Morshidi POKDSDDLU Hj Awang Abdul Rahman’s remarks that some semi-detached houses at Tanah Jambu National Housing Scheme were facing water leaks and other housing issues.

YB Hj Awang Ahmad Morshidi said residents of the semi-detached houses were still awaiting repairs.

He added that the affected residents had filed complaints to the relevant department in February 2014, before 10 houses were repaired with new roofing in the middle of last year.

However, he said some residents still had to contend with water leaks, and had re-submitted their complaints last month.

The minister said they need to come up with a roofing design that best suits the weather conditions in Brunei.

“InsyaAllah, such a mistake of using the flat roof for those housing schemes will not be repeated. We will repair the affected houses and the Housing Development Department will monitor the situation and take necessary action,” he said.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Kementerian Pembangunan teliti bina skim perumahan di kawasan pedalaman

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Isnin, 16 Mac. - Menteri Pembangunan, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman berkata, cadangan bagi mengadakan skim perumahan di kawasan-kawasan pedalaman masih dalam penelitian.

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan menjelaskan perkara tersebut semasa menjawab soalan yang ditimbulkan oleh Wakil Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Negara yang dilantik dari daerah-daerah, Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Mohd. Shafiee bin Ahmad tentang skim perumahan di kawasan pedalaman bagi mengurangkan penghijrahan penduduk ke bandar-bandar.

“Tetapi perkara itu mestilah dipohonkan melalui Ketua Kampung dan Pegawai Daerah. Kemudian Pegawai Daerah akan menghadapkan kepada Kementerian Pembangunan berapa jumlah yang akan dibangun. Kita memang membuat cara berlainan daripada biasanya. Kita tidak akan membangun misalannya 100 unit, 200 unit ataupun berpuluh-puluh unit. Kita hanya akan membangun mengikut 'demand' di kawasan-kawasan tertentu. 'Demand' itu akan ditentukan oleh Ketua Kampung,” Jelas Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan pada Majlis Mesyuarat Pertama dari Musim Permesyuaratan Kesebelas Majlis Mesyuarat Negara (MMN) 2015 di hari kelapan yang berlangsung di Bangunan Dewan Majlis, Jalan Dewan Majlis, di sini.

Tambah Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan, kementeriannya telah pun merancang mana-mana permohonan akan dipertimbangkan jika berpatutan dan jika orang yang memohon itu memang berhak dan berasal daripada kampung itu dan tidak akan pindah ke mana-mana.

Yang Berhormat juga menegaskan agar para pemohon tidak membiarkan rumah-rumah tersebut kosong apabila ia sudah siap dibangunkan.

"Perkara ini lebih baik ditangani oleh Ketua Kampung dan jika ada keperluan, berunding dengan Pegawai Daerah. Jika Pegawai Daerah mengakui perkara itu kepada pihak Kementerian Pembangunan, Jabatan Kemajuan Perumahan (JKP). InsyaaAllah kita akan menimbangkan secara positif permohonan itu. Cadangan itu memang ada tapi untuk memulakannya mestilah daripada pihak kampung berkenaan. Pihak Kementerian Pembangunan belum lagi memperuntukkannya kerana kita tidak tahu berapa jumlah yang perlu dibangunkan,” jelas Yang Berhormat lagi.

Menyentuh tentang isu kerja-kerja pemotongan rumput di kawasan-kawasan perumahan, Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan menjelaskan, kawasan berkenaan adalah antara kawasan-kawasan Rancangan Perumahan Negara dengan sempadan jalan raya dan adalah tanah kerajaan yang sebelum ini tidak ada dipertanggungjawabkan kepada sesiapa untuk memeliharanya.

Kementerian Pembangunan telah mengambil tindakan mengenai isu pemotongan rumput dan penyelarasan telah pun dibuat di antara JKP dengan Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) yang telah dipersetujui akan diambil tindakan mengikut kawasan masing-masing.

Bagi kawasan-kawasan yang tidak termasuk kawasan Rancangan Kemajuan Perumahan Negara akan dilaksanakan oleh pihak JKR dan yang termasuk dalam kawasan Rancangan Kemajuan Perumahan Negara akan dilaksanakan oleh JKP.


Sumber - Pelita Brunei

‘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

1st high-rise housing contract inked

Aaron Wong
BRUNEI-MUARA

THE Ministry of Development (MoD) and Dara Construction Sdn Bhd signed a contract for the construction of Brunei’s first high-rise apartments under the national housing scheme. The project will be completed by 2016.

The first phase of the project at Lambak Kanan/Salambigar – containing apartments which can accomodate up to 1,800 residents – will take 18 months to complete, with construction beginning at the end of this month at a cost of $55 million.

Spanning 15 hectares, the 300 units will be in 10 six-storey buildings, separated into two areas containing five buildings each – with a multi-storey car park in between which has a football field, among other sporting and recreational facilities on its rooftop.

Each apartment will be 170 square metres, with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, dining room and kitchen.

Yesterday’s contract also includes developing master plan for the vicinity of the apartments. It may include a school, community hall, commercial buildings and recreational facilities constructed across 42 hectares.

The apartments will also retain rainwater to be recycled, said an architect from the Housing Development Department.

Muhammad Zaim Arifin Rosli said the area for the project would have a definitive green concept to reduce the ‘urban heat island’ effect – where temperatures rise because of the close proximity of buildings and human activity.

The ceremony held at MoD’s Dewan Bertabur yesterday saw Acting Director of Housing Development Mohammad Nazri Mohammad Yusof and Managing Director of Dara Construction Lim Yu Teck sign on behalf of their organisations, and witnessed by Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman.

Acting Deputy Director of Housing Development Abdul Hakim Hj Hanafiah and Director of Dara Construction Ang Chuan Chai were also present to witness their respective parties sign the agreement.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Land for dev’t is limited

Aaron Wong
BRUNEI-MUARA

AREAS for housing projects are increasingly limited as undeveloped land in Brunei is either tied to planned government projects, environmental causes or peatland that is costly to develop, the Minister of Development said.

Addressing the reasons behind the government’s move towards high-rise apartments for the national housing scheme yesterday, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman said there was a misconception among members of the public who claimed plenty of land remained for development.

“From an aerial view there appears to be a lot of forests (and undeveloped land), but a lot of this land is peat – which is costly to develop – and what remains and is available for development has to be divided for investment, industry, farming and housing,” the minister said.

He said 57 per cent of the sultanate is already being conserved for the Heart of Borneo initiative.

Speaking to reporters at the contract signing for the country’s first high-rise located at Lambak Kanan/Salambigar, the minister said two recent studies found that more than 70 per cent of Bruneians were receptive to the idea of vertical housing which he described as “the most efficient use of land”.

He added that the future of government housing depends on public acceptance of the $55 million project – which comprises 300 units housing up to 1,800 people, replete with a multi-storey car park and a football field, among other recreational facilities on its rooftop.

“If this first high rise project is a success and is received well by the public, Insyallah it will be extended.

“If it isn’t, we will try other efforts – but this could potentially mean each house will be more costly because developing the land for the houses to be built upon will be more expensive,” the minister added.

The first phase spanning 15 hectares and containing the residential apartments will be constructed in 18 months, with completion projected by 2016.

A master plan for the vicinity of the apartments is also in the works. It may include a school and other amenities such as commercial buildings.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Sebelum menutup mata

Oleh Hajah Saemah Zulkefli

TUTONG, 17 Mac – Bagi pasangan suami isteri warga emas di Kampung Rambai Lamunin, hanya satu harapan mereka, iaitu segera mendapat bantuan perumahan Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) yang sudah dipohonkan beberapa tahun lalu.

Pasangan suami isteri Mualaf, Awang Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Yakin @ Bungah bin Yakin, 78, dan Dayang Nor Aisyah binti Mohd Ariffin @ Loket binti Abon, 63, sudah merasa tidak selamat tinggal di pondok buruk mereka tambahan lagi setiap kali datangnya musim hujan kerana air akan menaiki pondok mereka sehingga kira-kira tiga kaki.

Pasangan suami isteri itu pada masa ini tinggal di pondok usang yang sudah mumut lantainya, atap yang sudah bocor dan tiang pondok yang sudah rapuh, selain pondok mereka juga bergoyang jika ditiup angin, memang sudah tidak begitu selamat untuk didiami.

Dayang Nor Aisyah semasa ditemui Media Permata berkata, YSHHB sudah membalas surat permohonan mereka untuk bantuan skim perumahan Yayasan yang mereka pohonkan kira-kira dua tahun lalu, tetapi dinyatakan dalam surat itu mereka terpaksa menunggu sebelum giliran mereka tiba.

Beginilah keadaan pondok pasangan suami isteri itu semasa kejadian banjir beberapa bulan lalu.

Wajah penuh harapan….. Pasangan suami isteri itu sering duduk di anak tangga pondok usang mereka.

Dayang Nor Aisyah @ Dayang Loket menunjukkan bahagian dapur pondok mereka yang sudah mumut lantainya.

“Kami sudah tua, entah berapa lama lagi panjangnya hayat usia kami suami isteri, dan kerana tidak kemampuan kami terpaksalah juga tinggal di pondok ini yang tidak mempunyai bekalan elektrik sudah lebih 20 tahun di atas tanah TOL, dan setiap kali musim hujan berterusan, pondok kami ini akan dinaiki air,” katanya.

Manakala Awang Abdul Rahman yang kurang bercakap ketika ditemui kerana kurang pendengaran, hanya menunjukkan surat balasan daripada pihak Yayasan, dengan wajah penuh harapan mereka segera diberikan bantuan untuk pembinaan rumah di atas tanahnya itu, supaya berpeluang merasakan sedikit keselesaan duduk di dalam rumah, ketika usia mereka yang sudah lanjut itu.

Pasangan suami isteri itu tidak mempunyai anak kandung, hanya mempunyai dua anak angkat, yang mana seorang sudah pun berumah tangga dan tinggal berasingan, sementara anak lelaki yang masih tinggal bersama mereka dan bekerja sebagai tukang kayu di hospital merupakan seorang warga istimewa.

Awang Abdul Rahman telah menghadapkan permohonan bantuan skim perumahan Yayasan bagi saudara-saudara baru, pada bulan Jun 2012, dihadapkan melalui Ketua Kampung Rambai, dan tidak lama selepas itu pihak berkenaan membalas permohonan dengan mengirimkan bersama borang siasatan untuk diisikan sebelum permohonan dipertimbangkan.

Kemudian pada bulan Februari tahun lalu, Awang Abd Rahman telah menerima lagi surat yang menyatakan YSHHB telah bersetuju untuk memberikan bantuan membina rumah bagaimanapun proses pembinaan rumah adalah mengikut giliran dan makluman akan disampaikan kepada beliau setelah gilirannya sampai.

Banjir teruk yang menimpa beberapa tempat di Lamunin tahun ini, turut menjejaskan keadaan pondok buruk pasangan suami isteri itu, dan mereka terpaksa hanya duduk dalam rumah tidak dapat pergi ke mana-mana.

Menurut Awang Abd Rahman semasa kejadian itu mereka diberikan tawaran untuk berpindah sementara di rumah teres Bukit Beruang, tetapi pasangan suami isteri itu menolak kerana risau kerosakan barang-barang mereka yang ditinggalkan.

Pasangan itu hanya menerima pencen gaji tua sebulan sejumlah $250.00 selain mereka berdua bersawah padi di kawasan tanah lapang yang sedikit di belakang pondok mereka.

“Cukuplah untuk kami sekeluarga makan, jika musim menuai,” kata Dayang Nor Aisyah ketika ditanya adakah hasil padi yang di tanam adakah untuk dijual. Bagaimanapun ekoran kejadian banjir yang melanda baru-baru ini, padi tanaman mereka juga rosak dan tidak begitu subur lagi buahnya.


Sumber - Media Permata



Elderly couple appeal for assistance to build new house in Tutong

Liza Mohamad

AN ELDERLY couple, who are currently staying in a dilapidated house in the Tutong District, are seeking immediate assistance from Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB).

The couple – both Muslim converts – Awang Abd Rahman bin Abdullah Yakin @ Bungah bin Yakin, 78, and Dayang Nor Aisyah binti Mohd Ariffin @ Loket binti Abon, 63, felt that it is not safe for them to stay in the house, particularly during the rainy season as the water rises up to three-feet high.

“We are aged and cannot afford to carry out any repair works ourselves. We had to continue staying here without power supply for 20 years on a TOL land, and every rainy season, our housxe will be surrounded with flood waters,” said Nor Aisyah.

Meanwhile, Abd Rahman, who is unable to speak coherently due to hearing impairment, showed a letter of reply from YSHHB, hoping that they will receive assistance soon to build a house on their existing land.

Abd Rahman and Nor Aisyah at their house

The couple have no biological children, except for two adopted children and one of them is married and lives separately, while the other, who is an individual with special needs, works as a carpenter in a hospital.

The serious flooding which hit Lamunin this year also affected the couple’s home. According to Abd Rahman, they were offered to move temporarily to a terrace house in Bukit Beruang, but they refused due to fear of leaving behind their valuables and other belongings.

The couple are only dependent on their monthly old-age pension of $250 and for supplementary income, they carry out small-scale paddy cultivation behind their home.

“It is enough to feed both of us when the harvesting season arrives,” said Nor Aisyah, speaking about the revenue generated from paddy farming.

Unfortunately the flooding season this year also destroyed their paddy crop.


Sumber - Borneo Bulletin

Jejak Ehsan HAWA NDP menyusur Kg Rambai

Oleh Hajah Saemah Zulkefli

TUTONG, 17 Mac – Projek Jejak Ehsan 2014 mengunjungi warga-warga emas bersempena Sambutan Ulang Tahun Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam ke-30, anjuran Himpunan Wanita Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (HAWA NDP) diteruskan lagi dengan menyusur ke kawasan pedalaman di Kampung Rambai Jalan Bang Pangan dekat sini hari ini.

Projek yang dianjurkan dengan kerjasama Biro Pendidikan dan Biro Kemasyarakatan Parti Pembangunan Bangsa, itu telah mengunjungi rumah pasangan suami isteri warga emas Awang Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Yakin @ Bungah bin Yakin, 78, dan Dayang Nor Aisyah binti Mohd Ariffin @ Loket binti Abon, 63, yang pada masa ini tinggal di sebuah pondok yang agak usang sejak lebih 20 tahun.

Rombongan menyampaikan sumbangan kepada pasangan
suami isteri warga emas di kawasan pedalaman Kg Rambai Lamunin

Rombongan diketuai oleh Ketua Himpunan Wanita Pusat, NDP disertai sama oleh Naib Presiden Daerah Tutong NDP, Awang Haji Ismail bin Ibrahim, Setiausaha Agung NDP, Awang Haji Jefry bin Haji Mohd Daud, Ketua Biro Pendidikan NDP, Dayang Dr Ra’yah binti Haji Mohd Ali, Ketua Biro Kemasyarakatan NDP, Dayang Hajah Asmah binti Haji Pulut serta beberapa ahli Majlis Tertinggi Daerah Tutong dan ahli-ahli Exco HAWA NDP.

Projek Jejak Ehsan tahun ini memfokuskan kunjungan ke beberapa buah rumah di kalangan warga emas termasuk yang dikhabarkan terabai, yang sedang dirawat di hospital dan yang tinggal di pedalaman.

Ia antara lain dihasratkan supaya dapat sedikit sebanyak membantu menggembirakan warga-warga emas dan menunjukkan keprihatinan kepada kalangan tersebut supaya tidak terasa diasingkan dan diabaikan.

Melalui projek ini juga dihasratkan dapat mengeratkan lagi ikatan silaturahim di antara ahli-ahli NDP dengan masyarakat sekeliling dan merupakan salah satu aktiviti yang dilaksanakan oleh Himpunan Wanita NDP sebagai salah satu sayap dalam pertubuhan itu yang mempunyai visi “Negara Brunei Darussalam sebagai sebuah negara Melayu, Islam Beraja, aman dan makmur serta mendapat keampunan Allah SWT”.


Sumber - Media Permata


Senior citizens in rural village taken care of

THE plights of senior citizens living in the rural area of Kg Rambai, Jln Bang Pangan in the Tutong District were taken care of by the Women’s Group of the National Development Party (HAWA) in their latest series of visits recently.

An elderly couple, Awg Abd Rahman bin Abdullah Yakin @ Bungah bin Yakin, 78, and his wife, Dyg Nor Aisyah binti Mohd Ariffin @ Loket binti Abon, 63, has been staying in a dilapidated house in the rural area over the past 20 years.

The group handed over contributions in the form of basic necessities and heard their grievances.

Their project this year focusses on visits to the residence of senior citizens, who are believed to be neglected, undergoing treatment and staying in remote places, to assist and cheer them, demonstrating the caring attitude of the group.

It was also to build closer ties among its members with the local community and part of an activity by the Women’s Group as a wing of the association.

The project runs jointly with the Education Bureau and is led by the Head of Women’s Group, Dyg Hjh Saemah along with Vice President of Tutong NDP, Secretary-General of NDP, Discipline Committee Head, Head of Education Bureau, Community Bureau and exco members.


Sumber - Borneo Bulletin