By Lyna Mohammad
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday visited schools, private sector firms, power station and motor companies after presenting keys and land lots to citizens under various housing schemes for the Brunei-Muara District.
His Majesty first visited Sekolah Rendah Rimba 2 of the Kg Rimba National Housing Plan. The school began its operations in January this year after construction works were completed in January 2003.
The school has a teaching staff of nine men and 25 women teachers and has 16 classrooms, two science laboratories, a canteen, kitchen, storeroom and staff room. There are 645 students in the school that is now following the new Integrated School System.
From the primary school, His Majesty headed to Jerudong International School (JIS). Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Pehin Dato Awg Hj Yahya, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office cum Chairman of BIA; Dr Amin Lieu Abdullah, Acting Managing Director of BIA/Chairman of JIS and Mr John Price, JIS Principal, as well as senior staff members of JIS.
JIS began its operations in 1997 and currently has 123 teaching staff and 1,085 students. With its mission of providing high quality education to local and expatriate children through the medium of British Curriculum, the school's facilities amongst others include a gymnasium, swimming pool and library.
After touring JIS and its administrative offices, His Majesty visited houses of several recipients of the housing and land scheme of Kg Rimba National Housing Plan as well as the residence of Kg Rimba Village Head, Awg Puspa Wira Hj Mohd Noor.
The caring monarch mingled with the recipients and their family members and friends.
His Majesty next visited the Gadong Power Station II of the Department of Electrical Services at Jalan Batu Bersurat where His Majesty was briefed on the power station's operations. His Majesty also toured various sections at the building.
This was followed by a visit to the Beribi II Light Industrial Site where His Majesty visited Grand Motors Sdn Bhd, Worldwide Motors, QAF Brunei, Kingston Beverage and Creamery Sdn Bhd, Brunei Press Sdn Bhd and Jati Transport Sdn Bhd.
Before visiting the residence of Awg Hj Nayan Hj Mohammad, Kg Mata-Mata Village Head, His Majesty also visited the Brunei Industrial Development Authority (BINA) in Beribi, Gadong.
His Majesty concluded the visit with a santap and get-together-session at the Orchid Garden Hotel. Throughout His Majesty's visit, the monarch mingled with recipients of the housing schemes as well as staff of the various firms that the ruler visited showing the monarch's concerns towards the welfare of his citizens.
- Borneo Bulletin
(18th Mar 2005)
