Land grants, houses for citizens
By Amie PDH Ishak

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to present certificates to the recipients of the Temporary Occupancy Licences (TOL) land grants and house keys to recipients of the Landless Indigenous Citizens Housing Scheme (STKRJ).

The ceremony was held at Mukim Pengkalan Batu Community Hall in Kampong Parit.

In his opening remarks, Brunei-Muara District Officer Dato Paduka Awang Hj Yussop Bakar said 70 recipients were to be presented with certificates for the TOL land grants and 38 recipients with keys to the STKRJ in Kampong Lumapas 'A'.

"The presentation of these houses and land grants by His Majesty shows the concern the ruler has for the welfare of the people of Brunei Darussalam.

"On behalf of the recipients I convey their greatest appreciation and thanks to His Majesty in presenting them with keys to houses and land grants, which will upgrade their standard of living."

After the presentation of certificates and keys to the recipients, His Majesty visited the Masin Primary School, Ideal Multifeed Farm (Brunei) Sdn Bhd, several houses of the Landless Indigenous Citizens Housing Scheme (STKRJ) in Kampong Lumapas 'A' and TOL houses in Kampong Masin, Kampong Sinarubai, Kampong Bengkurong and Kampong Kilanas, the homes of the Kampong Lumapas 'B' Village Head and the Brunei-Muara District Officer, Bayu Ilham Motors Sdn Bhd, Supercrete Sdn Bhd, as well as the Sengkurong Post Office and the new Sengkurong Library.

His Majesty ended his visit with a santap at the Sengkurong Community Hall.

Also present at yesterday's ceremony were Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Mohd Yusof, Minister of Home Affairs; Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Awang Hj Bakar, Minister of Development; Dato Seri Paduka Hj Eusoff Agaki Hj Ismail, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; and Pehin Datu Kerma Setia CP Dato Paduka Seri Zainuddin Jalani, Royal Brunei Police Commissioner and other senior government officials.

Masin Primary School was officiated in 1957 by the Late Al-marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien. At the school, His Majesty toured several classrooms and interacted with the students and teachers.

During His Majesty's visit to the school, Principal Cikgu Hajah Ridah bte Lamat said, "This is the first time that His Majesty has visited our school since it's opening on April 8, 1955. I am very thrilled today as the students and teachers got to interact with the monarch."

She hoped that the motivation given by His Majesty would go a long way in encouraging the students as well as the staff.

"The motivation will also help contribute to the development of our school. I hope it will be an occasion to remember for all of us at the school," the principal added.

His Majesty then visited the home of Awg Abd Aziz Hj Badar in Kampong Masin, who is a recipient of the TOL land grant, before going to Ideal Multifeed Farm (Brunei) Sdn Bhd in Jalan Bengkurong Masin.

Hj Awang Morshidi Abd Rahman, Group Executive Director of Ideal Multifeed, said the company has grown vastly since its establishment in 1969.

"Ideal Multifeed Farm and its group of companies have vertically integrated with their main product of chickens and now our group of companies consist of not only a hatchery but also a poultry farm, chain of restaurants, animal feed company as well as a veterinary services company.

"We are hoping to further develop our company locally as well as abroad, especially in the processed meat and restaurant chain," he added.

Ideal Multifeed consists of six groups of companies and of its 384 staff 37 per cent are locals.

The ruler later visited the homes of Awang Muhammad Hj Dullah, Awang Osman Hj Bakar and Awang Jalani Ismail, recipients of house keys under the STKRJ Kampong Lumapas 'A' before visiting the residence of the village head of Kampong Lumapas 'B'.

While at the home of Awang Hj Chuchu Hj Serudin, His Majesty had the opportunity to interact with several residents of the village and viewed a 'Gulingtangan' performance by senior citizens of the village. The residents also showcased local fruits, handicrafts and cakes for the monarch to view.

His Majesty then visited the homes of Awang Ibrahim Jais, Dayang Hjh Suriwati Hj Jukin and Awang Shahrin Hj Hashim, recipients of the TOL land grants in Kampong Sinarubai.

The monarch also visited the home of Dato Paduka Awang Hj Md Yussof Bakar, Brunei-Muara District Officer, where His Majesty mingled with the residents of Kg Sinarubai.

At Bayu Ilham Motors Sdn Bhd in Kg Bengkurong, His Majesty was greeted upon arrival by Pg Hj Damit Ibni Al-Marhum YTM Pg Digadong Pg Anak Hj Kamis, Chairman of the company. The ruler toured the new office building and launched one of the cars that was brought in by the company.

Bayu Ilham Motors was established in 1993 and deals with car spare parts, car repair and selling of second hand cars and reconditioned cars imported from overseas.

His Majesty also visited Supercrete Sdn Bhd, a local concrete supplier, manufacturer and construction company, and toured a Supercrete model home.

Supercrete Sdn Bhd is in the home extension and construction business and is currently building 15 houses in Temburong for new converts.

His Majesty then visited the house of Awang Abdul Rahman Pudin and Dk Masdinawati Pg Damit in Kampong Kilanas, the final stop of the monarch's visit to the homes of the recipients of the TOL land grants.

Before ending his visit, His Majesty looked at the facilities at Sengkurong Post Office and the new Sengkurong Library. His Majesty also took a closer look at the mobile library. - Borneo Bulletin (19th August 2009)


close