Sultan presents house keys, land lots
By Azlan Othman, Malik Hashim & Yusrin Junaidi

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday presented house keys and land lots to 85 recipients under the Kg Perpindahan Lambak Kanan National Housing Scheme and Kg Lumapas 'A' Landless Scheme.

His Majesty also toured the houses of successful recipients and village chiefs of Kg Lupak Luas/Tarab Bau, Wasan, Kg Mulaut and Kg Jerudong and visited local industries including Hikmah Enterprise that specialises in woven fabric and Hua Ho Agricultural Farm, as well as Tasamul and Cooperative Petrol Station, Kg Parit Recreational Park and community hall, Makro Jaya Sdn Bhd Departmental Store and HSBC at Jerudong Centre before ending his visit with a 'Santap'.

Pg Hamiosmera bin Pg Hj Othman, a primary teacher at Kg Saba Primary School and a father of three, expressed his delight and gratefulness to the ruler for the new home.

He has been waiting for 16 years for such a house. He previously stayed at a government housing in Tanjong Bunut. He is paying about $200 a month for a period of 20 years.

Awg Abd Ghani bin Abidin said his family of nine has been staying in the house for about a month. Previously, they stayed in Kg Perpindahan Mata-Mata, Gadong.

Meanwhile, Hj Tengah bin Hj Ahmad, a traffic serviceman at Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) and a father of two, said the housing loan payment depends on the length of their remaining service.

The monarch also visited Hikmah Enterprise in Kg Lumapas which was established in 1991 and was the braindchild of Hjh Robiah, a manager, designer as well as proprietor.

The finest 'Sinjang', bridal costumes, gift handbags, cushions and hand-woven fabric maker took part in various exhibitions including the Asean Centre in Japan, Malaysia's International Halal Showcase, Islamic Trade Fair in Bahrain and in the UK.

The ruler also toured Hua Ho Agricultural Farm in Kg Junjungan where His Majesty was given a briefing on the farm and took a closer look at the hatchery, broiler chicken, layer hens, egg grading machine. The ruler planted a sapling of a local fruit to mark his visit.

The 35-acre Hua Ho Agricultural Farm began its operation way back in 1983 and has a hatchery, broiler chicken, layer hens, and fruit farms like guava, jackfruit and coconut, as well as vegetables, all for the local market, said its Farm Manager, Lau How Teck.

Other farms are located at Labi and in Kg Parit which also produce pesticide free vegetables, bananas and rambutans. - Borneo Bulletin (20th Feb 2009)


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