Yesterday was the most anticipated day for 584 residents from the Belait District as His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to award the key plaques to the recipients of houses under the Kampong Lumut/Sungai Liang National Housing Scheme and semi-detached and terrace houses under the Panaga National Housing Scheme.

Upon arrival at Pusat Insani in Seria, His Majesty was greeted by the Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi bin Hj Osman; the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman; and the Belait District Officer, Awg Hj Haris bin Hj Othman.

The Belait District Officer in his welcoming speech expressed belief that the provision of the new houses would effectively raise the comfort levels of the recipients and their families.

"No doubt, today means a lot to them and would also be a moment that they will cherish for a long time," he said.

He also called the recipients yesterday 'blessed' for having their beloved Monarch consenting to present the house key plaques individually.

As a symbol of loyalty, said Awg Hj Haris, all the recipients should always be thankful, obey and support every act, law and regulations of the country, especially in adhering to the stipulated rules and regulations on ownership of the land given to them.

The Belait District Officer also underlined the need for a good neighbourly attitude and in creating and harnessing tolerance and cooperation to generate and shape a healthy way of life in the mukim and village communities.

At the ceremony, 380 recipients were awarded 'basic' type homes or detached houses located at Kg Lumut/Sungai Liang. They had submitted their applications between 1995 and 2003, with some applying in 2004.

Meanwhile, 32 recipients were awarded with semi-detached houses and another 172 awarded with terrace houses. They submitted their applications from 1995 to 2005, with some applications made in 2006.

Following the ceremony, His Majesty proceeded to visit three schools in Seria, namely Muhammad Alam Primary School, Anthony Abell College and Chung Ching Middle School.

His Majesty then consented to visit Bumiputera (homegrown) company Adinin Works and Engineering Sdn Bhd, located at Sungai Bera Industrial Site in Seria.

His Majesty then proceeded to the residence of the Village Head of Kg Lumut II, Awg Abdul Rahman bin Hashim, before visiting some of the new recipients' houses in the Kg Lumut/Sg Liang National Housing Scheme. - Borneo Bulletin (6 May 2012)