Successful housing applicants under the Kg Lumut / Sungai Liang National Housing Scheme in Belait District were overjoyed to learn that they are now allowed to carry out renovations on their new homes "immediately" and that they do not necessarily have to wait for another year to do so.

This reassurance was made by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam after listening to the woes of recipients of compact-sized houses yesterday afternoon.

The monarch visited 20 basic-type houses within the allocated 915-hectare site, observing the conditions they were in while at the same time getting feedback from recipients.

The recipients conveyed their gratitude to His Majesty for their respective homes, noting that they are fortunate to have been granted the last of the 'single/individual' homes as the government embarks on building semi-detached and terraced units, as well as low-rise flats in future, in a move to offer affordable housing to citizens.

Initially, His Majesty was scheduled to visit only four homes under the Kg Lumut housing. However, the ruler was led by recipients to visit over 20 houses.

During the visit, His Majesty also listened to concerns raised by recipients with regards to the condition of the houses, early deduction for housing payments, and renovations, among other matters.

It is understood the Housing Development Department informed recipients that, in order to renovate their homes, they were first required to settle at least 10 per cent of the total cost. Additionally, they have been instructed not to carry out renovations within the 'limited liability defect' period.

Comparisons in size between the single Kg Lumut basic-type houses and the Kg Panaga semi-detached units and terraced units were made by recipients.

In a press statement issued by the Housing Development Department, it stated the semi-detached units of Kg Panaga housing have a floor area of 131.1 square metres, while the terrace houses are 127.5 square metres. Meanwhile, the Kg Lumut basic-type houses are 120.14 square metres.

The Kg Panaga semi-detached units are priced at B$62,000 and the terraced units at $43,000 (intermediary) and $45,000 (corner). The Kg Lumut basic-type house, on the other hand, carries a $75,000 price tag.

Although the basic-type Kg Lumut house is smaller in size, most recipients were quick to point out the benefits it brings.

"I value my privacy, so I am content with getting the Kg Lumut basic-type house. I choose privacy over size," highlighted one recipient.

Minister of Development Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi bin Hj Osman, in an interview with the Bulletin, noted that the Kg Lumut double-storey basic-type unit is almost the same size as the Kg Panaga semi-detached and terraced units.

"It is designed differently to suit the average household in Brunei. Most importantly, we need to save landspace to pave the way for development of more houses in order to accommodate the rising demand for houses in the country," the minister emphasised

The monarch was in the Belait District yesterday morning to award keys to 349 recipients under the Kampong Panaga National Housing Scheme, and 108 recipients of the basic-type homes under the Kg Lumut/Sungai Liang National Housing Scheme.

Under the 2,000-unit Kg Panaga Housing Project, 46 recipients were awarded semi-detached units, while 303 citizens received terraced units.

The ruler's presence at the award ceremony yesterday morning marked the third progressive distribution of the 2,000 houses which were completed in a record time of two years. Currently, all semi-detached units under the housing scheme have been distributed to eligible applicants. Only 159 terraced units are left unoccupied.

Recipients of the terraced units comprised applicants from Year 2004-2006, while the semi-detached units were awarded to applicants from Year 1993-2005. Meanwhile, recipients of the Kg Lumut houses comprised those who submitted applications between 1984 and 1995.

His Majesty yesterday also awarded plaques to 457 housing recipients at Pusat Insani in Seria.

The monarch was greeted on arrival by the Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi; Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman; and Acting Belait District Officer Pg Md Jeffrynul Hafli bin Pg Hj Ali.

In a speech, the Acting Belait District Officer highlighted His Majesty's care in providing affordable housing to citizens under the Brunei National Housing Scheme.

Later, His Majesty toured the facilities at the newly built Seria Community Hall, before proceeding to visit the home of Mukim Seria Penghulu Hj Jamail bin Hj Linap, where the monarch had the opportunity to view the current economic activities of the Seria community and, at the same time, mingle with members of VESPA and PEMODA groups who had assembled to greet the caring monarch.

Hj Jamail leads the villages of Pekan Seria and Lorong Tiga Selatan which have a population of over 27,000 people.

Over 250 students of Lumut Primary School were also in high spirits at the chance to meet His Majesty in person yesterday morning, as scheduled in the programme.

His Majesty also made a surprise visit to the PAP Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Secondary School in Kg Lumut to inspect the condition the school was in. - Borneo Bulletin (9th Octopber 2011)