| Izah Azahari |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to present house key plaques to 593 recipients of the Bukit Beruang National Housing Scheme (RPN).
The keys were presented at a ceremony held at the Tanjong Maya Secondary School in Tutong District.
Upon arriving at the location by helicopter, His Majesty was greeted by Dato Paduka Awang Haji Bahrin bin Abdullah, the Minister of Development; Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism; and Haji Adnan bin Haji Adam, the Acting Tutong District Officer.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Pengiran Haji Shahril Azman bin Pengiran Haji Metusin, the Syariah Subordinate Court Judge in Tutong District, followed by a welcoming speech by the Acting Tutong District Officer.
In his speech, Haji Adnan said that His Majesty’s presence was especially important to those receiving their house key plaques at the ceremony.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, with residents of the Bukit Beruang National Housing Scheme in a group photo
His Majesty presenting the house keys to recipients of Bukit Beruang National Housing Scheme. PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
“Through His Majesty’s fair and wise leadership, the country’s citizens and residents, particularly those who do not own their own property, can equally share and enjoy the welfare, safety and harmony of the housing scheme which continues to grow apace with the current progress,” said the Acting Tutong District Officer.
Haji Adnan noted that 160 out of the 593 recipients were given house keys for semi-detached housing, while 433 received keys for terrace housing.
He also highlighted the current developments in Tutong District, which include the provision of houses under the National Housing Scheme, complete with community halls, recreational areas, and children’s playgrounds.
To bless the event, a Doa Selamat was read by the Syariah Subordinate Court Judge at the conclusion of the presentation ceremony.
His Majesty then continued the day’s events with visits to the Tanjong Maya Secondary School and the Abdul Rashid Tanjong Maya Primary School, where the monarch socialised and chatted with teachers and students.
His Majesty toured the Wira Bina Company – set up by the Mukim Tanjong Maya Consultative Council – which was followed with a visit to the residence of Haji Abdul Rahman bin Samat, the Village Head of Kampong Lubok Pulau.
Later in the morning, His Majesty called on the Bukit Beruang Fire Station, before visiting a number of residences in the Bukit Beruang National Housing Scheme.
A total of 1,500 housing units in the area, costing around $140 million, have already been granted to successful applicants.
The project was directed by the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), and handed over to the Ministry of Development in May 2014, after its completion in March 2014.
The floor area of each terrace unit is 85.9 square metres with a corner unit plot size of 360 square metres, while the intermediate unit is 250 square metres. Each unit has three bedrooms, one living room, a kitchen and two bathrooms.
Meanwhile, the floor area of each semi-detached unit is 130 square metres, with a plot size of 400 square metres; and each unit consists of three bedrooms, one living room, a kitchen and three bathrooms.
The housing area is a comprehensive housing development concept, with ample space for prospective schools, mosques, commercial facilities, community centres, parks, recreation areas and playgrounds.
The Ministry of Development is currently reviewing the National Housing Scheme in general, to ensure sustainability in addressing the growing number of housing applications.
Among the long-term strategies is optimal use of land to increase housing production, which is clearly evident in the current vertical and cluster housing projects.
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