| Aziz Idris |
AS PART of the government’s effort to meet the ever-increasing demand for affordable homes among the citizens and residents in the country, 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 presented key plaques to 601 new house owners, in a ceremony held at the Tutong Sixth Form Centre (PTET) yesterday.
Among the recipients were 354 individuals that were allotted new cluster and terrace houses under the National Housing Scheme (RPN) of Bukit Beruang, Tutong.
Of this, 301 were given keys for cluster houses while 53 received keys for terrace houses.
An additional 247 individuals under the RPN Lumut and RPN Lorong Tengah Seria in the Belait District also received terrace houses.
Upon arrival at the PTET in the royal helicopter, His Majesty was greeted by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs.
The house key presentation ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Pengiran Haji Shahril Azman bin Pengiran Haji Metussin, a judge of the Syariah Subordinate Court, followed by a welcoming speech by Haji Adnan bin Haji Adam, the Acting Tutong District Officer.
Haji Adnan said that the new houses are His Majesty’s gifts to the people to ensure their comfort and security and enhance their living standards.
“Through His Majesty’s fair and wise leadership, the country’s citizens and residents, particularly those who do not have 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,” he added.
His Majesty then handed over the keys to the recipients, before touring the centre’s compound and conducting a series of visits.
In Kampong Telisai, the monarch visited the residence of Legislative Council member YB Haji Ramli bin Haji Lahit, the Penghulu of Mukim Telisai.
His Majesty continued his visit to Tumpuan Telisai Primary School where the monarch socialised with teachers and students.
His Majesty then made an unscheduled visit to the nearby flood-prone Kampong Danau to take a closer look at the beach erosion there which is threatening the safety of villagers, especially with the recent unpredictable weather situation in the Sultanate.
Shortly after, His Majesty went back to RPN Bukit Beruang where the ruler was seen happily accepting invitations to the houses and walked through the streets under the glaring mid-day sun with his loyal subjects.
According to the Housing Development Department, Ministry of Development, the cluster houses are divided into four two-storey houses attached together – unlike terrace-type houses that are attached back-to-back forming a square block of four houses.
A site for public amenities including schools, community, recreational and commercial centres have also been provisioned in the area for the convenience of residents. Among the long-term strategies of the department is optimal use of land to increase housing production, which is clearly evident in the current vertical and cluster housing projects.
Since the scheme was introduced, a total of 27,045 houses under RPN and Landless Indigenous Citizens Housing Scheme (STKRJ) have been developed across the Sultanate.
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