| Rokiah Mahmud |
SINCE its introduction on October 2016, the Bandarku Ceria programme has received a positive response throughout all four districts, particularly more so following the opening of Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas, which has resulted in an increase in participation from visitors to the park.
The combination of Bandarku Ceria and the opening of Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas has stimulated a surge in small business activity, with an increasing number of vendors setting up stalls at the new park and the areas around the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque and Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
This business opportunity however has been misused by some of the vendors and has negatively impacted the beauty of Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas, for example some of the vendors have set up their own camps at the venue, misused government power supplies, and damaged the flower plants.
Rubbish has also been indiscriminately dumped throughout the area, tarnishing the beauty of the park.
These issues were brought up by YB Pengiran Haji Ali bin Pengiran Maon, Legislative Council member and Penghulu of Mukim Berakas ‘B’ during the fourth day of the Legislative Council session yesterday.
Adding his input to the discussion, Minister of Home Affairs YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong explained that under the ‘Plan Mangkin Regenerasi Sungai Kedayan’ or now simply known as Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas (TMJE), an allotment of specific sites for vendors to place kiosks will be provided.
“These areas are not meant for vendors to set up makeshift stalls however,” the minister cautioned.
For this purpose, the minister added, the kiosks have been put up for sale through tender from January 22, 2018 to February 27, 2018.
The minister explained that his ministry has received a good response to the tender, adding that once the process of reviewing the tenders is completed, successful vendors can begin their businesses at the kiosks.
This means, the minister stressed once again, there will be no specific areas for vendors to set up their own makeshift stalls at TMJE.
The Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) Municipal Department only permits vendors to set up their stalls during specific events such as Bandarku Ceria when they can run their businesses at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien and its vicinity or during festive occasions.
However, the minister added, as a temporary measure, the BSB Municipal Department will relocate the vendors who are currently running their businesses at TMJE to a selected temporary area.
At the same time, the ministry will explore other business opportunities for vendors such as food trucks in the future.
As a further step to maintain the cleanliness of public areas used by vendors to conduct their businesses, the Ministry of Home Affairs is working on introducing a minor act under the Municipal Board Act to regulate vendors in the area for the health, safety and wellbeing of visitors with a ‘Hawker’s Licence’.
A number of government initiatives to handle public cleanliness have also been implemented, including the setting up of a cleanliness committee on February 2016 involving the Ministry of Development, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Home Affairs.
To further ensure the effectiveness of the committee, three main performance assessment thrust areas have been put forth. These include facilities and services for cleanliness, stakeholder and leadership, and legal and enforcement.