| Aziz Idris |
HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Patron of the Temburong District Development Authority (AKDT) yesterday made a working visit to the construction sites of the mega-scale Temburong Bridge Project, while also visiting several other places in the Temburong District.
On hand to welcome His Royal Highness at the construction site of the Temburong Bridge Project in Kampong Kota Batu were Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Co-Chairmen of the AKDT Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah.
Also present to greet His Royal Highness were Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar and Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Mohd Hussein, in his capacity as Deputy Co-Chairmen of the AKDT.
To bless the visit, a Doa Kesyukuran was recited upon His Royal Highness’ arrival.
His Royal Highness was then invited to board a special boat to view the construction progress of the Temburong Bridge across the Brunei Bay, starting with the single tower cable-stayed bridge and the connecting bridge that links the northern and southern ramps of Kampong Kota Batu.
While cruising along Brunei River, His Royal Highness was briefed by the Minister of Development on the available facilities to be installed along the Temburong Bridge.
Upon reaching the pier deck near the twin tower cable-stayed bridge, His Royal Highness was then escorted up the pier deck of the marine bridge to have a closer view of the construction activities.
While there, His Royal Highness was briefed by two junior site engineers, Md Izz Rafiuddin bin Haji Amer Hishamuddin and Matius anak Belayan.
His Royal Highness also viewed the construction activities of the twin tower cable-stayed bridge at Pier Deck 167, before signing the commemorative parchment and consenting to a group photo, as well as morning refreshments at Pier Deck 208.
Shortly after observing the marine bridge, His Royal Highness then proceeded to have a closer look at the construction activities of the Temburong Bridge located at Jalan Labu in the Temburong District.
Upon arrival at the site, His Royal Highness was greeted by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong and Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Haji Emran bin Haji Sabtu.
His Royal Highness then proceeded to Pier 1000, where he was briefed by assistant resident engineer Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Metusin, regarding the current status and ongoing activities at the site.
The working visit continued in the afternoon, where His Royal Highness visited the Labu Control Post, Immigration and National Registration Department at the Temburong District.
Here, His Royal Highness toured several control posts, including the Royal Customs and Excise Department, the Ministry of Health and the Royal Brunei Police Force.
The royal entourage then proceeded to Bukit Patoi Recreational Park, where His Royal Highness was greeted by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong.
The visit began with a briefing on the background of the recreational park, presented by Acting Director of Forestry Noralinda binti Haji Ibrahim.
This was followed with a briefing on the luxury eco-tourism project in Kampong Perdayan, Mukim Labu, presented by Acting Director of Tourism Development Salinah binti Haji Mohd Salleh.
Next on the schedule was a visit to the National Service Programme (PKBN) Training Camp, where His Royal Highness was greeted by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.
Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was invited to view a mini-exhibition of the economic activities and development plans for the Temburong District, presented by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) Javed Ahmad, alongside Chief Executive Officer of the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) Soon Loo.
At the PKBN Camp, His Royal Highness proceeded to the meeting room at the PKBN building for a briefing session by the AKDT on the planned economic activities for the Temburong District.
Following the briefing, a Doa Selamat was read by Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti.
The visit continued with the signing of the commemorative parchment, before His Royal Highness proceeded to the Surau for the mass Zohor prayer with the PKBN trainees.
After the prayer service, His Royal Highness joined the current PKBN trainees undergoing the programme for a luncheon.
The final stop for the working visit was at the Bumiputera Main Complex in Pekan Bangar, Temburong, where His Royal Highness viewed a dozen booths showcasing ‘One Village, One Product’ (1K1P) goods and merchandise from the members of village consultative councils in the Temburong District.
To conclude the working visit, His Royal Highness boarded a Royal Brunei Armed Forces’ (RBAF) helicopter for an aerial view of the Temburong Bridge, Pulau Muara Besar, Serasa Casting Yard Construction Site and identified development sites.
The working visit is a reflection of His Royal Highness’ leadership and concerns in ensuring that the execution of the projects will meet the desired target towards achieving Brunei Vision 2035.
The Temburong Bridge, which is expected to be completed at the end of this year, will connect the Brunei-Muara and Temburong districts via the Brunei Bay.