Home 446 individuals received their land grants and house keys on Thursday from 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.
The land grants are those under the Temporary Occupation License Scheme for Tutong and Belait Districts meanwhile the house keys are for the Bukit Beruang National Housing Scheme in Tutong District.
Upon arrival at the Tutong Sixth Form Centre for the awarding ceremony, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was greeted by Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Paduka Haji Ahmaddin Haji Abdul Rahman; Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Haji Muhammad Juanda Haji Abdul Rashid; and Acting Tutong District Officer Ajmin Haji Meludin.
In his welcoming speech, Acting Tutong District Officer said that the presentation of land grants and house keys is a valuable and meaningful gift for the recipients, portraying His Majesty’s care and attention toward the people’s well-being.
From the 446 recipients, 125 recipients received land grants under the Temporary Occupation License Scheme in Tutong District, and 84 recipients in Belait District.
Moreover, 237 recipients received house keys to terrace houses at the Bukit Beruang National Housing Scheme in Tutong District.
The presentation of land grants and house keys proved the government’s commitment specifically to providing resilient and affordable housing.
After the ceremony, His Majesty visited two higher educational institutions in the Tutong district including the aquaculture company, Golden Corporation and the Senior Citizen Activity Centre.
During the visit, the monarch had the opportunity to stop by the residence of the village chief of Kampung Penabai and Kuala Tutong followed by houses of some land grants and house key recipients.
His Majesty’s first destination was the Tutong Sixth Form Centre where the Sultan was greeted by Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka Dr Hajah Romaizah Haji Mohd Salleh.
The sixth form centre which has nearly 300 students has been operating since early 2012 with the vision to become an institution of excellent scholars.Â
The monarch had a closer look at some of the activities prepared by the students especially at the art and design gallery, showcasing students’ creative works.
Before going to the Bukit Beruang National Housing Scheme, His Majesty made a stop at Sayyidina Othman Secondary School
Students and teachers were seen very happy with the monarch’s visit to the school, giving a memorable experience for them with the royal encounter.
The secondary school is the only school in the district that has a building catering for special needs secondary school students.
A highlight of the visit especially for the house key recipients was His Majesty’s trip to some of the houses at Bukit Beruang National Housing Scheme.
Each unit of the terrace house has a floor area of 85.9 square meter with three bedrooms, one living room, a bathroom and a kitchen.
Out of over 30 thousand houses built under the National Housing Scheme, RPN and the Skim Tanah Kurnia Rakyat Jati nationwide, some 2,746 people were successful applicants of RPN in Tutong District.
After the house visits, His Majesty then went to Golden Corporation company in Kampung Penyatang, Mukim Telisai.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Paduka Dr Haji Abdul Manaf Haji Metussin and Managing Director of Golden Corporation Richard Chuang Hsi Shan.
The aquaculture company has three shrimp rearing farms with an area of over 267 hectares, as well as three fish and shrimp processing centres with an investment of over $30 million.
At the farm, His Majesty released baby shrimps into the rearing pond.
From Kampung Penyatang, the Monarch continued the visit to the residence of a land grant recipient under the Temporary Occupation License Scheme, Pengiran Mahmud Pengiran Bungsu in Kampung Kandang.
His Majesty’s attentiveness towards the people’s welfare was clear when Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah provided assistance in repairing Pengiran Mahmud’s home, in a report by RTB.
The land grant under the Temporary Occupation License Scheme ensures that recipients can continue living more comfortably.
Kampung Penabai and Kampung Kuala Tutong have an area of approximately 2.14 square kilometre with over one thousand residents.
Prior to visiting the Senior Citizen Activity Centre, His Majesty also stopped by the residence of Hajah Naimah Haji Dollah’s in Kampung Penabai – a recipient of the Mental Disorder Allowance from Department of Community Development and assistance from the Brunei Islamic Religious Council.
At the Tutong Senior Citizen Activity Centre, His Majesty was greeted by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Haji Nazmi Haji Mohamad whereby the monarch had a closer look at some of the activities by the senior citizens.
The centre’s establishment acts as a platform for senior citizens to share their experiences and encourage involvement as well as the cooperation of various parties.
His Majesty’s visit concluded with a luncheon at the Tutong District Civic Centre Hall. The Monarch’s visit shows His Majesty’s aspiration to see more citizens and residents desire of owning a house or land while improving the people’s quality of life.
This article was first published on 09 July 2022 in our Weekly Epaper issue 201 |
THE BRUNEIAN | TUTONG
