By Sonia K and Laila Rahman
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to present land titles to Temporary Occupied Land (TOL) holders in the Brunei-Muara District. The event took place at the Junjongan Primary School Hall, Brunei IV.
Greeting His Majesty on arrival at the school were Pehin Dato Haji Awg Isa, Special Adviser to His Majesty at the Prime Minister's Office and also the Minister of Home Affairs; Dato Dr. Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat, Minister of Development; Pehin Dato Haji Awg Adanan, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs; and Dato Haji Adnan bin Haji Hanafiah, Brunei-Muara District Officer.
The event started with the recital of the Surah al-Fatihah by Pg Hj Md Tasim bin Pg Hj Hassan, the Judge of the Lower Syariah Courts of the Brunei-Muara District and was followed by a welcoming remark delivered by the Brunei-Muara District Officer.
Dato Haji Adnan said that this was His Majesty's second visit to the Mukim. Yesterday, about 43 recipients received their land titles, which were from Mukim Berakas, Mukim Kilanas, Mukim Sengkurong, Mukim Pengkalan Batu, Mukim Lumapas, Mukim Mentiri and Mukim Serasa.
Dato Haji Adnan also said that these recipients have occupied the land for more than 10 years and His Majesty recently agreed to shorten the TOL period to five years. He said the move is very much appreciated by the citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam.
The TOL scheme was introduced to lessen the government's burden in providing houses to the citizens of His Majesty such as the Indigenous Citizen Land Scheme and the National Housing Scheme.
After the presentation, His Majesty consented to visit the Junjongan Primary School, the residence of Head Village of Kampong Junjongan.
His Majesty also visited homes of residents who received their land titles (Kampong Junjongan, Kampong Kuala Lurah, Kampong Batong, Kampong Parit and Kampong Bebatik), residence of Head Village of Limau Manis, Kuala Lurah Immigration Control Post, Bangunan Kedai Badan TANMIAH and a filling station in Kampong Limau Manis, Limau Manis Post Office and Police Station, Limau Manis Health Clinic, Golden Chicks Abattoir Sdn Bhd, Kampong Wasan, residence of Penghulu Mukim Pengkalan Batu, Pasar Tani Serbaguna in Kampong Selayun as well as the Brunei Agricultural Research Centre in Kilanas.
During His Majesty's visit to the Junjongan Primary School, the monarch planted a 'Manggis' tree to mark his visit to the school. The primary school, built in 1988, currently has 230 students and is managed by principal Dyg Hjh Halimah bte Omar.
Later, His Majesty visited the residence of the Head Village of Kampong Junjongan Awg Haji Tahir bin Jaya. The monarch took a closer look at the local handicrafts and food on display, which was organised by the Persatuan Wanita Kampong Junjongan (PARONITA). The committee was established on July 13, 2001 and has 72 members. His Majesty consented to receive a souvenir from the Head Village.
Upon arrival at the Limau Manis Health Clinic, His Majesty was greeted by Dr Hj Affendy bin POKSMDSP Haji Abidin, Director-General of Medical Services. Among the services of the clinic that started its operation in 1979 are Post-Natal Health Services, Immunisation services as well as other pregnancy-related services for the residents of Mukim Pengkalan Batu.
His Majesty later visited Golden Chicks Abattoir Sdn Bhd and was briefed about the operation of the abattoir by General Manager of Golden Chicks Abattoir Sdn Bhd and QAF Farms Sdn Bhd, Bohari Dasin. The ruler toured the packaging area, Spiral Chiller and the slaughtering section. Golden Chicks, equipped with latest technology, produces 2.5 million chickens a year to fulfill the aspirations of the Brunei Government towards self-sufficiency in chicken products. His Majesty consented to sign a plaque to mark his visit.
His Majesty also visited Pasar Tani in Kampong Selayun, where 91 out of 124 stalls are in use. It has been in operation since August 10, 2003 and is run by Dato Paduka Hj Puasa OKSP Tudin (chairman) and Pehin Dato Imam DPSS Ustaz Hj Abd Hamid bin Bakal (adviser).
In addition to the market, a sports field for 'gasing' at a cost of $56,000 was built last April to create interest among the public on the game.
His Majesty also toured the Brunei Agricultural Research Centre where the monarch visited the Kanglin Hydroponics Farming and later proceeded to the Veterinary Laboratory Services Unit at the Livestock Veterinary Services Division, Biotechnology Unit at the Agrotechnology Development Section and the Analysis Laboratory Services under the Post Harvest and Food Technology unit.
- Borneo Bulletin
