By M K Anwar
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam showed his care and concern for the rakyat with a working visit to several villages in Mukim Kota Batu near the capital.
His Majesty began the visit at the residence of Awang Haji Damit bin Hj Ladin, Ketua Kampong of Kota Batu, and was greeted by Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Awg Hj Adanan, and his deputy, Pehin Dato Awg Hj Dani, as well as the permanent secretary and deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Also on hand to welcome His Majesty was Dato Haji Md Yussop bin Bakar, Brunei-Muara District Officer, and Penghulu of Mukim Kota Batu, Major (Rtd) Awang Hj Abu Bakar bin Hj Ibrahim.
The ruler's second stop on the itinerary was the residence of Ketua Kampong of Dato Gandi, Awang Hj Putih bin Jukin. But before proceeding to Dato Gandi Primary School, His Majesty took an unexpected turn and visited the Museums Department building along the way.
At the Dato Gandi Primary School, His Majesty toured several classes, library and also a dental clinic located within the school.
From there, His Majesty visited the privately-owned Riverside Primary School about a kilometre's drive from the Dato Gandi Primary School. His Majesty toured the school building and teaching facilities, which caters for students from kindergarten to Primary Six.
The house belonging to the Penghulu of Mukim Kota Batu located nearby was the next stop for His Majesty.
Showing interest on the development of aquaculture in the country, His Majesty visited HT Enterprise in Kampong Sungai Belukut. The company operating with assistance from the Fisheries Department is involved in crab and fish rearing activities. His Majesty was greeted by the manager of the company who later briefed the Sultan on the company's commercial activities in supplying crabs and fish.
His Majesty then made a brief stop at the house belonging to Awg Hj Zahari bin Hj Ahmad, Ketua Kampong of Kampong Sungai Belukut.
His Majesty's work visit continued with a boat ride to Kampong Sungai Bunga where His Majesty first stopped at the residence of Ketua Kampong, Awang Hj Mohammad bin Lamit.
Another educational institution, Sungai Bunga Primary School, came under royal scrutiny.
Kampong Sungai Bunga has a population of more than 200 people and the government of His Majesty has provided facilities such as a mosque, clinic and a police post. His Majesty closely monitored the condition of these facilities during the visit.
For several residents, the visit turned out to be a memorable one when His Majesty made a brief stopover at their homes.
Dayang Minah bte Hj Ludin in Kg Pudak experienced this when her invitation to His Majesty to come into her house was happily accepted by the beloved ruler.
From Kampong Pudak, His Majesty made brief stop at a fish hatchery in Buang Tawar before proceeding to Nakhoda Abdul Rashid Menunggol Primary School. A health clinic located in Kampong Menunggol was also toured by His Majesty.
Moving from one kampong to another in the water village, His Majesty took the opportunity to test some of the high-powered boats belonging to enforcement agencies in the country.
The Petrol Station at Sungai Lampai was also visited by His Majesty and from there His Majesty continued his working visit to Pintu Malim Primary School before concluding his visit with a santap at the hall of the primary school together with officials and villagers.
- Borneo Bulletin
(10th Feb 2006)
