By Azrol Azmi & James Kon
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday continued his working visit to areas that are under the Ministry of Development and focusing on the National Housing Scheme.
The Crown Prince began his working visit at the Community Centre 1, Lambak Kanan National Housing Development. HRH was greeted on arrival by the Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah; Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Eusoff Agaki; and Deputy Minister of Development, Dato Paduka Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny.
Also present to greet the Crown Prince was the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar; Permanent Secretary (Technical and Professional) Awang Haji Mohd Said; Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) Awang Haji Brahim; Brunei-Muara District Officer, Dato Paduka Haji Md Yusof; Director of Housing Development, Awang Haji Mat Salleh; and Penghulu Mukim Berakas 'B', Awang Haji Ismail, as well as officers and residents of the Lambak Kanan National Housing Scheme.
HRH was briefed on the roles and objectives of the Community Centre, which facilitates residents on the housing scheme, and to hold community activities such as religious, sports, economic or cultural to instil the concept of neighbourliness among the villagers and residents.
The Crown Prince then visited the Lambak Kanan Fire and Rescue Training Centre, which is one of the civil service facilities, situated in the residential area. The training centre is under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Upon arrival at the training centre, HRH was greeted by the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dato Paduka Haji Adanan; and Acting Director for the Fire and Rescue, Lt Col Awang Yahya bin Haji Abdul Rahman, as well as officers and staff of the training centre.
HRH toured the centre and took a closer look at the facilities available at the training centre and viewed some of the courses that were under way during his visit.
The objective of the training centre is to create quality and competent firefighting officers who are confident in implementing the vision of the department, which is to create a disciplined, professional and effective fire service members.
After touring and watching a few fire fighting demonstrations conducted by the firefighters, HRH then proceeded to the Rimba National Housing Scheme and stopped by the Gerai Aneka Ria.
The Crown Prince visited the Gerai Aneka Ria and mingled with the stall operators. HRH took the opportunity to look at the various food items on sale and the business activities that are happening around the Rimba National Housing Scheme.
HRH then when to Rimba 1 Primary School, situated at the Rimba National Housing Scheme.
Upon arrival, HRH the Crown Prince was greeted by the headmaster of the school, Cikgu Nudin bin Haji Mohamed; Dayang Hajah Apsah binti Haji Abdul Majid; and Haji Mohd Daud bin Haji Mahmud.
HRH toured the primary school and visited some of the classes and interacted with the students. HRH also consented to plant a palm sapling at the school's playground.
The Crown Prince then visited the residence of the Head Village of the Rimba Housing Development Scheme Zone 4, Awang Haji Asli bin Haji Abdul Latif, and also a few other houses in the vicinity.
Awang Haji Asli was one of the recipients that received the land titles under the National Housing Scheme for government officer in the III, IV and V divisions.
HRH's next stop was the construction site of the Housing Project Phase V, undertaken by Haaqqah Sdn Bhd. HRH also viewed the exhibits that show the management and implementation of the project while being briefed by Dayangku Rakiah binti Pengiran Haji Md Yusof.
The Crown Prince also took the opportunity to take a closer look at a 'Deluxe' type house and other project sites that will be developed in the future.
According to the Housing Development Department, a total of 1,060 lots on an area of 101 hectares will be allocated for house construction and will be using new house models.
These new house models will be introduced to applicants for the National Housing Scheme who opt for the ready built houses. Two types of house models that will be offered are the 'Standard' type - a double-storey house with an area of 138.8 square metres and the 'Deluxe' type - a double-storey house with an area of 145 square metres.
HRH then visited some of the houses of successful applicants that received their houses and land lots under the National Housing Scheme.
The Crown Prince concluded yesterday's working visit with a mass Zohor prayer and a luncheon at the Rimba 1 Primary School with government officers of the Ministry of Development and members of the Village Consultative Council, as well as teachers and students of the school.
- Borneo Bulletin
(13th July 2007)
