By James Kon & Haji Minor Absah
Concerned about the welfare of the victims in the recent flash flood that hit the Temburong District, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday visited the affected villages of Bokok, Paya Bagangan, Rataie, Belais, Slangan, Belingos and Pekan Bangar.
As soon as the presentation of land grants under the temporarily occupied land and resettlement scheme of Kampong Senukoh, Mukim Labu Temburong and the presentation of donations to flood victims got over, the caring monarch visited the flood-hit areas.
His Majesty went to the "Temburong National Disaster Operation Room", which was activated as soon as the floods hit Temburong February 9, located at the Dewan Muafakat of the Temburong District Office.
His Majesty was greeted by Awang Yahya bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Acting Director of Fire and Rescue Department, who is also the Acting Director of the National Disaster Management Centre, and other members of the operation room.
Later His Majesty went to Sekolah Rendah Puni, one of the primary schools affected by the flood. Children of the school were delighted to meet the ruler.
His Majesty took time to speak to the children and staff of the school.
The monarch then inspected some of the government facilities that were affected by the flood. His Majesty visited the Immigration Control Post, Kg Puni, as well as the Puni Customs and Excise Post and Puni Health control Post. His Majesty then went to ferry services, which were suspended temporarily during the flood.
His Majesty took a closer look at some of the houses that were affected by the flash floods and spoke to the homeowners of two houses at Kg Belais. The Sultan continued his visit to the head of Kampong Belais and Buda Buda, Awang Haji Ahmad bin Md Husain.
The villagers lined up at the house of the head of village to greet His Majesty.
After making a brief stop at the home of Dayang Hajah Hosnah binti Mail, one of the land grant recipients, His Majesty visited the house of Awang Jakir bin Hj Amin, one of the flood victims of Kampong Paya Bagangan.
His Majesty then went to Sekolah Rendah Bokok, one of the worst affected schools in the area. The principal of the school, Hjh Abidah binti Hj Jumat, greeted His
Majesty and accompanied the monarch on a tour around the school.
His Majesty visited a number of flood victims at Kampong Bokok, one of the villages worst hit in the flash flood with some 55 houses damaged.
After visiting a flood victim at Kampong Rataie and two recipients of land grants, His Majesty stopped over at the home of Awang Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Ahad, head of Belingos Village.
The facilities at Pekan Bangar came under royal scrutiny when His Majesty visited transportation services and the Ports Department. His Majesty also toured the Bangunan Kedai Bumiputra Baru, as well as Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam.
His Majesty also visited the homes of a number of recipients of the land grant under the temporarily occupied land and resettlement scheme of Kampong Senukoh, Mukim Labu Temburong.
Yesterday's visit by His Majesty showed the concern of His Majesty on the welfare of his subjects, especially those that have faced the wrath of nature's fury.
- Borneo Bulletin
(15th Feb 2008)
