His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to present house keys to more than 300 houseless and landless citizens under the National Housing Schemes and Indigenous Landless Housing Scheme in Kampong Rimba, Kampong Tungku and Kampong Madang.

The ceremony took place at Dato Basir Primary School at the National Housing Programme Lambak Kanan, Mukim Berakas 'B'.

Following yesterday's presentation, more citizens now have a place they can call home thanks to the caring and benevolent ruler.

Later, His Majesty visited and mingled with several of the recipients and their families at their new houses, where the ruler listened to what his subjects had to say on the government-housing programme.

About 295 deluxe, standard and terrace class houses were granted under the National Housing Programme Kampong Rimba. Meanwhile, 11 housing lots were granted under the National Housing Programme Kg Rimba, Gadong and Madang, as well as under the Indigenous Landless Housing Scheme Kampong Tungku and Kampong Madang and two twin houses under the Indigenous Landless Housing Scheme Kg Rimba.

Until now, His Majesty's Government has allocated 3,767 hectares for the construction of houses under the National Housing Schemes since 1984.

Since then, a total of 1,693 land lots, 6,441 houses and 296 terrace houses have been handed over to successful applicants. This includes the Brunei-Muara, Tutong, Belait and Temburong districts.

Meanwhile, under the Indigenous Landless Housing Scheme, 3,578 houses have been handed over, bringing the total to 12,008 houses granted under both schemes.

After handing over keys 308 recipients at Sekolah Rendah Dato Basir, His Majesty also toured the primary school. The ruler also visited the nearby Lambak Kanan Library at the Kampong Lambak Kanan National Housing Programme.

While at the Kg Lambak Kanan National Housing area, His Majesty also visited the house of the Village Head of the Kawasan 4, Kg Lambak Kanan National Housing Programme, Awg Hj Jumat bin Nasir.

His Majesty also toured a nearby supermarket, Soon Lee Mega Mart. - Borneo Bulletin (1st July 2010)