THE public and tourists can enjoy the beautiful beach with upgraded facilities at Serasa Beach from today onwards following a launching ceremony officiated by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, yesterday.

Completed in just six weeks, the new facilities at the beach feature three groups of children playground, surau, toilets, four new gazebos, sports and recreational area, cycling track, garden and recreation area, 40 stalls, parking spaces as well as water sports facilities.

The $3.45 million project was implemented under the 10th National Development Plan.

Serasa Beach is open to the public from 6am to 6pm daily but there are plans to extend the opening times to 10pm.

The beach was temporarily closed since January 27, 2014 for the upgrading work and a vast improvement can be seen follow-ing the completion of the project that had been awarded to Perunding Primareka, KR Kamarulzaman & Associates, MRBC Partnership and Arkitek RekaJaya.

Pengiran Hj Mohamed bin Pg Hj Osman@Othman, the Acting Village Head of Kg Serasa, said, “The upgraded Serasa Beach will be an attraction for not only locals but also tourists. We would like to thank the Government of His Majesty (the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam) for the completion of the project.”

The new facilities also provide an income for village residents who operate the stalls there, he said. To maintain Serasa Beach’s new facilities, he urged the public to keep the beach clean and avoid vandalism.

His Royal Highness’ arrival was greeted by YB Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Hj Osman, the Minister of Development. Also present were YB Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awg Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awg Othman, Minister of Home Affairs; YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II; YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Haji Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, and other senior officials.

Following the launching, His Royal Highness signed a plaque to mark the special occasion, received a pesembah, toured the new facilities and joined a group picture-taking session. - Borneo Bulletin (19 March 2014)