The construction of five new houses under the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation (Yayasan) Housing Assistance Scheme officially commenced on Friday with a ceremony held at Kampong Amo B, Jalan Batang Duri, Temburong.
The ceremony took place at the site of one of the recipients’ houses, belonging to Dayang Rokiah Anak Pagan.
The guest of honour at the event was Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yayasan.
Also in attendance were Minister of Health and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yayasan, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and member of the Yayasan Board of Directors, Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Nazmi bin Haji Awang Mohamad, who also serves as Chairman of the Yayasan Aid Review Committee.
Under this project, three houses will be constructed in the Temburong District by The Ruman Power Co Company, while one house each in the Belait District and Brunei-Muara District will be built by Impian Reka Bina Sdn Bhd Company.
Scheduled for completion by March 2025, the project includes two modern bungalow designs—a two-bedroom and a three-bedroom model—that integrate current technology and meet low-cost housing needs. Efforts are being made to ensure the houses are ready for occupancy before the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities next year, allowing recipients to celebrate comfortably in their new homes.
The housing initiative targets underprivileged individuals and families, particularly those living in unsafe and dilapidated conditions. It aims to improve their quality of life by providing safe and modern housing, thereby enhancing their social, economic, and overall well-being.
The initiative aligns with Yayasan’s mission to uplift the quality of life for the people, focusing on essential needs such as housing.
Other attendees included Brunei Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Haji Awang Sulaiman bin Haji Awang Nasir, Acting Penghulu of Mukim Zone 1, Temburong; and member of the Yayasan Aid Review Committee and Acting Managing Director of Yayasan, Dr Dayang Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abd Razak. – Lyna Mohammad