Hakim Hayat
Restoration works on the historical Bubungan Dua Belas building has been completed and plans are underway to develop the area commercially, Minister of Foreign Affairs II Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof said yesterday.
The minister was responding to a query from Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Ramli bin Haji Lahit on the third day of the 18th LegCo session, who also highlighted the historical significance of the building.
Located in Jalan Residency at the foot of Bukit Subok, Bubungan Dua Belas was built in 1906 during the tenure of the first British Resident and was the official residence of British Residents and high commissioners in Brunei.
It is also one of the oldest surviving buildings in Bandar Seri Begawan, serving as a gallery exhibiting the long-standing relationship between the Sultanate and the United Kingdom, before it closed for renovations.
The minister said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is currently in talks with the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) to develop the area commercially, with terms and conditions for private sector investment being developed.
