Answer to Oral Question PL158

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Amran bin Haji Maidin

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG AMRAN BIN HAJI MAIDIN asks the Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri to state what efforts the Ministry is making to maintain and preserve the beauty of Kampung Ayer, which was once the pride of the nation with its uniqueness and was often visited by dignitaries and foreign tourists, in view of the condition of houses that have become old and abandoned?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and greetings of peace.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua and Your Honourable Members blessed by Allah, whom peramba/Kaola/I respect,

1. Kaola is pleased to share that in 2024 the population in Kampong Ayer was 7,793 people compared to 28,000 in 1998. Although basically the population in Kampong Ayer is decreasing, the Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri continues its efforts to maintain and preserve the beauty of Kampung Ayer by implementing several initiatives, such as the Kampong Ayer Tourism Product or Package Strengthening Project which aims to develop tourism activities while improving the socio-economic level of the local community and making Kampong Ayer one of the tourism heritage sites.

2. This project targets the area from Kampong Bakut Berumput, Mukim Peramu to Kampong Pekan Lama, Mukim Burung Pingai with the construction of a 460-metre Concrete Pedestrian Walkway, which was completed 100% in May 2023.

3. The next phase is the construction of a Mini Wharf in front of the Cultural Gallery, aimed at providing convenience for boats to dock, and at present the Public Works Department is preparing and updating the design before it is finalised together with the Kementerian Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan.

4. In addition, at this time, focus is being given to upgrading the main wooden bridges and small junctions to concrete bridges spanning 36 kilometres. Towards this, the Brunei and Muara District Department has carried out and will continue to carry out phased repair works on existing facilities, including jetties and bridges. From 2022 to 2025 (up to 15 July 2025), repair works on wooden bridges have been carried out over a length of 9.648 kilometres, which is 27% of the total bridges in Kampong Ayer, at a cost of $997,329.00 through appointments to several local companies according to zones for the implementation of these repair works. Meanwhile, bridge repair works are also carried out in house by staff in the Kampong Ayer Division, Brunei and Muara District Department, and the purchase of timber is carried out either by contract or tender.

5. On this occasion, Kaola is pleased to call upon all parties that it is a shared responsibility, especially building and house owners, to ensure that the beauty, cleanliness and structural integrity of their respective residences are always maintained. This effort not only reflects the identity of being responsible citizens, but also contributes to well-being, neighbourhood harmony, and the sustainability of the residential environment.

That is all Kaola can convey in answering the question. Thank you Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua.