Response to Oral Question PL174

Reading Summary

📖 Reading time: 3 minutes
📊 Word count: 404 words

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG LAU HOW TECK

QUESTION:

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG LAU HOW TECK asked the MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS to state the Ministry's approach in identifying and utilizing unutilized sites or buildings, including potential waqf sites and buildings that can be developed for community benefit or as public infrastructure?

YANG BERHORMAT MENTERI HAL EHWAL DALAM NEGERI

RESPONSE:

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and Peace be upon you.

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

1. I am pleased to clarify once again that vacant and neglected government buildings are under the Committee for Addressing Vacant Buildings at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, co-chaired by Yang Berhormat Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II and Yang Berhormat Minister of Development.

2. The Ministry of Home Affairs, through its departments, has submitted a list of vacant buildings to the said committee on 10th November 2021. At the same time, this Ministry has also identified several buildings whose original development objectives have been changed, as an example:

   2.1. Rumah Pangsa (Block A), Kampong Sumbiling, Subok: Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department: Five (5) units of flats were handed over to the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) on 30th January 2025. The next plan is for it to be used as a temporary relocation center for disaster victims when needed.

   2.2. JKR Bukit Barun Housing Barracks (Block B, JKR 840): This barracks has been handed over to the Tutong District Department to be used as a Temporary Evacuation Center (PPSe). At present, one of the units in this flat is occupied by a disaster victim's family under the control of JAPEM;

   2.3. 'E' Class Flat PWD 168 and PWD169, Pekan Bangar: These have been used as temporary housing centers by the Department of Community Development (JAPEM) and the Department of Zakat, Waqf and Baitulmal Affairs (JUZWAB);

   2.4. Kuala Belait Park multipurpose hall: This has been used as the office for the Law Enforcement Branch, Immigration and National Registration Department;

   2.5. Block 1, Former Brunei Research Department Building: This was handed over to the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department on 1st April 2023 to accommodate officers and staff of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department.

3. As for waqf lands, they are not under this Ministry's jurisdiction.

This concludes what Kaola can convey in response to the question concerned. Thank you, Yang Berhormat Pehin Yang Di-Pertua.