The Ministry of Development is intensifying efforts to strengthen housing, infrastructure, land management and the investment climate as part of a coordinated national strategy to achieve Brunei Vision 2035.
During the Second Meeting of the 22nd Legislative Council Session, Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid said the ministry remains committed to supporting the government’s coordinated approach towards achieving the national vision through sustainable physical development, improved public services and progressive regulatory reforms.
One of the ministry’s key priorities is expanding home ownership. The minister said the Housing Development Department aims to achieve an 85 per cent home ownership rate by 2035, with the current rate standing at 68.1 per cent.
He highlighted the completion of the National Housing Scheme (RPN) Kampong Lugu Phase 2, comprising 1,000 terraced houses, of which 892 units have been allocated to eligible applicants.
Construction of 950 terraced houses under RPN Kampong Tanah Jambu Phase 7 is also progressing and is expected to be completed this year. Under the Twelfth National Development Plan (RKN12), the ministry will build at least 1,606 additional housing units.
To meet future housing demand, new development sites have also been identified in all four districts, including Lambak Kanan and Meragang in Brunei-Muara, Lumut Phase 7 and Lorong Tengah in Belait, Bukit Beruang in Tutong, and Rataie Phase 6 in Temburong.
The minister also announced a new housing policy, approved on January 12 this year, allowing applications under the National Housing Scheme to be transferred to a deceased applicant’s spouse, child or legally adopted child while retaining the original application date if the applicant passes away before receiving a house allocation.
To improve service delivery, the ministry has expanded digital government services through the 1MOD e-Tanah online platform, enabling land administration to be carried out digitally.
In support of business growth, the ministry has launched the Government Land Lease Programme, which offers strategically identified government land for mixed-use developments through open tender to private investors.
The minister stressed that the success of national development should not be measured solely by physical infrastructure but also by the strength and capability of Brunei Darussalam’s workforce.
He said the ministry will continue investing in the development of officers, engineers, technical professionals and local contractors to ensure they possess the skills, integrity and innovation needed to meet future development challenges.
(news source: Borneo Bulletin ; pic source: Info Foto, Jbt Penerangan)
