TUTONG

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday made a surprise visit to flooded areas in Tutong.

The monarch was accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Senior Minister at Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of the National Disaster Council.

His Majesty’s first stop was the Incident Command Post (ICP) set up at Lamunin Fire Station.

There, His Majesty was briefed on the status of flooding that has not only cut off the residents’ access and inundated homes by floodwater but also saw two men hospitalised.

As of yesterday, the Lamunin ICP recorded 130 houses had been affected by the flood. Tutong District Disaster Management Centre said that flood and landslide situation in the district is still under control and they are maintaining a high level readiness.

Following the briefing, the leader and a convoy of Brunei Government vehicles carrying senior officials braved the inundated roads to reach the affected areas and talked to some of the residents.

His Majesty’s visit was seen as a display of concern for the well being of his people.

Ministers and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, were on hand to answer questions from His Majesty and His Royal Highness.

His Majesty first visited Kg Panchong, before heading to Kg Layong and Jalan Penapar Ukong.

National broadcaster, Radio Televisyen Brunei last night said that Kg Panchong is one of the villages that has been severely affected.

Since December 11 last year, a total of 20 houses in Kg Panchong has been inundated by floodwater since December 11. The Department of Electrical Service has shut down electricity substation to several villages for a number of days as a safety precaution.

Power has been restored in nine substation in Mukim Keriam, Kg Ukong and Kg Rambai, RTB added.

His Majesty also visited Dewan Serambangun, one of the temporary relocation centres for the affected families. A total of 25 people from three families were relocated there from Kg Penapar, Kg Ukong and Kg Tanjong Maya when their houses were deemed unsafe. The families have received food supplies, packed meals, blankets, mattresses and pillows – basic needs for the duration of their stay.

The monarch also visited the families in Kg Tanjong Maya mosque. The mosque acts as a relocation centre for two families from Kg Penapar.

Behind the scene, hundreds of food rations were distributed to affected residents in villages yesterday.

Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong and Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Usaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman were on site during the monarch’s visit. Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman and Acting Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Hjh Adina Othman were also present.

The Brunei Times