BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE building of a family of four’s Kg Pudak house restarted yesterday after construction was stalled due to budget constraints since 2012.

Acting Brunei-Muara District Officer Mohd Sunadi Hj Buntar said the construction of the house was delayed for two years due to financial issues.

“It is also mainly because of the technicality in electrical wiring,” he said, adding that the distance of the house on Kampong Ayer from land contributed further to difficulties in electrical installation.

Speaking to The Brunei Times on the sidelines of the building of the house walls, he said two of the household family members are persons with disabilities.

Shari Hj Duraman, village head of Kg Pudak, said Md Jamil Hj Brahim, 39, and spouse, Suriati Ghani, 36, are verbally challenged.

Md Jamil is a full-time fisherman and the wife is a housewife. They have two children aged nine and 13, he added.

The family are recipients of $260 monthly welfare from JAPEM, said the village head.

“They are currently living at Jamil’s in-laws located behind the house which has no walls, windows and doors,” said Shari.

The Brunei-Muara District Office yesterday teamed up with Mukim Kota Batu Village Consultative Council and residents to start the installation of walls. Also lending their help were non-governmental organisations and the Community Development Department (JAPEM).

Mohd Sunadi said the objective of the collaborative efforts was to encourage members of the public to provide help for those who need assistance through meetings conducted by the village consultative council.

“This is to encourage Bruneians to foster the attitude of caring and loving with one another,” said Sunadi.

He hoped the assistance would encourage more organisations or private companies to collaborate with the district office to provide welfare services to special needs people.

Meanwhile, Paul Chiew, founder of Humanitarian Emergency Aid Response Team (HEART), said the volunteer group is holding a health check-up campaign for residents of Kg Pudak today as part of its community service.

“This is the first time we collaborated with the district office. We are making a trip to here (Kg Pudak) not only to provide them food supplies but also find ways to help them,” said Chiew.

The Brunei Times