BRUNEI-MUARA

THE Rimba Post Office has reeled in over 3,000 customers and collected payments of more than $78,000 since it first began operation in February 2014.

These figures were on display at a mini exhibition yesterday during the post office’s launching ceremony by Minister of Communications Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.

The Rimba Post Office, the first in the village, caters to a population of about 30,000 residents.

Statistics also showed a healthy increase in the number of customers and amount of money collected towards the end of 2014.

The Postal Services Department in a press release said members of the public send letters as well as renew their licenses, pay their DST, KristalAstro, water and electricity bills at post offices.

The recorded number of customers was divided into two.

They are either the “traditional customers”, namely those who bought stamps and sent letters, or customers who stopped by the post office to pay their bills or renew their driving licence.

In February 2014, the post office only received 20 customers, 19 of which were there to pay their bills.

The figures quickly rose to 115 in March, 205 in June, 432 in September and an all-time high in December with 576 customers.

Overall the Rimba Post Office reeled in 3,065 customers – 2,130 were customers who came to sort out their bill payments.

The increasing number of customers consequently led to a rise in the amount of money collected.

Only $671 was collected in February last year but the figure rose to $3,302 in March.

The figures steadily increased from $4,300 (June) to $6,000 (July) and $8,400 in August.

It eventually reached five digit figures with $10,300 in September.

December was the largest haul of the year with $17,000 collected. This included $6,900 (road tax), $3,100 (water bills) and $4,618 (TelBru).

Road tax payment was the most popular service with $41,193 collected from the overall $78,400.

In an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday, Kg Rimba National Housing Scheme Area II Village Head Mohamad Hj Kabon said he was not surprised by the positive figures.

“It really is an attractive convenient service for the residents of Kg Rimba because they have more options and do not need to travel far to complete their errands,” he said.

“There are also about 30,000 residents here, so the post office balances out the distribution of customers from the centre. The post office also has ample parking space and is near Giant Hypermarket, good for those who want to shop as well as pay their bills,” he added.

The village head further said the post office also has potential to be a venue to showcase and promote products made by residents of Kg Rimba.

“Seeing the amount of visitors that come by, the showcase can give a healthy exposure to the village’s products that customers can purchase while carrying out their errands,” he said.

The Brunei Times