BRUNEI-MUARA

A NEW post office officially opened yesterday in Kampung Rimba to serve residents in the area.

Located opposite of the Giant supermarket in Kg Rimba, the new Rimba Post Office operates from Monday to Thursday and Saturday, from 8am to 12.15pm and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

The Postal Service Department in a statement said that the construction of the new post office, which is the 25th in the country, aims to decentralise the department’s services and allow residents in Kg Rimba to use the facility without having to travel far.

It also aims to reduce congestion at various service counters, the statement added.

Present to officiate the opening of the new post office yesterday was the Minister of Communications Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.

Postmaster-general Hj Mohamad Manan Hj Lakim in a speech during the opening ceremony said that the Rimba Post Office offers traditional services namely selling stamps, philatelic products and speedpost services.

 “But the post office also serves as a service centre where the public can renew their driving licenses and pay their DST, Kristal Astro, water and electricity bills,” he said.

 Hj Mohamad Manan revealed that the cost of constructing the Rimba Post Office was over $480,000 and is part of a project under the Ninth National Development Plan (2007-2012).

 The project was carried out by the Public Works Department. Construction of the new post office completed in April 2013 and has been operating since February 17, 2014.

In an effort to offset the costs of maintenance of postal vehicles, the Postmaster General shared that the department has also rented seven vehicles including Mitsubishi L-300 cargo vans from GHK Motors Sdn Bhd.

The company in a statement said the 2.5 litre diesel-powered cargo vans are supplied to the department on a five-year lease.

“With this rental, the department hopes that it can improve the quality of service offered to the public, especially in delivering letters and packaging,” said Hj Mohamad Manan.

Also present yesterday were the Managing Director of GHK Motors Yang Berhormat Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin, Penghulu of Mukim Gadong A YB Hj Tahamit Hj Nudin and Permanent Secretary of Communications Abd Mutalib Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yusof.

Together with the minister, they participated in the menepung tawar event and sprinkled scented flowers on the vehicles.

The Brunei Times