BRUNEI-MUARA

STRONG support and continuous involvement by residents in Mukim and village institutions is key to a successful community and is essential for the nation’s development.

This was said by Yang Berhormat Hj Jumat Akim, the village head of Kg Putat and Legislative Council member during the 23rd annual Tahlil and Doa Arwah ceremony for residents of the village.

YB Hj Jumat highlighted that the strong relationship and cooperation has enabled Kg Putat to develop with the grace of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s leadership in ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of all Bruneians.

“The whole residents of Kg Putat are very grateful for the development and improvements of infrastructure as well as facilities that we currently enjoy in this village, similar to other villages in the country. This can be observed by the (availability) of high quality education, road connectivity which are in good conditions as well as telecommunication services.”

In his speech, YB Hj Jumat also called for the residents, especially parents, to prioritise their children’s education as it is one way of human empowerment and will also contribute to the community’s progress.

“We need to pave the opportunity for our children with knowledge by ensuring their attendance to school every day… It is saddening should their school attendance are unsatisfactory, learning needs and school equipments are being neglected,” he said.

“Under the Compulsory Education Act, it is an offence for parents should they fail to send their children who are within the age of requirement,” he added.

The village chief also congratulated the residents for their continued and collective efforts to organise the annual event and it has been the village’s tradition to hold such events to foster good relationship between them and for the younger generation to inherit and practice the religious activities in the future.

Held at the vicinity of Masjid Kg Putat, the Tahlil and Doa Arwah ceremony yesterday was attended by the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Muhd Sunadi Hj Buntar, as the guest of honour.

During the event, a donation handover ceremony was also held to orphans in Kg Putat as well as prize and certificate presentation to Al-Quran and Muqaddam students who completed their religious classes at Masjid Kg Putat.

Kg Putat has improved its economic activities through its Herbal Recreational Park, which has drawn visitors since its official opening in 2010.

The park, initiated with the cooperation of the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe), is also hoped to become an arboretum for indigenous herb species that contains medicinal properties.

Meanwhile, a similar event was also held at Kg Panchor Murai.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, its village chief Hj Matassan bin Hj Salleh said that strong relationship among villagers is beneficial in solving issues and developing a stronger community.

“Our harmony as a village is good because we are all close to each other and we strengthen our bonds through village events and activities,” he said.

Hj Matassan said that the strong bond was the result of active collaboration among villagers in organising village activities such as walkathons, cleaning campaigns, Islamic events, sports and youth programmes.

Present at the Tahlil and Doa Arwah ceremony at the village was Inspector Hj Mohd Shamsul Bahreen Hj Bakar from Limau Manis Police Station, who handed out prizes to residents who participated in the village’s 2014 Hari Raya Aidilfitri cucul (decorative lights) contest.

The Brunei Times