06 May 2024 – To welcome and enliven the atmosphere of the month of Syawal, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports held a goodwill visit in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Ulu Belait last Sunday, 05 May 2024.
Present to lead the ministerial delegation were Minister of Development, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid; Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha; and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Nazmi bin Haji Awang Mohamad.
The main objectives of this visit were to channel the Government's concern for the well-being and welfare of the longhouse communities at Kampong Apak-Apak, Kampong Sukang and Kampong Melilas, and to take a closer look at the conditions and facilities provided by the Government of Brunei Darussalam. This visit also aspired to strengthen family ties and friendship among the longhouse communities in Ulu Belait by celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri together.
The group, led by Minister of Development first visited Bang Taong Long House, Kampong Apak-Apak and was welcomed by the Ketua Rumah Panjang, Awang Rantai Anak Java. The group then visited Ketua Rumah Besar Kampong Sukang led by Minister of Transport and Infocommunications and was greeted by Ketua Rumah Besar Kampong Sukang, Awang Haji Mohd Noh bin Datu Maharaja Setia Dian. From there, the group continued their visit to Rumah Panjang Julangan Titah Kampong Melilas, led by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and was welcomed by Ketua Rumah Panjang Julangan Titah Kampong Melilas, Awang Haji Md Yassin bin Abd Rahman.
Priority has always been given to improving the standard of living and sustainability of local residents through a national approach, where efforts focused on initiatives such as road preparation works, clean water supply and electricity supply installation that have the greatest impact on the daily lives of local residents, including the people of Ulu Belait.
During the visit, the ministers and visiting entourage had the opportunity to socialize with residents and witness residents’ acknowledgement of the successful implementation of broadband and mobile telecommunications services at six inland locations in Kuala Belait, namely Kampong Bang Taong, Kampong Kukub, Kampong Buau, Kampong Biadong Ulu, Kampong Melilas and Kampong Sukang by Unified National Networks (UNN) in collaboration with the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI).
This initiative, completed on 26 April 2024, was one of the efforts in providing connectivity and communication to areas that do not yet have mobile and fixed services, and to bridge the digital divide in rural areas and empower communities by providing access to basic services. In line with sustainable and green energy practices, the base stations powering these services operate entirely on solar energy. This innovative approach addresses the challenge of the absence of commercial power in rural areas while aligning with our broader mission to promote environmental sustainability.
With the internet service now available for the convenience of the villagers, UNN also took this opportunity to demonstrate the mobile data speed test and broadband speed test speed test at each location visited by the ministerial group whilst telecommunications companies DST, imagine and Progresif introduced network plans to local communities living in Kampong Apak-Apak, Kampong Sukang and Kampong Melilas.
Joining the Aidilfitri visit were Members of the National Assembly, Yang Berhormat Awang Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann; Ketua Kampong Melilas; Pemangku Ketua Kampong Apak-Apak; Pemangku Ketua Kampong Sukang; Penghulu Bukim Sawat ,Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md. Salleh bin Haji Othman; Permanent Secretaries; Deputy Permanent Secretaries; Acting Belait District Officer, Awang Haji Amirol Hafidzin bin Haji Muhammad; Heads of Department from the three ministries concerned; and Chief Officers, Senior Management and staff of DST, imagine, Progresif and UNN.
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