Bandar Capital

Bandar Seri Begawan - More facilities such as parks should be made available to improve the public's quality of life through community interaction and communication in the Sultanate's capital, and to recreate its image into a "world-class city", said the chairman of Koperasi Kampung and Mukim Negara Brunei Darussalam (Kokami) yesterday.

Pg Md Salleh Pg Hj Kamaluddin said that turning the capital into a world-class city did not mean it had to be filled with multistorey buildings. "We have our own uniqueness, such as the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien (Soas) mosque. I think unnecessary buildings surrounding it should be demolished to (make way) for more greenery."

During the Second Visioning workshop for the BSB Development Masterplan at The Rizqun International Hotel, Pg Md Salleh said the 'bid capital" known as Bandar, needed a clear indication of its identity and function. "Right now, we do not really know what Bandar is. In order to call it downtown, it has to have a function so that people will get an idea of what it is actually about."

He suggested that more parks, playgrounds and fields should be constructed to make the area "livelier". "We need young people to change their lifestyles. Our children are watching too much television nowadays, and we need to start reducing that rime spent."

Pg Md Salleh added that with the revamp, the project consultants should look into the "mobility issue" in the Bandar area. "There should be a reduction in the use of cars and more bicycle and pedestrian lanes. Right now, there is too much of a risk for people to cycle around bandar, so we need bicycle tracks."

He added that in order to make it convenient for people to walk around the capital, the consultants should make "covered" walkways so that pedestrians would not get put off by walking in the rain or heat.

Planting more trees around the capital for shade purposes was also suggested, to encourage people to start walking instead of travelling by cars.

"This is important for the quality of life for our children in the future. At least when they are growing up, it will be in a healthy environment. Having parks in the capital can help stop our youth from doing (illegal) activities such as drugs," he said.
As the BSB masterplan involves a revamp of the newly gazetted Bandar Seri Begawan area, the chairman said that instead of just building housing schemes (Lambak Kanan and Kin), there should be more "community housing".

He said: "Right now, these houses do not have parks in their area, and there should be so that people can interact and communicate with each other. It is something like creating a community building concept."

Although he voiced many ideas and opinions for the project, Pg Md Salleh said that there must be a commitment from everyone involved to realise the vision.

"There needs to be a champion for the implementation of the project, someone who will lead it and take on the responsibility of making sure it is realised in an effective manner," he said, adding that he was concerned about the Seriousness of parties involved in making the project become a reality.

"There will be a lot of shortcomings if a champion is not there. All stakeholders must also be a part of this plan and take ownership of it," he said.

He also urged grassroot leaders like himself, to act responsibly by contributing more ideas during the planning stage of the revamp plan.

Student Elissa Ling, 15, from Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri (STPRI) also participated during the brainstorming session yesterday. She said that although she was open to the idea of creating more parks within the capital, she herself would not go to the parks all the time.

"1 would rather have something entertaining, such as going to impromptu musical or art shows," she said.

However, 17-year-old student Nabilah Mudim Hj Ahmad Kasra from Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College said that having parks in Bandar will be very good because I think we need to be more active, rather than staying at home and doing nothing. It is also good for our health," she said.

She also said that by having more parks and playgrounds, youth nowadays will be able to have more fun and spend "more quality time" with their families.

She added that it was important to continue involving the public for similar future plans.

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