Please help KB, Seria

DEAR Editor,

Oil and natural gases are central for Brunei's survival, and they are also a lifeline for the Sultanate's prosperity. The oil drilling has accelerated development in Belait District, especially Kuala Belait and Seria, which for decades have been the two liveliest and bustling cities in Brunei.

In the early days, residents in Bandar will always travel to Kuala Belait and Seria during the festive periods to visit relatives and friends, to enjoy the cities and also do some shopping in the process. Nowadays, residents of Kuala Belait and Seria are slowly relocating to the capital seeking better business prospects or job opportunities. It seems that Belait District does not have major plans to revitalise the area, and even traditional industry like farming is not as productive as before.

Belait locals constantly flock to Sarawak's Miri to tour and shop. At the end, the ones who suffer are the business owners in the district. Development Masterplan of Bandar Seri Begawan has been a hot issue in town, but does the government also have in mind a Development Masterplan for Kuala Belait and Seria? I fully support the icing on the cake for Bandar, but I hope relevant authorities will also look seriously at the decline of Kuala Belait and Seria, and strive to provide both with the much needed help that they need.

Anak Daerah

Kuala Belait