72 receive land grants from His Majesty

SOME 72 residents in Tutong District were awarded with land grants under the Skim Penggeranan Tanah Lesen Tumpang Sementara (Temporary Occupation License, TOL, Scheme) by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a ceremony held yesterday at Kampung Menengah Primary School Hall in Mukim Lamunin, Tutong.

According to the statistics from the Ministry of Development, the total area of land distributed underTOL Scheme from 1994 to 2009 excluding those awarded yesterday was 527 acres.

Out of this total, 189.74 acres (786 lots) had been given to residents in Brunei-Muara District, 121.5 acres (486 lots)were distributed to residents in Belait District, in Tutong District a total of 189 acres (756 lots) had been distributed, while 107 lots or 26.75 acres had been given away for citizens living in Temburong District.

Tutong District Officer Hj Muhammad Suffian Hj Bungsu said that the presence of His Majesty at the land grants awarding ceremony was in itself a very prestigious and invaluable award and honour for the Tutong community.

"Without a doubt, this mirrors the concerns, care, affection and love of His Majesty towards those living in Brunei," said the district officer. He added that the awarding of such land grants was hopefully would be able to help improve, not only the quality of life, but also the welfare and well being of the recipients, further inculcating the patriotic spirits of undivided loyalty and dedication towards His Majesty.

The Ministry of Development said that the TOL Scheme was introduced to supplement the existing Skim "Tanah Kurnia Rakyat Jati" (Landless Indigenous Citizens Housing Scheme) and the National Housing Scheme in the efforts to provide accommodation for the country's populace. The ministry added that the awarding of land ownerships through the scheme was to ensure that the land owners and their families would be able to live more comfortably.

The ministry has introduced a guideline on the conditions of ownerships which the recipients must adhere to. They said that approval from the relevant authorities were necessary if the land or home owners under the scheme in Brunei-Muara District, wish to build or extend their homes, the land and house under the scheme should also not to be rented or leased and that the borders cannot be divided. The land and/or the house or part of it, cannot be sold, mortgaged, have a change in ownership or terms of conditions, unless a written permission has been granted by His Majesty in the Legislative Council. In addition the guidelines also stated that considerations on transfer of ownership would only be given to one of the owner's heirs only according to the rules and regulations.

The Brunei Times