Challenges to enliven BSB's Sundays

CHALLENGES lie ahead for the Municipal Department to turn the capital into a vibrant and lively city, said the chairman of the department yesterday during the launch of the weekly leisure activities and Sunday market for the year.

Pg Hj Abd Rahman Pg Seri Indera Pg Hj Ismail, in an interview with The Brunei Times said that the pilot project to enliven the capital is being monitored for feasibility.

"We want to do this every week but we are also looking at the turn out to see if people are giving enough support to continue," Pg Hj Abd Rahman said.

He is encouraging associations to support the weekly event and expressed that anyone including associations can propose ideas or activities to the Municipal Department. If the ideas follow the objectives of the event, they will be carried out.

The chairman then added that "families can also use this weekly event as an opportunity to get together to carry out activities. It is also a good chance for people to exercise as we have closed off some of the roads in the city for people to cycle or jog around."

"We are also allowing car boot sales. Stalls provided are on a first-come, first-served basis."

Pg Hj Abd Rahman also encouraged fitness centres to take the lead during the aerobics session. This will benefit them as they will be given a chance to advertise their centres at the event.

Acting Director of the Tourism Development Department, Mariani Hj Sabtu, shared that the Tourism Department under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) fully supported the weekly event and that more promotions should be done to get more people to attend.

"The Tourism Development Department is also hoping to be able to work with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Municipal Board on this. If this event is regulated, tourists will be able to plan a visit to the Sunday event when they are here and from there, we will be able to create packages," she said.

"I am hoping that this will bring the city back alive like it used to be in its heyday. I am also looking forward to see more businesses located in the city show their support by contributing to enliven the place and draw more people back to Bandar."

"I personally find this quite exciting but more can be done to further gain interest from members of the public."

Also present to support the launch was the Minister of MIPR, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.

The minister who attended the launch with his family also took part in the aerobics session and cycled around the city.

The launch started off with a 15-minute aerobics session at the Dermaga Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan (Royal Waterfront) at 7.30am.

Ideas on how to further enliven the event can be proposed to Pg Hj Abd Rahman or his Public Relations Officer at 2224928.

The initiative is a pilot project under the Ministry of Home Affairs in support of the Strategic Urban Development Plan for Bandar Seri Begawan.

The Brunei Times