Picture the bustling heart of Bandar Seri Begawan. Now imagine a place once a quiet rubber estate. That’s Pangkalan Gadong. Today it’s a vibrant hub of activity. Shops restaurants and cafes line the streets.
Pangkalan Gadong’s story begins in the early 20th century. It was then a sprawling rubber estate. Gadong Estate or Gadong Rubber Estate it was called. The land covered 2200 acres. Joss Coghill oversaw the operations in the 1920s. The Island Trading Company expanded the estate in 1923. The profits were slow initially due to the oil boom in Seria.
Despite financial struggles malaria cases at the estate were surprisingly low in 1933. By 1934 there were 53 people living there 32 of them laborers. Debt mounted reaching B$221.828.65 by 1965. The government expressed concerns in 1966.
Development accelerated in the 1960s. A bridge connected Brunei Town to Jalan Gadong. Government buildings followed. The Gadong Power Stations the Police Headquarters and the Land Transport Department were all built. The completion of Jalan Gadong in 1967 or 1968 and its connection to Jalan Tutong in the early 1970s spurred growth. Before the road access was only by barge along the Menglait River.
Around 2007 Abdul Razak Holdings ARH led by Abdul Hapidz transformed Pangkalan Gadong. They owned a large tract of land. The 24-acre Abdul Razak Complex was built. This complex included the impressive Centrepoint Hotel. The hotel boasts 216 rooms and suites. It even has presidential suites. The Mall a three-story shopping center opened in 2006. It features a cinema a gym and countless shops. The Mall and the Rizqun International Hotel are testaments to Pangkalan Gadong’s remarkable growth. The strategic location near the airport and the city center made it a prime spot for development.
From a quiet rubber estate to a thriving commercial and residential area Pangkalan Gadong’s story is one of remarkable transformation. It is a testament to Brunei’s progress and prosperity. The area continues to thrive as a major shopping and dining destination in Bandar Seri Begawan.