Here in Bandar Seri Begawan stands Kampong Jaya Bakti. What if I told you this village was once a rubber tree plantation? In 1966, Pengiran Haji Damit bin Pengiran Ahmad moved here. This area was specifically for government officials. Each official received three-quarters of an acre. Government loans helped most of them build their houses.
Haji Metali bin Abdul Razak recalls the area’s rubber tree origins. When he arrived government buildings were yet to be developed. The government worked to build roads and other facilities. Then, villagers drew lots to determine their house positions.
The relocation from Kampong Ayer to Kampong Jaya Bakti started in July 1966. Most residents were Malays. They came from Kampong Burong Pingai, Kampong Saba and Kampong Tamoi. Kampong Jaya Bakti was specifically for government employees. They built houses using government loans. Non-working residents of Kampong Jaya Setia received a half-acre house. They also got four acres for rubber cultivation to pay off their house debt.
If villagers wanted to expand their houses, they needed approval from the Housing Transfer Department. In 2016, Kampong Jaya Bakti had a population of 468 people. It falls within Mukim Berakas ‘A’. Its postcode is BB3113.
The Village Consultative Council identified potential One Village One Product projects. These included coconut products and iron or stainless steel carpentry. Some youths even took a stainless steel course in June 2013. Fertigation farming was another focus. The old market site was chosen for this project.
MPK members and youths underwent fertigation farming training. On June 4, 2015, Kampong Jaya Bakti collaborated with other villages. They joined the Brunei-Muara District Department and the Prison Department. Together, they held the 1K1P Sales Expo. The expo featured handicrafts, agriculture, and dry foods. Berakas Mukim Consulting ‘A’ organized this four-day event at Times Square Mall.
Kampong Jaya Bakti transformed from rubber trees to a residential village. It shows Brunei’s commitment to housing its government employees. The village’s focus on local products shows its dedication to economic development. This village is more than just a place to live. It is a community built on history and progress.