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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Bandar Seri Begawan marks 40th anniversary

By Hj Mohd Daud Abd Rahman

The capital city of Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan is 40 years old. On October 4, 1970 was a historic date for all Bruneians when Brunei Town was renamed Bandar Seri Begawan.

The declaration was made midnight by Pegiran Setia Negara Pegiran Haji Mohd Yusof Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim, the chief minister at that time, as a tribute to the late Paduka Begawan Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien at Padang Besar Bandar Brunei, which is now known as Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien.

To commemorate the historical event, a monument was erected in the heart of the city - facing the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank, the Royal Brunei Airlines Plaza and the current Islamic Bank of TAIB.

For the past 40 years, Bandar Seri Begawan still continues to see developmental progress especially on the fields of business, infrastructure, commercial, tourism, education as well as international relations.

Some old colonial-styled buildings were given a facelift especially the government facilities.

Modern road system as the main transpotation linking Bandar Seri Begawan to the other three districts continues to be upgraded from time to time.

Over the years, Bandar Seri Begawan have seen many developments such as the Brunei International Airport, the Muara deep-water Port and Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

While the existence of mosques and prayer halls especially the Jame' 'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque as well as hospitals and health centres like the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital - to name a few - were built after renaming Brunei Town to Bandar Seri Begawan.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday
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