Mukim Kuala Balai: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox settlement |
{{Infobox settlement |
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| name |
| name = Mukim Kuala Balai |
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| settlement_type |
| settlement_type = [[Mukims of Brunei|Mukim]] |
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<!-- image -->| image_skyline |
<!-- image -->| image_skyline = Kampong Kuala Balai (1964).jpg |
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| image_caption = Kampong Kuala Balai in 1964 |
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| image_map = Belait mukims.png |
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| map_alt = |
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| map_caption = Kuala Balai is in yellow. |
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| coordinates = <!-- subdivisions --> |
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| subdivision_type = Country |
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| color_border = white |
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| subdivision_name = [[Brunei]] |
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| color = white |
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| subdivision_type1 = [[Districts of Brunei|District]] |
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| size = 250 |
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| subdivision_name1 = [[Belait District|Belait]] |
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| foot_montage = |
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<!-- established -->| established_title = Established |
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| established_date = <!-- magnitude --> |
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| unit_pref = Metric |
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| dimensions_footnotes = |
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| elevation_footnotes = |
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| elevation_m = <!-- population --> |
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| population_footnotes = <ref name="Annex-B2" /> |
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| population_as_of = 2021 |
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| population_total = 16 |
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| population_density_km2 = auto |
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<!-- miscellaneous -->| timezone = [[Brunei Darussalam Time|BNT]] |
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| utc_offset1 = +8 |
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| postal_code_type = Postcode |
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| postal_code = KDxx32 |
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| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> |
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| footnotes = |
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'''Mukim Kuala Balai''' is a [[Mukims of Brunei|mukim]] located in the [[Belait District]] of [[Brunei]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.information.gov.bn/PublishingImages/SitePages/Publication%20Lists/BelaitDistrict.pdf |title=Belait District |date=2011 |website=www.information.gov.bn |access-date=28 June 2021 |pages=8–9 }}</ref> known for its unique geographical setting.{{Sfn|Haji Su'ut Ahmad|2018|p=13}} As of 2016, the population was recorded at just 31 residents.<ref name="census 2016">{{cite web |url=http://www.deps.gov.bn/DEPD%20Documents%20Library/DOS/KBPP/finalreport2016/KBPP_2016.pdf |title=Population and Housing Census Update Final Report 2016 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 2018 |website=www.deps.gov.bn |publisher=Statistics Department |access-date=27 June 2021 |page=}}</ref> The village of Kampong Kuala Balai is situated in the upper Kumgang region of Belait, forming part of the Mukim Kuala Balai catchment area. It is located approximately {{Convert|28|km}} from [[Kuala Belait]]. However, Kampong Kuala Balai is currently uninhabited due to factors such as migration to other villages and employment opportunities elsewhere, leading to a decline in its once-thriving community.{{Sfn|Haji Su'ut Ahmad|2018|p=13}} It is an early settlement of the [[Belait people]], who formed the majority of its population, and it once served as the administrative center for the Belait District during traditional governance and [[List of administrators of British Brunei|British residency]], while also being a prominent exporter of ''ambulong'' ([[sago]]) in its heyday.{{Sfn|Haji Su'ut Ahmad|2018|p=17}} |
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| map_alt = |
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| map_caption = Kuala Balai is in yellow. |
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| coordinates = <!-- subdivisions --> |
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| subdivision_type = Country |
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| subdivision_name = [[Brunei]] |
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| subdivision_type1 = [[Districts of Brunei|District]] |
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| subdivision_name1 = [[Belait District|Belait]] |
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<!-- established -->| established_title = Established |
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| established_date = <!-- magnitude --> |
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| unit_pref = Metric |
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| area_footnotes = |
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| length_km = |
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| width_km = |
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| dimensions_footnotes = |
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| elevation_footnotes = |
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| elevation_m = <!-- population --> |
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| population_footnotes = <ref name="census 2016" /> |
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| population_as_of = 2016 |
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| population_total = 31 |
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| population_density_km2 = auto |
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<!-- miscellaneous -->| timezone = [[Brunei Darussalam Time|BNT]] |
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| utc_offset1 = +8 |
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| postal_code_type = Postcode |
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| postal_code = KDxx32 |
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| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> |
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| footnotes = |
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| leader_title = [[Penghulu]] |
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| leader_name = Abdul Afiq Zainuddin<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-05 |title=Majlis pengundian calon penghulu mukim » Media Permata Online |url=https://mediapermata.com.bn/majlis-pengundian-calon-penghulu-mukim/ |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=Majlis pengundian calon penghulu mukim |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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}} |
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'''Mukim Kuala Balai''' is a [[Mukims of Brunei|mukim]] in [[Belait District]], [[Brunei]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.information.gov.bn/PublishingImages/SitePages/Publication%20Lists/BelaitDistrict.pdf |title=Belait District |date=2011 |website=www.information.gov.bn |access-date=28 June 2021 |pages=8–9 }}</ref> The population was 31 in 2016.<ref name="census 2016">{{cite web |url=http://www.deps.gov.bn/DEPD%20Documents%20Library/DOS/KBPP/finalreport2016/KBPP_2016.pdf |title=Population and Housing Census Update Final Report 2016 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 2018 |website=www.deps.gov.bn |publisher=Statistics Department |access-date=27 June 2021 |page=}}</ref> |
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== Etymology == |
== Etymology == |
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Kampong Kuala Balai was originally known as Kampong Long Pelai, named for the confluence of the Damit and [[Belait River|Belait Rivers]]. The term "Long Pelai" is derived from the Belait ethnic group, where "Long" means [[river mouth]], and "Pelai" has two meanings: "defect" and "to hold" or "to stop." When the water level of the Damit River recedes, it does not flow into the Belait River; instead, it stagnates at the river mouth (long). Similarly, when the Belait River experiences a [[high tide]], the water does not flow into the Damit River, resulting in water "holding" at the mouth of the Damit River. This phenomenon of stagnant water is referred to by the villagers as Long Pelai, highlighting the uniqueness of the area.{{Sfn|Haji Su'ut Ahmad|2018|p=14}} |
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The mukim could be named after Kampong Kuala Balai, one of the villages it encompasses. |
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Kampong Long Pelai is rich in natural resources, with the surrounding land featuring sago palms and other forest products, while the waters provide opportunities for fishing. This abundance of resources transformed Long Pelai into a new settlement, leading to the construction of a longhouse. The villagers cultivated sago palms to produce high-quality sago or ambulong, which attracted merchants from other districts to buy their products. According to the locals, the name Kampung Long Pelai eventually evolved into Kuala Balai due to a misunderstanding by an outsider from [[Brunei Town]], who mistakenly interpreted "Pelai" as "Balai." As a result, the area became known as Kuala Balai among the villagers.{{Sfn|Haji Su'ut Ahmad|2018|p=14}} |
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== Geography == |
== Geography == |
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The mukim borders [[Mukim Seria]] to the north, [[Mukim Labi]] to the east and south, the [[Malaysian state]] of [[Sarawak]] to the west and [[Mukim Kuala Belait]] to the north-west.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} |
The mukim borders [[Mukim Seria]] to the north, [[Mukim Labi]] to the east and south, the [[Malaysian state]] of [[Sarawak]] to the west and [[Mukim Kuala Belait]] to the north-west.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} Kuala Balai, characterized by its wetlands and riverfront, is not naturally conducive to rice cultivation. Consequently, and alongside the rice fields in rural Labi, the ancestors planted [[Rumbia tree|rumbia trees]] along the Belait River.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2021-07-21 |title=Carrying the torch for tradition |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/carrying-the-torch-for-tradition/ |work=[[Borneo Bulletin]]}}</ref> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Originally a small fishing community, Kuala Balai was designated as the headquarters of the Belait District in September 1907, a status it maintained until 1929 due to a significant increase in oil prospecting licenses issued by the Bruneian government. While oil exploration efforts did not lead to growth in Kuala Balai, Kuala Belait experienced considerable development during this period.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=D. S. Ranjit |title=Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam |last2=Sidhu |first2=Jatswan S. |publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]] |year=1997 |isbn=9780810832763 |location=[[London]] |pages=79}}</ref> |
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[[File:Kampong Kuala Balai (1964).jpg|thumb|Kampong Kuala Balai in 1964]] |
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In the center of the Belait River, in Kampong Kuala Balai, the [[Belait people]] appear to have first settled. Eventually, some of them moved to [[Kampong Labi]], [[Mukim Kuala Belait]], and [[Mumong|Kampong Mumong]] to cultivate [[rice]] and work for the government, commercial businesses, and oil companies. Some people continue to live in their traditional homes while getting married in other areas.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gin |first=Ooi Keat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nMM0CwAAQBAJ&dq=Kuala+Balai+history&pg=PT140 |title=Brunei - History, Islam, Society and Contemporary Issues |date=2015-12-14 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-65997-6 |language=en}}</ref> The village used to serve as the district's original historic [[Administrative centre|administrative center]]. On the other hand, a new administrative center for the district was constructed at the mouth of the Padang Berawa (modern-day [[Seria]]) [[oil well]] after it was discovered.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kuala Belait History, History of Kuala Belait, Kuala Belait City Information :: Traveltill.com |url=https://www.traveltill.com/destination/Brunei/Kuala-Belait/history.php |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Traveltill}}</ref> |
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Kampong Kuala Balai is believed to be the original settlement of the [[Belait people]], with some later relocating to cultivate rice or pursue employment in government, commercial businesses, and oil companies. While many residents preserved their traditional homes, others formed connections through marriage in different regions.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ooi |first=Keat Gin |author-link=Keat Gin Ooi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nMM0CwAAQBAJ&dq=Kuala+Balai+history&pg=PT140 |title=Brunei - History, Islam, Society and Contemporary Issues |date=2015-12-14 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-65997-6 |language=en}}</ref> Over time, younger generations began moving to Kuala Belait and [[Seria]], causing the village's population to decline sharply from 150 in 1955 to fewer than 100 by 1959. This population drop led to the closure of the village school, leaving many remaining residents to rely on [[sago]] production for their livelihood. Despite government efforts in 1963 and 1967 to relocate the community—initially to [[Kampong Labi|Labi]] and later to [[Kampong Mumong]]—these proposals were declined. As a result, the government opted not to construct a road connecting Kuala Balai to Kuala Belait, citing the village’s steadily decreasing population.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 January 1975 |title=BELUM ADA RANCHANGAN UTK BINA JALAN KECHIL ANTARA K. BALAI / K. BELAIT |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1975/PB%2015%20Jan%201975.pdf |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=Pelita Brunei |pages=8 |language=ms}}</ref> |
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In 1977, Pehin Ariff Mujun proposed that the government construct a small road linking Kuala Balai with Kuala Belait. He expressed hope for the establishment of a primary school in Kuala Balai and the appointment of a religious instructor to serve as the [[Imam]] and lead the village's [[Friday prayers]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1977-01-12 |title=Jalan kechil ka-Kuala Balai |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1977/12%20JANUARI%201977E.pdf |access-date=2024-08-31 |work=Pelita Brunei |pages=2 |language=ms}}</ref> |
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== Economy == |
== Economy == |
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The residents of Kampung Puak Belait have honed their skills in producing sago from sago palms,{{Efn|Primary ingredient in preparing [[ambuyat]].<ref name=":1" />}} which thrive abundantly along the [[Bank (geography)|banks]] of the Damit and Belait Rivers. This thriving sago industry has historically been known for producing high-quality sago for commercial sale. During the [[Japanese occupation of Brunei|Japanese occupation]], the military introduced modern machinery, specifically generators, which the villagers utilised to enhance their sago processing capabilities. This technological innovation not only increased production but also significantly boosted their income and contributed to the country’s exports at the time. However, by the 1970s, the sago industry began to decline due to population migration to other regions, ultimately leading to its extinction. A survey conducted in 2010 revealed several abandoned sago processing factories, left in disrepair and serving as a stark reminder of the industry's disappearance.{{Sfn|Haji Su'ut Ahmad|2018|p=15}} |
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The main component in the preparation of [[ambuyat]], ambulong ([[sago]]), was once processed by Kuala Balai (Long Pelai) locals. Haji Busu bin Ahmad, a former resident, gave a speech about the customary procedure and the history of the area at our first site, a defunct ambulong processing hut beside the Belait River. Kuala Balai, which was primarily made up of [[Wetland|wetlands]] and [[riverfront]], does not naturally lend itself to [[Paddy field|paddy]] formation. Due to this and the paddy fields in rural Labi, forefathers planted [[Metroxylon sagu|rumbia trees]] along the Belait River. According to Haji Busu, frequent ambulong and paddy trades have a history. When paddy wasn't in season, people of Labi frequently traveled by boat to Kuala Balai to create ambulong.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-07-21 |title=Carrying the torch for tradition |work=[[Borneo Bulletin]] |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/carrying-the-torch-for-tradition/}}</ref> It was a thriving trading post where [[Dammar gum|Damar resin]] and other jungle produce were exchanged for [[Chinese ceramics|Chinese porcelain]] and different condiments. It was strategically located at the junction of two rivers. The sago palm was harvested from the banks of the Belait River and its tributaries, particularly Sungai Damit.{{cn|date=September 2023}} |
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== Demography == |
== Demography == |
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<!---- The following demographic data is extracted from this article’s Wikidata page ---->As of [[2016 Brunei census|2016 census]],<ref name="census 2016" /> the population was 31 with {{pct|14|31|0}} males and {{pct|17|31|0}} females. The mukim had 4 households occupying 4 dwellings. The entire population lived in [[rural areas]]. As of 2016, Kampong Tanjong Ranggas is the only populated [[villages of Brunei|village]] in Mukim Kuala Balai.<ref name="census 2016" /> There are only a few scattered stilted buildings in various states of deterioration in the settlement (on the right side of the road). The country's largest community in the west used to be Kuala Balai.{{cn|date=September 2023}} |
<!---- The following demographic data is extracted from this article’s Wikidata page ---->As of [[2016 Brunei census|2016 census]],<ref name="census 2016" /> the population was 31 with {{pct|14|31|0}} males and {{pct|17|31|0}} females. The mukim had 4 households occupying 4 dwellings. The entire population lived in [[rural areas]]. As of 2016, Kampong Tanjong Ranggas is the only populated [[villages of Brunei|village]] in Mukim Kuala Balai.<ref name="census 2016" /> There are only a few scattered stilted buildings in various states of deterioration in the settlement (on the right side of the road). The country's largest community in the west used to be Kuala Balai.{{cn|date=September 2023}} |
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== Administration == |
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As of 2021, the mukim consisted the following [[Villages of Brunei|villages]]: |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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!Settlements<ref name="Annex-B2">{{Cite web |date=October 2021 |title=Annex B |url=https://deps.mofe.gov.bn/DEPD%20Documents%20Library/DOS/POP/2021/ANNEX%20B.pdf |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=DEPS.MoFE.gov.bn |publisher=Department of Economic Planning and Statistics, [[Ministry of Finance and Economy (Brunei)|Ministry of Finance and Economy]]}}</ref> |
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!Population (2021)<ref name="Annex-B2" /> |
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![[Ketua kampung]] (2024)<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.moha.gov.bn/Downloads/2023/DirektoriPMKK_V04%20APRIL2024.pdf |title=BUKU DIREKTORI TELEFON PENGHULU-PENGHULU MUKIM DAN KETUA-KETUA KAMPUNG NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM |date=April 2024 |publisher=Bahagian Perancangan Daerah, [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] |volume=4 |location=Brunei |pages=22 |language=ms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Direktori Penghulu, Ketua Kampung, dan Ketua Rumah Panjang |url=https://www.belait.gov.bn/Lists/Direktori%20Penghulu%20Ketua%20Kampung%20dan%20Ketua%20Rumah%20P/AllItems.aspx |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Jabatan Daerah Belait |language=ms}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| Kampong Tanjong Ranggas |
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| align="right" |16 |
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|{{N/A}} |
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|} |
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== Transportation == |
== Transportation == |
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== Infrastructure == |
== Infrastructure == |
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A muslim cemetery sits within Kampong Kuala Balai.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Berita - Bergotong-royong membersihkan Tanah Perkuburan... |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Lists/Berita/NewDisplayForm.aspx?ID=10411&ContentTypeId=0x0100BC31BF6D2ED1E4459ACCF88DA3E23BA8 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn}}</ref> |
A muslim cemetery sits within Kampong Kuala Balai.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Berita - Bergotong-royong membersihkan Tanah Perkuburan... |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Lists/Berita/NewDisplayForm.aspx?ID=10411&ContentTypeId=0x0100BC31BF6D2ED1E4459ACCF88DA3E23BA8 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn}}</ref> |
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=== Religion === |
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[[Sunni Islam|Islam]] began to flourish in Kuala Balai during the [[19th century]] when Pengiran Anak Tengah was appointed as the [[Sultan of Brunei]]'s representative to manage administrative affairs in the Belait District in 1883. He married a local woman from the Belait community, and his successor, ''Pengiran Shahbandar'' Pengiran Anak Hashim, significantly contributed to the development of Islam in the village. In 1909, ''Orang Kaya Singa Menteri'' Awang Gador built a mosque between the houses of Abang Bujang and Abang Taha bin Ghafar. This wooden mosque, with a roof made of rumbia leaves, measured 40' x 40' and had a long veranda of 40' x 12'. The mosque was led by [[Imam]] Radin Muhammad Salleh, who came from [[Pontianak]], [[Kalimantan]], and was brought to the village by Pengiran Anak Hashim from Benoneh, [[Sabah]]. His son, Radin Matali bin Radin Muhammad Salleh, served as the bilal, and both played vital roles as religious teachers and leaders for the community.{{Sfn|Haji Su'ut Ahmad|2018|p=16}} |
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In the 1920s, the mosque underwent renovations, replacing the roof with wood and using planks for the walls and floor. It featured a ''[[Bedug|beduk]]'', a traditional drum used to signal prayer times, breaking fast, and notifying the community of deaths. The ''beduk'' was struck in varying rhythms depending on its purpose. After the passing of Imam Radin Muhammad Salleh, his son Radin Metali took over the imam position, while Abdul Ghani, originally from [[Ambon Island]], Indonesia, later assumed the role. The original mosque served the community for 47 years until it was replaced in 1956 by a second mosque built by the Ikhwanul Muslimin Association, Kuala Belait, in Sungai Besar, Kuala Balai. This new mosque was constructed from wood with a wooden floor and plank walls, topped with a [[Zinc (roof)|zinc roof]]. However, by 1975, the mosque was no longer in use due to population migration to other areas.{{Sfn|Haji Su'ut Ahmad|2018|p=16}} |
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== Notable people == |
== Notable people == |
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* [[Kefli Razali]] (born 1940), military officer and nobleman<ref name=":0" /> |
* [[Kefli Razali]] (born 1940), military officer and nobleman<ref name=":0" /> |
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== Notes == |
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{{Notelist}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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* {{Cite journal |last=Haji Su'ut Ahmad |date=2018 |title=Kampung Kuala Balai |journal=Majalah Pusaka |language=ms |location=Bandar Seri Begawan |publisher=[[Brunei History Centre]], [[Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (Brunei)|Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports]] |volume=44 |pages=13-17}} |
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{{Mukims of Brunei}} |
{{Mukims of Brunei}} |
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{{Belait District}} |
{{Belait District}} |
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Latest revision as of 13:12, 21 November 2024
Mukim Kuala Balai | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kampong Kuala Balai in 1964 | |
 Kuala Balai is in yellow. | |
| Country | Brunei |
| District | Belait |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 16 |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (BNT) |
| Postcode | KDxx32 |
Mukim Kuala Balai is a mukim located in the Belait District of Brunei,[2] known for its unique geographical setting.[3] As of 2016, the population was recorded at just 31 residents.[4] The village of Kampong Kuala Balai is situated in the upper Kumgang region of Belait, forming part of the Mukim Kuala Balai catchment area. It is located approximately 28 kilometres (17 mi) from Kuala Belait. However, Kampong Kuala Balai is currently uninhabited due to factors such as migration to other villages and employment opportunities elsewhere, leading to a decline in its once-thriving community.[3] It is an early settlement of the Belait people, who formed the majority of its population, and it once served as the administrative center for the Belait District during traditional governance and British residency, while also being a prominent exporter of ambulong (sago) in its heyday.[5]
Etymology
[edit]Kampong Kuala Balai was originally known as Kampong Long Pelai, named for the confluence of the Damit and Belait Rivers. The term "Long Pelai" is derived from the Belait ethnic group, where "Long" means river mouth, and "Pelai" has two meanings: "defect" and "to hold" or "to stop." When the water level of the Damit River recedes, it does not flow into the Belait River; instead, it stagnates at the river mouth (long). Similarly, when the Belait River experiences a high tide, the water does not flow into the Damit River, resulting in water "holding" at the mouth of the Damit River. This phenomenon of stagnant water is referred to by the villagers as Long Pelai, highlighting the uniqueness of the area.[6]
Kampong Long Pelai is rich in natural resources, with the surrounding land featuring sago palms and other forest products, while the waters provide opportunities for fishing. This abundance of resources transformed Long Pelai into a new settlement, leading to the construction of a longhouse. The villagers cultivated sago palms to produce high-quality sago or ambulong, which attracted merchants from other districts to buy their products. According to the locals, the name Kampung Long Pelai eventually evolved into Kuala Balai due to a misunderstanding by an outsider from Brunei Town, who mistakenly interpreted "Pelai" as "Balai." As a result, the area became known as Kuala Balai among the villagers.[6]
Geography
[edit]The mukim borders Mukim Seria to the north, Mukim Labi to the east and south, the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the west and Mukim Kuala Belait to the north-west.[citation needed] Kuala Balai, characterized by its wetlands and riverfront, is not naturally conducive to rice cultivation. Consequently, and alongside the rice fields in rural Labi, the ancestors planted rumbia trees along the Belait River.[7]
History
[edit]Originally a small fishing community, Kuala Balai was designated as the headquarters of the Belait District in September 1907, a status it maintained until 1929 due to a significant increase in oil prospecting licenses issued by the Bruneian government. While oil exploration efforts did not lead to growth in Kuala Balai, Kuala Belait experienced considerable development during this period.[8]
Kampong Kuala Balai is believed to be the original settlement of the Belait people, with some later relocating to cultivate rice or pursue employment in government, commercial businesses, and oil companies. While many residents preserved their traditional homes, others formed connections through marriage in different regions.[9] Over time, younger generations began moving to Kuala Belait and Seria, causing the village's population to decline sharply from 150 in 1955 to fewer than 100 by 1959. This population drop led to the closure of the village school, leaving many remaining residents to rely on sago production for their livelihood. Despite government efforts in 1963 and 1967 to relocate the community—initially to Labi and later to Kampong Mumong—these proposals were declined. As a result, the government opted not to construct a road connecting Kuala Balai to Kuala Belait, citing the village’s steadily decreasing population.[10]
In 1977, Pehin Ariff Mujun proposed that the government construct a small road linking Kuala Balai with Kuala Belait. He expressed hope for the establishment of a primary school in Kuala Balai and the appointment of a religious instructor to serve as the Imam and lead the village's Friday prayers.[11]
Economy
[edit]The residents of Kampung Puak Belait have honed their skills in producing sago from sago palms,[a] which thrive abundantly along the banks of the Damit and Belait Rivers. This thriving sago industry has historically been known for producing high-quality sago for commercial sale. During the Japanese occupation, the military introduced modern machinery, specifically generators, which the villagers utilised to enhance their sago processing capabilities. This technological innovation not only increased production but also significantly boosted their income and contributed to the country’s exports at the time. However, by the 1970s, the sago industry began to decline due to population migration to other regions, ultimately leading to its extinction. A survey conducted in 2010 revealed several abandoned sago processing factories, left in disrepair and serving as a stark reminder of the industry's disappearance.[12]
Demography
[edit]As of 2016 census,[4] the population was 31 with 45% males and 55% females. The mukim had 4 households occupying 4 dwellings. The entire population lived in rural areas. As of 2016, Kampong Tanjong Ranggas is the only populated village in Mukim Kuala Balai.[4] There are only a few scattered stilted buildings in various states of deterioration in the settlement (on the right side of the road). The country's largest community in the west used to be Kuala Balai.[citation needed]
Administration
[edit]As of 2021, the mukim consisted the following villages:
| Settlements[1] | Population (2021)[1] | Ketua kampung (2024)[13][14] |
|---|---|---|
| Kampong Tanjong Ranggas | 16 | — |
Transportation
[edit]Road
[edit]The Mumong bypass is approximately a 20-minute drive from the settlement on the Belait River's banks, and the freshly repaired gravel route should be accessible to any vehicles with a typical road clearance.[citation needed]
Water
[edit]From the Kuala Belait Jetty, it takes 45 minutes by river to go to Kuala Balai by boat as the river served as its main thoroughfare.[15] A voyage required six hours of arduous rowing in a longboat, and bigger cargo-carrying boats used to travel up the Belait River when the population was large enough to maintain a school. The thick-stemmed palms may still be observed on the boat voyage to Kuala Balai.[citation needed]
Infrastructure
[edit]A muslim cemetery sits within Kampong Kuala Balai.[16]
Religion
[edit]Islam began to flourish in Kuala Balai during the 19th century when Pengiran Anak Tengah was appointed as the Sultan of Brunei's representative to manage administrative affairs in the Belait District in 1883. He married a local woman from the Belait community, and his successor, Pengiran Shahbandar Pengiran Anak Hashim, significantly contributed to the development of Islam in the village. In 1909, Orang Kaya Singa Menteri Awang Gador built a mosque between the houses of Abang Bujang and Abang Taha bin Ghafar. This wooden mosque, with a roof made of rumbia leaves, measured 40' x 40' and had a long veranda of 40' x 12'. The mosque was led by Imam Radin Muhammad Salleh, who came from Pontianak, Kalimantan, and was brought to the village by Pengiran Anak Hashim from Benoneh, Sabah. His son, Radin Matali bin Radin Muhammad Salleh, served as the bilal, and both played vital roles as religious teachers and leaders for the community.[17]
In the 1920s, the mosque underwent renovations, replacing the roof with wood and using planks for the walls and floor. It featured a beduk, a traditional drum used to signal prayer times, breaking fast, and notifying the community of deaths. The beduk was struck in varying rhythms depending on its purpose. After the passing of Imam Radin Muhammad Salleh, his son Radin Metali took over the imam position, while Abdul Ghani, originally from Ambon Island, Indonesia, later assumed the role. The original mosque served the community for 47 years until it was replaced in 1956 by a second mosque built by the Ikhwanul Muslimin Association, Kuala Belait, in Sungai Besar, Kuala Balai. This new mosque was constructed from wood with a wooden floor and plank walls, topped with a zinc roof. However, by 1975, the mosque was no longer in use due to population migration to other areas.[17]
Notable people
[edit]- Kefli Razali (born 1940), military officer and nobleman[16]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Annex B" (PDF). DEPS.MoFE.gov.bn. Department of Economic Planning and Statistics, Ministry of Finance and Economy. October 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ "Belait District" (PDF). www.information.gov.bn. 2011. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ a b Haji Su'ut Ahmad 2018, p. 13.
- ^ a b c "Population and Housing Census Update Final Report 2016" (PDF). www.deps.gov.bn. Statistics Department. December 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ Haji Su'ut Ahmad 2018, p. 17.
- ^ a b Haji Su'ut Ahmad 2018, p. 14.
- ^ a b "Carrying the torch for tradition". Borneo Bulletin. 21 July 2021.
- ^ Singh, D. S. Ranjit; Sidhu, Jatswan S. (1997). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. London: Scarecrow Press. p. 79. ISBN 9780810832763.
- ^ Ooi, Keat Gin (14 December 2015). Brunei - History, Islam, Society and Contemporary Issues. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-65997-6.
- ^ "BELUM ADA RANCHANGAN UTK BINA JALAN KECHIL ANTARA K. BALAI / K. BELAIT" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 15 January 1975. p. 8. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ "Jalan kechil ka-Kuala Balai" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 12 January 1977. p. 2. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ Haji Su'ut Ahmad 2018, p. 15.
- ^ BUKU DIREKTORI TELEFON PENGHULU-PENGHULU MUKIM DAN KETUA-KETUA KAMPUNG NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM (PDF) (in Malay). Vol. 4. Brunei: Bahagian Perancangan Daerah, Ministry of Home Affairs. April 2024. p. 22.
- ^ "Direktori Penghulu, Ketua Kampung, dan Ketua Rumah Panjang". Jabatan Daerah Belait (in Malay). Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Parks & Recreation". Livinginkualabelait. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Berita - Bergotong-royong membersihkan Tanah Perkuburan..." www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ a b Haji Su'ut Ahmad 2018, p. 16.
- Haji Su'ut Ahmad (2018). "Kampung Kuala Balai". Majalah Pusaka (in Malay). 44. Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports: 13–17.
4°31′04″N 114°17′41″E / 4.51778°N 114.29472°E
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