Ghost town

Reading today's BB headline, reminds me of a blog page by a foreign blogger I read a few years ago. It said Bandar Seri Begawan was a ghost town. Nothing exciting to see. It looked like a 70s town. And the author couldn't believe that it was the city of one of the richest countries in the world. Of course when I read it, I was quite p***-off. How dare he!

But it is true. Nobody goes there anymore. There's nothing to see. Yayasan is no longer exciting. The last time we were there, half of the lights weren't even on. The place looked gloomy. There was no life, boring. Worse, had to pay for car-parking (a big NO to Bruneians!).

So HOW?

I really think the Bandar needs a new breath of life. First, the rentals have to go down. And somebody has to lead the way. I don't know what's the rental in Yayasan, but IT has to be the leader. If the rent in the yayasan building goes down, others will follow suit as competition or price war will set in. Second, the authority has to enforce the law (the piawaian PBD12 Min of Development, or whatever the name is). Owners MUST upkeep their building and properties. Any 'eyesore' has to be punished in a form of monetary fine. Third, make the Bandar HIP and HAPPENING. Make use of what we have! Everytime my husband and I go to the Yayasan building, we cannot help but discuss the potential of the building and its location. For instance, why keep the central open plaza void? You know, the space in between the 2 buildings. My husband keeps on saying it's a WASTED space. Sayang! Come on, get example from Singapore's Bugis junction. Get some traditional performances every week or every night even. Imagine, gulingtangan performances at night. With the view of the mosque. Fantastic! Get some small moving vendors to sell unique stuff and make it a rule that no two vendors can sell the same products.

I remember there was a talk about developing a 'water front'. What happened? Don't tell me the thingy that they built at the old custom was IT! Goodness! Please get private architects to design (with due respect, PLEASE!!! NOT the government architects!). Better still, set up a design competition among the local architect firms. Get the public to vote. No direct cash price, but the winning design will be used and the architect will be appointed (based on a government set-up fee). That way, the government would save some money and less headache.

I am sure there are ways to revive the Bandar. Don't let the development of other areas to be the reason why the Bandar is falling apart. We need to think outside the box. Be more creative. Don't be too conventional. I'm ON if anyone needs some ideas - will put my bestest thinking hat hehe.

Anyway, if there is a will there must be a way. But of course, you also have to put the money where the mouth is.

Salaam.