Wikipedia

Kuala Belait

For the mukim subdivision, see Mukim Kuala Belait.

Kuala Belait (koo-WAH-la BUH-leit)[3] or officially the Kuala Belait Town (Malay: Pekan Kuala Belait; Jawi: ڤكن كوالا بلايت‎), and colloquially referred to as KB, is the administrative town of Belait District, Brunei.[4][5] The population of the town proper was 4,259 in 2016.[2] Kuala Belait is officially a municipal area (kawasan bandaran),[6] as well as a village under the mukim of the same name.[7] The town is located 85 kilometres (53 mi) west of the country's capital Bandar Seri Begawan,[5] and 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Seria, the district's other town.[8] It is also in the westernmost part of country, near the mouth of the Belait River.[9]

Kuala Belait
Municipal area and town
Clockwise from top left: Kuala Belait at night, Belait Beach, Kampong Pandan Mosque, Belait River
Kuala Belait is located in Brunei
Kuala Belait
Location in Brunei
Coordinates: 4°34′58″N 114°11′30″E / 4.582835°N 114.191783°E / 4.582835; 114.191783
CountryBrunei
DistrictBelait
MukimKuala Belait
Government
 • Village headSufrizal Hamdan[1]
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total
4,259
Time zoneUTC 8 (BNT)
Postcode
KA1131
Websitebandaran-kb.gov.bn

Etymology

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The Malay word kuala refers to an estuary,[10] therefore its name would translate to the mouth of the Belait River.[11]

History

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Before 1909, Kuala Belait was a small fishing village with little development. Although oil exploration began in the Belait District as early as 1911, and some oil was found in Labi in 1914, it had minimal impact on Kuala Belait’s growth at that time. However, the discovery of oil in Labi convinced prospectors that further deposits might be found along the higher banks of the Belait River.[12] That same year, a 60-mile (97 km) road was constructed, linking Kuala Belait to Brunei Town.[13]

Oil companies began concentrating their activities in the area, leading to the emergence of a thriving village in Kuala Belait by 1927. At the time, it served as a port for transporting machinery crucial to oil prospecting, primarily managed by the British Malayan Petroleum Company (BMPC). Kuala Belait soon became a key entry point to the upper reaches of the Belait River, and the government recognised its growing significance by establishing it as the headquarters of the Belait District that same year. In 1929, BMPC followed suit by relocating its headquarters to Kuala Belait, further boosting the town's development. The discovery of large oil reserves in Seria, in April 1929, significantly increased Kuala Belait’s importance as a strategic hub for the oil industry.[12] The Kuala Belait Sanitary Board was established in that same year, and this marked the transition of Kuala Belait from a village to a town.[14]

 
Kuala Belait police station in 1933

The 1930s marked a period of rapid growth for Kuala Belait, largely driven by the BMPC. In 1931, the town became the site of Brunei's first English school, and it also boasted the best hospital in the country at the time. Its population grew significantly, from 1,193 in 1931 to 3,000 by 1935, fueled by the thriving oil industry. Despite this progress, the town was heavily bombed during World War II, leading to widespread destruction and the need to rebuild.[12] The BMPC also played a crucial role in infrastructure development, constructing a telephone line along the Belait coastline earlier in 1930, linking Seria and Rasau to their headquarters in Kuala Belait.[15] However, a telephone line connecting Kuala Belait to Tutong was dismantled in 1934 after failing to meet expectations.[16] By 1939, pipelines and roads between Kuala Belait and Miri had been established, further enhancing the town's connectivity and industrial growth.[17]

 
A local armed with a Lee-Enfield rifle under the supervision of an Australian soldier in 1945

On 16 December 1941, Kuala Belait was captured after an amphibious assault on the Belait coast by 10,000 soldiers from the Japanese Kawaguchi Detachment. The town remained under Japanese occupation during World War II.[18] During this time, war crimes were committed by the Japanese,[19][20] including the massacre and execution of Indian prisoners of wars (POW) from the 2/15th Punjab Regiment. Additionally, 55 Indian prisoners died from starvation in the town's POW camp.[21] As part of Operation Oboe Six, the Australian 9th Division arrived in Kuala Belait on 24 June 1945,[22] leading to the recapture of the port. In 1949, reconstruction plans for the war-torn town were approved.[23][24]

Kuala Belait experienced significant growth during the 1950s and 1960s, driven by increased revenue from the booming oil industry. By 1997, it had become Brunei's second-largest town, following Bandar Seri Begawan. Often referred to as a "Shell town," much of its postwar development was attributed to Shell's efforts.[25] The discovery of the first offshore gas field, South West Ampa, located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) off Kuala Belait in 1963, further boosted the town's growth.[26] During the 1962 Brunei revolt, TKNU rebels briefly gained control of the town, but the town was soon liberated by the 1/2nd Battalion Gurkha Rifles Regiment,[27] with local police successfully defending the police station.[28] After Brunei's independence in 1984, several new government buildings were constructed to house local services. In the 1990s, the coastal road from Muara to Kuala Belait was upgraded to a four-lane highway, further enhancing the town's infrastructure.[29]

Governance

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c. 1965 aerial view of the town, with the Belait River in the foreground

Administrative division

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Further information: Administrative divisions of Brunei

The area of Kuala Belait comprises territorial division which can be informally grouped into three main areas: Pekan Kuala Belait or Kuala Belait Town, and Kampong Pandan and Mumong suburbs. The latter two areas are further divided into three and two kampongs or villages respectively. Pekan Kuala Belait is also officially a kampong-level administrative division. All of the villages constitute almost all of Mukim Kuala Belait, a subdistrict of Belait.[30]

Local authority and town definition

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The town of Kuala Belait is administered under Jabatan Bandaran Kuala Belait dan Seria (Kuala Belait and Seria Municipal Department), a government department under Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri (the Ministry of Home Affairs).[31] The department comprises Lembaga Bandaran or the Municipal Board, which is headed by Pengerusi Lembaga Bandaran (Chairman of the Municipal Board). The current chairman is Ridzuan Haji Ahmad.[32]

Overlapping territory

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The area under the authority of the Municipal Department overlaps with that under Jabatan Daerah Belait or the Belait District Office. The municipal area consists of Pekan Kuala Belait, the whole of Kampong Pandan suburb, and parts of Mumong suburb. However, all of the kampongs are also under the governance of the Belait District Office, since they constitute the proper subdivisions of the district and subdistricts, and subsequently the headmen of the kampongs, known as ketua kampong (with the exception of Pekan Kuala Belait since there is none assigned), answers to the Pegawai Daerah or District Officer.

Economy

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Marine Construction Yard in Sungai Duhon, 2022

Oil and gas

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Kuala Belait is located in the vicinity of the onshore Rasau gas field.[33] However Brunei Shell has various facilities in town to support the oil and gas production facilities in the vicinity.

The Kuala Belait Bunkering Station (KBBS) is located near the mouth of the Belait River.[34] It supplies domestic gas to the town and other bulk chemicals in support of the various activities.[34] The Kuala Belait Wharf is the main point from which personnel to and from the offshore platforms, off the Belait districts, embark and disembark.[34]

Marine

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The Kuala Belait supply base is located to the south of the wharf, and is the main point for logistics for Shell.[35] The Marine Construction Yard (MCY) in Sungai Duhon, commonly known as SCO, is where construction of marine structures are carried out prior to installation offshore.[36]

Demography

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Kampong Kuala Balai has historically served as the Belait population's hub. However, the population has scattered over the past 50 years, and now, Belait tribe members may be found in and around the town.[37] By 1938, Kuala Belait's population had increased to 5,000, and the BMPC was the city's major employer, with 1,185 out of 2,265 workers under its payroll.[38] 1,193 people were counted in Kuala Belait at the time of the 1931 census. It was reportedly 12,000 in 1948, due to the development around the district's oilfield.[39] The town has a sizable Chinese population,[40] and most Europeans are concentrated in Kuala Belait and Seria.[41]

Climate

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The climate of Kuala Belait is tropical. The weather is warm, humid and rainy all year.[42]

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average High (°C)
 31
 31
 32
 33
 33
 33
 33
 33
 32
 32
 32
 32
-
Average Low (°C)
 24
 24
 24
 24
 24
 24
 24
 24
 24
 24
 24
 24
-
Average Rainfall (mm) 360 200 190 287 288 226 196 219 250 284 260 297
3045

Transportation

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Road

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Lumut–Belait Highway in 2023

Road transportation in Kuala Belait has evolved significantly, particularly following the discovery of oil. Initially, communication with the capital was challenging, as access by land required traveling along the beach between Kuala Belait and Tutong, where a road existed. In 1931, the appointment of an assistant British Resident marked a turning point, although land connections with Brunei Town remained difficult. The BMPC played a crucial role in enhancing road infrastructure, providing necessary improvements to support the growing immigrant population associated with the oilfields. By 1938, the population of Kuala Belait had reached 5,000, with the BMPC being the largest employer in the district and continuing to invest in local infrastructure.[43] In the 21st century, most roads in Kuala Belait are surfaced, and there are bus services transporting passengers to Miri.[5] The Lumut–Belait Highway connects the Malaysian border west of Sungai Tujoh with various highways that lead to Bandar Seri Begawan and Muara town.[44]

Water

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Commercial wharf of the Kuala Belait Port in 2022

Water transportation has historically been vital for Kuala Belait, particularly before the improvement of road infrastructure. Initially, communication with the capital was primarily by sea and via Labuan, as the Belait River was closed for six months each year due to the monsoon, which hindered trade. This reliance on water routes limited the movement of goods and people until road access improved. The BMPC contributed significantly to the development of water transport facilities by establishing wharves to facilitate the movement of materials and personnel to and from the oilfields. Despite these advancements, the oilfield community in Brunei often had closer contact with the oilfield community in Sarawak, where oil was piped for refining, highlighting the ongoing importance of water transportation in the region.[43]

Water transportation in Kuala Belait is facilitated by a public wharf near the market, where visitors can hire water taxis to travel upriver towards Kuala Balai. Additionally, the Kuala Belait Boat Club organizses trips for sailing out to the open sea and visiting various nearby destinations.[45] Historically, a timber jetty existed in Rasau as early as 1930. The Kuala Belait Port, one of Brunei's three ports,[46] has sections near the river mouth operated by Brunei Shell, restricting public access. The commercial port is situated further upriver in Kampong Sungai Duhon and surrounding areas.[47] However, due to silting at the river mouth, the port can only accommodate shallow draft vessels.[48] To combat this issue, two breakwaters have been constructed at the mouth of the Belait River to help reduce silting.[49]

Infrastructure

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The town is also home to the Consulate of Mexico[50] and St. John's Church.

Education

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Sayyidina Ali Secondary School

Primary education is offered in various government and private schools. There are currently three government primary schools:

  • Ahmad Tajuddin Primary School
  • Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Primary School
  • Pengiran Setia Jaya Pengiran Abdul Momin Primary School

The government also has built three schools which offer secondary education:

 
Chung Hua Middle School

There are four private schools in Kuala Belait. They may offer primary, secondary or both.

Secondary students opting for sixth form education study at Pusat Tingkatan Enam Belait. Alternatively, students opting for vocational education may proceed to study at one of the two post-secondary institution, namely:

Places of interest

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Tea Pot Roundabout

Kuala Belait town itself has a number of tourist attractions. Some of these are:

Notable people

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Notes

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  1. ^ SMPJNPHAB is located approximately 5.6 kilometers from Kuala Belait. It was opened on 9 March 1987 on a 28.18 acres (11.40 ha) government-owned land. Initially known as Mumong Secondary School, it was renamed on 22 August 1998 to Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar Secondary School (SMPJNPHAB) in honour of Pengiran Abu Bakar, the first district officer of Belait, and was officially opened by Pengiran Anak Abdul Aziz. The school offers general secondary education from Year 7 to Year 11, culminating in the Sijil Am Pelajaran Peringkat Biasa academic qualification. In 1995, SMPJNPHAB introduced a boarding facility for students from remote areas within the Belait District and was designated as a "Special Science School," enrolling high-achieving students with five 'A's from the Primary School Assessment Examination of the Tutong and Belait districts. On 1 May 2003, the school also began offering afternoon religious education for its enrolled students.[52]

References

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