Lawas, Brunei - Fancy staying in a grand house which has 15 rooms, seven halls and four dining spaces equivalent to the size of an international-standard futsal court.
This is neither a lodging house nor a homestay facility, but one of the 36 traditional mansions that belong to the Brunei Malay community in Kampung Pemukat, Kuala Lawas.
These grand houses are known for their plush interior designs, akin to luxury suites of five-star hotels.
Village head Kadir Akub, 67, said almost all of the houses in Kampung Pemukat, located about half an hour`s drive from here, have many rooms and large halls with their own stylish interior designs.
"Before, there were only four of such houses in Kampung Pemukat. Now we have 36," he told Bernama.
Kadir said the house owners are Muslims and related to each other.
He said many of Kampung Pemukat`s residents are fishermen and sell their catch across the border, in Brunei. But their number is gradually depleting.
"Previously, many youths in the village worked as fishermen but as there are more and better opportunities, we have ventured into other areas like agriculture and business," Karim said.
Karim has seven fishing boats which are operated by his children.
As for the women of Kampung Pemukat, they are active making traditional cakes and decorative items that are also sold in the neighbouring country.
According to Kadir, despite the existence of a land route to Merapok, Kampung Pemukat residents prefer to use the waterway to Kampung Kuala Lawas in order to get to Lawas town or Brunei.
Kadir said many of the houses in Kampung Pemukat measure some 200 feet long and 40 feet wide excluding the veranda.
"The houses are big and spacious. As the children are away working in the towns, the houses are rather empty most of the times unless during festive occasions like Hari Raya," he said.
Latif Damit, 42, the owner of a 12-room floating bungalow, said he started to build his house in Kampung Pemukat in the early 80s.
According to Latif, building grand houses with many rooms is the tradition of Malays in Brunei and this `influence` has spread to Sarawak via the state`s residents who have their roots in the neighbouring country.
"This is not a luxury, but the tradition and custom of the Brunei Malays to build grand houses that have beautiful internal decor," he said.
Latif said most of the construction materials used to build the floating bungalows in Kampung Pemukat were brought in from Brunei as they are cheaper and of high quality.
He said RM100,000 is needed to build one of these grand houses, where a huge portion went to making the concrete floor and pillars.
The structures were made to withstand swift river currents and any possible calamity occurring during the monsoon season.
"These are our homes, floating bungalows to outsiders. The joyous atmosphere will be around once our children and relatives return to celebrate Aidilfitri," he said.
Source: www.brunei-online.com (26 Oktober 2007)
