Temburong District
Temburong District or simply known as Temburong, is the second largest and least populated district in Brunei. It has an area of and the population of 9,444 as of 2021. The district is also home to its administrative centre, Bangar Town, as well as the Temburong River and Ulu Temburong National Park, the country's third longest river and a national park in Brunei respectively.
Geography
The Malaysian district of Limbang divides the Temburong District, an exclave, from the rest of Brunei. Temburong is a location for ecotourism and is home to a large portion of the Sultanate's virgin rainforests. Nestled between the Limbang and Trusan Rivers on all sides, Bukit Pagon dominates the eastern region of Brunei.The Royal Geographical Society and Universiti Brunei Darussalam are coordinating international rainforest research in Temburong District, which is rich in tropical rainforest. The region is inaccessible, but it has substantial gravel reserves that have been actively mined to satisfy rising building demand. This then gives place to montane vegetation with stunted, gnarled trees covered in mosses in the upper Temburong region as the ground climbs over. This is in contrast to a major portion of Brunei, which has managed to preserve its wooded terrain as most people live around the shore and the majority of its economic growth has been centred around hydrocarbon fossil resources, these woods have not been extensively exploited.
It is suggested that a few tiny islands covered in mangroves be designated as nature sanctuaries because of their ecological significance and rich biodiversity. Proposals for conservation include islands like Pulau Kitang, Siarau, and Selirong; Pulau Kitang may support the proboscis monkey. Because these places are important for fisheries, biological filters, and sediment stability, the Biology Department at the UBD is in favour of their protection. Even if there may be restricted development for social or commercial reasons, it is recommended that any disturbance adhere to comprehensive environmental impact evaluations.
The Temburong River is an integral element of the Brunei estuary, which is a vital nursery and feeding ground for marine life, especially penaeid shrimps. As such, the district plays an important role in Brunei's coastal environment. The estuary, which is made up of deep channels and mudbanks rich in organic matter, receives a lot of freshwater from rivers such as Temburong and Trusan, which causes its salinity levels to fluctuate. Salinity and turbidity are influenced by seasonal rainfall patterns; during inter-monsoon times, salinity is low and turbidity is high, and the estuary flushes in two to four days.
History
Brunei was divided in two when Rajah of Sarawak seized the area around the Limbang River in 1890. The British not only took no action to halt the annexation, but they also officially acknowledged its legitimacy. The sultan and the Bruneian court were deeply offended by this, and they are still feeling the pain today. Over the next few years, Brunei was under constant pressure from Sarawak to absorb the entire country. However, Brunei was able to save its independence by defending it with diplomatic missions, letters, and petitions to Britain. Eventually, the North Borneo authorities who wanted Brunei to stay as a buffer state between itself and Sarawak helped them with this.In 1919, the government funded a public works program to construct bridle paths, connecting rubber estates in Temburong with those near the capital at Gadong and Berakas.
With the building of four bridges in the 10th National Development Plan, Temburong increased connectivity. Two of the projects are particularly noteworthy since one of them, the Pandaruan Bridge, crosses the Pandaruan River to connect with Limbang, Malaysia. The biggest project is the Temburong Bridge, which would span the Brunei Bay to link the district with the mainland.
Administration
The district is administered by the Temburong District Office, a government department under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The district is subdivided into 5 mukims, namely:| Mukim | Population | Penghulu |
| Amo | 1,667 | Haji Suhaili bin Haji Badas |
| Bokok | 3,812 | Haji Suhaili bin Haji Badas |
| Bangar | 2,112 | Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir |
| Batu Apoi | 1,355 | Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir |
| Labu | 508 | Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir |
These are further subdivided into 76 Kampongs.
According to the Constitution, the district is to be represented in the Legislative Council, the state legislature, by up to 2 members. As of 2023, one member has been appointed to represent the district in the legislature.
Demographics
The indigenous language of Murut, also called Lun Bawang, is mainly spoken in Temburong District. In 2021, Temburong District had a population of 9,444 people, with 5,031 males and 4,413 females. There were 2,056 households and 1,892 occupied living quarters in the district. This reflects a slight population increase from 2011, when the district had 8,852 people.Religion
Islam is the predominant religion in Temburong, followed by Christianity and a smaller proportion of Buddhists. A notable percentage of the population also identifies with other religions or did not state their affiliation.Transportation
Road
The RKN 2007-2012, which allocates over $600 million for highway projects, road building, paving, maintenance, and resurfacing, shows the government's continued investment in road development. There were 2,972.11 kilometers of state, district, and military highways in Brunei as of 2008. In addition to studies for additional road and bridge links between Brunei–Muara and Temburong, the plan calls for infrastructure upgrades in the Temburong District, including correcting earth slips, modernising high-density roadways, replacing wooden bridges, and rehabilitating important highways.The Pandaruan Bridge, a five-lane bridge that span the Pandaruan River and form part of Brunei's border with Sarawak was completed in 2013. It alleviated the ferry bottlenecks and included approach ramps and connecting roads to Temburong and Limbang. This long-awaited land link between mainland Brunei and the exclave of Temburong was created in 2020 with the opening of the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge across Brunei Bay. The drive from Bandar Seri Begawan was reduced by 75%, from two or more hours to approximately thirty minutes.
Water
Brunei Bay and Malaysia divide Temburong from the rest of the country. As a result, until 2020, the only ways for Bruneians to go to the capital or other regions are by boat or by entering Malaysia. On 19 June 2008, work on the Pekan Bangar Boat Terminal got underway, and it was finished on 19 December 2009. The Minister of Communications, Abu Bakar Apong, formally opened the terminal on 7 January 2010. This terminal was constructed as part of the RKN at an approximate cost of $1.4 million.Economy
Agriculture
As part of its economic diversification, Brunei has prioritised agriculture, which has led to significant development. With $131.6 million from cattle, $41.35 million from crops, and $52.53 million from agri-food, the agricultural industry brought in over $200 million in 2008, almost double its 1999 earnings. The "Beras Laila" rice type, which is high in protein, low in carbs, and able to be harvested twice a year, strengthened food security and proved to be a success for the paddy plantation industry.Three primary locations have been designated for paddy production in Temburong District: Senukoh, Selapon, and Lakiun–Perdayan. With 382.4 hectares and 264.52 metric tons of rice produced annually, Temburong was the second-largest paddy plantation area in Brunei by 2008. Varieties grown there included Adan, Bario, Pusu, and Laila. To further enhance the district's agricultural potential, 1,852.76 hectares in Temburong have been set aside for agricultural development in places like Labu Estate, Selapon, Senukoh, Lakiun, Semabat, and Kampong Puni.
In 2022, Temburong District had a total of 2,063.17 hectares designated as agricultural development areas. Of this, 265.92 hectares were allocated to farmers, while 611.25 hectares were used for stations or other purposes. A total of 2,063.17 hectares of land were designated as Agricultural Development Areas. Of this, 265.92 hectares were awarded to farmers, while 611.25 hectares were allocated for stations or other uses. The primary agricultural activities include fruit cultivation, paddy farming, and integrated crops. Key areas such as KKP Labu Estate focus on fruits, vegetables, and broiler farming, while KKP Selapon and Senukoh areas are dedicated to both fruits and paddy cultivation. Several agricultural stations are also established, including in Perdayan and Puni.
Agrifood
The government wants to expand sales in the agri-food sector by 512% to $340 million by 2015 from $52.53 million in 2008. 450 ducks may currently be raised on the 0.7-acre Hazeeyah Agro Farm in Temburong, which is run by Nur Haziyah Abdul Rahman and her husband Muhd Hazim Abdul Rahim Mangkiling. The farm began in 2015 with 12 ducks.In 2022, 78.51 hectares of land are allocated for livestock activities. This includes areas for broiler production, buffalo farming, cattle farming, and smaller allocations for goats, deer, and sheep. Additionally, there are 3.12 hectares used for miscellaneous livestock, but no land allocated for egg production or slaughtering centers.