Mukim Kota Batu is a mukim in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. The population was 12,935 in 2016.[1] The mukim is home to some of the country's museums and historical sites, in particular in Kota Batu.
Name
The mukim could be named after a village that it encompasses, Kampong Kota Batu. The name Sungai Bunga translates to (Flower River). According to legend, the river occasionally smells like jasmine flowers. Particularly at night, the stench is strongest. But, if one attempted to look for the smell's source, they would never succeed. The small invisible people who live in the river, known locally as Orang Kebenaran or Orang Bunian, are thought to be the source of the pleasant flower scent.[2]
As of 2016 census,[1] the population was 12,935 with 50.8% males and 49.2% females. The mukim had 2,188 households occupying 2,177 dwellings. Among the population, 88% lived in urban areas, while the remainder of 12% lived in rural areas.
Administration
As of 2016, the mukim comprised the following census villages:[1]
A few of the villages are also part of Bandar Seri Begawan municipal area, namely Kampong Belimbing, Kampong Kota Batu, Kampong Pelambayan, Kampong Pintu Malim, Kampong Subok and Kampong Sungai Lampai.[4]
Villages
Kampong Sungai Bunga
Kampong Sungai Bunga or Tanjung Kindana is one of the villages that has the potential to become one of the tourist attractions both from within and outside the country. Housing on the waters that is located 11 kilometers from the capital is now taking a step forward by providing services, namely the Seri Tanjung Homestay Tourism Center in addition to its seafood products. A total of six Inap Desa houses are available for rent at a reasonable rate for the convenience of tourists to stay and feel the atmosphere of life in the environment of the house on the water with the villagers while witnessing the cultural shows, the way of life and the sea products produced. On 22 January 2016, the Inap Desa Seri Tanjung received recognition when it was awarded the ASEAN Homestay Standard in Manila, Philippines after achieving an encouraging score after meeting the criteria as a homestay.[5]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Inap Desa Seri Tanjung is now turning their attention to the people of Brunei to continue to empower the people of Kampong Sungai Bunga economically. The acting ketua kampung stated that the services provided by Inap Desa Seri Tanjung, which is managed by the Majlis Perundingan Kampung (MPK) Sungai Bunga provide an opportunity for domestic tourists to get to know more closely about the culture, customs and lifestyle of the people in Kampong Sungai Bunga.[6]
Infrastructure
Mosques
The current mosques in the mukim include:
Kampong Pintu Malim Mosque
Kampong Serdang Mosque
Kampong Sungai Besar Mosque
Kampong Berbunut Mosque was the village mosque of Kampong Berbunut, the village on Pulau Berbunut ("Berbunut Island") at mouth of the Brunei River. It had been inaugurated in September 1958.[7] As of today, the mosque no longer exists.[citation needed]