One of the oldest building in Brunei is the “The Residency” as it was called when it was first built in 1907 by MSH McArthur, the first British Resident for Brunei (1906-1908).
Except for the few years in 1941 when the Japanese Army used it as their HQ during their Brunei invasion, it was the official residence for British Residents (1907 – 1959) and British High Commissioners (1959-1983).
The Residency together with the first Chinese Temple in Brunei were spared during the Allied Forces bombing in 1945 – and there it stood as a British building until it was handed over to the Brunei Government, re-named Bubungan Dua Belas (Twelve Roofed Mansion) and turned into an exhibition centre and a showcase gallery for local artistes.
No less interesting is its reputation as a place that the superstitious would avoid – which being more than 100 years old, it is only expected.
Anyway, despite the renovations made since then, you could easily imagine how the British (and Japanese) officers must have enjoyed their view of Kampung Ayer (water village) from what must have been an open verandah, with their montecristo cigars and cups of tea as they discussed the issues of the day.
*Picture : View of Kampung Ayer from Bubungan Dua Belas
