Gadong, Brunei

Etymology

The etymology of the name Gadong is debated. Some believe it is derived from the term gedung, which means warehouse, rather than from gadong, meaning green in Brunei Malay. This suggests that Gadong may have once been home to warehouses, and the name became associated with the area as a metonym for its location. The English word godown, meaning a storage space, shares its roots with the Malay gedong or gudang, which likely originated from the Telugu or Tamil words gidangi or kidangu.

Alternatively, another theory suggests that the name Gadong comes from a fruit of the same name, which grows along the riverside in Pulau Sungai Gadong. According to an old project by Universiti Brunei Darussalam on Brunei streets, the fruit's flesh is edible after being soaked in water and boiled, and has a reddish colour.

History

In the early 20th century, rubber estates were established in Berakas, Gadong, and Temburong, with 2200 acre allocated for plantations by 1914. By the mid-1920s, Joss' Coghill was overseeing the Gadong Rubber Estate. In 1923, the Island Trading Company-owned estate in Gadong expanded in size. Despite the discovery of oil in Seria before 1931, rubber estates in Berakas, Gadong, and Temburong initially saw slow financial returns from the emerging oil sector.

A 1933 report noted that malaria cases at the Gadong estate were relatively low compared to other estates. By 1934, the estate had a population of 53, with 32 laborers. However, the Government Rubber Estate at Labu (Labu Estate), along with those at Gadong and Berakas, struggled financially, accruing debts amounting to B$221,828.65 by the end of 1965. The state auditor raised concerns about these growing losses in 1966.

The development of Gadong accelerated in the 1960s, following the construction of a bridge connecting Brunei Town to Jalan Gadong and the establishment of key government facilities, such as the Gadong Power Stations, Police Headquarters, and the Land Transport Department. By 1967 or 1968, the completion of Jalan Gadong and its later connection to Jalan Tutong in the early 1970s spurred further expansion. Prior to the construction of this road, the only access to Gadong from the capital was by barge along the Menglait River.

Around 2007, Gadong experienced significant development, particularly through the efforts of Abdul Hapidz-led Abdul Razak Holdings (ARH), which owns a large tract of land in the area. The 24 acre Abdul Razak Complex has contributed to transforming Gadong into a key area of expansion for Bandar Seri Begawan. The development began with shophouses and gradually included residential properties, a hotel, and a shopping complex with various facilities. According to Ahmad Morshidi, the location of Gadong, adjacent to the highway leading to Brunei International Airport and close to the city centre, has made it a strategic and desirable area for development.

Infrastructure

Centrepoint Hotel

Completed in 1994, the Gadong Centrepoint in the Abdul Razak Complex was developed by ARH and overseen by Toshiba Corporation. The complex includes the Centrepoint Hotel, which offers 216 rooms and suites, including 113 deluxe rooms, 92 junior suites, 9 executive suites, 2 presidential suites, and 2 penthouse suites. It also features 10 meeting rooms and several dining restaurants. The Abdul Razak Complex houses the consulate of Sweden, and the surrounding area is home to the embassy of Oman.

The Mall

The Rizqun International Hotel and The Mall shopping centre in Gadong are the result of extensive planning that commenced in 1987. With a B$130 million investment, the construction of the complex began in 1999 and was completed over a period of seven years. Officially inaugurated on 9 July 2006 by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, The Mall features a three-story structure with two basement parking levels. Situated on a twenty-four-acre plot of land in Gadong, the hotel and mall represent the company's fourth and final major project. One of Brunei's largest shopping centers, the Mall offers a cinema of international calibre, a gym, a supermarket, a food court, cafes, and a variety of stores.

Following the formal ceremony, the prince received a gift from Abdul Hapidz. He then proceeded to tour the hotel's presidential suite and rooms 811–813, before signing the guestbook. The 150-room hotel is part of ARH's efforts to support the Tourism Development Department's strategic goals, helping to promote and grow the sector while increasing job opportunities for locals. The hotel features several meeting rooms, a business centre, a 24/7 coffee shop, and a ballroom that can accommodate over 1,000 people. Since their opening, the Rizqun International Hotel and The Mall have made a significant contribution to the local economy by providing valuable retail and accommodation options.

Gallery

File:Gadong Mall - Brunei.jpg|Rizqun International Hotel in 2015 File:Brunei 9 August 2022 02.jpg|Abdul Razak Complex seen from above in 2022 File:The Mall (Bandar Seri Begawan) - 18032022 (2).jpg|Interior of the Mall File:Gadong at night 08.jpg|Gadong shophouses at night File:Gadong commercial area 17.jpg|McDonald's restaurant in 2024 File:Gadong commercial area 03.jpg|Abdul Razak Complex during the December holiday season

Notes

References

References

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