Mukim Kota Batu

Mukim Kota Batu (ko-TAH BAH-too) is a mukim in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. The population was 12,935 in 2016. The mukim is home to some of the country's museums and historical sites, in particular in Kota Batu.

Etymology

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.

Geography

The mukim is located on the southeastern part of the Brunei-Muara District, bordering Mukim Mentiri to the north and Mukim Lumapas to the south and west, Mukim Kianggeh and the mukims within Kampong Ayer to the west, as well as the Brunei Bay to the east and Limbang District in Sarawak, Malaysia, to the east.

The Brunei River flows through the mukim into the Brunei Bay. There are several islands:

• Pulau Baru-Baru
• Pulau Berambang
• Pulau Berbunut
• Pulau Cermin
• Pulau Keingaran
• Pulau Pepatan
• Pulau Sibungor

Demographics

As of 2016 census, 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

A few of the villages are also part of Bandar Seri Begawan municipal area, namely Kampong Belimbing, Kota Batu, Pelambayan, Pintu Malim, Subok and Sungai Lampai. As of 2021, the mukim comprised the following census villages:

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. As of today, the mosque no longer exists.

References