| Mukim Lamunin | |
| Settlement Type: | Mukim |
| Coordinates: | 4.6895°N 114.6774°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Brunei |
| Subdivision Type1: | District |
| Subdivision Name1: | Tutong |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Population As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Total: | 3,641 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | BNT |
| Utc Offset1: | +8 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postcode |
| Postal Code: | TGxx43 |
| Leader Title: | Penghulu |
| Leader Name: | Jaafar Tinggal |
Mukim Lamunin is a mukim in Tutong District, Brunei. The population was 4,298 in 2016.[1]
In Kampung Lamunin, there is a folk tale regarding the origin of Bukit Munin, located at Simpang 1603. The hill is above sea level and covers about . According to the former village head of Lamunin in 2010, Major (Ret.) Haji Tahamid bin Haji Kula, Bukit Munin is the origin of the name Kampung Lamunin. This origin story is unique because the characters involved belong to three native Brunei ethnic groups: the Kedayan, Tutong, and Dusun. The combination of these three groups is also symbolic of the Tugu Tiga Gong, a monument built by the villagers in 1992 to celebrate the silver jubilee of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's reign. This monument, located in front of the Balai Raya Kampung Lamunin, has become a landmark of the village.
The story of Bukit Munin dates back to a time when there was a neglected area of swampy land with a small stream and a hill. The land was overgrown with roots and vegetation, and the villagers called it "Lalak Akar." The village head decided to organise a communal work event to clear the land and transform it into a fruit orchard. One villager, Liau Gundah, from the Dusun ethnic group, was eager to participate. On his way home, Liau Gundah stopped by the "Lalak Akar" area to examine the overgrown land and recognised various types of roots like Akar Kaboh, Akar Kait, and others, which he thought could be useful for traditional medicine.
On the day of the event, Liau Gundah, with food prepared by his wife, joined the villagers in clearing the area. While others cut grass, trees, and gathered twigs, Liau Gundah worked at his own pace, occasionally resting. After some rest, he decided to climb the hill, despite warnings from his friends about the dangerous conditions. As he ascended, he swung his machete to clear the way and was startled when an animal appeared, causing him to shout "Munin! Munin!" and chase after it. The villagers tried to stop him, but Liau Gundah, in his startled state, continued chasing the animal up the hill. He eventually caught it and, still in his startled state, killed it. Once he recovered from the episode, he felt regret but was reassured by the villagers that his actions were due to his condition. The villagers then named the hill Bukit Munin, with "munin" meaning a type of civet in Dusun, and the name was later used to refer to the village as Kampung Lamunin. The word "La" was added simply to ease pronunciation.
The mukim is located in the east and centre of the Tutong District, bordering Mukim Kiudang to the north, the Limbang District in the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the east, Mukim Rambai to the south and south-west, Mukim Ukong to the west and Mukim Tanjong Maya to north-west.
The mukim is named after Kampong Lamunin, one of the villages it encompasses.
As of 2016 census, the population was 4,298 with males and females. The mukim had 770 households occupying 760 dwellings. The entire population lived in rural areas.
As of 2021, the mukim comprised the following villages:
| Settlements[2] | Population (2021) | Ketua kampung (2024)[3] [4] |
|---|---|---|
| Kampong Lamunin | 1,302 | Saini bin Haji Othman |
| Kampong Menengah | 143 | Muhammad Fitri Zulhilmi bin Haji Muhammad Shah Asnawi |
| Kampong Bukit Sulang | 295 | |
| Kampong Panchong | 398 | |
| Kampong Bintudoh | 300 | rowspan="3" |
| Kampong Bukit Barun | 201 | |
| Kampong Kuala Abang | 329 | |
| Kampong Layong | 237 | Mohammad Noh bin Haji Md Taib |
| Kampong Biong | 267 | rowspan="3" |
| Kampong Bukit Bang Dalam | 161 | |
| Kampong Bukit Ladan Forest Reserve | 8 |
Kampong Menengah spans an area of . This village, along with Kampong Bukit Sulang, is administered by a single ketua kampung (village head), as both are situated near each other. According to local oral history, the name "Kampong Menengah" originates from its location between two other villages, Kampong Bintudoh and Kampong Bukit Sulang. In the 1950s, the Kedayan people from Kampong Jerudong and Kampong Sengkurong settled in Kampong Menengah, attracted by the potential for rice farming, which was challenging in their previous locations due to unsuitable soil. Initially, they used Kampong Bukit Sulang for rice cultivation only but eventually relocated to make it a permanent settlement.
On 23 July 1961, Kampong Menengah Malay School was opened by Pengiran Kerma Indera Pengiran Mohammed. The school began operating with an enrollment of 40 students, and its first headmaster was Awang Judin bin Karim. On 21 February 1998, construction of a new school building commenced, with a foundation-laying ceremony officiated by Haji Dennis bin Haji Rosli, the Director of Schools at the time. The entire construction project cost approximately B$4.36 million. The building was completed on 17 February 1999, and the official handover of keys took place on 22 April 1999, marking the beginning of its use. The school shares its facilities with Kampong Menengah Religious School.
The first mosque in Kampong Menengah was constructed on 24 June 1972, led by Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Piah and funded through community donations and government support on a site near the Kampong Menengah Malay School. Completed on 23 February 1973, Haji Abdul Rahman became the mosque's imam, with Awang Ghani bin Haji Nordin as bilal. Due to the growing congregation, a larger mosque was approved under Brunei's 5th National Development Plan, with construction beginning on 25 September 1988 on a four-acre plot costing $500,000. It opened on 22 February 1990, coinciding with Brunei's 6th National Day, and was officially inaugurated by Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Yahya Ibrahim on 27 July 1990. The mosque, accommodating 230 worshippers, includes facilities such as a minaret, parking, ablution areas, and a library used for study and funeral services.
Kampong Bukit Sulang shares administrative oversight with Kampong Menengah. The village's name is derived from a local tree found on a hill within the village, known for its fruit, the "Buah Sulang." The fruit has yellow pulp that can be used as a natural colouring for cooking yellow rice and making a delicacy called Kelupis Sulang. In the 1950s, the Kedayan settlers initially tried farming in Kampong Tunggulian, Sungai Liang, but found the soil insufficiently fertile for rice cultivation. They then moved to Kampong Bukit Sulang, where they planted padi tugal on approximately six to seven acres of farmland. Over time, what began as a rice farming area grew into a settled community.
In the past, the appointment of a village head for Kampong Bukit Sulang was determined by mutual agreement and consensus among the residents. Generally, the chosen leader was someone respected for their family management skills and strong influence within the community. In the 1950s, Awang Luyak bin Majid became the first appointed village head of Kampong Bukit Sulang. In the 1960s, the position was taken up by Awang Haji Kula bin Hitam, followed by Awang Jabin bin Haji Kula in 1990. From 1 July 2015, Haji Roslee bin Haji Ahad has held the role of village head.
In the early days, before a road was constructed in the village, residents traveled on foot through the forest. Some also used river routes by boat to reach destinations such as Pekan Tutong and Brunei Town. Oral history indicates that the journey on foot from Bukit Sulang to Kampong Jerudong would take between three and seven days. In the 1950s, a road was built in the village, significantly easing travel for its residents.
The "Makan Taun" and village-wide "Doa Arwah" ceremonies are long-standing cultural traditions of the Kedayan community, held annually to express gratitude after the rice harvesting season. In the past, before the Makan Taun event, villagers would work together to build shelters and prepare the necessary items for the communal feast. Entertainment such as "beanding" and "bemukun" performances added to the festivities. Common dishes at the Makan Taun include "Kelupis Sulang," a type of yellow rice (coloured using Sulang fruit) wrapped in Nyirik (Phrynium) leaves, as well as a variety of traditional foods like turmeric-seasoned meat and creamy Umbut Luba (Eugeissona utilis) shoots.[5]
The local primary schools include Kampong Menengah Primary School, Lamunin Primary School and Panchong Primary School. Each of Kampong Menengah Primary School and Panchong Primary School also houses a Malay: sekolah ugama ("religious school" i.e. school for the country's Islamic religious primary education). Meanwhile, another Malay: sekolah ugama, namely Lamunin Religious School, has its own grounds.
Lamunin Health Centre (Malay: Pusat Kesihatan Lamunin) is the community health centre for the local residents as well as those in Mukim Rambai, Mukim Ukong, Mukim Kiudang and Mukim Tanjong Maya.[9]
Other local facilities include Lamunin Post Office, Lamunin Police Station and Lamunin Fire Station.