Lumut Lighthouse

Lumut Lighthouse
Rumah Api Lumut

The lighthouse in 2022
Location	Brunei Sungai Kayu Ara, Liang, Belait
Coordinates	4°38′58″N114°24′31″E / 4.6495091°N 114.4085950°E / 4.6495091; 114.4085950
Tower
Constructed	2005 (2005)
Foundation	1-story keeper's house
Construction	concrete tower
Height	105 ft (32 m)
Shape	hexagonal tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	red, white and blue [1]
Operator	Maritime Port Authority Brunei Darussalam
Light
First lit	March 2005
Focal height	108 ft (33 m)
Range	45 km (24 nmi) [2]
Characteristic	Fl (3) W 15s.

The LumutLighthouse (Malay : Rumah Api Lumut) is an active navigational beacon situated in Kampong Sungai Kayu Ara, under the administration of Kampong Lumut II in Mukim Liang, Belait District, Brunei. ^[3] Overlooking Lumut Beach, the lighthouse stands out prominently in the area. ^[4] It is located approximately 15.2 kilometres (9.4 mi) from Seria. ^[5] Initially overseen by the Ports Department and the Marine Department, its management was later transferred to the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD). ^[4]

Design

The lighthouse stands 32 metres (105 ft) tall and is painted in red, white, and blue. ^[6] It has been modernised with light-emitting diode lighting and features a focal plane approximately 33 metres above sea level. The light emits three white flashes every 15 seconds from a 30-metre hexagonal tower equipped with a lantern and gallery. With a listed range of 45 kilometres (28 mi), the lighthouse serves as a navigational aid for ships heading toward Lumut, an area on the South China Sea located west of the entrance to Brunei Bay. For reasons that remain unclear, the Admiralty includes this lighthouse in its list of lights associated with oil and gas production facilities. ^[2]

History

The Lumut lighthouse, administered by the Ports and Marine Departments, was constructed on 4 November 2004 at a cost of B$937,212.08. ^[6] The lighthouse was inaugurated in March 2005. ^[2] It gained national attention when it was visited by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on 23 May 2006, ^[3] highlighting its significance as part of the country's maritime infrastructure. ^[6]

In a parliamentary session on 2 March 2020, Abdul Mutalib, who was then the Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, confirmed that the lighthouse had come under the management of the MPABD. Evaluations were conducted to determine the most effective approach to managing the lighthouse, including proposals to develop it into a public attraction for educational visits by students and organised tour groups. ^[4] In November 2021, in commemoration of the International Maritime Organization, the lighthouse was among five buildings illuminated by MPABD, underscoring both its functional and symbolic importance. ^[7]

See also

• List of lighthouses in Brunei
• List of tallest lighthouses

References

1. "TOOL0005.jpg (image)". 1.bp.blogspot.com. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
2. Rowlett, Russ (21 March 2006). "Lighthouses of Brunei". ibiblio . Archived from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
3. K., Sonia; Jiu, Grace (24 May 2006). "His Majesty visits Belait District". sultanate.com. Borneo Bulletin. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
4. "Jadikan Menara Rumah Api Tarikan Orang Ramai". Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 2 March 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
5. Lloyd's Ports of the World. Lloyd's of London Press. 1984. p. 268. ISBN   978-0-907432-92-0.
6. Lim, Daniel (27 September 2023). "Belait District's hidden marvel". Borneo Bulletin Online. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
7. "Unsung heroes of pandemic times » Borneo Bulletin Online". Unsung heroes of pandemic times. 13 November 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2025.