The occasional tantalising glimpses of rooftops peeping above the jungle canopy aroused my curiosity.

So, one day I decided to take a closer look. The overgrown path through the forest was reasonably clear; it would have been a broad road had the project been completed.

As I approached, the buildings seem to emerge from the trees like one of those old ruined cities we used to see in the movies. The buildings are still impressive despite their dilapidated state because of their sheer size, the tall columns, and the grand stairway into the main building. I do not know what purpose it was going to serve, but the building before me was designed to make an impression.

The large domes at each end of it are starting to fall to pieces and the daylight leaks through into a dark, gloomy interior. I climbed one of the winding staircases to get a better view. The concrete stairs had no rails, were strewn with litter and very slippery. It occurred to me that a stumble here could have serious consequences.

The view from the top of the staircase showed a ground floor littered with large wooden crates.

Upon inspecting them later, I found they were full of marble fittings. No expense was to be spared on this development.

Nearby, almost hidden by trees, is an unfinished mosque. Its unique design promised to make it an attractive addition to the many other mosques in Brunei.

Sadly, it will now probably never be completed.

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