A resettlement programme aimed at dispersing the population of Kampong Ayer led to the rapid conversion of large forested areas, including Menglait, into rubber estates, reflecting broader economic and urban development strategies under British influence.

As vehicles became more prominent after the post-World War II economic boom, car ownership surged, prompting the establishment of the Land Transport Department's headquarters in Brunei Town by 1962.

Economic growth, driven by rising oil prices and government initiatives, spurred the construction of shophouses and infrastructure, establishing the MCA as the epicentre of Brunei's automotive culture for car parts, repairs, and purchases.

The western section, near the flyover of the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway, known locally as "bawah jambatan" or "below the bridge," saw the construction of new shophouses and workshops.

With growing wealth, car ownership became increasingly common, and obtaining a driver's license was viewed as an important milestone for young people.

[5] As of 2022, a high-density residential complex with luxury homes, condominiums, and commercial spaces is intended to replace the MCA, which is a part of the Gadong-Kiulap Commercial-Lifestyle region in the Bandar Seri Begawan Development Masterplan.

This urban regeneration strategy runs the risk of uprooting those whose livelihoods depend on the area in order to draw in higher-end businesses and residents for economic growth.

[6] The MCA, which has a footprint of fewer than 25 hectares (62 acres) and extends 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) to the west, is a part of the broader Gadong commercial zone.

With mangroves along the banks and mixed wetlands farther inland along the riparian zone, the natural vegetation initially consisted of lowland dipterocarp forests and tropical swamps.

[5] Like other villages in the country, Kampong Menglait is equipped with various facilities, including a secondary school, a post office, a sports complex, and a petrol station.

Chinese merchants and migrants who came to Brunei in search of better possibilities from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Sarawak, Singapore, and other parts of the region opened many of these stores.

Businesses in Menglait changed to cater to the expanding vehicle market as oil and gas became essential to Brunei's economy and the global automobile industry developed.

As a result, Menglait developed into a crucial center for automobile services, closely linked to the region's economic globalisation and the importance of Brunei's oil and gas sector.