Two Bruneian writers, Pengiran Haji Shamsu bin Pengiran Haji Kadar (2022) and Dr Chong Ah Fok (2023), were honoured with the prestigious Southeast Asian (SEA) Write Award 2022-2023, presented by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya at the Sukhothai Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.
Established in 1979, the SEA Write Award unites Southeast Asian writers and celebrates their contributions to the region’s literary progress.
Since 1986, 36 Bruneian writers have received this esteemed recognition, marking a significant achievement for Brunei’s literary community.
Pengiran Haji Shamsu received recognition for his poetry collection, Kumpulan Sajak Cintaku di Ufuk.
Over the past several years, he has actively produced poetry and to date, has had several works published by the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP).
Among his publications are three poetry anthologies, a collection of pantun and gurindam, as well as a structural analysis of a poet who previously received the SEA Write Award.
Reflecting on the honour, Pengiran Haji Shamsu admitted he was initially surprised. He described the achievement as the result of years of dedication.
Piece by piece, his poetry was collected and eventually compiled into individual anthologies. From there, his work was evaluated by local language experts, ultimately earning the recognition it deserved.
Pengiran Haji Shamsu’s journey in the writing field began during his training years at the Brunei Teachers Training College in 1961.
During his free time or whenever inspiration struck, he would put pen to paper, pouring his ideas onto the page.
However, becoming a recipient of the prestigious SEA Write Award was something he had never envisioned, making the news of his recognition all the more surprising.
During his college years, he was appointed as the first secretary for the publication of the college’s magazines, Tunas Belia and Sinaran Maktab, showcasing his early contributions to the literary world.
Beyond his work with the DBP, such as contributions to Majalah Bahana, Pengiran Haji Shamsu was also active in sending his poems to newspapers.
In the 1960s, his works appeared in publications like Daily Express (Sabah) and local newspapers, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to the craft of writing. Even after retiring over 20 years ago, Pengiran Haji Shamsu remains deeply dedicated to his passion for writing at the age of 82. “As a writer, and knowing friends my age who haven’t received awards, I always say: once you’ve committed yourself to writing, just keep going,” he shared.
“Treat it as a hobby without expecting anything in return, as literature carries its own benefits and plays an important role. As the wise say, ‘Literature for the People is not just Literature for Literature, but Literature for Society.’”
Meanwhile, for Dr Chong Ah Fok who was the recipient of the 2023 award, he received recognition for his poetry piece in Kumpulan Sajak Warisan Abadi.
His journey as a writer began during his years at the Sixth Form Centre in the 1970s, and he remains active to this day.
It all started with a simple habit of jotting down notes about daily events. Over time, this evolved as he began reading more books and relating their content to his own experiences.
This, he realised, was a turning point. “After reading books like short stories or poems, I’ve realised that they often carry messages that need to be thoughtfully digested and experienced. Through literature, these stories have the power to impart valuable knowledge.”
This realisation inspired him to take writing more seriously. His own life experiences, coupled with a love for literature and a growing sense of purpose, motivated him further.
What began as a pastime turned into a commitment.
He decided to take a bold step by submitting his first cerpen (short story) and a poem for a competition in the Sixth Form Centre’s school magazine. Both entries were selected as prize winners, marking the beginning of his literary journey.
This win further motivated Dr Chong, prompting him to take another bold step: writing for radio.
At the time, Radio Brunei had a weekly programme called Cerpen Dan Salokan, which featured short stories followed by critical discussions of the stories aired.
“I had a friend who also stayed at the school hostel with me, and like me, he had a passion for writing. After dinner, we would eagerly await to see whose story would be on air that day,” he recalled.
As a non-native Malay speaker, Dr Chong admitted to facing struggles during his secondary school years.
His difficulties became more pronounced when he moved to Form 4, where Bahasa Melayu required more detailed responses, and his lack of fluency became evident. His teacher often expressed dissatisfaction with his progress.
The teacher suggested that he read more books, and Dr Chong took the advice to heart.
He immersed himself in reading, so much so that he managed to read nearly all the books in the school library.
This experience solidified his commitment to literature, and for Dr Chong, reading played a pivotal role in shaping the person he is today.
Currently a deputy principal at St Andrew’s School, the 68-year-old Dr Chong, who earned his PhD from Universiti Malaya in 2014 after completing his studies in 2013, will be retiring next year but has pledged to continue writing.
Offering advice to young writers or those with an interest in writing, he emphasised the importance of taking initiative.
“Today, there are many media channels that can serve as platforms, unlike in my time when we only had pencil, paper, and a typewriter,” he noted.
With social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook available, Dr Chong called on other aspiring writers to start small. If they are serious about writing, he advises them to submit their work for publication on these platforms.
“You must be confident in your writing, no matter how you write,” he said.
“To start with, use social media platforms like Facebook, and write something short. Once you gain confidence, try writing more seriously and submit your work to these magazines or even Media Permata, just as I did in the past.” – Lyna Mohamad
