Brunei Darussalam has once again been recognised at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Write Award 2022-2023. Two local writers, Pengiran Haji Shamsu bin Pengiran Haji Kadar and Dr Chong Ah Fok, have been honoured for their outstanding poetic works.
Pengiran Haji Shamsu received the award for his poetry collection Kumpulan Sajak Cintaku di Ufuk for 2022, while Dr Chong was recognised for his poetry collection Kumpulan Sajak Warisan Abadi for 2023.
The two writers departed for Bangkok, Thailand yesterday to attend the award ceremony, where they will receive the award from Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya at the Sukhothai Palace today.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah saw the writers off at the Brunei International Airport. The Brunei delegation, including Acting Director of the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) Hajah Haireni binti Haji Awang Damit and an officer, will participate in various activities organised by the award organisers, such as cultural exchanges and poetry readings.
The SEA Write Award, established in 1979, recognises prominent writers and poets from Southeast Asian countries. It aims to recognise creativity, promote literary wealth and foster intellectual dialogue among ASEAN writers.
Since 1986, 36 Bruneian writers have been honoured with this prestigious award. The selection process involves evaluation by a panel in each country, considering factors such as the quality of the work and the writer’s reputation.
Brunei’s Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, through the DBP, serves as the Secretariat for the SEA Write Award in Brunei Darussalam, overseeing the selection process and representing the country at the award ceremony. – Lyna Mohamad
