Azlan Othman
The history of Jawi writing, the efforts of the Government of Brunei Darussalam to defend Jawi writing and the role of Jawi writing and its importance as the treasure and identity of the Sultanate were among the topics brought up at the virtual International Malay Language, Literature and Culture Congress Series (KABSBM) in conjunction with the Language Month organised by the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) yesterday.
The congress aims to bring together language, literature and cultural experts at national and international levels to share knowledge and ideas through the dynamics of knowledge, experience and specific levels of expertise.
The fourth presentation series featured Deputy Director of the Jawi Studies and Kitab Turath Research Centre at Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Dr Haji Mohd Shahrol Azmi bin Haji Abdul Muluk.
Chairperson of the congress was Head of the Language Construction and Development Division at the DBP Hajah Sariani binti Haji Ishak.
The congress explored the language aspect with the title ‘Jawi Writings Treasures and Brunei Nation Identity’.
Some 179 participants attended KABSBM including Acting Permanent Secretary (Strategy and Policy Management) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah, speakers within and outside the country, strategic partners, senior government officials, and language, literature and culture lovers from Brunei and beyond.
KABSBM with the main theme ‘Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa’ is supported by the DBP’s strategic partners – Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), KUPU SB, Brunei Youth Council (BYC), Darussalam Association of Writers (Asterawani) Brunei and Putra Seni Group (KPS).
