Lyna Mohamad
Kampong Batu Marang Mosque’s Takmir Committee and Muslimah Al-Ma’wa members and their families went on a cruise along Brunei River recently.
The passengers were able to learn historical events and legends such as the well-known folklore of Jong Batu, a rock outcrop that resembles a sinking ship with its bow sticking out of the water.
The Jong Batu tale tells the story of an unfilial son and his ship turning into a rock after turning away his mother who rowed a small boat to meet him.
The son’s wife was disgusted by the sight of a poor woman in a small boat and he ordered his crew to push the mother’s boat away. The heartbroken mother cursed her son and a storm capsized the ship which turned to stone.
The cruise also gave the passengers a view of Istana Nurul Iman from the Brunei River and other landmarks including the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge that connects the capital to the other side of the water village.
Kampong Batu Marang Mosque Takmir Committee Secretary Haji Mohamad Isa bin Haji Marsidi said the cruise is one of several activities planned for 2021 but it was postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19’s second wave.
He said, “It is not only taking a break from the stress of going through the second wave, but seeing smiles on the families’ faces is a valuable sight and family bonding time matters too.”
