By Salawati Haji Yahya –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 26 NOV – In his age of 62, ASTERAWANI still looks energetic, in fact it can be said that he is able to maintain and continue the legacy of a literary group of the homeland.
While in terms of linguistic and literary history, his age of 62 is almost the same age as the establishment of the Language and Literature Council in 1965.
The matter was shared by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Director Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman when officiating the 8th Brunei Literary Meeting (PSB8) 2024 which took place at Balai Sarmayuda, Dewan Bahasa and Library (DBP), today.
Yang Berhormat Pehin further added that PSB8 is a support for the mission and vision of the movement to advance language and literature.
According to him, the theme The Philosophy of the Malay, Islamic, Monarchy (MIB) Nation in Literature: A Contribution Toward Achieving the Vision of Brunei 2035 calls for and encourages the production of literary works that embody the philosophy of Malayness, Islam and the sovereignty of Brunei Darussalam in achieving the goals of Brunei Vision 2035.
“It is intended to make Brunei known around the world with educated, highly skilled and successful people, high quality people’s lives and also a dynamic and resilient economy,” he explained.
PSB8 presented 16 papers including a keynote speech paper delivered by the Government Mufti, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned who is known among literary audiences as Adi Rumi.
Meanwhile, PSB8 also featured a mix of old and new presenters.
By featuring new presenters in PSB8, it is hoped that it will be a support for veteran writers, as well as being able to continue activities in the field of literature in the future.
In addition, the forum session featuring three panelists consisting of a paper presenter and two talented writers who are also new faces in PSB activities also debated related to the theme of the meeting.
PSB was also graced with the involvement of paper presenters from the Sabah and Sarawak Writers’ Association who are strategic partners of ASTERAWANI, where they also often invite ASTERAWANI members to participate in the activities they organize.
At the next PSB, ASTERAWANI will invite some foreign writers to fuel knowledge, share experiences and thoughts, especially in the field of writing.
PSB is a writer’s meeting held every two years, which is an activity awaited by writers in order to meet, listen to the presentation of royal papers, exchange thoughts, views and ideals.
In addition, it is also hoped that in the future they will be able to raise the quality of their literary works and further make a maximum contribution to the community, nation and country.