BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEI Darussalam will be hosting the 18th Regional Malay Literati Conference this week from May 29-31.

The conference will be held at Balai Sarmayudha at the Language and Literature Bureau’s building in Airport Lama in Berakas.

Organised by the Brunei Darussalam Association of Writers (Asterawani) in collaboration with the Language and Literature Bureau, the biennial Conference will provide opportunity for interaction, exchange of ideas, sharing of information on current issues in the field of Malay language, literature, culture and creative writing to build national resilience.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Associate Professor Dr Ampuan Hj Brahim Ampuan Hj Tengah, the Head I of Asterawani said that about 70 foreign participants, including prominent literary figures from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have confirmed their attendance.

Under the theme of “National Resilience and Malay Literary Excellence in the Archipelago: Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien Enhances the Malay Muslim Monarchy (MIB) Concept, the event is expected to see a total of 150 participants from local and foreign countries.

The conference will feature a total of 22 working papers, including a keynote address during the opening ceremony by one of Brunei’s prominent literature figures, Yang Berhormat Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Hj Awang Yahya Hj Ibrahim. Among other foreign speakers who will deliver their presentations are Prof Datuk Wira Dr Abdul Latif Abu Bakar of Malaysia, Dr Ahmadun Yosi Herfanda of Indonesia, Jamal Tukimin of Singapore and Dr Phaosan Jehwae of Thailand.

“We welcome local literati, writers and literature enthusiasts to participate in the conference,” said Associate Professor Dr Ampuan Hj Brahim. He also said that at the end of the conference, it will produce a resolution which contains all important issues brought up during the sessions, including to announce the next host of the Regional Malay Literati Conference.

The Brunei Times