BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) yesterday donated over $73,000 to the Brunei Darussalam Association of Writers (Asterawani), fire victims at various villages, as well as mosques, suraus and prayer halls across four districts.

Asterawani received $5,000 towards their expenses in organising the 18th Regional Malay Literati Conference 2015, while $28,600 was presented to 14 families who were victims of recent incidents of fire resulting in the loss of houses in a number of villages.

For this month of Ramadhan, a total of $39,450 was donated to 43 mosques, suraus and prayer halls in the four districts.

According to a press statement by YSHHB, providing financial support to some of the mosques, suraus and prayer halls across the country to organise religious events during Ramadhan is an annual religious project of the organisation.

The statement added that it is also part of YSHHB’s efforts to help enliven mosques, suraus and prayer halls in line with its objective to propagate Islam among the people.

Meanwhile, the statement said, the aim of Asterawani’s 18th Regional Malay Literati Conference is to provide an opportunity for members to come together, interact or exchange ideas on current issues relating to Malay language, literature, culture and creative writing, particularly in its function to build national resilience.

Asterawani has hosted the conference four times; in 1985, 1994, 2001 and 2010.

On hand to receive the contribution on behalf of the association was its Head, Hj Jawawi Hj Ahmad.

A total of 13 individuals who were fire victims from all districts were also present to receive the donations, while Musa Zainal of Kampong Mumong, Belait was present to receive contributions for his house which collapsed recently.

Presenting the contributions was Hj Brahim Hj Ismail, the Managing Director of YSHHB.

Also in attendance at the event were assistant managing directors, senior government officers and officers from YSHHB.

The ceremony took place at the YSHHB complex in Bandar Seri Begawan.

The Brunei Times