Malaysia bans Indonesian book of Ahmad Wahib’s Diary

Bernama

PUTRAJAYA

THE Home Affairs Ministry (KDN) has banned four books containing elements which contradict with true Islamic teaching and present false facts on the country’s security agency.

Secretary-general of the ministry Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim said the books were titled Pergolakan Pemikiran Islam: Catatan Harian Ahmad Wahib (Islamic Thought Upheaval: Diary of Ahmad Wahib),  Malaysia And The Club Of Doom: The Collapse Of The Islamic Countries, Torture In Malaysia Prisons: Who You Didn’t Know And Need To Know To Ac’ and The Qoran: A Very Short Introduction.

The books were issued a prohibition order in accordance with Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 (Act 301) for containing elements that could disrupt harmony, alarm the public, cause harm to the public, and contradict with laws that upheld the nation’s well-being, Alwi said.

Meanwhile, three of the books contained elements that could confuse Muslims in the country on the implementation and practice of Islam as according to Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah, while another book if left unmonitored could mislead the public’s view on the country’s security agency, he said.

“It is an offence for any parties to print, import, produce, reproduce, publish, sell, issue, circulate, distribute or to possess these banned publications,” he said in a statement today.

Alwi said, according to Section 8(2) of the act, if found guilty for the offence, the offender could face imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine of not more than RM20,000, or both.

Bernama/Borneo Bulletion

Friday, September 9, 2016

 

http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/09/09/home-ministry-bans-four-misleading-books/

 

 

M’sian cartoonist gets ideas after Subuh (dawn) prayer

Nur Firdaus Abdul Rahim
KUALA TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA

CARTOONIST Mohd Nor Khalid, or popularly known as Lat, regards Ramadhan not only as the most blessed month, but also the time of the year when he is able to get ideas and inspiration for his work.

Born on March 5, 1951, in Kota Bharu, Perak, Lat, who is known for his cartoon series the ‘Kampung Boy’, said the best time for him to focus on his cartoon work is after the subuh (morning) prayer.

“I can be said to have retired, as my work no longer appeared in the newspapers, but I do still draw just to pass the time and is working to produce a comic book soon.

“So, the best time for me to get ideas for my work is in the morning, when my mind is still fresh.

“During the fasting month, after the ‘sahur’ (pre-dawn meal) and Subuh prayer as well as doing other religious rituals, I’ll spend time until noon on my cartoon work. That’s the time when I can focus,” he told Bernama.

He was met during an event “Jelajah Potret Penerima Anugerah Merdeka” by Petronas Gallery at the State Museum here recently. Lat is one of the recipients of the award. He received it in 2014.

On how he got himself into becoming a cartoonist, Lat said he had the skill since young and his father was the first person to discover his talent. He said most of his work was influenced by local cartoonists at that time like Raja Hamzah, Alias Kulub, Raja Sulaiman and Saidin Yahya.

“My father was the one who actually encouraged me. I remember during my childhood days, he would take us to the circus and when we got home, asked me to draw the animals which performed at the circus.

“That was how my interest in drawing started and it then progressed into drawing cartoons,” he added. The winner of the 2002 Fukuoka Asian Culture Award has so far published more than 20 cartoon series.

The first when he was 13 years of age. Most of his work depicts the life of the multi-racial society in Malaysia. Referring to “Kampung Boy”, he said it was based on his personal observation, life and experience.

“I don’t know how to create political stories because it is not an element that can last in the cartoon world.

“I prefer elements that are more remembered by the people, like friendship, neighbours and living in a society,” he added. He said the role of a cartoonist was not merely to produce work for people to view.

“At the same time, a cartoonist should be an agent to unite the people, especially in a country with various races, only then there is harmony,” he added.

Bernama

Sunday, July 10, 2016

 

– See more at: http://www.bt.com.bn/features/2016/07/10/m%E2%80%99sian-cartoonist-gets-ideas-after-dawn#sthash.BTSk9Hih.dpuf

Malaysia’s National Fatwa Council declares vaping as ‘haram’

Azura Abas

SEPANG

THE National Fatwa Council has declared that e-cigarette and vape are ‘haram (forbidden)”. Its chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin announced this after chairing a special council meeting which lasted more than two hours last night.

The decision was reached after those in the meeting had examined studies from the syariah, medical and scientific aspects as well as from the viewpoints of wastage and unhealthy culture.

“From the syariah aspect, it is detrimental to health. Islam forbids its followers from using things that can harm them directly or indirectly; immediately or gradually that can lead to death, damage the body, result in dangerous illnesses or harm the mind.

“E-cigarettea and vapes are categorised as repulsive due to its harming effects and smell bad. “They also have an element of wastage, which is by spending money on things that are harmful and non-beneficial,” he added.

He said using e-cigarette could be equated to drinking poison and smoking conventional cigarettes. Such a decision, he said, was also made from the aspect of public interest and preventing a possibly huge and dangerous outcome.

“We are seeing women and school children showing interest in vape. The decision is made to prevent an unhealthy culture from spreading to future generations.”

Abdul Shukor also urged all states that had yet to issue a fatwa on e-cigarettes and vapes to use the national fatwa council’s decision as reference. So far, four states have banned vapes, namely Penang, Kedah, Johor and Kelantan.

New Straits Times

Tue, 22 December 2015

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/12/118445/national-fatwa-council-declares-vaping-haram

8th International Islamic Borneo Conference: ‘Da’wah must be carried out more aggressively in Borneo ‘

The rector of Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak, Professor Dato Dr Jamil Hj Hamali, speaks during the adjournment of the eighth International Islamic Borneo Conference (KAIB VIII) on Thursday, 3/9/2015 at the Rizqun International Hotel. Photo: BT/Abdul Aziz Ismail

Abdul Aziz Ismail

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

ISLAMIC da’wah efforts should be supported by all levels of society in order to preserve the glories of Islamic civilisation in Borneo, said the rector of Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak.

Professor Dato Dr Jamil Hj Hamali highlighted this during the adjournment of the eighth International Islamic Borneo Conference (KAIB VIII) yesterday at the Rizqun International Hotel which was coordinated by Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak and Islamic Da’wah Centre Brunei.

Twelve resolutions were made following the two-day conference held at UNISSA.

Among the resolutions, Professor Dato Dr Jamil highlighted that da’wah activities must be carried out more aggressively in the communities within Borneo through methodological approaches and monitoring.

“Especially the youth; they should be given strong religious knowledge and awareness of the importance of the relationship between ethnic and racial solidarity,” he said.

“All parties must play their role to create interaction and positive social integration in the society for the purpose of preaching,” he added.

Professor Dato Dr Jamil said in regards to the economy and education among Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak, they must be strengthened as a medium to enhance the position and continuation of the Islamic communities of the two states.

He highlighted that Brunei has been successful in strengthening the implementation of Islamic values in its community, especially through the collaboration between UNISSA, the State Mufti’s Office and the Islamic Da’wah Centre embolding Islamic da’wah within the sultanate.

Muslims in Borneo should also ensure that the ASEAN community in Borneo fulfils the Maqasid Syariah(noble objectives of Islamic Law) concept by taking into account the needs, stability and sensitivities of all parties, Professor Dato Dr Jamil said.

Professor Dato Dr Jamil then highlighted that the development of Information and Communication Technology and media should also be harnessed as a means of making da’wah activities more effective and proactive.

He added that dai’e (inviters to Islam) and academic experts should also work together in maintaining the Islamic education system in Borneo by maximising the efforts of relaying knowledge and understanding of Islam to the community, especially in rural areas.

The rector also touched on the verification of halal statuses in the food industry, consumables, cosmetics and other products, as it should be streamlined among the authorities across Borneo.

Reviews of the arrival of Islam in Borneo manuscripts in connection with the preachers and Islamic civilisations should also be expanded, as there are many manuscripts that have been collected but have not been studied, he said.

Professor Dato Dr Jamil added that mosque structuring organisations should also be strengthened and expanded as one of the Hisbah institutions that realises the objective of zakat and wakaf institutions in Borneo.

He said the conference has resolved to maintain and strengthen the good relations and cooperation between the Brunei, Sarawak and Sabah governments.

He concluded by thanking His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, for his consent to organise the seminar.

The Brunei Times

Friday, September 4, 2015

http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2015/09/04/kaib-viii-resolves-improve-da%E2%80%99wah-efforts

Brunei Syariah books receive excellent response in Malaysia

The four books sent by the State Mufti Office which won the awards. Photo: BT

Abdul Azim Kassim
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BOOK publishers in Malaysia are keen on publishing the State Mufti’s books for the Malaysian market.

Recently Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Aziz Juned had four of his books nominated in the Regional Premier Publishing Category and awarded the ‘Anugerah Perdana Penerbit Nusantara’ at the National Book Awards Ceremony 2014.

These were Qanun Jenayah Syar’iah: Satu Pengenalan (The Syariah Penal Code: An Introduction), Fatwa Mufti Kerajaan 2012 and Perintah Qanun Jenayah Syar’iah: Neraca Allah (Syariah Penal Code Order: Ordain of Allah).

A statement from the State Mufti’s Office said during the Kuala Lumpur International Book Festival this year, the response from the books were beyond their expectations.

The State Mufti’s Office’s Director of Administration, Dato Paduka Awang Ahmad Bukhari Pehin Siraja Khatib Hj Abu Hanifah with the award. Photo: BT/Abdul Azim Kassim

“The books have gotten great feedback from book publishers and distributors,” the statement read.

“So much so that they would like to reprint and distribute the books in Malaysia – provided there is permission from the Brunei side.”

The State Mufti’s Office’s Director of Administration, Dato Paduka Awang Ahmad Bukhari Pehin Siraja Khatib Hj Abu Hanifah said the books were showered with praises during the awards ceremony organised by the Malaysia National Book Development Foundation (YPBN) in Kuala Lumpur.

“On behalf of the State Mufti’s Office, I feel proud because the efforts invested in coming up with these books are recognised and even awarded by Malaysia,” he said.

“It means a whole lot more when the guest of honour (Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim) personally mentioned and praised the publication.

“All these acknowledgements ultimately are a testament to the author himself, our State Mufti.”

He added that many Malaysians were impressed by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s determination to implement the law this year.

Touching on reasons why the award was given, Dato Paduka Awang Ahmad Bukhari said the quality and technique are important criterion in the competition.

“The State Mufti’s Office has worked hard to reach and sustain such value of quality,” he said.

“But content-wise, I believe the strong impact was the books provided guidance for one to better understand the Syariah Law Penal Code.”

During the trip in Malaysia, Dato Paduka Awang Ahmad Bukhari was accompanied by Head of Technical Publication Osman Abu Bakar. The National Book Award aims to appreciate the hard work of writers in the country and encourage the publishing industry to produce more quality writing instead of quantity.

The Brunei Times
Friday, December 12, 2014

http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2014/12/12/syariah-books-receive-excellent-response

Thailand, Malaysia set Southern Thai peace-talks conditions

AFP
KUALA LUMPUR

THE Thai and Malaysian premiers agreed Monday that stalled talks on ending southern Thailand’s deadly Muslim insurrection could only resume once all rebel attacks cease and its various insurgent groups come to the table as one.

The conditions spelled out by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, agreed in a meeting with hardline new Thai leader Prayut Chan-O-Ca, appeared to cast doubt on any speedy resumption of the peace talks on the bitter and stubborn conflict.

Najib Razak and Prayut Chan-O-Cha

Prayut arrived in Malaysia on Monday for a one-day visit, his first to Thailand’s Muslim-majority southern neighbour since the former military chief seized power in a May coup, with officials saying the stalled peace talks were “high on the agenda”.

Speaking to Malaysian media afterwards, Najib said if insurgents halted attacks, Prayut agreed the Thai army’s presence could be reduced.

“All parties need to respect the law and the Thailand Prime Minister has agreed that the army could reduce its presence,” Najib said.

But a decade-long insurgency that has seen near-daily bombings, shootings and occasional beheadings has spiked anew this year — sparking a renewed Thai security crackdown, with no end in sight.

More than 6,100 lives — most civilians — have been lost in the rebellion, where a range of shadowy groups are fighting for a level of autonomy from the Thai state.

Najib conceded the effort “will take time,” in comments to Malaysian state news agency Bernama.

Malaysia hosted several rounds of peace talks last year between one of the Muslim rebel groups and the previous Thai government led by Yingluck Shinawatra.

But the dialogue made little headway and eventually collapsed as Yingluck’s government became engulfed by a political crisis that ultimately led to Prayut’s coup.

Najib said all rebel groups must agree together on their demands and “only then can substantial negotiations start.”

Experts on the conflict have said the peace effort is hampered by divisions within insurgent groups.

Attacks continued during last year’s talks, raising doubts over whether the rebels at the table spoke for other factions or had any authority over fighters on the ground.

Buddhist Thailand colonised its predominantly Muslim deep south more than a century ago, and insurgencies have repeatedly flared.

Rights organisations accuse Thai authorities of widespread human rights abuses — including extra-judicial killings — and sweeping aside the area’s distinct local culture.

Despite seeking a resumption of peace talks, Thai authorities have recently distributed hundreds of assault rifles to villagers, saying locals need to be able to protect themselves following a slew of insurgent attacks on civilians.

But rights groups have warned the move threatens to breed yet more fear and violence.

Dozens of Malaysian demonstrators held a protest outside Thailand’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Monday against Prayut’s visit, denouncing him for his “illegal” power grab.

The Bangkok Post
Tue, 2 Dec 2014

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/446530/thailand-malaysia-set-peace-talks-conditions

46 cases of human trafficking probed

Quratul-Ain Bandial
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) has investigated 46 suspected cases of human trafficking in the first half of 2014, said an official from the Indonesian embassy in Brunei yesterday.

Speaking at a briefing to raise awareness of the issue among Indonesian workers, Counsellor Deny Tri Basuki said the embassy would work closely with RBPF’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) whenever they come across cases that have elements of human trafficking. Citing the recent case of an Indonesian maid who broke her leg by jumping from a third-storey flat in a bid to escape from her employer, Deny said the case fits some criteria of human trafficking.

Counsellor of the Protocol and Consular Affairs Section of the Indonesian Embassy, Deny Tri Basuki (L), speaking during a briefing on human trafficking at the Youth Centre. Photo: Qurratul Ain Bandial/BT

“In her the case, the CID interviewed the victim based on the (trafficking) indicators… Whether it is a genuine case of trafficking, it’s up to CID to determine. The matter is still under investigation,” he told The Brunei Times on the sidelines of the briefing yesterday.

Unlike people-smuggling where individuals are complicit in the crime, human trafficking must contain elements of force, fraud or coercion and usually involves forced labour or services. Victims are also subject to limited movement and have identification documents confiscated.

With more than 70,000 Indonesians working in Brunei, Deny said it is crucial that expatriate workers know their rights. Some of most common complaints received by the embassy include labour exploi-tation, unpaid wages, debt bon-dage and passport confiscation.

According to police statistics, the RBPF investigated 183 cases of suspected human trafficking in 2013. However, since 2004 – when new legislation was introduced to address the issue – only three cases have been prosecuted in court.

Deny said the lack of prosecution is due to the difficulty in proving specific elements of trafficking, and victims are often uncooperative in providing testimony.

“More often than not, they just want to go home,” he said.

In a previous report, Deputy Public Prosecutor Chris Ng explained that the Public Prosecutor’s Office only proceeds with cases that have strong evidence.

He said several criteria must be proved to obtain a conviction – such as the use of threats, deception, abuse of power and recruitment or transport of an individual for the purpose of exploitation.

However, the Attorney General’s Chambers is currently reviewing the Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons Order as part of efforts to improve laws combating traffick-ing in persons.

“One of the recommendations made in the US State Department report is that we should delineate our smuggling and trafficking provisions,” said Ng.

In the US State Department’s 2012 Trafficking in Persons report, Brunei is described as a transit and destination country for trafficking in persons.

“Brunei is a destination country and to a much lesser extent, a source and transit country for men and women who are subjected to forced labour and forced prostitution,” the report read, stating that people from within the region migrate to Brunei for work but are sometimes subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude after arrival.

The report also stated that the Sultanate has made “significant efforts” towards compliance, devoting more resources and training to raise awareness and prosecute trafficking cases.

The Brunei Times
Monday, November 24, 2014

http://www.bt.com.bn/frontpage-news-national/2014/11/24/46-cases-human-trafficking-probed

Kelantan considers guillotine as punishment for offenders

KOTA BARU, MALAYSIA

A SMALLER form of the guillotine, similar to that reportedly used to behead French King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette, during the height of the French Revolution in 1793, is set to emerge in Kelantan.

The opposition PAS-led state’s hudud law technical committee, said to be facing problems finding suitable methods to amputate limbs of those convicted of stealing, is considering a “mini” form of the guillotine as an option.

Its Chairman, Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah, said he would suggest to the panel to use such a contraption, which would not need a surgeon to operate.

Mohd Amar, who is Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar, said despite the negative reactions to getting surgeons to amputate the limbs of offenders, the committee was still mulling the idea.

“The surgeon must first agree to carry out the procedure but he is likely to face the wrath of the Malaysian Medical Association for violating the Hippocratic Oath.

The oath to uphold professional and ethical standards is historically taken by physicians and their assistants.

Mohd Amar said the guillotine was fast, effective and needed only one person to pull the lever, two others to hold down the offender and a doctor to ensure the punished person does not drastically suffer from the punishment. The judge who meted out the sentence must also be present.

“I will make extensive studies on the method used during the French Revolution in the 18th century when guillotines were used to sever the heads of those sentenced to death,” he added.

Ironically, France’s guillotine was introduced to end the preceding centuries of inhumane torture of criminals and eliminate the severity of pain endured under capital punishment.

The device based on a falling heavy blade is named after Dr Joseph Ignace Guillotine, who did not invent it but lobbied extensively for its use.

The first execution using a guillotine took place at Place de Greve in Paris on convicted armed robber Jacques Nicolas Pelletier in 1792.

The last person to be beheaded by a guillotine was convicted killer Hamida Djandoubi in 1977. The Tunisian was found guilty of killing his former lover, Elisabeth Bousquet. France abolished the death penalty in 1981.

Mohd Amar said probable methods to mete out punishment including chopping off of limbs of offenders under Syariah Criminal Code II 1993, were discussed in a meeting chaired by Kota Baru MP Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan.

He said among those who attended the meeting were eight muftis and several doctors, adding that he did not attend as he was performing his pilgrimage in Mecca then.

“I plan to attend the next meeting and propose the mini guillotine idea for detailed discussions,” he said.

Kelantan intends to table two private member’s Bills in Parliament for hudud laws to be implemented and enforced in the state next year.

The first is to provide wider powers to Syariah court judges to hear and mete out sentences under the Syariah Penal Code, while the second is to allow federal departments, like the police and the prisons department, to be used by the state government to enforce its hudud laws.

Currently, under Article 76A of the Federal Constitution, crimes such as stealing, robbing, causing hurt, rape and murder come under the Penal Code.

In an immediate reaction, Kelantan Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) deputy chairman Tan Ken Ten described the plan to introduce the mini guillotine as ridiculous.

“I do not know what else they will come up with after this. They are becoming creative with ideas and making it up while they go along with their plans to enforce hudud in the state,” he said.

“The whole episode sounds like a joke. By resorting to an 18th century device to carry out capital punishments, they will become the laughing stock of the world,” added Tan.

The Star/ANN/The Brunei Times
Monday, November 17, 2014

t

http://www.bt.com.bn/news-asia/2014/11/17/kelantan-considers-guillotine-punishment-offenders

US Halal Food Supplier Indicted Over Beef Exports to Indonesia and Malaysia

n this Sept., 2010 photo, Bill Aossey Jr. poses for a portrait in front of an image of Damascus, at Midamar Corp. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Iowa-based Midamar, which Aossey founded in 1974, is a leading U.S. halal company that sells beef, turkey, chicken and other products around the world. (AP Photo/The Des Moines Register, Mary Willie)

Ryan J Foley
IOWA CITY, IOWA

THE founder of a popular line of food products for observant Muslims has been charged with fraudulently shipping beef to Malaysia and Indonesia that didn’t meet the countries’ import requirements, federal prosecutors in Iowa said Friday.

Bill Aossey Jr., who founded Midamar Corp. in 1974, is charged with conspiring to change labels and fabricate documents to make products appear that they originated from a slaughterhouse that met Malaysian and Indonesian requirements. Iowa-based Midamar is a leading U.S. halal company that sells beef, turkey, chicken and other products around the world.

His attorney, Haytham Faraj, called the 19-count indictment unfair, saying it was filed after his client rejected a plea agreement. Aossey, a prominent 73-year-old Cedar Rapids businessman, hasn’t been arrested and is expected to soon make an initial court appearance, Faraj said.

Aossey, a son of Syrian immigrants, is the “quintessential American success story,” Faraj said. Midamar, now operated by Aossey’s sons, celebrated its 40th anniversary this week.

Malaysia and Indonesia restrict the import of halal beef products to those from certified slaughter facilities. Halal meat is supposed to be killed in ritual slaughter and processed in compliance with Islamic law.

The indictment alleges that Midamar, which relies on third-party suppliers for meat that it packages and sells, used an unnamed Minnesota slaughterhouse that wasn’t certified to supply beef to customers in both countries between 2007 and 2010.

Midamar employees used nail polish to remove the Minnesota slaughterhouse’s federal establishment number from packaging and put new labels containing the number of an Omaha slaughterhouse that was certified, according to the indictment. Midamar also listed the wrong slaughterhouse on paperwork sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to receive certificates for exporting, prosecutors allege.

The indictment charges Aossey with conspiring to sell misbranded meat, making false statements on export certificates, wire fraud and money laundering.

Faraj said evidence will show that the exported beef met Malaysian and Indonesian standards.

“This was not a case where they were substituting inferior product for the product that was requested. It was a minor regulatory violation that USDA’s own inspectors who were present didn’t think was a violation at the time,” he said. “The product was of the same quality. It met the halal standard.”

He said he believed Midamar was being treated more harshly than other meat companies because of its Muslim ownership.

The investigation dates to 2010, when USDA inspectors seized thousands of pounds of what they called misbranded meat products at Midamar. The agency stopped voluntary inspections at Midamar but resumed them after the company took corrective actions. In 2012, agents descended on Midamar to serve search warrants seizing its business records, computers and bank accounts.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, said it was troubled by the raid and the secrecy surrounding it.

Midamar’s lawyers have accused the government of improperly trying to define halal standards, saying that should be left to religions. Faraj said the government has backed off accusations that Midamar didn’t understand halal.

“This is, as I call it, the consolation prize,” he said of the indictment. “We couldn’t get you on that, so we’ll get you on something else.”

Associated Press
Oct 24, 2014

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/us-halal-food-supplier-indicted-beef-exports-26429972

Thailand becomes 5th member of MASTERA

Rabiatul Kamit
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THAILAND was admitted as the fifth member of the Southeast Asia Literary Council (MASTERA) during the opening of council’s 20th conference in Brunei yesterday.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah said Thailand’s entry to MASTERA will strengthen the position of the council and lead to the implementation of greater agendas, particularly in “raising the glory of the Malay language” through literary activities.

“MASTERA will be more advanced and potentially crossing geographical Nusantara boundaries in an effort to bring Malay literature to the international literary world,” he said.

In his speech, the minister also advised the five-member council to lift and revive the glory of ancient Malay literature, literary figures and oral literature containing the culture and traditions that are associated with the assimilation of the community.

He explained that it would help MASTERA gain popularity by reaching out to its target groups and further penetrate the local literary world.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair congratulates MASTERA’s Thai representative Ustaz Dr Hamidin Sanawi (L). BT/Rabiatul Kamit

Although MASTERA has conducted a variety of activities and programmes in the form of research, publication and marketing, YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair pointed out there were groups of people who remain unaware of MASTERA’s existence and activities.

“This traditional heritage needs to be preserved and strengthened especially through the new media,” said the minister.

He also urged the council to keep abreast of and utilise the digital world in popularising literature and culture as well as elevating the literary works across the geographic boundaries. He warned that literary works could be wiped out and left behind if not preserved and documented.

“New media is very important in life today, especially for authors to market their work more easily and also for commercial publishers via e-publication (e-Pub),” he said, noting that new media is an important aspect of life for Generation X and Y as well as for literature in schools.

During the conference, the minister presented the MASTERA Literary Award of $10,000 in cash prize, a certificate, a piece of traditional Jong Sarat cloth as well as translation and publication of literary work.

This year’s recipients were Pg Setia Pg Negara Pg (Dr) Hj Mohd Yusof Pg Hj Abd Rahim (Yura Halim) from Brunei, Bapak Professor Dr Sapardi Djoko Damono from Indonesia, Sasterawan Negara (SN) Professor Emeritus Dr Muhammad Hj Salleh from Malaysia and Suratman Markasan from Singapore.

Pg Setia Pg Negara Pg (Dr) Hj Mohd Yusof Pg Hj Abd Rahim (Yura Halim)

Professor Dr Sapardi Djoko Damono

Professor Emeritus Dr Muhammad Hj Salleh

Suratman Markasan

YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair also launched MASTERA’s latest publications titled “Lima Tahun MASTERA (2000-2004)” and “Penterjemahan Karya Sastera Terpilih: Puisi”.

The three-day conference is held at the Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong.

The Brunei Times
Friday, September 19, 2014

http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2014/09/19/thailand-becomes-5th-member-mastera