Judges select entries for Asean Photo Competition
By Izam S. Ya'akub

Panel of judges and Hj Bujang Hj Masu'ut scrutinising a set of photographs.

National Entries for the Asean Photo Competition 2004 were judged yesterday at the Information Department, Old Airport, Berakas. Over 120 photographs were submitted by 24 local photographers in a bid to become one of ten from Brunei Darussalam to have their entries showcased at the Asean Photo Awards Ceremony & Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur to be held either in September or October.

The Director of the Information Department, Hj Bujang Hj Masu'ut, said the response was good from local photographers who would be competing against neighbouring Asean countries. The director also stated that pictures submitted for the competition could also be utilised for posters and calendars as they greatly represent the flora and fauna of Brunei Darussalam. He added that the Sultanate's participation in the competition establishes a rapport not only within Asean but also those from outside the region.

The judges who reviewed the entries have agreed on this year's theme for the Asean Photo competition to be "Growing With Nature - Asean's Environmental Challenges". It has proved to be challenging for Brunei's photographers as several of the photographs bared little relevance to the theme despite it being a key component of the selection criteria. However, many of the entries proved the talent and potential in the region.

The judging committee comprised Hj Sumadi bin Sukaimi, Director of the Language & Literature Bureau; Hj Mohd Harnadi Hj Buntar, Head of Photography, Information Department; Kalpana Choudhry, an artist and wife of the High Commissioner to Brunei; and Rudolf Portillo of Borneo Bulletin.

Entries from the following photographers have been chosen as the best amongst this year's entries and shall be submitted for the Asean Photo Award Ceremony & Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. They are Abd Hamid Hj Abd Rahman, Hj Mohd Yussof bin Hj Tengah, Hijium bin Yusop, Hj Mohammad Hj Sulaiman, Adi-Putera Hj Abd Hamid, Sha'ari Hj Zunaidi, Mohamad Nazib Hj Jumat, Abu Hasrah bin Hj Abd. Rani, Hj. Sahrin Hj. Asmat & Hassan Hj Zunaidi. The panel of judges have also chosen Hassan Hj Zunaidi as Brunei Darussalam's representative in Kuala Lumpur.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin