Poetry & literature seminar in Labuan

Labuan Literary Writers Association members having a discussion in the presence of the Borneo Bulletin daily

Alia Atar, secretary of Labuan Literary Writers Association

Adi Misere, one of the participating writers from Brunei Darussalam

A literary seminar was conducted in Labuan on Tuesday to commemorate the 19th Federal Territory Labuan Day.

Some twelve members from the Brunei Literary Writers Association (ASTERAWANI), who were led by its deputy head Dr Ampuan Hj Brahim bin Ampuan Hj Tengah, participated in the seminar.

Earlier (last Monday), they witnessed a number of celebration activities, which were held in conjunction to the auspicious day. Some of Malaysia’s leading celebrities such as Axis and ex-cast member of the sitcom, “Senario”, performed at the Dataran Merdeka Labuan to ‘add a little spice’ to the event.

For the past 19 years, Labuan has been under the Federal Territory, which also administers Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

On Tuesday morning, the literary event was in full swing. Members of ASTERAWANI participated in a seminar entitled, “Puisi-Puisi Kota” (Poems From The City), which was conducted at the Labuan Matriculation College in Kg Meriding.

It was officially launched by a Malaysian cabinet member for Labuan, Senator Datuk Panglima Hj Mohammad Omar Bledram, who is also an adviser to the Labuan Writers Association (PERWILA).

Organised by PERWILA, the event was attended by more than 62 literary writers from Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak.

Two members from PERWILA presented their working papers at the seminar. Hj Jawawi Hj Ahmad, a language official from Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka Brunei Darussalam, touched on “Puisi-Puisi Brunei Darussalam” (Poems of Brunei Darussalam).

Later that evening, Senator Datuk Panglima Hj Mohammad Omar Bledram launched a poem’s night function entitled “Kota Kita Wajah Kita” (Our city is our image) at the open area of Seri Malindo Restaurant.

Several poets from Brunei Darussalam were given the opportunity to present their poems that evening. There were also a poem reciting competition and an entertaining live-theatre play, which were performed by PERWILA members.