Showcasing local literary talent
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Prof Madya Dr Hj Hashim

Muslim Burmat

Mohd Zefri Ariff 

The Brunei Darussalam's Literary Writers Association (ASTERAWANI) is set to launch three creative publications written by its members at a function to be held on May 7.

The launching will take place at the Restoran PGS, Spg 150, Kg Kiulap, Gadong at 2.30 pm.

One of the books - a novel - was written by the nation's top novelist, Hj Muslim bin Hj Burut or Muslim Burmat who wrote Terbang Tinggi (Fly High) while Prof Madya Dr Hj Hashim bin Hj Abd Hamid, the leader of ASTERAWANI published his collection of poems, Memorinduku (My Memory of Yearning).

Mohd Zefri Ariff bin Mohd Zain Ariff or Zefri Ariff Brunei, the deputy secretary of ASTERAWANI collected his theatre scripts in an anthology entitled Rapat (Meeting).

The event is set to commence with the recital of Al-Fatihah. The organising chairman, Dr Ampuan Hj Brahim bin Ampuan Hj Tengah, the deputy leader of ASTERAWANI will deliver an opening address.

The guest-of-honour at the function, Prof Madya Dr Hj Hashim bin Hj Abd Hamid will officiate the launching. He will also be delivering a keynote address.

Terbang Tinggi is the eighth novel of Muslim Burmat who also wrote Hadiah Sebuah Impian (The Gift of a Dream), Lari Bersama Musim (Run with the Seasons), Puncak Pertama (The First Summit), Sebuah Pantai di Negeri Asing (A Beach in a Foreign Country), Urih Pesisir and Makna Sebenar Sebuah Ladang (The Real Meaning of a Farm).

He wrote many short stories and collected them in ten publications.

Muslim Burmat was the first recipient of SEA Write Award for Brunei Darussalam in Bangkok, Thailand in 1986. Other awards include the Anugerah Sastera Nusantara in 1999, Hadiah Sastera MASTERA 2001 and Tokoh Sastera Brunei 2002.

The anthology of poems Memorinduku, is the first creative collection of Prof Madya Dr Hj Hashim who is an associate professor and the director of Academy of Brunei Studies at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

He has also written six academic books, namely Junjung Tinggi (1993), Riak Sastera Darussalam (1994), Cerucuk Budaya Brunei (1999), Lanang Beladu Lanang: Pengantar dan Koleksi Pantun Brunei (2001), Bicara Sastera Brunei (2002) and Islam di Brunei Darussalam: Satu Analisis Sosio-Budaya (2003).

He had also delivered 78 working paper presented at all levels of conferences and seminars - international, regional and local.

Rapat is also a first creative collection of Mohd Zefri Ariff, a lecturer at the Malay Literature Department, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. He had also written an academic book Di Balik Kertas dan Pentas (Behind Paper and Stage) published by UBD this year.

Mohd Zefri Ariff is also a prolific theatre and drama scriptwriter.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin