WADAH PERPUSTAKAAN

`WADAH PERPUSTAKAAN
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Bil.4 April 2013 ISSN 1609-4271
NATIONAL READING CONFERENCE
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Deputy Sultan in a sabda, emphasized reading culture as a fundamental
pillar in lifelong learning, intellectual growth and development. Therefore, His Royal Highness called
on all stakeholders to be able to enhance and strengthen the culture of reading because reading is a
building tool for enriching knowledge, strengthening the mind and maturity of action.
His Royal Highness also urged that ongoing studies be undertaken to improve the literacy rate in this
country to reach one hundred percent. His Royal Highness was speaking at the Opening Ceremony of
the National Conference on Empowering Reading Culture 2013 in the morning. The ceremony took
place at Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong.
The National Conference on Empowering Reading Culture with the theme "Reading Empowers the
Nation" which is being held for the first time, was jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth
and Sports, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Brunei Darussalam Library
Association. Upon arrival at the hotel, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Culture,
Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji
Hazair.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and doa selamat led by Yang Berhormat
Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Awang Hj Yahya.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, in his welcoming address, said the conference aims to
uphold His Majesty's Titah on the importance of knowledge in the development of the country as
well as to realize the National Vision 2035 and support the implementation of the National
Education System of 21st Century. Yang Berhormat added that the conference also aims to raise
awareness on the importance of reading, to make a reading and library-friendly community a
culture, as well as to increase literacy-related knowledge and experience among librarians,
educators, student and the public. It is also to improve the skills and professionalism in Brunei
Darussalam by sharing experience and best practices with countries which have achieved excellence
in the realization of reading culture in their community.
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His Royal Highness, in his sabda, asserted that Islam is a perfect religion that is synonymous with
empowering knowledge as a foundation of development of individuals. The utterance or kalimah
'iqra' or 'read' as the first command to Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. is a clear command for the
perpetuity of reading practices.
SABDA:
“A knowledgeable Muslim is promised with blessings in this world and after, besides a scholar's
noble status being raised to a higher level as mentioned in the Surah Al-Mujadalah, Verse 11, and
interpreted as "Allah raises the levels of the religiously faithful among the ummah, and those who
are provided with religious knowledge; Allah is All-Knowing of everything one does." Such is the
lesson for those who like reading and love knowledge. The reading habit is also a source of
generating various benefits in the daily life, such as thinking skill, shaping a creative mind, strength
and personality as well as an active mentality. In fact, reading culture is a fundamental pillar in the
life-long learning process, intellectual growth and a nation's progress. A civilised and successful
nation comprises a community that empowers the reading culture. Through it, the community can
obtain and benefit from various branches of knowledge which makes people more creative,
innovative and always ready to remain competitive in a knowledge-based economic climate. Hence, I
hope all stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, will be able to enhance and empower the reading culture. One
of the ways is through the teaching and learning system at educational institutions for primary and
higher studies, apart from providing a supporting infrastructure to encourage the reading culture
and life-long learning for every level of the community. From the informal perspective, the role of
parents is very important. Parents are the role models and agents of change who can set the best
example to their children in cultivating the love of reading culture, besides filling quality time with
the family.”
His Royal Highness said to generate further reading and knowledgeable society; it is desirable for the
effort and attention devoted to the younger generation because they are the heirs of the nation.
Effort to cultivate the habit of reading to younger generation, His Royal Highness said is not a simple
matter during the times of this borderless world.
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SABDA:
“This is because we will be faced with many challenges, including challenges of the hedonism culture
that emphasizes excitement produced by a variety of gadgets, technology, and the impact of a lot of
time spent either playing game or having fun without time and place restrictions. Such a symptom
also causes loss of a lot of free time which can be more worthwhile if used to read, think and
perform the Zikir. In this case, we need to strengthen our commitment, seek to address these
challenges with wisdom and foresight. This includes the developing human resource capabilities
including those of teachers and librarians, through exposure and room for their skills in the mastery
of info-communication technology applications. This will further diversify access to quality reading
resources to befit the technology of this century. I take note that the ongoing efforts to strengthen
the reading culture that has long been pioneered by ministries and agencies concerned, through the
education system, co-curricular initiatives, and ancillary programs and activities, have been actively
pursued in accordance with the times. It is hoped that similar initiatives will be undertaken by the
ministries and other agencies to jointly support and strengthen the reading culture in a holistic
manner. Ongoing studies should also be conducted from time to time to improve the literacy rate in
the country to reach a hundred percent. In addition, efforts and our ability to change the mind,
transform culture, and subsequently incorporate thinking skills in the teaching and learning process
of our education system should be manifold. To enable these initiatives to be up and running
successfully, infrastructure, facilities and preparation of reading materials should be further
improved. This includes those associated with mastery of Jawi in line with the Religious Education
Compulsory Order 2012 which became effective earlier this year. By such means, I believe we will be
able to support the desire for human development and progress based on the philosophy of Malay
Islamic Monarchy and Zikir Nation, as envisaged by my father. Finally, I pray that this conference will
be able to improve, explore and expand the role of each stakeholder agencies and thus will be able
to produce functional and practical programmes in sustaining the reading culture.”
The two-day conference brings together librarians, school principals, headmasters, as well as Mukim
and village leaders, students and individuals. Seventeen working papers will be tabled with five of
them presented by speakers from Singapore, Korea, New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
His Royal Highness's presence at the official opening of the conference reflected His Royal Highness'
strong support for His Majesty's desire and His Majesty's government effort to lift and create a
culture of reading as a practice among the rakyat and residents of this country as the catalyst for
development of the nation that will lead the country towards achieving the National Vision 2035.
Source: www. rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn
Wadah Perpustakaan Bil.4 April 2013 Page 3

BRUNEI BOOK FAIR 2013
THE Language and Literature Bureau on 28 Feb 2013 urged by the minister of culture, youth and
sports to collaborate with relevant government agencies, education institutions and book experts to
conduct a study on Brunei's reading culture.
Speaking at the launch of the Brunei Book Fair 2013, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma
Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah cited His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of
Brunei Darussalam's vision for a well-educated population.
"As a nation and society that wants to achieve progression, we need to see that reading books is
magical, in which books can provide an overview of different perceptions to every reader. This is
because the contents of a book does not have edges, does not have limited depths of thought but
gives colour which is not limited to the minds of its readers," he said, adding that reading was like a
window to various forms of knowledge and skills.
During the launch of the Pesta Buku Brunei 2013 (Brunei Book Fair 2013), the minister spoke of the
event's significance in shaping the sultanate's image of prioritising knowledge and honing the minds
of its citizens to be critical and open minded for the nation's development. He said that only through
reading could society achieve a high level of thinking and compete successfully in a world without
borders.
At the same time, it is hoped the book fair will generate a love of reading among young people,
which is important for the development and growth of their minds.
"Reading books can help them gain more knowledge, enrich their vocabulary and communication
skills," he said.
Additionally, YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair said the book fair should not be limited only to the book
market. He said it should be packaged with relevant knowledge-gaining activities such as meeting
local writers, book reviews and discussions, children's storytelling, illustration, among other things.
The minister officially launched the Brunei Book Fair 2013 at the National Indoor Stadium.
In conjunction with the event was the launch of 48 books and magazines by the Language and
Literature Bureau, as well as a book published by the State Mufti's Office.
The book fair will be open to the public from 8.30am to 10pm until March 10, when a special closing
ceremony will be held in the evening with deputy minister Datin Paduka Hjh Adina Othman as the
guest of honour.
The Brunei Times. 1 March 2013
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National Reading Conference
Speakers
Keynote by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Awang Abu Bakar
Haji Apong, Minister of Education
Day 1
Awg Haji Mohd Rozan Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunus, Mnistry of
Culture, Youth and Sports
Dato Paduka Dr Haji Zulkarnain Haji Hanafi, Universiti Brunei
Darussalam
Nellie Dato Paduka Haji Sunny, Brunei Darussalam Library
Association
Malai Haji Abdullah Haji Malai Osman, SMARTER Brunei
Dyg Keiko Harada, National Library of Children’s Literature
Dyg Tania Jo Murphy, Centre for British Teachers Brunei
Dyg Paula Kelly, City of Melbourne Libraries
Dyg Hjh Norsenah Hj Mohd Nassir, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
Brunei
Dyg Fa’izah Ahmad, National Library of Singapore
Dr. Dyg Hjh Suraya Haji Tarsat, Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Dyg. Hjh Rohanita Haji Yaakub, Pusat Da’wah Islamiah
Ms. Geraldine Howell, National Library of New Zealand
Day 2
Awg Hj Abdul Aziz Orang Kaya Maharaja Laila Hj Mohd Yussof, Ministry of Religious Affairs
Datin Dr Dayang Hjh Asmah Hj Murni, Ministry of Education
Dyg Siti Norfateha Hj Abdullah, Book Swap
Dr. Hj Suhaimi bin Haji Abd Karim & Dk. Noraini Pg. Idris, Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Ms. Wee Sook Yeo, National Library for Children and Young Adults, Korea
Dyg Emi Suryaney Hj Hipni, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei
Dyg Mariah Hj Mohd Taha, Prime Minister’s Office
Awg Hj Bujang Haji Masud, Brunei Times
Wadah Perpustakaan Bil.4 April 2013 Page 5

Snap shots of the Reading Conference
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CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS
AS the National Conference on Empowering Reading 2013 drew to a close yesterday at the Rizqun
International Hotel, 22 resolutions under the fields of education, social and libraries were drawn up and
presented.
Senior Language Officer from the Language and Literature Bureau Dyg Hjh Sariani Hj Ishak presented the
resolutions derived from the conference which included 18 working papers presented over Wednesday and
Thursday, five of which were from Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.
In the field of education it was noted that one should exercise proper judgement when reading things over
social or communicative media such as whatsapp or Faceboook and for the Ministry of Education to hold
story-telling workshops on a systematic basis as part of the learning process.
Allocating times for reading before work, before normal lessons begin was another resolution with an
emphasis on making reading an activity that is simple and enjoyable.
On a social front, studies are needed into reading culture and to create a collaborative network between all
agencies in the pursuit of empowering reading in society. Reducing costs involved in the delivery of books and
other reading material, and the use of technology to evaluate and integrate information in multiple formats
that the computer can deliver also known digital literacy were other resolutions.
Specific to libraries themselves, some resolutions that were made include making recreational spaces such as
zoos and other attractions that draw young people to libraries. In line with this resolution is to have
entertainment such as singing, drama and music that is based upon reading material. A library should be based
upon the ideas of creativity, innovation, exploration and interaction according to Dyg Hjh Sariani. The closing
ceremony also involved a certificate presentation. The two day conference saw over 600 participants including
grassroot leaders as well as those from the government and the private sector.
Source: The Brunei Times, Aaron Alwines, Friday, March 15, 2013
49 NEW TITLES LAUNCHED AT BRUNEI BOOK FAIR 2013
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei launched
twenty four new titles namely 25 general books,
11 literary works and 12 children’s books on 28
Feb 2013. Among the new titles are Syair
Pertabalan Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin, Cerocok
Budaya Brunei, Kajian Imiah Syair Kenangan karya
Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien and Integreti dan
Kewibaan dalam Perkhidmatan Awam.
For the first time Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
Brunei also introduced the Bestsellers List. For
2012 the books are Amalan Rahsia dan Kehebatan
Ayat Al-Quran by Awg Mohd Shari and Kg Ayer:
Kenangan Abadi by DP Dr Hj Latif.
Brunei State Mufti Office launched Teman Musafir.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2013
Sesi Sepetang dengan Wanita to mark
Intrnational Women;s Day 2013 organized by
the Community Development Department
was held on 9 March 2013 and officiated by
Datin Paduka Hjh Adina, Deputy Minister of
CYS. BLA membrs attened the talk which was
held at Dewan DiGadong, MCYS.
.
Wadah Perpustakaan Bil.4 April 2013 Page 7

ASEAN CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE/ASEAN PEOPLE’S FORUM 2013
ASEAN: Building Our Future Together
HAPPENINGS
The final meeting of the Media Working
Committee was held on Sunday, 31 Mar 2013.
Pn Nellie, Nurul Fajrina and Masnunah from BLA
are members of the Media Working Committee.
ACS C is organised by the Council of Women
Brunei Darussalam and supported by CSOs in
Brunei Darussalam.
BLA is honoured to be a part of this conference
which will be held from 6-8 April at Asma Hotel,
Brunei Darussalam.
28 Feb-10 Mar 2013 Brunei book Fair
28 Feb 2013 Chinese New Year Get-Together
28 Feb 2013 MIB Supreme Council 2012/2015 Meeting
28 Feb 2013 200 youths planted 350 trees at Luangan Lalak Forest Reserve
28 Feb-2 Mar 2013 UBD Open Day and Career Day
1 Mar 2013 Four out of twenty four UBD students on a field trip to Tawau were
washed away by strong currents in Sg Balung,. Two were rescued.
1-3 Mar 2013 Brunei Bike Week III
2 Mar 2013 TAIB 20 th anniversary
2 Mar 2013 Pameran Seni Lukis Zikir Selamatkan Gaza
2-3 Mar 2013 8 th Belait Travel Fair
4-17 Mar 2013 AiTI ICT survey
7 Mar 2013 9 th LegCo Meeting
8 Mar 2013 International Women’s Day
9 Mar 2013 53 rd anniversary of Fire and Rescue services
11-21 March 2013 1 st term school holidays
12 Mar 2013 opening of Senior Citizen’s Recreational Cente
15 Mar 2013 iCentre 5 th anniversary
21 Mar 2013 DST launched a new broadband plan called GO $28 which allows customers to
maximize their experience surfing the net at a lower cost
21 Mar 2013 Stamp duty for land grants waived and also estate duty at 9 th LegCo
22 Mar 2013 Brunei joined 6,950 cities and towns in 152 countries in the Earth Hour
27 Mar-2 Apr 2013 Fireman circus
29 Mar 2013 Opening of DST Signature Store at Airport Mall
1Apr 2013
1 st Drama Festival by MoE
Asian Festival of Children’s Content, 25-30 May 2013, Spore
79 th IFLA General Assembly and Conference, 17-23 Aug 2013, Spore
16 th CONSAL Conference, 26-29 May 2015, Bangkok, Thailand
All materials are copyrighted and any form of reproduction is not permitted without the permission of the
publisher. WADAH PERPUSTAKAAN is published by © Brunei Darussalam Library Association, c/o Class 64
Library, SOASC, Jalan Tengah, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8411. email:pobox.bla@gmail.com. Editor: Nellie
Dato Paduka Haji Sunny. Photo credits. Nellie, Nur Nadzirah,Nur Rahidah, Nurul Fajrina Pelita Brunei, Borneo
Bulletin, Brunei Times. Layout: Nooralizah Mohamad and Nurul Fajrina Kamaluddin
Wadah Perpustakaan Bil.4 April 2013 Page 8