| Hakim Hayat |
A BOOK narrating the historical account of significant political events during the reign of three different Sultans in the 19th Century Brunei Darussalam was launched yesterday.
The book, published by the Brunei History Association (PESEBAR) in the Malay language – Politik Kesultanan Brunei (1804-1906) Mengharung Badai Rahmat di Pantai (translated as Politics in the Sultanate of Brunei, Weathering the Storm of Grace in our Shores) is written by a former professor and a fellow of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Department of History, Assistant Professor Dr Haji Awang Asbol bin Haji Mail and Haji Mohsin bin Abu Bakar.
At a ceremony held at the residence of Assistant Professor Dr Haji Awang Asbol who is also the Honorary Secretary of PESEBAR in Kampong Perpindahan Lambak Kanan, the guest of honour, President of PESEBAR Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Dr Haji Awang Yahya bin Haji Ibrahim officiated the book.
Assistant Professor Dr Haji Awang Asbol shared that the 194-page book comprises five chapters that recount the political development of Brunei from 1804-1906, especially during the advent of Western powers, particularly the British who dominated their powers over Bruneian territories one after another. Hence, he said the title of the book depicts Brunei as an ark that had to weather a violent storm in the ocean during those times.
The book narrates the 1835 political uprising in the then Brunei territory Sarawak that later saw the intervention from British soldier and adventurer James Brooke, where then on, the Brunei Sultanate slowly loses grip of its territories such as Labuan, Limbang, Lawas and territories in Sabah.
Assistant Professor Dr Haji Awang Asbol added that during the testing times, the wise decision by Sultan Hashim who signed on the 1906 agreement to maintain the status of Brunei as a Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) nation has saved Brunei, which is also a philosophy that is being strongly preserved until today.
Meanwhile, the guest of honour in his speech reminded the public, especially the youth to always appreciate and learn the history of Brunei. He said history will teach us lessons and can even be a point for guidance and reference so history will not be repeated.
He added that this is the reason why His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam emphasises the importance of all levels of the community to not only appreciate national history, but also the history of Islam in the country, which will allow for the strengthening of the Bruneian spirit and also self-identity as we stride through globalisation.
The book can be obtained at the Brunei History Centre in the capital or through the writer.