To preserve rights of Brunei's natives

Amir Noor
TUTONG
Tuesday, May 15, 2012

HISTORICAL research should be intensified in further understanding the details and in-depth the culture of ethnic Brunei Malays, said Universiti Brunei Darussalam lecturer yesterday.

In presenting his working paper on 'Bruneian Malay Core Integration and Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) Philosophy' during the MIB Seminar yesterday, Associate Professor Dr Hj Hashim Hj Abd Hamid provided suggestions on best to preserve the rights and rightful ownership of the Brunei Malays who are the core citizens of the Sultanate.

His paper highlighted the seven races of Bruneian Malays (Melayu Brunei) which consists of Belait, Bisaya, Brunei, Dusun, Kedayan, Murut and Tutong Malays, who have been identified as the rightful natives of the Sultnate.

"In the constitution, these seven Malay races are recognized as 'citizens of His Majesty the Sultan' or 'the Sultan's people' otherwise referred to as 'the people of Brunei' through the absolute force of law."

He also proposed for more intensive historical research on certain aspects such as appearances, culture, characteristics, customs, dialect, architecture, material culture and others.

Another was to recognise these Bruneian Malays as the 'core citizens' of the Sultanate through the Brunei Darussalam Constitution and at the same time, grant the seven tribes of Brunei Malays special privileges which are not to be threatened or interfered by any party.

Bandar Seri Begawan was suggested to have special status as a MIB centre which prohibits the selling of land owned by Malays to non-Malays. The land owned by non-Malays also can not be sold to other non-Malays but instead can be passed on to their heirs. A land can be passed on for the government to buy. The associate professor opted for the same conditions to be applied for Kuala Belait, Tutong, Temburong and Muara residents who are Bruneian Malays.

He also mentioned historical records proving Brunei Malays to possess courage and bravery with matching physical attributes. It was reported that these core citizens were well-versed with the sea, under the power of Wazirs, Pengirans and Temenggongs which would also include their knowledge on sea, navigations, defence, fisheries, and others.

Dr Hj Hashim was one of the two speakers who presented their working papers with the theme,"The Role of Tribes in Brunei Darussalam in Strengthening One's National Identity", the other speaker was Hj Markandi Hj Kuris, a Language and Literature Bureau Officer. This segment covered the numerous indigenous races in Brunei, including the Dusun, Bisaya, Tutong and Iban communities.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times