Source : Press Release DBP

Photos : Muhd Azinuddin - MCYS

Bandar Seri Begawan, Tuesday, 12 Muharram 1447 / 8 July 2025 – The 2025 Language Month Celebration, themed “Empowering the Malay Language,” was held in the afternoon at Balai Sarmayuda, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), Berakas.

The Guest of Honour at the event was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Nazmi bin Haji Awang Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The ceremony began with the National Anthem “Allah Peliharakan Sultan,” followed by the recitations of Sayyidul Istighfar, Surah Al-Fatihah, and Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam​. The event was further enlivened by a welcoming address delivered by Yang Mulia Awang Suip bin Haji Abdul Wahab, Acting Director of DBP, who also served as the Chairperson of the event.

The programme continued with the Language Pledge delivered by eleven participants from the Public Service Apprenticeship Scheme (SkiPPA), the i-Ready Apprenticeship Programme, and students undergoing placement in various government departments.

The Guest of Honour later delivered his address and officially launched the 2025 Language Month celebration along with its associated activities. This was followed by the launch of eight newly published titles by DBP, namely: Kirana Kasih Rakyat, Kamus Dialek Belait, Daftar Bahasa Melayu–Dialek Belait, Mini Guidebook of Malay Language in 7 Dialects, Fundamentals of Local Poultry Farming, Pemanah Bulan, Jong Batu, and Pesanan.

The ceremony featured a panel discussion entitled “Language is the Soul of a Nation (Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa) ,” presented by three speakers: Yang Mulia Dr. Hurul'Ain Nukhbah binti Rabaha, Language Officer from DBP; Yang Mulia Dr. Muhammad Najib bin Noorashid, Lecturer at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD); and Yang Mulia Dr. Sarah Hanna binti Haji Ahmad Ghazali, Lecturer at UBD. The session was moderated by Yang Mulia Dayang Masni binti Moktal, Language Officer at DBP.

Following the discussion, the Guest of Honour presented certificates, prizes, and tokens of appreciation to the panelists, top-performing students in Malay Language and Malay Literature for the 2024 Brunei Cambridge GCE 'O' and 'A' Level Examinations; winners of the DBP Language Flair Article Translation Contest; Spontaneous Written Pantun Creation Contest; Poetry Book Review Writing Competition; contest judges; strategic partners; and Language Pledge participants.

Also present were Yang Berhormat Members of the Legislative Council, Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Executives Committee for the 2025 Language Month celebration, heads of departments under the Ministry, recipients of the Southeast Asian Writers Award (The S.E.A. Write Award), former DBP directors, Language Ambassadors, association leaders, strategic partners, senior officers, writers, and language and literary enthusiasts.