AKBS Book Launching

Had a peek to see the launching but I opted out as it was a real 'formal' affair. So I came back in the afternoon to see the small exhibition conducted by Pusat Sejarah on the third floor of The Mall. What a surprise to see the content of the book. In it there is a section depicting the photos taken by yours truly in those memorable yesteryears. It was a real treat that these photos are included. I am very grateful to Dr Muhammad Hadi and the group for the great effort for coming up with the book. It's not easy to publish a book as I did experienced doing one myself. It may be easier for Pusat Sejarah as they have the whole outfit and machinery to do it but it is still quite a daunting task. Well done again.

In the book, it is said that Brunei started to send students overseas in earnest in the early 50's primarily to prepare the takeover of administrations from the British Resident. Before that it is a norm to send teacher trainees to Malaysia - these people constitute the first batch of Bruneian with increase political sense - which worried some quarters.

Ugama students started to be sent to Madrasah Al Juned in Singapore in the 50's. But it was only in 1965 that Malay and English stream students from a tender age of 12 years old started to be sent to Singapore. Why Singapore? One of the (probable) reason was because just before that time in September 1963 Brunei decided not to join the union of Malay states aka Malaysia!