It wasn’t dramatic. No shouting match. No crowd. No one pulling out a phone. Just an old man in a wheelchair. An Indonesian helper beside him. And a stream of words that didn’t feel right. You don’t stop because you want to stare. You stop because something inside you tightens…
Category: People
Brunei Darussalam
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Can Pride Hide Behind Good Intentions? Yes — It’s Called Ujub.
Even the best of us can fall into ujub — the quiet pride that makes us forget Allah’s role in our success. This reflection explores how to recognise ujub in everyday life and replace it with humility, gratitude, and sincerity.
Advocacy
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Brunei’s Own Road in 1963 – Bukan Menolak Tapi Menjaga
On 27th August 2025, the front page of Pelita Brunei carried a striking photograph: our beloved Sultan, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, shaking hands with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. The headline read, “Hubungan NBD, Malaysia Kekal Erat, Mesra.” It…
Advocacy
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A Bruneian’s Take on Healthcare Reform: Balancing Progress and Compassion
As a proud Bruneian citizen, I deeply value the care our government provides for its people. The recent policy change, effective July 1, 2025, which ends free healthcare for non-citizens, including permanent residents with foreign nationalities and foreign spouses of Bruneians, has sparked much discussion. Reflecting on my own experience…
Brunei Darussalam
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Traffic and the National Psyche
Ever noticed how traffic tells you a lot about a country’s personality? It’s like the national psyche on wheels. You can learn more from 15 minutes on the road than from a 300-page vision document. Because traffic is where people show their true colours—when no one’s watching and everyone just…
Brunei Darussalam
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My Thoughts on Growing Grains, Trees, and People
“If you want a year of prosperity, grow grain; 10 years of prosperity, grow trees; 100 years of prosperity, grow people.” This Chinese proverb got me thinking. As someone born and raised in Brunei—an anakbrunei—its wisdom feels especially relevant to our little nation. We’ve been blessed with immense natural wealth,…