The other day’s incident stayed with me. But the truth is, it’s not an isolated moment. It’s a pattern. Across many homes, not all but enough to matter, domestic helpers are treated less like employees and more like something in between obligation and ownership. One helper expected to serve an…
Brunei Darussalam
Dignity Should Not Be Optional
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…
Brunei & Governance
Thoughts While Watching a Distant War…
The news over the past few days has felt surreal. On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched a massive coordinated strike on Iran. Within hours, airstrikes were reported across Tehran and ballistic missiles were flying across the Gulf. Just like that, the Middle East tipped into a…
Brunei & Governance
When the Tap Goes Silent
Last week’s water disruption was uncomfortable. Buckets replaced showers. Routines became workarounds. It was inconvenient, but also humbling. For a brief moment, we were reminded how dependent we are on something we usually take for granted. How quickly comfort slips when a basic need falters. This was not a crisis….
Brunei Darussalam
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.
Brunei & Governance
Clean Toilets as a Licensing Requirement? Yes Please!
Hey, fellow Bruneians! If you’ve ever stepped into a hawker centre, mamak stall, or fancy café only to be hit with that unpleasant surprise in the back—yeah, the one that makes you question your life choices—you know exactly what I’m talking about. Clean food? Absolutely essential. But clean toilets? That’s…