The elderly lady in the featured photo is my beloved maternal grandmother. She lived with us for as long as I can remember. She was Chinese. We were a Malay Muslim household — but my father, to his credit, gave her generous leeway to keep her own customs and traditions….
Tag: Brunei
Brunei Darussalam
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Hired Help, Not Indentured Labour
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…
Advocacy
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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
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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.
Featured
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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…
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…