Bandar Seri Begawan - The first group of Brunei`s literary scholars left thecountry yesterday to attend the 47th-Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia Language Council (MABBIM) Conference to be held in Jakarta from April 7 to 11.
The local delegation- was led by Dr Mataim Bakar, Director of the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP), who is also the Permanent Chairman of Brunei Darussalam Malays Language Committee (JKTBMBD).
The second group will be leaving on April 6 and all together there are a total of 11 literary scholars from the Sultanate who will attend the event.
According to DBP, the conference aims to approve related issues concerning the basis of language, results of its skills conference, as well as future plans of the Secretariat Meeting and MABBIM.
The event acts as a venue to plan other language activities suitable with the Council Charter. There will be a seminar entitled, "Memartabatkan Bahasa Nasional Dalam Upaya Meningkatkan Ketahanan Budaya Serumpun".
MABBIM members, including Singapore, will also present their working papers in conjunction with the conference, host country Indonesia also plans various activities to mark the 35th year of MABBIM`s establishment and an awards ceremony will be the highlight of the event.
Brunei`s representatives comprise Dato Paduka Hj Ahmad Kadi, Mohd Hj Zaini Hj Omar, Mohd Azurin Othman, Hjh Saddiah Ramli, Dr Hj Azmi Abdullah, Dr Sill Norkhalbi Hj Wahsalfelah, Prof Madya Dr Hjh Zaiton Hj Mohd Taha, Dr Sylviana Hi Moris and Hjh Rusita Hj Yahya.
Source: www.brudirect.com (3 April 2008)