Bandar Seri Begawan - Six more literary scholars will be joining the Brunei Mabbim delegation for the 13th Mastera conference, to be held alongside the 47th Mabbim conference from April 7-11 at Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta in Indonesia.
The delegation - 11 Maddim and six Mastera members - is headed by Director of Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) Dr Mataim bin Bakar.
The aims of the conference are to confirm the results of the previous meet and to discuss Mabbim and Mastera work plans.
A language and literature seminar, themed "Memartabatkan Bahasa Nasional dalam Upaya Meningkatkan Ketahanan Budaya Serumpun" will also be discussed.
According to Dr Mataim, suggested theme "Kedewasaan Bangsa dalam Memertabatkan Bahasa dan Sastera Melayu/Indonesia" will also be discussed, subject to the executive meeting in Indonesia.
He also noted that next year, Brunei Darussalam will be hosting the 48th Mabbim and 14th Mastera conferences.
Apart from the meeting, the Mabbim Award, the Mabbim Figure Award and the Mabbim Figure Scholar Award will also be handed out.
For the Mabbim Award, secretariats from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to present the award to Brunei Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud, who is responsible for Mabbim in the country.
Meanwhile, the Brunei delegation will comprise: Dato Paduka Haji Ahmad bin Kadi (JKTBMBD member), Mohd Haji Zaini bin Haji Omar (JKTBMBD member/receiver of the Mabbim Figure Award), Professor Madya Dr Haji Hashim bin Haji Abdul Hamid, Haji Zainal Abidin bin Begawan Pehin Khatib DP Haji Sirat (Mastera member, Publications), Kamis bin Haji Tuah (Mastera member), Siup bin Haji Abdul Wahab (Mastera Acting Secretary/receiver of Mastera Appreciation Prize), Mohd Azurin bin Othman (JKTBMBD Secretary), Hjh Shaharah bte DP Haji Abdul Wahab (Mastera Secretariat), Hjh Saddiah bte Ramli (Assistant Secretary of JKTBMBD), Dato Paduka Haji Alidin bin Othman, Dr Haji Azmi bin Abdullah (debator), Dr Siti Norkhalbi bte Hjh Wahsalfelah (debator), Professor Madya Dr Hjh Zaiton bte Haji Mohd Taha (receiver of the Mabbim Scholar Award), Dr Haji Sablee bin Aspar (receiver of the Mabbim Scholar Award), Dr Sylviana bte Haji Moris (receiver of the Mabbim Scholar Award), and Hjh Rusita bte Haji Yahya (receiver of the Mabbim Scholar Award).
Source: www.brunei-online.com (5 April 2008)