His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, in a sabda, has expressed hope that the National Conference on Jawi Spelling: Methodology and Coordination, would be able to integrate and coordinate a standard method to be used in Brunei Darussalam, whether in educational institutions or even government agencies and the public sector. His Royal Highness was speaking while officiating at the opening of the National Conference on Jawi Spelling : Methodology and Coordination. The function took place at a hotel in Jerudong.
On arrival, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad, and the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair, as the co-chairmen of the National Conference. The conference was jointly organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and conducted by the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers' University College as well as the Language and Literature Bureau in collaboration with the Islamic Studies Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Department of Schools, Ministry of Education.
The function began with the recital of the Al-Quran by a 4th year undergraduate of the Religious Teacher Degree Programme of Seri Begawan Religious Teachers' University College, Awangku Amirul Aiman bin Pengiran Haji Marzuki.
Looking at the changes in time, Jawi writing has faced barriers of which its use was threatened with the emergence of various spelling methods. The inconsistencies found in Jawi spelling can create confusion among current users of Jawi writing. The Minister of Religious Affairs in his speech among other things explained the objectives of the conference. Among the objectives of the national conference on Jawi spelling is to identify the use Jawi spelling according to correct and accurate methods that can be used extensively in Brunei Darussalam. Therefore, the outcome of this conference will hopefully be able to create a standard Jawi spelling method to overcome the inconsistent Jawi spelling used currently. The cooperation from Religious Education institutions and the public as well as the Language and Literature Bureau is inline with the conference's theme of 'Strengthening Jawi Spelling as the Nation's Heritage'.
His Royal Highness said the use of jawi spelling that has been agreed upon in the conference will overcome any confusion in addressing the issue of the use of Jawi spelling.
His Royal Highness pointed out that many aspects must be looked into in order to improve and enhance the mastery of Jawi writing in the country. Such opportunity, His Royal Highness pointed out in his sabda, is still wide open with the continuous efforts and high commitment by the government as well as the society in reviving and making a culture of the use of Jawi spelling in the country.
The National Conference on Jawi writing acts as a platform in response to the Titah of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee of the Language and Literature Bureau on September 17th, 2011 which urged for the refinement of Jawi writing and spelling as well as monitored by language experts and requires the participation of religious experts. The presentation of the premier paper "Isu-Isu Penggunaan Ejaan Jawi dan Kaedah Memajukannya" or Issues on the usage jawi spelling and methods of developing it, by the Syar'ie Chief Judge, Yang Berhormat Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Yahya, among other things suggested that Jawi lessons namely writing and reading in schools will soon need to be reviewed as it is closely related to Islam. Yang Berhormat Pehin added that the roman alphabet is unable to carry out the role effectively in this matter. To conclude, Yang Berhormat Pehin said other than a few letters that can be changed, the problem of jawi writing is not derived from spelling or writing but due to infrequent usage especially in schools and the mass media. Attempts made to spell and use jawi carelessly should be reviewed.
Doa selamat was read by Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Suhaili.
Approximately 200 local participants comprising representatives from ministries and education institutions as well as members of the public attended today's conference to hear the presentation of the three main papers and the forum. Tomorrow, a workshop will be carried-out that will discuss the premier and main papers. The National Conference on Jawi Spelling : Methodology and Coordination is hoped to preserve, protect, guarantee and glorify the position of jawi writing in Brunei Darussalam. With the theme "Memperteguh Ejaan Jawi Sebagai Khazanah Bangsa" or 'Strengthening Jawi Spelling as the Nation's Heritage', the two day conference is hoped to create a standard jawi spelling method and overcome the problems faced by jawi spelling usage.
His Royal Highness then consented to sign the parchment to mark the His Royal Highness' presence at the conference.