A historical change unfolded on 29th September 1959 for Brunei with the introduction of the Constitution. Under its cardinal terms, the Malay Language was officially consolidated as the national language. The Language and Literature Unit, former name of Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka, was eventually formed, a fulcrum to uphold the 1959 Constitution and grow into a greater cause for the future generation. Incessant endeavours were undertaken through language weeks and months since 1961 to celebrate the Malay Language, which eventually led to Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka separation in January 1965 into a singular, language-centred bureau.
Ostensibly coincidental or perhaps intentional, 29th September serves as a momentous date for Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka, from its inception inspired by the 1959 Constitution to its foundation laying by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin III in 1965 and its official opening three years later in 1968. This culminated into a concrete edifice of Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka. The building is approximately 40,000 sq feet and was originally the site of old government houses that were demolished to accommodate the library. It was attached to another building that was concomitantly planned and built with Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka, namely the Brunei Radio Broadcasting and Information department.
Situated at the junction of Jalan Elizabeth II and Jalan Stoney in Bandar, the library is impossible to miss due to its elongated rectangular shape and the colourful mosaic mural installed on the forefront of the building. It was commissioned by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin III and features more than a hundred characters that depict the lifestyle of the people of Brunei, the country’s map and even some famous local landmarks. Bruneian social, cultural and economical activities are represented in the mural, encompassing songket weaving, fishing, rubber tapping, padi planting, traditional dances and games, and bamboo production.
The painting was drawn by the library’s artist, Pg Dato Paduka Haji Asmalee bin Pg Ahmad in 1963 and took two years for it to finish before it was sent to Europe. There, it was converted into a large Venetian style mosaic consisting of 596,000 one inch tiles done by Tom Butcher. The mural stretches to six metres wide and thirty metres long, making it the focal point of the exterior design. Organic shapes, geometrical designs, vibrant colour tones and positive and negative spaces were infused which compliments the aesthetic of the whole painting.
Inspired by his childhood and experiences of others during Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin III’s reign, Pg Dato Paduka Haji Asmalee also translated what he envisioned Brunei would be in the future; socially, economically, politically and spiritually, to produce this semi-abstract work of art. At the end of the protruding bridge in the painting are two concrete hands holding a book with the slogan ‘Berbahasa Satu, Berbangsa Satu, Bernegara Satu’ or ‘One Language, One Nationality and One Nation’ inscribed on it. This portrays unity and an homage to nationalism and patriotism, while the huge book symbolises knowledge and education. Just above it is a lit torch with a cogwheel in the background to illustrate advancements of science and technology. These elements were painstakingly drawn and elaborately integrated to become the main theme of the mural.
Designed by James Cubitt and Partners, the building exudes the modesty of 1950s and 1960s modern architecture with its blockish structure, flat planes (horizontal lines) and roofs, coloured with plain tones. In today’s eyes, the building appears outdated in style; however, it was a relish of modernity during its time. The facade of the building remains mostly unchanged in its architecture except for the sealing of what was once a garage parking space below the mural turned into a part of the library. The changes might have started in the 1970s along with the additional levels above the length of the rectangular extension of the library.
During its earlier time, specialised units were given their own space in the building to maximise the efforts and responsibilities of Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka to elevate Malay writing and publication. A dark room for the photography department was made available, as well as drawing studios for artists, offices for the research and translation departments, and seminar and exhibition halls. These were located on the third and fourth level of the building provided with necessary equipment from photocopy machines to a microfilm reader. The director’s office was located on the fifth level with other language and administrative officers. There was even a VIP area near the reception on the ground floor with circular downlights to illuminate the room, furnished with 1960s style lounge chairs and glass coffee tables.
An almost open floor concept on the first level occupied the library with interior concrete columns and wooden banisters. This level has an upper and lower section or a mezzanine where rows of bookshelves were arranged neatly, and study desks and chairs were placed along the railings and columns. In the past, the building also played a part in a momentous event in Brunei. It was the rendezvous point where government officers held their meetings in preparation for Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’s coronation on August 1, 1968. The building had the space, facility and modern equipment, hence it was used.
Despite the main headquarters being moved to a new building in Berakas in 1992, the building in Bandar will always be the first of its kind. At present, the building functions as the central library especially fitting for students, researchers and the general public to obtain information. Some of the previous units were no longer there, although, over the years, newer ones were designed, mainly on referencing; the Bruneiana reference unit, ISBN services unit and the bibliography unit on the third, fourth and fifth floors respectively.
Renovations in its interior did occur but are not incredibly stark. Much of its original space and materials still prevailed including the children section and library area on the first floor, with the exception of the new wood flooring and the displays of desktop computers lining the railing. Each of the units was designed just as a library itself with bookshelves arranged neatly for accessibility of visitors. Some parts of the library still have a charm of the past such as the carpeted floors and the suspended and panel-like ceiling. However the general layout including the wooden banister, steps and balusters still remain as they were on the day the building was first opened. If one looks attentively, they could even find the small square tiles from the building’s inception that decorated the base of the staircase balustrade.
Still with its staunch purpose to give meaning to the 1959 Constitution terms, Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka building stands through time and has endured for more than half a century. It carries a piece of history that none of its other branches harbour. The building was built at a time of development in Brunei, and it is a manifestation of the nation’s aspiration to place a foothold in growing and securing the Malay language. Due to divisions of time, little by little, this type of architecture design is steadily disappearing and being replaced by more modern and era-appropriate constructions.
Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka becomes a historic architecture where its continuance can be equated to protecting the past. The uniqueness of the mural is too intricate and precious to be replicated. Razing it and the body itself from the site would mean dismantling a part of Bruneian history. Embedded with its own distinctive identity and a charm of its own, Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka building not only gives the city a little more character, but it is a tangible past that reminds people how far the nation’s hope has come.
