ISDEV HONORARY FELLOW: TUAN HAJI BUJANG IN MEMORY

In memory - Hj Bujang (R) with ISDEV Leadership and two of his fellow countrymen (L).

ISDEV Honorary Fellow from Brunei Darussalam, Tuan Hj Bujang Hj Masu’ut passed away early morning of 24 March 2015 at the age of 64 following complications from a stroke.

A long-time resident of Seria, Hj Bujang was born on February 3, 1951, and was active in community affairs throughout his life, eventually serving as an adviser to the Mukim Lumut Consultative Council until the time of his death.

He began his career as an education officer at Muhammad Alam Primary School, and went on to become principal of two prominent colleges – Anthony Abell College in Seria and Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College (Maktab Duli) in Bandar Seri Begawan. Thus, he is fondly remembered as “Cikgu” by many.

He was also appointed as an education attache’ at the Brunei High Commission in London, UK from 1990 to 1993, before taking up a position as Deputy Director of Schools (Secondary Section).

Before retiring from public service, Hj Bujang served as Director of the Information Department for several years.

Following his long and storied career in public service, Hj Bujang joined The Brunei Times in 2007 and served as Group Editor-in-Chief to lead the paper during its days as a fledgling broadsheet to become one of the leading dailies in the country.

One of ISDEV coverage in The Brunei Times.

Meanwhile, appointed as ISDEV Honorary Fellow in 2014, he gave his full effort and utmost commitment in helping ISDEV to come closer to the reality of building its own waqf-based  ISDEV Complex. In addition, Allahyarham was one who had a very tight and hectic schedule yet one who tirelessly made the effort to spend as much time as possible with USM and ISDEV members whenever they were in Brunei. He took special interest and ensured that coverage was done on USM and ISDEV activities for the Brunei Times each and every time USM and ISDEV members were involved in the academic activities whilst in Brunei Darussalam.

Private dinner during ISDEV members visit to Brunei recently. Tuan Haji Bujang is on the left.

In addition, he  always ensured that USM and ISDEV members, as guests of his beloved country, Brunei Darussalam, received excellent hospitality and service while ensuring the comfort of USM and ISDEV members throughout their stay in his homeland. Indeed, his efforts and kindness in helping USM and ISDEV achieve its goals is truly and greatly appreciated and will of course be affectionately and fondly etched in the hearts of all USM and ISDEV members.

The late Tuan Haji Bujang,  is survived by his wife, Hjh Aming Hj Wasli and five children one of whom is, Siti Es Husnina who is MISDEV'13 (ISDEV Postgraduate by Mixed-Mode) student. He was laid to rest at the Kg Sengkarai cemetery, Tutong.

Appended below are some of the excerpts of condolence messages from USM's top-management conveyed through WhatsApp.

Al-Fatihah.