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Basir Taha

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In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Taha is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Basir. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Dato Paduka
Basir Taha
DPMB PJK
بصير تاه
Basir wearing his Tokoh Guru Tua award in 1993
Born(1913-11-03)3 November 1913
Kampong Pengiran Pemancha Lama, Kampong Ayer, Brunei
Died25 October 1998(1998-10-25) (aged 84)
Brunei
EducationJalan Pemancha Malay School
Alma materSultan Idris Training College
OccupationTeacher
ChildrenAbdu'r Rahmani
Mahdini

Basir bin Taha (3 November 1913 – 25 October 1998) was a Bruneian teacher who made significant contributions to education, welfare, and religion in Brunei. He played a pivotal role in raising awareness among Malay teachers about the importance of freeing the nation from colonialism and defending the sovereignty of both the monarchy and the people.[1]

Early life

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Basir bin Taha was born on 3 November 1913, in Kampong Pengiran Pemancha Lama, Kampong Ayer. He began his education on 1 July 1921, at Jalan Pemancha Malay School in Brunei Town, now known as Bandar Seri Begawan. In 1929,[2] he embarked on his professional journey as a trainee teacher and was among the first students selected to study at Sultan Idris Training College (SITC) in Tanjong Malim, Perak.[3] Along with Marsal Maun,[2] he was one of the first two Bruneians to be assigned to the SITC.[4] After completing his training, he was tasked with improving the administrative and educational systems in Brunei,[4] and since the duo began their service, schooling in Brunei gradually developed, becoming more organised, albeit slowly.[5]

Career

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Basir was a key founding member of the Brunei Malay Teachers Association, which was established in 1937 to improve the well-being and professional status of Malay educators in Brunei. He, along with Marsal Maun, Othman Bidin, and Pengiran Muhammad Ali, were graduates of SITC.[6] By 1936, Basir had become actively involved in the Scouting movement in Brunei, where his leadership played a pivotal role in revitalising and strengthening the organisation,[3] and by 1940, the movement had expanded into the Belait District, with Salleh Masri forming the first Scout team of 40 members under his guidance.[3] In 1939, he was appointed to teach in Kuala Belait, while his colleague, Marsal Maun, was assigned to Brunei Town.[7][8] Both played a key role in expanding education in Brunei, following the 1929 education enactment, which was extended to the Belait District in the same year.[9] From 1934 to 1941, Basir was also an active member of the Persatuan Sahabat Pena Brunei (PSPB),[10] a welfare organisation founded in the mid-1930s. His contributions to the PSPB were instrumental in promoting youth awareness and nationalism among the people of Brunei.[11] Following the outbreak of World War II, the PSPB was disbanded, and its members, including founders Marsal Maun and Basir, contributed articles to various Malayan newspapers such as Utusan Melayu and Saudara.[12]

Basir (seated sixth from the right) 1946 retirement ceremony in Istana Sugara, attended by Prince Omar Ali Saifuddien and other officials

By 1940, under the British Resident's authority, the landscape of religious education in Brunei saw significant changes, with religious instruction introduced in schools such as Kuala Belait Malay School, Seria Malay School, and Bukit Bendera Malay School. The curriculum was aligned with those of the Federation States and Straits Settlements. Basir was part of the committee overseeing this educational restructuring, working alongside notable figures like Harun Mohd Amin, Marsal Maun, Nordin Abdul Latif, and Othman Bidin.[9] Idris Hamzah, Tuah Hitam, Basir Taha, Jamil Al-Sufri, and Marsal Maun were among the Bruneian students who received teaching training from the Japanese during their occupation.[13] In 1944, Basir furthered his education at the prestigious 'Kochu Sunsi' and 'Shi Gakko' colleges, both renowned teacher training centers for headmasters and inspectors in Brunei Town.[3] After completing a rigorous three-month training program, these instructors were assigned to remote locations, including Miri, Labuan, and Limbang.[13] Upon graduating, Basir was appointed chief school inspector for Miri, Labuan, and the fourth and fifth divisions of Sarawak, while also overseeing the coastal borders of Sabah.[3]

Basir held various positions such as headmaster, group teacher, visiting teacher, chief supervisor of Malay schools, school inspector, and educational administrator for Brunei. He also contributed to Brunei's political organisations, such as Barisan Pemuda and Kesatuan Melayu Brunei, and was awarded the Pacific Star and Defence Medal in 1953. In 1948, he was appointed as secretary to Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien, and although he retired in 1955, he remained active in organisations like the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association and the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society.[3] He also served as an imam, preaching about Islam, and acted as a voluntary imam alongside Marsal Hassan, under the leadership of Abdul Kadir Talip, a religious teacher.[14] In 1962, he returned to work as the officer for Department of Customs and Social Welfare.[3]

Personal life

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Dato Basir's children have each made significant contributions in their respective areas. Abdu'r Rahmani distinguished himself as the commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force from 2003 to 2005.[15] Similarly, Mahdini is recognised for his aristocratic status as a member of the Manteri social class.[16][17]

Honours

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Jalan Haji Basir road sign

During the commemoration of Teachers' Day on 23 September 1993,[18] Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah presented the Tokoh Guru Tua (retired teacher's award) to 80-year-old Basir during the occasion in recognition of his noteworthy achievements to education. He received a letter of gratitude, a B$12,000 cash reward, special medical privileges, and mementos together with another honouree.[19] A road honouring him in Bandar Seri Begawan was named Jalan Haji Basir,[20] in addition to receiving the following award for his national accomplishments:[3]

References

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  1. ^ Pengiran Haji Ahmad 2013, p. 14.
  2. ^ a b Muhammad Melayong 2010, p. 24.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Pengiran Haji Ahmad 2013, p. 13.
  4. ^ a b Muhammad Melayong 2018, p. 168.
  5. ^ Al-Sufri 2008, p. 109.
  6. ^ Singh & Sidhu 1997, pp. 98.
  7. ^ Brunei Museum Journal. Vol. 5 (3). Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei Museums Department, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 1983. p. 4.
  8. ^ Haji Jibah 2004, p. 95.
  9. ^ a b Mohamad Salim (22 June 1977). "SEMINAR PENGETAHUAN UGAMA ISLAM DI-KALANGAN" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). p. 6. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  10. ^ Osman, Abdullah & Hj. Hakip 1995, p. 66.
  11. ^ Abdul Latif 2014, p. 23.
  12. ^ Gunn 1997, p. 82.
  13. ^ a b Shimizu & van Bremen 2003, p. 285.
  14. ^ Haji. Abd. Rahman 2002, p. 55.
  15. ^ "RBLF History". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  16. ^ "PEHIN-PEHIN MANTERI DAN MANTERI UGAMA KEPALA MANTERI" (PDF). Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara (in Malay). Bandar Seri Begawan. 4 December 2019. p. 9. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Council Structure". Brunei BEBC. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  18. ^ Brunei Darussalam Newsletter 1993, p. 1.
  19. ^ Brunei Darussalam Newsletter 1993, p. 6.
  20. ^ Pengiran Haji Ahmad 2013, p. 12.
  21. ^ "D. Y. M. M. Mengurniakan Bintang2 Dan Pingat2 Kebesaran Negara Kapada 56 Orang Di-Antara-nya 8 Orang Dapat Gelaran Dato" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 17 August 1966. p. 8. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
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