When most people think of Brunei’s creative hubs, their minds naturally wander to Brunei-Muara, Temburong, or even the oil-rich Belait. Yet tucked away in the heart of the Tutong district, one young writer is quietly carving out a space for stories that often go unheard.
Founded by Muhammad Haziq bin Abdul Rahmani, better known by his pen name Jay, Tutong Writers supports local talent through writing sessions, workshops, and community building in Tutong. The club provides aspiring writers a platform to explore fiction, poetry, essays, and journaling, while highlighting local stories and landscapes.
From FOMO to formation
Jay is the sole founder of Tutong Writers, a club dedicated to nurturing local talent and amplifying voices that often go unheard.
“I started Tutong Writers out of monotony and fear of missing out (FOMO),” he explained. “So many events happen in Bandar, but they’re often beyond my budget or schedule. Instead of waiting for an invitation, I thought, why not create that same energy here in Tutong?”
The club was born to give silent stories a chance to be heard, offering accessibility for writers outside Brunei’s main literary hubs.
Though Jay is the sole founder, he credits several key influences for bringing the idea to life: Hana, founder of Meetlit, who inspired him; his supportive parents, who nurtured his love of language; and coworkers who encouraged him to make the first Instagram post that launched the community.
Crafting the Tutong voice
Sessions at Tutong Writers are typically held in home-based cafés. Jay posts themes on Instagram before each session as gentle prompts, but participation is flexible.
“I encourage everyone to produce something, anything, by the end of the session,” he explains. “It doesn’t have to be perfect. The goal is simply to write.”
The club’s hyper-local focus draws inspiration from Tutong itself. For example, the first session revolved around the theme “Crossing,” leaning into the liminality of Tutong. Participants wrote about the Tutong-Telisai highway and its connections to future careers, or islands and isolation.
“By being present in the liminal, distinct stories unfold,” the 26-year-old shared.
Jay has been surprised by the variety of writers who joined: a chemistry teacher, a professional diver, and an expert crocheter, among others. “Difference allows for friction, and friction produces a spark,” he shared.
Discussions have ranged from literary themes to the concept of Sabr, blending creative and cultural insight.
Despite limited formal recognition from the wider Tutong community, Jay hopes the club will grow organically.
“Currently, it’s more of a support system than a collective,” he admits.
“But maybe one day we’ll produce something that’s distinctly a ‘Tutong Voice,” he added.
Local stories and untold narratives
Above all, Jay is committed to giving voice to those often overlooked: the “amah di rumah”, the “anak poklen”, and even those unfairly labelled as “lazy.”
“These are the people who are part of my community. Their stories matter just as much as any published work, and they deserve a place in Brunei’s collective narrative,” he explained
“They are still my kin, and their narratives are part of what makes Brunei real,” he added.
His sessions embrace the ordinary and the local, capturing the essence of Tutong through its people, landscapes, and quiet moments.
As for future plans, though the club is still in its early stages, an identity is forming. Participants describe the workshops as “eye-opening” and “invigorating,” signalling that Tutong Writers is breaking the monotony it was founded to challenge. Jay hopes the club will continue to inspire grassroots initiatives across Brunei.
“Whether you’re in a serious profession or just some guy from a small district, your story is worth telling. Grab a pen and paper, look Grammar in the eye, and take that leap of faith,” he advised.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
