BOOK REVIEW

Historical Thriller With A Message

By IAN GAN BRUNEI: REVIVAL OF 1906 By B. A. Hussainmiya 144 pp. Brunei Press. B$12.90. ABOUT THE AUTHOR B. A. Hussainmiya is an Associate Professor of History at Universiti Brunei Darussalam. He is a well-known author of books on Brunei History and his research articles have appeared in many international and local journals. Why did Brunei accept British protection in 1906? B. A. Hussainmiya answers this question in his highly-readable account on the origins of British Residency Rule in Brunei. Faced with extinction due to the machinations of the White Rajahs in Sarawak and the British North Borneo (Chartered) Company, this book narrates how Brunei’s sovereignty was miraculously kept intact through the wisdom of Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam (r. 1885-1906) and the political will of Britain. This book also highlights the mission and vision of British administrator M. S. H. McArthur in ensuring Brunei’s revival from the brink of collapse. This thrilling historical account draws readers straight into the high-stakes game of political chess being played by the villains and heroes of the time – with Brunei as the ultimate prize. Readers will discover how Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam was always at an unfair disadvantage, yet was finally able to outsmart the internal and external threats to Brunei’s existence with the help of M. S. H. McArthur. Packed with fascinating anecdotes, larger-than-life characters and colourful settings, B. A. Hussainmiya has done a remarkable job in getting inside the heads of the main historical figures, allowing us insights into their thoughts and the pressures they faced as Brunei struggled for survival. It’s also clear that the author has painstakingly researched the historical facts while making sure to present them in a manner that is accessible to the public. Students especially, will find this an enjoyable read whilst learning about an important period in Brunei’s history. A timeline of Brunei history is helpfully included in the book. I found this a useful aid in visualising the sequence of past events in Brunei. The rare images in the book also helped me to recapture the historical ambience of the book and put a face to the leading characters of this epic tale. For more technical readers seeking further information, the excellent bibliography at the end of the book has a comprehensive listing of publications for further reading. In a nutshell, the author has successfully written a historical thriller which is enjoyable to read while, no doubt, designed to serve as a cautionary tale for the new generation of Bruneian leaders. To quote the famous philosopher and novelist George Santayana: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

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