Work on unofficial biography of His Majesty begins
Saturday, July 21, 2007
RUSSIAN writer Sergey Plekhanov, who is in the initial stage of his work in producing a biography on His Majesty the Sultan and Yang De-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, said the sultanate has one of the "purest examples of monarchy".
In an interview during his visit to the penghulu of Kampung Tamoi in Kampung Ayer, Plekhanov put Brunei Darussalam's monarchy in the league with that of Oman.
Plekhanov, 52, said it was a personal initiative to write a biography on His Majesty, an "impulse" that he had felt since 10 years ago.
Having written on the topic of monarchy in the modern world, Plekhanov said, "Brunei has a good future with this system (of monarchy), as this system is flexible."
He praised the monarch's relationship with his people, as shown during His Majesty's 61st birthday celebrations, when the monarch met with and greeted his people.
The Russian writer said he had met the monarch two years ago during Sultan's visit to Moscow. During that meeting, he broached the idea of writing the biography. Plekhanov said the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs had shown support for the biography project.
"Brunei is famous for His Majesty," said Plekhanov, adding that there were many books on His Majesty, but he had not yet come across a biography.
The biography would be in the Russian language, and he hoped it would be translated into English and Arabic.
The writer is now in the initial stages of collecting information about the country. He said he had met with leading officials from the sultanate, and had requested interviews with various ministers from Brunei's ministries.
"I am still waiting for their reply," Plekhanov said, adding that it may take for government officials to reply as they are busy with the country's celebrations of the monarch's birthday.
"Now is a busy time, I understand, but I hope to meet them next time. I will plan my trips."
Plekhanov also hoped to be granted an interview with His Majesty, similar to his experience while writing the biography of the Sultan of Oman, whom he described as "very friendly".
When he produced the biography on the Sultan of Oman in 2003, Plekhanov remembered receiving positive feedbacks from locals. Some of them even commented, "Now we know our Sultan."
Upon completion of the biography, Plekhanov hoped to portray to readers the ideas and visions of the monarch, which he believed would be well received by readers in Russia.
Asked how long it would take to complete the biography on His Majesty, Plekhanov said, "When officials answer my questions, then I can start my work."
Normally, it would take three years to complete work on a biography, he said, but if all materials were available, the biography could be completed in one year.
"Russian literature is number one in the world. I am sure it would be a good biography." The Brunei Times
In an interview during his visit to the penghulu of Kampung Tamoi in Kampung Ayer, Plekhanov put Brunei Darussalam's monarchy in the league with that of Oman.
Plekhanov, 52, said it was a personal initiative to write a biography on His Majesty, an "impulse" that he had felt since 10 years ago.
Having written on the topic of monarchy in the modern world, Plekhanov said, "Brunei has a good future with this system (of monarchy), as this system is flexible."
He praised the monarch's relationship with his people, as shown during His Majesty's 61st birthday celebrations, when the monarch met with and greeted his people.
The Russian writer said he had met the monarch two years ago during Sultan's visit to Moscow. During that meeting, he broached the idea of writing the biography. Plekhanov said the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs had shown support for the biography project.
"Brunei is famous for His Majesty," said Plekhanov, adding that there were many books on His Majesty, but he had not yet come across a biography.
The biography would be in the Russian language, and he hoped it would be translated into English and Arabic.
The writer is now in the initial stages of collecting information about the country. He said he had met with leading officials from the sultanate, and had requested interviews with various ministers from Brunei's ministries.
"I am still waiting for their reply," Plekhanov said, adding that it may take for government officials to reply as they are busy with the country's celebrations of the monarch's birthday.
"Now is a busy time, I understand, but I hope to meet them next time. I will plan my trips."
Plekhanov also hoped to be granted an interview with His Majesty, similar to his experience while writing the biography of the Sultan of Oman, whom he described as "very friendly".
When he produced the biography on the Sultan of Oman in 2003, Plekhanov remembered receiving positive feedbacks from locals. Some of them even commented, "Now we know our Sultan."
Upon completion of the biography, Plekhanov hoped to portray to readers the ideas and visions of the monarch, which he believed would be well received by readers in Russia.
Asked how long it would take to complete the biography on His Majesty, Plekhanov said, "When officials answer my questions, then I can start my work."
Normally, it would take three years to complete work on a biography, he said, but if all materials were available, the biography could be completed in one year.
"Russian literature is number one in the world. I am sure it would be a good biography." The Brunei Times
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