Pulau Silamak

“Lost,” a fisherman muttered, squinting at Pulau Silamak. Pulau Silamak, a small islet off the coast of Bandar Seri Begawan, seemed to float in the hazy distance. Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei’s capital, bustled with activity, a stark contrast to the serene Pulau Silamak. The city, once known as Brunei Town, underwent a transformation in the 20th century under the reign of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. His contributions to modernizing Brunei led to the city being renamed Bandar Seri Begawan in his honor in 1970. Pulau Silamak, however, remained untouched by this urban development. The islet, a part of Brunei’s natural coastline, offered a glimpse into Brunei’s past. Before the discovery of oil in 1929, Brunei’s economy was centered around agriculture and trade. Bandar Seri Begawan, then Brunei Town, served as a vital river port, facilitating this trade. Perhaps Pulau Silamak, visible from the city’s bustling waterways, served as a navigational landmark for traders arriving in Brunei Town. Today, Bandar Seri Begawan boasts modern structures like the Istana Nurul Iman and the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, testaments to Brunei’s wealth derived from its oil and gas resources. Yet, Pulau Silamak stands as a reminder of a time before oil, a time when Brunei’s connection to the sea was primarily for trade and sustenance. The fisherman, now closer to Pulau Silamak, cast his net, his actions echoing the practices of those who lived in Brunei Town before it became Bandar Seri Begawan, a modern capital. Pulau Silamak, silent witness to Brunei’s history, remains a quiet sanctuary amidst the growth and change of Bandar Seri Begawan.