The Sudden Closure Of Brunei Times: What Happened?

The Brunei Times, an independent English-language newspaper published in Brunei Darussalam, abruptly ceased operations on November 8, 2016, citing business sustainability issues and challenges from alternative media. The closure, however, sparked suspicions and speculation, with some attributing it to a controversial article published earlier that month. The article in question linked Saudi Arabia's economic woes to the hike in visa fees for Bruneian pilgrims to Mecca, quoting an unauthorised source from the Saudi embassy. Following the publication, the Saudi embassy reportedly complained to the Sultan of Brunei, and the newspaper issued an apology. The abrupt shutdown left over a hundred staff members jobless and sparked public outrage, with calls for the Sultan of Brunei to intervene and reverse the decision.

Public outrage and calls for the Sultan to intervene

The abrupt closure of The Brunei Times sparked mass public outrage, with many calling on the Sultan of Brunei to intervene and reverse the decision. Haji Matussin S, a retired public servant with 30 years of government service, criticised the decision, arguing that Brunei is a fully independent, sovereign nation that should not take orders from another country. He also highlighted the contrast between the Bruneian newspaper's factual report and the Saudi Gazette's allegedly seditious story falsely accusing a Bruneian of involvement in a Middle East terror plot, for which no official apology had been issued.

Hajah Hanisah O, another retired public servant, advised the government to reconsider its decision, citing the potential impact on public dissatisfaction and the livelihoods of over 100 employees. Noordin J, a retired medical sector worker whose son was made redundant due to the closure, expressed his loss of faith in the government. He suggested that the reporter involved in the controversial story should be fired instead of the entire agency being shut down.

Din Hassan, a retired officer with two daughters who lost their jobs at The Brunei Times, echoed the call for the Sultan's intervention. He emphasised the emotional strain on his daughters and the need for Brunei to stand up against Saudi interference in national matters. While some, like Jamilah X, a 22-year-old local youth trained in Islamic jurisprudence, supported the decision to shut down the newspaper, she also appealed to the Sultan to punish or fire the journalist responsible as a positive gesture towards the Saudi ambassador and the House of Saud.

The public outcry and anger expressed on social media were unusual for the once peaceful Southeast Asian country, and a political analyst warned that the incident could tarnish the country's image if left unaddressed. The closure of The Brunei Times, allegedly due to the Saudi ambassador's demands, raised questions about Brunei's sovereignty and the government's handling of the situation.

The Brunei Times' response to the closure

The Brunei Times was an independent English-language daily compact broadsheet newspaper published in Brunei Darussalam from 2006 to 2016. It was owned by Brunei Times PLC.

The newspaper officially stated that its closure was due to "business issues", "challenges from alternative media", and problems with "reporting and journalistic standards". It also cited "issues relating to business sustainability" as a reason for its closure.

However, the public speculated that the real reason for the closure was due to a news report regarding a hike in visa fees for Bruneian pilgrims to Mecca, which led to complaints from the Saudi embassy to the Sultan of Brunei. This resulted in mass public outrage and calls for the Sultan to intervene and reverse the decision.

The Brunei Times responded to the closure by expressing gratitude to the government for their support and for extending their license to publish despite the issues. They acknowledged that the closure was sadly inevitable due to a lack of sustainable resources and thanked their staff for their dedication and efforts.

The sudden closure of The Brunei Times resulted in more than 100 staff members losing their jobs, contributing to the growing dissatisfaction with the government's handling of national policies and their ability to run the country.

The impact on staff and the public

The abrupt closure of The Brunei Times resulted in more than 100 staff members losing their jobs. The public outcry and anger expressed on social media were rare in the once peaceful Southeast Asian country, and political analysts warned that it would tarnish the country's image if left untreated.

The impact of the closure was felt not just by the staff but also by the wider public, who had come to rely on the newspaper as a source of information and a platform for community issues. The newspaper had a circulation of about 10,000 copies daily and was second only to the Borneo Bulletin in terms of circulation. It provided extensive coverage of community issues, such as the Tamu Kianggeh case, and was a platform for people to voice their concerns. It was also helpful to startups and SMEs, providing free coverage and business sections.

The public reaction to the closure was one of outrage and disappointment. Many people called on the Sultan of Brunei to intervene and reverse the decision, arguing that it was not too late to regain public support and confidence in the government. Some commented on the impact of the closure on the staff, with one person saying, "My daughters are hurt. They are crying over the loss of their job. As a father, this is unforgivable." Another person, whose son had lost his job, expressed a loss of faith in the government, feeling that they had "thrown their people into the fire to make other nations feel good."

The closure of The Brunei Times highlighted the important role that the newspaper played in the lives of both its staff and the public. The loss of jobs and the loss of a trusted news source created a sense of anger and dissatisfaction among the people, who felt that their voices were no longer being heard and that the government had failed to protect the interests of its citizens.

Speculation about the reason for closure

Speculation about the reason for the closure of The Brunei Times centred on a recent article the paper had published about changes in visa fees imposed by the Saudi Arabian government for Bruneian Hajj pilgrims. The article, published on 26 October 2016, caused controversy and led to complaints from the Saudi embassy to the Sultan of Brunei. The Brunei Times carried an apology for the article on its website on Friday 4 November 2016, but by this time, the damage may have been done.

Some sources claim that the closure of the paper was a direct result of this article and the subsequent complaints. Haji Matussin S, a retired public servant, was quoted as saying:

> "Saudi Arabia has crossed the line. We are a fully independent, sovereign nation. We do not take orders from another country, let alone one that is committing mass murder of Muslims in Yemen. Their ambassador having the audacity to demand from our government to shut our national newspaper over a factual report is astonishing and insulting."

However, The Brunei Times denied this, citing "issues relating to business sustainability, especially in the face of considerable challenges from the alternative media" as the reason for its closure. The paper also thanked the Brunei government for its support and for "having continued to extend the license to publish despite all the issues".

The abrupt nature of the closure, with no mention on the paper's social media channels, added to the suspicion surrounding the reasons for it.

The future of news in Brunei

The sudden closure of The Brunei Times in 2016 was a shock to the system for the people of Brunei. The newspaper, which was the second-largest daily in the country, cited "business issues" and "challenges from alternative media" as the reasons for its demise. However, the public and some former employees suspected that the paper was forced to shut down due to a news report that offended the Saudi Arabian government. This incident highlighted the delicate balance between press freedom and maintaining relationships with other countries, a challenge that Brunei will continue to navigate in the future.

However, it is important to note that The Brunei Times was known for pushing the boundaries of press freedom and testing the limits of what could be published. This may have contributed to its abrupt closure, but it also demonstrated the potential for more independent and critical reporting in the country. There is a demand for diverse and balanced news sources, as evidenced by the public outcry over the loss of The Brunei Times.

Looking forward, it is likely that digital media and online publications will play a more significant role in shaping the news landscape in Brunei. The rise of social media and alternative information sources provides both opportunities and challenges for traditional news outlets. While it may be difficult for established publications to adapt, there is also a chance for them to reach new audiences and engage with their readers in different ways.

Frequently asked questions