Basir Taha

Basir bin Taha was born on 3 November 1913 in Kampong Pengiran Pemancha Lama, Brunei Town (now Bandar Seri Begawan). Basir began his education on 1 July 1921 at Jalan Pemancha Malay School in Brunei Town. Despite the limited resources of the education system at the time, he completed fifth grade, the highest level of schooling then available. After graduating, he joined government service and was appointed as a trainee teacher in 1929. Recognising the importance of English for advancing knowledge, he pursued English studies through special classes for government officers, strongly encouraged by his caretaker, Pengiran Muhammad Salleh.^[2][3]

Between 1934 and 1941, Basir was an active member of the Persatuan Sahabat Pena Brunei (PSPB),^[4] a welfare organisation established in the mid-1930s. His efforts in the PSPB were pivotal in fostering youth awareness and instilling nationalism among Bruneians.^[5] However, with the outbreak of World War II, the PSPB was disbanded, and its members, including founders Marsal Maun and Basir, shifted their focus to contributing articles to Malayan newspapers like Utusan Melayu and Saudara.^[6]

From 1930 to 1935, Basir and Marsal Maun attended Sultan Idris Training College in Perak, Malaya,^[7][3][8] becoming the first Bruneians sent abroad for education.^[2] During his time there, he gained expertise that later benefited Brunei while actively participating in welfare activities such as the national army, fire brigade, and sports. He excelled academically, earning both an education certificate and a sahadah certificate, the highest qualification in Islamic religious studies. Upon returning to Brunei in 1935, he continued his studies in English in Tutong town and took a leadership role in advancing the Brunei Scout Troop in 1936, further contributing to youth development and organisational activities.^[9]

Following his training, Basir was tasked with improving Brunei's administrative and educational systems,^[8] working alongside Marsal Maun to develop a more structured and organised schooling framework.^[10] As a key founding member of the PGGMB, established in 1937, he contributed to enhancing the welfare and professional standing of Malay educators.^[11] He, Marsal, Othman Bidin, and Pengiran Muhammad Ali, all graduates of SITC, played instrumental roles in these efforts. By 1936, he was actively involved in revitalising the Scouting movement in Brunei, where his leadership significantly strengthened the organisation.^[7] By 1940, the movement had expanded to the Belait District, with Salleh Masri forming its first Scout team of 40 members under Basir's guidance.^[7] In 1939, Basir was appointed to teach in Kuala Belait, while Marsal was assigned to Brunei Town.^[12][13] Together, they were pivotal in advancing education in Brunei, particularly following the 1929 education enactment, which extended to the Belait District that same year.^[14]

By 1940, under the authority of the British Resident, significant changes were introduced to Brunei's religious education landscape, with schools such as Kuala Belait Malay School, Seria Malay School, and Bukit Bendera Malay School incorporating religious instruction into their curriculum, aligned with the standards of the Federation States and Straits Settlements. Basir played an integral role in overseeing this educational restructuring, collaborating with figures like Harun Mohd Amin, Marsal, Nordin Abdul Latif, and Othman.^[14] During the same period, the British government established the Brunei Voluntary Force and the Special Police Force to prepare for the anticipated arrival of the Imperial Japanese Army in Southeast Asia. Basir joined this force, undergoing military training and becoming a strong and capable member. However, after the Japanese conquered Brunei, the force was disbanded. During the Japanese occupation, Basir was offered various important positions by the Japanese government, but he declined, choosing instead to further his education at the "KOYEN KOSEUJU" teacher training centre in Brunei.^[9] Additionally, Bruneian students, including Idris Hamzah, Tuah Hitam, Basir, Jamil Al-Sufri, and Marsal, received teacher training under the Japanese administration.^[15]

In 1944, Basir advanced his education at the prestigious 'Kochu Sunsi' and 'Shi Gakko' colleges, renowned teacher training centres for headmasters and inspectors in Brunei Town.^[7] After completing a rigorous three-month programme, he and other instructors were assigned to remote locations, including Miri, Labuan, and Limbang.^[15] Upon graduating, Basir was appointed chief school inspector for Miri, Labuan, and the fourth and fifth divisions of Sarawak, while also overseeing the coastal borders of Sabah.^[7] Alongside his contributions to education, Basir was active in welfare initiatives through Barisan Pemuda (BARIP), an early left-wing political party established after the Japanese occupation of Brunei. In 1946, he joined the Kesatuan Melayu Brunei, led by Prince Omar Ali Saifuddien, and became one of its key driving forces.^[9] Two years later, in 1948, he was appointed secretary to the prince, reflecting his growing prominence in Brunei's administrative and social spheres.^[16]

In 1955, Basir retired from government service and performed the hajj pilgrimage in the same year.^[7] Following his retirement, he settled in Kampong Luagan Timbaran, Tutong District. where he dedicated himself to serving the local communities of Luagan Timbaran and Kampong Birau. To make productive use of his time, he opened a grocery store in Kampong Luagan Timbaran, contributing to the village's daily needs. Additionally, he was appointed as an advisor to the Birau Primary School committee, which had been established in 1954.^[16]

Basir was one of the founders of the Kampong Birau Mosque, established in 1963,^[16] and was appointed as a voluntary imam alongside Marsal Hassan, under the leadership of Abdul Kadir Talip, a religious teacher.^[17] He earned great respect from the villagers due to his authority and extensive knowledge in religion and education. In addition to his work with the mosque, He remained active in welfare activities, including his involvement in the Scout movement and the Red Crescent. He also held significant roles in the PGGMB, serving as both president and secretary general, and was honoured as a Guru Berjasa (Distinguished Teacher) by the association.^[16] In 1962, the government of Brunei offered him a position as a welfare officer in the Department of Welfare, Youth, and Sports, which he gladly accepted, as it aligned with his passions and values.^[7]

Basir died on Sunday, 25 October 1998.^[18]