Interviewing the interviewer

My Facebook exchange with the Oprah of Brunei; Izan Zein

When you speak, Brunei's young & old listen. A great call of responsibility to ensure the messages you deliver are positive and (politically) correct. On the contrary, it is exactly the kind of forwardness and lack of regard for the rule book that brings you to fame (and trouble). Explain to me this irony.

It is a HUGE responsibility being on the radio yet at the same time one must be able to balance their own personality of who they REALLY are as opposed to a person people idolize or look up to. I believe everyone loves a tyrant however they also love to hear the truth even though (the truth) it hurts. The message needs to be crafted in such a way that people can relate to.

I do it the best way I can and that is by being myself; I don’t TRY hard at all to please anyone and most importantly I am not fake. But this is the feeling I get and I try my best to sustain it and balance it out without crossing the line. Hard to explain yet hopefully you catch my drift! It is like when you give an artist a canvas, he can’t control the way he strokes his final touch or explain it. It is just there. His (the artist’s) creativity and soul take over, when that happens!

Sounds like a very pleasurable job and much like a chore at the same time. Double edged sword, Izan?

Nope not double edged at all! In fact it is more of a challenge. It is how one chooses to) view it. It is a huge responsibility like any job you pursue, there is a call for being judicious. I carefully balance what is on the line with what I intend to put across. As I said I view myself as a voice and not someone who complains all the time, instead I do something about it. Therefore, I am in a position to make a change and therefore I do so the best way I know how. In actual fact, if it was a chore, would I have sounded so happy and relaxed on air? Doubt it!

Why the funky hair do? What do you say to the parents who show you the picture of their kids getting into trouble at school, trying to look just like you?

I am who I am and the hair is just me. I love art, so I love expressing myself through it.

I (actually) gave a talk at St Andrews School about this same issue! People have choices, and if parents see me as a bad example that is for them to decide... I do not and I always say this, I do not define my moments and my day as well as my thoughts on how people perceive me , this is part and parcel of who I am.

Take me as a whole. Am I doing what their kids are doing? I doubt it. It is just an image, an expression, a culture. I have the core values of someone who is very disciplined. I don’t smoke, lie, or do drugs, steal neither do I drink.


You seem to define yourself by what you don’t do on the above sentence. What you do tells as much about who you are as what you don’t, Izan. Tell our audience about your active contribution to the AIDs society of Brunei and other NGOs.

I don’t highlight that as it is not asked. Why divulge information that isn’t asked? Plus I do everything privately. Like I said, I am PRIVATE person despite what people seem to think.

More on your hair. The very down to earth and philosophical messages you convey on air wave does not match the street kid image you project. Could this be what psychologist regards as a split personality complex?

I believe everyone has different personalities....it isn’t a split personality or persona for me as I said earlier on its a look, its fashion, its art to me ...and image does not define a person but the word does. Thus never judge a book by its cover. Instead indulge in its content and you may be pleasantly surprised!
My hair is a look, it is my look and it is who I chose to be because I am by heart and soul an artist. I live and breathe art, thus i say I am a walking canvas.

So over all it’s an image ...repeat: an image. A look does not define a person, neither does a job.

Objectively speaking, your forthrightness on the air wave has, to a certain extend contributed to a silent revolution in giving a voice to the women in Brunei. Do you see yourself as a good representation of the next generation of Bruneian women? Namely: bold, confident, socially and internationally aware.

Hmmm...I don’t see myself as a role model and no I don’t perceive myself as that. It is too hard a job and too much of an expectation. Besides, it is strange how I can relate to the ordinary person, but to the upper class I’m like a forbidden fruit...


On the topic of influencing a silent revolution:

I hear you, but I dare not say I agree. [But silently, I do.] You either hate me or love me, either way I do make a point. I want to make a change thus I become the change I want to see. I begin (the change) with myself first and see whether I can lead along the way, instead of being a bystander and a follower, I choose to make a difference with my abilities.


[I think you may have misinterpreted me on your answer above – I’m not saying you being a role model, but a representation of the next generation of women’s culture in Brunei]

This is a huge responsibility to highlight someone as a representation (for the general mass), thus I choose to refrain from that and say no, I am not (a representation) but a voice, a voice of impact. I also highly doubt I am a representation of the next generation of women's culture in Brunei. I regard myself as me and someone I can look back in 20 years and have my kids see me and be proud that their mum is someone who broke barriers to be who she is and stood strong just like how my mum is.

You mentioned in a discussion that your programs are largely unscripted. How do you prepare for a spontaneous radio show without having to do too much research and homework on the spoken topic, and make it interesting as you do it day in and out?

I told you this is spontaneous! I guess I’m lucky in that area not to have to do homework on it or stuff. I draw from everyday life and the people around me and learn, and use that as my dialogue.

I use them in the form of stories as I feel stories bond people together. It is like music! People feel they can relate if they find some common ground. Composers and DJs are no different.

What does it take to make a good Radio DJ? I can’t imagine a job that requires you to constantly be updated with the latest music. How does one keep up?

I honestly have no idea! I am not being selfish on this but it’s the truth. All I can say is be who you are and not be afraid to take a chance on yourself.
I keep up with the latest music through the televison, word of mouth, other shows, chart hits ;)

Who is your idol, why?

None spring to mind as they are many different personalities I truly admire. From them, I take pages of their lessons and adapt to my own!

Tell us a story of your most memorable radio show.

I have a lot of memorable shows and they all touch me and stand out. So it is difficult to pinpoint a story. What I can tell u is that every call I receive, every voice that speaks to me on the show, there is a story to tell. And my ears are always open to listen to what they say. I learn a lot from each and every caller and listener. As cliché as it may sound, I am only as good as my listeners and callers.

I am the person I am today because of the chance they gave me to open their hearts and their ears to me. The shows are good because of them ....I’ve said this and i'll say it again: One of my few catch phrases on the show is the station for the people by the people and Brunei, I dare you to be who you wanna be! ;)