Driven by a passion for cars and more than a decade of storytelling, MantukaBrunei has evolved from a niche automotive website into a recognised digital automotive media platform in Brunei.
Developed from a personal hobby centred on sharing automotive news and photography, the platform has grown into a trusted source for vehicle reviews, industry updates and promotional content, helping local audiences keep pace with a rapidly changing automotive landscape
Founded in 2012 by Pengiran Fairol, better known as Pg Fairol, MantukaBrunei was established before social media became the dominant space for content creators.
Image: MantukaBrunei
Image: MantukaBrunei
A former journalist with a lifelong passion for cars, he initially launched the platform as a website dedicated to automotive news and photography, with the aim of sharing accurate information and engaging visuals with fellow enthusiasts.
“It was all about passion,” said the 44-year-old founder. “If you love what you’re doing, you’ll keep moving forward, even if it means standing under the hot sun or spending long hours creating content. Passion is what keeps you going.”
Although MantukaBrunei has become a familiar name within Brunei’s automotive industry, Fairol admitted he never imagined the platform would grow into what it is today.
“I never expected it to become this big. My only goal was to help people understand cars better, especially as automotive technology continued to evolve.”
From a hobby to a recognised platform
The name MantukaBrunei itself reflects the founder’s appreciation for local heritage. Derived from the traditional Bruneian word mantuka, an old pronunciation for “motor car”, the name pays tribute to the country’s linguistic roots while representing the platform’s automotive focus.
In its early years, MantukaBrunei operated solely as a website, publishing automotive news, new vehicle launches and photo features. As digital habits shifted and audiences increasingly turned to social media for information, the platform adapted by expanding its presence on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
Image: MantukaBrunei
This allowed MantukaBrunei to move from written articles into short-form videos and visual storytelling, reaching a wider audience while continuing to focus on automotive content.
The transition became more significant in 2020, when Fairol began managing the platform full-time. What had previously been operated largely as a hobby, with support from his wife, gradually developed into a growing business supported by a team of videographers and editors.
“Our content has evolved with the audience,” he shared. “People consume information differently today, so we’ve adapted while continuing to present automotive content in a way people trust.”
Accuracy drives every story
Despite the rapid changes in digital media, one principle has remained constant throughout MantukaBrunei’s journey: credibility.
Drawing on his experience as a journalist, Fairol continues to approach every piece of content with accuracy and responsibility, particularly when working alongside automotive brands.
“As a former journalist, every detail has to be precise and we try to minimise mistakes as much as possible,” he explained. “No matter how experienced we are, we’re still human, so working closely with brands is important to ensure the information we share is accurate and aligned.”
Image: MantukaBrunei
Today, MantukaBrunei’s content covers vehicle launches, test drives, product highlights and promotional campaigns, while maintaining its role as a source of automotive information for local audiences.
The platform has also witnessed major changes within the industry over the past decade, particularly with the rapid advancement of vehicle technology and changing consumer expectations.
Image: MantukaBrunei
Image: MantukaBrunei
According to Fairol, today’s buyers are far more informed compared to when MantukaBrunei first started, making it increasingly important to explain new technologies and provide information that helps consumers make informed decisions.
Growing with the industry
Building MantukaBrunei has not been without its challenges. Managing an expanding workload while overseeing content production, client relationships and daily operations requires constant planning and problem-solving.
Keeping pace with changing social media algorithms also remains an ongoing challenge for digital creators.
Image: MantukaBrunei
“At the end of the day, we upload, we post and we hope the algorithms work in our favour,” he said with a laugh. “There isn’t much we can control, so we focus on consistently producing quality content.”
When looking back, one of his proudest achievements is seeing MantukaBrunei remain relevant after more than a decade in an industry that has transformed significantly.
Having witnessed the decline of several traditional and digital automotive publications, the platform continues to serve consumers and automotive brands, having worked with more than 50 local clients.
Fairol believes continued support from the local automotive community and industry partners has been essential to the platform’s growth.
“The support from both the community and our clients has been very important. Without either of them, MantukaBrunei wouldn’t have come this far.”
As MantukaBrunei continues to grow, Fairol hinted that the platform will gradually introduce new content ideas and projects, although details remain under wraps.
Image: BYD
He said audiences can look forward to fresh concepts that continue to develop the platform while staying true to its automotive roots.
For aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs, his advice is straightforward: gain as much experience as possible, work hard and never stop learning.
“Once you’ve started, there’s no turning back,” he said. “Keep gaining experience, work hard and continue improving because every challenge teaches you something.”
More than 14 years after publishing its first automotive stories, MantukaBrunei continues to demonstrate that passion, consistency and credibility remain key drivers of long-term success.
While the platforms may have changed from websites to reels and short-form videos, its mission remains unchanged: delivering reliable automotive content while sharing a passion for cars with audiences across Brunei.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
