Brunei Darussalam's quest for ideology (2)

By Bilveer Singh

This is the second of two articles examining the national ideology of Brunei Darussalam, the Melayu Islam Beraja.

SINGAPORE (JP): In terms of monarchy, Brunei has had this system of government for more than ten centuries. Chinese annals have recorded the existence of Brunei during the Liang Dynasty (502-566). Brunei leaders have argued that this is the form and system of government with which they are comfortable with, has worked and would prefer to maintain even though it would make Brunei one of the few governing monarchies in the world.

The bonding between the people and the Monarch is very strong and is presently one of the reasons for the resilience of the Brunei polity. As has been argued elsewhere, in term of modern theories of governments, there seems to exist a clear social contract between the sultanate and the subjects and as long as both parties are happy with the duties and obligations of each other the system is destined to stay in place.

In terms of Islam, unlike the Malay character and the monarchy, this is relatively new. Brunei converted to Islam when Sultan Muhammad Shah converted to the religion through marriage with the Princess of Johore in 1368. Prior to this, Brunei was essentially Hindu in character. Since then, Islam has colored every facets of Brunei political and social life. During the heydays of Western colonialism in Southeast Asia, Brunei was the cradle of Islamic civilization in the region.

Thus, while the MIB's intellectualization is new, as a philosophy and way of life, it is not. What the MIB has tried to do is to make more explicit and transparent what have been practices and norms for more than six centuries in the country.

This took on a new urgency after 1984 as Brunei regained its independence and wanted to provide a clear statement about itself and its world-view. Through the promulgation and popularization of the MIB, the leadership hoped to achieve a number of clear goals: the survival and continuity of the new state; national unity; help the state to set its goals for the people; provide the impetus and motivating force for political and social development in the country; and finally instill a sense of pride in the people so that they do not suffer from the syndrome of a small state.

As a political tool, it is hoped that the MIB would help in the defense of the country by making people more closely identified with the state, would help in the filter of ideas so that the good would be absorbed and the negative repelled as well as help the people to adapt to new challenges that are emerging in the world.

In order to implant MIB values into society, two major structures have been created. The first is the National Committee on MIB headed by Pehin Aziz. This has the final word on the MIB and provides the broad guidelines as to how the ideology should be implemented.

Second, is the Secretariat of the MIB based at the Brunei Studies Academy at the University of Brunei. This is the administrative and research wing of the MIB tasked with giving the ideology an intellectual dimension.

Presently, MIB values are taught to Bruneians from Kindergarten to the University, demonstrating clearly the political will with which this value inculcating program is being undertaken.

While the objectives appear benevolent, many outside observers have raised questions about potential tension-points. One of the main concerns relate to the position of the non-Malay and non- Islamic population of the polity. Another relates to the dampening effect it would have on the country's democratization process.

However, on all these counts the fears are exaggerated as MIB is not aimed at being discriminatory. While the country is largely Malay and Islamic in character, the non-Malay and non- Islamic population have a clear place in the country and are doing extremely well.

As a fully practicing Islamic country, Brunei preaches and practices racial and religious tolerance, largely explaining the political tranquility in the sultanate. A visitor to Bandar Seri Begawan will be pleasantly surprised to see that a large Chinese temple dominates the landscape in the heart of the capital next to the former Legislative Assembly building.

Fears of Islamic extremism in the country are unfounded as Brunei's Islam is of the Shafie Sunni sect which abhors extremism. If anything, the Brunei authorities have dealt with Islamic deviationism in a strong way was evident by the banning of the Al Arquam religious sect about three years ago.

As for democratization, there are no evident pressures even though the leadership is attempting to anticipate this by undertaking greater political discussions. It has also been rumored that the Legislative Council may be reactivated in the near future to manage this problem which will come with greater development and awareness.

While the monarchy is the centerpiece of MIB, this is something which Bruneians prefer, a choice that must be respected by others.

In the final analysis, the MIB is the full expression of what Brunei would like to see itself as. It mirrors Brunei. It is typically Brunei model and epitomizes the efforts at achieving Bruneization. It has made a conscious choice to evolve in such a way so that the Malay, Islamic and Monarchical elements are central to the polity while respecting and tolerating other groups present in the sultanate. It should be illuminating to note that not all of the seven Malay tribes domiciled in Brunei are Islamic. This is the essential Brunei.

If anything, the MIB can be viewed as framework through which Brunei hopes to evolve politically, socially, culturally, ideologically and even economically. While there will always be concerns, especially about the pace of Islamization, these have been well managed and considered.

Brunei is not the epitome of religious fanaticism that is found elsewhere . On the contrary, it is just the reverse and hence known as the "Abode of Peace." Therein lies the critical importance of the MIB and what it is supposed to achieve for Brunei in terms of peace, security and development.

Thus, just as it is important to understand Pancasila, Rukunegara, Shared Values and the Thai Value system to under the various ASEAN countries, it has became vitally necessary to understand and appreciate the MIB in order to gain insight about what an independent and sovereign Brunei polity is all about.

Dr. Bilveer Singh is a senior lecturer in political science at the National University of Singapore.