We conclude our focus on praying for the South-East Asian countries in preparation for the 3rd South-East Asia Prayer Leaders Consultation which was held recently in Kuala Lumpur. This issue, we highlight two countries, both of which Islam is the major religion – Brunei (circled on map) and Indonesia (at the bottom of the map). The reports are provided by the NECF Research Department.
BRUNIE
Population: 372,361 (Est. CIA Factbook, July 2005)
Ethnic groups: Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, Indigenous 6%, Others 12%
Religions (estimated): Muslim 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, Indigenous beliefs and Others 10%
Brunei is an Islamic Sultanate and one of the richest states in Asia, blessed with deep oil and gas reserves. Its citizens, who rank among the wealthiest, healthiest and most educated people in Asia, enjoy free education and healthcare, subsidised food and housing, old-age pension, no personal income tax and a relatively pollution-free environment.
It is however interesting to note that rising unemployment and crime rate have been attributed to economic reliance on oil and gas. Meanwhile, political and religious freedom remain wanting.
Brunei is ruled by the Sultan, the highest religious authority in the country. In 1959, Brunei achieved internal self-government from Britain. Brunei’s first constitution, written in 1959, vested supreme executive authority in the Sultan.
A state of emergency was invoked when a revolt broke out in December 1962, but it was effectively crushed by the British military. Since then, Bruneians have not been allowed to vote. Emergency rule remains and has been renewed every two years.
Disagreements over financial arrangements and difficulties in determining the position of the Sultan among the Malay rulers ultimately resulted in Brunei declining to join the Malaysian Federation. In 1967 the Sultan abdicated in favour of his eldest son, the present Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The 29th ruler became the prime minister when the government was restructured into a formal ministerial system after Brunei gained independence from Britain in 1984. The Sultan also serves as Minister of Defence and Minister of Finance. He is the absolute monarch and patriarch of the people in this highly stratified and hierarchical society.
Under the 1962 state of emergency, constitutional provisions safeguarding fundamental liberties remain suspended. Brunei is rated 6 and 5 for its political rights and civil liberties respectively (1: most free, 7: least free).
The Parti Perpaduan Kebangsaan Brunei (Brunei National Solidarity Party) is at present the only registered political party in Brunei. It does not play a prominent role in political affairs. Anyone deemed a threat to national security or public order is arrested under the Internal Security Act.
Nonetheless, there are indications that Brunei is slowly coming around to accommodate expressions of political and social discontent.
It is also understood that preparations have been made to introduce a revised Constitution incorporating certain freedoms of elections and representations.
The official religion is the Shafeite sect of Islam and non-Shafeite practices are restricted. Though the constitution guarantees freedom of religious practice, the government restricts religious freedom for non-Muslims including prohibiting proselytising, banning Christian literature and any import of Bibles, outlawing the celebration of Christmas, and routinely ignoring requests to build or expand religious buildings. Religious symbols are routinely censored in magazines arriving in the country. Christian-based schools are not allowed to teach Christianity.
All schools must give instruction in the Islamic faith to all students. Muslims who wish to change or renounce their religion face considerable difficulties.
There is little current information on religious persecution in Brunei. The last of Christians who were detained for allegedly subversive activities was released in October 2001.
There has been little evidence of religious or communal strife and there are no reports of forced religious conversion. The indigenous people generally convert either to Islam or Christianity.
Muslims aim for Brunei to be a ‘pure’ Islamic state by 2020, and offer incentives such as jobs and houses to spread Islam.
PRAY FOR: The Sultan and Prime Minister Sir Hassanal Bolkiah and his cabinet ministers to rule the nation with wisdom, justice and righteousness; God to raise prayer teams who will intercede for the country; God to grant wisdom and favour to churches in nation-building, evangelism and building places of worship; Christians to be steadfast in faith, and that they will be able to reach out to their friends and neighbours with the love of Christ; religious restrictions to be eased and that constitutional freedom will be enforced.
INDONESIA
Population: 225.3 millions (UN, 2005)
Ethnic groups: Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, Coastal Malays 7.5%, Others 26%
Religions (estimated): Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, Others 1% (1998)
Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation with more than 300 ethnic groups, has been experiencing a series of socio-political upheaval and ongoing economic crises for decades. Analysts fear the Bali bombings and the 126.6% fuel price hike may cause even greater social unrest and short-term high inflation.
Despite the national motto ‘Unity in Diversity,’ ethnic rights and religious tolerance continue to underlie much of the issues of political power and economic justice in the world’s largest Muslim nation. The ongoing Christian-Muslim conflict, though sporadic, in Ambon Island and central Sulawesi is said to be the result of government policies, ethnic migration and provocation. Ethnic animosity had caused the anti-Chinese riots in Jakarta and Solo in 1998 and the massacres of Madurese immigrants in Borneo in 1997 and 2001.
Indonesia has been rated as the 10th most corrupt country in the world. The epidemic of corruption penetrates every level of the society, from town councils to the national cabinet. Some analysts see the country’s defective law institutions as one of the key factors.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) set up by the government in response to public outcry, has been slow and ineffective in investigating corruption cases due to lack of resources and personnel and the absence of political will.
The Constitution Court has recently ruled that KPK “has no retroactive authority to deal with past cases that took place before the commission’s establishment”. The ministers have so far not acted upon the President’s declaration to combat graft. Public confidence in the political system is further undermined.
Indonesia does not have an official religion, although belief in God is enshrined in the constitution. Despite the country’s moderate heritage and secular political system, Indonesia remains under threat from Islamist radicals.
The government has tried and sentenced Jemaah Islamiyah members for widespread bombings in the 2000 and 2002 bombings in Bali. It, however, continues to downplay the extent of the terrorist networks. The disbanded Laskar Jihad, responsible for massacres of Christians in the eastern areas, was reported to be regrouping in Papua and Ceram.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has lately sought to allay the concerns of creeping fundamentalism. The government also announces that it will revise the controversial 1969 decree that poses hurdle to Christians in building places of worship.
Yet, islamisation is a reality. The influential Council of Ulama in July issued religious edicts banning mixed marriages, religious pluralism, interfaith prayers and Islamic interpretation based on liberalism and secularism. The Council fears the erosion of Islamic values and proselytising by Christians. At least seven districts in Indonesia already have enforced some kind of Syariah law.
The government’s human rights record remains poor in many areas. Human Right Watch, in its 2005 World Report, observes the significant barriers to rule of law and humans rights such as the resurgent power of the military in social and political affairs, ongoing impunity of security forces, and repression in Papua where indigenous people are predominantly rural and Christian. There are also disturbing signs of intimidation of the press and criminalisation of the dissent. The government is also reported to have ignored the widespread physical and sexual abuse of young girls who are working as helpers in homes. Forced child labour remains a serious problem.
Out of 177 countries, Indonesia is ranked 110th in the 2005 Human Development Report. Over half the population are living below US$2 per day. The Islamic Aceh and the tribal and Christian Papua remain poor despite a wealth of natural resources. Meanwhile, the Indonesians are not spared from natural disasters. Last December’s tsunami disaster left more than 220,000 Indonesians dead or missing.
PRAY FOR: President Bambang and Vice-President Muhammad Yusuf Kalla to rule the nation with wisdom, strength and righteousness; A just and transparent government and judiciary, honesty and integrity among the ruling officials; An effective legal and social framework to break the culture of corruption and ethnic/religious conflicts; Restoration and healing in Aceh, Papua, Ambon, Sulawesi, and areas where violence reigns or had previously reigned.; Christians and Muslims will live in peace; Unity of churches and steadfastness of Christians despite opposition and persecution; Religious freedom, and also that Christians will have the freedom to share their faith without fear of intimidation; and Against Islamic radicalism.
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