Brunei Darussalam, which means Abode of Peace, is an Islamic Sultanate as well as one of the richest states in Asia blessed with deep oil and gas reserves. Its king, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, is considered the world's wealthiest man, reportedly living in a palace of more than 1,700 rooms and more than 150 Rolls Royce. Its citizens, who rank among the most educated, wealthy and healthy 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 interesting to note that economic reliance on oil and gas is said to be the root cause of rising unemployment and crime rate. The official unemployment rate in 2003 was 4.3%, but some estimates place unemployment at 6-10% or higher, with 25 % of school leavers unable to find jobs [R4, June 2005]. The government has introduced a new scheme, "Advance Training Scheme for Industrial Skills and Info-Communication Technology" to "wipe out” the excuse that the locals do not posses the right skills for the job [Asian Labour News, Jan 26, 04].
Political and religious freedom remains wanting.
Political and human rights development
Brunei is ruled by the Sultan, the highest religious authority in the country.
In 1959, Brunei achieved internal self-government from Britain. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III assumed full executive authority. Brunei's first constitution, written in 1959, vested supreme executive authority in the Sultan. In the 1962 District Council elections, the Brunei Peoples Party (PRB) won 54 of the 55 seats. In December 1962, the military wing of the PRB attempted a revolt aiming at uprooting British colonial influence and defeating efforts of joining Brunei with Malaysia. A state of emergency was invoked and the revolt was effectively crushed by British military. Since then people 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 favor 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 [R4]. He is the absolute monarch and patriarch of the people in this highly stratified and hierarchical society.
Under a 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) [R8]. 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 [R4]. Anyone deemed a threat to national security or public order is arrested under 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 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. The 2004 International Religious Freedom Report lists Brunei in the category of ‘Discriminatory Legislation or Policies Prejudicial to Certain Religions’. Yet, little current information is available 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. Christianity is viewed as main rival to official Islam. Muslims aim for Brunei to be a 'pure' Islamic state by 2020 - and offer incentives like jobs and houses to spread Islam.
Suggested prayer items:
1. For Sultan and Prime Minister Sir Hassanal Bolkiah and his cabinet ministers to rule the nation with wisdom, justice and righteousness.
2. Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through intercession.
3. To grant wisdom and favor to churches in nation-building, evangelism and building places of worship.
4. For Christians to be steadfast in faith and not be intimidated by authorities. That they will be able to reach out to their friends and neighbours with the love of Christ despite the restrictions.
5. For open doors missionaries to proclaim the Gospel
6. That restrictions will ease and that the constitutional freedoms will be enforced
Reference:
1. CIA Factbook, updated Oct 4, 2005.
2. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2004, released February 2005
3. International Religious Freedom Report September 2004
4. http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/brunei/brunei_brief.html [June 2005]
5. http://www.prb.org/pdf05/05WorldDataSheet_Eng.pdf
6. Corruption Perceptions Index 2004
7. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/brunei.pdf
8. Freedom in the World 2005
