BRUNEI Brunei Statistics and History 390 000 citizens

BRUNEI

Brunei Statistics and History 390, 000 citizens with regions second highest gross national income per capita at $26, 930 70% are ethnically Malay, 20% are Chinese, and 10% non. Muslim ethnic groups Internal self government in 1959 A. M. Azahari revolted in 1962 trying to create a federation of Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak – within two days the rebellion was crushed – state of emergency still in place Political stability and development occurred because of oil reserves – creating “Shellfare state” National ideology is Malay Islamic Beraja Revived legislative council in 2003 and passed constitutional amendments – waiting to hold polls

Institutions and Social Groups Sultanate – Sultan Sir Muda Hassanal Bolkiah – state employees 2/3 of Brunei’s work force – no distinction between wealth of state and of sultan – sultan acts as Prime Minister, Defense Minister and oversees government bureaucracy – Sultan is immune to any form of legal prosecution – Sultan richest man in the world – Law suit against Prince Jefri – Heir apparent is Prince Abdul Muntaquim Military – Royal Brunei Armed Forces 4, 500 troops augmented by a brigade of Gurkhas - Contributes peacekeepers to various missions – higher proportion of income spent on defense than other ASEAN states Political Parties – Brunei’s Peoples Party (eliminated after the 1962 A. M. Azahari rebellion); National Democratic Party (eliminated after calling for elections and requesting sultan to give up position as prime minister); Brunei Solidarity National Party (only legal party as of 1995)

Democratization Absolute monarchy 1984 reform suspended parliamentary institutions Non-elected appointees to Legislative Council can participate in constitutional amendments and policy decisions at the Sultan’s behest Up to a third of membership may be elected Elected village leaders have some role in administering state funds but not in policy process Civil liberties are constrained and censorship impacts scholarship and journalism Freedom House ranks Brunei as not free

Economic Development Oil and natural gas account for 90% of Brunei’s exports Reserves could disappear in 20 -30 years Imperative to diversify Formal plans to develop pharma, cement, steel, chemicals, ceramics, and high technology were deployed in the nineties – garment industry failed after global quotas were eliminated – Drawn interest from foreign investor for industrial park aimed at a downstream petrochemical industry 40 percent of workforce is made up of foreigners Eco-tourism and Islamic finance (not ideal location and competition from Malaysia are limiting factors)

The Bruneian State The state and the sultan are an identity Leadership of Islamic community bolsters sultan’s legitimacy No massive social dislocation; last major disruption occurred in 1962 during Azahari revolt Britain has stationed a brigade of Gurkhas on the island thus intimidating would be dissidents Significant officials, technocrats, and military officers are directly or indirectly related to Sultan Chinese community is loyal to Sultan

Foreign Policy After full independence in 1984, Brunei joined ASEAN and focuses on security attained through international legitimacy and expanding economic relations Brunei was involved in Irangate through a donation of 10 million dollars for humanitarian purposes in Central America Pro West bias include supporting liberation of Kuwait and cooperating on intelligence in the War against terror Free trade agreement with Japan that provides market for 90% of Brunei’s liquefied natural gas and joined in Trans. Pacific Economic Partnership, a free-trade body inclusive of Brunei, Singapore, Chile, and New Zealand aiming to eliminate all tariffs between members by 2015

Conclusion Brunei’s Monarchy is an anachronism is Southeast Asia Resembles Middle Eastern Monarchy Sustained by oil wealth