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1. MIB is still relevant in todays globalised society. A nation is defined as any sizeable population with a distinct cultural identity that rules itself within formal territorial boundaries by means of an autonomous national government. (Lipset, 2003) Brunei Darussalam is a nation. Its 370,000 inhabitants live under a monarchical system ruled by His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassannal Bolkiah. Like any other nation with a distinct identity, the Bruneian society shares a concept of Malay Islamic Monarchy, more commonly known as Melayu Islam Beraja or MIB. MIB is the states philosophy as proclaimed by His Majesty the Sultan in 1984. The philosophy is deeply rooted from that implemented by Sultan Muhammad Shah (1364 1402), the first sultan of Brunei. Hence, it constitutes the way in which Brunei Darussalam looks at its past while spreading its present national identity. The implementation of the concept of MIB serves as a way of rediscovering the nations pride in its cultural, religious and political ideologies. The philosophy combines the best of Malay culture with the teachings of Islam, and promotes mutual respect between the Sultan and its subjects and loyalty of the people to the state. At present, apart from giving the Bruneian population a unique sense of identity, MIB also forms a backbone to Bruneis existence as a prosperous sovereignty. However, many remain sceptical about the relevance of MIB in todays globalised society. First of all, globalisation is the process whereby the world experiences a phenomenon that clearly affects the quality and way of life of many individuals (Reed, 2006). In my point of view, the phenomenon of globalisation has occurred as far as the earliest forms of human civilisation have emerged. The spread of knowledge, language and religion over time are forms of globalisation. Globalisation is a means of converging different societies and
Madison Sheena Nazareno Vejerano (08B1904) AF 1106 Introduction to Brunei Darussalam Universiti Brunei Darussalam

allowing them to perceive common beliefs and ways in living their life (Omar, 2006). By the end of the cold war and following the rapid developments in transportation and in information and communication technology, a very important dimension of globalisation has come. The globalisation phenomenon that we are experiencing today can be described as the process of growing interdependence among individuals and societies from different countries participating in a global environment (Robbins, 2000). Through establishments of world trading agreements and regional trading zone agreements e.g. World Trading Organisation (WTO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), trading barriers such as tariff and other non-tariff cost have been substantially eliminated. Hence, goods and services are easily moved across borders. With improved transportation i.e. better road infrastructure and quick and reliable air travel, made at a cost-efficient basis for customers, more and more organisations are going beyond local boundaries, leading to the establishments of many multinational companies. Moreover, rapid progress in communications have allowed the innovative use of 3.5G mobile technologies, electronic mails, video conferencing, instant messaging, chat rooms and many more. Also, the invention of the World Wide Web have enabled people all over the world to share and exchange information with each other. Websites provide links to millions of businesses, government bodies, educational institutions and individuals. With access to computers and the Internet, we can indulge ourselves into a wide variety of contemporary activities. A few examples are meeting other people in online social-networks, expressing interests and opinions in blogs, downloading files such as music and videos, and conducting internet banking and investments.

Madison Sheena Nazareno Vejerano (08B1904) AF 1106 Introduction to Brunei Darussalam Universiti Brunei Darussalam

With the great strides made as explained above, there is no denying that our world has shrunk into a global village. Globalisation has increased the reliance of the international market economies and have allowed for the fast dissemination of information and timely news. These are only two of the many points that have clearly impacted many nations economic, socio-cultural and political aspects. Beginning the 1950s, when the first five-year National Development Plan was announced by the late Sultan Haji Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien, programmes of modernisation have earmarked massive proportions in the budget of the Brunei Darussalam (Cable & Tyler, 2000). The programmes included the rapid expansion of educational and medical facilities, the building of houses, roads, bridges and power stations, the installation of broadcasting and telephone systems, the introduction of Internet and videophone services, etc. This was done in the need to transform the nation of Brunei Darussalam into a modern nation. Along with two successive leaders of such high calibre, an ample blessing of oil and natural gas reserves, and the nations membership to international and regional organisations, Brunei Darussalam had become a modern nation. Evidently, Brunei Darussalam has also felt the impact of globalisation. Multinational companies have brought a wide variety of goods and services to Brunei Darussalam. This aspect of globalisation has allowed for product differentiation and encourages a greater exchange of goods and services. Globalisation had also initiated dynamic business development. In Brunei Darussalam, people are becoming more and more business-minded. Many individuals are now concern and are aware of the measures that the Brunei economy should take if it wants to compete in the international market. Manpower is mobilised as much as possible, both from locals and foreign workers alike. Also, despite the heavy reliance of the countrys revenues from petroleum exports, the need for diversification have been realised. Brunei Darussalam lacks economies of scale and to remedy this, the
Madison Sheena Nazareno Vejerano (08B1904) AF 1106 Introduction to Brunei Darussalam Universiti Brunei Darussalam

government have allowed privatisation programmes in certain fields such as in telecommunication. Moreover, various types of industries have been facilitated in the country. Example of which is the Methanol Plant project. The Brunei Economic Development board have also been established to enhance and provide support to the local infant industries. Based on a human development report which was made in 2005, Brunei Darussalam has a population that live longer and healthier, obtain better education and possess higher standard of living as compared to 144 other countries. Another human rights report boasts about Brunei Darussalams outlook on gender equalities, both in the corporate and public life. Majority of Bruneians also have full access to global multimedia and e-commerce. It is clear to see that Brunei Darussalam have embraced many of the aspects that have come together with the globalisation phenomenon. It is important to note that with its readiness to embark on new ventures, Brunei Darussalam had inevitably experienced negative aspects of globalisation, too. Nevertheless, by maintaining the nations philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja, Brunei Darussalam seems to maintain a well-balanced attitude of a progressing modern nation while keeping in touch with the traditional aspects of national character. In so many modern and industrial societies, globalisation obscurely conveys the aim of profit-maximisation. Obviously, as humans, we participate in business transactions that could reap great benefits. In Brunei Darussalam, on the other hand, investments in business activities that are counter to Islamic principles are avoided. No matter how attractive the future benefits would be, the country emphasises on shared risks rather than the simple taking of interest (Cable & Tyler, 2000). How the Islamic principles are maintained can be seen as Brunei Darussalam carries out the following examples adoption of the Islamic way of
Madison Sheena Nazareno Vejerano (08B1904) AF 1106 Introduction to Brunei Darussalam Universiti Brunei Darussalam

banking, protection of the large rainforests that could be developed into other establishments, and limitations to the development of tourism such as the ban of alcohol consumption and restrictions in public smoking. However valuable the returns to the Brunei economy might be, activities that are not based on the ethical teachings of Islam are forgone. Also, globalisation is built on the aspect of commercialization. It is clear to see that many of the Bruneian population have accepted very much the technological strides that globalisation has to offer. With promotion, millions of information within one click of a mouse, or a push on the television button, foreign ideas and influences are able to fill the minds of Bruneians, both young and old. Obviously, not all information is useful or healthy to the sociocultural aspects of Brunei Darussalam. Globalisation may erode cultural values. With easy access to the internet and the foreign media, ideas and norms are being challenged. The concept of Malay and its family values have to be reaffirmed so as to guard against the danger of the local culture being overwhelmed by alien ideas. Furthermore, during the latest phase of globalisation that the world is experiencing, many events have led to the advocacy of democracy. It was believed that the balance and check of powers that are common to the democratic practice is the best possible way to rule and control a system, or country. This misperception is attributed to many of the national and societal chaos that occurs because many monarchical systems failed to function in the modern world. The monarch in Brunei symbolises the Malay cultural and religious identity, with regards to the respect that should be given to the leader, who is of paramount importance in leading a better and organized society (Ak. Harizan, 2009). Family values, Islamic values and cultural values are reaffirmed by the Bruneian philosophy of MIB. Melayu Islam Beraja provides a unique identity to Bruneians that should be preserved. MIB is an identity that provides stability and cohesion among the Bruneian
Madison Sheena Nazareno Vejerano (08B1904) AF 1106 Introduction to Brunei Darussalam Universiti Brunei Darussalam

society. The sense of a national community (Malay and Islam) is a unifying force that helps to justify the authority of the state (Monarchy). With the existence of religion, history, language and culture, MIB bonds the Bruneian society. Hence, without the MIB identity, Brunei would lack stability among its population. As, Samuel Huntington(1996) would put it, the national interest of a nation is a function of its identity, whose cultural dimensions evolve over time. Therefore, it is only relevant that the philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy stays, provided that the Bruneians deliberate ways to ensure that the philosophy is practical and flexible with the demands of globalisation today. (1,623 words)

References: 1) Cable, M. & Tyler, R. Brunei Darussalam: The Country, The Sultan, The People, AMD Brand Evolution, London, 2000; 2) Lipset, S. The First New Nation, Garden City, N.Y. 2003; 3) Tardif, J. The Hidden Dimensions of Globalization: What is at Stake Geoculturally, Global Policy Forum, Planet Agora, 2002; 4) Omar, S. Globalisation: Discourse or Monologue, World Values Survey, 2006; 5) Huntington, S. The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order 1996; 6) Ak. Harizan, Melayu Islam Beraja: The States Philosophy, Academy of Brunei Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, 2009; 6) Reed, N. Globalization and its impact on Singapore family values, 28 Nov 2006; 7) http://www.lse.ac.uk/Depts/global/cultureandglobalisationwhatis.htm; 8) http://www.worldrover.com/history/brunei_philosophy.html.

Madison Sheena Nazareno Vejerano (08B1904) AF 1106 Introduction to Brunei Darussalam Universiti Brunei Darussalam