Brunei's Sultan: A Democratic Dictator?

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has been the absolute ruler of the country since 1967, making him one of the world's longest-serving dictators. Brunei is an absolute monarchy, with the Sultan exercising executive power and holding several ministerial positions. While the country has a cabinet of ministers, they are appointed by the Sultan and do not have political power independent of him. The Sultan's government has been accused of arbitrary detention, restrictions on freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religious freedom, discrimination against women, and restricted labour rights. Brunei's political system, with its combination of Islamic law, Malay culture, and monarchical rule, has led to unique social and political dynamics that are often debated and analysed by observers around the world.

Brunei is an absolute monarchy

The Sultan's power is codified in the country's constitution, which he changed in 2006 to declare himself infallible. Brunei's government structure includes several advisory bodies and councils, such as the Privy Council, the Executive Council, and the Legislative Council, which support the Sultan in governing the country. However, these bodies are appointed by the Sultan himself, and their power is limited. The Sultan's decisions are not subject to input from these councils, and he can override their advice.

The lack of national elections in Brunei limits legitimate political involvement and prevents opposition forces from gaining prominence. The Sultan's power is further protected by the absence of any national-level electoral laws and the lack of direct legislative elections for over five decades. While there are village-level council elections, the candidates are vetted and approved by the government, and these councils have a limited, consultative role.

The Sultan's broad powers include the ability to appoint judges to the dual judicial system of secular and Sharia courts. While the judiciary appears to act independently in civil matters, it has not demonstrated independence in cases relating to the Sultan's interests. The Sultan's power also extends to restricting freedoms of the press and assembly, and the country's media is almost entirely state-owned.

The stability of the monarchy in Brunei is partly due to the extensive social services provided to its citizens, including free education, health care, and other welfare provisions. High oil revenues have enabled this level of social spending, creating a dependent relationship between citizens and the state.

The Sultan is both head of state and government

The Sultan of Brunei is both head of state and head of government. The country is an absolute monarchy, with the Sultan exercising executive power. This means that the Sultan wields absolute power and has been the monarch and head of government since 1967, when Brunei was still a British protectorate.

The Sultan is the hereditary head of state and also serves as the prime minister. He holds several other ministerial portfolios, including finance, defence, foreign affairs, and home affairs. The Sultan leads a council of ministers or cabinet that performs the day-to-day administrative functions of the government. This cabinet consists of nine members, including the Sultan as prime minister. While the cabinet is a driving force in the country's development and governance, the Sultan oversees all its activities.

The Sultan's powers are extensive and have been made practically unlimited by the constitution. He has the authority to appoint and dismiss ministers, judges, and members of various advisory councils. The Sultan also has control over the country's military and security forces. He can declare a state of emergency, during which he retains absolute authority.

In addition to his role as head of state and government, the Sultan is also the ruler of Islam in Brunei. This gives him significant influence over religious matters and further consolidates his power. The Sultan's position as both head of state and government allows him to make and implement decisions without the need for input from other branches of government, contributing to the monarchic dictatorship in Brunei.

Brunei is one of seven monarchic dictatorships globally

The Sultan's government has been accused of several despotic acts, including arbitrary detention, restrictions on freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association, discrimination against women, and limited labor rights. The country's media is almost entirely state-owned, and online speech is monitored by the authorities. The Sultan's judicial powers are independent, and Brunei has a dual judicial system of secular and Sharia courts, with all senior judges appointed by the Sultan.

Brunei's stability as a dictatorship can be attributed to its high oil revenue, which has enabled the country to provide extensive social services to its population, including free education and healthcare. This welfare provision has been a means for the Bruneian regime to maintain control and legitimacy. The lack of national elections and the dominance of the Sultan have limited genuine political participation and kept opposition forces from gaining prominence.

The Sultan's power is further consolidated by the country's religious authority through the national philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), which combines Islamic law, Malay culture, and monarchical rule. Brunei's status as an Islamic Monarchy, with Islam as the state religion, has resulted in restrictions on religious freedom and the implementation of Sharia law, which takes precedence over civil law for Muslims in many areas.

The Sultan's government is accused of arbitrary detention

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has been the absolute ruler of the country since 1967, and both its head of state and government. In 2006, he changed the country's constitution to declare himself infallible.

The Legislative Council, whose members are appointed by the Sultan, has no political power independent of him. It meets once a year for two weeks and passes the state budget, but the government's activities generally lack transparency. The Sultan's government is accused of limiting freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association. Online speech is monitored by the authorities, and the only television station in the country is state-run. The Borneo Bulletin, the country's main English-language newspaper, is controlled by the Sultan's family, and journalists often practice self-censorship.

The Sultan's government is also accused of restricting religious freedom. The state religion is the Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam, and while the constitution allows for the practice of other religions, non-Shafi'i forms of Islam are actively discouraged. Marriage between Muslims and non-Muslims is not permitted, and Muslims must seek permission from the Ministry of Religious Affairs to convert to another faith. Christians are allowed to celebrate Christmas, but only inside churches or at home. In 2014, the government implemented new criminal regulations based on Sharia law, which included limits on the use of certain words deemed sacred to Islam.

The Sultan's government is further accused of discrimination against women, restricted labour rights, and exploitation of foreign workers. Women have a minimal political role at the national and local level. They are disadvantaged under Islamic law in matters of divorce and child custody. The Sharia penal code also criminalises "indecent behaviour", enforces a dress code, and makes abortion and extramarital sex capital offences.

Brunei's stability and the lack of public dissent can be partly attributed to the extensive public assistance provided to its citizens, including free medical care and schooling.

Brunei's citizens enjoy extensive public assistance

This is largely due to the country's oil and gas wealth, which has allowed the government to provide a comprehensive welfare state for its people. The Bruneian government, led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, has maintained political stability and legitimacy through a combination of welfare provisions and religious authority, as embodied in the national philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB).

The MIB philosophy combines Islamic law, Malay culture, and monarchical rule. While the country has faced criticism for its lack of democratic elections and restrictions on civil liberties, there has been little to no public dissent, and the population benefits from the government's ability to provide for their social needs.

The extensive public assistance in Brunei covers a range of areas, including:

• Healthcare: Brunei's citizens enjoy free medical care, with the government providing for all medical services. This contributes to a high life expectancy of 77.7 years.
• Education: The government offers free or subsidised education, from primary school through to tertiary education.
• Housing: The state provides subsidies and support for housing, ensuring that citizens have access to affordable accommodation.
• Employment: The government is the primary source of employment for many Bruneians, further contributing to social stability.
• Food Security: Brunei has promoted self-sufficiency in rice production and has a national halal branding scheme to facilitate exports.
• Social Welfare: Various organisations, such as the Brunei Council on Social Welfare, work to support families in need through food assistance programs, education funds, and other charitable initiatives.

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