THE SULTAN'S FIRST YEAR ON HIS OWN - A SOLID PERFORMANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 1188

E.O. 12356: NA
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, BX
SUBJ: THE SULTAN'S FIRST YEAR ON HIS OWN - A SOLID PERFORMANCE

1. CONFIDENTIAL - ENTIRE TEXT

2. SUMMART: THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI HAS NOW GOVERNED BRUNEI ON
HIS OWN FOR A LITTLEMSORE THAN ONE YEAR. IMPORTANT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE VISITS TO ALMOST EVERY AREA OF THE
NATION AND AN EMPHASIS ON A RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT. HE HAS
WARNED AGAINST THE SPREAD OF EXTREMIST ISLAMIC BELIEFS AND
MOVED TO REINFORCE A MODERATE ISLAMIC WAY OF LIFE IN BRUNEI.
IN THE FOREIGN POLICY AREA, BRUNEI SEEKS A ROLE THT IS BEYOND
MERE RECOGNITION OF ITS RIGHT AS AN INDEPENDENT NATION. THE
MILITARY'S CONTACTS WITH OTHER NATIONS ARE EXPANDING AND IT IS
MOVING TOWARDS UPGRADING ITS EQUIPMENT CAPABILITIES. THE
SULTAN'S ADMINISTRATION HAS SHOWN A WILLINGNESS TO TACKLE
DIFFICULT SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PROBLEMS IN THIS MALAY SOCIETY
THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DRUG REHABILITATION CNETER AND
AN INFORMATION PROGRAM AIMED AT PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF
AIDS. BRUNEI'S PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMPARED TO THOSE OF
ITS NEIGHBORS, ARE MODEST. THE NATION NEEDS TO IMPROVE BASIC
SERVICES, SUCH AS TELEPHONE AND WATER SERVICE. MORE
TROUBLESOME IS THE CONTINUAL BLURRING OF LINES BETWEEN PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE BUSINESS. END SUMMARY.

3. WITH THE DEATH OF THE SERI BEGAWAN (SUTLAN'S FATHER) IN
SEPTEMBER 1986, THE SULTAN COULD FINALLY SET HIS OWN
COURSE FOR THE GOVERNMENT, CHOOSE HIS OWN CABINET, AND
GOVERN THE NATION OF BRUNEI, WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF HIS FATHER.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FORTY DAY MOURNING PERIOD HE
INSTALLED A NEW CABINET THAT GAVE SOME VERY ABLE MEN,
SUCH AS PEHIN ISA, IMPORTANT POSTS. AT THE SAME TIME
THE SULTAN SHUNTED ASIDE SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS, SUCH AS PEHIN AZIZ,
WHOSE IDEAS FOR BRUNEI DID NOT MATCH HIS OWN. ONE OF THE FIRST AREAS
THE SULTAN AND PEHIN ISA TACKKED WAS THE CRITICISM THAT THE
SULTAN WAS TOO DISTANT FROM THE PEOPLE. FOR THE LAST YEAR
THE SULTAN HAS JORNEYED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH TO A
KAMPONG, MET THE KAMPONG LEADERS, VISITED THE KAMPONG
SCHOOL AND MOSQUE, AND THEN SEEN A PRIVATE
SECTOR ENTERPRISE RUN BY A BUDDING BUMIPUTRA BUSINESSMAN. ALL
OF THIS HAS BEEN RECORDED BY RADIO TELEVISION BRUNEI AND SHOWN
ON THE VENING NEWS. ANOTHER REGULAR FEATURE OF THESE VISITS
HAVE BEEN THE SULTAN ACCEPTING PETITIONS FROM THE KAMPONG ELDERS
FOR SERVICES AND NEEDS OF THE KAMPONG. DURING THIS YEAR THE
SULTAN HAS VISITED ALL OF BRUNEI, INCLUDING KAMPONGS ONLY
ACCESSIBLE BY AIR OR RIVER BOAT. A CONSITENT THEME EMPHASIZED
BY THE SULTAN AND ISA DURING THE YEAR IS THE GOVERNMENT IS TO
BE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.

4. THROUGH THESE KAMPONG VISITS PEHIN ISA, WHO HEADS THE
ESTABLISHMENTS OFFICE, AND HIS STAFF HAVE BEGUN TO TACKLE THE
KAMPONG PROBLEMS, INCLUDING THE INCREASING NUMBER OF ILLEGAL ALLIENS
AND THE LACK OF SERVICES. IN A SIMILIAR MOVE, THE MINISTER OF
EDUCATION HAS UNDERTAKEN A PROGRAM TO VISIT EVERY SHCOOL IN THE
NATION (THERE ARE 176 SCHOOLS) AND MEET THE SCHOOL PRINICPALS AND
TEACHERS. ONE OF THE VIIBLE CHANGES IS THAT SCHOOLS ARE NOW REPARIED
WHEREAS BEFORE THEY WERE IN DEPLORABLE SHAPE, ESPECIALLY FOR A
NATION OF BRUNEI'S WEALTH.

5. ANOTHER CIRICISM OF THE BRUFEI GOVERNMENT IS THT IT
DOESN'T FACE TOUGH ISSUES WITH CULTURAL AND SOCIAL
IMPLICATIONS. ONE EXAMPLE IS THAT THE OFFICIAL LINE ON
DRUGS USED TO BE THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. DURING THE
LAST YEAR THE SULTAN HAS WARNED AGAINST THE EVILS OF DRUG
ABUSE AND THE GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED A DRUG REHABILITATION
CENTER. WHILE BRUNEI'S DRUG PROGLEM IS MINOR COMPARED TO
THAT OF MALAYSIA, THE GOVERNMMENT NOW ACKNOWLEDGES
THE ISSUE AND IS WORKING TO PREVENT DRUG ABUSE.

6. ANOTHER DIFFICULT ISSUE THAT THE HEALTH MINISTER AND HIS
DEPARTMENT HAVE FACED FORTHRIGHTLY IS AIDS. THE NATION HAS
LAUNCHED A PUBLIC INFORMATION COMPAIGN WITH POSTERS AND
PAMPHLETS. WHAT WAS TACITLY ACKNOWLEDGED WITH THE INTRODUCTION
OF THIS CAMPAIGN IS THAT BRUNEI HAS A COMMUNITY OF HIGH RISK
MEN, SOMETHING MOST BRUNEIANS PREFER TO OVERLOOK.

7. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE GOVERNMENT'S
REALIZATION THAT SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT THE HIGH NUMBER
OF TRAFFIC DEATHS AND ACCIDENTS THAT TAKE PLACE IN BRUNEI. THE
HEALTH MINISTRY AND COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY WORKED TOGETHER TO
PASS A SELT BELT LAW, A GOOD START. THEN THE MINISTER OF
COMMUNICATIONS LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN FOR DRIVER'S EDUCATION.

8. THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WORKS TO STOP ANY
KNOWN ISLAMIC EXTREMIST FROM ENTERING THE NATION. TOP
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE WORRIED BY THE PROBLEMS IN MALAYSIA
WITH ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS AND WORK TO PREVENT TE GROWTH IN
BRUNEI. THE SULTAN IS ALSO PROMOTING
MAINSTREAM ISLAMIC BELIEFS. THIS YEAR THE SULTAN PERFORMED
THE HAJ ALONG WITH MANY OF ADVISORS. THE PEOPLE OF BRUNEI,
INCLUDING BUSLOADS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, LINED THE STREETS WHEN
HE DEPARTED AND AGAIN WHEN HE RETURNED. THE DAY WHEN THE
SULTAN RETURNED THERE WAS A MASSIVE PUBLIC GATHERING NEAR
THE PALACE WHERRE THE SULTAN SPENT HOURS WITH HIS
SUBJECT, TAKING WITH EVERYONE, ALL TO THE CONSTERNATION
OF HIS SECURITY PEOPLE.

9. THE SULTAN HAS WORKER TO SIDESTEP THOSE WHOSE VIEWS
ARE NOT IN LINE WITH HIS, FOR INSTANCE, THE GRAND MUFTI
WHO IS CONSIDERED PART OF THE OLD GUARD. HIGH GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS ARE PROMOTING THE CAREER OF THE RELATIVELY YOUNG
PERMANENT SECRETARY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, WHOSE SPEECHES
RELFLECT THE SULTAN'S MODERATE ISLAMIC VIEWS.

10 IN THE FOREIGH POLICY ARDA, BRUNEI IS MOVING BEYOND ITS
GOAL SINCE INDEPENDENCE, WHICH WAS RECOGNITION OF THE COUNTRY
AND ITS RIGHT TO EXIST AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE. THE FOREIGN
MINISTRY IS PLAYING MORE OF A ROLE IN ASEAN MEETINGS AND
PREPARING FOR BRUNEI'S LEADERSHIP OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES. THE
ASEAN LABOR CONFERENCE, HELD IN LATE 1986, WAS THE FIRST
MEETING AT THE MINISTERIAL LEVEL HELD IN BRUNEI. ONE OF THE
DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THE SERI BEGAWAN'S PASSING FROM THE
SCENE HAS BEEN INDONESIA. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE SULTAN
OFFERED A SOFT LOAN OF $100 MILLION TO INDONESIA, SOMETHING
THAT WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED DURING THE SULTAN'S FATHER
TIME BECAUSE HE NEVER FORGAVE THE INDONESIANS FOR THEIR
ROLE IN THE 1962 UPRISING.

11. WHILE BRUNEI FOREIGN POLICY EMPHASIZES CONSENSUS, AS DOES
ITS WAY OF LIFE, AND AVOIDING CONFLICTS, THE RECENT ASEAN DEBATE
ON WHETHER OR NOT TO GO TO MANILA DEMONSTRATE THE NATION IS
WILLING TO TAKE A POSITION AND DEFEND IT. EARLY ON BRUNEI
DECIDED THE MINISTERIAL MUST GO ON IN MANILA AND HAS NOT
WAVERED FROM THAT POSITION.

12. THE MILITARY HAS CONTINUED TO EXPAND THEIR CONTACTS WITH
OTHER NATIONS THIS PAST YEAR. THEY HAVE MOVED TO SHARE
INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION WITH THE MALAYSIANS AND THE MALAYSIANS
WORKED WITH THE BRUNEIANS TO CLEAR SEA AND AIR TRAFFIC DURING
THE BRUNEIAN'S FIRING OF TWO EXOCET MISSLES. THE BRUNEIANS ARE
CONSIDERING A JOINT VENTURE IN A MUNITIONS PLANT IN MALAYSIA.
SINGAPORE EXISTING PROGRAMS IN BRUNEI CONTINUE TO GROW. RBAF
TROOPS ARE OBTAINING BASIC SPECIAL FORCES TRANING IN
AUSTRALIA.

13. THE MILITARY IS MOVEING TOWARDS NEW EQUIPMENT ACQUISTIONS
INCLUDING FIXED WING AIRCRAFT, NEW PATROL BOATS (CORVETTE
CLASS) AND AN INTEGRATED RADAR SYSTEM. THE MAJOR CONSTRAINT IS
THE LACK OF PERSONNEL. OVER 4,000 MEN ARE ALREADY IN THE
MILITARY, A LARGE AMOUNT FOR A NATION OF JUST 225,000 WITH ONLY
ABOUT 135,000 MALAYS.

14. BRUNEI'S PROBLEMS ARE MODEST, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMPARED TO
NEIGHBORING NATIONS. IN SPITE OF THE BEST EFFORTS OF THE NEW
MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT, HIS MINISTRY, WHICH IS REALLY A GIANT
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, JUST ISN'T ABLE TO MAINTAIN ROADS WELL
OR BUILD GOOD BRIDGES IN A TIMELY FASHION. WHY A NATION WITH
6 FEET OF RAINFALL A YEAR HAS PERIODIC WATER SHORAGES IS A
QUESTION NO MINISTRY OFFICALS WANTS TO ANSWER. LOCAL TELEPHONE
SERVICE CONTINUES TO BE A SORE SPOT WITH EVERYONE.

15. ONE PROBLEM THAT IS GETTING BIGGER IS THE BLURRING OF
LINES BETWEEN PULBIC AND PRIVATE BUSINESS. AN OBVIOUS EXAMPLE
IS THE INTERNATION BANK OF BRUNEI, FORMERLY THE ISLAND
DEVELOPMENT BANK. THIS BANK IS CONTROLLED BY THE ROYAL FAMILY
AND THE DIRECTORS ARE MEMBERS OF THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE. THE
QUESTION IS WHO SHOULD REGULATE THE BANK IF THE MINISTRY
OFFICIALS ARE THE DIRECTORS. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE GROWING
NUMBER OF FIRMS WITH CLOSE TIES TO THE ROYAL FAMILY OR
RELATIVES OF MINISTERS. THE QUESTION IS: "JUST HOW COZY CAN
THE RELATIONSHIPS BE BEFORE THEY CAUSE DIFFICULTIES.

16. ANOTHER PROBLEM AREA IS ON PUBLICITY ATTACHED TO
THE SULTAN'S VENTURES OUTSIDE OF BRUNEI, WHETHER IT BE THE
RECENT PURCHASE OF THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL OR THE SOFT
LOAN FOR INDONESIA. MONEY SPENT INSIDE BRUNEI IS NOT
VIEWED IN A HARSH LIGHT, FOR INSTANCE, BRUNEIANS DO NOT
VIEW THE PALACE AS AN EXTRAVAGENCE BECAUSE IT DOUBLES AS A
GOVERNMENT BUILDING AND THEY GET TO VISIT IT AT LEAST ONCE
A YEAR, AT HARI RAJA, WHEN THE SULTAN SHAKES EVERYONE'S
HAOND AND GIVES FOOD TO ALL VISITORS. HOWEVER, BRUNEIANS
QUESTION PURCHASES OR VENTURES OUTSIDE THE NATION WITH THE
ARGUMENT THAT THE MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT ON DEVELOPING
BRUNEI.

FERGUSON