CHMS, BSB Year 7 Social Studies Chapter 3: Good Government 3.1 What is a Good Government? 1. Government A government is an organisation that rules a nation, state or community. It is made up of elected or appointed individuals. The government looks after the well-being of its people and the country. A good government is able to make sure that the safety and economic well-being of its people are being taken care of. In order to do this, a good government creates laws, guidelines and regulations for everyone to follow. Laws are made by the government to prevent crimes. The police enforce the laws and arrest criminals. These criminals are prosecuted in court and judges decide the type of punishments for criminals. ➢ The police enforce the laws in a country. ➢ The justice system in the law courts administers the law and decides on the type of punishment to deliver. 3.2 How was Brunei Governed Before Independence? 1. Brunei’s traditional system of government (1363-1906) Even before independence, our country’s system of government was absolute monarchy, which means that Sultan is both the head of state and of the government. The Sultan had wide-ranging powers. He and his chiefs were the only lawmakers. The chiefs and village headmen kept law and order. There was no police force. Many of Brunei’s traditional systems of government have continued until today. Monarchy Monarchy refers to a state that is ruled or headed by a monarch. The term “monarch” means a single ruler for life and he or she rules by birthright. In the case of Brunei, the monarch refers to the Sultan. Brunei has one of the oldest ruling families in the world. It is also the only remaining Malay Islamic kingdom in the world. The Sultan of Brunei’s lineage dates back to more than six centuries. His position can only be inherited by his children. His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam is the 29th Sultan of Brunei. CHMS, BSB Year 7 Social Studies Chapter 3: Good Government Territorial administration Under Brunei’s traditional system of government, territories were ruled according to traditional land rights. These were Kerajaan, Kuripan and Tulin. Kerajaan: Controlled by the Sultan himself. The lands were administered by his officials. Taxes from these lands belonged to the Sultan. Kuripan: Given to important officials for as long as they held their positions. When a new official was appointed to that position, the lands were transferred to him. The mony earned from these lands provided the salary for that official. Tulin: Given to the noble families. The money earned from these lands belonged to the head of the family. These lands were passed from father to son. The owner of these lands could sell them if he wished. Various officials also helped to administer Brunei’s territories. They were split into separate categories namely, the Wazir, Cheteria, Manteri and others. Wazir The most important officials in the system of government in Brunei at that time were the four Wazirs: • Pengiran Bendahara • Pengiran Di-Gadong • Pengiran Temenggong • Pengiran Pemancha These officials were usually members of the royal family. Cheteria The next rank of officials was the Cheteria. These were the noblemen. For example, the Shahbandar who was in charge of the port and foreign trade, was a Cheteria. Manteri The third rank of officials was the Manteri, for example, Manteri Pendalaman. Others Other officials included the Hulubalang, the Pegawai and the mosque officials such as the Imam, Khatib and Bilal. These were low-ranking officials. Sultan Wazirs Cheteria Manteri Hulubalang, Pegawai, Imam, Khatib & Bilal The different ranks of officials. CHMS, BSB Year 7 Social Studies Chapter 3: Good Government 2. Significance of the traditional system of administration Tradition and culture One main advantage of the traditional system of administration is that it develops a great sense of pride in Bruneian culture and tradition. Brunei’s royal family is one of the oldest ruling families in the world. It is a living example of how Bruneian culture and tradition have continued until today to develop modern attitudes and characters across many generations. Lack of centralized state power and financial resources One disadvantage of the traditional system of administration is a lack of centralized state power and financial resources. The traditional way of government was based on a ruler’s influence. During the times when a ruler was powerful and influential, he was able to command loyalty and commitment from his people. However, during times when the ruler was less powerful and influential, village heads and nobles would break away and challenge his authority. This led to succession disputes and the weakening of the Bruneian Sultanate in the 19th century. 3. The Residential System (1905 – 1959) The Residential System was introduced in Brunei in 1906. Under the system, a British Resident was appointed to advise the Sultan on all matters of the country’s administration except those touching on Islam, Malay customs and traditions. The first Resident appointed to Brunei was Malcolm McArthur, who took office in May 1906. 4. Reasons for introduction of the Residential System in Brunei The threats from the Brookes Regime and the North Borneo Company After he was declared as Rajah of Sarawak in 1846, James Brooke began his policy of expansion by taking over Brunei territories in Sarawak. He expanded his rule as far north as Limbang, which the Regime annexed in 1890. Meanwhile, Brunei lost all of its territories in North Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) to the British North Borneo Company in the 1880s. Sultan Abdul Momin began to realise that the preventive measure was needed urgently to preserve Brunei as a sovereign state. The failures of the Amanat In 1885, Sultan Abdul Momin and his Wazirs, Manteris and holders of the Tulin rights signed an agreement not to lease any of the remaining territories to foreign powers. This agreement was known as the Amanat. However, the Amanat failed in preventing further loss of Brunei territories to foreign powers. Brunei did not have the military strength to enforce the amanat. Sultan Abdul Momin (1785 – 1885) is the 24th Sultan of Brunei. (1882 – 1885) CHMS, BSB Year 7 Social Studies Chapter 3: Good Government The failures of British Protectorate Agreement 1888 In September 1888, Brunei signed the Treaty of Protection with the British government. Brunei thought that this treaty would save its territories from the Brookes and the North Borneo Company. However, this did not happen as the British government did not consider the Brookes and the British North Borneo Company as foreigners but as British. Fear of foreign intervention The Germans, French, Dutch and Russians were actively and aggressively searching for colonies in Asia. The British were worried that if Brunei did not come under British protection, other foreign powers would occupy brunei The McArthur Report In 1904, Malcolm McArthur, a British official serving in the Malayan Civil Service, studied the problems in Brunei in detail and wrote a report with a view of improving Brunei’s administrative system. He recommended the Residential System to prevent Brunei from losing more territories to Charles Brooke, who replaced James Brooke as the Rajah of Sarawak, and the British North Borneo Company. 5. Advantages of the Residential System Providing political stability The Residential System provided political stability in a few way: 1) It prevented foreign intervention 2) Provided a more stable system of rule 3) Charles Brooke and the North Borneo Company could not take control of Brunei 4) There were no more succession disputes and internal quarrels. Due to its stability, the dynastic line of Sultan Hashim continues to rule Brunei right up to today. Efficient and effective form of government Under the Residential System, the district administration became modernized and well-organised. Brunei was divided into four districts and each district placed under a District Officer and judge. District Officers and government officials with fixed salaries were appointed to administer these districts. They were placed in charge of collecting taxes and carrying out government policies. A police force was also set up in 1906 to help maintain law and order in Brunei. Each district in Brunei was further divided into mukims, or sub-districts so that they could be run more efficiently. Each mukim was further sub-divided into kampungs, or villages. Today the district office in each district is still in charge of implementing government policies. Each district still has a District Officer who represents the district at the Legislative Council (LegCo.) We can see that the Residential System helped to modernise the administration of districts in Brunei. CHMS, BSB Year 7 Social Studies Chapter 3: Good Government Socio-economic development Basic education and healthcare were provided for Bruneians under the Residential System. • • • The first formal Malay primary school was opened in Brunei only in 1912. Those from privileged backgrounds were educated overseas. The British encouraged people to build homes dry land because it was more stable. Pipes for clean running water from taps were introduced in 1927. The clean water was used for drinking and cooking and prevented the spread of diseases. 6. Disadvantages of the Residential System Power of the Sultan weakened The main idea behind the Residential System was to give the Sultan more power. As he was the rightful Head of State, his authority and power were supposed to have increased. However, in reality, the Resident was more powerful and his advice was to be taken by the Sultan on all matters of administration, except those concerning Islam and Malay customs and traditions. Locals’ needs were not met Due to a lack of funds, the British did not develop Brunei’s infrastructure fully. There were insufficient roads, medical facilities and modern schools to cater to the needs of the people. For example, the first formal primary school was only set up in Brunei Town in 1912. 7. Brunei’s 1959 Written Constitution In 1953, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III felt that there was a need for Brunei to have a constitution. He formed a seven-member committee called ‘Tujuh Serangkai’ to find out people’s views regarding a written constitution for Brunei. In 1959, based on the committee’s recommendations, a proposed constitution was drawn up. The Constitution was signed on 29 September 1959. The 1959 Written Constitution has a set of written principles on how Brunei Darussalam should be ruled. Features of the 1959 Written Constitution • • • • The Sultan is the Head of State. The post of Resident was removed and replaced with the British High Commissioner. Malay is the official language. Islam is the state religion. CHMS, BSB Year 7 Social Studies Chapter 3: Good Government Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien III (1914 – 1986) is the 28th Sultan of Brunei. (1950 – 1967) The signing of the 1959 Brunei Written Constitution with the British High Commissioner. (Sir Robert Scott) Other important features of the 1959 Written Constitution • • • • The system of government was Constitutional Sultanate, based on the concept of Malay Islamic Monarchy or Melayu Islam Beraja. Brunei was responsible for internal affairs and the British government is foreign and defence matters. On legal matters, a combination of the English Common Law and the Islamic Syariah Law for marriages and inheritance was practiced. A new post of Manteri Besar was created. Under the 1959 Written Constitution, five important councils were set up. 1) The Executive Council 2) The Legislative Council 3) The Privy Council 4) The Council of Succession 5) The State Religious Council CHMS, BSB Year 7 Social Studies Chapter 3: Good Government 8. Significance of the 1959 Written Constitution The 1959 Written Constitution provided a path on how Brunei would be government for the future. The importance of the Monarchy The 1959 Written Constitution showed how important the position of the Sultan was to Brunei. He would continue to be Head of State and play an important role in implementing government policies. The Sultan has to be descended from a previous Sultan. A council of the high nobility and officials approves his selection as Sultan. The coronation ceremony confers on him absolute authority. His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’s coronation ceremony on 1 August 1968. Religion and language As we have learnt in the previous sections, the 1959 Written Constitution helped to set the importance of Islam as the main religion in Brunei and Malay as the main language of Brunei. This helped to protect and preserve the main religion and language in Brunei. System of government The 1959 Written Constitution ensured that Brunei would always have a systematic and modern government that would be both effective and efficient.
