The ASEAN-10

Summary

Brunei

The marriage of the Crown Prince Al Mutadee Billah to Dayangku Sarah Pengiran Salleh, which is the biggest non-political event of the year, could have an enormous implication for Brunei's political development. Dubbed as the Asian marriage of the century, it may signal the beginning of an elaborate process of political succession to the monarchical institution of Brunei. If history is to repeat itself, Bruneians may witness the ascension of a new Sultan (the 30th) to the throne in the near future. The current Sultan inherited the throne after a year of his own marriage to the current Queen and he has been ruling the state for the past 36 years. Speculations are widespread that he may want to abdicate and assume the position of a Begawan Sultan.

This could also entail a generational change of cabinet ministers. The current line-up of cabinet ministers has been occupying their seats, with minimal changes, since independence in 1984. A change in the Head of State and Head of Government may be a convenient excuse to retire most of the current cabinet ministers who have expended their productive lives. This is also a great opportunity to find and appoint new talents to the cabinet and let them grow with the new 30th Sultan of the kingdom. The next generation of cabinet ministers could come from the current young generation of the royal court and the existing crop of permanent and deputy permanent secretaries.

BRUNEI

Land area: 5,765 sq. km.

Population: 332,884

Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan

Type of government: Monarchy

Head of State: Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah

Currency used: Brunei dollar (on par with Singapore dollar)

US$ exchange rate on 19 November 2004: US$1 = B$1.66

After a ten-year hiatus, the Sultan made a surprising but welcomed announcement on political reform. The Sultan announced, in his 58th birthday royal address, the reconvening of the State Legislative Council in the immediate future thus ending its 20 years of suspension.