Titah of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on his visit to Ministry of Home Affairs, 9th May 2012

Photo (C) Infofoto 2012

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddien Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam, in a titah, has asserted that the Malay Islamic Monarchy, MIB philosophy must not be sidelined in any form of modernisation being undertaken in the country. This includes efforts to modernise the Brunei International Airport, which represents the country's main entry and exit point. In this regard, it must possess a truly Brunei mould, such as a prominent surau. His Majesty delivered the titah while attending a meeting of the National Executive Committee for His Majesty's 66th Birthday celebrations. It took place at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the capital this morning. His Majesty underscored that any major celebration must also have a suitable identity of its own. In this regard, His Majesty expressed displeasure over matters that are unnecessary and wasteful. His Majesty noted that the Brunei International Airport is currently undergoing upgrading and expansion with a better iconic design and structure and the project is being carried out by a foreign consortium.

TITAH 1:

"I understand the decision to appoint the consortium was made after thorough scrutiny by the relevant committee made up of the Brunei Economic Development Board, BEDB, the Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Communications; and the Ministry of Development, with consideration of a competitive tender cost, as well as the experience and capability of the consortium.

It is expected that with the completion of the project at the end of 2014, it will uplift the country into becoming a more competitive logistic hub in this region, as well as capable of contributing more effectively to the tourism, trade, and investment sectors. This is also seen as a benchmark towards the best service and effective operation as well as qualifying to be listed as one of the numerous strategic infrastructure projects in the Asia-Pacific region."

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, in the titah, expressed hope that the Brunei International Airport project would go smoothly as planned, but without disregarding the Malay Islamic Monarchy, or MIB philosophy elements.

TITAH 2:

"For example, in this context, the function of the airport itself must be looked at as being the main entry and exit point. With alternative design, it can well be made a building, but what we want actually is a truly Brunei mould that stands out.

Only in such a way would Brunei as a nation can be said to possess its own true identity. If the airport were not to have a surau, or if there would be a surau but it were to be placed at the lower levels or at the corner's edge, as is the case now and even in the current expansion plan, it is likely that people would have difficulty in going there. Where does the landmark or greatness of Brunei then lies?.

In order to perpetuate and encompass the rich Bruneian values, the surau should not be sidelined nor obscured from view, but should be uplifted in a way that it is in plain view and easy to identify, unmistakably as the surau of the Brunei International Airport. When aircraft come to land, passengers can already identify it with its design portraying MIB elements prominently.

If it were just an ordinary room and placed obscurely at corner's edge, who will be able to see it unless one is already inside. For Islam, a surau is viewed to be its symbol, teachings, or mark. Mosques and suraus are indeed among the symbols of islamic teachings. Islam advocates for its teachings to be revealed and portrayed prominently and not concealed. Thus, it is fitting that the airport's surau be prominent. We just have to know how to do it. It is timely to remind that the airport is the main entry and exit point into or from this country, which renders it essential to being given genuine and pure Bruneian designs."

His Majesty opinioned that any major celebration such as the National Day must have a landmark of its own. The National Day landmark, for example, should bear such attributes as an attractive theme, the flying of flags, as well as mass prayers and thanksgiving ceremonies at mosques and suraus nationwide.

TITAH 3:

"Are these not landmarks? Without them the celebration will surely have no meaning. The same goes for my birthday celebration, which is also marked by various symbols, only the differences here are that my portraits are placed at certain places.

Some of these portraits appear to be put up in discriminately without taking into consideration the suitability of the locations. There are some which are put up at road junctions with the intention that they can be seen by passing motorists as though they are advertisement. Why I say this is because presently there are advertisement put up at the locations  I have mentioned, and when the celebration nears, the advertisement are duly taken down and replaced by huge portraits of myself. I have discovered that the trend has occurred over many years, not just one or two years.

Why are the locations chosen in such a way and why are the  portraits that serve as a symbol of celebration made similar to advertisement?. Are there no other more suitable and strategic locations?. I am of the opinion that a celebration's symbol is not an advertisement, not intended to attract buying customers as an advertisement does, but aimed at injecting the spirit of nationhood. Other weakness comes in the form of having numerous of these portraits placed purposely here and there, and are sponsored by various quarters and companies.

But  all the portraits are the same. Is this not wasteful? Is the committee not aware of this matter and is any scrutiny carried out prior to the portraits being put up or are they just being left to the sponsors to chose and put up? I am not happy with matters that are not necessary and wasteful. However, I do not wish to comment at length over the matter, because the committee concerned is sufficiently comprehensive with its membership comprising those with positions and important roles in ministries and agencies they represent."

Source: RTB News online, 10th May 2012

MIB Council

(illustration from Brunei Times)

BY COMMAND of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Setia Hj Abd Rahman Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohamed Taib, Minister of Education, has been appointed as the chairman of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) National Executive Council for a three-year term effective August 15, 2009.

Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Setia Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Md Zain Hj Serudin was appointed as the vice-chairman of the council.

A total of 18 members have been appointed to the MIB National Executive Council.

The secretariat of the council, consisting of 11 appointed members, is now headed by director of the Academy of Brunei Studies (APB) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Dr Siti Norkhalbi Hj Wahsalfelah, who is also secretary to the MIB National Executive Council.

The first meeting of the council was held yesterday at the Senate Room of UBD's Chancellor Hall, chaired by Pehin Dato Hj Abd Rahman.

Several topics were discussed at the closed-door meeting, including the coordination, administration, budget and further dissemination of plans as well as consolidation of the national philosophy.

The council's secretariat office is currently based at the APB at UBD.

Among some of the roles of the secretariat is to manage administrative work of the MIB National Executive Council and other committees on MIB, to coordinate as well as supervise lectures and public talks on MIB at the university and outside it.

Their roles also include editing articles on Brunei written by the university academic staff prior to presentation or publication and coordinating interpretation of MIB statements of the national philosophy.

A committee for the MIB concept was established in 1985 and upgraded to become a national MIB concept in 1990. In 2001, it was further upgraded to become the MIB National Executive Council.

In May this year, His Majesty in his titah raised the issue of the efficacy of the MIB National Council and asked whether the council was still active during a special MIB forum organised by people who are bestowed with titles.

The monarch enquired whether there was any shor-tage of qualified persons to chair the council or if the council was deemed no longer relevant.

His Majesty also expressed confidence that the MIB concept has been fully embraced by the nation and that it is not merely a slogan but a system which guides people's way of life.

extracted from The Brunei Times, 2nd October 2009

Titah KDYMM di Forum Khas MIB

Titah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam di Majlis Forum Khas Konsep Melayu Islam Beraja Sempena Sambutan Jubli Perak Hari Kebangsaan 2009 Anjuran Orang-Orang Yang Dikurniai Gelaran bertempat di Dewan Plenary Pusat Persidangan Antarabangsa, Berakas pada Hari Selasa, 24 Jamadilawal 1430 / 19 Mei 2009

TITAH

KEBAWAH DULI YANG MAHA MULIA PADUKA SERI BAGINDA SULTAN
HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MU’IZZADDIN WADDAULAH,
SULTAN DAN YANG DI-PERTUAN NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

DI MAJLIS

FORUM KHAS KONSEP MELAYU ISLAM BERAJA

SEMPENA SAMBUTAN JUBLI PERAK HARI KEBANGSAAN 2009

ANJURAN ORANG-ORANG YANG DIKURNIAI GELARAN

BERTEMPAT

DI DEWAN PLENARY PUSAT PERSIDANGAN ANTARABANGSA, BERAKAS

PADA

HARI SELASA, 24 JAMADILAWAL 1430/19 MEI 2009

Photo (c) Information Department, 2009

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alameen, Wabihie Nasta’eenu ‘Alaa Umuriddunya Waddeen, Wassalatu Wassalamu ‘Alaa Asyrafil Mursaleen, Sayyidina Muhammadin Wa’alaa Alihie Wasahbihie Ajma’een. Waba’du.

Beta bersyukur kerana dapat bersama-sama hadir di Majlis Forum Khas ‘Konsep Melayu Islam Beraja’ Sempena Sambutan Jubli Perak Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam 2009 Anjuran Orang-orang Yang Dikurniai Gelaran.

Majlis seumpama ini adalah yang kedua kalinya pernah diadakan dan mendapat sambutan menggalakkan, bukan sahaja dari kalangan orang-orang yang dikurniai gelaran, malahan jua masyarakat amnya.

Beta tidaklah ragu, Konsep ‘Melayu Islam Beraja’ telah difahami dengan baiknya serta didukung dengan tulus ikhlas oleh segenap lapisan rakyat.

Ia bukanlah slogan, tetapi sistem yang mengawal cara hidup. Di bawahnya kita bernaung, membangun dan di bawahnya juga kita mendapat keadilan.

Apakah yang lebih indah lagi daripada ini?

Beta sedar, di peringkat awal konsep ini, terdapat sedikit kewahaman orang. Namun ini cumalah sementara sahaja, sebagai sifatnya benda baru yang belum sempat didalami pada ketika itu.

Sekarang kita bertambah matang dan telah pun dalam menyelamnya sampai ke dasar, sehingga membolehkan kita dapat membawa naik mutiara-mutiara berharga untuk dipakai.

Kita sekarang sedang memakainya dengan amat selesa lagi bahagia, sementara orang lain yang melihat kita memakai itu, juga turut menganggapnya bagus dan menarik.

Adapun yang dipakai itu tidak lain, dari ‘sistem’ kita sendiri, iaitu paksi kesejahteraan dan kemakmuran negara, MIB.

Cuma mereka yang turut melihat bagus itu, tidaklah semestinya akan berterus terang mengakui hakikat tersebut, kerana mungkin saja mereka dihalang oleh faktor-faktor keadaan masing-masing.

Setahun sesudah merdeka, sehingga berterusan selama 16 tahun, kita pernah mempunyai beberapa badan Konsep ‘Melayu Islam Beraja’.

Pada tahun 1985, kita telah menubuhkan ‘Komiti Konsep Melayu Islam Beraja’. Pada tahun 1990, kita pertingkat lagi menjadi ‘Badan Peringkat Nasional Konsep Melayu Islam Beraja’ dan pada tahun 2001, kita terus pertingkat menjadi ‘Majlis Tertinggi Kebangsaan Melayu Islam Beraja’.

Lantikan yang paling akhir ahli-ahli Majlis Tertinggi Kebangsaan Melayu Islam Beraja ialah pada tahun 2001 untuk tempoh selama lima tahun. Berdasarkan tempoh lantikan ini, ia telah pun berakhir pada tahun 2006.

Sekarang kita sudah berada dalam tahun 2009. Namun cerita lanjut mengenai majlis ini belum lagi didengar sampai ke hari ini. Apakah kita sudah kehabisan orang-orang yang layak untuk dipilih menjadi ahli-ahli baru? Atau majlis ini sendiri telah dianggap sebagai tidak lagi relevan?

Pada kesempatan ini beta dengan tulus ikhlas, sukacita merakamkan ucapan tahniah kepada sekalian orang-orang yang disampiri gelaran yang telah mengambil inisiatif penuh bermakna, menganjurkan majlis yang penuh dengan kebajikan ini. Semoga usaha yang baik itu akan mendapat ganjaran setimpal daripada Allah Subhanahu Wataala jua, Amin.

Dengan lafaz suci dan penuh berkat: Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim Subhanallah Walhamdulillah Wala-ilahail-lallah Wallahuakbar, beta rasmikan Majlis Forum Khas ‘Konsep Melayu Islam Beraja’ Sempena Sambutan Jubli Perak Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam 2009 Anjuran Orang-orang Yang Dikurniai Gelaran.

Sekian, Wabillahit Taufiq Walhidayah Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Source: Press Room, Information Department