RAS-1977 — Page 42

RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊 All AI Reviewed

LEIGH WRIGHT

in the last century. Modern highways and new buildings, and a jumbo-size airport are the most obvious indications of the 20th century windfall from oil. But all may not be well in Brunei's economic future. One observer writing some time ago suggested that the current well-being has an "air of impermanence" about it.19

Everyone knows that the supply of oil which provides Brunei's wealth will not last forever. There seems little attempt at a serious answer to the question, 'What then?'.

In form, society exists in much the same way as in ancient times. The persistence of traditional ways and social ranks is marked. Following the establishment of the British residency in 1906, some re-articulation of ruling practices took place. A more centralized system with a growing bureaucracy in Brunei Town emerged, away from the traditional rights of individual district chiefs and rajas. Nevertheless, the traditional despotic nature of government persists. A British High Commissioner replaced the resident as the leading British official of the protectorate in 1959 when internal self-government was proclaimed. Much of the old power of the Sultan, which was taken over and "modernized" by residents between 1906 and 1959, now reverted to the Sultan. He directs government through a council of appointed ministers led by the traditional Mentri Besar.

A minority of members of a legislative council, which has primarily advisory powers, were elected under the reforms of 1959. But in December 1962, an insurrection occurred led by Sheikh A.M. Azahari, and when it was suppressed, the 1959 constitution was set aside and replaced by emergency powers.

All important posts in this Sultan's government are appointive and held at the pleasure of the Sultan. "The Sultan has sponsored studies and measures to revive the traditional political system" to a greater degree than has existed in the recent past.20 And although the legislative council and the elective principle have re-emerged, official positions remain the monopoly of the Malay aristocracy in Brunei.

As in the Malay states, in Brunei too, the decline and extinction of the political power of the traditional Malay elite was aborted by the establishment of a British residency and by the continuing patronage of the Malay aristocrat by colonial policy. But unlike

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26 LEIGH WRIGHT in the last century. Modern highways and new buildings, and a jumbo-size airport are the most obvious indications of the 20th century windfall from oil. But all may not be well in Brunei's economic future. One observer writing some time ago suggested that the current well-being has an "air of impermanence" about it.19 Everyone knows that the supply of oil which provides Brunei's wealth will not last forever. There seems little attempt at a serious answer to the question, 'What then?'. In form, society exists in much the same way as in ancient times. The persistence of traditional ways and social ranks is marked. Following the establishment of the British residency in 1906, some re-articulation of ruling practices took place. A more centralized system with a growing bureaucracy in Brunei Town emerged, away from the traditional rights of individual district chiefs and rajas. Nevertheless, the traditional despotic nature of government persists. A British High Commissioner replaced the resident as the leading British official of the protectorate in 1959 when internal self-government was proclaimed. Much of the old power of the Sultan, which was taken over and "modernized" by residents between 1906 and 1959, now reverted to the Sultan. He directs government through a council of appointed ministers led by the traditional Mentri Besar. A minority of members of a legislative council, which has primarily advisory powers, were elected under the reforms of 1959. But in December 1962, an insurrection occurred led by Sheikh A.M. Azahari, and when it was suppressed, the 1959 constitution was set aside and replaced by emergency powers. All important posts in this Sultan's government are appointive and held at the pleasure of the Sultan. "The Sultan has sponsored studies and measures to revive the traditional political system" to a greater degree than has existed in the recent past.20 And although the legislative council and the elective principle have re-emerged, official positions remain the monopoly of the Malay aristocracy in Brunei. As in the Malay states, in Brunei too, the decline and extinction of the political power of the traditional Malay elite was aborted by the establishment of a British residency and by the continuing patronage of the Malay aristocrat by colonial policy. But unlike

Baseline (Original)

26 LEIGH WRIGHT in the last century. Modern highways and new buildings, and a jumbo-size airport are the most obvious indications of the 20th century windfall from oil. But all may not be well in, Brunei's economic future. One observer writing some time ago suggested that the current well-being has an "air of impermanence" about it.19 Everyone knows that the supply of oil which provides Brunei's wealth will not last forever. There seems little attempt at a serious answer to the question, 'What then?”. In form society exists in much the same way as in ancient times. The persistence of traditional ways and social ranks is marked. Following the establishment of the British residency in 1906 some re-articulation of ruling practices took place. A more centralized system with a growing bureaucracy in Brunei Town emerged away from the traditional rights of individual district chiefs and rajas. Nevertheless the traditional despotic nature of government persists. A British High Commissioner replaced the resident as the leading British official of the protectorate in 1959 when internal self-government was proclaimed. Much of the old power of the Sultan which was taken-over and "modernized” by residents be- tween 1906 and 1959, now reverted to the sultan. He directs govern- ment through a council of appointed ministers led by the traditional Mentri Besar. A minority of members of a legislative council which has pri- marily advisory powers were elected under the reforms of 1959. But in December 1962 an insurrection occurred led by Sheikh A.M. Azahari and when it was suppressed the 1959 constitution was set aside and replaced by emergency powers. All important posts in this Sultan's government are appointive and held at the pleasure of the sultan. "The sultan has sponsored studies and measures to revive the traditional political system" to a greater degree than has existed in the recent past.20 And although the legislative council and the elective principle have re-emerged official positions remain the monopoly of the Malay aristocracy in Brunei. As in the Malay states, in Brunei too the decline and extinction of the political power of the traditional Malay elite was aborted by the establishment of a British residency and by the continuing patronage of the Malay aristocrat by colonial policy. But unlike

2026-05-12 21:51:16 · Baseline

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LEIGH WRIGHT

in the last century. Modern highways and new buildings, and a jumbo-size airport are the most obvious indications of the 20th century windfall from oil. But all may not be well in, Brunei's economic future. One observer writing some time ago suggested that the current well-being has an "air of impermanence" about it.19

Everyone knows that the supply of oil which provides Brunei's wealth will not last forever. There seems little attempt at a serious answer to the question, 'What then?”.

In form society exists in much the same way as in ancient times. The persistence of traditional ways and social ranks is marked. Following the establishment of the British residency in 1906 some re-articulation of ruling practices took place. A more centralized system with a growing bureaucracy in Brunei Town emerged away from the traditional rights of individual district chiefs and rajas. Nevertheless the traditional despotic nature of government persists. A British High Commissioner replaced the resident as the leading British official of the protectorate in 1959 when internal self-government was proclaimed. Much of the old power of the Sultan which was taken-over and "modernized” by residents be- tween 1906 and 1959, now reverted to the sultan. He directs govern- ment through a council of appointed ministers led by the traditional Mentri Besar.

A minority of members of a legislative council which has pri- marily advisory powers were elected under the reforms of 1959. But in December 1962 an insurrection occurred led by Sheikh A.M. Azahari and when it was suppressed the 1959 constitution was set aside and replaced by emergency powers.

All important posts in this Sultan's government are appointive and held at the pleasure of the sultan. "The sultan has sponsored studies and measures to revive the traditional political system" to a greater degree than has existed in the recent past.20 And although the legislative council and the elective principle have re-emerged official positions remain the monopoly of the Malay aristocracy in Brunei.

As in the Malay states, in Brunei too the decline and extinction of the political power of the traditional Malay elite was aborted by the establishment of a British residency and by the continuing patronage of the Malay aristocrat by colonial policy. But unlike

RAS-1977 — Page 42

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