Melayu Islam Beraja in the Titahs of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei (2011–2020): The Leader’s Transformative Vision and Aspirations

Abstract

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah has expressed Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) as a national philosophy in his titahs (royal decrees) since 1984 when Brunei gained independence. MIB has since evolved to include new cultural connotations and have wider applicability across different circumstances (e.g. social media and the Internet). This evolutionary characteristic of MIB can be gleaned from the decrees given between 2011 and 2020, during which the world witnessed major paradigm shifts in connectivity, technology, education, economy and social development. This chapter discusses this under-researched MIB characteristic by analysing said decrees, postulating that they reveal the Sultan’s evolving aspirations for the national identity of Brunei and its people. It argues that his thinking has not only given shape and meaning to MIB, but also allowed the national philosophy to develop with time and prompt changes in national policies and laws. Ultimately, it aims to provide a coherent picture of MIB as it is understood and portrayed by the Sultan himself.