ABSTRACT
The year 1988 came to a close with Brunei being ever more determined to realign its development programmes with industrialization. Since the beginning of 1988, when there was an upsurge in overt political activities, it had been expected that there was possibility of greater political flexibility emerging in the state. This was further buttressed by the clarion call for political reformation issued by the Brunei National Democratic Party. Throughout 1989 the theme of “peace and tranquility” for the purpose of development to provide for the well-being of the people was incessantly propagated and emphasized at all state functions and activities. This cautious approach to change and development reflects an underlying anxiety about disruptive effects of individualism in democratic processes which the concept of “self-reliance” engenders. The Minister of Religious Affairs took the opportunity of an “International Seminar on Islamic Civilization in the Malay World” in early June to explain that through a lengthy history, Brunei had become an Islamic state.
