Bandar Seri Begawan, 23rd December 2006: It is crucial for Bruneians to continuously nurture and strengthen its national self-identity (jati diri) or risk losing it in the strong current of globalization.

The Deputy President of NDP, Sdra. Mahmud Morshidi Othman in this context, fully agrees with the titah of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzadin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam that the national-identity of the Bruneian race should be continuously nurtured and improved.

His Majesty said in a recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri titah that all parties should prevent any negative element from penetrating and corrupting the Bruneian culture.

He also said that a flourishing and highly respectable race is one which can maintain its national-identity.

“As a highly esteemed race, we shouldn’t neglect the aspects of self-identity; instead, we should nurture and improve it and not for the likes of changing it to suit the modern era,” proclaimed the ruler.

According to the Dewan dictionary, “jati diri” means authenticity and individuality; thus, “jati diri” separates one personality from another, and refers to the true characteristics of a person, including the values of their foundation.

For instance, in the Bruneian context, we have 3 elements in self-identities: the identity as a Malay, the identity as a subject of this Monarchy and the identity as a Muslim follower.

“The question posed by His Majesty is a significant issue because it concerns the survival of the race. We are over-exposed to the threat of globalization, which has the ability to destroy resources, moral values, philosophies and culture in a transnational and rapid manner,” stressed the Deputy President of NDP.

He also added that globalization can ‘swallow’ the self-identity of a race, especially when leaders are careless and have no effective strategy to dismiss negative standards ‘spoon-fed’ by globalization.

So what is the self-identity of the people demanded?

In our point of view, the identity which should be always exceeded is the philosophy of our own country.

Hence, the question now is how do we satisfy the philosophy of MIB that we currently hold so that it would be sustainable and permanently relevant?

In the ranks of the party, the Constitution and Manifesto of NDP 2006-2016 has clearly outlined the struggle of its Mission and Objective in making Brunei Darussalam into a MIB-recognized country, bestowed with the forgiveness of Allah SWT (Baidatun Thyibatun Warabun Ghafur).

“The Constitution and Manifesto of NDP have set out the aspirations and needs to develop Brunei Darussalam in all spheres including the law, politics, economy and education without having to follow the steps of other developed countries, which eventually, collapsed due to confusion in the matter of moral values and culture,” explained sdra. Morshidi.

He then reminded that while facing the threat of globalization and the new world order, we are no longer just equal with each other in this country, but equal with the other races in the world.

“Exceed your loyalty to His Majesty as the Ulul Amri and Mujaddid, as a self-identity to mold the people and country towards glory”.

“With this, the heartfelt loyalty towards His Majesty, with the will of God, will become the main fortification, independence and security for the country and race,” said the Deputy President.

When involving the issue of self-identity with Islam, we have to realize that without understanding the obligation of obeying Allah, His prophet and Ulil Amri and conducting kind deeds, ‘Aladli Wal Ihsan’, undoubtedly, Muslim followers will only be perceived from their luxuries and possessions, and not from their inner selves.

Sdra. Morshidi said that we have to be aware of what is said in His Majesty’s titah. In NDP’s opinion, it is time for the National MIB Supreme Council to be elevated and at liberty to select its members who could act as advisers. It should be able to function efficiently to address this issue of national identity, he suggested.

If God wills it, with the establishment of this Council, it will, without doubt, strive to spread the prominence and defend Islam, strengthen the sultanate and develop loyalty of the people towards His Majesty and his descendants.

Furthermore, it will ensure the rights of the Malays and everlasting peace and harmony as long as the people are under the care of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan the Ulil Amri of Negara Brunei Darussalam.