Ideology and Law: The Impact Of The MIB Ideology on Law and Dispute Resolution In The Sultanate Of Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

Since 1984, The Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam has chartered its post-independence course through its proclaimed Ideological compass of MIB (Melayu Islam Beraja). All three pillars of MIB - Malay Culture, Long standing Bruneian features, which have been experty crafted in the last two decades to act as the filter by which modernisation and development can occur. As the ideology is all-encompassing, law has not only been one of the vehicles for implementation, but is being shaped to accord with the tenets of MIB, this can be seen in legislation, legal institutions and processes for disputes resolution with the promotion of a more distinctive Malay character as well as a discernible Islamization agenda. The paper explores each of these as well as processes of enacting laws in this sultanate where, in the absence of an elected democratic parliament, all law emanates from the monarch.