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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000279 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MTS:FORSYTH AND DRL:TURNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, BX SUBJECT: BRUNEI POLITICAL PARTIES CALL FOR RIGHTS EDUCATION BEFORE DEMOCRACY ------- SUMMARY ------- 1. (SBU) In an effort to raise the level of political maturity in Brunei, the country's two active political parties recently held events designed to educate the public on political rights currently available to Brunei citizens. Party leaders expressed concern that some GOB officials still see their parties as threats to, rather than supporters of the Sultan of Brunei, and worried that political participation is still considered taboo by many Bruneians. Both political parties' leaderships see a common interest in further educating Bruneians about democratic political rights and processes, in order to convince the Sultan that his subjects are ready to handle democratic reforms in a responsible manner. END SUMMARY. ------------ NDP CONGRESS ------------ 2. (SBU) About 500 members of the National Development Party (NDP) attended the party's second congress on July 24, 2007. The congress focused on local issues such as school overcrowding and the availability of subsidized housing, as NDP officials sought to portray a moderate image as proponents of a broader popular role in government who nevertheless remained loyal and trustworthy subjects of the Sultan. NDP officials told us that the party sees itself both as a supporter of the Sultan's rule, as well as a mechanism for raising public concerns to the palace when government channels are inefficient or unresponsive. They expressed concerns that some GoB officials view the party as a threat to the government, fearing that the NDP will instigate a revolt similar to the 1962 revolt led by current NDP President Yassin Affendi. (Affendi was a long term detainee for his role in the revolt who was allowed to form the NDP in 2005 after swearing an oath of allegiance to the Sultan.) 3. (SBU) The NDP currently has 1, 500 members and is focusing on recruiting members of Brunei's minority groups -- non-Muslims, women and youths. NDP Spokesperson Malai Hassan Othman told us that the NDP is looking for quality people at this stage in its development, not quantity. NDP leaders see this as necessary to build a core of members who can then promote public awareness of political rights and responsibilities on the path to building the party to a target of 20,000 members. ------------- NDP'S FUNDING ------------- 4. (SBU) Malai Hassan told Pol/ Mil Asst. that NDP Vice President Mahmud Morshidi is a millionaire and is funding the NDP's operations. According to Rosli Abidin Yahya, a local political journalist, Morshidi's Malaysia-based company, 'Warisan Baiduri', apart from dealing in agro business, is contracted to run youth centers for Malaysia's youth national services. Morshidi is also a major investor in the Brunei Times, along with prominent ethnic Chinese businessmen Pehin Goh and others. Brunei Times Editor Professor Chu told us that as a policy, the BT avoids any coverage of political parties in Brunei. ---------------------- PPKB POLITICAL SEMINAR ---------------------- 5. (U) On July 30, 2007, the new leadership of the National Solidarity Party (Parti Perpaduan Kebangsaan Brunei, or PPKB) held a seminar on political rights in Brunei. PPKB President Dr. Latiff Chuchu, himself a former detainee under the Internal Security Act, in his public remarks stressed that political participation in Brunei still remains a cultural taboo. Locals still perceive that political participation can lead to incarceration. Dr. Chuchu encouraged members to exercise good and healthy politics in accordance with what is permitted under the 1959 Constitution. He cautioned that "if one has the intention to topple the Sultan, then you'll get arrested." NDP President Yassin Affendi also spoke at the PPKB seminar stressing that both the NDP and the PPKB are fighting the same battle for democracy. 6. (U) Dr. Chuchu repeatedly referred to Sultan Hassanal Bokiah's Independence Day speech that mentioned a "Malay Islamic Monarchical and Democratic" Brunei. Dr Chuchu sees this as explicit permission for Bruneians to participate in party politics. He said "it is our own fault for not having the courage to practice this freedom." Dr. Chuchu said the goal of this and future seminars is to disprove the public perception that "political parties are just rubber-stamps" and to empower party members with the right tools to be politically active. 7. (SBU) On the sidelines of the seminar, Dr. Chuchu told Pol/Mil BANDAR SER 00000279 002 OF 002 Assistant that even together, Brunei's two political parties cannot effectively lobby the GoB for direct elections to the Legislative Council, the members of which are currently appointed by the Sultan or indirectly elected by village heads, due to their small size of less than 2000 members total. --------------------------------------------- ----- NO OVERT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN PARTY ACTIVITY --------------------------------------------- ----- 8. (SBU) There was no overt government interference in either of these political party events, nor any obvious intimidation of attendees. NDP Spokesperson Malai Hassan Othman told Pol/Mil Assistant he believes some party members could actually be Internal Security Department (ISD) agents monitoring the party's development. We have also heard reports that the government privately advised party leaders to avoid discussion of particularly sensitive topics such as border diputes with Malaysia. The party events were covered in local print media, albeit with little detail regarding the issues discussed. 9. (SBU) COMMENT: Senior party officials tell us privately that most Bruneians are "not ready" for full democracy. They maintain that a comfortable, oil and gas export-funded lifestyle and a deep strain of social conservatism keep most Bruneians from pressing harder for political change in the 600 year old monarchy's top-down political and social system. Brunei's two active political parties share a common interest in educating their members and the general public on political rights and democratic processes in the hope that their growing political maturity will encourage Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to grant more scope for bottom-up governance. The NDP and PPKB intend to carry out educational and outreach efforts that will help prepare the ground for a more active and politically aware population, and help to convince the Sultan that the people are ready for the direct elections for seats on the Legislative Council that he promised would eventually come when he reinstated the Council in 2004. SKODON