The Sacred Blueprint: Reflections on Pehin Badaruddin’s Vision of Brunei as a Negara Zikir

Note from MHO:

This isn’t a debate, but a reflection. When I came across Pehin Badaruddin’s talk, I felt compelled to explore what it means for us — the rakyat — to live and serve under the ideals of MIB and Negara Zikir. This piece simply invites thought and dialogue, written with full respect for our faith, our monarchy, and our nation’s philosophy.

☕ KopiTalk with MHO

(Part 1 of the series — Understanding Brunei’s Political System through MIB)

When my good friend forwarded me this presentation — a talk Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin gave some years ago about education — on Pendidikan Negara Zikir berfalsafahkan Melayu Islam Beraja, I didn’t expect it to stir such deep thought.

As I went through each slide, slowly, quietly, with coffee in hand, I began to see that this was not just a religious lecture. It felt like a mirror held up to our nation’s soul. A philosophical map of Brunei’s political faith.

And the more I pondered it, the more questions came — not to disagree, but to understand:

How do ordinary people fit into this sacred design? 

This question also opens a perfect bridge to reflect on how the ideals of MIB align with, or at times conflict with, the realities of modern governance—how its spiritual principles can resonate with, or at times struggle against, the expectations of transparency, accountability, and contemporary administrative practices.

Where do we, the rakyat, participate in this system that defines power as an amanah from Allah?

This could naturally expand into how MIB principles relate to modern governance and politics — how faith-based accountability aligns with transparency, civic participation, and global standards of good governance.

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1 | What is Negara Zikir?

Pehin describes Negara Zikir as a nation that remembers Allah not only in prayer but in every heartbeat of governance.

It is Brunei’s chosen path — to blend faith, culture, and monarchy into one moral framework called Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB).

• Melayu carries the soul of our identity and tradition.
  
  
• Islam provides the compass that guides our morality and justice.
  
  
• Beraja ties us to our monarch through trust, compassion, and loyalty.

Together, they form what Pehin calls a “sacred blueprint” — a model of leadership and obedience anchored not in fear, but in faith.

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2 | Why Brunei Chose This Path

Pehin roots his argument in Surah An-Nahl (16:112) — the parable of a once-prosperous nation that forgot Allah and was punished with fear and hardship.
From this, he reminds us: a nation that forgets its spiritual core will lose its peace and blessing.

Brunei’s system, therefore, was never meant to chase political competition or modern applause. It was built to preserve gratitude, order, and faith.
In this framework, the Sultan’s authority is a trust (taklifiyah), not a divine right or privilege.

And our duty as citizens is to uphold that trust with honesty, service, and respect.
It forms a moral circle — one that binds the ruler and the ruled together under divine accountability.

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3 | How Faith Becomes Governance

Pehin paints a living ecosystem of remembrance — a state where zikir extends beyond the mosque and breathes through every institution.

• Education becomes the first ministry of faith — shaping not just minds, but hearts. Schools are not only to produce skilled workers, but God-conscious citizens who think ethically and act responsibly.
  
  
• Law and constitution begin with 'Bismillah', a reminder that even the rule of law starts with a remembrance of Allah.
  
  
• Leadership is framed as a sacred duty — amanah, not entitlement. Every civil servant, from minister to messenger, carries a spiritual responsibility in serving the people.

In this design, Brunei’s Negara Zikir aspires to fuse spirituality with governance — where sincerity becomes policy, and doing one’s duty well becomes an act of worship.

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4 | The Beauty — and the Question

There is beauty in this idea — a quiet, moral elegance.

A nation built on remembrance should, in theory, be just, kind, and peaceful.

Yet as I reflected, one question lingered like an echo after prayer:

If this system places such sacred trust between ruler and ruled, where do the people participate in shaping their destiny?

How do we express our voice, our needs, and our conscience within a system where power itself is a divine trust?

These are not questions of defiance.

They are questions of belonging — of how faith and participation can walk together without one silencing the other.

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5 | The Road Ahead

To sustain a Negara Zikir, perhaps we must see participation not as politics, but as shared remembrance — each citizen contributing through sincerity, good work, and moral courage.

But translating that ideal into daily governance — in offices, classrooms, and policies — remains a challenge worth exploring.

That is what we’ll discuss in Part 2 of this series:
🔗 “Participation without Politics — The Question of People’s Role under MIB.”

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☕ KopiTalk Reflection

Every philosophy looks perfect on paper.

Its truth is only proven when people — real, ordinary, imperfect people — live it.

In Brunei’s case, the question is not whether MIB works, but whether we, the rakyat, are invited to breathe life into it.

Because remembrance means little if only spoken from the seat of authority; it must also rise from the people — softly, sincerely, and together. (MHO/10/2025)