Politics We Don’t See, Literacy We Urgently Need

We fear politics - but politics has never stopped moving around us.
If we don’t understand influence, influence will understand us.
Read Episode 7 and see why Fikir & Zikir must guide the next generation.

PART 7 — Politics We Don’t See, Literacy We Urgently Need

Brunei is often described as “apolitical,” a nation where politics seldom enters daily conversation and where partisan competition does not shape public life. 

Yet beneath that calm, something quietly significant is happening: the world does not treat us as apolitical. Whether we acknowledge politics or avoid it, global influences continue to shift and attempt to enter our society through subtle channels.

In today’s geopolitical landscape, politics is no longer confined to elections or party rivalry. It encompasses influence, resources, narratives, and networks. It manifests through training programs, academic partnerships, foreign-funded NGOs, economic footholds, digital campaigns, and youth engagement platforms. 

In other words, contemporary politics does not always wear a political uniform. 

Sometimes it enters quietly, donning the guise of development, empowerment, or regional cooperation. Therefore, small nations like ours must remain alert, aware, and prepared.

This is why political literacy - not political combat - matters, and why awareness is now an integral part of national resilience.

A comment from a reader framed it sharply: “The question isn’t whether Brunei has politics. The real question is whether we understand the politics happening around us.” 

This observation perfectly captures the challenge we face. We cannot afford to be naïve in a world where geopolitical interests often hide behind soft power, where influence is exerted long before it is acknowledged, and where sovereignty is safeguarded not only by laws but also by awareness.

Yet within Brunei, we remain uncomfortable with the topic. Political conversations are often avoided, dismissed, or feared. 

Families still caution their children: “Jangan tah ikut-ikutan, nanti menyusahkan masa depanmu saja.” 

Some employers expect staff to declare political involvement as if it were a liability. 

Community leaders, under MPMK rules, must remain visibly apolitical, not merely neutral. 

Decades under Emergency Laws have shaped a cautious instinct—not enforced, but internalised. This internalisation has resulted in a society that prefers silence, even as the world grows louder around us.

Political observers note another point: although Brunei has no formal party system operating in the conventional sense, a de facto ruling apparatus exists - a network of institutions unified under national leadership and guided by the MIB. This is not unusual in small states, but it carries significant implications. 

If political structures exist even without elections, then political understanding is still necessary for the rakyat’s maturity and resilience.

That is why political literacy in Brunei cannot remain weak or secondary. 

A nation rich in resources should not be poor in political awareness. A Malay society grounded in Islamic values should not be “miskin politik.” 

Political poverty does not signify the absence of parties; it indicates a lack of confidence, understanding, participation, and clarity. 

A society without literacy becomes vulnerable to confusion, emotional reactions, and external narratives.

This is where the concept of Fikir dan Zikir becomes deeply relevant. 

Politics without spiritual grounding becomes mere noise. Spirituality without critical thought leads to passivity. 

Fikir provides clarity, awareness, and strategic thinking. Zikir fosters humility, restraint, and moral discipline. 

Together, they form the compass that guides how Bruneians should understand power—not as confrontation, but as amanah.

In an age of external influence, Fikir protects us from manipulation.

In an age of moral fatigue, Zikir keeps our intentions pure.

In an age of global competition, both safeguard national unity.

Brunei’s political culture will remain peaceful and unique under MIB. However, a peaceful nation still needs a thinking society. 

A stable system requires a confident rakyat. A small country needs citizens who understand how power moves beyond our borders. 

The younger generations—Gen Y, Gen Z, and the emerging Alpha generation - must grow up with the maturity to differentiate between toxic politics and moral participation.

We do not need partisan chaos. But we do need informed citizens.

We do not need political noise. But we do need political literacy.

We do not need adversarial politics. But we do need courageous participation.

Because a society that does not understand politics becomes shaped by it unknowingly. 

A nation that avoids discussion eventually loses its voice. And a people who remain fearful will never attain the confidence required to fulfil the promise of MIB: a nation that is peaceful, prosperous, and protected.

The world is changing. Influence is evolving. And Brunei must not watch silently from the sidelines.

Political literacy is not opposition - it is responsibility.

And in the era of soft influence, it is also protection.

KopiTalk closes this episode with one reminder:
A nation grounded in Zikir must also be strengthened by Fikir. Only then will Brunei stand resilient, aware, and dignified—not just in its governance, but in its understanding of the world around it. (MHO/11/2025)