Pang Li Li
Abstract
On the 1st of May 2014, Negara Brunei Darussalam declared the implementation of an Islamic criminal code of law, thus becoming the first country in modern Southeast Asia to declare so. Inevitably, Brunei was scrutinised by the international media, particularly over its relations with its non-Muslim minorities. This paper investigates the causes of the international media’s anxieties by analysing the socio-political circumstances of the non-Muslim minorities in Brunei, with particular focus on its ethnic Chinese citizens, and with reference to the Islamic Law of Minorities, or ahle dhimmah. Perspectives of the Islamic Law of Minorities toward Brunei’s Chinese citizens are also examined within the political-cultural context of Negara. Thus, exploring simultaneously these concepts, Islam and Negara, this paper asserts that the Islamic Law of Minorities has long been upheld in the Brunei Negara, serving to foster the coexistence of peoples of various ethnic and religious affiliations within the Abode of Peace.
Keywords: Non-muslim Minorities, Islamic Governance, Islamic Law of Minorities, Brunei Darussalam, Negara
Download: JIG1-P5-Pang-Li-Li.-Non-Muslim-Minority
References
A. R. I. Doi, Non-Muslims Under Shariah (Islamic Law). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A.S. Noordeen, (1990).
Al-Qur’ān.
Al-Hashimi, Muhammad Ali. The Ideal Muslim Society: As Defined in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: International Islamic Publishing House, (2007).
Boo, S. L., “Racial Problems Worsening, Analysists Say After Anti-Chinese Slurs at ‘Red Shirt’ Rally,” The Malay Mail Online, September 17, 2015.
Brown, C., “Notes on the First Chinese Temple of Brunei Town 1981-1960.” in From Buckfast to Borneo, ed. Victor T. King and AVM Horton, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Sarawak Literary Society, 1995.
Brown, D., “Brunei: The Structure and History of a Bornean Malay Sultanate.” Monograph of the Brunei Museum Journal, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam: Brunei Museum, 1970.
Cabreza, V., “Is ‘Intsik’ A Racial Slur? Chinese Filipino Prof in US says It’s Not,” Inquirer.Net, January 31, 2014.
Cochrane, J., “An Ethnic Chinese Christian Breaking Barriers in Indonesia,” The New York Times, November 22, 2014.
Franciska, C., “New Voting Power of Chinese Indonesians,” BBC Indonesia, July 2, 2014.
Gapar, W. A., “18 Students Get Ministry of Defence Scholarship,” The Brunei Times, March 2, 2007.
Hickling, R.H. Memorandum Upon Brunei Constitutional History and Practice. In B.A Hussainmiya and Nicholas Tarling’s Brunei: Traditions of Monarchic Culture and History. Brunei Press, Gadong, Brunei: Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, 1955.
Kamali, M. H. Citizenship and Accountability of Government: An Islamic Perspective. Cambridge, UK: The Islamic Texts Society, (2011).
Kamit, R. “MinDef Signs 4 Scholarship Students.” The Brunei Times, May 29, 2015.
Lopez, G. “Low Yat Riot in Malaysia – Racial or Something Else,” Forbes Asia, July 17, 2015.
Majid, Abdul Harun. Rebellion in Brunei: The 1962 Revolt, Imperialism, Confrontation and Oil. London, UK: IB Tauris, (2007).
Mishkat al-Masabih.
Niew, S. T. “Brunei,” In the Encyclopaedia of the Chinese Overseas, ed. Lynn Pan, Singapore: Chinese Heritage Centre, 2006.
Tan, P. L. “A History of Chinese Settlement in Brunei” in Essays on Modern Brunei History, ed. Tan Pek Leng et al., Universiti Brunei Darussalam Publication, 1992.
Yaakub, I. S. “Islamic Criminal Law: Don’t Delay.” The Brunei Times, October 11, 2011.