His
Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah Thursday said that Brunei believes that Asean as
a whole embodies the essential elements of democratic participation and in this
manner responds to the voices referred to in the theme of the fourth Bali
Democracy Forum (BDF), "Enhancing Democratic Participation in a Changing
World: Responding to Democratic Voices".
"We therefore fully support Asean's most
important current project, which is building a region wide 'community',"
said His Majesty.
Delivering his titah at the leaders' session
of the fourth BDF at the Nusantara Room, Bali International Convention Centre,
Nusa Dua, His Majesty said that Brunei sees this as an extension of the vision
of Asean's founding fathers, in-line with the values cherished in Brunei.
Praising the chairmanship of Indonesia, His
Majesty said that Indonesia has been a very active chairman of Asean and
expressed his appreciation for its leadership of Asean.
"You (Indonesia) have constantly stressed
that we are part of the modern world and that we need to respond positively to
its challenges and demands. The people of Brunei Darussalam welcome this,"
said His Majesty.
The monarch said that for 27 years, Asean has
been a gateway to the world for the people of Brunei, beyond Bruneian shores
and frontiers.
"As a result we in no way feel isolated
or anonymous," said His Majesty.
"Our association has helped us and our
neighbours to share a regional purpose and an international identity,"
said His Majesty.
"The shared heritage, mutual respect,
goodwill towards all and support for each other are the building blocks for a
future community, that will form an ideal abode for our extended regional
family, wherein our people can develop their skills, talents and confidence to face
the future," said His Majesty.
"However, as our theme today suggests
that Mr President, this abode, its future, its strength and the safety it
offers, is being constantly tested. Time moves on relentlessly and our world is
subject to constant change. Each new generation moves on adapting to the
realities imposed by change," said His Majesty, adding that throughout
2011, the process of change had undergone a transformation.
"It is no longer a simplistic predictable
process that takes decades or even years. It just happens, sometimes
overnight," said His Majesty.
"It is the speed and power of this modern
process of change that can shake the confidence of our people in their
future," said His Majesty, adding that it is generated by immensely
powerful dynamics that have come to be labelled with terms such as market
forces, energy security, food security, natural disasters, climate change and
health pandemics.
"At times our vision of a safe region may
seem to be under siege by these forces. Our duties as leaders and governments
is of course to protect it and all those who reside within," said His
Majesty. The monarch said it is however very difficult to intervene effectively
in "processes over which we, as individual countries, have very little control".
His Majesty highlighted that in the past year,
there have been many different approaches in responding to calls for change
around the world. "Some have been fiercely conservative, while others have
been revolutionary, and others have been liberal."
"But, as we have all seen, the responses
have often been as divisive as the problems," said His Majesty. As a
result, the world turns to the participation as stated in the theme of the
fourth BDF.
Towards this, His Majesty called upon
countries to work together both within their individual countries and as
partners in the regional association.
"We need to increase confidence in the
future for each family and individual. We must nurture respect, goodwill and
fairness for each family and individual. And in sheer practical terms, it means
ensuring that there is housing, education, healthcare, employment, security in
all its forms and life opportunities for all," said His Majesty.
His Majesty went on to say that it is only in
this way that people can take part in the events unfolding around them with
understanding and appreciation.
"The alternative to this is to witness
all that has been achieved be razed by the speed and power of change and the
result of this would lead to communities and people becoming anonymous members
of global society," His Majesty said.
Should this happen, it would be a denial of
the people's past, a surrender to the challenges of the present and a betrayal of
their future, His Majesty added.
Earlier, the fourth BDF forum was inaugurated
yesterday by Indonesian President Dato Laila Utama Dr Hj Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono.
News Desk
The Brunei Times
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