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BRUNEI: Civil Society &
Conflict Avoidance: the case of Brunei Darussalem
by Dr. Hj Sainah Hj Saim
Conflict is a dynamic process in which structures, attitudes
and behaviours are constantly changing and influencing
one another. Conflict formations can arise out of this
interaction or social change. Further social change can
result when suppressed or marginalised individuals or
groups begin to articulate their interests and challenge
existing norms and power structures. Before these differences
in interests and challenges escalate into deeper conflict,
interdependent changes that involve the de-escalation
of conflict behaviour, a change in attitudes and the
transformation of relationships or structures are necessary.
Conflict resolution is seen as a peaceful and mutually
satisfactory way to end or significantly and hopefully
permanently de-escalate a conflict. Conflict can be resolved
through violent means, by eliminating opponents, surrendering
or capitulation. The ideal situation would be if conflict
could be avoided altogether from occurring or escalating.
Little consideration has been given to the civil society
in terms of conflict processes or resolution. In fact,
even less consideration has been given to conflict prevention
or avoidance.
Diagram 2 (below) shows two common approaches to conflict,
namely, settlement through compromise, and resolution
through cooperation.
| Settlement
(Compromise) |
Resolution
(Cooperation) |
| "Focus: objective issues, short-term |
"Focus: subjective perception, long-term |
| "Aim: remove conflict |
"Aim: remove causes of conflict |
| "Third party: imposes solution, uses
power/coercion, underlying needs not important |
"Third party: improves communication,
elicits win-win solution, does not use ceorcion |
Diagram 2 Approaches to Conflict
The above approaches do not prevent conflict but, conflict
resolution aims at removing the causes of conflict. What
we need is to prevent conflict from happening. In other
words, conflict avoidance or prevention should become
an important approach to conflict. Similar to resolution,
avoidance or prevention improves communication, provides
win-win situations and does not use force. This can be
done through the participation of the civil society.
Conflicts are the products of social structure and character
of society in which the civil society is an integral
part. So, what can the civil society do to prevent conflict?
The Brunei Civil Society
The first question is: what is meant by ‘public’?
As a noun in the form of ‘the public’, it
refers to (members of) the community in general. In terms
of public administration, a government is looking at
the provision of goods and services to ‘its citizens’.
Similarly, the term ‘the public’ is narrowed
down to mean the community bearing membership in the
so-called country or nation, regardless of its population
size.
In this sense, the citizens of Brunei Darussalam constitute
about two thirds of the total population of the country
while the rest are temporary residents. According to
the Brunei Population Census Report, Brunei citizens
amounted to about 65% of the total population, that is,
127,676 persons in 1981 and 171,099 in 1991. The overall
population of the country is about 300,000. These figures
mean that Brunei Darussalam is characterised as ‘small’,
the designation for countries with a population of less
than one million given by the World Bank in 1990. (This
is in addition to its small land size and vulnerability.)
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