EMBARGO

TO BE RELEASED ON 12 SEPTEMBER 2005 

 
PARTI PEMBANGUNAN BANGSA
National Development Party (NDP)
(BPD: 25/1181) 

Alamat/Address:   Limbaruh Hijau, Simpang 323, Jalan Jerudong, Kampung Jerudong,  Brunei Muara – BG. 3122 – BRUNEI DARUSSALAM.

PRESS RELEASE

ON THE APPROVAL OF THE FORMATION OF THE PARTI PEMBANGUNAN BANGSA (NATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT PARTY) (NDP)

 ISSUED BY: HAJI AMINORRASHID HAJI GHAZALI, SECRETARY-GENERAL  (PRO TEM) OF THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PARTY (NDP),

1.                 ALL praise is due to Allah SWT, Lord of the Universe. And may peace and blessings be upon His beloved Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

2.                 All praises and thanks be to Almighty Allah, for the fact that the registration of the NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PARTY, in short the  NDP, has been approved by the Registrar of Societies, and as such this party is now a legitimate political organization in Negara Brunei Darussalam from 31st August 2005 / 26 Rejab 1426 according to the letter of the Registrar of Societies BPD 25/1181.

Heartfelt Thanks

3.       In this regard, we would like to respectfully convey our heartfelt thanks to His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, to His Majesty’s Government, especially the Registrar of Societies and his officers for their kind attention and cooperation in giving due consideration to our application and subsequently to approve the registration of the Development Party in such an expeditious manner.   

Current Challenges

4.                  Since Negara Brunei Darussalam became independent and sovereign again on 01 January 1984, she has not been sheltered from the storms of the worldwide demands for the establishment of fundamental rights, democracy and globalization, all of which require that the vessel of statehood be navigated in the direction of such a flow to avoid being regarded with repugnance by world public opinion.

5.                   With full awareness and sense of responsibility, the National Development Party intends to confront this phenomenon so that Negara Brunei Darussalam will not be subject to pressures from any party whatsoever which could have a negative effect on the nation and the people in the long term.

6.                   In the context of Negara Brunei Darussalam, the concept of a “just and benevolent” government is more excellent and universal compared to the various Western concepts of governance which are only meant to benefit their proponents. 

7.                   We strongly felt the call to form the National Development Party, to provide a suitable platform and adequate means for the people to channel their services and contributions in the civic, political, economic, social or societal and cultural spheres of the country, as well as in the other  areas of life, in line with His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam and his subjects’ united aspiration to build a state and a nation that is honorable and sovereign.

Members of the Pro Tem Supreme Council 

8.       The following are the members of the party’s pro tem Supreme Council:

Vision of the National Development Party

9.       The Vision of the National Development Party is as written in the Second Chapter, Article 3 of its constitution:

‘Negara Brunei Darussalam as a Malay, Islamic Monarchy, a secure, peaceful and prosperous nation state worthy of the clemency of Allah, the Most Glorious, Exalted.’   

Mission of the National Development Party  

10.     Article 4 of the Constitution of the Development Party outlines the seven points of our mission as follows:

1.                 To defend the Sovereignty of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and his descendants as Sultans and Yang Di-Pertuans and Possessors of Authority in Negara Brunei Darussalam, exercising power and governance based upon the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

2.                 To defend the Status of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and his descendants as heirs in perpetuity to the throne of Negara Brunei Darussalam.

3.                 To serve and support His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and his descendants in upholding and defending the Religion of Islam and the Divine Law in Negara Brunei Darussalam, without any discrimination or injustice against the adherents of other faiths.

4.                 To serve and support His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and his descendants in upholding and defending Malay-Muslim primacy in Negara Brunei Darussalam, without any discrimination or injustice against other races and communities.

5.                 To serve and support His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and his descendants in defending and perpetuating the independence, sovereignty and peace of Negara Brunei Darussalam.

6.                 To serve and support His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and his descendants in developing Negara Brunei Darussalam in all sectors including economy, social, culture and education, and eventually to become and never cease to be a progressive Malay-Islamic nation state, of equal standing with other independent nations and states in the international community.

7.                 To serve and support His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and his descendants to uphold and defend justice and benevolence (Al-‘Adl Wal-Ihsan) in Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Principal Objectives of  The National Development Party

11.     At the same time, Article 5 of the constitution of the Development Party targets seven principal objectives of the party:

1.     To inculcate a sense of undivided loyalty among the subjects of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah towards His Majesty as the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan and Possessor of Authority in Negara Brunei Darussalam, and towards his descendants.

2.     To educate the people and instill among them the spirit of patriotism, love for the nation state, and understanding of politics as an activity carried on peacefully and in an atmosphere of total civility.

3.     To endeavour in support of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam in bringing about a system of government, administration and management characterized by justice and equity, transparency, integrity, competency, trustworthiness, benevolence and beneficence.

4.     To collaborate with any and all groups and persons that respect the vision, mission and principal objectives of the Development Party in ensuring the success of the party’s programme, provided that it is not contrary to the constitution and laws of the nation state.

5.     To endeavour to establish in the national interest, relations and cooperation with international governmental and non-governmental bodies and organizations and others, in pursuit of advancing and developing Negara Brunei Darussalam further as an independent state and nation.

6.     To work in earnest to promote and to raise the status of the Malay language as the official language of the nation state, whilst expanding the study of the Quranic language and the use of the Jawi script.

7.     In general, to carry out all activities delineated by the Constitution of the Development Party and any other pursuit that is valid according to the constitution and laws of the nation state in order to fulfill the commitment to serve and develop the nation state and to strengthen national resilience.

Authority

12.     The National Development Party adheres to the principle that “Any Chapter, Article or Clause in the Constitution of the Development Party which conflicts with the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) shall accordingly be null and void.”

Democracy  

13.     In practice, the National Development Party shall abide by democratic principles insofar as they are not contrary to Islamic precepts and in accordance with  the constitution and the laws of the country. The election of all leaders of the party at all levels shall be by means of direct balloting by members at general assemblies or meetings held at the Central, Divisional or Branch levels.  

Three-Cornered Approach  

14.     On the basis of the conception of Negara Brunei Darussalam as a Malay-Islamic Monarchy, the National Development Party will be carrying out all its activities based on a “three-cornered” approach:   

First: The National Development Party will spearhead a broad encompassing conceptualization of the New Malay.   

Second: The National  Development Party shall operate as a political da‘awa movement and as a da‘awa-oriented political body.  

Third: The National Development Party shall endeavour to disseminate widely the understanding of the concept of the King (Sultan) and Guardian of Authority as God’s representative on earth, inviting towards goodness and forbidding evil.    

Towards National Unity  

15.     We are pleased to announce that the National Development Party holds firmly to the primacy of the Malay people as a racial and linguistic community, as has been institutionalized in accordance with the innate nature of the majority of the inhabitants of Negara Brunei Darussalam, and with her geographical location in the region where people of the Malay racial stock predominate. Nevertheless, the rights of minority communities who are citizens of Negara Brunei Darussalam such as the Ibans, Chinese, and other tribal communities shall remain guaranteed and everyone will be treated justly according to the laws of the nation state.  

16.     The National Development Party accepts the undeniable fact that the plurality of races, colours, languages and cultures are created by Almighty God as among the signs of His Power and Ultimate Authority, and thus should never be the causes for distrust and suspicion among human beings. Allah says (in the Quran), meaning:  “O Mankind, We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other....” Surah Al Hujuraat, ayat 13.  

And in Surah Ar Rum, ayat 22 meaning: “And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours...”.  

17. As such, the National Development Party holds to the principle that no one shall be  permitted to sideline or to set aside the rights of any of the subjects of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan from the mainstream of national development.  

18. Guided by this aspiration, the National Development Party is formed as a party for the benefit of the adherents of all religions, Islam and other than Islam, for Malays as well as non-Malays, and for all tribes and all levels of society, all subjects of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan.  

19. In this regard, the National Development Party is a party for aristocrats and the nobility as well as for commoners, for the Ulama’, highly educated as well as for the uneducated, for the rich as well as for the poor, for those of status and rank, and for the labourer, peasant and unemployed. 

Cooperation with Security Forces and Agencies  

20.              The National Development Party opts for the way of moderation, peace, total civility, consultation and deliberation in winning the hearts and minds of the people. The National Development Party categorically rejects all forms of terrorism, violence, intimidation or threat. We are convinced that it is better to inculcate goodwill than to exaggerate differences in the quest for harmony within the nation state and community.     

21.              The Supreme Council of the Prty  would like to remind the members and supporters of the National Development Party to abide always by the rules and discipline of the party. We must regard everyone, every member of the community around us, as a friend and even as a part of ourselves. We must regard and accept them as supporters and potential supporters who will work together with us.  

22.              Let no one among us harbour any prejudice, bitterness or grudge towards anyone, for this is clearly against the principles of Islam. Let us welcome all the members of the security forces and agencies with open arms as partners to protect the security of our country, which is the foundation of our struggle. Allah says (in the Quran), meaning:  

“O you who believe, avoid suspicion as much as possible for suspicion in some cases is a sin…” (Surah Al Hujuraat : 12)  

“…would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would abhor it…”(Surah Al Hujuraat : 12)  

23.              We must give full cooperation to the security forces and agencies in preserving the security, peace, stability and harmony of the people in Negara Brunei Darussalam. The existence of a conducive, peaceful environment will no doubt attract foreign investments, which will in turn aid the growth of the national economy.  

24.              Like us, the members of the security forces and agencies too shoulder the burden of trust placed by God Almighty to protect His earth from ruin. As such, should we encounter any problem relating to security, let us resolve them with wisdom as enjoined by Islam.    

25.              With self-confidence and openness, we step forward to serve His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan, the nation state and the community, seeking our reward with Almighty Allah alone. Any good deeds by our means are from Allah, and any shortcomings are only from ourselves, who need advice, correction and cooperation from everyone.  

Launch of Constitution, Manifesto, and the First General Congress

26.              God willing, the National Development Party will shortly launch the  Party’s Constitution, to be followed by the launch the Party’s Manifesto. After that, God willing, the First General Congress and the official launching of the National Development Party will be held. All these dates will be announced later.  

27.              When the time comes, we invite everyone to attend this General Congress but only registered members may vote for, or be elected as, leaders of the party. At the First General Congress, the present pro-tem party Supreme Council shall be dissolved. Members of the party present at the First General Congress will elect new Members of the Supreme Council directly and they will be the ones who shall lead and manage the affairs of the party for the next three years. 

Membership Registration  

28.     From today onwards, the National Development Party officially opens its membership to all citizens of Negara Brunei Darussalam who fulfill the following criteria:  

1.                 Subject of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan.

2.                 At least eighteen years of age.

3.                 Not a member of any other political party.  

4.                 Acceptance of the Constitution of the Party and the regulations made under it.

29.              Those wishing to know more regarding the policies of the Development Party and those wanting to register as members can do so with the pro tem committees of the party at each level and district. Or they may come directly to the Development Party Headquarters:  

Development Party Headquarters

Limbaruh Hijau Simpang 323, Jalan Jerudong Kampong Jerudong Brunei Muara BG3122 NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

30.              We are determined to form a Division in every District, and a Branch in every village and housing scheme throughout the country, and to target a membership strength of at least one person in every household in the country before the forthcoming inaugural party Congress.

IN THE NAME OF GOD, I RELY UPON GOD.

God knows best. Thank you.

(Haji Aminorrashid B. Haji Ghazali)
Secretary-General (Pro-Tem) Of The National Development Party (NDP).

Date : 12 September 2005
Tel : 006738-711075

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