A wealthy, peaceful Brunei faces uncertainty

[dArKeR]

It is the healthiest, wealthiest and most-educated nation in Asia, but the sultanate is in a state of emergency


AFP , BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI
Sunday, Mar 14, 2004,Page 9

It seems extraordinary bordering on the bizarre that one of the wealthiest and most peaceful nations in Asia can promote itself as a haven of political stability while enduring its 42nd year under a state of emergency.

But then most things in Brunei, an Islamic sultanate of just 350,000 people blessed with deep oil and gas reserves on Southeast Asia's Borneo island, leave visitors feeling as if they have entered a fantasy world.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has used the nation's fossil fuels to fund a life of near unimaginable luxury for himself and his extended family since taking power from his father 37 years ago.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/03/14/2003102434

Isn't this this guy who gave Oliver 'Trator' North the money to buy drugs which North then sold to the American children?