His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam last night called on the need to revive the national executive council of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) concept, unheard of over the last few years.

In delivering his titah at the Special Forum on MIB Concept at the International Convention Centre in Berakas to mark the Silver Jubilee celebration of the National Day this year and organised by those bestowed with titles, the benevolent ruler said that our MIB system has been praised by others.

The monarch said this ceremony was the second of its kind being held and has received an overwhelming response not only from those bestowed with titles but also the community as a whole.

"I am in no doubt that the MIB concept has been understood and upheld sincerely by all levels of the community.

"It's not a slogan but a system that controls our way of life through which we live, develop, expand and receive justice. I am aware that at the early stage of introducing this concept, there was only a slight doubt. But this was just temporary, just like any new issue that was not deeply thought at that time," the Sultan said.

"Now we are getting more mature and are able to explore the 'seabed' until we are able to bring the 'pearl' to the shore to be worn. We are now wearing it comfortably and with happiness," His Majesty said.

"Other people who saw it judged our system as good and attractive. What we are wearing is none other than our very own system, the axis of peace and prosperity, which is MIB.

"Those who see such beauty and goodness might not tell us frankly, probably because they are hindered by their own respective factors."

His Majesty said a year after achieving independence we used to have several bodies of MIB concept. In 1985, we established a committee for the MIB concept, while in 1990 it was upgraded to become a national MIB concept. And in 2001, it was further upgraded to become the MIB National Executive Council.

"The last appointment for members of the MIB National Executive Council was in 2001 for the duration of five years and it lasted till 2006. Now we are in 2009 and the news of such council is not heard today.

"Are we running out of persons eligible to be elected as new members or whether such council itself is no longer relevant? Whatever the problem is, I would like to listen and find out the answer.

"At this juncture, I would like to express my sincere thanks to those bestowed with titles for taking such a meaningful initiative in organising the forum. May this effort receive subsequent rewards from Allah," said His Majesty. - Borneo Bulletin (20th May 2009)