Interesting....
The excesses of any ruler should be abhored. Specially if the Ruler is corrupt and from 3rd world. But in this case however, his people, (Brunei), actually like this guy. The Sultan has been their ruler for decades they got no beef wid him, he is quiet popular there. I think his son had a grand Royal Wedding ceremony, few months back. The people were out on the streets happy and enjoying, greeting the Royal family by showering them rose petals, etc. The average person lives a good life in Brunei.
His habbits seem very excessive, and they are, no doubt. But he is not responsible for the well being of whole humanity. Who knows, maybe he does spend quite a bit in charity too. The way they run their country on oil wealth, his habbits are probably all good with their locals. They are not complaining, why should we.
Bruneians, are alot like Malaysians. Infact Brunei is carved right out of Malaysia, just like Singapore was. All that region of Malasian Archaepelogos is blessed with abundant natural resources, coupled with good governance, leading to good economy and above all, the people are also good natured, very curteous and well mannerd people making a corruption free prosperous society.
Indonesia is a little different. Although they are their direct Southernly neighbor but quite a different story.
Indonesia is also blessed with abundant natural resources, but Indonesia functions alot like South Asia.
They are also facing the Big Curse of Corruption in the society just like we are in South Asia. Hopefully we learn to get rid of this Curse from ourselves and prosper like the rest of the countries around the region.
