Brunei

Negara Brunei Darussalam State of Brunei Darussalam بروني دارالسلام
Flag Coat of arms of Brunei Darussalam Coat of arms
Motto: "Always in service with God's guidance"  (translation)
Anthem: Allah Peliharakan Sultan God Bless the Sultan
Capital and largest city	Bandar Seri Begawan
Official languages	Malay (national), English
Government
• Sultan	Hassanal Bolkiah
Independence
• End of British protectorate	January 1 1984
• Water (%)	8.6
Population
• may 2007 estimate	383,990 (177th)
• 2001 census	332,844
GDP (PPP)	2005 estimate
• Total	$9.009 billion (138th)
• Per capita	$24,826 (26th)
HDI (2004)	0.871  (34th)
Currency	Brunei ringgit (BND)
Time zone	UTC+8
Calling code	6731
ISO 3166 code	BN
Internet TLD	.bn
Also 080 from Malaysia.

Brunei, (IPA: [bru·ˈnaʲ]) officially the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace (Template:Lang-ms, Jawi: برني دارالسلام ), is a country located on the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea it is completely surrounded by the state of Sarawak, East Malaysia. Brunei, the remnant of a very powerful sultanate, regained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984.

History

Main article: History of Brunei

The Sultanate of Brunei was very powerful from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century CE. Its realm covered the whole island of Borneo and the southwestern Philippines. European influence gradually brought an end to this regional power. Later, there was a brief war with Spain, in which Brunei was victorious. The decline of the Bruneian Empire culminated in the nineteenth century when Brunei lost much of its territory to the White Rajahs of Sarawak, resulting in its current small landmass and separation into two parts. Brunei was a British protectorate from 1888 to 1984.

There was a small rebellion against the monarchy during the 1960s, which was suppressed by the United Kingdom. This event became known as the Brunei Revolt and was partly responsible for the failure to create the North Borneo Federation. The rebellion also affected Brunei's decision to opt out of the Malaysian Federation and was the first stage of the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation.

Politics and government

Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei.

Main article: Politics of Brunei

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, whose title has passed within the same dynasty since the fifteenth century, is the head of state and head of government in Brunei. The Sultan is advised by several councils and a cabinet of ministers although he is effectively the supreme ruler. The media is extremely pro-government and the Royal family retains a venerated status within the country. There is no elected legislative body. In September 2004, the Sultan convened an appointed Parliament which had not met since independence in 1984, although it lacks any capacity beyond advising the monarch. Due to the absolute rule of the Sultan, Brunei is one of the most politically stable countries in Asia.

The country has been under hypothetical martial law since a rebellion in the early 1960s was put down by British troops from Singapore.

Brunei claims territory in Sarawak, such as Limbang, and it is one of many nations to lay claim to the disputed Spratly Islands. Several small islands situated between Brunei and Labuan, including Kuraman island, are contested between Brunei and Malaysia. However, they are internationally recognised as part of the latter.

Administrative divisions

Districts of Brunei.

Main article: Districts of Brunei

Brunei is divided into four districts (daerah):

• Belait
• Brunei and Muara
• Temburong
• Tutong

The districts are subdivided into thirty-eight mukims.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Brunei

Brunei consists of two unconnected parts. 97% of the population lives in the larger western part, while only about 10,000 live in the mountainous eastern part (the district of Temburong). The total population of Brunei is 383,000, of which around 46,000 live in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Some major towns are the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the port town Muara, the oil producing town of Seria and its neighboring town, Kuala Belait. In the Belait district, the Panaga area is home to large numbers of expatriates due to Royal Dutch Shell and British Army housing and recreational facilities. The well-known Panaga Club is situated here.

The climate in Brunei is equatorial tropical, with high temperatures, high humidity, sunshine and heavy rainfall throughout the year.

Brunei claims Louisa Reef and Rifleman Bank in the Spratly Islands.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Brunei

This small, wealthy economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of its GDP. Substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Stated plans for the future include upgrading the labour force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourism sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base. The national airline, Royal Brunei Airlines is trying to make Brunei a hub for international travel between Europe and Australia/New Zealand. It also has services to major Asian destinations.

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Brunei

Brunei is accessible via sea and land travel. The main highway running across Brunei is the Pan Borneo Highway, which is a joint project with Malaysia. Besides the Pan Borneo Highway, Brunei can be accessed by air through Brunei International Airport. [[Royal Brunei Airlines]] is the main airline company in Brunei.

Brunei has several sea ports, mainly to export its petroleum products, as well as for import/export purposes.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Brunei

The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay, with heavy influences from Hinduism and Islam, but is seen as more conservative than Malaysia. The sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned, with foreigners and non-Muslims allowed to bring in twelve cans of beer and two bottles of spirits every time they enter the country. After the introduction of prohibition in the early 1990s, all pubs and nightclubs were forced to close.

See also

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Bibliography

•  This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.
• U.S. Department of State website (2003)
• L. W. W. Gudgeon, British North Borneo, Adam and Charles Black: London, 1913.

External links

• Government of Brunei Darussalam website
• "Brunei". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.
• Brunei Tourism website
• The Daily Brunei Resources blog. Contains extra information on the country through the eyes of a Bruneian.