Brunei

Negara Brunei Darussalam State of Brunei, Abode of Peace بروني دارالسلام
Flag Crest
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 (Bahasa Brunei)
Demonym(s)	Bruneian
Government	Islamic Absolute Monarchy
• Sultan	Hassanal Bolkiah
• Crown Prince	Al-Muhtadee Billah
Formation
• Sultanate	14th century
• End of British protectorate	January 1, 1984
Area
• Total	5,765 km2 (2,226 sq mi) (172nd)
• Water (%)	8.6
Population
• July 2008 estimate	381,371
• Density	66/km2 (170.9/sq mi) (134th)
GDP (PPP)	2007 estimate
• Total	$19.640 billion (114th)
• Per capita	$51,000 (5th)
HDI (2008)	0.919  (27th)
Currency	Brunei dollar (BND)
Time zone	UTC+8
Drives on	left
Calling code	+6731
ISO 3166 code	BN
Internet TLD	.bn
Also 080 from East Malaysia

Brunei Darussalam, (Template:PronEng in English) officially the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace (Template:Lang-ms, Jawi: بروني دارالسلام), is a country located on the north coast of 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, Malaysia, and in fact it is separated into two parts by Limbang, which is part of Sarawak. This is odd in the fact that it is a separated country inside a separated country (the two parts of 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 power of the Sultanate of Brunei was at its peak from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century. The Sultanate's suzerainty is thought to have extended over the coastal regions of modern-day Sarawak and Sabah, the Sulu archipelago, and the islands off the northwest tip of Borneo. European influence gradually brought an end to this regional power. Later, there was a brief war with Spain, in which Brunei's capital was occupied. Eventually the sultanate was victorious but lost territories to Spain. 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, and occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945 during World War II.

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.

Short history on how Brunei lost Limbang

When Sir Frederic Weld visited Brunei in 1887, Sultan Hashim called upon him to help protect Brunei. Sir Frederic Weld, the Governor of Straits Settlement, pointed out the best way the British can help was to have a British Resident advising Brunei. This led to the Protectorate Agreement between Brunei and United Kingdom in 1888.

Sultan Hashim agreed to sign the Agreement because he wanted to prevent further erosion of Brunei's territory. However, despite this historic agreement, the British Government failed to take any action against Charles Brooke for seizing Limbang in 1890. It was in 1889 when Charles Brooke insisted that Limbang be annexed to Sarawak. However, Sultan Hashim strongly opposed his demand.

The British Government also refused to approve the ceding of Limbang. But Charles Brooke seized Limbang by force on 17th March 1890. The British Government did send Noel Trevenan to lead a mission to investigate the actual situation. Trevenan accompanied by Brooke's officials met with 15 local chiefs and reported that 12 of them were in favour. But later it was realised that another 18 chiefs were not present at the meeting and those that were present were Brooke's supporters and they therefore did not represent all the people of Limbang. Sultan Hashim rejected their findings. Sultan Hashim was greatly disappointed and he continued his protests. He even wrote to the Sultan of Turkey imploring for help but the letter was seized by the British. Sultan Hashim tried to do many things when he was the Sultan. Peter Blundell in his book The City of Many Waters wrote about the Sultan. He described the Sultan as someone who was "heavily in debt and almost certainly without means of support. If he had been given a fair chance, he certainly would have been a great King".

Politics and government

Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei.

Main article: Politics of Brunei

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, whose title has allegedly passed within the same dynasty since the fifteenth century, is the head of state and head of government in Brunei. Brunei has a Legislative Council with 20 appointed members, that only has consultative tasks.

Under Brunei's 1959 constitution, His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah is the head of state with full executive authority, including emergency powers since 1962. The Sultan's role is enshrined in the national ideology known as Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy. The country has been under hypothetical martial law since Brunei Revolt of 1962.

The media is extremely pro-government and the Royal family retains a venerated status within the country.

International organizations and Brunei

Brunei is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, ASEAN, APEC and Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Press freedom

Brunei has been given "Not Free" status by Freedom House; press criticism of the government and monarchy is rare.

Territorial disputes

Brunei claims some territories in Sarawak and it is one of many nations to lay claim to some of the disputed Spratly Islands, specifically small rocks exposed at high tide on Louisa Reef. Kuraman Island is recognized as Malaysia territory by Brunei.

The status of Limbang as part of Sarawak was disputed by Brunei since the area was first annexed in 1890..

Districts and mukims

Districts of Brunei

Main articles: Districts of Brunei and Mukims 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 Darussalam consists of two unconnected parts with a total area of 5,766 sq. kilometers (2,226 sq. miles). 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 Darussalam is about 400,000 of which around 130,000 live in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Other major towns are the port town of 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. Jerudong Park, a well known amusement park, is located on the west of Bandar Seri Begawan.

Climate

Brunei Darussalam has an equatorial climate. The average annual temperature is 27.1°C (80.8°F), with the April-May average of 27.7°C (81.9°F) and the October-December average of 26.8°C (80.2°F).

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average High (°C)	27.8	27.8	29.2	29.1	29.5	28.1	28.4	28.3	28.0	27.5	27.4	28.0	27.9
Average Low (°C)	25.1	26.0	26.5	26.9	26.9	26.7	26.1	26.3	26.3	26.1	26.2	25.6	26.5
Average Rainfall (mm)	277.7	138.3	113.0	200.3	239.0	214.2	228.8	215.8	257.7	319.9	329.4	343.5	2873.9

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, is trying to make Brunei a hub for international travel between Europe and Australia/New Zealand, and also has services to major Asian destinations. They also controlled the spice trade during the 16th century.

Healthcare

All Brunei citizens have access to free healthcare from public hospitals. The largest hospital in Brunei is Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, and there is a private medical centre, the Jerudong Park Medical Centre. As of 2008, no hospitals in Brunei were undergoing international healthcare accreditation. However the health system of Brunei Darussalam was ranked fourth in the Asia-Pacific region and second in Asean after Singapore.

There is currently no medical school in Brunei, and Bruneians wishing to study to become doctors have to attend universities overseas. However, Institute of Medicines had been introduced in Universiti Brunei Darussalam and a new building had been built for the faculty. The building was completed in year 2009 with research lab facilities installed. There has been a School of Nursing since 1951.. 58 nurse managers were appointed in RIPAS to improve the services and provide a better medical care. . In December 2008, The nursing college merge with the Institute of Medicines in Universiti Brunei Darussalam to produce more nurses and midwives.

Health Promotion centre opened in November 2008 serves as a platform to educate the public more on the living a healthy lifestyle.

Transport

Brunei is accessible via sea and land travel, also by hovercraft. 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 is the main airline company in Brunei.

Brunei has several sea ports, mainly to export its petroleum products, as well as for import and export purposes. gshksv wavs;jc obsfb;vkjsbj jkvsdfjk kdfvkklbvs

Ethnicity

• Malay 66.3%,
• Chinese 11.2%,
• Indigenous 3.4%,
• Other 19.1% (2004 est.)

Demographics

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Main article: Demographics of Brunei

See also: Islam in Brunei and Buddhism in Brunei

The official language of the nation is Malay (Malay: Bahasa Melayu), although an important minority speak Chinese languages (Min Nan, Mandarin, Min Dong, Yue, Hakka). The local variety of Malay (Kedayan or Bukit Malay), spoken natively by two thirds of the population, is quite divergent from and unintelligible to Standard Malay. The most important aboriginal languages are Iban, and two languages called Tutong, each with about 20,000 speakers. English is also widely spoken and there is a relatively large expatriate community with significant numbers of British and Australian citizens.

Islam is the official religion of Brunei at 67%, and the sultan is the head of the religion in the country. Other faiths practised are Buddhism 13% (mainly by the Chinese), 10% Christianity, and primarily in isolated and very small communities, indigenous religions.

Traditions

Food: Ambuyat Musical instrument: Gulingtangan

Culture

Main article: Culture of Brunei

The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay (reflecting its ethnicity), with heavy influences from Islam, but is seen as more conservative than Malaysia.

Brunei also has a large number of foreign workers, including Indonesian and Filipino domestic workers, labourers from Thailand, Indonesia and the Indian subcontinent (particularly India and Bangladesh), and American and British professionals working in industry and education.

Prohibition of alcohol

The sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned. Foreigners and non-Muslims are allowed to bring in 12 cans of beer and 2 bottles of other alcohol (e.g., wine or spirits; no distinction is made for alcohol content). This limit used to apply to every entry; in 2007, however, this was changed to one limit every 48 hours. After the introduction of prohibition in the early 1990s, all pubs and nightclubs were forced to close.

Bruneian celebrities

• Wu Chun, member of Fahrenheit
• Zul F, winner of 2005 Brunei Idol
• Paula Malai Ali, television presenter for ESPN Star Sports
• Maria, country female singer
• Craig Adams, born in Brunei, professional ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL

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

• Government of Brunei Darussalam website
• Chief of State and Cabinet Members

General information

• "Brunei". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.
• Brunei from UCB Libraries GovPubs
• Template:Dmoz
• Wikimedia Atlas of Brunei

Travel

• Template:Wikitravel
• Brunei Tourism website
• The Daily Brunei Resources blog. Contains extra information on the country through the eyes of a Bruneian.
• Brunei information on globalEDGE
• Photos of Brunei