THEME 6

THE NATION BUILDING YEARS AND INDEPENDENCE 1950 – 1984

PART TWO

BRUNEI’S INDEPENDENCE

STEPS LEADING TO THE INDEPENDENCE OF BRUNEI

1. Brunei became full

internal self-governing
state.

2. Britain was still

responsible for Brunei’s
external affairs and
defence.

3. Brunei and Britain

shared responsibility for
1 THE 1971 Signed at Between Sultan Brunei’s defence and
AGREEME the Hassanal Bolkiah security.
NT Lapau and the British
DiRaja in Representative, 4. The Gurkhas would
BSB Antony Henry remain in Brunei to
Fanshawe-Royle maintain peace and
security.

5. The local post of General

Adviser to the Sultan
was introduced for the
first time.

Brunei’s first General

Adviser was Pehin Orang
Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-
Raja Dato Utama Awang
Haji Isa.

6. The British High

Commissioner was no
longer the adviser to the
Sultan.

2 THE 1979
ANGLO- Signed at Between Sultan Brunei:
TREATY the Hassanal Bolkiah  Agreed to take over
OF Lapau and Lord Goronwy- international
FRIENDSH DiRaja in Roberts (Secretary responsibilities as a
IP AND BSB for Foreign and sovereign and
CO- Commonwealth independent nation.
OPERATIO Affairs)
N Britain:
The Queen’s  Agreed to assist
representative also Brunei in area of
there was HRH diplomacy since

1
 Michael of Kent. Brunei would need to
establish international
relations as an
independent nation.

FULL INDEPENDENCE IN 1984

Since  Brunei made the preparations to shoulder responsibilities as a

1979 fully independent nation.

 Several new departments were created:

1. The Diplomatic Relations

It was set up to take over the conduct of Brunei’s external

relations from the British Government in 1979.

2. The Brunei Investment Agency

It was set up to take over the management of Brunei’s financial

affairs overseas from the Crown Agents in London in 1983.

 Official announcement made:

May 1. Brunei would become independent on 1st January 1984.
1983
2. British protection would end after 95 years (1888 – 1984).

31st  Mass Maghrib prayers in all the main mosques in the four
Decem districts.
ber
1983

1st
January
1984  At midnight:

His Royal Highness the Sultan now addressed as His Majesty

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan
Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, read the
proclamation of full independence of Brunei.

His father, HRH Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Omar Ali

Saifuddien III spoke aloud “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Almighty) 3
times. The crowd repeated after him.

2
A ‘Doa Selamat’ was read by the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Seri
Maharaja Dato Seri Utama Awang Haji Ismaili bin Omar Abdul
Aziz.

3
 DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Since independence, Brunei has:

 Established diplomatic relations with many countries around the world.

 Embassies and High Commissioners in all ASEAN capitals and many other
countries.

BRUNEI’S INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
BEFORE
INDEPENDE
NCE (SINCE  Brunei’s foreign affairs were handled by the Brunei
1979) Diplomatic Service.

 The Brunei Diplomatic Service was upgraded to the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 Brunei’s foreign policy has been guided by the principles

stated in the Declaration of Full Independence:
AFTER
1. RESPECT
INDEPENDE
NCE other countries’ sovereignty, integrity and
(1984) independence.

2. FRIENDSHIP

with all nations.

3. NON-INTERFERENCE

in the internal affairs of another country.

4. PEACE, SECURITY, STABILITY

in the region.

BRUNEI’S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL

ORGANIZATIONS
BRUNEI’S
PARTICIPATIO
N

COMMONWEALTH ASEAN OIC UN SEAMEO

1ST JAN 1984 7TH JAN 1984 15TH JAN 1984 21ST SEPT 1984 1984

4
 BRUNEI’S PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL
ORGANIZATIONS

COMMONWEALT Brunei joined on It is a voluntary AIM:

H 01/01/1984 organizations
consisting of Working together
Britain and its for economic
former colonies progress and
and protected friendship
states

ASEAN Brunei joined on ASEAN was first AIM:

07/07/1984 formed on
(South East 08/08/1967 in To maintain
Asian Nations) Bangkok, Thailand friendly relations
and keep peace,
Brunei joined as security and
the 6th member stability in the
region

OIC Brunei joined on It is an association AIM:

15/01/1984 of Islamic states.
(Organization of To co-operate
Islamic Brunei became its economically,
Conference) 44th member socially and
culturally

UN Brunei joined on Brunei joined the AIM:

21/09/1984 UN as its 159th
(United Nations) member To co-operate for
world peace and
security

SEAMEO Brunei joined in AIM:

1984
(South East Co-operation in
Asian Ministers education, science
of Education and culture
Organizations)