Brunei

WRITTEN BY:
 Mohamad Yusop Damit
 Ooi Jin Bee
 Pushpa Thambipillai
LAST UPDATED: Aug 12, 2019 See Article History
Alternative Titles: Negara Brunei Darussalam, State of Brunei, Abode of Peace
Brunei, independent Islamic sultanate on the northern coast of the island
of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is bounded to the north by the South China
Sea and on all other sides by the East Malaysian state of Sarawak, which also
divides the state into two disconnected segments of unequal size. The
western segment is the larger of the two and contains the capital city
of Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei achieved independence in 1984, after having
been a British protectorate since 1888. It is a member of
the Commonwealth and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
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 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei: Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien MosqueSultan Omar Ali Saifuddien
Mosque, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.Sam Garza (CC-BY-2.0) (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
BruneiEncyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Land
Relief, drainage, and soils

Brunei consists of a narrow coastal plain in the north, which gives way to
rugged hills in the south. The country’s highest point is Pagon Peak (6,070
feet [1,850 metres]), in the southeast. Brunei is drained by the Belait, Tutong,
and Brunei rivers in the western segment and by the Pandaruan and
Temburong rivers in the east; all flow generally northward to the South China
Sea. The Belait is the largest river in the country. The soils of Brunei are
deeply weathered, highly leached, and generally infertile. Richer alluvial soils
are found along the rivers and in some parts of the coastal floodplain, and
these offer the best agricultural potential. White quartz sands are prevalent in
some areas.
 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Climate

The climate of Brunei is governed by the equatorial monsoon winds. The

northeast monsoon typically blows from December to March, and the
southwest monsoon blows from May to September. April, October, and
November are transitional months. Temperatures in Brunei are warm
throughout the year, typically dropping into the mid-70s F (about 23 °C) and
rising to about 90 °F (32 °C) on a daily basis. Precipitation averages about
115 inches (2,900 mm) annually in the coastal areas but can exceed 150
inches (3,800 mm) farther inland. Rainfall is generally heavier from October to
January and lighter from March to August.

Plant and animal life

About three-fifths of the country is covered with virgin tropical rainforest, and
another one-fifth is under secondary forest. The undisturbed rainforest
consists mainly of hardwoods of the Dipterocarpaceae family (notably of the
genus Shorea), most of which are of commercial value. Large expanses of
freshwater and peat swamps are found in the poorly drained lowlands of the
Belait and Tutong rivers, while mangrove swamps are common along the
lower riverine reaches and sheltered coastal areas. The complex vegetation of
the rainforest provides niches for a rich variety of animals, including proboscis
monkeys, leaf monkeys, pigtail macaques, gibbons, sun bears, sambar deer,
pangolins, bats, and many other mammals. Among Brunei’s most notable
birds are its argus pheasants and hornbills. Numerous species of reptiles,
including the large reticulated python, inhabit the country’s swamps and
woodlands.
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People
Ethnic groups

Nearly two-thirds of the population of Brunei is classified officially as Malay.

This category, however, includes not only ethnic Malays but also a number of
the indigenous peoples, namely the Dusun, Belait, Kedayan, Murut,
and Bisaya (Bisayah). Chinese make up about one-tenth of the population.
The remainder of Brunei’s residents consists of other (non-Malay) indigenous
peoples, such as the Iban (or Sea Dayak); various peoples of South Asian
descent; and temporary workers, primarily from Asia and Europe.
 Brunei: Ethnic compositionEncyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

The official language is Malay, with English as a major second language.

Brunei’s population is predominantly Sunni Muslim, although the Chinese
usually follow Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, or Christianity. Some of the
indigenous peoples are Christian, while others follow their own local religions.

Brunei: Religious affiliationEncyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Settlement patterns

The forested uplands of Brunei’s interior are sparsely populated by indigenous

peoples, who practice shifting agriculture. In the country’s western segment,
the Iban and the Belait generally inhabit the westernmost region near the
border with Sarawak, while the Kedayan are concentrated in the central and
eastern areas, and the Kadazan live primarily in the rural parts of the east-
central region. The Murut and Bisaya have settled mainly in the eastern
segment of Brunei. The Malays are distributed in the riverine and coastal
villages and towns throughout the country, and the Chinese are concentrated
in the urban areas.

Brunei: population densityPopulation density of Brunei.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

About two-thirds of Brunei’s population is found in and around Bandar Seri

Begawan, the capital and largest urban centre. The city is located on the
Brunei River about 9 miles (14 km) from its mouth on Brunei Bay. Adjacentto
the modern section of the city is an older part called Kampong Ayer, where
Brunei Malays live in houses built on stilts along inlets of the river. The area
surrounding the cities of Kuala Belait and Seria, both in the oil-rich zone of the
southwestern coast, is the country’s next most densely settled region.
 Kampong Ayer, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.Michael S. Yamashita—Corbis

Demographic trends

The population of Brunei is youthful and growing. About one-fourth of the

population is under age 15, and roughly half is under age 30. The birth rateis
around the global average, while the death rate is among the lowest in the
world, partly because of the youthful age distribution. Life expectancy is
around 77 years of age, higher than the global average. Brunei has a high net
migration rate, though its growth rate is steadily decreasing.

Brunei: Age breakdownEncyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Economy
Brunei’s economy is almost totally dependent on the exploitation of its vast reserves
of petroleum and natural gas. Although oil and gas revenues have allowed the state to
give its citizens one of the highest per capita incomes in Asia, they also have made the
country dependent on a single commodity that is subject to market fluctuations. In
addition, Brunei must rely on imports for nearly all its manufactured goods and most
of its food. In an effort to ensure the country’s economic stability, the government has
since the late 20th century striven to diversify the economy by developing other
sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and financial services.
Agriculture, fishing, and forestry

Agriculture, fishing, and forestry, once the mainstays of Brunei’s economy, declined
in importance after the discovery of petroleum resources in the 1920s. By the end of
the 20th century, these three activities accounted for just a tiny fraction of the gross
domestic product (GDP) and employed a comparably small segment of the workforce.
Recognizing a need to diversify the economy away from petroleum production as well
as to reduce the country’s dependence on food imports, the government subsequently
embarked on a program to develop the agricultural industry. By the early 21st century
Brunei had become self-sufficient in the production of poultry and eggs and was
approaching self-sufficiency in vegetables. Although locally grown rice still fell far
short of domestic need, production had increased markedly.
Brunei is among the largest consumers of fish per capita in the world. Fish imports
reached a high in the mid-1990s. In an effort to curb imports, the
government implemented programs to stimulate local fisheries. Within a decade
Brunei was producing more fish domestically than it imported. Overfishing has been a
growing concern, however, despite the government’s emphasis on sustainable
development. Aquaculture has been encouraged in carefully selected areas.
With an aim of preserving the country’s abundant forest cover, Brunei enacted
legislation in the late 20th century to restrict logging. Plantation programs have been
implemented to provide enough sawed wood for the local market only. Timber is not
exported.

Resources and power

The petroleum industry (including the manufacture of liquefied natural gas[LNG])

generates more than half of Brunei’s GDP, although it employs a very small portion
of the labour force. Nearly all of the country’s petroleum and natural gas is produced
from offshore fields located off its own western segment, and all but a small
percentage of the production is exported, mostly to Asian countries. A local refinery
supplies domestic needs; the country’s energy is generated almost entirely from fossil
fuels.
Oil was first produced in 1929, while the natural gas industry was developed after the
discovery in the 1960s of large deposits. Output of oil reached a peak in the late 1970s
and subsequently was reduced in order to conserve reserves. Intensive exploitation of
the country’s huge deposits of natural gas in the 1970s included the construction of a
liquefaction plant, and LNG has since become a major source of Brunei’s export
earnings. In addition to its hydrocarbon reserves, the country has rich deposits of
white quartz sand that remained virtually undeveloped in the early 21st century.

Finance and trade

In lieu of a central bank, the Financial Institution Division and the Brunei Currency
Board, both part of the Ministry of Finance, are responsible for most central banking
services. The Brunei Currency Board issues the Brunei dollar. Several Islamic
commercial banks, a number of foreign banks, and a few offshore banks all operate in
the country. Much of the state’s financial activity is concerned with managing its
substantial foreign investments, and the return on these has become an important
source of income.
Revenues from petroleum and natural gas, which constitute nearly all of the country’s
export earnings, have generally resulted in trade surpluses since the early 1970s. The
country’s principal trading partners are in Asia and
include Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China, South Korea, and India.
 Brunei: Major import sourcesEncyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Brunei also trades with the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and members of
the European Union to varying degrees. Brunei has been a member of ASEAN since
1984 and became home to the secretariat of the East ASEAN Business Council in the
mid-1990s.

Brunei: Major export destinationsEncyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Transportation and telecommunications

Historically, Brunei has depended primarily on its rivers and the sea for
transportation. Rivers have remained the main means of transport into the interior, but
a good network of roads has been built in the coastal areas and continues to expand
into the interior. Per capita car ownership in Brunei is one of the highest in the world.
Brunei has two major ports: a large, deepwater harbour at Muara, on Brunei Bay, and
a smaller port at Kuala Belait, at the mouth of the Belait River. The country’s sole
international airport, located at Bandar Seri Begawan, is home to Royal Brunei
Airlines. Public transport (buses and taxis) is concentrated in urban areas.
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Telecommunications are regulated by the Authority of Info-Communications
Technology Industry. The government operates several radio and television channels,
most broadcasting in Malay. Additional channels are available through private
companies offering satellite and cable services.
Government And Society

Constitutional framework

In 1959 Brunei became a self-governing state and adopted a constitution, although the
British retained jurisdiction over foreign policy, defense, and internal security.
Limited attempts at elected representative government under this constitution were
abandoned by 1970. After Brunei attained full independence in 1984,
an Islamic sultanate was established, and the constitution—while retained—
underwent significant amendment.
Ultimate authority rests with the sultan, who is both head of state and head of
government. As prime minister, he presides over a Council of Ministers (cabinet) and
is advised by several other councils (Religious, Privy, Succession, and Legislative);
the members of these bodies are appointed by the sultan. In 2004 the sultan approved
a number of amendments to the constitution. Although a provision for a partially
elected Legislative Council was among the amendments, elections have not been held.
Local government

Brunei is divided into four daerah (districts) for local administration: Temburong in
the country’s eastern segment and Belait, Brunei and Muara, and Tutong in the
western segment. Each is headed by a district officer. The district officers are assisted
by district councils, which are largely appointed. The daerah are subdivided further
into units called mukim, each of which embraces a number of kampung (villages).
Brunei's welfare system can be summed up in 2 words: OIL & GAS!!! At the turn of 20th century, Brunei
was an economic backwater relying on agriculture and fishing, until the oil struck in Seria on 5th April
1929 transformed Brunei into one of the most prosperous nation in the region.

Since then, money began piling up, and there wasn't a fast enough way to spend it. In 1955, the then Al-
Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien III, 28th Sultan of Brunei, promulgated Brunei's welfare model in
the First National Development Plan (NDP), catching the people in the country by surprise.

The Billionth Barrel Monument in Seria and a nodding donkey beside it

Brunei provides generous welfare benefits for her citizens and residents. Note there is a clear distinction
between citizens and residents in many aspects, that'll be another post for another day. The Brunei
citizenship benefits, The welfare includes:
 NO TAXES: Brunei does not require her citizens and residents to pay any form of taxes to
finance the welfare benefits of the state. There are NO income tax, NO Goods & Services Tax (GST)
or Value-Added Tax (VAT), NO licence fees for television sets etc. The only tax I remember paying for
was the Road Tax for our cars.
 FREE EDUCATION: Brunei citizens enjoy the privilege of free education in public schools in the
Sultanate from primary level right up to tertiary level. Promising students are sent abroad to UK and
Australia on Brunei Darussalam Government scholarship. On top of that, the government generously
provides an allowance of SGD1000 per tertiary student per month, regardless of whether they are in
local or overseas tertiary institutions. Unlike Malaysia, education in Brunei uses English as the medium of
instruction and most students possess at least a GCE O Level or GCE A Level certificate.
 FREE HEALTHCARE: Brunei citizens are entitled to free medical services. They do not have to
pay for consultations with any doctors, nor do they have to pay for any operations or surgeries performed.
However, Permanent Residents are required to pay a nominal consultation fee of a few dollars. In the
case that a Brunei citizen requires a very specialized treatment that is not available in the Sultanate,
he/she will be sent overseas to Singapore or UK to receive treatment, being that all expenses are borne
by the government. Accompanying family members also have their expenses paid for by the government.
For expecting mothers, pre-natal checks are completely free. After birth, the government would
generously provide free milk powder and tonics.
 PENSION SCHEME: Since the First NDP in 1955, the government had placed a heavy emphasis
on taking care of the elderly in the country. Pension rates had been revised recently, and all citizens and
residents above the age of 60, are now entitled to SGD250 per month, funded directly from the
government's coffer! On top of that, residents also have a Workers' Provident Fund, or what is locally
known as Tabung Amanah Pekerja (TAP). Apart from that, widows, orphans and invalids are also entitled
to handouts.
 HOUSING SCHEMES/SKIM PERUMAHAN: Since independence in 1984, the government had
been actively advocating a policy to ensure that everyone has a right to own a house. If you are a
couple with no assets, you will be entitled to a free land with no strings attached. The government will
even provide a very low interest loan to build your dream house. Civil servants, however, will be entitled
to an interest-free loan instead. A typical house costs only around SGD100,000 to SGD200,000 to
build. Otherwise, you can always opt for readily-built houses from the government, and if you are starting
a family, you can pay interest-free installments of a few hundred dollars for over 10 to 20 years.
Thereafter, the house is yours forever, unlike the 99-year HDB lease in Singapore and you can bequest it
to your descendants. The benevolent monarch is so concerned about the housing welfare of his
citizens/rakyats that he personally hand them the keys to their new house. Some pictures of houses in
Brunei below:
 Government Housing - Ready-made units(left), Non-ready made(right)

Private Houses in Kuala Belait

Another house - think is Perumahan in Kuala Belait

 SUBSIDIZED PETROL AND AMENITIES: Many things that we Bruneian locals take for granted
day to day are actually heavily subsidized by our dear government. Being an oil-producing country, we
enjoy one of the lowest petrol prices in the region - SGD 0.53 per litre. For the same amount of petrol,
Singapore costs around SGD 1.74 to SGD 1.90 and Malaysia costs approximately RM1.92. Apart from
that, we also enjoy low water and electricity tariffs, prices which had been unchanged for the past 40
years since 1960s. With water tariffs as low as SGD0.11 per cubic meter, we have one of highest rate of
water consumption per head in the region.
 SUBSIDIZED FOOD: The Brunei government also attempts to make food cheap and affordable
for all. The government imports plain fragrant rice from Thailand and sells to the population at cost
price. As most food supplies in Brunei are imported, to offset the cost of imported food like beef and
mutton, the government owned a huge cattle ranch in Wileroo, Darwin, Australia. The entire ranch is
larger than the whole of Brunei, with an area of 5,859 square kilometers. This ranch is responsible for
ensuring fresh beef and mutton supply to the Brunei populace at low price.

 SHELL-FARE: Shell Petroleum Brunei is one of the largest

employers in Brunei's labor market. It is actually also part of Brunei's welfare system, but under the
disguise of corporate welfare. Shell in Brunei is like a mini-state of its own. It has its own recreation club
(BSRC) and Health Center (with free dental) FOC for its employees and their dependants. Not only that,
they even have provides their own housing for their employees (expats, BSP and BLNG staffs). Shell
Brunei owns a myriad of houses around the district - from the Canadian Houses in Panaga (so called
because the houses are Canadian-styled and timbers are imported from Canada) to housing estates
beside the sea in Kuala Belait. Shell is concerned about welfare of its employees, and provides
allowances such as housing allowances, transport allowances etc. If your dependants study in a private
school, Shell will take care of your dependants school fees and education allowance.
 FREE COOKING GAS & EXCELLENT ROADS: Cooking gas is absolutely free in Brunei,
actually, in my town, Kuala Belait, and Seria probably. Due to close proximity to the oil fields in Seria and
Shell in Panaga, cooking gas is actually PIPED into our kitchens! There is no need to purchase the
cumbersome gas cylinders. Turn on the stoves as you would turn on a tap, and VOILA! We have got gas
and currently it is still FOC! Since we are an oil producing nation, it is imperative the we have an
abundance of asphalt - a by product of crude oil during refining. Apparently, the asphalt has to go
somewhere, and thus we see new roads being built and roads/highways being paved and then re-paved
from time to time. It would be a real challenge to find badly-weathered roads in major towns.

Roads: Highway leading to BSB(Left), Road to BSB(Belait)

 FINANCIAL BAIL OUT: There are cases where people who had gotten themselves into debt
got bailed out by the government. I remember reading somewhere that, for some unknown reasons if
you took out some loans financing your studies abroad and somehow managed to convince the
authorities that you are unable to repay your loans/debts, the government can lend a helping hand and
bail you out of your debts. However, whether this bailing comes with any ensuing conditions or not I do
not know.
Despite being a welfare nation, Brunei does not readily give handouts to unemployed masses. This is to
prevent corroding the work ethics of the society and to ensure that no one fall one into welfare trap -
whereby people live on welfare handouts than be gainfully employed.

The above list is most probably not be a comprehensive list of the Brunei welfare. There could be other
welfare benefits which I am not aware of.

Sometimes, I feel lucky to be born in Brunei, though I am not a citizen YET. Probably won't be blogging till
next Wednesday, after I finished my first exam - Advanced Data Management. Wish me luck!!!

LIKE a weird tropical flower, the Palace of the Light of Faith opens to
subjects of the Sultan of Brunei for three days each year. It is a 1,800-
room pile on the edge of Bandar Seri Begawan, the tiny state’s sleepy
capital. In its vast banqueting hall thousands of Bruneians tuck into a
breakfast of beef curry and honey-roast chicken, piled up on gold-
rimmed plates. Later, the men queue to greet the sultan in a green-and-
gold reception room (the sultan’s wife receives the women in a separate
chamber). The royal family shakes tens of thousands of hands.
This annual event, held last month to celebrate the end of Ramadan, is
a chance for Bruneians to praise Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the
world’s richest men and few remaining absolute monarchs. They will
have another chance on August 15th, when he marks his 69th birthday.