The Sultanate of Brunei (Full name: Negara Brunei Darussalam) is a small but - thanks to natural gas and petroleum resources - very rich country located in Southeast Asia. It is surrounded by Malaysia and has two parts physically separated by Malaysia, almost being an enclave. Strategically located on the South China Sea, close to vital sea lanes linking Indian and Pacific Oceans, it has an exclusive economic fishing zone that extends as far as Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands although it makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs.
A constitutional sultanate, with a hereditary monarch, it is a modern example of how this form of government has stood the test of time.
Regions
Brunei has four districts (Malay: daerah)
Cities
Understand
Brunei is a pint-sized and fabulously wealthy oil-rich sultanate with a population of just over 300,000.
History
The Sultanate of Brunei's heyday occurred between the 15th and 17th centuries, when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries.
; Independence : 32 January 1984 (from UK)
; National holiday : National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection
; Constitution : 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984)
Economy
The backbone of Brunei's economy is oil and gas and the Sultan of Brunei is, famously, one of the richest people in the world with an estimated personal wealth of around 40 billion dollars. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing.
All sectors of economy are fairly heavily regulated and government policy is an odd mixture of subsidies, protectionism and encouragement for entrepreneurship. Brunei's leaders are keen to balance the country's steadily increasing integration into the world economy with internal social cohesion. It became a more prominent player on the world stage by serving as chairman for the 2005 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the work force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.
Culture
Brunei is officially an Islamic state, with many large beautiful mosques around the country. Sale of alcohol is banned. Bringing in meat, (other than seafood), which has not been certified "halal", (slaughtered according to Islamic law), is also banned. During the fasting month of Ramadan, many shops and restaurants will be open however, eating, drinking or smoking in front of people who are fasting is considered rude and asking permission is appropriate.
The bulk of the population is Malay (67%) and there is also a significant Chinese minority of some 15% as well as a number of indigenous peoples, including the Iban and Dusun tribes who inhabit the jungle upriver and the Temburong district, (the smaller eastern part detached from the rest of Brunei). There are a large number of foreign workers who work on the oil and gas production or in lower wage positions such as restaurant staff, field workers and domestic staff.
Geography and climate
In a word, Brunei is all jungle, so it's hot and humid throughout the year. A rainy season (of sorts) extends from September to January, but there is plentiful rainfall throughout the year. A flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east, the highest point being Bukit Pagon at 1,850 meters, with some hilly lowlands in west.
There are no typhoons, earthquakes, or severe flooding to contend with, and the biggest environmental issues is seasonal haze resulting from forest fires in nearby Indonesia.
Get in
Nationals of Israel may not enter Brunei. Nationals of many, but not all, industrialized countries do not require a visa. Among those who do not need a visa are US, UK, Japanese,Canadian and New Zealand citizens. Those who need a visa must apply in advance at a Brunei embassy, where processing can take up to 3 days and costs B$15 for a single entry visa. See Brunei Immigration Department for the latest details.
By plane
Brunei's sole airport of significance is Brunei International Airport (BWN), the hub of national carrier Royal Brunei Airlines. The airport itself is small but clean and functional.
After over-expansion and huge losses in the 1990s, RBA has cut down on its services considerably but still offers a reasonably comprehensive network, with daily flights to London, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Kota Kinabalu. Fares that transit via Brunei can be attractively priced, but long haul flights on RBA generally get somewhat mixed reviews. In addition, Singapore Airlines flies 5 times a week from Singapore, Thai Airways flies 3 times a week from Bangkok and Malaysia Airlines flies from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu (twice a week from both cities). In July 2006, discount, no frills carrier Air Asia started flights from Kuala Lumpur, bringing some much-needed competition. Air Asia may is one of the cheapest carriers to serve Brunei from an international Hub, with fares as low as $35 USD one-way from Kuala Lumpur. Air Asia flies from 35 destinations in Asia to Kuala Lumpur, where connections to Brunei are possible.
Getting there/away: A taxi to Bandar Seri Begawan takes 20 minutes and costs around B$25. A covered walk down to the end of the car park further away from the Terminal (turn right from Arrivals) leads to a bus stop for Purple buses to the city centre (B$1).
By car
It is possible to drive into Brunei from Sarawak, Malaysia. There are two entry points for the main part of Brunei, one from Miri (Sungai Tujuh) and one from Limbang (Kuala Lurah).
It is also possible to drive from the Sarawak towns of Limbang and Lawas to the Temburong district of Brunei. The drive from Limbang requires a ferry ride across the Pandaruan River (RM8) which forms the border between Malaysia and Brunei. You have to get your Malaysian exit stamp at Limbang wharf immigration office in Limbang town while Brunei immigration formalities are conducted at Puni, about 1km away from the actual border crossing. From Lawas (which is connected by road to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia), a ferry ride across the Trusan River (RM10) is required before you can proceed to the actual border. Malaysian immigration formalities are done in Trusan (the immigration office is in a shoplot just east of the ferry crossing) and no longer in Lawas, while those for Brunei can be done at the Labu checkpoint at border. Bangar is about 20km away.
By bus
By boat
The main ferry terminal in Brunei is the Serasa Ferry Terminal at Muara, where there are several ferries daily to/from Labuan and one daily ferry each to/from Lawas and Sundar, both in Sarawak. Please note that the ferry terminal is quite a distance from actual Muara town where the container port is located. The terminal is about 25km from Bandar Seri Begawan. Getting there: There are purple buses linking the ferry terminal with Bandar.
Speedboats also operate between Bandar Seri Begawan jetty in town and Limbang. They depart only when full.
Get around
By car
; Highways : total: 1,712 km
paved: 1,284 km
unpaved: 428 km (1996)
There is one "motorway", from Bandar Seri Begawan (the capital) along the coast. It devolves into dual and then single carriageway but is suitable for all vehicles, right through to Kuala Belait and the toll bridge to Malaysia/Sarawak in the west)
There is also a side road off this, which runs into the jungle towards the settlement of Labi and beyond. Excellent scenery, and a 4-wheel drive may be useful, but the road is now sealed up to the longhouses some distance beyond Labi. Stock up on water at the convenient shop at the junction.
By boat
; Waterways : 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m
By bus
Around the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, there is a good-sized network of purple minibuses. Brunei's high rate of private car ownership means very few Bruneians take these buses, which instead largely cater to foreign workers. The buses are limited to a slowish 50km/h but are actually quite efficient and reliable.
There is also an infrequent long-distance bus which runs between BSB and Seria through Tutong.
Talk
; Languages : Malay (official), English, Mandarin and other Chinese dialets
The official language of Brunei is Malay but English is widely spoken and understood. Solely among the Malay-speaking states, Brunei also uses the Arabic script for Malay known as Jawi, although most signs are written both in Jawi and Roman letters.
Do
Visit Kampong Ayer (the water village) by a taxi boat. It's a beautiful sight to see hundreds of houses seemingly floating on water. The water village people are very friendly and many open up their homes to visitors year-round. Water taxis can be found by walking along the Brunei river or the main market in Bandar Seri Begawan and waving one down. Try to negotiate the price down. You shouldn't pay more than B$30 for a tour of the Kampong Ayer. Locals only pay 50 cents to cross the river. It is also possible to walk there from behind the Sultan's Mosque or from the other side in towns like Batu Satu.
The Royal Regalia museum near the city centre displays gifts received by the Sultan. Definitely worth checking out.
The Brunei Museum on the Kota Batu road has an excellent display in the Islamic Gallery. It is highly recommended.
There are many ecological tours which typically go to the Temburong district by boat, to a native "longhouse", then to catch a native powered boat up the river to the Belalong National Park, a reserve of Borneo rain forest. There is a canopy walk and research centre at the park headquarters.
Jerudong Park was once a decent theme park with a multitude of rides. Sadly, a downward circle of neglect, declining admissions and unaffordable maintenance costs led to the closure and sale of most of the big-ticket rides, including the three roller-coasters. This has given the park a sad "circus left town last week" air about it. Most people who visit only go at night to avoid the heat during the day. Outside the park but very close is a small complex of restaurants which is open at night, though only a few of the stalls are still operational. The local papers have reported plans to renovate the park with a new selection of attractions, but as of March 07 it remains to be seen what these attractions will be and when they will be operational.
Buy
The local currency is the Brunei Dollar (B$) which is also known as the Ringgit in Malay. US$1 = B$1.5405 (as of 10 Jan 2007).
The Brunei Dollar is tied to the Singapore Dollar at a 1:1 rate. By law both currencies can be used interchangeably, so if you're coming in from Singapore, there's no reason to change money as your cash will be readily accepted. (Likewise, any leftover Brunei Dollars can be used at par in Singapore.) However, many stores refuse Singapore notes with seemingly microscopic tears in them, and notices to this effect are posted at the register. Malaysian Ringgit (RM) will also be accepted in a pinch, but the exchange rate may not be in your favour. The Ringgit is not available at Brunei banks but can be obtained from moneychangers.
The Brunei Dollar is divided into 100 cents. There are banknotes from B$1 to a whopping B$10,000 (handy if you're shopping for Rolls-Royces) and coins of 1 to 50 cents . All smaller notes and the 2004 series of larger notes are in brightly coloured plastic.
Costs
By South-East Asian standards Brunei is on par with Singapore, meaning roughly twice that of neighboring Malaysia. However, like any other place, it is possible to travel to this country on a budget by eating at the local restaurants and avoiding the more expensive restaurants in hotels. The major problem for the budget traveller is accommodation: the budget option in the centre of BSB is a single youth hostel, Pusat Belia, which is famously picky about who it accepts as its guests! Most two-star hotels charge closer to B$70 and a night in a "good" hotel will easily cost twice that. The APEK Utama Hotel along the Kota Batu road has very decent accommodation for about B$30.
Eat
Bruneians love to eat out and there are many excellent restaurants in Brunei serving a wide variety of cuisines, thanks to the large number of foreign workers in the country.
Do try the local nasi katok, a simple combination of rice and curried beef or chicken, often spicy enough to whet your appetite. It's relatively inexpensive when compared to other foodstuff that you can buy, including local food such as chicken rice.
One should also try ambuyat, a culinary experience unique to Borneo. It is a starchy and gooey paste that you dip into a few savory sauces.
Drink
Brunei is a dry country: alcohol is not sold anywhere in the country and consumption of alcohol in public is prohibited by law. That said, non-Muslim visitors are allowed to bring in up to two litres of alcohol (wine or spirits) plus up to twelve cans of beer every 48 hours, and there's a wide array of duty-free shops just across the border in Malaysia to cater to this demand. However, alcohol permits must be obtained upon arrival in Brunei while going through customs.
Many higher-end restaurants allow guests to bring in their own alcohol and corkage is not charged, though this is technically illegal and it's best to keep a low profile if you choose to consume in a public establishment. At the lower end (particularly Chinese restaurants), many restaurants supply illicit booze under euphemisms like "special tea".
One should definitely try out teh tarik, a sweet milk tea, as well as the wide array of coffee (kopi) available in restaurants.
Sleep
Accommodation in Brunei was until recently famously expensive — there is still only one youth hostel in the entire country — but some reasonably cheap guesthouses can now be found here and there.
Stay safe
; Military : Land Forces, Navy, Air Force
; Police : Royal Brunei Police Force
; Legal system : This is based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas
While some countries have a more liberal attitude to this, drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances into Brunei are serious offenses and carry a mandatory death sentence.
Respect
The Brunei Government is run as a Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), which means that the Sultan of Brunei, apart from being one of the richest men in the world, runs the show around here, appearing on the front page of the two local daily newspapers almost every day. At all costs, do not insult or speak badly of the Royal family.
Furthermore, though Bruneians are generally courteous and tolerant, it is a good idea to be aware of sensitivities surrounding certain topics of conversation, especially politics (domestic, regional, or international), and world events, particularly those relating to Islam or Islamic countries.
Contact
By phone
The international code for Brunei is 673.
The telephone numbers in Brunei has local codes, eg: (03) for the Belait District and (02) for Bandar Seri Begawan.
The prepaid Hallo Kad, available from TelBru telephone offices (including one at the airport) and other outlets in denominations from B$5 to B$50 can be used at any phone in the country to make local and international calls. Other phone cards are also available for use in public phones.
GSM mobile phone services are available from network operator DST. They have a good range of roaming connections. 3G mobile phone services were recently introduced from a new network operator B-Mobile.
; Diplomatic Representation in the US : Chief of mission: Ambassador His Excellency Pengiran Indera Negara P.A. Puteh
Telephone: (202) 237-1838
Fax: (202) 885-0560
Chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
; Diplomatic Representation from the US : Chief of mission: Ambassador Gene B. Christy
Embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan
Mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507
Telephone: 2229670
Fax: 2225293
; British High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan : 2.01, 2nd Floor, Block D
in the Yayasan Shopping Centre, BSB
Telephone: 2222231/2223121
Brunei, (IPA: bru·ˈnaʲ) officially the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace (Negara Brunei Darussalam, 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
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
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.
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
Brunei is divided into four districts (daerah):
The districts are subdivided into thirty-eight mukims.
Geography
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.
Economy
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. It also has services to major Asian destinations.
Transportation
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 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.
Demographics
About two-thirds of the Brunei population are of Malay origin and have long dominated the nation's economy. The official languages of the nation are Malay (Malay: Bahasa Melayu) and English, although an important minority speak Chinese. 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, and the sultan is the head of the religion in the country. Other faiths practised are Buddhism (mainly by the Chinese), Christianity, and primarily in isolated and very small communities, indigenous religions.
Culture
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.
Brunei in fiction
Anthony Burgess's novel Devil of a State is set in Brunei. The construction of Bandar Seri Begawan's Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is a major theme in the book.
Bibliography
External links
