FACTOIDS
is the official religion with 67% of the
population practicing the faith, Buddhism
and Christianity also exist. The citizens
enjoy a high standard of living and do not
pay taxes. Citizens are charged B$1 for
medical consultation. If they need medical
assistance that is not available in Brunei, the
I
Brunei Darussalam
government pays for their medical trip and
hospitalization overseas.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
t is often referred to as Brunei. The
10,000 residents. Majority of Bruneians
country’s official name is Nation
have settled in Bandar Seri Begawan, the
Brunei’s political system is governed
of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, or
country’s capital. Muara is a port town while
by the Malay Islamic Monarchy, under the
in Malay, Negara Brunei Darussalam. This
Kuala Belait and Seria are oil-producing
concept of Melayu Islam Beraja or MIB,
crude oil- and natural gas-rich nation, with
towns. Panaga, located in Belait is home to
which encompasses the country’s political
a total area of 5,765 square kilometers is an
numerous expatriates as this is where the
framework, Islamic religion and Malay
ASEAN member nation. It is a land that has
British Army housing and the Royal Dutch
culture. The country based its legal system on
a predominantly Malay culture with heavy
Shell are located.
British common law but it can be superceded
by Islamic Shariah law when necessary.
Islamic influences. Although it embraces
With a tropical equatorial climate, Brunei
modernity and had been influenced by the
experiences earthquakes and typhoons but
With full executive authority under the
Western culture of the British, it is more
the occurrence of flood is rare. The seasonal
1959 constitution, the head of state is His
conservative than neighboring Malaysia.
forest fires in Indonesia envelop Brunei in
Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji
With very little arable land, Brunei depends
smoke and haze. Temperature in Brunei is
Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.
on imports, with about 60% of its food
tolerable, with the April to May average
He has emergency powers renewable every
requirements sourced outside the county,
reaching 24.7 °C or 76.5 °F and the October
two years. His Majesty also functions as
from which 75% is imported from other
to December average coming up to 23.8 °C
Brunei’s Defense, Finance and Prime Minister.
ASEAN countries.
or 74.8 °F. Annual average is in the mid-20s
centigrade or about 79 °F.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Brunei is a member of the Commonwealth
GEOGRAPHY AND POPULATION
Brunei is composed of two parts,
THE BRUNEIANS
after it became independent of British rule
completely separated by water, but is
The people of Brunei are multiracial,
on January 1, 1984. It joined the ASEAN
surrounded by Sarawak, Malaysia. It
with about 66.3% being of Malay race.
on January 7 of the same year, and joined
shares land borders with Malaysia for 381
About 11.2% of the population is made up
the United Nations on September 21, also
kilometers.
of Chinese, followed by a 3.7% indigenous
in 1984. It is likewise a full member of the
population. The rest is made up of other
Organization of Islamic Cooperation on the
nationals, comp