Dictionary:
Bru·nei (brū-nī') 
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| Brunei |
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| Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Brunei |
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| British History: Brunei |
Brunei rose as a powerful Islamic sultanate in the 15th cent. In 1888, surrounded by the Brookes' Sarawak and the domains of the British North Borneo Company, it was taken under a British protectorate. The sultan was restored to his government and, in 1963, declined to join the Malaysian Federation.
| Columbia Encyclopedia: Brunei |
Land and People
The mountains in the nation's east give way to a flat coastal plain; western Brunei consists of hilly lowlands. The tropical climate is typically hot and humid with frequent rain. About two thirds of the population are Malays, but the Chinese community, consisting of about 15% of the people, dominates the economy. Some 6% of the people are of indigenous descent. Malay is the official language, but English and Chinese are also spoken. Islam is the predominant and official religion; there are minorities of Buddhists, Christians, and those holding traditional beliefs.
Economy
Crude oil and liquefied natural gas are Brunei's main exports and the country's economic mainstays; petroleum products are also produced. The government is attempting to promote economic diversification; clothing is manufactured, and there are banking, tourism, and construction industries. Rice, vegetables, and fruits are grown, and chickens, water buffalo, cattle, and goats are raised. Forests are strictly protected, and timber cutting is allowed only for local use. Brunei imports machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, and chemicals. The main trading partners are Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Korea.
Government
Brunei is a constitutional sultanate governed under the constitution of 1959, although some provisions have been suspended. The sultan is both head of state and head of government. The unicameral legislature consists of the 29-member Legislative Council, whose members are appointed by the sultan. Administratively, the country is divided into four districts.
History
A native sultanate was established at Brunei in the 15th cent. At one time the sultan controlled nearly all of Borneo, but by the 19th cent. his power had declined and Brunei had become a haven for pirates. In 1888 the British established a protectorate over Brunei, administered by a British resident, although the sultan retained formal authority. The Japanese overran the area during World War II.
In 1959 a written constitution went into effect. Under it, the sultanate remained and the protectorate was governed by a chief minister, council of ministers, and elected legislative body. Following elections won by an antimonarchist left-wing party in 1962 and an abortive uprising by the party's military wing, a state of emergency was proclaimed and the legislature disbanded. Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah became sultan in 1967. In 1970 the legislature was made an appointed body. Following the signing of a treaty with the British in 1979, Brunei became fully independent in 1984, and the legislature was suspended the same year. After independence the sultan became an absolute monarch, and oil revenues were used to create a prosperous welfare state.
The 1997-98 Asian economic crisis affected Brunei, which lost billions of dollars in investments. In 1998 the sultan's son, Prince al-Muhtadee Billah, was installed as heir to the throne. After a 20-year hiatus, the sultan convened the appointed legislature in 2004 and signed a constitutional amendment calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members. However, the sultan dissolved the legislature in 2005 and appointed a new 29-member council.
| Dialing Code: Brunei |
The international dialing code for Brunei is: 673
| Currency: Brunei |
| Statistics: Brunei |
| Background: | The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked 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. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia. |
| Location: | Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia |
| Geographic coordinates: | 4 30 N, 114 40 E |
| Map references: | Southeast Asia |
| Area: | total: 5,770 sq km land: 5,270 sq km water: 500 sq km |
| Area - comparative: | slightly smaller than Delaware |
| Land boundaries: | total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km |
| Coastline: | 161 km |
| Maritime claims: | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line |
| Climate: | tropical; hot, humid, rainy |
| Terrain: | flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west |
| Elevation extremes: | lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m |
| Natural resources: | petroleum, natural gas, timber |
| Land use: | arable land: 2.08% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 97.05% (2005) |
| Irrigated land: | 10 sq km (2003) |
| Total renewable water resources: | 8.5 cu km (1999) |
| Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): | total: 0.09 per capita: 243 cu m/yr (1994) |
| Natural hazards: | typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare |
| Environment - current issues: | seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia |
| Environment - international agreements: | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
| Geography - note: | close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia |
| Population: | 388,190 (July 2009 est.) |
| Age structure: | 0-14 years: 26.6% (male 53,282/female 50,141) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 135,640/female 136,292) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 6,199/female 6,636) (2009 est.) |
| Median age: | total: 27.8 years male: 27.7 years female: 27.8 years (2009 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 1.759% (2009 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 18.2 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) |
| Death rate: | 3.28 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | 2.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) |
| Urbanization: | urban population: 75% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2009 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | total: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 75.74 years male: 73.52 years female: 78.07 years (2009 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 1.91 children born/woman (2009 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | less than 0.1% (2003 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | fewer than 200 (2003 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths: | fewer than 200 (2003 est.) |
| Nationality: | noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian |
| Ethnic groups: | Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.) |
| Religions: | Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 10% |
| Languages: | Malay (official), English, Chinese |
| Literacy: | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.7% male: 95.2% female: 90.2% (2001 census) |
| School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): | total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006) |
| Education expenditures: | 5.2% of GDP (2000) |
| Country name: | conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam local short form: Brunei |
| Government type: | constitutional sultanate |
| Capital: | name: Bandar Seri Begawan geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
| Administrative divisions: | 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong |
| Independence: | 1 January 1984 (from the 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) |
| Legal system: | based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Sharia law supersedes civil law in a number of areas; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Suffrage: | 18 years of age for village elections; universal |
| Executive branch: | chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the monarch is hereditary |
| Legislative branch: | The Sultan appointed a council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005; the council has met in March of each year since then elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA) note: The Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; it passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members |
| Judicial branch: | Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with Islamic laws (2006) |
| Political parties and leaders: | National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered; parties are small and have limited activity |
| Political pressure groups and leaders: | NA |
| International organization participation: | ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angela SHIM chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 |
| Diplomatic representation from the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador William E. TODD embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan, BS8811 mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam telephone: [673] 222-0384 FAX: [673] 222-5293 |
| Flag description: | yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands |
| Economy - overview: | Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration into the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, increasing agricultural production, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity): | $20.25 billion (2008 est.) $20.13 billion (2007) $20.01 billion (2006) note: data are in 2008 US dollars |
| GDP (official exchange rate): | $17.18 billion (2008 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate: | 0.4% (2008 est.) 0.6% (2007 est.) 5.1% (2006 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP): | $53,100 (2008 est.) $53,700 (2007 est.) $54,400 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 0.7% industry: 75% services: 25% (2005 est.) |
| Labor force: | 188,800 (2008 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation: | agriculture: 4.5% industry: 63.1% services: 32.4% (2003 est.) |
| Unemployment rate: | 3.7% (2008) |
| Population below poverty line: | NA% |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% |
| Budget: | revenues: $6.889 billion expenditures: $4 billion (2008 est.) |
| Fiscal year: | 1 April - 31 March |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): | 0.3% (2007 est.) |
| Commercial bank prime lending rate: | 5.5% (February 2009) |
| Stock of money: | $2.674 billion (31 December 2007) |
| Stock of quasi money: | $4.258 billion (31 December 2007) |
| Stock of domestic credit: | $2.38 billion (31 December 2007) |
| Market value of publicly traded shares: | $NA |
| Agriculture - products: | rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs |
| Industries: | petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction |
| Industrial production growth rate: | 1.8% (2006 est.) |
| Electricity - production: | 3.145 billion kWh (2007 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption: | 2.758 billion kWh (2007 est.) |
| Electricity - exports: | 0 kWh (2007 est.) |
| Electricity - imports: | 0 kWh (2007 est.) |
| Electricity - production by source: | fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) |
| Oil - production: | 192,600 bbl/day (1st quarter 2008 est.) |
| Oil - consumption: | 13,200 bbl/day (2006 est.) |
| Oil - exports: | 200,000 bbl/day (2005) |
| Oil - imports: | 304 bbl/day (2005) |
| Oil - proved reserves: | 1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.) |
| Natural gas - production: | 13.8 billion cu m (2006 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption: | 3.99 billion cu m (2006 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports: | 9.4 billion cu m (2007 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports: | 0 cu m (2007 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves: | 390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.) |
| Current account balance: | $7.101 billion (2007 est.) |
| Exports: | $8.25 billion f.o.b. (2007) |
| Exports - commodities: | crude oil, natural gas, garments |
| Exports - partners: | Japan 32.8%, Indonesia 24.4%, Australia 13.4%, South Korea 12.2%, US 5.5% (2007) |
| Imports: | $2.055 billion c.i.f. (2007 est.) |
| Imports - commodities: | machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals |
| Imports - partners: | UK 46.4%, Singapore 19.5%, Malaysia 11.3% (2007) |
| Debt - external: | $0 (2005) |
| Currency (code): | Bruneian dollar (BND) |
| Currency code: | BND |
| Exchange rates: | Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.5886 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003) |
| Telephones - main lines in use: | 79,200 (2007) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular: | 339,800 (2007) |
| Telephone system: | general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to Southeast Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, and the US domestic: every service available international: country code - 673; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable network, scheduled for completion by late 2008, will provide new links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2007) |
| Radio broadcast stations: | AM 1, FM 2 (transmitting on 18 different frequencies), shortwave 0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) station transmits two FM signals with English and Nepali service) (2006) |
| Radios: | 329,000 (1998) |
| Television broadcast stations: | 4 (includes 2 UHF stations broadcasting a subscription service) (2006) |
| Televisions: | 201,900 (1998) |
| Internet country code: | .bn |
| Internet hosts: | 14,950 (2008) |
| Internet Service Providers (ISPs): | 2 (2000) |
| Internet users: | 199,532 (2007) |
| Airports: | 2 (2008) |
| Airports - with paved runways: | total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2008) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways: | total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2008) |
| Heliports: | 3 (2007) |
| Pipelines: | gas 37 km; oil 18 km (2008) |
| Roadways: | total: 3,650 km paved: 2,819 km unpaved: 831 km (2005) |
| Waterways: | 209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2008) |
| Merchant marine: | total: 8 by type: liquefied gas 8 foreign-owned: 1 (UK 1) (2008) |
| Ports and terminals: | Lumut, Muara, Seria |
| Military branches: | Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF): Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei) (2009) |
| Military service age and obligation: | 18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve (2007) |
| Manpower available for military service: | males age 16-49: 108,356 females age 16-49: 110,153 (2008 est.) |
| Manpower fit for military service: | males age 16-49: 92,543 females age 16-49: 95,301 (2009 est.) |
| Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: | male: 3,460 female: 3,399 (2009 est.) |
| Military expenditures: | 4.5% of GDP (2006) |
| Disputes - international: | Brunei and Malaysia agreed in September 2008 to resolve their offshore and deepwater seabed dispute, resume hydrocarbon exploration, and renounce any territorial claims on land; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands in 1984, but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants |
| Illicit drugs: | drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty |
| National Anthem: National Anthem of: Brunei |
Ya Allah lanjutkanlah usia
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Adil berdaulat menaungi nusa
memimpin rakyat kekal bahagia
hidup sentosa negara dan sultan
Ilahi selamatkan Brunei Darussalam
| Wikipedia: Brunei |
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Brunei (pronounced /bruːˈnaɪ/ in English), officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace (Malay: Negara Brunei Darussalam, 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.
Brunei regained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984 and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. During the early 20th century, the Southeast Asian nation experienced an economic boom and underwent rapid development. Economic growth during the 1970s and 1990s, averaging 56% from 1999 to 2008, has transformed Brunei Darussalam into a newly industrialised country. Brunei has one of the world's fastest growing Gross Domestic Product at Purchasing Power Parity. Brunei has the second highest Human Development Index among the South East Asia nations, after Singapore, and is classified as a Developed Country.[4] Islam is the official religion.In this small Islamic state respect for religious liberty has been falling. The State Department reports that “non-Muslims were prohibited from receiving religious education in private religious schools, which had previously been allowed.” Moreover, “across denominational lines, non-Muslim religious leaders stated that they were subjected to undue influence and duress, and some were threatened with fines and/or imprisonment. Active monitoring of churches and disruption of supply shipments and mail were reported.” The authorities also limited the use of literature and worship places by religious minorities[5]
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The power of the Sultanate of Brunei was at its peak from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries.[6] 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 with help from 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 partially affected Brunei's decision to opt out of the Malaysian Federation.
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 Muslim 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.
Brunei is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, ASEAN, APEC and Organization of the Islamic Conference, and other regional and international forum.
Brunei has been given "Not Free" status by Freedom House; press criticism of the government and monarchy is rare.[7] The government allowed a printing and publishing company, Brunei Press SDN BHD, to form in 1953. It continues to print the leading English daily Borneo Bulletin. This paper began as a weekly community paper, became the country's daily paper in 1990 and "remains the foremost source of information on local and foreign affairs."[8] As for mass media, the Brunei government owns and operates one television channel and three radio stations. A private company has made cable television available as well as one private radio station, Kristal FM.[8]
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 low tide on Louisa Reef. However, 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.[9]
Brunei is divided into four districts (daerah):
The districts are subdivided into thirty-eight mukims.
Brunei Darussalam consists of two unconnected parts with a total area of 5,766 sq. kilometers (2,226 sq. miles). 87% 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. Jerudong Park, a well known amusement park, is located on the west of Bandar Seri Begawan.
Brunei Darussalam has a cool 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 |
|
| Average Low (°C) |
16.1 |
16.0 |
19.5 |
20.9 |
20.9 |
23.7 |
23.1 |
23.3 |
25.3 |
23.1 |
19.2 |
16.6 |
|
| 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 |
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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. Brunei is increasingly importing from other countries.
Brunei Darussalam in July 2009 launched its national halal branding scheme which allows manufacturers in Brunei and in other countries to use the premium Brunei Halal trademark to help them penetrate lucrative markets in countries with significant numbers of Muslim consumers.
As envisioned by the Sultanate, the use of the Brunei Halal brand would signify to Muslim consumers the manufacturers' strict compliance with laws relating to Islamic teachings. Brunei also aims to build confidence in the brand through strategies that will both ensure the halal integrity of the products and unfaltering compliance with set rules governing the sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing process, logistics and distribution.
The Brunei Halal brand is said to be the first proper attempt to put together a global halal brand that will reap the potential commercial returns of catering to the consumption needs of Muslims worldwide. It capitalises on the reputation of the Sultanate in fostering strict adherence to Islamic teachings among its Muslim citizens.
A new company, government-owned Brunei Wafirah Holdings Sdn Bhd, has been established as the owner of the Brunei Halal brand. Wafirah has entered into a joint venture with Brunei Global Islamic Investment and Hong Kong-based logistics firm Kerry FSDA Limited to form Ghanim International Food Corporation Sdn Bhd. Ghanim International manages the use of the Brunei Halal trademark.
Producers that want to use the brand are required to first acquire the Brunei halal label (or the certification for compliance with accepted manufacturing and slaughtering practices under Islam) through the Department of Syariah Affairs' Halal Food Control Section. They can then approach Ghanim for their application to use the brand.
Brunei has set an ambitious target of increasing food self-sufficiency through rice production from the current 3.12 per cent to 20 and 60 per cent by 2010 and 2015 respectively.[citation needed]
To achieve this target, Brunei renamed its Brunei Darussalam Rice 1 to Laila Rice during the launch of the "Padi Planting Towards Achieving Self-Sufficiency of Rice Production in Brunei Darussalam" ceremony at the Wasan padi fields in April 2009.[11]
In August 2009, the Royal Family reaped the first few Laila padi stalks, after years of multiple attempts to boost local rice production, a goal which was envisioned about half a century ago.[12]
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.[13]
There is currently no medical school in Brunei, and Bruneians wishing to study to become doctors must attend university overseas. However, the Institute of Medicines had been introduced at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam and a new building has been built for the faculty. The building, including research lab facilities, was completed in 2009. There has been a School of Nursing since 1951.[14] 58 nurse managers were appointed in RIPAS to improve service and provide better medical care.[15] In December 2008, The nursing college merged with the Institute of Medicines at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam to produce more nurses and midwives.[16]
The Health Promotion Centre opened in November 2008 and serves to educate the public on the importance of having a healthy lifestyle.[13]
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.
The official language of the nation is Malay (Malay: Bahasa Melayu), although an important minority speak Chinese language. 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. The foreign population is around 220,000 people. The non expatriate population is around 399,290.
| Brunei religiosity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| religion | percent | |||
| Islam | 67% | |||
| Buddhism | 13% | |||
| Christianity | 11% | |||
| Atheism | 7% | |||
| Indigenous | 2% | |||
Islam is the official religion of Brunei at 67 percent, and the sultan is the head of the religion in the country. Other faiths practised are Buddhism (13 percent, mainly by the Chinese) and Christianity (11 percent). Atheists are mostly Chinese at about 7 percent. Indigenous religions are about 2 percent.
The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay (reflecting its ethnicity), with heavy influences from Islam, but is seen as more conservative than Malaysia.[18]
Brunei also has a large number of foreign workers, including Indonesian and Filipino workers, labourers from Thailand, Indonesia and the Indian subcontinent (particularly India and Bangladesh), and American and British professionals working in industry and education.
As a Sharia country, the sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned.[19] Foreigners and non-Muslims are allowed to bring in 12 cans of beer and two 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.
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| Translations: Brunei |
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| Bandar Seri Begawan (capital of Brunei) |
| South-East Asia |
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