Brunei

According to local historiography, Brunei was founded by Awang Alak Betatar, later to be Sultan Muhammad Shah, reigning around AD 1400. He moved from Garang in the Temburong District{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=26}} to the Brunei River estuary, discovering Brunei. According to legend, upon landing he exclaimed, Baru nah (loosely translated as "that's it!" or "there"), from which the name "Brunei" was derived.{{sfn|de Vienne|2016|p=27}} He was the first Muslim ruler of Brunei.{{cite web |url=http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2007/03/08/treasuring-bruneis-past/ |title=Treasuring Brunei's past |publisher=Southeast Asian Archaeology |date=8 March 2007 |access-date=19 September 2011 |archive-date=1 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001142659/http://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2007/03/08/treasuring-bruneis-past/ |url-status=live }} Before the rise of the Bruneian Empire under the Muslim Bolkiah dynasty, Brunei is believed to have been under Buddhist rulers.{{cite book|author=Robert Nicholl|title=Notes on Some Controversial Issues in Brunei History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EN-hXwAACAAJ|date=1980|pages=32–37}}

It was renamed "Barunai" in the 14th century, possibly influenced by the Sanskrit word "{{transliteration|sa|varuṇ}}" ({{lang|sa|वरुण}}), meaning "seafarers".{{cite book|author=James B. Minahan|title=Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia: An Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fOQkpcVcd9AC&pg=PT75|date=2012|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-660-7|page=75}} The word "Borneo" is of the same origin. In the country's full name, {{lang|ms|Negara Brunei Darussalam}}, {{lang|ms|darussalam}} ({{langx|ar|دار السلام}}) means "abode of peace", while {{lang|ms|negara}} means "country" in Malay. A shortened version of the Malay official name, "Brunei Darussalam", has also entered common usage, particularly in official contexts, and is present in the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names geographical database,{{Cite web|url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/geonames/|title=Geographical Names Database|website=United Nations Statistics Division|access-date=2021-09-24|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225001057/http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/geonames/%20|url-status=live}} as well as the official ASEAN{{cite web|access-date=2021-09-24|title=Brunei Darussalam|url=https://asean.org/about-asean/member-states/brunei-darussalam/|website=asean.org|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924143313/https://asean.org/about-asean/member-states/brunei-darussalam/|url-status=live}} and Commonwealth{{cite web|access-date=2021-09-24|title=Brunei Darussalam|url=https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/brunei-darussalam|date=15 August 2013|website=The Commonwealth|archive-date=8 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908015616/https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/brunei-darussalam|url-status=live}} listings.

The earliest recorded documentation by the West about Brunei is by an Italian known as Ludovico di Varthema. On his documentation back to 1550;

{{blockquote|We arrived at the island of Bornei (Brunei or Borneo), which is distant from the Maluch about {{convert|200|mi|km|abbr=off|spell=on|-2|disp=sqbr}}, and we found that it was somewhat larger than the aforesaid and much lower. The people are pagans and are men of goodwill. Their colour is whiter than that of the other sort ... in this island justice is well administered ...{{cite book|author=Bilcher Bala|title=Thalassocracy: a history of the medieval Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-bQuAQAAIAAJ|year=2005|publisher=School of Social Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah|isbn=978-983-2643-74-6}}}}

{{Main|History of Brunei}}

{{stack |float=left |File:The Tomb of the King of Boni (Brunei) Nanjing.JPG in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. It is the resting place of Maharaja Karna (1379-1408), a ruler of Brunei]]}}

Areas comprising what is now Brunei participated in the Maritime Jade Road, as ascertained by archeological research. The trading network existed for 3,000 years, between 2000 BC to 1000 AD.Tsang, Cheng-hwa (2000), "Recent advances in the Iron Age archaeology of Taiwan", Bulletin of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association, 20: 153–158, doi:10.7152/bippa.v20i0.11751Turton, M. (2021). Notes from central Taiwan: Our brother to the south. Taiwan's relations with the Philippines date back millennia, so it's a mystery that it's not the jewel in the crown of the New Southbound Policy. Taiwan Times.Everington, K. (2017). Birthplace of Austronesians is Taiwan, capital was Taitung: Scholar. Taiwan News.Bellwood, P., H. Hung, H., Lizuka, Y. (2011). Taiwan Jade in the Philippines: 3,000 Years of Trade and Long-distance Interaction. Semantic Scholar. The settlement known as Vijayapura was a vassal-state to the Buddhist Srivijaya empire and was thought to be located in Borneo's Northwest which flourished in the 7th Century.{{cite book |author=Wendy Hutton |title=Adventure Guides: East Malaysia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YWO5Va53GkgC&pg=PA31 |access-date=26 May 2013 |date=2000 |publisher=Tuttle Publishing |isbn=978-962-593-180-7 |pages=31–57}} Vijayapura itself upon earlier in its history, was a rump state of the fallen multi-ethnic: Austronesian, Austroasiatic and Indian, Funan Civilization; previously located in what is now Cambodia.[https://www.jstor.org/stable/20174317?seq=4 Brunei Rediscovered: A Survey of Early Times By Robert Nicholl] p. 35 citing Ferrand. Relations, page 564-65. Tibbets, Arabic Texts, pg 47.{{rp|36}} This alternative Srivijaya known as Vijayapura referring to Brunei, was known to Arabic sources as "Sribuza".[https://www.jstor.org/stable/20174317?seq=4 Brunei Rediscovered: A Survey of Early Times By Robert Nicholl] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720181722/https://www.jstor.org/stable/20174317?seq=4 |date=20 July 2021 }} p. 35 citing Ferrand. Relations, page 564–65. Tibbets, Arabic Texts, pg 47.

One of the earliest Chinese records of an independent kingdom in Borneo is the 977 AD letter to the Chinese emperor from the ruler of Boni, which some scholars believe to refer to Borneo.{{cite book|author=Wendy Hutton|title=Adventure Guides: East Malaysia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YWO5Va53GkgC&pg=PA30|year=2000|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|isbn=978-962-593-180-7|page=30}} The Bruneians regained their independence from Srivijaya due to the onset of a Javanese-Sumatran war.Coedes, Indianized States, Page 128, 132. In 1225, the Chinese official Zhao Rukuo reported that Boni had 100 warships to protect its trade, and that there was great wealth in the kingdom.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=43}} Marco Polo suggested in his memoirs that the Great Khan or the ruler of the Mongol Empire, attempted and failed many times in invading "Great Java" which was the European name for Bruneian controlled Borneo.Journal of Southeast Asian Studies Vol. 14, No. 1 (Mar., 1983) Page 40. Published by: Cambridge University Press.{{Additional citation needed|date=December 2021}}

According to Wang Zhenping, in the 1300s, the Yuan Dade nanhai zhi or "Yuan dynasty Dade period southern sea records" reported that Brunei conquered or administered Sarawak and Sabah as well as the Philippine kingdoms of Butuan, Sulu, Ma-i (Mindoro), Malilu 麻裏蘆 (Manila), Shahuchong 沙胡重 (Siocon or Zamboanga), Yachen 啞陳 Oton, and 文杜陵 Wenduling (Mindanao),[https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/228735802.pdf Reading Song-Ming Records on the Pre-colonial History of the Philippines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213131445/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/228735802.pdf |date=13 February 2023 }} By Wang Zhenping Page 256. which would regain their independence at a later date.[https://www.jstor.org/stable/20072046?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior%3Ab027257328390a5b4d7284dcfce8eaef&seq=12#page_scan_tab_contentsFrom Quanzhou to the Sulu Zone and beyond: Questions Related to the Early Fourteenth Century] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203140707/https://www.jstor.org/stable/20072046?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior:b027257328390a5b4d7284dcfce8eaef&seq=12#page_scan_tab_contentsFrom |date=3 December 2022 }} By: Roderich Ptak. Page 280

In the 14th century, the Javanese manuscript Nagarakretagama, written by Prapanca in 1365, mentioned Barune as the constituent state of Hindu Majapahit,{{cite web | title=Naskah Nagarakretagama | publisher=Perpustakaan Nasional Republik Indonesia | url=http://kelembagaan.pnri.go.id/Digital_Docs/homepage_folders/activities/highlight/naskah_nagara_kretagama/isi.htm | language=id | access-date=13 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523163555/http://kelembagaan.pnri.go.id/Digital_Docs/homepage_folders/activities/highlight/naskah_nagara_kretagama/isi.htm | archive-date=23 May 2017 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} which had to make an annual tribute of 40 katis of camphor. In 1369, Sulu which was also formerly part of Majapahit, had successfully rebelled and then attacked Boni, and had invaded the Northeast Coast of BorneoMing shi, 325, p. 8411, p. 8422. and afterwards had looted the capital of its treasure and gold including sacking two sacred pearls. A fleet from Majapahit succeeded in driving away the Sulus, but Boni was left weaker after the attack.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=44}} A Chinese report from 1371 described Boni as poor and totally controlled by Majapahit.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=45}} When the Chinese admiral Zheng He visited the Brunei in the early 15th century, he founded a major trading port which included Chinese people who were actively trading with China.{{Cite book |last=Church |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FW8wDgAAQBAJ |title=A Short History of South-East Asia |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-119-06249-3 |pages=3 |language=en}}

During the 15th century, Boni had seceded from Majapahit and then converted to Islam. Thus transforming into the independent Sultanate of Brunei. Brunei became a Hashemite state when she allowed the Arab Emir of Mecca, Sharif Ali, to become her third sultan.

As customary for close affiliation and alliances in Southeast Asia, the royal family of Luzon intermarried with the ruling houses of the Sultanate of Brunei.{{cite journal | title=Integrating History and Archaeology in the Study of Contact Period Philippine Chiefdoms | author=Junker, Laura Lee | journal=International Journal of Historical Archaeology | year=1998 | volume=2 | issue=4| pages=291–320 | doi=10.1023/A:1022611908759 | s2cid=141415414 }} Intermarriage was a common strategy for Southeast Asian states to extend their influence.{{cite book | last = Scott | first = William Henry | author-link = William Henry Scott (historian) | title = Barangay: Sixteenth Century Philippine Culture and Society | publisher = Ateneo de Manila University Press | year = 1994 | location = Quezon City | isbn = 978-971-550-135-4 }} However, Islamic Brunei's power was not uncontested in Borneo since it had a Hindu rival in a state founded by Indians called Kutai in the south which they overpowered but didn't destroy.

Nevertheless, by the 16th century, Islam was firmly rooted in Brunei, and the country had built one of its biggest mosques. In 1578, Alonso Beltrán, a Spanish traveller, described it as being five stories tall and built on the water.{{Harvnb|Nicholl|2002|pp=47–51}}

File:Brunei territorial lose (1400–1890).gif Brunei briefly rose to prominence in Southeast Asia when the Portuguese occupied Malacca and thereby forced the wealthy and powerful but displaced Muslim refugees there to relocate to nearby Sultanates such as Brunei. The Bruneian Sultan then intervened in a territorial conflict between Hindu Tondo and Muslim Manila in the Philippines by appointing the Bruneian descended Rajah Ache of Manila as admiral of the Bruneian navy in a rivalry against Tondo and as the enforcer of Bruneian interests in the Philippines. He subsequently encountered the Magellan expeditionde Aganduru Moriz, Rodrigo (1882). Historia general de las Islas Occidentales a la Asia adyacentes, llamadas Philipinas. Colección de Documentos inéditos para la historia de España, v.78–79. Madrid: Impr. de Miguel Ginesta. wherein Antonio Pigafetta noted that under orders from his grandfather the Sultan of Brunei, Ache had previously sacked the Buddhist city of Loue in Southwest Borneo for being faithful to the old religion and rebelling against the authority of Sultanate.Tom Harrisson, Brunei's Two (or More) Capitals, Brunei Museum Journal, Vol. 3, No. 4 (1976), p. 77 sq. However, European influence gradually brought an end to Brunei's regional power, as Brunei entered a period of decline compounded by internal strife over royal succession. In the face of these invasions by European Christian powers, the Ottoman Caliphate aided the beleaguered Southeast Asian Sultanates by making Aceh a protectorate and sending expeditions to reinforce, train and equip the local mujahideen.Kayadibi, Saim. "Ottoman Connections to the Malay World: Islam, Law and Society", (Kuala Lumpur: The Other Press, 2011) Turks were routinely migrating to Brunei as evidenced by the complaints of Manila Oidor Melchor Davalos who in his 1585 report, say that Turks were coming to Sumatra, Borneo and Ternate every year, including defeated veterans from the Battle of Lepanto.Melchor Davalos to the King, Manila 20 June 1585, in Lewis Hanke, Cuerpo de Documentos del Siglo XVI sobre los derechos de España en las Indias y las Filipinas (Mexico 1977), pp 72, 75.

Spain declared war in 1578, planning to attack and capture Kota Batu, Brunei's capital at the time. This was based in part on the assistance of two Bruneian noblemen, Pengiran Seri Lela and Pengiran Seri Ratna. The former had travelled to Manila, then the centre of the Spanish colony. Manila itself was captured from Brunei, Christianised and made a territory of the Viceroyalty of New Spain which was centered in Mexico City. Pengiran Seri Lela came to offer Brunei as a tributary to Spain for help to recover the throne usurped by his brother, Saiful Rijal.{{harvnb|Melo Alip|1964|pp=201, 317}} The Spanish agreed that if they succeeded in conquering Brunei, Pengiran Seri Lela would be appointed as the sultan, while Pengiran Seri Ratna would be the new Bendahara.

File:万国来朝图 Brunei (汶莱國) delegates in Peking in 1761.jpg. From the Ten Thousand Nations Coming to Pay Tribute, 1761]]

In March 1578, a fresh Spanish fleet had arrived from Mexico and settled at the Philippines. They were led by De Sande, acting as Capitán-General. He organized an expedition from Manila for Brunei, consisting of 400 Spaniards and Mexicans, 1,500 Filipino natives, and 300 Borneans.{{Harvnb|United States War Dept|1903|p=379}} The campaign was one of many, which also included action in Mindanao and Sulu.{{Harvnb|McAmis|2002|p=33}}{{cite web|url=http://www.filipiniana.net/publication/letter-from-francisco-de-sande-to-felipe-ii/12791881675822|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327133109/http://www.filipiniana.net/publication/letter-from-francisco-de-sande-to-felipe-ii/12791881675822|archive-date=27 March 2012|title=Letter from Francisco de Sande to Felipe II, 1578|access-date=17 October 2009|work=filipiniana.net}} The racial make-up of the Christian side was diverse since it were usually made up of Mestizos, Mulattoes and Amerindians (Aztecs, Mayans and Incans) who were gathered and sent from Mexico and were led by Spanish officers who had worked together with native Filipinos in military campaigns across the Southeast Asia.[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16086/16086-h/16086-h.htm Letter from Fajardo to Felipe III From Manila, August 15 1620. (From the Spanish Archives of the Indies)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204103029/http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16086/16086-h/16086-h.htm |date=4 February 2018 }}("The infantry does not amount to two hundred men, in three companies. If these men were that number, and Spaniards, it would not be so bad; but, although I have not seen them, because they have not yet arrived here, I am told that they are, as at other times, for the most part boys, mestizos, and mulattoes, with some Indians (Native Americans). There is no little cause for regret in the great sums that reënforcements of such men waste for, and cost, your Majesty. I cannot see what betterment there will be until your Majesty shall provide it, since I do not think, that more can be done in Nueva Spaña, although the viceroy must be endeavoring to do so, as he is ordered.") The Muslim side was also equally racially diverse. In addition to the native Malay warriors, the Ottomans had repeatedly sent military expeditions to nearby Aceh. The expeditions were composed mainly of Turks, Egyptians, Swahilis, Somalis, Sindhis, Gujaratis and Malabars.{{cite book| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jtsMLNmMzbkC&pg=PA39| title = The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia by Nicholas Tarling p. 39| isbn = 9780521663700| last1 = Tarling| first1 = Nicholas| year = 1999| publisher = Cambridge University Press| access-date = 29 March 2019| archive-date = 12 March 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230312183300/https://books.google.com/books?id=jtsMLNmMzbkC&pg=PA39| url-status = live}} These expeditionary forces had also spread to other nearby Sultanates such as Brunei and had taught new fighting tactics and techniques on how to forge cannons.Cambridge illustrated atlas, warfare: Renaissance to revolution, 1492–1792 by Jeremy Black p. 16 [https://books.google.com/books?id=neUKEvaYPZYC&pg=PA16] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501074604/https://books.google.com/books?id=neUKEvaYPZYC&pg=PA16|date=1 May 2023}}

Eventually, the Spanish captured the capital on 16 April 1578, with the help of Pengiran Seri Lela and Pengiran Seri Ratna. The Sultan Saiful Rijal and Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Abdul Kahar were forced to flee to Meragang then to Jerudong. In Jerudong, they made plans to chase the conquering army away from Brunei. Suffering high fatalities due to a cholera or dysentery outbreak,{{Harvnb|Frankham|2008|p=278}}{{Harvnb|Atiyah|2002|p=71}} the Spanish decided to abandon Brunei and returned to Manila on 26 June 1578, after 72 days.{{Harvnb|Saunders|2002|pp=54–60}}

Pengiran Seri Lela died in August or September 1578, probably from the same illness suffered by his Spanish allies.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} There was suspicion that the legitimist sultan could have been poisoned by the ruling sultan.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} Seri Lela's daughter, a Bruneian princess, "Putri", had left with the Spanish, she abandoned her claim to the crown and then she married a Christian Tagalog, named Agustín de Legazpi de Tondo.{{Harvnb|Saunders|2002|p=57}} Agustin de Legaspi along with his family and associates were soon implicated in the Conspiracy of the Maharlikas, an attempt by Filipinos to link up with the Brunei Sultanate and Japanese Shogunate to expel the Spaniards from the Philippines.Martinez, Manuel F. Assassinations & conspiracies : from Rajah Humabon to Imelda Marcos. Manila: Anvil Publishing, 2002. However, upon the Spanish suppression of the conspiracy, the Bruneian descended aristocracy of precolonial Manila were exiled to Guerrero, Mexico which consequently later became a center of the Mexican war of independence against Spain.{{cite web |url=http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_guerrero |title=Estado de Guerrero Historia |year=2005 |work=Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México |publisher=Instituto Nacional para el Federalismo y el Desarrollo Municipal |location=Mexico |language=es |trans-title=State of Guerrero History |access-date=June 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306003153/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_guerrero |archive-date=March 6, 2012 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.guerrero.gob.mx/?P=readart&ArtOrder=ReadArt&Article=71 |title=La Riqueza Histórica de Guerrero |publisher=Government of Guerrero |location=Guerrero, Mexico |language=es |trans-title=The Historical Richness of Guerrero |access-date=June 24, 2010 |archive-date=3 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103101455/http://guerrero.gob.mx/?P=readart&ArtOrder=ReadArt&Article=71 |url-status=dead }}

The local Brunei accounts{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=41}} of the Castilian War differ greatly from the generally accepted view of events. What was called the Castilian War was seen as a heroic episode, with the Spaniards being driven out by Bendahara Sakam, purportedly a brother of the ruling sultan, and a thousand native warriors. Most historians consider this to be a folk-hero account, which probably developed decades or centuries after.{{Harvnb|Saunders|2002|pp=57–58}}

Brunei eventually descended into anarchy. The country suffered a civil war from 1660 to 1673.

{{See also|British Brunei Administrators|British Borneo|Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur|Protectorate Agreement of Brunei (1888)|Report On Brunei}}

File:The signing of the Treaty of Labuan on 18 December 1846.jpg negotiating with the Sultan of Brunei, which led to the signing of the Treaty of Labuan, 1846]]

File:Control of the island of Borneo.png

The British have intervened in the affairs of Brunei on several occasions. Britain attacked Brunei in July 1846 due to internal conflicts over who was the rightful Sultan.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=52}}

In the 1880s, the decline of the Bruneian Empire continued. The sultan granted land (now Sarawak) to James Brooke, who had helped him quell a rebellion, and allowed him to establish the Raj of Sarawak. Over time, Brooke and his nephews (who succeeded him) leased or annexed more land. Brunei lost much of its territory to him and his dynasty, known as the White Rajahs.

Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin appealed to the British to stop further encroachment by the Brookes.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=3}} The Protectorate Agreement was negotiated by Sir Hugh Low and signed into effect on 17 September 1888. The treaty said that the sultan "could not cede or lease any territory to foreign powers without British consent"; it provided Britain effective control over Brunei's external affairs, making it a British protected state (which continued until 1984).{{cite web | url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brunei/ | title=Brunei | publisher=CIA World Factbook | year=2011 | access-date=13 January 2011 | archive-date=21 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721102115/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bx.html | url-status=live }}Hussainmiya, B. A. (2006). "Appendix 3: British-Brunei (Protectorate) Treaty, 17 September 1888". [https://fass.ubd.edu.bn/staff/docs/BAH/revival.pdf Brunei Revival of 1906: A Popular History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907100617/https://fass.ubd.edu.bn/staff/docs/BAH/revival.pdf |date=7 September 2021 }} (PDF). Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei Press Sdn Bhd. p. 77. Retrieved 25 April 2022. But, when the Raj of Sarawak annexed Brunei's Pandaruan District in 1890,{{Cite book |url=https://ofa.arkib.gov.my/ofa/digital/asset/682264 |title=Cession of the Limbang territory to Sarawak. Forwards letter, from the Sultan of Brunei, regarding- |date=1 March 1899 |location=High Commissioner Office, Malaya |pages=6–10 |chapter=Translation: From His Highness the Sultan Hashim of Brunei- To A. Keyser, Esq. H. M. Consul for Brunei, 22 Zulkaidah 1316 |type=Archival File |access-date=25 April 2022 |via=Arkib Negara Malaysia |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704161158/https://ofa.arkib.gov.my/ofa/digital/asset/682264 |url-status=live }} the British did not take any action to stop it. They did not regard either Brunei or the Raj of Sarawak as 'foreign' (per the Treaty of Protection). This final annexation by Sarawak left Brunei with its current small land mass and separation into two parts.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=58}}

The British Foreign Office sent Consul Malcolm Stewart Hannibal McArthur to assess Brunei and make recommendations on future British foreign policy in the region.Foreign Office 12/127 pp. 1-4, FO to M.S.H. McArthur, 22 April 1904 as cited in McArthur, M.S.H (1987). Horton, A.V.M (ed.) Report on Brunei In 1904 McArthur produced his Report On Brunei in 1904 where he recommended the implementation of the Malayan British Residency system and the continued protection of Brunei.McArthur, Report on Brunei, para.134 British residents were introduced in Brunei under the Supplementary Protectorate Agreement in 1906.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=59}}{{Cite book |last=Hussainmiya |first=B. A. |url=https://fass.ubd.edu.bn/staff/docs/BAH/revival.pdf |title=Brunei Revival of 1906: A Popular History |publisher=Brunei Press Sdn Bhd |year=2006 |location=Bandar Seri Begawan |pages=77 |chapter=Appendix 4: British-Brunei (Protectorate) Document, 3 December 1905 and 2 January 1906: (Supplementary) Agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Sultan of Brunei Providing for More Effectual British Protection over the State of Brunei |quote="His Highness will receive a British Officer, to be styled Resident, and will provide a suitable residence for him. The Resident will be the Agent and Representative of His Britannic Majesty's Government under the High Commissioner for the British Protectorates in Borneo, and his advice must be taken and acted upon on all questions in Brunei" |access-date=25 April 2022 |archive-date=7 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907100617/https://fass.ubd.edu.bn/staff/docs/BAH/revival.pdf |url-status=live }} The residents were to advise the sultan on all matters of administration. Over time, the resident assumed more executive control than the sultan. The residential system ended in 1959.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=67}}

Petroleum was discovered in 1929 after several fruitless attempts.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=12}} Two men, F. F. Marriot and T. G. Cochrane, smelled oil near the Seria river in late 1926.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=13}} They informed a geophysicist, who conducted a survey there. In 1927, gas seepages were reported in the area. Seria Well Number One (S-1) was drilled on 12 July 1928. Oil was struck at {{convert|297|m}} on 5 April 1929. Seria Well Number 2 was drilled on 19 August 1929, and, {{As of|2009|lc=y}}, continues to produce oil.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=14}} Oil production was increased considerably in the 1930s with the development of more oil fields. In 1940, oil production was at more than six million barrels.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=14}} The British Malayan Petroleum Company (now Brunei Shell Petroleum Company) was formed on 22 July 1922.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=15}} The first offshore well was drilled in 1957.{{cite book|title=Macmillan Atlas|isbn=978-1-4202-0995-2|page=15|last1=Berry|first1=Rob|year=2008|publisher=Macmillan Education Australia }} Oil and natural gas have been the basis of Brunei's development and wealth since the late 20th century.

{{Main|Japanese occupation of British Borneo}}

File:Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin (AWM P10841.001).JPG, the 27th Sultan of Brunei, with members of his court in April 1941, eight months before the Japanese invaded Brunei]]

The Japanese invaded Brunei on 16 December 1941, eight days after their attack on Pearl Harbor on the United States Navy.{{Cite web |last=Keat Gin |first=Ooi |date=17 July 2011 |title=The Japanese Occupation of Borneo |url=https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/p-library/books/9b4dac57dfde0eb7473251370e0165a5.pdf |access-date=30 March 2025 |website=s3}} They landed 10,000 troops of the Kawaguchi Detachment from Cam Ranh Bay at Kuala Belait. After six days' fighting, they occupied the entire country. The only Allied troops in the area were the 2nd Battalion of the 15th Punjab Regiment based at Kuching, Sarawak."Brunei under the Japanese occupation", Rozan Yunos, Brunei Times, Bandar Seri Begawan, 29 June 2008

Once the Japanese occupied Brunei, they made an agreement with Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin over governing the country. Inche Ibrahim (known later as Pehin Datu Perdana Menteri Dato Laila Utama Awang Haji Ibrahim), a former Secretary to the British Resident, Ernest Edgar Pengilly, was appointed chief administrative officer under the Japanese Governor. The Japanese had proposed that Pengilly retain his position under their administration, but he declined. Both he and other British nationals still in Brunei were interned by the Japanese at Batu Lintang camp in Sarawak. While the British officials were under Japanese guard, Ibrahim made a point of personally shaking each one by the hand and wishing him well.{{Cite journal|title=Resuscitating Nationalism : Brunei under the Japanese Military Administration (1941-1945)|last=Hussainmiya|first=B. A.|date=2003|journal=Senri Ethnological Studies|volume=65|url=https://minpaku.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=2732&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1|access-date=16 December 2023|archive-date=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529031656/https://minpaku.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=2732&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1|url-status=live}}"The Japanese Interregnum...," Graham Saunders, A history of Brunei, Edition 2, illustrated, reprint, Routledge, 2002, p. 129, {{ISBN|070071698X|978-0700716982}}

The Sultan retained his throne and was given a pension and honours by the Japanese. During the later part of the occupation, he resided at Tantuya, Limbang and had little to do with the Japanese. Most of the Malay government officers were retained by the Japanese. Brunei's administration was reorganised into five prefectures, which included British North Borneo. The Prefectures included Baram, Labuan, Lawas, and Limbang. Ibrahim hid numerous significant government documents from the Japanese during the occupation. Pengiran Yusuf (later YAM Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Haji Mohd Yusuf), along with other Bruneians, was sent to Japan for training. Although in the area the day of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Yusuf survived.{{Cite web |last=Hays |first=Jeffrey |title=LATER HISTORY OF BRUNEI {{!}} Facts and Details |url=https://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Brunei/sub5_10a/entry-3600.html |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=factsanddetails.com |language=en}}

The British had anticipated a Japanese attack, but lacked the resources to defend the area because of their engagement in the war in Europe. The troops from the Punjab Regiment filled in the Seria oilfield oilwells with concrete in September 1941 to deny the Japanese their use. The remaining equipment and installations were destroyed when the Japanese invaded Malaya. By the end of the war, 16 wells at Miri and Seria had been restarted, with production reaching about half the pre-war level. Coal production at Muara was also recommenced, but with little success.

File:Japanese Battleship Nagato 1944.jpg, Tone, Yamato and Musashi in Brunei Bay in October 1944|alt=]]

During the occupation, the Japanese had their language taught in schools, and Government officers were required to learn Japanese. The local currency was replaced by what was to become known as duit pisang (banana money). From 1943 hyper-inflation destroyed the currency's value and, at the end of the war, this currency was worthless. Allied attacks on shipping eventually caused trade to cease. Food and medicine fell into short supply, and the population suffered from famine and disease.

The airport runway was constructed by the Japanese during the occupation, and in 1943 Japanese naval units were based in Brunei Bay and Labuan. The naval base was destroyed by Allied bombing, but the airport runway survived. The facility was developed as a public airport. In 1944 the Allies began a bombing campaign against the occupying Japanese, which destroyed much of the town and Kuala Belait, but missed Kampong Ayer."Japanese occupation", Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam, Jatswan S. Sidhu, Edition 2, illustrated, Scarecrow Press, 2009, p. 115, {{ISBN|0810870789|978-0810870789}}

File:Japanese Surrender, Labuan (AWM 115989).JPG of the Australian 9th Division with Lieutenant-General Masao Baba (signing) of the Japanese 37th Division at the surrender ceremony at Labuan on 10 September 1945]]

On 10 June 1945, the Australian 9th Division landed at Muara under Operation Oboe Six to recapture Borneo from the Japanese. They were supported by American air and naval units. Brunei town was bombed extensively and recaptured after three days of heavy fighting. Many buildings were destroyed, including the Mosque. The Japanese forces in Brunei, Borneo, and Sarawak, under Lieutenant-General Masao Baba, formally surrendered at Labuan on 10 September 1945. The British Military Administration took over from the Japanese and remained until July 1946.{{Cite web |last=Dhont |first=Frank |date=19 April 2017 |title=Memories of World War II: Oral History of Brunei Darussalam |url=https://ias.ubd.edu.bn/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/working_paper_series_25.pdf |access-date=30 March 2025 |website=Institute of Asian Studies}}

After World War II, a new government was formed in Brunei under the British Military Administration (BMA). It consisted mainly of Australian officers and servicemen.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=79}} The administration of Brunei was passed to the Civil Administration on 6 July 1945. The Brunei State Council was also revived that year.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=80}} The BMA was tasked to revive the Bruneian economy, which was extensively damaged by the Japanese during their occupation. They also had to put out the fires on the wells of Seria, which had been set by the Japanese prior to their defeat.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=80}}

Before 1941, the Governor of the Straits Settlements, based in Singapore, was responsible for the duties of British High Commissioner for Brunei, Sarawak, and North Borneo (now Sabah).{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=81}} The first British High Commissioner for Brunei was the Governor of Sarawak, Sir Charles Ardon Clarke. The Barisan Pemuda ("Youth Front"; abbreviated as BARIP) was the first political party to be formed in Brunei, on 12 April 1946. The party intended to "preserve the sovereignty of the Sultan and the country, and to defend the rights of the Malays".{{cite book|last=A History of Brunei|title=A History of Brunei|year=2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-7007-1698-X|page=131|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ4t_OJgSjAC|access-date=14 October 2013|archive-date=25 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112741/https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ4t_OJgSjAC|url-status=live}} BARIP also contributed to the composition of the country's national anthem. The party was dissolved in 1948 due to inactivity.

In 1959, a new constitution was written declaring Brunei a self-governing state, while its foreign affairs, security, and defence remained the responsibility of the United Kingdom. A small rebellion erupted against the monarchy in 1962, which was suppressed with help of the UK.{{cite book |last=Pocock |first=Tom |title=Fighting General – The Public &Private Campaigns of General Sir Walter Walker |year=1973 |edition=First |publisher=Collins |location=London |isbn=0-00-211295-7}} Known as the Brunei Revolt, the rebellion contributed to the Sultan's decision to opt out of joining the emerging state now called Malaysia under the umbrella of North Borneo Federation.

Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984. The official National Day, which celebrates the country's independence, is held by tradition on 23 February.{{Cite web | url = https://www.lonelyplanet.com/brunei-darussalam/events/brunei-national-day/a/poi-fes/1152687/355846 | title = Brunei National Day | work = Lonely Planet | access-date = 21 February 2017 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170222054402/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/brunei-darussalam/events/brunei-national-day/a/poi-fes/1152687/355846 | archive-date = 22 February 2017 | df = dmy-all }}

File:Omar Ali Saifuddien III.jpg]]

In July 1953, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III formed a seven-member committee named Tujuh Serangkai, to determine the citizens' views regarding a written constitution for Brunei. In May 1954, the Sultan, Resident and High Commissioner met to discuss the findings of the committee. They agreed to authorise the drafting of a constitution. In March 1959, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III led a delegation to London to discuss the proposed Constitution.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=98}} The British delegation was led by Sir Alan Lennox-Boyd, Secretary of State for the Colonies. The British Government later accepted the draft constitution.

On 29 September 1959, the Constitution Agreement was signed in Brunei Town. The agreement was signed by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Sir Robert Scott, the Commissioner-General for Southeast Asia.

It included the following provisions:{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=59}}

• The Sultan was made the Supreme Head of State.
• Brunei was responsible for its internal administration.
• The British Government was responsible for foreign and defence affairs only.
• The post of Resident was abolished and replaced by a British High Commissioner.

Five councils were established:{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=100}}

• The Executive Council
• The Legislative Council of Brunei
• The Privy Council
• The Council of Succession
• The State Religious Council

A series of National Development Plans was initiated by the 28th Sultan of Brunei, Omar Ali Saifuddien III.

The first was introduced in 1953.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=92}} A total sum of B$100 million was approved by the Brunei State Council for the plan. E.R. Bevington, from the Colonial Office in Fiji, was appointed to implement it.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=129}} A US$14 million Gas Plant was built under the plan. In 1954, survey and exploration work were undertaken by the Brunei Shell Petroleum on both offshore and onshore fields. By 1956, production reached 114,700 bpd.

File:THE BRITISH ARMY IN BRUNEI, JANUARY 1963.jpg of Brunei on guard in the Seria oilfield, January 1963]]

The plan also aided the development of public education. By 1958, expenditure on education totalled at $4 million.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=129}} Communications were improved, as new roads were built and reconstruction at Berakas Airport was completed in 1954.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=21}}

The second National Development Plan was launched in 1962.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=21}} A major oil and gas field was discovered in 1963. Developments in the oil and gas sector have continued, and oil production has steadily increased since then.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=96}} The plan also promoted the production of meat and eggs for consumption by citizens. The fishing industry increased its output by 25% throughout the course of the plan. The deepwater port at Muara was also constructed during this period. Power requirements were met, and studies were made to provide electricity to rural areas.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=96}} Efforts were made to eradicate malaria, an endemic disease in the region, with the help of the World Health Organization. Malaria cases were reduced from 300 cases in 1953 to only 66 cases in 1959.{{cite book|last=A History of Brunei|title=A History of Brunei|year=2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-7007-1698-X|page=130|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ4t_OJgSjAC|access-date=14 October 2013|archive-date=25 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112741/https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ4t_OJgSjAC|url-status=live}} The death rate was reduced from 20 per thousand in 1947 to 11.3 per thousand in 1953. Infectious disease has been prevented by public sanitation and improvement of drainage, and the provision of piped pure water to the population.

On 14 November 1971, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah left for London to discuss matters regarding the amendments to the 1959 constitution. A new agreement was signed on 23 November 1971 with the British representative being Anthony Royle.{{cite book|last=Ministry of Education, Brunei|title=History for Brunei Darussalam|year=2008|publisher=EBP Pan Pacific|isbn=978-9991725451|page=101|chapter=The Nation Building Years 150–1984}}

Under this agreement, the following terms were agreed upon:

• Brunei was granted full internal self-government
• The UK would still be responsible for external affairs and defence.
• Brunei and the UK agreed to share the responsibility for security and defence.

This agreement also caused Gurkha units to be deployed in Brunei, where they remain up to this day.

File:Sultan of Brunei with Janin Erih.jpg (right), handing his credentials to ambassador Janin Erih in 2004]]

On 7 January 1979, another treaty was signed between Brunei and the United Kingdom. It was signed with Lord Goronwy-Roberts being the representative of the UK. This agreement granted Brunei to take over international responsibilities as an independent nation. Britain agreed to assist Brunei in diplomatic matters. In May 1983, it was announced by the UK that the date of independence of Brunei would be 1 January 1984.{{cite book|last=Ministry of Education, Brunei|title=History for Brunei Darussalam|year=2008|publisher=EBP Pan Pacific|isbn=978-9991725451|page=102|chapter=The Nation Building Years 150–1984}}

On 31 December 1983, a mass gathering was held on main mosques on all four of the districts of the country and at midnight, on 1 January 1984, the Proclamation of Independence was read by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The sultan subsequently assumed the title "His Majesty", rather than the previous "His Royal Highness".{{cite news|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/home_news/2009/01/01/reminiscing_bruneis_independence_proclamation|title=Reminiscing Brunei's independence proclamation|newspaper=Brunei Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321195012/http://bt.com.bn/home_news/2009/01/01/reminiscing_bruneis_independence_proclamation|archive-date=21 March 2016|access-date=20 November 2013}} Brunei was admitted to the United Nations on 22 September 1984, becoming the organisation's 159th member.[https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/22/world/brunei-is-greeted-as-the-159th-un-member.html Brunei is Greeted as the 159th U.N. Member] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130162959/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/22/world/brunei-is-greeted-as-the-159th-un-member.html |date=30 January 2018 }}, The New York Times

In October 2013, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced his intention to impose Penal Code from Sharia on the country's Muslims, which make up roughly two thirds of the country's population.{{cite web|title = Brunei's sultan to implement Sharia penal code|url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/10/22/brunei-sharia-law/3162127/|website = USA Today|access-date = 6 December 2015|archive-date = 31 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151231202853/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/10/22/brunei-sharia-law/3162127/|url-status = live}} This would be implemented in three phases, culminating in 2016, and making Brunei the first and only country in East Asia to introduce Sharia into its penal code, excluding the subnational Indonesian special territory of Aceh.{{cite web|title = The Implications of Brunei's Sharia Law|url = https://thediplomat.com/2015/05/the-implications-of-bruneis-sharia-law/|website = The Diplomat|access-date = 6 December 2015|archive-date = 2 June 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200602143117/https://thediplomat.com/2015/05/the-implications-of-bruneis-sharia-law//|url-status = live}} The move attracted international criticism,{{Cite news | title = Brunei's Sharia law creates backlash in Beverly Hills | last = McNew | first = David | website = MSNBC | date = 7 May 2014 | access-date = 12 June 2016 | url = http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/la-protests-bruneis-death-stoning-law | archive-date = 30 December 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151230233707/http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/la-protests-bruneis-death-stoning-law | url-status = live }} the United Nations expressing "deep concern".{{Cite news | title = Brunei introduces tough Islamic penal code | website = BBC News | date = 30 April 2014 | access-date = 12 June 2016 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27216798 | archive-date = 26 May 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170526200751/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27216798 | url-status = live }}

{{Main|Geography of Brunei}}

File:Brunei location map Topographic.png

Brunei is a southeast Asian country consisting of two unconnected parts with a total area of {{convert|5765|km2|sqmi|0}} on the island of Borneo. It has {{convert|161|km|mi|0}} of coastline next to the South China Sea, and it shares a {{convert|381|km|abbr=on}} border with Malaysia. It has {{convert|500|km2|sqmi|0}} of territorial waters, and a {{convert|200|nmi|adj=on}} exclusive economic zone.

About 97% of the population lives in the larger western part (Belait, Tutong, and Brunei-Muara), while only about 10,000 people live in the mountainous eastern part (Temburong District). The total population of Brunei is approximately 408,000 {{As of|July 2010|lc=y}}, of which around 150,000 live in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan.2001 Summary Tables of the Population Census. Department of Statistics, Brunei Darussalam Other major towns are the port town of Muara, the oil-producing town of Seria and its neighbouring town, Kuala Belait. In Belait District, the Panaga area is home to large numbers of Europeans expatriates, due to Royal Dutch Shell and British Army housing, and several recreational facilities are located there.{{cite web|work=Outpost Seria Housing Information|title=Outpost Seria|url=http://www.globaloutpostservices.com/complex.asp?load=Cdoch5khpbzle9rl,Hmenuib78zlrbkh,Fdocpzfsxua0,Gleegj97a5xhw,Eleegj97bhaue,Ddocq72l8opw,Limgcs0ooyu8;159;64;0;-1&path=q4h5khpb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113075436/http://www.globaloutpostservices.com/complex.asp?load=Cdoch5khpbzle9rl%2CHmenuib78zlrbkh%2CFdocpzfsxua0%2CGleegj97a5xhw%2CEleegj97bhaue%2CDdocq72l8opw%2CLimgcs0ooyu8%3B159%3B64%3B0%3B-1&path=q4h5khpb|archive-date=13 January 2012|access-date=20 December 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

Most of Brunei is within the Borneo lowland rain forests ecoregion, which covers most of the island. Areas of mountain rain forests are located inland.{{cite web|title=Brunei Darussalam Country Profile |url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/asia-oceania/brunei?profile=geography |access-date=20 December 2011 |work=UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105222217/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/asia-oceania/brunei?profile=geography |archive-date=5 January 2012 }} In Brunei forest cover is around 72% of the total land area, equivalent to 380,000 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, down from 413,000 hectares (ha) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 374,740 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 5,260 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest 69% was reported to be primary forest (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 5% of the forest area was found within protected areas. For the year 2015, 100% of the forest area was reported to be under public ownership.{{Cite book |url=https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a6e225da-4a31-4e06-818d-ca3aeadfd635/content |title=Terms and Definitions FRA 2025 Forest Resources Assessment, Working Paper 194 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |year=2023}}{{Cite web |title=Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, Brunei Darussalam |url=https://fra-data.fao.org/assessments/fra/2020/BRN/home/overview |website=Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}}

The climate of Brunei is tropical equatorial that is a tropical rainforest climate more subject to the Intertropical Convergence Zone than the trade winds and with no or rare cyclones. Brunei is exposed to the risks stemming from climate change along with other ASEAN member states.{{cite web |author=Indra Overland |date=2017 |title=Impact of Climate Change on ASEAN International Affairs: Risk and Opportunity Multiplier |publisher=Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and Myanmar Institute of International and Strategic Studies (MISIS) |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320622312 |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728065717/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320622312_Impact_of_Climate_Change_on_ASEAN_International_Affairs_Risk_and_Opportunity_Multiplier |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |last1=Overland |first1=Indra |last2=Sagbakken |first2=Haakon Fossum |last3=Chan |first3=Hoy-Yen |last4=Merdekawati |first4=Monika |last5=Suryadi |first5=Beni |last6=Utama |first6=Nuki Agya |last7=Vakulchuk |first7=Roman |title=The ASEAN climate and energy paradox |journal=Energy and Climate Change |date=December 2021 |volume=2 |page=100019 |doi=10.1016/j.egycc.2020.100019 |hdl=11250/2734506 |hdl-access=free }}

{{Main|Politics of Brunei|Government of Brunei}}

File:Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah - 53810840215.jpg, Sultan of Brunei]]

Brunei's political system is governed by the constitution and the national tradition of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (Melayu Islam Beraja; MIB). The three components of MIB cover Malay culture, Islamic religion, and the political framework under the monarchy. It has a legal system based on English common law, although Islamic law (sharia) supersedes this in some cases. Brunei has a parliament but there are no elections; the last election was held in 1962.{{cite web|url=http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/brunei-darussalam/constitution-politics#sthash.ij6FNXxq.dpuf|title=Brunei Darussalam : Constitution and politics|website=thecommonwealth.org|access-date=21 January 2016|archive-date=11 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311100249/http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/brunei-darussalam/constitution-politics#sthash.ij6FNXxq.dpuf|url-status=dead}}

Under Brunei's 1959 constitution, the Sultan, currently Hassanal Bolkiah, is the head of state with full executive authority. Following the Brunei Revolt of 1962, this authority has included emergency powers, which are renewed every two years, meaning that Brunei has technically been under martial law since then. Hassanal Bolkiah also serves as the state's prime minister, finance minister and defence minister.{{cite web|last=PMO Organisation Chart|title=Organisation Chart at the Prime Minister's Office|url=http://pmo.gov.bn/|access-date=14 January 2012|archive-date=22 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222021606/http://www.pmo.gov.bn/|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Foreign relations of Brunei}}

File:Pres. Obama and HM Bolkiah APEC 2015.jpg meets with U.S. President Barack Obama, 18 November 2015]]

File:Keroncong Kemayoran di Perayaan 50 Tahun Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Bertakhta (2c).jpg, 6 October 2017]]

Until 1979, Brunei's foreign relations were managed by the UK government. After that, they were handled by the Brunei Diplomatic Service. After independence in 1984, this Service was upgraded to ministerial level and is now known as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.{{cite web|url=http://www.mofat.gov.bn/index.php/the-ministry/about-us |title=About Us |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=20 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017191316/https://www.mofat.gov.bn/index.php/the-ministry/about-us |archive-date=17 October 2013 |df=dmy }}

Officially, Brunei's foreign policy is as follows:{{cite book|last=Ministry of Education|title=History for Brunei Darussalam|year=2008|publisher=EBP Pan Pacific|isbn=978-9991725451|page=104}}

• Mutual respect of others' territorial sovereignty, integrity and independence;
• The maintenance of friendly relations among nations;
• Non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries; and
• The maintenance and the promotion of peace, security and stability in the region.

With its traditional ties with the United Kingdom, Brunei became the 49th member of the Commonwealth immediately on the day of its independence on 1 January 1984.{{cite web| url=http://www.mfa.gov.bn/foreignpolicy/commonwealth.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128232720/http://www.mfa.gov.bn/foreignpolicy/commonwealth.htm| archive-date=28 January 2010 |title=MOFAT, Commonwealth| date=30 March 2010| publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam}} As one of its first initiatives toward improved regional relations, Brunei joined ASEAN on 7 January 1984, becoming the sixth member. To achieve recognition of its sovereignty and independence, it joined the United Nations as a full member on 21 September of that same year.{{cite web |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080218170858/http://www.mfa.gov.bn/foreignpolicy/unitednation.htm |archive-date=18 February 2008 |title= MOFAT, UN |date=30 March 2010 |publisher= Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam |url= http://www.mfa.gov.bn/foreignpolicy/unitednation.htm }}

As an Islamic country, Brunei became a full member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (now the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) in January 1984 at the Fourth Islamic Summit held in Morocco.{{cite web |url= http://www.mfa.gov.bn/foreignpolicy/oic.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080618090110/http://www.mfa.gov.bn/foreignpolicy/oic.htm| archive-date= 18 June 2008 |title=MOFAT, OIC| date=30 March 2010 |publisher= Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam}}

After its accession to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) in 1989, Brunei hosted the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2000 and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in July 2002.{{cite web| url=http://www.apec.org/apec/leaders__declarations/2000.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100321170443/http://www.apec.org/apec/leaders__declarations/2000.html| archive-date=21 March 2010 | title=APEC, 2000 Leaders' Declaration| date=30 March 2010| publisher=Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation}} Brunei became a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 1 January 1995,{{cite web| url=http://www.mfa.gov.bn/economytrade/wto.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625053100/http://www.mfa.gov.bn/economytrade/wto.htm| archive-date=25 June 2008 | title=MOFAT, WTO| date=30 March 2010| publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade}} and is a major player in BIMP-EAGA, which was formed during the Inaugural Ministers' Meeting in Davao, Philippines, on 24 March 1994.{{cite web| url=http://www.mfa.gov.bn/economytrade/bimpeaga.htm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621071516/http://www.mfa.gov.bn/economytrade/bimpeaga.htm| archive-date=21 June 2008 | title=MOFAT, BIMP-EAGA| date=30 March 2010| publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade}}

Brunei shares a close relationship with Singapore and the Philippines. In April 2009, Brunei and the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that seeks to strengthen the bilateral cooperation of the two countries in the fields of agriculture and farm-related trade and investments.Marvyn N. Benaning (29 April 2009) [http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/204239/rp-brunei-seal-agri-cooperation-deal RP, "Brunei seal agri cooperation deal"]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}, Manila Bulletin

Brunei is one of many nations to lay claim to some of the disputed Spratly Islands. The status of Limbang as part of Sarawak has been disputed by Brunei since the area was first annexed in 1890.{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2070.html |title=Disputes – International |publisher=CIA |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=14 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514215411/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2070.html |url-status=dead }} The issue was reportedly settled in 2009, with Brunei agreeing to accept the border in exchange for Malaysia giving up claims to oil fields in Bruneian waters.{{cite news|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/home_news/2009/03/17/brunei_drops_all_claims_to_limbang |title=Brunei drops all claims to Limbang |newspaper=Brunei Times |access-date=17 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712162447/http://www.bt.com.bn/home_news/2009/03/17/brunei_drops_all_claims_to_limbang |archive-date=12 July 2014 |df=dmy }} The Brunei government denies this and says that their claim on Limbang was never dropped.{{cite web|title=Brunei Denies Limbang Story|author=Azlan Othman|url=http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/2009/18_mar_1.html|access-date=19 December 2011|archive-date=26 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426062141/http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/2009/18_mar_1.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mysinchew.com/node/22340?tid=14|date=19 March 2009|title=Brunei Denies Limbang Story|access-date=19 December 2011|work=MySinchew|archive-date=13 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113080644/http://www.mysinchew.com/node/22340?tid=14|url-status=live}}

Brunei was the chair for ASEAN in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://cogitasia.com/bruneis-asean-chairmanship-scorecard/|title=Brunei's ASEAN Chairmanship Scorecard|last=State Department|first=United States|publisher=cogitASIA CSIS Asia Policy Blog|access-date=17 December 2013|archive-date=17 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217060654/http://cogitasia.com/bruneis-asean-chairmanship-scorecard/|url-status=live}} It also hosted the ASEAN summit on that same year.{{cite web|url=http://rano360.com/ranoadidas2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=470:brunei-to-host-asean-summit-2013&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50|title=Brunei to host ASEAN Summit 2013|author=Rano Iskandar|access-date=17 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430091544/http://rano360.com/ranoadidas2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=470:brunei-to-host-asean-summit-2013&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50|archive-date=30 April 2014|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Royal Brunei Armed Forces|British Military Garrison Brunei}}

Brunei maintains three infantry battalions stationed around the country. The Brunei navy has several "Ijtihad"-class patrol boats purchased from a German manufacturer. The United Kingdom also maintains a base in Seria, the centre of the oil industry in Brunei. A Gurkha battalion of 1,500 personnel is stationed there. United Kingdom military personnel are stationed there under a defence agreement signed between the two countries.

A Bell 212 operated by the air force crashed in Kuala Belait on 20 July 2012 with the loss of 12 of the 14 crew on board. The cause of the accident has yet to be ascertained.{{cite news|work=CNN|date=21 July 2012|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/21/world/asia/brunei-helicopter-crash/index.html|title=12 killed in Brunei helicopter crash|access-date=21 July 2012|archive-date=22 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722002933/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/21/world/asia/brunei-helicopter-crash/index.html|url-status=live}} The crash is the worst aviation incident in the history of Brunei.

The Army is currently acquiring new equipment,{{cite news|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2010/04/28/rbaf-stages-large-scale-exercise-using-new-military-equipment-vehicles|title=RBAF stages large-scale exercise using new military equipment, vehicles|newspaper=Brunei Times|access-date=10 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113005315/http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2010/04/28/rbaf-stages-large-scale-exercise-using-new-military-equipment-vehicles|archive-date=13 January 2015|df=dmy-all}} including UAVs and S-70i Black Hawks.{{cite news|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2012/06/30/black-hawk-choppers-expected-arrive-2014|title=Black Hawks expected to arrive in 2014|newspaper=Brunei Times|access-date=10 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113004718/http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2012/06/30/black-hawk-choppers-expected-arrive-2014|archive-date=13 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}

Brunei's Legislative Council proposed an increase of the defence budget for the 2016–17 fiscal year of about five per cent to 564 million Brunei dollars ($408 million). This amounts to about ten per cent of the state's total national yearly expenditure and represents around 2.5 per cent of GDP.{{cite web|url=http://investvine.com/brunei-defense-budget-raised-5/|title=Brunei defense budget to be raised by 5% {{!}} Investvine|last=Maierbrugger|first=Arno|website=Investvine|date=12 March 2016|access-date=20 March 2016|archive-date=21 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321233948/http://investvine.com/brunei-defense-budget-raised-5/|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Administrative divisions of Brunei}}

Brunei is divided into four districts ({{lang|ms|daerah}}), namely Brunei-Muara, Belait, Tutong and Temburong. Brunei-Muara District is the smallest yet the most populous and home to the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Belait is the birthplace and centre of the country's oil and gas industry. Temburong is an exclave and is separated from the rest of the country by the Brunei Bay and Malaysian state of Sarawak. Tutong is home to Tasek Merimbun, the country's largest natural lake.

Each district is divided into several mukims. Altogether, there are 39 mukims in Brunei. Each mukim encompasses several villages ({{lang|ms|kampung}} or {{lang|ms|kampong}}).

Bandar Seri Begawan and towns in the country (except Muara and Bangar) are administered as Municipal Board areas ({{lang|ms|kawasan Lembaga Bandaran}}). Each municipal area may constitute villages or mukims, partially or as a whole. Bandar Seri Begawan and a few of the towns also function as the capitals of the districts where they are located.

A district and its constituent mukims and villages are administered by a District Office ({{lang|ms|Jabatan Daerah}}). Meanwhile, municipal areas are governed by Municipal Departments ({{lang|ms|Jabatan Bandaran}}). Both District Offices and Municipal Departments are government departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Brunei has numerous courts in its judicial branch. The highest court, though subject in civil cases to the appellate jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council,{{Cite web |last=Court |first=The Supreme |title=Role of the JCPC - Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) |url=https://www.jcpc.uk/about/role-of-the-jcpc.html |access-date=2022-08-02 |website=www.jcpc.uk |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214201020/https://www.jcpc.uk/about/role-of-the-jcpc.html |url-status=live }} is the Supreme Court, which consists of the Court of Appeal and High Court. Both of these have a chief justice and two judges.

{{Main|Women in Brunei}}

File:US Navy 111004-N-VP123-071 Lt. j.g. Artemas Richardson, a public affairs officer aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey.jpg are compulsory for Brunei's Muslim schoolgirls]]

A 2010 U.S. Department of State report stated that discrimination against women is a problem in Brunei.[https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eap/154379.htm 2010 Human Rights Report: Brunei Darussalam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225234129/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eap/154379.htm |date=25 December 2019 }}. US Department of State The law prohibits sexual harassment and stipulates that whoever assaults or uses criminal force, intending thereby to outrage or knowing it is likely to outrage the modesty of a person, shall be punished with imprisonment for as much as five years and caning. The law stipulates imprisonment of up to 30 years, and caning with not fewer than 12 strokes for rape. The law does not criminalise spousal rape; it explicitly states that sexual intercourse by a man with his wife, as long as she is not under 13 years of age, is not rape. Protections against sexual assault by a spouse are provided under the amended Islamic Family Law Order 2010 and Married Women Act Order 2010. The penalty for breaching a protection order is a fine not exceeding BN$2,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months. By law, sexual intercourse with a female under 14 years of age constitutes rape and is punishable by imprisonment for not less than eight years and not more than 30 years and not less than 12 strokes of the cane. The intent of the law is to protect girls from exploitation through prostitution and "other immoral purposes", including pornography.

Bruneian citizenship is derived through parents' nationality rather than jus soli. Parents with stateless status are required to apply for a special pass for a child born in the country. Failure to register a child may make it difficult to enroll the child in school.

{{Main|LGBT rights in Brunei}}

Male and female homosexuality is illegal in Brunei. Sexual relations between men are punishable by death or whipping; sex between women is punishable by caning or imprisonment.

In May 2019, the Brunei government extended its existing moratorium on the death penalty to the Sharia criminal code as well that made homosexual acts punishable with death by stoning.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/brunei-death-penalty-gay-sex-law-stoning-sharia-sultan-hassanal-bolkiah-a8900636.html|title=Brunei says it will not enforce death penalty for gay sex in dramatic U-turn|last=Oppenheim|first=Maya|date=2019-05-05|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-07-02|archive-date=2 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702102028/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/brunei-death-penalty-gay-sex-law-stoning-sharia-sultan-hassanal-bolkiah-a8900636.html|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Brunei announced that it would no longer be implementing the second phase of its controversial sharia penal code. The code, which was first introduced in 2014, included a range of punishments for crimes such as theft, drug offences, and same-sex relationships, including amputation and death by stoning.

The decision to halt the implementation of the second phase of the code came after significant international backlash and pressure from countries and human rights organizations, who criticized the harsh punishments as inhumane and a violation of human rights.

The government of Brunei stated that the decision was made in order to maintain peace and stability in the country, and to avoid any negative impact on the economy and reputation of the country. The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, also issued a statement saying that the country would continue to "strengthen and improve" its legal system in line with international norms and best practices.

It is worth mentioning that the first phase of the sharia penal code, which includes fines and imprisonment for offenses such as failure to attend Friday prayers and consuming alcohol, remains in place.

{{Main|Freedom of religion in Brunei}}

File:Brunei International Airport Surau.jpg

In The Laws of Brunei, the right of non-Muslims to practice their faith is guaranteed by the 1959 Constitution. However, celebrations and prayers must be confined to places of worship and private residences. Upon adopting Sharia Penal Code, the Ministry of Religious Affairs banned Christmas decorations in public places, but did not forbid celebration of Christmas in places of worship and private premises.{{cite web|date=26 December 2015|title=Minister: Brunei unfairly hurt by unverified news on Christmas ban|url=https://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/brunei-unfairly-hurt-unverified-news-christmas-ban-says-msian-minister|access-date=6 August 2021|archive-date=6 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806150809/https://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/brunei-unfairly-hurt-unverified-news-christmas-ban-says-msian-minister|url-status=live}}

On 25 December 2015, 4,000 out of 18,000 estimated local Catholics attended the mass of Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.[https://btarchive.org/news/national/2015/12/26/christians-celebratexmas-brunei The Brunei Times] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231202905/http://m.bt.com.bn/news-national/2015/12/26/christians-celebratex%E2%80%99mas-brunei |date=31 December 2015 }} In 2015, the then-head of the Catholic Church in Brunei told The Brunei Times, "To be quite honest there has been no change for us this year; no new restrictions have been laid down, although we fully respect and adhere to the existing regulations that our celebrations and worship be [confined] to the compounds of the church and private residences".

Brunei's revised penal code came into force in phases, commencing on 22 April 2014 with offences punishable by fines or imprisonment.{{cite web | url=http://www.pmo.gov.bn/Lists/Announcements/NewDispform.aspx?ID=30 | title=30.04.14 Implementation of the Shari'ah Penal Code Order, 2013 | date=April 30, 2014 | access-date=April 3, 2019 | archive-date=3 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403194201/http://www.pmo.gov.bn/Lists/Announcements/NewDispform.aspx%3FID%3D30 | url-status=dead }}{{cite news | url=https://www.dw.com/en/brunei-announces-implementation-of-sharia-law/a-17602108 | title=Brunei announces implementation of Sharia law | work=Deutsche Welle | date=April 30, 2014 | access-date=April 3, 2019 | archive-date=3 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403204058/https://www.dw.com/en/brunei-announces-implementation-of-sharia-law/a-17602108 | url-status=live }} The complete code, due for final implementation later,{{When|date=October 2024}} stipulated the death penalty for numerous offenses (both violent and non-violent), such as insult or defamation of Muhammad, insulting any verses of the Quran and Hadith, blasphemy, declaring oneself a prophet or non-Muslim, robbery, rape, adultery, sodomy, extramarital sexual relations for Muslims, and murder. Stoning to death was the specified "method of execution for crimes of a sexual nature". Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) declared that, "Application of the death penalty for such a broad range of offences contravenes international law."{{citation |url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47552 |title=UN concerned at broad application of death penalty in Brunei's revised penal code |date=11 April 2014 |access-date=5 August 2015 |archive-date=7 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807062814/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47552 |url-status=live }}

Brunei is the first country in Asia to have banned shark finning nationwide.{{cite web|url=http://www.wildaid.org/news/brunei-institutes-asia%E2%80%99s-first-nationwide-shark-fin-ban|title=Brunei Institutes Asia's First Nationwide Shark Fin Ban|publisher=WildAid|access-date=31 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015203319/http://www.wildaid.org/news/brunei-institutes-asia%E2%80%99s-first-nationwide-shark-fin-ban|archive-date=15 October 2015|df=dmy-all}}

Brunei has retained most of its forests, compared to its neighbours that share Borneo island. There is a public campaign calling to protect pangolins which are considered a threatened treasure in Brunei.{{cite news |last=Hii |first=Robert |title=Saving Pangolins From Extinction: Brunei |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-hii/saving-pangolins-from-extinction_b_6835202.html |date=2015-10-03 |work=Huffpost |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=26 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026093143/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-hii/saving-pangolins-from-extinction_b_6835202.html |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Economy of Brunei|Tourism in Brunei}}

File:SBY dan para pemimpin ASEAN 25-04-2013.jpg meeting in the office of Brunei Prime Minister on 25 April 2013. From left: Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Malaysian Representative and Filipino President Benigno Aquino III. Brunei is part of the BIMP-EAGA, a subregional economic co-operation initiative in Southeast Asia.]]

Brunei has the second-highest Human Development Index among the Southeast Asian nations, after Singapore.{{cite web |title=Human Development Reports |publisher=United Nations |url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/ |access-date=5 October 2009 |last1=Nations |first1=United |archive-date=12 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112042847/http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/Country-Profiles/BRN.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/Country-Profiles/BRN.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Human Development Report 2020: Brunei Darussalam |date=2020 |access-date=10 June 2021}} Crude oil and natural gas production account for about 90% of its GDP. About {{convert|167000|oilbbl}} of oil are produced every day, making Brunei the fourth-largest producer of oil in Southeast Asia. It also produces approximately {{convert|25.3|e6m3|e6cuft|abbr=off}} of liquified natural gas per day, making Brunei the ninth-largest gas exporter in the world. Forbes also ranks Brunei as the fifth-richest nation out of 182, based on its petroleum and natural gas fields.{{cite web|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/02/25/forbes-ranks-brunei-fifth-richest-nation.html |title=Forbes ranks Brunei fifth richest nation |date=25 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226155809/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/02/25/forbes-ranks-brunei-fifth-richest-nation.html |archive-date=26 February 2012 |df=dmy }} Brunei was ranked 88th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.{{Cite book |author=World Intellectual Property Organization |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.wipo.int |page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2}}

Substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. Most of these investments are made by the Brunei Investment Agency, an arm of the Ministry of Finance. The government provides for all medical services,{{cite web|last=Brunei Healthcare Info|title=Brunei Healthcare|url=http://www.brunei.alloexpat.com/brunei_information/healthcare_brunei.php|access-date=23 December 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230130239/http://www.brunei.alloexpat.com/brunei_information/healthcare_brunei.php|archive-date=30 December 2011|df=dmy-all}} and subsidises rice{{cite web|last=Bandar Seri Begawan|date=16 May 2008|title=Subsidy on rice, sugar to stay|url=http://bn.china-embassy.org/eng/wlxw/t453608.htm|publisher=Brunei Times via Chinese Embassy|access-date=23 December 2011|archive-date=6 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106123644/http://bn.china-embassy.org/eng/wlxw/t453608.htm|url-status=live}} and housing.{{cite web|title=Background Note: Brunei|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2700.htm|publisher=US Department of State|access-date=23 December 2011|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604183451/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2700.htm|url-status=live}}

The national air carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines, is trying to develop Brunei as a hub for international travel between Europe and Australia/New Zealand. Central to this strategy is the position that the airline maintains at London Heathrow Airport. It holds a daily slot at the highly capacity-controlled airport, which it serves from Bandar Seri Begawan via Dubai. The airline also has services to major Asian destinations including Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore and Manila.

Brunei depends heavily on imports such as agricultural products (e.g. rice, food products, livestock, etc.),{{cite web|title=Department of Agriculture, Brunei Darussalam|url=http://www.agriculture.gov.bn/|access-date=1 April 2012|archive-date=14 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414124151/http://www.agriculture.gov.bn/|url-status=dead}} vehicles and electrical products from other countries.{{cite book|title=Brunei Statistical Year Book|year=2010|publisher=Brunei Government|page=5|url=http://www.depd.gov.bn/SI/BDSYB2010/BDSYB%202010.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307205335/http://www.depd.gov.bn/SI/BDSYB2010/BDSYB%202010.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-03-07}} Brunei imports 60% of its food; of that amount, around 75% come from other ASEAN countries.

Brunei's leaders are concerned that increasing integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion and have therefore pursued an isolationist policy. However, it has become a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Brunei's leaders plan to upgrade the labour force, reduce unemployment, which was at 6.9% in 2014;{{cite news|title=Brunei unemployment rate in 2014 at 6.9%|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/business-national/2015/07/01/brunei-unemployment-rate-2014-6-9#sthash.qVecXA2i.dpbs|newspaper=The Brunei Times|date=1 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621115802/http://www.bt.com.bn/business-national/2015/07/01/brunei-unemployment-rate-2014-6-9#sthash.qVecXA2i.dpbs|archive-date=21 June 2016|df=dmy-all}} strengthen the banking and tourism sectors, and, in general, broaden the economic base.{{cite web|title=Sultanate Moves to reduce unemployment |url=http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/Local-News/sultanate-moves-to-reduce-unemployment.html |publisher=BruDirect |access-date=20 December 2011 |date=14 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106164539/http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/Local-News/sultanate-moves-to-reduce-unemployment.html |archive-date=6 January 2012 }} A long-term development plan aims to diversify growth.{{Citation|chapter=Report by Brunei Darussalam|date=2015-05-21|series=Trade Policy Reviews|pages=81–93|publisher=WTO|doi=10.30875/048d8871-en|isbn=978-92-870-4182-1|title=Trade Policy Review: Brunei Darussalam 2015}}

The government of Brunei has also promoted food self-sufficiency, especially in rice. Brunei renamed its Brunei Darussalam Rice 1 as 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.{{cite web|author=Ubaidillah Masli, Goh De No and Faez Hani Brunei-Muapa |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/04/28/laila_rice_to_bruneis_rescue |title='Laila Rice' to Brunei's rescue |publisher=Bt.com.bn |date=28 April 2009 |access-date=30 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116062258/http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/04/28/laila_rice_to_bruneis_rescue |archive-date=16 January 2010 |df=dmy }} In August 2009, the Royal Family reaped the first few Laila padi stalks, after years of attempts to boost local rice production, a goal first articulated about half a century ago.{{cite web|author=Ubaidillah Masli, Deno Goh and Faez Hani Brunei-Muapa |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/08/04/hm_inaugurates_laila_harvest |title=HM inaugurates Laila harvest |publisher=Bt.com.bn |date=4 August 2009 |access-date=30 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116141253/http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/08/04/hm_inaugurates_laila_harvest |archive-date=16 January 2010 |df=dmy }} In July 2009 Brunei launched its national halal branding scheme, Brunei Halal, with a goal to export to foreign markets.{{cite news|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/en/local_business/2009/08/01/brunei_pioneers_national_halal_branding |title=Brunei pioneers national halal branding |author=Hadi Dp Mahmud |newspaper=Brunei Times |date=1 August 2009 |access-date=19 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802193012/http://www.bt.com.bn/en/local_business/2009/08/01/brunei_pioneers_national_halal_branding |archive-date=2 August 2009 |df=dmy }}

In 2020, Brunei's electricity production was largely based on fossil fuels; renewable energy accounted for less than 1% of produced electricity in the country.{{Cite web |title=Brunei Darussalam: How to Build an Investment Climate for Renewable Energy? |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341793594 |access-date=2022-09-09 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031248/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341793594 |url-status=live }}

File:V8-DLA Boeing 787 of Royal Brunei at Heathrow (11400528073).jpg at London Heathrow Airport.]]

As of 2019, the country's road network constituted a total length of {{convert|3713.57|km|mi}}, out of which {{percentage | 3223.18 | 3713.57 | 1 }} were paved.{{cite book |author= |title=BRUNEI DARUSSALAM STATISTICAL YEARBOOK 2019 |publisher=Department of Economic Planning and Statistics |date=2020 |isbn=9789991772264 |url=http://www.deps.gov.bn/DEPD%20Documents%20Library/DOS/BDSYB/BDSYB_2019/BDSYB_2019.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.deps.gov.bn/DEPD%20Documents%20Library/DOS/BDSYB/BDSYB_2019/BDSYB_2019.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |access-date=3 August 2021 }} The {{convert|135|km|adj=on}} highway from Muara Town to Kuala Belait is a dual carriageway.

Brunei is accessible by air, sea, and land transport. Brunei International Airport is the main entry point to the country. Royal Brunei Airlines{{cite web |url=http://www.bruneiair.com/ |title=Welcome to Royal Brunei Airlines |publisher=Bruneiair |access-date=4 January 2011 |archive-date=12 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112072236/https://www.bruneiair.com/ |url-status=live }} is the national carrier. There is another airfield, the Anduki Airfield, located in Seria. The ferry terminal at Muara services regular connections to Labuan (Malaysia). Speedboats provide passenger and goods transportation to the Temburong district.{{cite news|title=Speedboat services to and from Temburong |url=http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/Local-News/speedboat-services-to-and-from-temburong.html |access-date=20 December 2011 |newspaper=Borneo Bulletin |date=3 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106113435/http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/Local-News/speedboat-services-to-and-from-temburong.html |archive-date=6 January 2012 }} The main highway running across Brunei is the Tutong-Muara Highway. The country's road network is well developed. Brunei has one main sea port located at Muara.

The airport in Brunei is currently being extensively upgraded.{{cite news|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2011/10/12/airport-upgrade-start-soon|title=Airport upgrade to start soon|newspaper=Brunei Times|access-date=22 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903210744/http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2011/10/12/airport-upgrade-start-soon|archive-date=3 September 2015|df=dmy-all}} Changi Airport International is the consultant working on this modernisation, which planned cost is currently $150 million.{{cite news|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/bookmarks/2013/10/02/brunei-international-airports-new-arrival-hall|title=Brunei International Airport's new arrival hall|newspaper=Brunei Times|access-date=22 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234828/http://www.bt.com.bn/bookmarks/2013/10/02/brunei-international-airports-new-arrival-hall|archive-date=2 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.airport-world.com/home/item/219-brunei-airport-upgrade|title=Brunei airport upgrade|first=Joe|last=Bates|publisher=Aviation Media|access-date=22 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001626/http://www.airport-world.com/home/item/219-brunei-airport-upgrade|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}} This project is slated to add {{convert|14000|m2}} of new floorspace and includes a new terminal and arrival hall.{{cite news|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/business-national/2012/02/29/more-opportunities-airport-after-upgrade-works|title=More opportunities at airport after upgrade works|last=Masli|first=Ubaidiallah|newspaper=Brunei Times|access-date=22 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203041916/http://www.bt.com.bn/business-national/2012/02/29/more-opportunities-airport-after-upgrade-works|archive-date=3 December 2013|df=dmy-all}} With the completion of this project, the annual passenger capacity of the airport is expected to double from 1.5 to 3 million.

With one private car for every 2.09 persons, Brunei has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world. This has been attributed to the absence of a comprehensive transport system, low import tax, and low unleaded petrol price of B$0.53 per litre.

A new {{convert|30|km|adj=on}} roadway connecting the Muara and Temburong districts of opened to traffic on March 17, 2020.{{cite web|url=http://www.bt.com.bn/frontpage-news-national/2015/09/11/2-temburong-bridge-contracts-inked|title=2 Temburong Bridge contracts inked – The Brunei Times|access-date=17 January 2016|archive-date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201211353/http://www.bt.com.bn/frontpage-news-national/2015/09/11/2-temburong-bridge-contracts-inked|url-status=dead}} {{convert|140|km|mi|abbr=off|spell=In}} of this roadway would be crossing the Brunei Bay.{{cite news|url=http://archive.bt.com.bn/news-national/2013/05/10/temburong-bridge-ready-2018|title=Temburong bridge ready 2018|last=Rabiatul|first=Kamit|date=10 May 2013|newspaper=Brunei Times|access-date=10 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203094248/http://archive.bt.com.bn/news-national/2013/05/10/temburong-bridge-ready-2018|archive-date=3 December 2013|df=dmy-all}} The bridge cost is $1.6 billion.{{cite web| url = https://www.planet.com/stories/temburong-bridge-brunei-dZyif1KGR| title = satellite imagery| access-date = 30 September 2020| archive-date = 4 December 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201204113933/https://www.planet.com/stories/temburong-bridge-brunei-dZyif1KGR| url-status = live}}

Bank of China received permission to open a branch in Brunei in April 2016. Citibank, which entered in 1972, closed its operations in Brunei in 2014. HSBC, which had entered in 1947, closed its operation in Brunei in November 2017.{{cite web |url=https://thescoop.co/2017/11/11/hsbc-shutters-branches-lead-brunei-exit/ |title=HSBC shutters all branches in lead up to Brunei exit |date=10 November 2017 |publisher=The Scoop |access-date=13 July 2020 |archive-date=13 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713085827/https://thescoop.co/2017/11/11/hsbc-shutters-branches-lead-brunei-exit/ |url-status=live }} Maybank of Malaysia, RHB Bank of Malaysia, Standard Chartered Bank of United Kingdom, United Overseas Bank of Singapore and Bank of China are currently operating in Brunei.

{{Main|Demographics of Brunei}}

File:Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque 02.jpg at night.]]

Ethnicities indigenous to Brunei include the Belait, Brunei Bisaya (not to be confused with the Bisaya/Visaya of the nearby Philippines), indigenous Bruneian Malay, Dusun, Kedayan, Lun Bawang, Murut and Tutong.

The population of Brunei in {{UN_Population|Year}} was {{UN_Population|Brunei Darussalam}},{{UN Population|ref}} of which 76% live in urban areas. The rate of urbanisation is estimated at 2.13% per year from 2010 to 2015. The average life expectancy is 77.7 years.{{Harvnb|Oxford Business Group|2013|p=100}} In 2014, 65.7% of the population were Malay, 10.3% are Chinese, 3.4% are indigenous, with 20.6% smaller groups making up the rest.{{cite book|title=Brunei Demographics Profile 2014|year=2015|publisher=Brunei Government|url=http://www.indexmundi.com/brunei/demographics_profile.html|access-date=9 July 2015|archive-date=11 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711094046/http://www.indexmundi.com/brunei/demographics_profile.html|url-status=live}} There is a relatively large expatriate community.{{cite book|title=Brunei Statistical Yearbook|page=13|url=http://www.depd.gov.bn/SI/BDSYB2010/BDSYB%202010.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307205335/http://www.depd.gov.bn/SI/BDSYB2010/BDSYB%202010.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-03-07}}

Most expats come from non-Muslim countries such as Australia, United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, The Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and India.

{{Main|Religion in Brunei}}

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Religion in Brunei (2021)

|label1 = Islam 362,035

|value1 = 82.1

|color1 = green

|label2 = Christianity 29,462

|value2 = 6.7

|color2 = blue

|label3 = Buddhism 27,745

|value3 = 6.3

|color3 = gold

|label4 = Others: indigenous beliefs and non-religious, Atheist or Agnostic 21,473

|value4 = 4.9

|color4 = grey

}}

Islam is the official religion of Brunei, specifically that of the Sunni denomination and the Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence. More than 82% of the population, including the majority of Bruneian Malays and Kedayans identify as Muslim. Other faiths practised are Christianity (6.7%) and Buddhism (6.3%, mainly by the Chinese). Freethinkers, mostly Chinese, form about 2% of the population. Although most of them practise some form of religion with elements of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, they prefer to present themselves as having practised no religion officially, hence labelled as atheists in official censuses. Followers of indigenous religions are about 2% of the population.{{cite book|title=2010 Brunei Statistical Yearbook|year=2010|publisher=Brunei Government|page=19|url=http://www.depd.gov.bn/SI/BDSYB2010/BDSYB%202010.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307205335/http://www.depd.gov.bn/SI/BDSYB2010/BDSYB%202010.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-03-07}}

{{Main|Languages of Brunei}}

The official language of Brunei is Standard Malay, for which both the Latin alphabet (Rumi) and the Arabic alphabet (Jawi) are used.[http://melayuonline.com/eng/news/read/12382/expand-use-of-malay-language Expand Use of Malay Language] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208110928/http://melayuonline.com/eng/news/read/12382/expand-use-of-malay-language |date=8 February 2013 }}. rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn (18 October 2010) Initially, Malay was written in the Jawi script before it switched to the Latin alphabet around 1941.{{sfn|de Vienne|2016|pp=104}}

The principal spoken language is Melayu Brunei (Brunei Malay). Brunei Malay is rather divergent from standard Malay and the rest of the Malay dialects, being about 84% cognate with standard Malay,P.W. Martin and G. Poedjosoedarmo (1996). An overview of the language situation in Brunei Darussalam. In P.W. Martin, C. Ozog & G. Poedjosoedarmo (Eds.), Language use & language change in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 1–23). Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Center for International Studies. p. 7. and is mostly mutually intelligible with it.{{cite journal|author=A. Clynes and D. Deterding|year=2011|title=Standard Malay (Brunei)|journal=Journal of the International Phonetic Association|volume=41|issue=2|pages=259–68|doi=10.1017/S002510031100017X|df=dmy-all|doi-access=free}}

English is widely used as a business and official language and it is spoken by a majority of the population in Brunei. English is used in business as a working language and as the language of instruction from primary to tertiary education.{{cite book|author=Mouton De Gruyter |title=Wei, Li: Applied Linguistics Review. 2011 2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7DSFueDOhYgC&pg=PA100 |access-date=27 February 2013 |date=31 May 2011 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-023933-1 |pages=100–}}[http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2010/09/22/change-medium-instruction-cause-poor-maths-results Change in medium of instruction cause of poor Maths results | The Brunei Times] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105094721/http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2010/09/22/change-medium-instruction-cause-poor-maths-results |date=5 November 2014 }}. Bt.com.bn (22 September 2010). Retrieved on 27 February 2013.A.C.K. Ozog (1996). The unplanned use of English: The case of Brunei Darussalam. In P.W. Martin, C. Ozog & G. Poedjosoedarmo (Eds.), Language use & language change in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 156–66). Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Center for International Studies.K. Dunseath (1996). Aspects of language maintenance and language shift among the Chinese community in Brunei. In P.W. Martin, C. Ozog & G. Poedjosoedarmo (Eds.), Language use & language change in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 280–301). Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Center for International Studies {{ISBN|0896801934}}.

Chinese languages are also widely spoken, and the Chinese minority in Brunei speaks a number of varieties of Chinese.

Arabic is the religious language of Muslims and is taught in schools, particularly religious schools, and also in institutes of higher learning. As of 2004, there are six Arabic schools and one religious teachers' college in Brunei. A majority of Brunei's Muslim population has had some form of formal or informal education in the reading, writing and pronunciation of the Arabic language as part of their religious education.

Other languages and dialects spoken include Kedayan Malay dialect, Tutong Malay dialect, Murut, and Dusun.

{{Main|Culture of Brunei}}

File:Royal Regalie (1).JPG

The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay (reflecting its ethnicity), with heavy influences from Islam, but is seen as much more conservative than Indonesia and Malaysia.For a discussion of religious freedom, see [https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71334.htm Brunei] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128102040/https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71334.htm |date=28 November 2019 }}. International Religious Freedom Report 2006, United States Department of State. Influences to Bruneian culture come from the Malay cultures of the Malay Archipelago. Four periods of cultural influence have occurred: animist, Hindu, Islamic, and Western. Islam had a very strong influence, and was adopted as Brunei's ideology and philosophy.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110511082403/http://www.jpm.gov.bn/pmo1/index.php?view=article&id=185%3Alanguage-and-culture&format=pdf&option=com_content&Itemid=209 Language and Culture]. jpm.gov.bn (28 May 2009)

As a Sharia country, the sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080710091353/http://www.tourismbrunei.com/info/do.html Brunei Tourism Website (Government appointed)]. tourismbrunei.com Non-Muslims are allowed to bring in a limited amount of alcohol from their point of embarkation overseas for their own private consumption.

{{Main|Media of Brunei}}

Media in Brunei are said to be pro-government; press criticism of the government and monarchy is rare. The country ranks "Not Free" in media by Freedom House.{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/inc/content/pubs/pfs/inc_country_detail.cfm?country=6929&year=2007&pf|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080511080900/http://www.freedomhouse.org/inc/content/pubs/pfs/inc_country_detail.cfm?country=6929&year=2007&pf|archive-date=11 May 2008|title=Freedom of the Press – Brunei (2006) |publisher=Freedomhouse.org|access-date=30 December 2009}} Nonetheless, the press is not overtly hostile toward alternative viewpoints and is not restricted to publishing only articles regarding the government. The government allowed a printing and publishing company, Brunei Press PLC, to form in 1953. The company continues to print the English daily Borneo Bulletin. This paper began as a weekly community paper and became a daily in 1990{{cite web |url=http://www.bruneipress.com.bn/brunei/brunei.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020623025316/http://www.bruneipress.com.bn/brunei/brunei.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 June 2002 |title=About Brunei |publisher=Bruneipress.com.bn |date=30 July 1998 |access-date=23 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }} Apart from The Borneo Bulletin, there is also the Media Permata and Pelita Brunei, the local Malay newspapers which are circulated daily. The Brunei Times is another English independent newspaper published in Brunei since 2006.{{cite web|title=Brunei Times Website|url=http://bt.com.bn/|access-date=15 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213020954/http://www.bt.com.bn/|archive-date=13 December 2011|df=dmy-all}}

The Brunei government, through state broadcaster Radio Television Brunei (RTB), owns and operates three television channels with the introduction of digital TV using DVB-T (RTB Perdana, RTB Aneka and RTB Sukmaindera) and five radio stations (National FM, Pilihan FM, Nur Islam FM, Harmony FM and Pelangi FM). A private company has made cable television available (Astro-Kristal) as well as one private radio station, Kristal FM.

It also has an online campus radio station, UBD FM, that streams from its first university, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.{{cite web|last=UBD Radio Website|title=UBD Radio|url=http://www.ubdfm.blogspot.com/|access-date=23 December 2011|archive-date=24 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824171936/http://ubdfm.blogspot.com/|url-status=live}}

{{main|Sport in Brunei}}

The most popular sport in Brunei is association football. The Brunei national football team joined FIFA in 1969, but has not had much success. Brunei's top football league is the Brunei Super League, which is managed by the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD). The nation has its own martial arts called "Silat Suffian Bela Diri".{{cite web|url=http://www.silatsuffian.nl/silat-suffian-bela-diri/|title=Silat Suffian Bela Diri|access-date=13 February 2023|archive-date=13 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213053500/http://www.silatsuffian.nl/silat-suffian-bela-diri/|url-status=live}}

Brunei debuted at the Olympics in 1996 and has competed at all subsequent Summer Olympics except the 2008 edition. The country has competed in badminton, shooting, swimming, and track-and-field, but has yet to win any medals. The Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council is the National Olympic Committee for Brunei.

Brunei has had slightly more success at the Asian Games, winning four bronze medals. The first major international sporting event to be hosted in Brunei was the 1999 Southeast Asian Games. According to the all-time Southeast Asian Games medal table, Bruneian athletes have won a total of 14 gold, 55 silver and 163 bronze medals at the games.

{{Portal|Asia|Countries}}

• List of Brunei-related topics
• Outline of Brunei

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

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|publisher=Government Printing Office

|access-date=20 June 2015

|archive-date=1 May 2023

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501074658/https://books.google.com/books?id=BE9DHAAACAAJ

|url-status=live

}}

• {{Cite book

|last=Oxford Business Group

|title=The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2013

|year=2013|publisher=Oxford Business Group

|isbn=978-1-907065-78-1

}}

• {{cite book|last=de Vienne |first=Marie-Sybille |translator-last=Lanier |translator-first=Emilia |title=Brunei: From the Age of Commerce to the 21st Century |location=Clementi, SG |publisher=NUS Press |year=2016 |orig-year=2012 |isbn=978-9971-69-818-8}}

{{refend}}

{{Sister project links|voy=Brunei}}

Government

• [http://www.pmo.gov.bn/Theme/Home.aspx Prime Minister's Office of Brunei Darussalam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525005007/http://www.pmo.gov.bn/Theme/Home.aspx |date=25 May 2019 }} website
• [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/world-leaders-1/BX.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016160710/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/world-leaders-1/BX.html |date=16 October 2020 }}

General information

• [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brunei/ Brunei]. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12990058 Brunei profile] from the BBC News
• [https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/82119/Brunei Brunei] at Encyclopædia Britannica
• {{Wikiatlas|Brunei}}
• [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=BN Key Development Forecasts for Brunei] from International Futures

Travel

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070509180534/http://www.tourismbrunei.com/ Brunei Tourism] website (archived 9 May 2007)

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