Brunei Darussalam Destination Guides > Facts About The Country
 HISTORY
Through the 15th and 16th centuries, Brunei was a significant regional power,
ruling Sabah, Sarawak and the lower Philippines. The Spanish and the Portuguese
were the first Europeans to disembark, but it was the British, who entered in
the state in the 17th and 18th centuries and started to grind down Brunei's authority.
In 1847, the sultan accomplished an agreement with Great Britain and in 1888 Brunei
Darussalam legitimately became a British colony. In 1906, the Residential System
was launched in Brunei Darussalam. A British Resident was designated as an envoy
of the British government to counsel the sultan in all matters except Malay traditions,
customs and Islamic religion.
In 1929, oil was discovered, and Brunei was about to be swallowed up completely.
The 1959 Agreement launched a written charter, which gave Brunei Darussalam internal
self-government. British plans to make Brunei a part of the Malaysian Federation
were upset by a revolt in 1962. In 1971, the agreement was adjusted and modified
to declare full internal independence except defense and external affairs. In
1984, Brunei became completely independent, and emphasized its new independence
from Britain by joining ASEAN. Since then, it has approached Islamic fundamentalism.
In 1988 another reshuffle brought about the rise of the deputy minister to a full
minister and the formation of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources intended
to advance the country's development. In 1991, the sale of alcohol was prohibited
and stricter dress codes have been established.
GEOGRAPHY
Brunei is situated in the northwestern coast of the Borneo Island. The country,
which is the nearest eastern state of Malaysia’s neighbor, covers a land
area of 5,765 kilometers. The land surface is developed on bedrock of tertiary
age comprising of sandstone, shale and clays. Brunei’ western portions
dominated by hilly lowlands below 91 meters, swampy plains and valleys. The
eastern part of the state consists predominantly of rugged mountain terrain,
rising 1,850 meters above sea level at Bukit Pagon. The coast has a wide, tidal
and swampy plain. There are 4 main rivers strait into the 4 districts of Temburong,
Belait, Tutong and Brunei. Temburong is the smallest river among all. It drains
almost the entire district. Two other main rivers are the Belait and Tutong.
The Belait basin is the largest with a total area of 2,700 sq. kilometers, while
the Tutong basin is about 1,300 sq. kilometers.
CLIMATE
Brunei Darussalam has a tropical/ equatorial climate typified by a regular high
temperature, high humidity and heavy rainfall throughout the year. Temperatures
range from 23 - 32 Degree Celsius, while rainfall varies from 2,500 mm annually
on the coast to 7,500 mm in the interior. There is no distinct wet season and
the climatic changes are from the influences of the monsoon winds. From December
through March, the northeast monsoon occurs, while around the remainder of the
year from June to October, the southeast monsoon happens. This is wrecked by
two inter-monsoon sessions from April to May and from November to December.
A high rainfall annually occurs in Brunei. There are two precise rainy seasons
in the year, firstly is the rainy period is from September to January with the
wettest month through December, and secondly is wet season are from May to July.
Dry times are from February to April.
ECOLOGY
Brunei Darussalam has some of the best mangroves in the Southeast Asian region
In Brunei, the mangrove was an important source of food, medicine, and construction
materials for the water village inhabitants. Most of the mangrove plant species
has a special local name, meanwhile few species have special common names in
English and the scientific name is usually used to refer to mangrove plants.
The large expanse and excellent condition of mangrove vegetation in Brunei Bay
coalesce to sustain a rich assortment of plants and animals characteristics
of the tropical Asian estuarine habitat. Plentiful supplies of shrimp and fish
arise in Brunei Bay and in offshore waters because mangrove vegetation provides
nursery sites for the juvenile stones of various commercially important marine
species. Abundant migrant birds feed in the mudflats during several months of
the year.
ENVIRONMENT
Brunei comprises two divided areas, just about 30km at a distance. Both areas
are bounded by the South China Sea to the north, and by Sarawak, the eastern
state of Malaysia on all other sides. Hilly lowlands make up Western Brunei,
while the eastern part comprises a coastal plain rising to a height of 1841m
(6038ft) at Bukit Pagon. Most of Brunei is jungle, in which only 15 per cent
of the country is cultivated. Brunei doesn't have marked wet and dry seasons.
Rainfall occurs throughout the year, but is heaviest between September and January.
Temperatures are constantly between 24°C (75°F) and 31°C (88°F),
while the humidity is averagely 79%.
FLORA & FAUNA
As Brunei is striding on to become a great tourist attraction site, the wealth,
diversity and uniqueness of Brunei's flora and fauna play an important role.
Brunei is a tiny country, but its largely wealth and rich heritage includes
the rain forests, which are everywhere acknowledged as some of the richest ecosystems
on earth. The rain forest is dynamic with changes in the growth and death of
plants, and their distribution according to forms of dispersal and survival,
and chance. Trees are certainly the main creatures within the rain forest, while
others, including both trees and ferns, form specialized relationship with ants.
The Brunei Beauty, locally known as Ikan Pelaga Brunei and scientifically called
Betta macrostoma had been extinct since 50 years ago with the fast social and
economic development, but it was "rediscovered" in 1981 in one of
the waterfalls in Brunei Darussalam. This "rediscovery" excites aquarium
fish collectors and researchers around the world. The natural habitation of
the fish includes rivers, waterfalls and swamps and other isolated water bodies.
Although they have a furious looks, they are less aggressive than the Siamese
fighting fish, Betta splendens. They are shy and like to hide beneath fallen
branches, logs, leaves and rocks. In wild life, they feed in insects as well
as leafy plants
POPULATION & PEOPLE
At 1998 count, the estimated population of Brunei is at 323,100, while in the
mid-year of 1999, it was growing at 2.4% to reach the number of 330,700 persons,
in which 175,200 of them were male (53%) and the rest 155,500 persons were females
(47%). This estimation takes account of all people inhabiting Brunei Darussalam.
Malay, which also included Brunei native communities of Malay, Kedayan, Tutong,
Belait, Bisaya, Dusun and Murut, make up the foremost population group adding
up to reach 223,500 (67.6%). Other indigenous groups that are Iban, Dayak and
Kelabit accounts for 19,600 persons (5.9%), Chinese at 49,300 persons (14.9%)
and other unspecified races at 38,300 persons (11.6%). The percentage increases
of population in each ethnic group over that of 1998 are Malay 2.7%, other natives
2.1%, Chinese 1.9% and others 1.1%. The population distribution by district
illustrates that Brunei/Muara District still has the major share with a total
of 218,800 persons (66.2%) while Belait and Tutong Districts have 66,800 persons
(20.2%) and 35,700 persons (10.8%) correspondingly. Temburong District has the
smallest population of 9,400 persons (2.8%). The population by age grouping
shows that about 107,600 persons (32.5%) are below 15 years, 211,900 persons
(64.1%) are at the working age group of between 15 and 64 years while 11,200
persons (3.4%) are over 65 years of age.
SOCIETY & CONDUCTS
Most of Brunei people are Malays; and their customs, beliefs and past times
are similar to those of Peninsular Malaysia. The customary law or ‘adat’
are principal in many of the country's ceremonies. Brunei is a fairly strict
Muslim country, however, other religions & faiths are allowed in Brunei.
It is forbidden for unmarried couples to stand or sit too close each other after
dark, in which getting nailed for this crime can mean imprisonment and a fine
CULTURE
Brunei Darussalam is richly endowed with cultural heritage persistently preserved
until today. Brunei's culture mainly originates from the Old Malay World, including
the Malay Archipelago and from this stemmed what is known as the Malay Civilisation.
Historically, various cultural constituents and foreign civilizations influenced
Brunei’s culture, in which it can be traced to four dominating periods
of animism, Hinduism, Islam and the West. However, it was Islam that managed
to wound its roots deeply into the culture of Brunei hence it became a way of
life and adopted as the state's ideology and philosophy.
RELIGION
Brunei is a Muslim country, in which the country’s constitution states
Islam as the official religion. The Sultan Yang Di-Pertuan Agung is the country’s
head of the Islamic faith, while Brunei also has its Ministry of Religious Affairs
to encourage and to promote Islam. They are reasonably strict in terms of religion
and the ministry has special officials to inspect any violate of Islamic law
by Muslims. Khalwat is one crime that these officials are keeping a spiky eye
on. Khalwat is when unmarried couples stand or sit too close to each other after
dark. Imprisonment and a fine can be meant to this crime. Sale of alcohol is
prohibited, while Non-Islamic restaurants, such as Chinese, that serves pork
must display signs stating that they are not appropriate for Muslims' consumption.
Other faiths practiced in the State include Christianity and Buddhism.
LANGUAGE
The country's official language is Malay, while English is widely used and spoken.
In schools, students are taught Jawi (Malay written in Arabic scripts). Most
signs across the country are written in both Jawi and Roman script. Chinese
language in various dialects also exists within the country.
ARTS
Brunei Darussalam is splendidly bestowed with cultural heritage faithfully preserved
until today. The invention of the Arts and Handicraft Centre in 1975 is a living
testimony as to the preservation and the increase of the arts and crafts of
the olden days which Brunei was renown for such as boat making, silver-smithing,
bronze tooling, cloth weaving as well as mat and basket weaving. Relics and
other various artistic heritage of Brunei Darussalam also include Malay weaponry,
wood carvings, traditional games, traditional musical instruments, 'silat' (the
traditional art of self defence) and decorative items for women. Some of these
are kept in the Brunei Museum and the Malay Technology Museum.
ECONOMY
Brunei is basically reliant on the revenues from crude oil and natural gas to
finance its development programs. It is said that the oil pumps are not likely
to run dry until the year 2020. Brunei Darussalam is the third largest oil producer
in Southeast Asia and it produced 163,000 barrels per day, while the country
is also the fourth largest producer of liquefied natural gas in the world. However,
Brunei is presently expanding their economy to other industry such as rice farming,
forestry and beef production. In the current Seventh national Development Plan,
1996-2000, the Brunei government has allocated more than $7.2 billion for the
implementation of various projects and programs. Various efforts made to encourage
rice production during the last decade and the yield per acre has increased
due to the introduction of better agricultural methods. There is also a vast
range of locally produced tropical fruits, which supply some 11% of domestic
requirements of more than 14,000 tones. Locally grown vegetables constitute
about 6,700 tones or just over 65 percent of the country's needs. The amount
increases gradually as more people are taking up vegetable farming. Other industries
in Brunei include forestry, livestock and fisheries.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Brunei Darussalam is a monarchy country led by the Sultan who appoints ministers
to assist him in governing the country and is also the self-appointed Prime
Minister and defense Minister. There is definitely no plan for going democratic
presently, in which the only democratic elections ever was in 1962. Judicial
power is vested in the Supreme Court, including the Court of Appeal and the
High Court; and the Magistrate's Court. Meanwhile the Islamic courts will treaty
with offences against Islam committed by Muslims. The judicial system used is
generally based on the British system. However, the philosophy of MIB is still
being applied to the law.
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