View source for Brunei

{{Short description|Country in Southeast Asia}}
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{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Distinguish|Brunel|Burundi}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Brunei Darussalam
| common_name            = Brunei
| native_name            = {{native name|ms|Negara Brunei Darussalam}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Brunei.svg
| image_flag2            = 
| image_coat             = Emblem of Brunei.svg
| symbol_type            = Emblem
| national_motto         = {{Vunblist|{{native phrase|ar|{{Script|Arab|الدائمون المحسنون بالهدى}}}}|''Ad-dāʾimūna al-muḥsinūna bi-l-hudā''|({{Lang|ms|Sentiasa membuat kebajikan dengan petunjuk Allah}})|"Always in service with [[God in Islam|God]]'s guidance"}}
| national_anthem        = {{Vunblist|''[[Allah Peliharakan Sultan]]''|{{Lang|ms-Arab|{{Script|Arab|ﷲ ڤليهاراکن سلطان}}}}|"God Bless the Sultan"}}{{Parabr}}{{Center|[[File:United States Navy Band - Allah Peliharakan Sultan.oga]]}}
| image_map              = {{Switcher|[[File:Brunei (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:Brunei map-en.svg|frameless]]|Show map of Brunei|[[File:Location Brunei ASEAN.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show ASEAN|default=1}}
| map_caption            = {{map caption |location_color= green |region= [[Southeast Asia]] |region_color= none}}
| capital                = [[Bandar Seri Begawan]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|4|53.417|N|114|56.533|E|type:city(290,000)_region:BN-BM|format=dms}}
| largest_city           = capital
| languages_type         = Official language
| languages              = [[Malay language|Malay]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Deterding|first1=David|last2=Athirah|first2=Ishamina|date=22 July 2016|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-international-phonetic-association/article/brunei-malay/37436246DB8F85B1EAA498E5389A3D49|title=Brunei Malay|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|doi=10.1017/S0025100316000189|access-date=15 May 2022|journal=Journal of the International Phonetic Association|volume=47|pages=99–108|s2cid=201819132|archive-date=15 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515100911/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-international-phonetic-association/article/brunei-malay/37436246DB8F85B1EAA498E5389A3D49|url-status=live| issn=0025-1003 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
| languages2_type        = Other languages<br/>and dialects<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/BN|title=Brunei|work=Ethnologue (Free All) |publisher=Ethnologue|date=19 February 1999|access-date=30 December 2013|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421142814/https://www.ethnologue.com/country/BN|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>McLellan, J., Noor Azam Haji-Othman, & Deterding, D. (2016). The Language Situation in Brunei Darussalam. In Noor Azam Haji-Othman., J. McLellan & D. Deterding (Eds.), ''The use and status of language in Brunei Darussalam: A kingdom of unexpected linguistic diversity'' (pp. 9–16). Singapore: Springer.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://borneobulletin.brunei-online.com/index.php/2013/10/25/call-to-add-ethnic-languages-as-optional-subject-in-schools/|title=Call to add ethnic languages as optional subject in schools|access-date=19 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131119230503/http://borneobulletin.brunei-online.com/index.php/2013/10/25/call-to-add-ethnic-languages-as-optional-subject-in-schools/|archive-date=19 November 2013}}</ref>
| languages2             = {{hlist |[[Brunei Malay]] | [[English language|English]] | [[Tutong language|Tutong]] |[[Kedayan]] |[[Belait language|Belait]] |[[Chinese language|Chinese]] ([[Hokkien]], [[Hakka Chinese]], [[Standard Chinese]] and [[Cantonese]]) |[[Lun Bawang language|Murut]] |[[Dusun language|Dusun]] |[[Brunei Bisaya language|Brunei Bisaya]] }}{{infobox|child=yes
|label1 = [[Official script]]s
|data1 = {{vunblist |[[Malay alphabet|Malay alphabet (Rumi)]] |[[Jawi alphabet]]<ref>[http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2010/10/22/writing-contest-promotes-usage-history-jawi-script Writing contest promotes usage, history of Jawi script] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612065057/http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2010/10/22/writing-contest-promotes-usage-history-jawi-script |date=12 June 2012 }}. The Brunei Times (22 October 2010)</ref>}}
}}<!--end hack-->
| ethnic_groups          = {{vunblist
 | 73.7% [[Bruneian Malay people|Bruneian Malays]]
 | 9.6% [[Ethnic Chinese in Brunei|Chinese]]
 | 16.6% others
 }}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2023
| ethnic_groups_ref      = <ref name="deps.gov.bn">{{Cite web|title=Population by Religion, Sex and Census Year|url=http://www.deps.gov.bn/SiteAssets/Time-Series3.html|access-date=17 March 2021|archive-date=1 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401024235/http://www.deps.gov.bn/SiteAssets/Time-Series3.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| religion               = {{vunblist|80.7% [[Sunni Islam]] ([[State religion|official]])
|10.7% [[Christianity in Brunei|Christianity]] 
|7.8% [[Buddhism in Brunei|Buddhism]]
|0.8% other (includes [[List of ethnic religions#Asia|Indigenous beliefs]])}}
| religion_year          = 2023
| religion_ref           = <ref name="deps.gov.bn" />
| demonym                = [[Bruneian people|Bruneian]]
| government_type        = Unitary Islamic [[absolute monarchy]]
| leader_title1          = [[List of Sultans of Brunei|Sultan]] and [[Prime Minister of Brunei|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name1           = [[Hassanal Bolkiah]]
| leader_title2          = [[Crown Prince]] and Senior Minister
| leader_name2           = [[Al-Muhtadee Billah]]
| leader_title3          = [[State Mufti of Brunei|Mufti]]
| leader_name3           = [[Abdul Aziz Juned]]
| legislature            = [[Legislative Council of Brunei|Legislative Council]]{{efn|The Legislative Council has no legislative power.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brunei Darussalam |publisher=United Nations |issue=Human Rights Council |page=4 |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/lib-docs/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session6/BN/A_HRC_WG6_6_BRN_1_E.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/lib-docs/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session6/BN/A_HRC_WG6_6_BRN_1_E.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> As its role is only consultative it is not considered to be a legislature.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brunei: Freedom in the World 2020 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/brunei/freedom-world/2020 |website=Freedom House |language=en |access-date=27 August 2022 |archive-date=27 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827212534/https://freedomhouse.org/country/brunei/freedom-world/2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brunei |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/brunei/ |website=United States Department of State |access-date=27 August 2022 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928234434/https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/brunei/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Brunei|Formation]]
| established_event1     = [[Bruneian Sultanate (1368–1888)|Sultanate established]]
| established_date1      = {{circa|1368}}
| established_event2     = [[British protectorate|British protected state]]
| established_date2      = 17 September 1888
| established_event3     = [[Brunei Revolt|Brunei Rebellion of 1962]]
| established_date3      = 8 December 1962
| established_event4     = Independence from the [[United Kingdom]]
| established_date4      = 1 January 1984
| established_event5     = Current [[Constitution of Brunei|constitution]]
| established_date5      = 29 September 1959
| area_km2               = 5,765<ref name=Brunei-Muara>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.information.gov.bn/PublishingImages/SitePages/Publication%20Lists/Brunei%20District.pdf|title=Brunei-Muara District|edition=2nd|website=Information.gov.bn|publisher=Information Department, [[Prime Minister's Office (Brunei)|Prime Minister's Office, Brunei Darussalam]]|year=2010|page=8|isbn=978-99917-49-24-2|access-date=3 May 2024|archive-date=2 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602004313/http://www.information.gov.bn/PublishingImages/SitePages/Publication%20Lists/Brunei%20District.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_rank              = 164th <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] -->
| area_sq_mi             = 2,226 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| percent_water          = 8.6
| population_estimate    = 466,227<ref>{{cite web |title=Brunei Population (2025) |url=https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/brunei-darussalam-population/ |language=en}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2025
| population_estimate_rank = 175th
| population_density_km2 = 72.11
| population_density_sq_mi = 186.75 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| population_density_rank = 134th
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $43.830 billion<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2025
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 137th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $95,760<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 7th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $16.01 billion<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2025
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 139th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $34,970<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 31st
| Gini                   = <!--number only-->
| Gini_year              = 
| Gini_change            = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref               = 
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI                    = 0.837 <!--number only-->
| HDI_year               = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="UNHDR">{{Cite web |date=13 March 2024 |title=Human Development Report 2023/2024 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313164319/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf |archive-date=13 March 2024 |access-date=13 March 2024 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 60th
| currency               = [[Brunei dollar]]
| currency_code          = BND
| time_zone              = [[Time in Brunei|Brunei Standard Time]]
| utc_offset             = +8
| drives_on              = left
| calling_code           = [[+673]]{{ref label|Calling Code|c}}
| cctld                  = [[.bn]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/bn.html |title=Delegation Record for .BN |publisher=IANA |access-date=6 November 2015 |archive-date=9 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909114943/http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/bn.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| footnote_a             = {{note|Calling Code}} Also 080 from [[East Malaysia]]
| population_census      = 440,715<ref>{{cite web |title=deps mofe |url=https://deps.mofe.gov.bn/SitePages/Population.aspx}}</ref>
| population_census_year = 2021
}}

'''Brunei''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Brunei.ogg|b|r|uː|ˈ|n|aɪ}} {{respell|broo|NY}}; {{IPA|ms|brunaɪ|lang|Brunei-pronunciation-ms.ogg}}}} officially '''Brunei Darussalam''',{{Efn|In [[Malay language|Malay]], the official name of Brunei is ''Negara Brunei Darussalam'', literal meaning "Nation&nbsp;of Brunei, the&nbsp;Abode of Peace". However, in English, the official name of the country is always written as ''Brunei Darussalam''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home – gov.bn|url=https://www.gov.bn/SitePages/Home.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904002258/https://www.gov.bn/SitePages/Home.aspx |archive-date=4 September 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Embassy of Brunei Darussalam to the United States of America|url=http://www.bruneiembassy.org/|url-status=live|website=Brunei Embassy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001206220600/http://www.bruneiembassy.org/|archive-date=6 December 2000|access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref>}}{{efn|{{langx|ms|Negara Brunei Darussalam}}, [[Jawi alphabet|Jawi]]: {{lang|ms-Arab|{{Script|Arab|نݢارا بروني دارالسلام}}}}, {{Literal translation|State&nbsp;of Brunei, the&nbsp;Abode of Peace}}<ref>Peter Haggett (ed). ''Encyclopedia of World Geography, Volume 1'', Marshall Cavendish, 2001, [https://books.google.com/books?id=u6LJ65K9DisC&pg=PA2913 p. 2913].</ref>}} formally known as '''State of Brunei''', is a country in [[Southeast Asia]], situated on the northern coast of the island of [[Borneo]]. Apart from its coastline on the [[South China Sea]], it is completely surrounded by the [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|Malaysian state]] of [[Sarawak]], with its territory bifurcated by the Sarawak district of [[Limbang District|Limbang]]. Brunei is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo; the remainder of the island is divided between its multi-landmass neighbours of [[Malaysia]] and [[Indonesia]]. {{as of|2025}}, the country had a population of 466,330,<ref name="depd.gov.bn">{{Cite web|url=http://www.depd.gov.bn/SitePages/Population.aspx|title= Population|website=Department of Economic Planning and Development |language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-12|archive-date=20 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320011146/http://www.depd.gov.bn/SitePages/Population.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> of whom approximately 64,409 resided in the capital and largest city of [[Bandar Seri Begawan]]. Its official language is [[Malay language|Malay]], and [[Sunni Islam]] is the [[state religion]] of the country, although [[Religion in Brunei|other religions are nominally tolerated]]. The [[government of Brunei]] is an [[absolute monarchy]] ruled by the [[Sultan of Brunei|Sultan]], and it implements a fusion of [[English_law#Common_law|English common law]] and jurisprudence inspired by Islam, including [[sharia]].

At the [[Sultanate of Brunei]]'s peak during the reign of Sultan [[Bolkiah]] (1485–1528), the state is claimed to have had control over the most of Borneo, including modern-day Sarawak and [[Sabah]], as well as the [[Sulu archipelago]] and the islands off the northwestern tip of Borneo. There are also claims to its historical control over Seludong, in which Southeast Asian scholars believe the name of the location in question is actually in reference to Mount Selurong, in Indonesia,<ref name="Abinales2005">Abinales, Patricio N. and Donna J. Amoroso, State and Society in the Philippines. Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield, 2005.</ref> or Serudong River in eastern Sabah.{{sfn|Saunders|2002|p=42}} The maritime state of Brunei was visited by the surviving crew of the  [[Timeline of Magellan's circumnavigation|Magellan Expedition]] in 1521, and in 1578 it fought against Spain in the [[Castilian War]].

During the 19th century, the Bruneian Empire began to decline. The Sultanate ceded [[Kuching]] to [[James Brooke]] and installed him as the [[White Rajah]], and it ceded Sabah to the British [[North Borneo Chartered Company]]. In 1888, Brunei became a [[British protectorate]] and was assigned a [[Resident (title)|British resident]] as colonial manager in 1906. After the [[Japanese colonial empire|Japanese occupation]] during [[World War II]], a new constitution was written in 1959. In 1962, a small [[Brunei revolt|armed rebellion]] against the monarchy which was indirectly related to the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation]] was ended with British assistance and led to the ban of the pro-independent [[Brunei People's Party]]. The revolt had also influenced the Sultan's decision not to join the Malaysian Federation while [[Malaysia Agreement|it was being formed]]. Britain's protectorate over Brunei would eventually end on 1 January 1984, becoming a fully [[sovereign state]].

Brunei has been led by Sultan [[Hassanal Bolkiah]] since 1967, and the country's [[unicameral legislature]], the [[Legislative Council of Brunei|Legislative Council]], is simply consultative and are all appointed by the Sultan. The country's wealth derives from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. Economic growth during the 1990s and 2000s has transformed Brunei into an industrialised country, with its GDP increasing 56% between 1999 and 2008. [[Politics of Brunei#Political conditions|Political stability]] is maintained by the [[House of Bolkiah]] by providing a [[welfare state]] for its citizens, with free or significant subsidies in regards to housing, healthcare and education. It ranks "very high" on the [[Human Development Index]] (HDI)—the second-highest among Southeast Asian states after [[Singapore]], which it maintains close relations with including a [[Brunei–Singapore Currency Interchangeability Agreement|Currency Interchangeability Agreement]]. According to the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF), Brunei is [[list of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|ranked seventh in the world by gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity]]. Brunei is a member of the [[United Nations]], the [[World Trade Organization]], the [[East Asia Summit]], the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]], the [[Non-Aligned Movement]], the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], and [[ASEAN]].

== Etymology ==
According to local historiography, Brunei was founded by Awang Alak Betatar, later to be [[Muhammad Shah of Brunei|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Before the rise of the [[Bruneian Empire]] under the Muslim Bolkiah dynasty, Brunei is believed to have been under Buddhist rulers.<ref name="Nicholl1980">{{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}}</ref> It was renamed ''Barunai'' in the 14th century, possibly influenced by the [[Sanskrit]] ''{{transliteration|sa|varuṇ}}'' ({{lang|sa|वरुण}}), meaning "seafarers".<ref name="Minahan2012">{{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}}</ref> The word "[[Borneo]]" is of the same origin. 

In the country's full name of ''{{lang|ms|Negara Brunei Darussalam}}'', the word ''{{lang|ms|darussalam}}'' ({{langx|ar|دار السلام}}) means "Abode of Peace", while ''{{lang|ms|negara}}'' means "country" in [[Malay language|Malay]]. A shortened version of the official Malay 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,<ref>{{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}}</ref> as well as official ASEAN<ref>{{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}}</ref> and Commonwealth<ref>{{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}}</ref> listings.

The earliest Western mention of Brunei is from the [[Bologna|Bolognese]] traveller [[Ludovico di Varthema]] in 1550:

{{blockquote|We arrived at the island of Bornei ''(Brunei or Borneo)'', which is distant from the ''[[Maluku Islands|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&nbsp;... in this island justice is well administered&nbsp;...<ref>{{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}}</ref>}}

== History ==
{{Main|History of Brunei}}

=== Early history ===
{{stack |float=left |[[File:The Tomb of the King of Boni (Brunei) Nanjing.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Tomb of the King of Boni]] in [[Nanjing]], Jiangsu, China]]}}

Areas comprising what is now Brunei participated in the Maritime Jade Road, as ascertained by archaeological research. The trading network existed for 3,000 years, between 2000 BC to 1000 AD.<ref>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.v20i0.11751</ref><ref>Turton, 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.</ref><ref>Everington, K. (2017). Birthplace of Austronesians is Taiwan, capital was Taitung: Scholar. Taiwan News.</ref><ref>Bellwood, P., H. Hung, H., Lizuka, Y. (2011). Taiwan Jade in the Philippines: 3,000 Years of Trade and Long-distance Interaction. Semantic Scholar.</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Vijayapura itself upon earlier in its history, was a rump state of the fallen multi-ethnic: Austronesian, Austroasiatic and Indian, [[kingdom of Funan|Funan Civilization]]; previously located in what is now Cambodia.<ref name="Nicholl">[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.</ref>{{rp|36}} This alternative Srivijaya known as Vijayapura referring to Brunei, was known to Arabic sources as "Sribuza".<ref>[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.</ref>

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.<ref name="Hutton2000">{{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}}</ref> The Bruneians regained their independence from Srivijaya due to the onset of a Javanese-Sumatran war.<ref>Coedes, Indianized States, Page 128, 132.</ref> 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.<ref>Journal of Southeast Asian Studies Vol. 14, No. 1 (Mar. 1983) Page 40. Published by: Cambridge University Press.</ref>{{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 [[Rajahnate of Butuan|Butuan]], [[Sultanate of Sulu|Sulu]], [[Ma-i]] (Mindoro), Malilu 麻裏蘆 ([[Maynila (historical polity)|Manila]]), [[Sanmalan|Shahuchong]] 沙胡重 (Siocon or [[Zamboanga City|Zamboanga]]), Yachen 啞陳 [[Oton]], and 文杜陵 Wenduling ([[Sultanate of Maguindanao|Mindanao]]),<ref>[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.</ref> which would regain their independence at a later date.<ref>[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</ref>

In the 14th century, the [[Java]]nese manuscript ''[[Nagarakretagama]]'', written by [[Mpu Prapanca|Prapanca]] in 1365, mentioned ''Barune'' as the constituent state of Hindu [[Majapahit]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> which had to make an annual [[tribute]] of 40 [[catty|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 Borneo<ref>Ming shi, 325, p. 8411, p. 8422.</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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 [[Bruneian Empire|Sultanate of Brunei]].<ref name="Junker1998">{{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 }}</ref> Intermarriage was a common strategy for Southeast Asian states to extend their influence.<ref name="Scott1994">{{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  }}</ref>  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.<ref>{{Harvnb|Nicholl|2002|pp=47–51}}</ref>

=== War with Spain and decline ===
[[File:Brunei territorial lose (1400–1890).gif|thumb|left|Brunei territorial losses from 1400 to 1890]] 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 [[Kingdom of Tondo|Hindu Tondo]] and [[Kingdom of Maynila|Muslim Manila]] in the Philippines by appointing the Bruneian descended [[Rajah Matanda|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 expedition<ref>de 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.</ref> 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.<ref>Tom Harrisson, Brunei's Two (or More) Capitals, Brunei Museum Journal, Vol. 3, No. 4 (1976), p. 77 sq.</ref> However, [[Colonialism|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 Empire|Ottoman Caliphate]] aided the beleaguered Southeast Asian Sultanates by making [[Ottoman expedition to Aceh|Aceh]] a [[protectorate]] and sending expeditions to reinforce, train and equip the local [[mujahideen]].<ref>Kayadibi, Saim. "Ottoman Connections to the Malay World: Islam, Law and Society", (Kuala Lumpur: The Other Press, 2011)</ref> 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]].<ref>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.</ref>

Spain [[Castille War|declared war]] in 1578, planning to attack and capture [[Kota Batu, Brunei-Muara|Kota Batu]], Brunei's capital at the time. This was based in part on the assistance of two Bruneian [[Pengiran#Brunei|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 state|tributary]] to Spain for help to recover the throne usurped by his brother, Saiful Rijal.<ref>{{harvnb|Melo Alip|1964|pp=201, 317}}</ref> 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|thumb|Chinese depiction of delegates from Brunei arriving in Beijing. 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 [[Francisco de Sande|De Sande]], acting as [[Capitán-General]]. He organised an expedition from Manila for Brunei, consisting of 400 Spaniards and Mexicans, 1,500 [[Filipino people|Filipino]] natives, and 300 Borneans.<ref>{{Harvnb|United States War Dept|1903|p=379}}</ref> The campaign was one of many, which also included action in [[Mindanao]] and [[Sulu Archipelago|Sulu]].<ref>{{Harvnb|McAmis|2002|p=33}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> The racial make-up of the Christian side was diverse since it were usually made up of [[Mestizos]], [[Mulattoes]] and Amerindians ([[Aztecs]], [[Maya peoples|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.<ref>[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.")</ref> The Muslim side was also equally racially diverse. In addition to the native Malay warriors, the Ottomans had repeatedly sent military expeditions to nearby [[Ottoman expedition to Aceh|Aceh]]. The expeditions were composed mainly of [[Turkic people|Turks]], [[Egyptians]], [[Swahili people|Swahilis]], [[Somalis]], [[Sindhis]], [[Gujaratis]] and [[Malabars]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>''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}}</ref>

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,<ref>{{Harvnb|Frankham|2008|p=278}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Atiyah|2002|p=71}}</ref> the Spanish decided to abandon Brunei and returned to Manila on 26 June 1578, after 72 days.<ref>{{Harvnb|Saunders|2002|pp=54–60}}</ref>

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 people|Tagalog]], named Agustín de Legazpi de Tondo.<ref>{{Harvnb|Saunders|2002|p=57}}</ref> [[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.<ref name=":1">Martinez, Manuel F. Assassinations & conspiracies : from Rajah Humabon to Imelda Marcos. Manila: Anvil Publishing, 2002.</ref> 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 [[Isidoro Montes de Oca|Mexican war of independence against Spain]].<ref name="enchistoria">{{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=24 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306003153/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_guerrero |archive-date=6 March 2012 }}</ref><ref name="riquezahis">{{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=24 June 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 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Harvnb|Saunders|2002|pp=57–58}}</ref>

Brunei eventually descended into anarchy. The country suffered a [[Bruneian Civil War of 1660|civil war]] from 1660 to 1673.

=== British intervention ===
<!--Linked from [[Template:History of Brunei]]-->
{{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|thumb|British adventurer [[James Brooke]] 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|thumb|right|Boundaries of Brunei (green) since 1890]]
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 of Brunei (1888)|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).<ref name=cia>{{cite web | url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brunei/ | title=Brunei | work=[[The 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 }}</ref><ref>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.</ref> But, when the Raj of Sarawak annexed Brunei's [[Limbang Division|Pandaruan District]] in 1890,<ref>{{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=[[National Archives of Malaysia|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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>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</ref> McArthur produced his [[Report On Brunei|Report On Brunei in 1904]] where he recommended the implementation of the [[Federated Malay States|Malayan British Residency system]] and the continued protection of Brunei.<ref>McArthur, Report on Brunei, para.134</ref> [[British resident]]s were introduced in Brunei under the Supplementary Protectorate Agreement in 1906.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=59}}<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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}}

=== Discovery of oil ===
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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Macmillan Atlas|isbn=978-1-4202-0995-2|page=15|last1=Berry|first1=Rob|year=2008|publisher=Macmillan Education Australia }}</ref> Oil and natural gas have been the basis of Brunei's development and wealth since the late 20th century.

=== Japanese occupation ===
{{Main|Japanese occupation of British Borneo}}

[[File:Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin (AWM P10841.001).JPG|thumb|[[Ahmad Tajuddin]], the [[List of Sultans of Brunei|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.<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>"Brunei under the Japanese occupation", Rozan Yunos, ''Brunei Times'', Bandar Seri Begawan, 29 June 2008</ref>

Once the Japanese occupied Brunei, they made an agreement with [[Ahmad Tajuddin|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.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Resuscitating Nationalism : Brunei under the Japanese Military Administration (1941–1945)|last=Hussainmiya|first=B. A.|year=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}}</ref><ref>"The Japanese Interregnum...," Graham Saunders, ''A history of Brunei'', Edition 2, illustrated, reprint, Routledge, 2002, p. 129, {{ISBN|070071698X|978-0700716982}}</ref>

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 [[Miri Division|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 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|atomic bombing of Hiroshima]], Yusuf survived.<ref>R. H. W. Reece. The Name of Brooke: The End of White Rajah Rule in Sarawak. p.185. Oxford University Press. 1982</ref>

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 invasion of Malaya|Japanese invaded Malaya]]. By the end of the war, 16 wells at [[Miri, Malaysia|Miri]] and Seria had been restarted, with production reaching about half the pre-war level. Coal production at [[Muara, Brunei|Muara]] was also recommenced, but with little success.<ref name=":0" />

[[File:Japanese Battleship Nagato 1944.jpg|thumb|left|''[[Japanese battleship Nagato|Nagato]]'', ''[[Japanese cruiser Tone (1937)|Tone]]'', ''[[Japanese battleship Yamato|Yamato]]'' and ''[[Japanese battleship Musashi|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 [[Banana money|''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.<ref name=":0" />

The [[Brunei International Airport|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]].<ref>"Japanese occupation", ''Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam'', Jatswan S. Sidhu, Edition 2, illustrated, Scarecrow Press, 2009, p. 115, {{ISBN|0810870789|978-0810870789}}</ref>

[[File:Japanese Surrender, Labuan (AWM 115989).JPG|right|thumb|[[George Wootten|Major-General Wootten]] of the Australian 9th Division with [[Masao Baba|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 [[Battle of North Borneo|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

=== Post-World War II ===
After [[World War II]], a new government was formed in Brunei under the [[British Military Administration (Borneo)|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, [[Kingdom of Sarawak|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 [[Ethnic Malays|Malays]]".<ref name="History131">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="US DOS" /> A small [[rebellion]] erupted against the monarchy in 1962, which was suppressed with help of the UK.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="US DOS" />

Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984.<ref name="US DOS" /> The official National Day, which celebrates the country's independence, is held by tradition on 23 February.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

=== Writing of the Constitution ===
[[File:Omar Ali Saifuddien III.jpg|thumb|Sultan [[Omar Ali Saifuddien III]]]]
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 [[Bandar Seri Begawan|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
* [[Legislative Council of Brunei|The Legislative Council of Brunei]]
* The Privy Council
* The Council of Succession
* The State Religious Council

=== National development plans ===
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&nbsp;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&nbsp;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 [[barrels per day|bpd]].

[[File:THE BRITISH ARMY IN BRUNEI, JANUARY 1963.jpg|thumb|British soldiers in the [[British protectorate]] of Brunei on guard in the [[Seria Field|Seria oilfield]], January 1963]]
The plan also aided the development of public education. By 1958, expenditure on education totalled at $4&nbsp;million.{{sfn|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009|p=129}} Communications were improved, as new roads were built and reconstruction at [[Old Airport, Brunei|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 [[List of Panamax ports|deepwater port]] at [[Muara, Brunei|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.<ref name="History129">{{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}}</ref> The death rate was reduced from 20 per thousand in 1947 to 11.3 per thousand in 1953.<ref name="History129" /> Infectious disease has been prevented by public sanitation and improvement of drainage, and the provision of piped pure water to the population.<ref name="History129" />

=== Independence ===
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, Baron Fanshawe of Richmond|Anthony Royle]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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 [[British Military Garrison Brunei|Gurkha units]] to be deployed in Brunei, where they remain up to this day.

[[File:Sultan of Brunei with Janin Erih.jpg|thumb|Sultan [[Hassanal Bolkiah]] (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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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 "[[Majesty|His Majesty]]", rather than the previous "[[His Royal Highness]]".<ref>{{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}}</ref> Brunei was [[Member states of the United Nations|admitted to the United Nations]] on 22 September 1984, becoming the organisation's 159th member.<ref>[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]]''</ref>

=== 21st century ===
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> The move attracted international criticism,<ref name="MSNBC_2014-05-07">{{Cite news | title = Brunei's Sharia law creates backlash in Beverly Hills | last = McNew | first = David | publisher = [[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 }}</ref> the United Nations expressing "deep concern".<ref name="BBC-27216798">{{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 }}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Brunei}}

[[File:Brunei location map Topographic.png|thumb|upright=1.3|A topographic and geographic limits map of Brunei]]
Brunei is a [[Southeast Asia|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}} [[Brunei–Malaysia border|border with Malaysia]]. It has {{convert|500|km2|sqmi|0}} of territorial waters, and a {{convert|200|nmi|adj=on}} [[exclusive economic zone]].<ref name="cia" />

About 97% of the population lives in the larger western part ([[Belait District|Belait]], [[Tutong District|Tutong]], and [[Brunei and Muara|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]].<ref>2001 Summary Tables of the Population Census. Department of Statistics, Brunei Darussalam</ref> Other major towns are the port town of [[Muara, Brunei|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Most of Brunei is within the [[Borneo lowland rain forests]] ecoregion, which covers most of the island. Areas of [[Borneo montane rain forests|mountain rain forests]] are located inland.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 [[State ownership|public ownership]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

The [[climate of Brunei]] is [[tropical climate|tropical]] equatorial that is a [[tropical rainforest climate]]<ref name=cia /> more subject to the [[Intertropical Convergence Zone]] than the [[trade wind]]s and with no or rare [[cyclone]]s. Brunei is exposed to the risks stemming from climate change along with other [[ASEAN]] member states.<ref>{{cite web |author=Indra Overland |year=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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 |article-number=100019 |doi=10.1016/j.egycc.2020.100019 |hdl=11250/2734506 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

== Politics and government ==
{{Main|Politics of Brunei|Government of Brunei}}

[[File:Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah - 53810840215.jpg|thumb|270x270px|[[Hassanal Bolkiah]], [[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.<ref name="bruneipress.com.bn" /> It has a legal system based on [[English common law]], although Islamic law (''[[sharia]]'') supersedes this in some cases.<ref name=cia /> Brunei [[Legislative Council of Brunei|has a parliament]] there are no elections; instead, the members are appointed by the sultan. The last election was held in [[1962 Bruneian district_council election|1962]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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 [[State of emergency|emergency powers]], which are renewed every two years, meaning that Brunei has technically been under [[martial law]] since then.<ref name="US DOS" /> Hassanal Bolkiah also serves as the state's prime minister, [[finance minister]] and [[defence minister]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Brunei}}

[[File:Pres. Obama and HM Bolkiah APEC 2015.jpg|thumb|Brunei's Sultan and Foreign Minister [[Hassanal Bolkiah]] meets with U.S. President [[Barack Obama]], 18 November 2015.]]
[[File:Keroncong Kemayoran di Perayaan 50 Tahun Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Bertakhta (2c).jpg|thumb|Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah with Indonesian President [[Joko Widodo]], 6 October 2017]]
Until 1979, Brunei's foreign relations were managed by the [[Government of the United Kingdom|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.<ref>{{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  }}</ref>

Officially, Brunei's foreign policy is as follows:<ref>{{cite book|last=Ministry of Education|title=History for Brunei Darussalam|year=2008|publisher=EBP Pan Pacific|isbn=978-9991725451|page=104}}<!--|access-date=20 November 2013--></ref>
* 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 of Nations|Commonwealth]] immediately on the day of its independence on 1 January 1984.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

As an [[Islamic state|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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref name="APEC_2000">{{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}}</ref> Brunei became a founding member of the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) on 1 January 1995,<ref name="WTO_2008">{{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}}</ref> and is a major player in [[BIMP-EAGA]], which was formed during the Inaugural Ministers' Meeting in [[Davao City|Davao]], Philippines, on 24 March 1994.<ref name="BIMP_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}}</ref>

Brunei shares a close relationship with [[Brunei–Singapore relations|Singapore]] and the [[Brunei–Philippines relations|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.<ref>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"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329025557/https://mb.com.ph/articles/204239/rp-brunei-seal-agri-cooperation-deal |date=29 March 2023 }}, ''Manila Bulletin''</ref>

Brunei is one of many nations to lay claim to some of the disputed [[Spratly Islands]].<ref name=dispute /> The status of [[Limbang]] as part of [[Sarawak]] has been disputed by Brunei since the area was first annexed in 1890.<ref name=dispute>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2070.html |title=Disputes – International |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="bt">{{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  }}</ref> The Brunei government denies this and says that their claim on Limbang was never dropped.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

Brunei was the chair for ASEAN in 2013.<ref>{{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}}</ref> It also hosted the ASEAN summit on that same year.<ref name="RA">{{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}}</ref>

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

Brunei maintains three infantry battalions stationed around the country.<ref name="US DOS" /> The [[Royal Brunei Navy|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.<ref name="US DOS" /> United Kingdom military personnel are stationed there under a defence agreement signed between the two countries.<ref name="US DOS" />

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.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=CNN|date=21 July 2012|url=https://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}}</ref> The crash is the worst aviation incident in the history of Brunei.

The Army is currently acquiring new equipment,<ref>{{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}}</ref> including [[UAV]]s and [[Sikorsky S-70|S-70i Black Hawks]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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&nbsp;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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Brunei}}

Brunei is divided into four [[districts of Brunei|districts]] ({{lang|ms|daerah}}), namely [[Brunei-Muara District|Brunei-Muara]], [[Belait District|Belait]], [[Tutong District|Tutong]] and [[Temburong District|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 [[states of Malaysia|state]] of [[Sarawak]]. Tutong is home to [[Tasek Merimbun]], the country's largest natural lake.

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

Bandar Seri Begawan and towns in the country (except [[Pekan Muara|Muara]] and [[Bangar, Brunei|Bangar]]) are administered as [[municipalities of Brunei|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)|Ministry of Home Affairs]].

== Legal system ==
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]],<ref>{{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=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 }}</ref>  is the Supreme Court, which consists of the Court of Appeal and High Court. Both of these have a chief justice and two judges.<ref name=cia />

=== Women and children ===
{{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|thumb|Headscarves called ''[[tudong]]'' are compulsory for Brunei's Muslim schoolgirls.]]
A 2010 [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]] report stated that discrimination against women is a problem in Brunei.<ref name="state.gov">[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 }}. U.S. Department of State</ref> 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 [[Marital rape|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.<ref name="state.gov" />

[[Bruneian nationality law|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.

=== LGBT rights ===
{{Main|LGBT rights in Brunei}}

Male and female homosexuality is [[LGBT rights in Brunei|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, which had previously made homosexual acts punishable with death by stoning.<ref>{{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=5 May 2019|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}}</ref>

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 organisations, who criticised the harsh punishments as inhumane and a violation of human rights.

The government of Brunei stated that the decision was made 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.

The first phase of the Sharia penal code, which includes fines and imprisonment for offences such as failure to attend Friday prayers and consuming alcohol, remains in place.

=== Religious rights ===
{{Main|Freedom of religion in Brunei}}

[[File:Brunei International Airport Surau.jpg|thumb|Brunei International Airport Mosque]]
In The Laws of Brunei, the right of non-Muslims to practice their faith is guaranteed by the [[Constitution of Brunei|1959 Constitution]]. However, celebrations and prayers must be confined to places of worship and private residences.<ref name="m.bt.com.bn" /> 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.<ref name="Brunei unfairly hurt">{{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}}</ref>
On 25 December 2015, 4,000 out of 18,000 estimated local Catholics attended the mass of Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.<ref name="m.bt.com.bn">[https://btarchive.org/news/national/2015/12/26/christians-celebratexmas-brunei The Brunei Times<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{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 }}</ref> In 2015, the then-[[Cornelius Sim|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".<ref name="m.bt.com.bn" />

Brunei's revised penal code came into force in phases, commencing on 22 April 2014 with offences punishable by fines or imprisonment.<ref name=Brunei140430>{{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=30 April 2014 | access-date=3 April 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 }}</ref><ref name=DW-140430>{{cite news | url=https://www.dw.com/en/brunei-announces-implementation-of-sharia-law/a-17602108 | title=Brunei announces implementation of Sharia law | publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] | date=30 April 2014 | access-date=3 April 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 }}</ref> The complete code, due for final implementation later,{{When|date=October 2024}} stipulated the death penalty for numerous offences (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."<ref name="UN_2014">{{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 }}</ref>

=== Animal rights ===
Brunei is the first country in [[Asia]] to have banned [[shark finning]] nationwide.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Brunei has retained most of its forests, compared to its neighbours that share the island of [[Borneo]]. There is a public campaign calling to protect [[pangolin]]s which are considered a threatened treasure in Brunei.<ref name=Hii2015>{{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=3 October 2015 |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 }}</ref>

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

[[File:SBY dan para pemimpin ASEAN 25-04-2013.jpg|thumb|right|[[BIMP-EAGA]] 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 Asia|Southeast Asian]] nations, after [[Singapore]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 |year=2020 |access-date=10 June 2021}}</ref> [[petroleum|Crude oil]] and natural gas production account for about 90% of its GDP.<ref name="US DOS" /> About {{convert|167000|oilbbl}} of oil are produced every day, making Brunei the fourth-largest producer of oil in Southeast Asia.<ref name="US DOS" /> 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.<ref name="US DOS" /> ''[[Forbes]]'' also ranks Brunei as the fifth-richest nation out of 182, based on its petroleum and natural gas fields.<ref>{{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  }}</ref> Brunei was ranked 88th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer 2025 |url=https://www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/brunei-darussalam |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=WIPO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2025/en/index.html |title=Global Innovation Index 2025: Innovation at a Crossroads |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |publisher=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2025 |isbn=978-92-805-3797-0 |page=19 |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.58864 |access-date=2025-10-17}}</ref>

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.<ref name="US DOS" /> The government provides for all medical services,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and subsidises rice<ref>{{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}}</ref> and housing.<ref name="US DOS">{{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}}</ref>

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

Brunei depends heavily on imports such as agricultural products (e.g. [[rice]], [[convenience food|food products]], [[livestock]], etc.),<ref name="agriculture brunei">{{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}}</ref> vehicles and [[consumer electronics|electrical products]] from other countries.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Brunei imports 60% of its food; of that amount, around 75% come from other [[ASEAN]] countries.<ref name="agriculture brunei" />

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 (economics)|labour]] force, reduce unemployment, which was at 6.9% in 2014;<ref>{{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}}</ref> strengthen the banking and tourism sectors, and, in general, broaden the economic base.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> A long-term development plan aims to diversify growth.<ref>{{Citation|chapter=Report by Brunei Darussalam|date=21 May 2015|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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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  }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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  }}</ref> In July 2009 Brunei launched its national [[halal]] branding scheme, Brunei Halal, with a goal to export to foreign markets.<ref>{{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  }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

== Infrastructure ==
[[File:V8-DLA Boeing 787 of Royal Brunei at Heathrow (11400528073).jpg|thumb|Royal Brunei [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]] at London [[Heathrow Airport Holdings|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 road|paved]].<ref name="statistics 2019">{{cite book |author=<!-- not stated --> |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 }}</ref> The {{convert|135|km|adj=on}} highway from [[Muara Town]] to [[Kuala Belait]] is a [[dual carriageway]].<ref name="bruneipress.com.bn" />

Brunei is accessible by air, sea, and land transport. [[Brunei International Airport]] is the main entry point to the country. [[Royal Brunei Airlines]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="US DOS" />

The airport in Brunei is currently being extensively upgraded.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Changi Airport International is the consultant working on this modernisation, which planned cost is currently $150&nbsp;million.<ref name="BT null">{{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}}</ref><ref name="Aviation">{{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}}</ref> This project is slated to add {{convert|14000|m2<!--was "metres" but this didn't make sense-->}} of new floorspace and includes a new terminal and arrival hall.<ref name="BT22">{{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}}</ref> With the completion of this project, the annual passenger capacity of the airport is expected to double from 1.5 to 3 million.<ref name="BT null" />

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.<ref name="bruneipress.com.bn" />

A new {{convert|30|km|adj=on}} roadway [[Temburong Bridge|connecting the Muara and Temburong]] districts of opened to traffic on 17 March 2020.<ref>{{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<!-- Bot generated title -->|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}}</ref> {{convert|140|km|mi|abbr=off|spell=In}} of this roadway would be crossing the [[Brunei Bay]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> The bridge cost is $1.6&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

=== Banking ===
The [[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.<ref name=HSBCClose>{{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 }}</ref> [[Maybank|Maybank of Malaysia]], [[RHB Bank|RHB Bank of Malaysia]], [[Standard Chartered|Standard Chartered Bank of United Kingdom]], [[United Overseas Bank|United Overseas Bank of Singapore]] and Bank of China are currently operating in Brunei.

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Brunei}}

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

Ethnicities indigenous to Brunei include the [[Belait people|Belait]], [[Bisaya (Borneo)|Brunei Bisaya]] (not to be confused with the Bisaya/Visaya of the nearby Philippines), indigenous [[Bruneian Malay people|Bruneian Malay]], [[Dusun people|Dusun]], [[Kedayan]], [[Lun Bawang]], [[Murut people|Murut]] and [[Tutong people|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.<ref>{{Harvnb|Oxford Business Group|2013|p=100}}</ref> In 2014, 65.7% of the population were [[Bruneian Malay people|Malay]], 10.3% are [[Ethnic Chinese in Brunei|Chinese]], 3.4% are indigenous, with 20.6% smaller groups making up the rest.<ref>{{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}}</ref> There is a relatively large [[expatriate]] community.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
Most expats come from non-[[Muslim]] countries such as [[Australia]], [[United Kingdom]], [[South Korea]], [[Japan]], the [[Philippines]], [[Thailand]], [[Cambodia]], [[Vietnam]] and [[India]].

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Brunei}}

{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Brunei (2021)<ref name="deps.gov.bn" />
|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 in Brunei|Islam]] is the official religion of Brunei,<ref name=cia /> specifically that of the [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] denomination and the [[Shafi'i]] school of Islamic jurisprudence. More than 82% of the population, including the majority of [[Bruneian Malay people|Bruneian Malays]] and [[Kedayan]]s identify as [[Muslim]]. Other faiths practised are [[Christianity in Brunei|Christianity]] (6.7%) and [[Buddhism in Brunei|Buddhism]] (6.3%, mainly by the Chinese).<ref name="deps.gov.bn" /> [[Freethought|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 [[atheism|atheists]] in official censuses.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} Followers of indigenous religions are about 2% of the population.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

=== Language ===
{{Main|Languages of Brunei}}

The official [[languages of Brunei|language of Brunei]] is [[Standard Malay]], for which both the [[Latin alphabet]] ([[Rumi script|Rumi]]) and the [[Arabic alphabet]] ([[Jawi alphabet|Jawi]]) are used.<ref>[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)</ref> 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,<ref name="Martin">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.</ref> and is mostly mutually intelligible with it.<ref>{{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|doi-access=free}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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–}}</ref><ref>[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 27 February 2013.</ref><ref>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.</ref><ref>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}}.</ref>

Chinese languages are also widely spoken, and the [[Ethnic Chinese in Brunei|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 language|Tutong Malay dialect]], [[Murutic languages|Murut]], and [[Dusun language|Dusun]].<ref name="Martin" />

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Brunei}}

[[File:Royal Regalie (1).JPG|thumb|right|Royal Regalia Museum]]
The culture of Brunei is predominantly [[Malay people|Malay]] (reflecting its ethnicity), with heavy influences from [[Islam]], but is seen as much more conservative than [[Culture of Indonesia|Indonesia]] and [[Culture of Malaysia|Malaysia]].<ref>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.</ref> Influences to Bruneian culture come from the Malay cultures of the [[Malay Archipelago]]. Four periods of cultural influence have occurred: [[Animism|animist]], [[Hindu]], Islamic, and [[Western culture|Western]]. Islam had a very strong influence, and was adopted as Brunei's ideology and philosophy.<ref>[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)</ref>

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

=== Media ===
{{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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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<ref name="bruneipress.com.bn">{{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  }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref name="bruneipress.com.bn" />
It also has an online campus radio station, ''[[UBD FM]]'', that streams from its first university, [[Universiti Brunei Darussalam]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Sport===
{{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".<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Brunei [[Brunei at the Olympics|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 [[Brunei at the Asian Games|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.

== See also ==
{{Portal bar|Asia|Countries}}
* [[List of Brunei-related topics]]
* {{anl|Outline of Brunei}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

'''Sources'''
{{EB1911 poster|Brunei}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{CIA World Factbook}}
* {{Cite book
|title=History for Brunei Darussalam: Sharing our Past
|year=2009|publisher=Curriculum Development Department, Ministry of Education
|isbn=978-99917-2-372-3
|ref={{harvid|History for Brunei Darussalam|2009}}}}
* {{Cite book
|last=Atiyah
|first=Jeremy
|title=Rough guide to Southeast Asia
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uRX5zMsCeNgC
|year=2002
|publisher=Rough Guide
|isbn=978-1-85828-893-2
}}
* {{Cite book
|last=Frankham
|first=Steve
|title=Footprint Borneo
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XuR842_XgwQC
|year=2008
|publisher=Footprint Guides
|isbn=978-1-906098-14-8
}}
* {{Cite book
|last=Gudgeon
|first=L.W.W.
|title=British North Borneo
|year=1913 |publisher=Adam and Charles Black: London
}}
* {{Cite book
|last=Nicholl
|first=Robert
|title=European sources for the history of the Sultanate of Brunei in the Sixteenth Century
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=59PnSwurWj8C
|year=2002
|publisher=Special Publications, no. 9. Muzium Brunei
|isbn=978-0-8028-4945-8
}}
* {{Cite book
|last=McAmis
|first=Robert Day
|title=Malay Muslims: the history and challenge of resurgent Islam in Southeast Asia
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=59PnSwurWj8C
|year=2002
|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
|isbn=978-0-8028-4945-8
}}
* {{cite book
|last=Melo Alip
|first=Eufronio
|title=Political and cultural history of the Philippines, Volumes 1–2
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0A5wAAAAMAAJ
|year=1964
}}
* {{Cite book
|title=The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2009
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t8JGP4RRA1cC
|year=2009
|publisher=Oxford Business Group
|isbn=978-1-907065-09-5
}}
* {{Cite book
|last=Saunders
|first=Graham E.
|title=A history of Brunei
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ4t_OJgSjAC
|year=2002
|publisher=Routledge
|isbn=978-0-7007-1698-2
|access-date=22 August 2020
|archive-date=25 April 2024
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425112741/https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ4t_OJgSjAC
|url-status=live
}}
* {{Cite report
|last=United States War Dept
|title=Annual reports, Volume 3
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BE9DHAAACAAJ
|year=1903
|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
|title=The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2013
|year=2013|publisher=Oxford Business Group
|isbn=978-1-907065-78-1
|ref={{SfnRef|Oxford Business Group|2013}}
}}
* {{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, Singapore|Clementi, SG]] |publisher=[[NUS Press]] |year=2016 |orig-year=2012 |isbn=978-9971-69-818-8}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{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)

{{Brunei topics}}

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