Happiness In Brunei: A Citizen's Perspective

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small but wealthy country located in Southeast Asia on the island of Borneo. It is one of the least-visited countries in the world, with strict laws and a lack of internationally recognised attractions. Despite this, it is a budget-friendly travel destination with plenty of interesting sites, including the world's largest water village, grand mosques, and luxurious resorts.

The country has a population of around 430,000 people, with approximately 300,000 living in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. It is one of the safest countries globally, with low crime rates and a high life expectancy of around 76-78 years. The people of Brunei, or Bruneians, are described as friendly and polite.

Brunei has a unique political system as an absolute monarchy, with the Sultan, currently Hassanal Bolkiah, holding complete power as the head of state and government. The country has faced criticism for its implementation of Sharia Law, which includes harsh punishments for offences such as adultery and sodomy, and the criminalisation of homosexuality.

With its natural beauty, diverse culture, and friendly locals, Brunei offers a fascinating glimpse into a lesser-known part of the world.

Brunei is one of the happiest countries in the world, ranked 9th out of 167 nationalities

Natural Beauty and Diversity

Brunei is a small yet incredibly interesting country located on the Southeast Asian island of Borneo. It is one of the least visited countries globally, with strict laws and a lack of internationally recognised attractions. The country is naturally diverse, with 80% of its land covered by rainforest. These rainforests are home to rare creatures such as flying lizards, clouded leopards, and proboscis monkeys. Brunei also boasts the world's largest water village, Kampong Ayer, which spans 10 square kilometres and can be explored by boat.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Brunei has a rich cultural and historical heritage. The official language of the country is Malay, and the national religion is Islam, with stunning grand mosques found throughout the nation. The country has the world's oldest reigning monarchy, with the same family ruling for 655 years. The current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the richest people on Earth, with a vast collection of luxury cars, art, and other expensive possessions.

Safety and Development

Brunei is one of the safest countries globally, with extremely low crime rates. It is also the second most developed country in Southeast Asia, thanks to its enormous natural oil and gas industry. The country ranks highly on the Human Development Index and has a very high standard of living, with the government providing significant subsidies for housing, healthcare, and education.

Hospitality and Community

The people of Brunei are known for their friendliness and politeness. The country has a strong sense of community, and the government prioritises the well-being of its citizens. While there are some strict laws, such as the ban on alcohol and the implementation of Sharia Law, the country also offers a high level of personal freedom and safety.

In conclusion, Brunei's happiness ranking can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its natural beauty, cultural significance, development, and sense of community. The country offers its residents and visitors a unique blend of tradition and modernity, creating an environment that promotes happiness and well-being.

The country has a unique blend of Malay, Islamic, and monarchical influences

The country of Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, has a unique blend of Malay, Islamic, and monarchical influences. This blend is formalised in the country's national philosophy, Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), which translates to Malay Islamic Monarchy.

The MIB philosophy was proclaimed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on the day of the country's independence in 1984. It is described as:

> ...a blend of Malay language, culture, and Malay customs, the teaching of Islamic laws and values and the monarchy system which must be esteemed and practiced by all.

The MIB philosophy is adhered to by Brunei's citizens in both their daily lives and the management of the nation's affairs. It is based on the Quran and hadith, with the Sultan reminding citizens to practice and implement the teachings of Islam.

The 'Melayu' (Malay) in MIB refers to Brunei as a Malay nation that upholds traditional values and culture. The Malay language is used in all official proceedings and communication and is also the common language and a symbol of interethnic cooperation. The seven indigenous tribes included in the 1959 Brunei Constitution—Brunei Malay, Kedayan, Belait Malay, Tutong Malay, Bisaya, Dusun, and Murut—are referred to as Brunei Malay.

Islam is the official and state religion of Brunei and has been the dominant religion for a long time. It is the guiding principle of the administration of the Brunei Sultanate, with the Sultan serving as the head of state and the head of Islam in the country.

MIB essentially opposes the concept of secularism and has been criticised for not providing space for dissent, especially since not all Bruneians are ethnic Malays, and the country has a lower proportion of Muslims compared to neighbouring Indonesia.

Brunei has a strong economy, ranking 9th in the world for GDP per capita

Brunei's strong economy is largely due to its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. In fact, revenues from the petroleum sector account for over half of the country's GDP. As the third-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia, averaging about 180,000 barrels per day, and the ninth-largest producer of liquefied natural gas in the world, Brunei has a significant advantage in the energy market. The country's GDP increased by 56% between 1999 and 2008, and it ranks "very high" on the Human Development Index (HDI)—the second-highest among Southeast Asian states after Singapore.

The country's wealth is also supplemented by substantial income from overseas investment, managed by the Brunei Investment Agency, an arm of the Ministry of Finance. Additionally, Brunei has a flat personal income tax rate of 40%, the highest in Asia. The government uses this revenue to provide for all medical services and subsidize food and housing for its citizens.

However, it is important to note that Brunei's economy is heavily dependent on the petroleum and natural gas industries. Oil and gas account for almost all exports, and the country has faced economic challenges due to fluctuations in oil prices and production levels. The government has recognized the need to diversify the economy and is working towards that goal, although progress has been limited.

Despite these challenges, Brunei's strong economy has contributed to the overall well-being of its citizens. The country ranks 9th in the world for GDP per capita, and Bruneians were ranked 9th happiest out of 167 nationalities in a survey that measured health, wealth, education, sense of identity, and the aesthetic quality of the landscape. This indicates a correlation between the country's economic strength and the happiness of its people.

The country has a very low crime rate and is considered one of the safest in the world

Brunei is considered one of the safest countries in the world, with extremely low crime rates. The capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan, is described as "safe, orderly and very quiet". Brunei's laws are strictly enforced, and the country has a long history of being ruled by an absolute monarchy, with the current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, serving as the country's Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Defence Minister. The Sultan wields complete executive power, unconstrained by politicians or parliament, and his word is law.

The country's legal system is based on English common law, but Islamic law (Sharia) takes precedence in some cases. In 2014, Brunei became the first East Asian country to adopt Sharia Law, which includes harsh punishments for crimes such as adultery and sodomy. The implementation of Sharia Law has attracted international criticism and concern from the United Nations.

Brunei's low crime rate can be attributed to its strict laws and the strong authority of the Sultan, who has pushed for an ever-stricter observance of Islamic precepts. The country's small population of around 455,858 as of 2023, may also contribute to the low crime rate, as smaller communities tend to have lower crime rates. Additionally, Brunei's wealth, derived from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, may play a role in maintaining social order and stability. The government provides a welfare state for its citizens, with significant subsidies for housing, healthcare, and education, which may also contribute to the country's safety and low crime rate.

While Brunei is considered safe for travellers, it is important to respect the country's strict laws and cultural norms. For example, the sale and public consumption of alcohol are banned, and it is illegal to celebrate Christmas in public. Additionally, Brunei's laws regarding the LGBTQ+ community have been a source of international controversy, with harsh punishments imposed under Sharia Law.

The people of Brunei face restrictions on their freedom of assembly and expression due to the country's state of emergency

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo, with the remainder of the island shared between Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei has been led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah since 1967, and the country's unicameral legislature is simply consultative and appointed by the Sultan. The country's wealth derives from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields.

Brunei is one of the few remaining absolute monarchies in the world, and the only one in Asia. The Sultan of Brunei is the head of state and head of government, and also serves as the state's prime minister, finance minister, and defence minister. Since 1962, Brunei has been ruled under a state of emergency, which has been renewed every two years, and during which the Sultan retains absolute authority. This state of emergency severely restricts the freedom of assembly and expression for the people of Brunei.

The state of civic space in Brunei was downgraded by the CIVICUS Monitor to 'repressed' in 2019, and there has been no documented progress on improving fundamental freedoms. The government has made no effort to address recommendations by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that same year. During the UN review, several countries called on the Brunei government to review its legislation to effectively guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and association, and to lift the state of emergency.

Brunei's state of emergency laws continue to restrict freedom of assembly. No more than ten people can assemble for any purpose without a permit, and these laws are frequently enforced. Police may disband an unofficial assembly of five or more persons deemed likely to cause a disturbance of the peace. Permits require the approval of the Minister of Home Affairs, and the government routinely issues permits for annual events but has occasionally used its authority to disrupt political gatherings. Organisers of events on sensitive topics tend to hold meetings in private rather than apply for permits or practice self-censorship at public events.

Media in Brunei are said to be pro-government, and press criticism of the government and monarchy is rare. There is only one television station in the country, and it is state-run. The country's main English-language daily newspaper, the Borneo Bulletin, is controlled by the Sultan's family, and its journalists often practice self-censorship. An informant system is part of the government's internal security apparatus to monitor suspected dissidents, religious minorities, or those accused of crimes. People who have published comments on social media critical of government policy have reported that authorities monitored their content.

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