Brunei: Asian Or Oceanian? Exploring The Country's Geographical Identity

Brunei is a small country located in Southeast Asia, on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is bordered by the South China Sea to the north and the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the east, west, and south, which divides it into two non-contiguous parts. Brunei's head of state is the Sultan of Brunei, and the country has a population of approximately 417,200 people as of 2015. The country's prosperity is largely dependent on its natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, and timber.

Brunei's location and borders

Brunei is a small equatorial country in Southeast Asia, located on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the east, west, and south, and by the South China Sea to the north. Brunei is divided into two non-contiguous parts by Sarawak. The coastal plain in the east rises to mountains, and nearly three-quarters of Brunei's land area is covered by forest. The country shares maritime borders with China and Malaysia.

Brunei has a total land area of 5,765 square kilometres (or square miles), making it slightly larger than twice the size of Luxembourg, or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Delaware. The country has a population of 417,200 people as of 2015. The national capital is Bandar Seri Begawan, and the official language is Bahasa Melayu (Malay). Other spoken languages include English, Chinese, and native languages of Borneo.

Brunei's prosperity is largely dependent on its natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, and timber. The country's wealth allows the government to provide free medical services and free education through to the university level, and Bruneians pay no income tax. However, low oil prices since 2013 have led to budget deficits and weakened economic growth.

Brunei's economy

Brunei is a small and wealthy country located in Southeast Asia, between the Philippines and Malaysia, northwest of Borneo. Its economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation and welfare measures, and village traditions. Brunei is almost entirely supported by exports of crude oil and natural gas, with revenues from the petroleum sector accounting for over half of its GDP.

Brunei is 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. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) soared with the petroleum price increases of the 1970s, reaching a peak of $5.7 billion in 1980. However, since then, its GDP has fluctuated due to changes in oil prices and production levels, dropping to about $4.5 billion in 1999.

The Bruneian government has recognised the need to diversify the economy away from oil and gas, as these sectors remain vulnerable to price fluctuations. They have made efforts to develop other sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and financial services. Brunei has substantial foreign reserves, which are managed by the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA), and the return on these investments has become an important source of income.

In terms of trade, Brunei relies heavily on imports for manufactured goods and food, with Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia being its main suppliers. The country has been a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since 1984 and served as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum, demonstrating its engagement with the regional and global economy.

Brunei has a high per capita income, and the government provides various welfare services, including covering all medical services and subsidising food and housing. The personal income tax rate is a flat rate of 40%, making it the country with the highest income tax in Asia. The normal corporate income tax rate is 10%, and new enterprises that meet certain criteria can receive pioneer status, exempting profits from income tax for up to five years.

The Bruneian economy is closely linked to the petroleum industry, and the government has a significant role in managing the country's economic activities and foreign investments. While the country faces the challenge of diversifying its economy, it continues to be a significant player in the energy sector, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Brunei's history

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 on Borneo; the remainder of the island is divided between Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, which also divides the country into two unconnected parts. The western segment is the larger of the two and contains the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

The earliest record of Bruneian people can be traced back to the presence of Austro-Melanesians around 40,000 BCE in Niah Cave, Miri Division, Sarawak. During the ice age, Borneo and Palawan were linked with each other. After the sea level rose about 10,000 years ago, Southeast Asian territories were divided into two regions, and the population began to move around for various reasons.

The earliest Chinese record of an independent kingdom in Borneo is a letter to the Chinese emperor from the ruler of Boni, which some scholars believe to refer to Borneo. In 1225, a Chinese official reported that Boni had 100 warships to protect its trade and that there was great wealth in the kingdom. In the 14th century, the Javanese manuscript Nagarakretagama mentioned Barune as a constituent state of Hindu Majapahit, which had to make an annual tribute of 40 katis of camphor.

In the 15th century, the empire became a Muslim state when the King of Brunei, brought to Islam by Muslim Indians and Arab merchants, converted. During the rule of Bolkiah, the fifth Sultan, the empire controlled the coastal areas of northwest Borneo and reached the Philippines at Sulu. In the 16th century, the Brunei empire's influence also extended as far as the Kapuas River delta in West Kalimantan.

Brunei's relations with the different European powers in the region varied. Conflict with the Spanish Empire was far more hostile, with several naval skirmishes taking place from 1565 onwards. In 1578, the Spanish captured the capital, Kota Batu, with the help of two Bruneian noblemen, Pengiran Seri Lela and Pengiran Seri Ratna. The Spanish decided to abandon Brunei and return to Manila after just 72 days due to a cholera or dysentery outbreak.

Brunei entered a period of decline in the 17th century, brought on by the Brunei Civil War, piracy, and European colonial expansion. The decline of the Bruneian Empire accelerated in the 19th century when Brunei gave much of its territory to the White Rajahs of Sarawak, resulting in its current small landmass and separation into two parts. In 1888, the British signed a "Treaty of Protection" with Brunei, making it a British protectorate until 1984 when it gained independence and prospered due to the discovery of oil.

Brunei's government

Brunei is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, who is both the head of state and the head of government (Prime Minister). The country's wealth comes from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. The Sultan's role is enshrined in the national philosophy, known as Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy.

The Legislative Council

The Legislative Council is simply consultative and all its members are appointed by the Sultan. The council has 36 members and is responsible for handling administrative matters.

The Executive

Executive power is exercised by the government. The Sultan's role includes full executive authority, including emergency powers. The Sultan also serves as the state's prime minister, finance minister and defence minister.

The Judiciary

Brunei has a dual legal system. The first is the system inherited from the British, based on English common law. The second is the sharia courts, which deal with Muslim divorce and matters ancillary to a Muslim divorce in its civil jurisdiction, and the offences of khalwat (close proximity) and zina (adultery) among Muslims.

Foreign Relations

Brunei has a close relationship with Singapore and the Philippines. It has also been 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.

Defence

Brunei maintains three infantry battalions stationed around the country. The Brunei navy has several "Ijtihad"-class patrol boats. The United Kingdom also maintains a base in Seria, the centre of the oil industry in Brunei, where a Gurkha battalion of 1,500 personnel is stationed.

Administrative Divisions

Brunei is divided into four districts: Brunei-Muara, Belait, Tutong and Temburong. Each district is further divided into several mukims. Altogether there are 39 mukims in Brunei.

Brunei's culture and religion

Brunei is a Malay Islamic Monarchy, with a population of around 455,400 people. The culture of Brunei is strongly influenced by Malay culture and Islam, with more than two-thirds of the population being Malay, and the remainder consisting of Chinese, Indians, and indigenous groups such as Murut, Bisaya Brunei, Brunei Dusun, and Kedayans. The official language of Brunei is Standard Malay, but the most widely spoken language is Brunei Malay, which differs from Standard Malay in its pronunciation, lexis, and syntax. Other languages spoken in Brunei include English, Mandarin Chinese, and various Chinese dialects such as Hokkien.

Islam is the official religion of Brunei, with over 78% of the population being Muslim. The Constitution of Brunei states that "The religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Muslim religion according to the Shafi'i sect of that religion", and the country has implemented Sharia law since 2014. Despite this, the Constitution also guarantees religious freedom, and Christians and Buddhists make up the largest proportion of non-Muslims in the country.

Brunei's population is predominantly Sunni Muslim, although some indigenous groups follow their own local religions, and the Chinese community typically follows Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, or Christianity. The country's demographic makeup is reflected in its culture, with Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous influences.

Brunei is known for its tropical rainforests, which cover about three-fifths of the country, and its diverse wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, leaf monkeys, pigtail macaques, gibbons, sun bears, sambar deer, pangolins, and various species of reptiles. The country's physical features include a narrow coastal plain in the north and rugged hills in the south, with its highest point being Pagon Peak at 6,070 feet (1,850 meters).

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