Brunei's Citizens: Their Daily Lives And Customs

Brunei is a small, oil-rich country in Southeast Asia, with a population of around 450,000. The official language is Malay, and the state religion is Islam, although other religions are tolerated. The country is led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled since 1967, and its wealth comes from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. Brunei has a high Human Development Index ranking, and its citizens enjoy free or subsidised housing, healthcare and education. Bruneian citizens are also Commonwealth citizens and can enjoy the benefits of the shellfare system, which includes the right to enlist in the armed forces, buy and own property, and enjoy fully subsidised healthcare and tertiary education.

Citizens of Brunei can enlist in the armed forces

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia with a population of approximately 455,858 as of 2023. The official language of Brunei is Malay, and Islam is the state religion. The government of Brunei is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, who has full executive authority.

The Brunei armed forces are also involved in peacekeeping missions and humanitarian efforts. In November 2024, the armed forces were prepared for a peacekeeping mission, and in the same month, they delivered aid to flood victims in the Philippines.

Citizens can buy and own property

Citizens of Brunei can buy and own property. In fact, the Bruneian government provides its citizens with free or subsidised housing. This is thanks to the country's wealth, which is derived from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields.

The Bruneian government also provides its citizens with free or subsidised healthcare and education. This is part of the country's welfare state, which helps to maintain political stability.

Brunei has a population of around 455,858 as of 2023, with approximately 180,000 people residing in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The country has a very high ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI), second only to Singapore among Southeast Asian states.

The official language of Brunei is Malay, and the country is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan. The government implements a fusion of English common law and jurisprudence inspired by Islam, including sharia.

Brunei gained its independence from the British in 1984 and has since become a member of various regional and international organisations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Commonwealth, and the United Nations.

They enjoy fully subsidised healthcare

The citizens of Brunei enjoy a high quality of life, with the country ranking second in Southeast Asia on the Human Development Index (HDI). This is due, in part, to the various benefits that citizens receive from the state, including fully subsidised healthcare.

The Bruneian government provides free or significantly subsidised healthcare to all citizens. This has helped the country achieve a high life expectancy of around 78 years, which is higher than the global average. The government's provision of universal healthcare is made possible by the country's wealth, which is derived largely from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields.

Bruneian citizens are also afforded the right to enlist in the armed forces, buy and own property, and enjoy subsidised tertiary education, in addition to holding a Bruneian passport. These benefits have been collectively referred to as the "shellfare system".

The Bruneian government maintains this welfare state as a means of ensuring political stability, which has been a feature of the country since it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984.

Citizens have access to free tertiary education

Citizens of Brunei have access to free tertiary education. This is part of the country's welfare state, which also includes free or subsidised housing and healthcare.

The Bruneian government provides these benefits to maintain political stability, which is underpinned by the House of Bolkiah. The country's wealth is derived from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, which have transformed Brunei into an industrialised nation. As a result, Brunei ranks highly on the Human Development Index (HDI) and has a high GDP per capita.

The Bruneian nationality law governs the issues of citizenship and grants citizens the right to enjoy fully subsidised healthcare and tertiary education. The law, drafted while Brunei was a British protectorate, has been amended several times since the country gained independence in 1984.

One method through which individuals can acquire Bruneian citizenship is via jus sanguinis (citizenship by right of blood). This means that citizenship may be acquired regardless of whether an individual is born on Bruneian territory, under certain conditions. For example, citizenship is automatically conferred if a minor is a member of specific indigenous groups or born overseas to a Bruneian father serving the government, who registers the child's birth within six months at a Bruneian diplomatic mission.

Another way to obtain citizenship is through naturalisation. A valid resident who has resided in Brunei for 20 years in the preceding 25 years can apply, provided they meet specific criteria. These include demonstrating proficiency in the Malay language and customs and intending to settle in Brunei permanently.

It is important to note that Brunei does not recognise dual citizenship, and any citizen who obtains foreign citizenship loses their Bruneian citizenship.

They can hold a Bruneian passport

Holding a Bruneian passport comes with several benefits and is a privilege exclusive to citizens of Brunei. Issued for international travel, the biometric passport is valid for five years and must be valid for at least six months for overseas travel. The passport is red in colour, featuring Brunei's coat of arms in the middle of the front, with the country's name above it and "passport" below it.

Brunei is the only Muslim-majority country in the world whose citizens can enter the United States without a pre-arranged travel visa. As of 28 September 2019, Bruneian citizens could access 165 countries and territories without a visa or with a visa on arrival, ranking the Bruneian passport 21st in the world in terms of travel freedom. This ranking is based on the Henley Passport Index and Arton Capital's Passport Index.

The Bruneian passport is a testament to the country's independence and sovereignty, with its unique design and international recognition. It serves as a symbol of pride and convenience for Bruneian citizens, offering visa-free travel to a wide range of destinations.

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