The Similarities Between Malaysia And Brunei

Malaysia and Brunei are two countries in Southeast Asia with a shared history. Both countries were colonized by the British and gained independence in the second half of the 20th century. However, despite their similarities, there are also some key differences between the two nations. In this topic, we will explore the history, culture, and politics of Malaysia and Brunei, and discuss some statements about these countries to identify which ones are not true.

Malaysia and Brunei were once a single Sultanate

Malaysia and Brunei were once part of a single Sultanate, known as the Bruneian Sultanate or the Brunei Empire. The Bruneian Sultanate was centred around Brunei on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia.

The Sultanate of Brunei was a Malay sultanate, with its roots in the kingdom of Funan in Cambodia. In the 14th century, it was renamed "Barunai", possibly influenced by the Sanskrit word "varuṇ", meaning "seafarers". The word "Borneo" is derived from the same origin.

At its peak, the Bruneian Empire controlled most of Borneo, including modern-day Sarawak and Sabah, as well as the Sulu Archipelago and the islands off the northwestern tip of Borneo. It is also claimed that the Bruneian Empire historically controlled Seludong, the site of the modern Philippine capital of Manila.

The decline of the Bruneian Empire began in the 19th century, with the Sultanate ceding territories to the British and losing its power over the Bajaus. By 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate and was assigned a British resident as colonial manager in 1906.

During this period, there were attempts to preserve the sovereignty of the Sultan and the country, with the formation of political parties such as the Barisan Pemuda ("Youth Front") in 1946. However, Brunei remained under British rule until it gained independence in 1984, becoming a fully sovereign state.

Brunei is the only sovereign state on Borneo

Borneo is the third-largest island in the world, with an area of 748,168 square kilometres (288,869 square miles). It is divided among three countries: Malaysia and Brunei in the north, and Indonesia to the south. The sovereign state of Brunei, located on the north coast, comprises about 1% of Borneo's land area.

Brunei is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo. The remainder of the island is divided between its multi-landmass neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small country on the northwest coast of Borneo, comprising two enclaves surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It has a population of around 455,858, of whom approximately 180,000 reside in the capital and largest city of Bandar Seri Begawan. Its official language is Malay, and Islam is the state religion.

Brunei's economy is highly dependent on its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, which have transformed the country into an industrialised nation. It is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, who is also the head of state and prime minister.

The country gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, though Britain's protectorate over Brunei began in 1888 and continued until 1984. Brunei has a long history of British intervention in its affairs, dating back to the 19th century.

Brunei's territory has shrunk over time, with land grants to James Brooke, who became the Rajah of Sarawak, and annexations by Brooke's dynasty, known as the White Rajahs. Brunei lost much of its territory to them, and the final annexation by Sarawak in 1890 left Brunei with its current small land mass.

Brunei's political system is governed by its constitution and the national tradition of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB). It has a legal system based on English common law, although Islamic law (sharia) supersedes this in some cases.

The country 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.

Brunei is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan

The Sultan of Brunei is the head of state and head of government, and the country is one of the few remaining absolute monarchies in the world. The Sultan is also the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is the official 'guardian and protector' of Islam and tradition in Brunei, and the country's wealth is derived from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields.

Brunei has been ruled by the same family for the past six centuries. The current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, has been the country's leader since 1967. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, and the Sultan assumed the title of 'His Majesty'.

The country's political system is governed by the constitution and the national tradition of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), which combines Islamic law, Malay culture, and monarchical rule. The MIB encapsulates norms of Malay culture, the Islamic religion, and the political framework under the monarchy.

Brunei's legal system is based on English common law, with a parallel Syariah law system for Muslims, which takes precedence over common law in areas such as family and property law. The Syariah Penal Code Order 2013, introduced in April 2014, gives Syariah courts jurisdiction over serious crimes such as murder, rape, and theft, in addition to Muslim personal law cases.

Brunei's economy is largely dependent on oil and natural gas

Brunei's economy is largely dependent on its oil and natural gas industries. The country has been exploiting its vast reserves of these natural resources for the past 90 years, with the first well discovery in Ayer Berkunchi in 1899. The Seria field in the Belait District was discovered in 1929, and Brunei's first oil export took place in 1932. Brunei is now the third-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia, with an average production of about 180,000 barrels per day. It is also the ninth-largest producer of liquefied natural gas in the world.

The oil and gas industries are the main contributors to the country's growth, with the energy sector accounting for 64.7% of Brunei's GDP in 2022. Petroleum and natural gas revenues constitute nearly all of the country's export earnings and have generally resulted in trade surpluses since the early 1970s. These revenues have allowed Brunei to provide its citizens with one of the highest per capita incomes in Asia.

However, this reliance on a single commodity has made the country vulnerable to market fluctuations. The government has recognised the need to diversify the economy and has been striving to develop other sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and financial services. While these sectors have shown some progress, oil and gas still dominate the country's economic activity.

Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) is the largest oil producer in the country and contributes around 90% to Brunei's oil and gas revenues. The country's other oil and gas companies include the Brunei Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant, which is one of the largest in the world, and the French oil company Elf Petroleum Asia BV, which has been active in petroleum exploration in Brunei since the 1980s.

The government has also made efforts to maximise the potential of its mature oil and gas fields and to ensure that locals are highly educated and technically skilled to meet the industry's needs. Collaborative efforts between the government and oil and gas operators are key to sustaining the country's long-term production.

Brunei has a high standard of living

Brunei has one of the highest standards of living in the world. This is largely due to its thriving oil and gas industries, which bring in around 90% of the country's exports and contribute to over half of its GDP. The country's inhabitants pay no income tax, and healthcare and education are free for citizens. The country also has a booming economy, with a high standard of living and lucrative, tax-free salaries.

Brunei's public healthcare system is one of the best in the world, and locals can access it at no cost. The country also has a high life expectancy rate of 76 years, and an infant mortality rate of 0.96%. The government has also invested heavily in education, which is compulsory for children between the ages of five and 16/17. English is the primary language of instruction in most public schools, and education is free for all citizens.

The cost of living in Brunei is relatively low compared to some Western nations, and expats will likely find that they can afford a comfortable lifestyle. Food and travel are particularly cheap in the country, and the country's currency, the Brunei Dollar (BND), is divided into 100 cents.

Brunei's culture reflects that of its neighbour, Malaysia, as its principal ethnicity is Malay. The family is revered in Bruneian society, and members of the extended family are expected to care for and respect each other. The concept of shame and honour is also important to Bruneians, who are known for their politeness and respectfulness.

Brunei is an affluent country with many historical sites, wonderful parks, and activities that showcase the country's relatively untouched rainforest. Hiking in mountainous areas or taking a stroll in one of the country's parks, such as Tasek Lama in the centre of Bandar, are popular activities for locals and tourists alike. Brunei also has a thriving restaurant culture, with food heavily influenced by neighbouring Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Overall, Brunei's combination of a strong economy, high-quality public services, and rich cultural traditions contributes to its high standard of living.

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