Brunei

Brunei, officially Negara Brunei Darussalam, is a small sovereign state on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Malaysia and the South China Sea. The capital and largest city is Bandar Seri Begawan. The country covers about 5,765 square kilometers and has a population of around 450,000. Malay is the official language, with English widely used in administration and commerce. Islam is the state religion, and the population is predominantly Muslim, with minority religious communities present.

Brunei is an absolute monarchy. Since 1967 the head of state and government has been Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who rules within a framework that includes a Legislative Council with limited powers. Brunei gained full independence from Britain in 1984. The country maintains a high degree of state involvement in the economy and society.

The Brunei economy is among the wealthiest per capita in Southeast Asia, dominated by oil and natural gas production. The government finances public services such as education and healthcare, and the country has a high standard of living. The Brunei dollar (BND) is the currency and is pegged to the Singapore dollar; the Singapore dollar is widely accepted in Brunei.

Brunei’s legal system blends civil law with Sharia-inspired statutes. In recent years Brunei has introduced provisions of Sharia law, attracting international attention and commentary from human rights groups. The country’s cultural and religious landscape strongly influences social policy and daily life.

Historically, Brunei emerged as a powerful sultanate on Borneo in the 15th century, later becoming a British protectorate before attaining full sovereignty in 1984.