Brunei

== General == : The Protectorate of Brunei is a tiny, but wealthy, dependant territory of United Elias situated on the Island of Borneo in South East Asia. It has a total population of under 500,000 and the Capital is Bandar Seri Begawan.

Climate:

The climate is tropical, with high temperatures, a high humidity and heavy rainfall.

Language:

The official language is English as nearly everyone speaks it, not usually as a first language but learning it is compulsory. The other major language is Malay.

System of Government:

Brunei is a protectorate of United Elias and the Head of Government is Grand Vizier Abdullah Hassan (an Elias citizen and former Minister) who is head of the Divan (Imperial Council). The Sultan of Brunei has remained Head of State and still has the ultimate authority over any decisions, although rarely exercises any power. In the system of government that has existed since Brunei became a dependant territory, The Imperial Council has been the primary legislative authority. The Divan however is of a relatively complex makeup as some Ministers (Defence and Foreign Affairs) are Elias citizens chosen by The Elias Foriegn Minister and all Ministers dealing with internal issues are selected by The Sultan. This effectively means that Elias controls the military and foreign policy of Brunei while leaving the Bruneians to manage themselves, although The Grand Vizier and ultimately the Sultan regulate this balance of foreign and domestic power. This system is further complicated by the fact that many civil servants in The Ministries are Elias citizens who generally advise their Ministers on courses of action which The Elias federal government would approve of. Although complicated, the end result, usually, is a compromise that satisfies both United Elias and Brunei to an extent.

Provincial Government

In addition to the National level there is also a system of provinces , called daerah. These are: Belait, Muara, Temburong and Tutong. Each of these provinces has a local government, headed by a Vizier appointed by the Sultan. The role of local government is primarily to help enforce and effect laws of Brunei rather than laegislate their own.

System of Justice:

The laws of Brunei have their origins in Sharia, consequently criminals are treated in a very harsh manner. The penalty for murder, treason, narcotics dealing or terrorism is usually death by firing squad. Alcohol is banned, use of it is dealt with by harsh fines and prison sentences. Gambling is officially banned. Every criminal defendant is entitled to legal representation but only if they are able to afford it and all court cases are decided by a panel of professional judges, 3 in an average criminal case and 5 in the case of a capital case. Jusges are appointed by The Grand Vizier and approved by The Sultan.

Religion:

Islam is the official religon of Brunei although other religons (mainly Christianity and Budhism) are practiced and tolerated.

Economy:

Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of GDP and per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries. The small, wealthy economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, and village tradition. Since becoming a protectorate, the economy has diversified as Elias industries have started to setup production facilities in Brunei, which has also dramatically reduced unemployment. Another measure, which has also helped growth is that recently the Brunei dollar has been removed from circulation in facour of the Elias Dinar.

Health Care:

Hospitals and Doctors are some of the best trained and equipped in the region and unlike United Elias, all healthcare is subsididised by the government. This system is one of the biggest expenditures of the state and despite calls from Elias economic advisers to scrap it, The Sultan has personally intervened to make sure that does not happen.

Education:

In Brunei education until 18 is paid for by the government and a reasonable standard is achieved. As far as higher education is concerned, it is up to the individual to pay for his education and most go to Universtiies in UE, principally Kuwait, Baghdad and Cairo.

National Holidays:

Jan 01 New Year’s Day. Jan 21 Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 09 Chinese New Year. Feb 10 Hijriah (Islamic New Year). Apr 21 Maulud (Birth of the Prophet). May 31 Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment. Jul 15 Sultan’s Birthday. Sep 01 Israk Mikraj (Ascension of the Prophet). Oct 03 Start of Ramadan. Nov 03 - 05 Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan).

History:

The Brunei Empire had its golden age from the 15th to the 17th centuries, when its control extended over the entire island of Borneo and north into the Philippines. Brunei was particularly powerful under the fifth sultan, Bolkiah (1473-1521), who was famed for his sea exploits and even briefly captured Manila; and under the ninth sultan, Hassan (1605-1619), who fully developed an elaborate Royal Court structure, elements of which remain today.

After Sultan Hassan, Brunei entered a period of decline, due to internal battles over royal succession as well as the rising influences of European colonial powers in the region, that, among other things, disrupted traditional trading patterns, destroying the economic base of Brunei and many other Southeast Asian sultanates. In 1839, the English adventurer James Brooke arrived in Borneo and helped the Sultan put down a rebellion. As a reward, he became governor and later "Rajah" of Sarawak in northwest Borneo and gradually expanded the territory under his control.

Meanwhile, the British North Borneo Company was expanding its control over territory in northeast Borneo. In 1888, Brunei became a protectorate of the British Government, retaining internal independence but with British control over external affairs. In 1906, Brunei accepted a further measure of British control when executive power was transferred to a British resident, who advised the ruler on all matters except those concerning local custom and religion.

In 1959, a new constitution was written declaring Brunei a self-governing state, while its foreign affairs, security, and defense remained the responsibility of the United Kingdom. An attempt in 1962 to introduce a partially elected legislative body with limited powers was abandoned after the opposition political party, Partai Rakyat Brunei, launched an armed uprising, which the government put down with the help of British forces. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the government also resisted pressures to join neighboring Sabah and Sarawak in the newly formed Malaysia. The Sultan eventually decided that Brunei would remain an independent state.

In 1967, Omar Ali Saifuddin abdicated in favor of his eldest son, Hassanal Bolkiah, who became the 29th ruler. The former Sultan remained as Defense Minister and assumed the royal title Seri Begawan. In 1970, the national capital, Brunei Town, was renamed Bandar Seri Begawan in his honor. The Seri Begawan died in 1986.

On January 4, 1979, Brunei and the United Kingdom signed a new treaty of friendship and cooperation. On January 1, 1984, Brunei became a fully independent state. After 19 years of total independance, Brunei, faced with a reccession and larger and more powerful neighbours made a treaty with United Elias to become a protectorate, with much the same terms as they had with The British.