Brunei 2

Brunei

Brunei 3
The Formal Japanese Surrender

Post-World War II:

After World War II, a new government was formed in Brunei under the British Military Administration (BMA). It consisted mainly of Australian officers and servicemen. The administration of Brunei was passed to the Civil Administration on 6 July 1945. The Brunei State Council was also revived that year. The BMA was tasked to revive the Bruneian economy, which was extensively damaged by the Japanese during their occupation. They also had to put out the fires on the wells of Seria, which had been set by the Japanese prior to their defeat.

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. A small rebellion erupted against the monarchy in 1962, which was suppressed with help of the UK. The rebellion partially affected Brunei’s decision to opt out of the Malaysian Federation.

Brunei 4
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (right)

Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984. The official National Day, which celebrates the country’s independence, is held by tradition on 23 February.

Geography:

Brunei is a southeast Asian country consisting of two unconnected parts with a total area of 2,226 square miles on the island of Borneo. It has 100 miles of coastline next to the South China Sea, and it shares a 237 mile border with Malaysia. It has 193 square miles of territorial waters, and a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Brunei 5
Topographic Map of Brunei

About 97% of the population lives in the larger western part (Belait, Tutong, and Brunei-Muara), while only about 10,000 people live in the mountainous eastern part (Temburong District). The total population of Brunei is approximately 408,000 as of July 2010, of which around 150,000 live in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Other major towns are the port town of Muara, the oil-producing town of Seria and its neighbouring town, Kuala Belait. In Belait District, the Panaga area is home to large numbers of Europeans expatriates, due to Royal Dutch Shell and British Army housing, and several recreational facilities are located there.

Most of Brunei is within the Borneo lowland rain forests ecoregion, which covers most of the island. Areas of mountain rain forests are located inland.

Economy:

Brunei’s small, wealthy economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for about 90% of its GDP. About 167,000 barrels of oil are produced every day, making Brunei the fourth-largest producer of oil in Southeast Asia. It also produces approximately 25.3 million cubic metres of liquified natural gas per day, making Brunei the ninth-largest exporter of the substance in the world.

Brunei 6
Brunei Exports

Substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. Most of these investments are made by the Brunei Investment Agency, an arm of the Ministry of Finance. The government provides for all medical services, and subsidises rice and housing.

Transportation:

The population centers in the country are linked by a network of 1,700 miles of road. The 84 mile highway from Muara Town to Kuala Belait is being upgraded to a dual carriageway. The main highway running across Brunei is the Tutong-Muara Highway.

Scroll to Top