BRUNEI

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Brunei
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02/12/2019
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02/14/2019
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Quick Facts
Capital Bandar Seri Begawan
Government Absolute Monarchy
Currency Bruneian dollar (BND)
(pegged 1:1 with the Singapore dollar,
SGD)
Area 5,765km²
water: 500km²
land: 5,270km²
Population 400,000 (2013 estimate)
Language Malay (official), English
(recognised)
Religion Muslim (official) 67%,
Buddhist 13%, Christian
10%, indigenous beliefs and
other 10%
Electricity 240V, 50Hz (UK plug)
Country
+673
code
Internet
.bn
TLD
Time Zone UTC+8
The Sultanate of Brunei (Negara Brunei Darussalam) officialy Nation of Brunei, the Abode
of Peace is a small but - thanks to natural gas and petroleum resources - very rich country
located in Southeast Asia. It's surrounded by Malaysia and has two parts physically separated
by Malaysia, almost being an enclave. Strategically located on the South China Sea, close to
vital sea lanes linking Indian and Pacific Oceans, it has an exclusive economic fishing zone
that extends as far as Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands although it makes no public
territorial claim to the offshore reefs.
Understand
Brunei is a pint-sized and fabulously wealthy oil-rich sultanate with a population of just
under half a million, if illegal immigrants from countries such as Indonesia, India, China and
the Philippines are included.
It is a member of the Commonwealth and has good education and hygiene.
The population is devoutly Muslim.
History
The Sultanate of Brunei's heyday occurred between the 15th and 17th centuries, when its
control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei
subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession,
colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British
protectorate. It was offered the opportunity to join Malaysia as a state in 1963, but opted out
of the Federation due to a disagreement on the amount of its oil income that would have to be
given to the central government in Kuala Lumpur. Independence was achieved in 1984. The
same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries.
Holidays
 New Year's Day: 1 January 2019

 Chinese New Year: 5 February
 National Day: 23 February (1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the
UK, while 23 February is marked as the date for the celebration)
 Israk Mikraj: 3 April, The Migration of Islamic Prophet to Heaven
 First Day of Ramadan: 6 May
 Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day: 31 May - 1 June
 His Majesty The Sultan's Birthday: 15 July
 Hari Raya Aidilfitri: Month of Syawal in Islamic Calendar (5-8 May), The Palace
can be visited for 3 days
 His Majesty's 50 Years On The Throne: 15 October (only in 2017)
 Hari Raya Aidiladha: 11-12 August
 Hijri New Year: 1-2 September
 Christmas Day: 25th December
Economy
The backbone of Brunei's economy is oil and gas and the Sultan of Brunei is, famously, one
of the richest people in the world with an estimated personal wealth of around 40 billion
dollars. Per capita GDP is far above most other developing countries, and substantial income
from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government
provides for all medical services, housing, education and subsidizes daily needs like rice.
All sectors of economy are fairly heavily regulated and government policy is an odd mixture
of subsidies, protectionism and encouragement of entrepreneurship. Brunei's leaders are
attempting to balance the country's steadily increasing integration into the world economy
with internal social cohesion. It became a more prominent player in the world by serving as
chairman for the 2005 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the
future include upgrading the workforce, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking
and tourist sectors, and, in general, widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.
Culture
Brunei is officially an Islamic state, with hundreds of large beautiful mosques across the
country. Sale of alcohol is banned. Bringing in meat, (other than seafood) which has not
been certified "halal", (slaughtered according to Islamic law), is also banned.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, many shops and restaurants will be open. However,
eating, drinking or smoking in front of people who are fasting is considered rude and asking
permission is appropriate. In 2014, new law had been passed by the government where non-
fasting people only allowed to take-out foods from all restaurants and eat privately. This
due to the respect of the Holy Month in Islam.
The bulk of the population is Malay (67%) and there is also a significant Chinese minority of
some 15% as well as a number of indigenous peoples, including the Dusun tribes who inhabit
the jungle upriver and the Temburong district, (the smaller eastern part detached from the
rest of Brunei). There is a large number of foreign workers who work on the oil and gas
production or in positions such as restaurant staff, field workers and domestic staff. The male
to female ratio is 3:2. More than a quarter of the people are short term immigrant workers,
most of whom are men.
Geography and climate
The climate of Brunei is tropical equatorial. The average annual temperature is 26.1°C
(79.0°F), with the April–May average of 24.7°C (76.5°F) and the October–December average
of 23.8°C (74.8°F).
Brunei's topology is of a flat coastal plain rises to mountains in the east, the highest point
being Bukit Pagan at 1,850m, with some hilly lowlands in the west.
There are no typhoons, earthquakes, severe flooding and other forms of natural disasters to
contend with, and the biggest environmental issues is the seasonal haze resulting from forest
fires (that is caused by illegal clearing of land) in nearby Indonesia.
Regions
Brunei has four districts (Malay: daerah)
Brunei and Muara

Heart of the country where the capital Bandar Seri Begawan is located.
Tutong
Lies under the coverage of the virgin forest, scattered small scale plantations.
Belait
Western-most district, also the centre of the country's petroleum industry. Seria town is a
small oil town.
Temburong
Isolated eastern district, separated from the rest of country by the Sarawak district of
Limbang.
City & Towns
 Bandar Seri Begawan — the capital, sometimes known as "Bandar" or "BSB" for
short.
 Bangar — the tiny district capital of Temburong district.
 Kuala Belait — town to catch transport to or from Miri, Sarawak.
 Muara — main port of Brunei with passenger ferries to Labuan and Sarawak.
 Seria — oil capital of Brunei, also known as "Shelltown".
 Tutong - full of virgin forest and the beauty of nature including Tasek Marimbun
Other destinations
Gadong; shopping centres where the biggest mall in Brunei located. Local markets can be
found just next to the building. Full of local shophouses from cheap T-shirt to cheap food,
even car's workshop!
Serusop; newly shopping complex. New malls and affordable Times Hotel. Serusop located
just 5 min from Brunei International Airport. The new trend for youth hang out place.
Tasek Merimbun; famous lake located in Tutong district.
Pantai Tungku, Pantai Muara and Pantai Serasa; the must visit beaches in Borneo,
especially Pantai Serasa as you can experience watersports offered by the local dive shop
such as Poni Divers.
Kiulap; Shophouses and Shopping Mall.
Kampong Ayer; the very old, traditional kind of the Venice of the East. It is not a shopping
complex but only cover with full of traditional and modern floating water villages.
Get in
Entry requirements
Visa Restrictions:
Entry will be refused to citizens of Israel. Other passports containing Israeli

stamps and visas will not be an issue for entry.
Foreign nationals of the following countries/territories can enter Brunei visa-free as long as
they present a passport valid for at least 6 months:
For up to 90 days: All European Union member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway,
Switzerland and the United States.
For up to 30 days: Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine and the
United Arab Emirates
For up to 14 days: Cambodia, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau,
Maldives, Myanmar, Peru, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam
Nationals of Australia and Bahrain may obtain a single entry visa for B$20 or a multiple
entry visa for B$30 at Brunei International Airport valid for 30 days.
Nationals of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia may obtain a single entry visa for B$20 at Brunei
International Airport valid for 30 days.
Nationals of China (PRC), Qatar and Taiwan may obtain a single entry visa for a fee at
Brunei International Airport valid for 14 days.
Proof of return or onward travel is required to check in for your flight to Brunei. If you plan
to leave by ferry you will need to purchase a cheap flight out of Brunei before you arrive
there.
Those who need a visa must apply in advance at a Brunei embassy, where processing can
take up to 3 days and costs B$20 for a single entry visa. See Brunei Immigration Department
[1] for the latest details.
Apply for the visa in Kota Kinabalu: It costs 70 RM and takes 3 working days. Time to
receive application is 8.30am-11.30am (Monday-Friday). Time of collection is 2.30pm-
3.30pm (Monday-Friday). My argentinian friend asked for the visa on Monday and was able
to collect it on Wednesday before 11.30am. The Consulate of Brunei is in Grace Square. You
need one photo and proof of onward travel.
If you require a visa to enter Brunei, you might be able to apply for one at a British embassy,
high commission or consulate in the country where you legally reside if there is no Bruneian
foreign mission. For example, the British embassies in Addis Ababa[2] and Belgrade[3]
accept Bruneian visa applications (this list is not exhaustive). British diplomatic posts charge
£50 to process a Bruneian visa application and an extra £70 if the authorities in Brunei
require the visa application to be referred to them. The authorities in Brunei can also decide
to charge an additional fee if they correspond with you directly.
By plane
Brunei's sole airport of significance is Brunei International Airport [4] (BWN), the hub of
national carrier Royal Brunei Airlines [5]. The airport itself is small but clean and
functional.
After over-expansion and huge losses in the 1990s, Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) has cut
down on its services considerably but still offers a reasonably comprehensive network, with
daily flights to London, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Kota Kinabalu. There are also
frequent flights to Jakarta, Surabaya, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Melbourne and
Shanghai. The best prices are usually found on RBAs website. Stopovers in Brunei are
available and are good value, though you'll need to book by phone or through a travel agent.
RBA is a dry airline; if you wish to drink you must bring your own.
In addition, Singapore Airlines [6] flies 5 times a week from Singapore, and Malaysia
Airlines [7] flies from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. In July 2006, discount,
no-frills carrier AirAsia [8] started flights from Kuala Lumpur, bringing some much-needed
competition. AirAsia is the cheapest carrier to serve Brunei from an international Hub, with
fares as low as US$35 one-way from Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia flies from 35 destinations in
Asia to Kuala Lumpur, where connections to Brunei are available. Cebu Pacfiic fly red-eye
flights to Manila.
Departing by plane from Brunei involves paying a departure tax: B$5 for flights to Kuching
and Kota Kinabalu and B$12 to other international destinations. This is now included in the
price of most airline tickets.
Getting there/away: A taxi to Bandar Seri Begawan takes 20 minutes and costs around
B$25. A covered walk down to the end of the car park further away from the Terminal (turn
right from Arrivals) leads to a bus stop for Purple buses to the city centre (B$1) along with
other busses for tours & hotel shuttles. The reason for the long walk is extensive construction
of airport upgrades.
By car
You can drive into Brunei from Sarawak, Malaysia. There are two entry points for the main
part of Brunei, one from Miri at Sungai Tujuh and one from Limbang at Kuala Lurah
(Tedungan on the Malaysian side). Both these crossings have drive-through immigration
checkpoints at the border but queues can be horribly long, especially during weekends.
Note that the border checkpoint opens at 06:00 and closes at 00:00(midnight) daily.
It is also possible to drive from the Sarawak towns of Limbang and Lawas to the Temburong
district of Brunei. The drive from Limbang requires a ferry ride across the Pandaruan River
(RM8 or B$4) which forms the border between Malaysia and Brunei. You can now conduct
immigration formalities at Pandaruan (no longer at Limbang Wharf) with the opening of the
Malaysian checkpoint in June 2007. Brunei immigration formalities are conducted at Puni,
about 600m away from the ferry landing. From Lawas (which is connected by road to Kota
Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia), a ferry ride across the Trusan River (RM10) is required before
you can proceed to the actual border at Labu. Malaysian immigration formalities are done in
Trusan (the immigration office, officially known as the Mengkalap immigration checkpoint,
is in a shoplot just east of the ferry crossing) about 8km away, and no longer in Lawas. Those
for Brunei can be done at the Labu checkpoint at the border.
It is possible to drive from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to Bandar Seri Begawan in one day. See the
Kota Kinabalu to Brunei in a day page for details.
By bus
 To/from Miri: The Miri Belait Transportation Company DOES NOT RUN
ANYMORE (November 2016). It used to run buses between Kuala Belait in Brunei
and Miri in Sarawak, Malaysia. The journey required a bus change at the Sungei
Tujoh border checkpoint. Through tickets were however available at RM12.20 from
Miri. Note that there have been reports that buses from Miri occasionally refuse to go
all the way to the border and stop just before the Asean Bridge at Kuala Baram
because of the high toll charge of the bridge. You may had to use taxis to complete
the final 5km between the border and the bridge. As of November 2016, this bus does
NOT exist anymore (their website is not updated and provides outdated information).
From Kuala Belait, there are buses to Seria (B$1) approx. every 20 minutes, where you can
change to another bus for Bandar Seri Begawan (B$6). The entire journey takes about 5
hours. Buses depart Seria every hour.
There are also two express buses a day between Bandar Seri Begawan and Miri, run by PHLS
(+673 277 1668). One runs early in the morning (dep 8:15am from Miri, 7am from Bandar,
as of november 2016), and the second in the afternoon (dep 3:45pm from Miri, 1pm from
Bandar, as of november 2016). Fares have increased, B$38. If you buy the ticket from the
counter at Pujut Bus Terminal it costs 50MYR (September 2018).
 To/from Limbang: The direct bus from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kota Kinibalu
serves Bangar, Limbang, Lawas and other stops en route to Kota Kinibalu. It leaves
opposite Tamu Kianggeh at approximately 8am. Alternatively, you can catch a local
bus from Bandar's bus station to Kuala Lurah on the border, walk across the
checkpoint into Tedungan in Sarawak and catch a Syarikat Bas Limbang bus to
Limbang. Do the reverse if coming from Limbang to Bandar. Buses depart from
Limbang bus terminal several times a day and bear the destination "Batu Danau".
Taxis are also available on both sides of the border but bargain hard for the fare. You
can also get to Temburong district by bus from Limbang, although again, there are no
direct buses into Bangar; all buses (destination "Pandaruan") stop at the ferry landing
at Pandaruan, where there is now a Malaysian immigration checkpoint. Cross the river
by ferry and catch a taxi for the 5km to Bangar.
 To/from Kota Kinabalu: There is a daily bus from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kota
Kinabalu. The bus departs opposite Tamu Kianggeh approx 8am and takes
approximately 8-9 hours, given twisting single lane highways, picking up and
dropping passengers along the way, and the numerous border crossings which entail
passport/immigration checks. It costs 100 RM.
By boat
The main ferry terminal in Brunei is the Serasa Ferry Terminal at Muara, where there are
several ferries daily to/from Labuan and one daily ferry each to/from Lawas and Sundar, both
in Sarawak. With a change of boats in Labuan, you can even make it to/from Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, in a day. See the Kota Kinabalu to Brunei in a day page.
Please note that the ferry terminal is quite a distance from actual Muara town where the
container port is located. The terminal is about 25km from Bandar Seri Begawan. Getting
there: There are purple buses (No. 38) linking the ferry terminal with BSB. Or you can just
take a tour van / taxi.
There is a car ferry service from Brunei to Sabah [9]
Please note that you need to pay a tax ("cukai kepala") to get out of Brunei (currently, B$ 2
per ferry ticket). Enquire the counters/travel agent if you didn't get the tax coupon when
purchasing the tickets.
Get around
By car
Foreign visitors who hold a valid drivers licence and an International Driving Permit are
permitted to drive in Brunei for up to three months. While driving, drivers must have their
identification cards (drivers licence, IDP and passport), vehicle registration documents, and
insurance policy in the car.
There is one "motorway", from Bandar Seri Begawan along the coast. It devolves into dual
and then single carriageway but is suitable for all vehicles, right through to Kuala Belait and
the toll bridge to Malaysia/Sarawak in the west. There is also a side road off this, which runs
into the jungle towards the settlement of Labi and beyond. Excellent scenery, and a 4-wheel
drive may be useful, but the road is now sealed up to the longhouses some distance beyond
Labi. Stock up on water at the convenience shop at the junction.
Drivers of vehicles not registered in Brunei can only purchase fuel at 10 designated filling
stations throughout the country, to a maximum of 250 litres. Filling a foreign car is more
expensive as the purchase price does not include the government subsidy for fuel.
Driving standards can be rather lax compared to other developed nations. Traffic will not
always stop at red lights or pedestrian crossings. Speeding and non use of seatbelts is also
common.
Most road signs in Brunei are in Malay, written using the Roman script. They also use
international symbols similar to that of Singapore and the United Kingdom. However,
English is also used for important directional signs such as CIQ checkpoints, airports and
tourist attractions.
By taxi
There are only ± 40 taxis in the whole of Brunei (2009) owing to the high rate of car
ownership and usage. Since there are around 10 waiting at the airport and 8 in the Belait
District, there is a little chance of finding a free taxi along the road, especially during
morning and afternoon peak hours when they are hired by business people. Needing a taxi
might require a phone call. The main taxi stand is direct north of the bus station in the capital
with only a few taxis waiting. Taxis may also be available outside some major hotels.
Taxis are not metered since there is no single taxi company, nor any regulations requiring
taxis to have a meter. Drivers have fixed prices for most trips, although the tariffs may vary
between different drivers, or they will give a price for an irregular trip. There seems to be an
app called Dart which is similar to Grab or Uber.
By tour vans
Another alternative is hiring a tour van to drive you around Brunei, for example, for a whole
day, or several hours. Try asking them from the ferry counters in Muara. Discuss the price
first before agreeing to board the van.
By boat
Waterways
209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m
By bus
Brunei bus map
Around Bandar Seri Begawan, there is a good-sized network of reliable and punctual purple
minibuses. Brunei's high rate of private car ownership means very few Bruneians take these
buses, which largely cater to foreign workers. The speed of the buses are limited to 50km/h,
but they remain quite efficient. Note that bus routes cease operation before 2000.
In general, the bus system around the capital radiates from the bus terminal in the central
district. There are designated bus stops along each route, but passengers are picked up or let
off at unofficial locations at the discretion of the driver. The unofficial mode of operation
makes easy travel and entices patronage. Unfortunately, it is difficult to obtain some form of
details on bus routes and timetables. Recent experience in mid 2011 prompted a small
contribution in the form of pictures of the known bus routes at the time.(The pictures of the
bus routes will be posted at a later date). There are 13 routes and the fare is flat B$1.00,
which is collected by a conductor. The passenger can advise the driver the location to
disembark. Sometimes, the conductor asks the passengers their respective locations to
disembark and skips part of the route, to the dismay of passenger who wishes to catch the
bus. This also implies that there is no strict scheduled time. It is quite normal to wait 30 to 45
minutes for a bus.
There is also an infrequent long-distance bus which runs between BSB and Seria through
Tutong.
Talk
The official language of Brunei is Malay; the official standard being the same as that of
Malaysia and Singapore. While all Bruneians are able to converse in standard Malay, the
local dialect of Malay is almost incomprehensible to other Malay speakers. Solely among the
Malay-speaking states, Brunei also officially uses the Arabic script for Malay known as Jawi,
although most signs are written both in Jawi and Roman letters. Nevertheless, the Roman
alphabet is still the more commonly used script when writing Malay in Brunei.
Due to the British colonial past, most people in Brunei are fluent English speakers. English is
the medium of instruction for all subjects in the local schools from the fourth year of primary
school onwards, with maths and science being taught in English from the start of primary
school. English is also the main language of the local courts. A little Malay will come in
handy in rural areas, as English proficiency is limited there.
The ethnic Chinese community in Brunei continues to speak a variety of Chinese languages,
including Hokkien, Teochew and several others.
All adherents of the Islamic faith, especially the more devout, possess some proficiency in
reading and speaking Arabic, which is also taught in the local schools.
The Indian minority in Brunei are mostly Tamil speakers. There is also a a contingent of
Gurkha soldiers stationed in Brunei who speak Nepali.
See
Istana Nurul Iman
The Istana Nurul Iman is the world’s largest residential palace in occupation with 1788
rooms. The 300-acre palace sits on a man made hill with a clear view of Kampong Ayer.
Istana Nurul Iman is the residence of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah since 1984 and it is
open to the public three days in a year, on the second to fourth day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Omar Ali Saifuddie Mosque
The Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque is an oasis of tranquility within the bustle of downtown
Bandar. Completed in 1958 and named after the 28th Sultan of Burnei, it was built with the
craftmanship that reflects classical Islamic architecture. The lagoon replicated of 16th century
Mahligai or Royal Barge where religious ceremonies such as Holy Qur'an readings were
staged during 1960s and early 1970s. The mosque has been regarded as Brunei's architectural
achievement, and has over the years established itself to become the country's most
recognisable landmark. Opening daily except Thursday, Friday and Islamic holiday from
8:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-3:00pm.
Royal Regalia Building
The Royal Regalia Building is located in the heart of Bandar Seri BEgawan. It was built to
commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the Sultan's accession to the throne in 1992. The museum
is home to a collection of Royal Regalia, including the royal chariot, gold and silver
ceremonial armory and a replica of the throne, which is used by the Sultan on state occasions.
Opening daily except major public holiday from 9:00am to 4:30pm.
Timepiece Monument
Memorial Clock Monument built on July 11, 1959 to commemorate the visit of His Majesty
Seri Paduka Baginda Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Yang Di-Pertuan Agung of Malaysia. This
Monument is located in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan to function as a 'Zero-Mile-Clock',
it is used to indicate the starting point of distance between Bandar Seri Begawan and other
places in Brunei.
Kampong Ayer Cultural & Tourism Gallery
The $3-million Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery was built to provide visitors a
glimpse of Kampong Ayer's storied past while preserving part of Brunei's heritage. Five mini
galleries within the building showcase the water village's history and origin, with handicraft
and relics from bygone era also on display. There are also a souvenir shop selling traditional
handicraft and an observation tower which gives visitors a fantastic panoramic view of the
water village and the capital's skyline are all to be found at the centre. The Kampong Ayer
Cultural and Tourism Gallery can be reached by taking a water taxi from the Royal Whaft.
Opening daily except Friday and public holiday from 9:00am - 5:00pm.
Eco Ponies Garden, Tutong
Looking for an extraordinary adventure and getting close to nature as well as the chance of
learning traditional techniques to fill your spare time with something lovable? Here, situated
in Southeast Asia, on Borneo Island, the country named Brunei Darussalam is well-known as
a religious country. Located here is a community and family run farm and astounding garden
called Eco Ponies Garden in Lamunin, Tutong district. Visitors receive a warm welcome
every peaceful morning with birds whistling and singing and are also inspired by the healthy
nature of the environmental area, while having fun as well as enjoying the products at their
mini bizarre.
A blend of unique traditional and local sights are availale. Bright and cheerful quotes are
colourfully displayed and beautifully painted everywhere like on the rusty, huge rocks and
the wooden man-made items such as the large traditional boat. Futhermore, a range of
exciting activites are provided with the help of the local community. For example there is a
gardening full of various kinds of plants; mostly medicinal and you can touch the smooth,
edible plants, magnificent petals of numerous flowers as well. You can smell the aromas and
taste different kinds of spices and herbs used for appetizing traditional cooking dishes such as
soft, sweet and spicy, beef rendang. This is great for filling up after an exhausting day of
buliding and painting. The delightful home made traditional side dishes like oily and chewy
'penyaram' are made to energize you for all of the exciting activites. Filled with smooth and
sun-warmed wooden benches and covered by enormous trees, this is a great place to relax.
Apart from that, you will also get a chance to buy their herbs and medicinal plants, which are
reasonably priced, as well as perfumes made from the unique flowers. In the end, you get to
experience the warm, friendly ecosystem and good-natured atmosphere of the garden.
Do
For things to do in and in the near vicinity of Bandar Seri Begawan, see Bandar Seri
Begawan.
There are many eco-tours which typically go to the Temburong district by boat then to a
native "longhouse". It is then followed by a powered boat (by the natives) up the river to the
Belalong National Park, a reserve in the Borneo rainforest. There is a canopy walk and
research centre at the park headquarters. Visitors can book to stay overnight at the Ulu Ulu
Resort, experience different outdoor adventure with Freme Rainforest Lodge at it's Adventure
Park and discover the rainforest with BorneoGuide and stay in the Sumbiling Eco Village.
For nature lovers, a new activity to try in Brunei is the Tutong River cruise tour, about 40
minutes away from [Bandar Seri Begawan]. The cruise provided by Sunshine Borneo Tours
& Travel emphasizes on mangrove ecology and conservation education. The beautiful and
calm mangrove-fringed Tutong River is home to the endemic Proboscis monkeys, eagles,
crocodiles, macaques, kingfishers and other wildlife. Some villages and other eco-activities
can also be found on Eko-Brunei
Bukit Shahbandar is a nature reserve offering several hikes according to the number of
small peaks you want to ascend. All well marked. The longest takes 1.5 to 2 hours among
trees and steep dirt hills. At the bottom, there is a park and jogging trail. It is 5 min drive, 15
min walk from The Empire Hotel. Most people went there to exersice but some people went
there to do something else such as doing photoshot, playing at the mini playground and to
buy the famous fresh coconut juice.
Jerudong Park was once a decent theme park with a multitude of rides. Sadly, a downward
cycle of neglect, declining admission and unaffordable maintenance costs led to the closure
and sale of most of the big-ticket rides, including the three rollercoasters. This has given the
park a sad "circus left town last week" air about it. Though in recent years there have been
attempts to revive the park, including some new rides (mainly for children) as well as clown
shows. The original bumper cars, go-karts, paddle-boats & merry-go-round are still
operational. As is the fountain & light show.
You can also visit the water village called 'Kampong Ayer', where you will ride on boat to
reach the old, traditional village. All day and night in the water village, you will hear the
sounds of engines roaring and water splashing. The rough texture of the handmade boats and
the houses above the calm, brown silty water, is what makes Kampong Ayer a unique cultural
and traditional place. When you ride on the boat to the village, you will see other boats that
are zooming very fast and all you can hear is the rough waves hitting the boats and the
whooshing sound of wind passing by your face.
Tamu Kianggeh is also located in Bandar Seri Begawan, near Kampong Ayer. At the
entrance of Tamu Kianggeh, traditional music is played by people using traditional
instruments such as Gulingtangan and Gambus. Tamu Kianggeh is a market that sells fresh
fruit and vegetables, sweet and fresh drinks and also delicious and fresh cooked dry food such
as Kuih Malaya. the sweet smell of banana fritters (cucur pisang) being fried is heavenly. The
loud sound of people yelling and shouting about what they are selling is heard from metres
away.
Most people who visit only go at night to avoid the heat during the day. Outside the park, but
very close, is a small complex of restaurants which is open at night, though only around half
of the stalls are still operational.
Scuba diving
Brunei offers some great diving. In addition to coral and fish, Brunei is home to several
shipwrecks and many species of nudibranch - one of the best places in S.E. Asia for macro
photography. Water temperature is generally around 86 degrees (30 Celsius) and visibility is
usually in the 10-30m range, although this can be changeable during the monsoon season. As
diving here is not overly developed, it means that the sites, and especially the coral reefs, are
unspoiled and in pristine condition.
Popular dive sites include the American Wreck, Admirable Class Minesweeper, USS Salute
(AM-294) lies broken in half on a sand bottom at 30m after hitting a Japanese mine on the
8th June 1945, during pre-invasion sweeps of the Brunei Bay, with the loss of nine lives.
Australian Wreck, In 1949 while on a voyage to Manila it struck a mine off Brunei and
sank. The wreck lies in 33m of water and is roughly 85m. Dolphin 88 Wreck Malaysian
commercial vessel sunk in bad weather in 2013. Experienced divers will enjoy exploring the
interior of the wreck. Oil Rig Wreck, a decommissioned oil rig. There are 9 structures to be
explored, each seeming to be home to one dominant group of fish. Baiei Maru Wreck was a
Japanese oil tanker that sank in October 1944 in Brunei Bay after hitting a Japanese mine.
Discovered by the Brunei Shell Petroleum during a survey, the wreck sits in about 50m of
water and has only recently been dove in what is believed to be the first time in June 2008 by
local club divers. Other dive sites includes Labuan Wreck, Bolkiah Wreck, UBD Wreck,
Amai Wreck, Arun Wreck, Stone Wreck to name a few.
Diving is very reasonable, averaging out to BN$35-45 per dive depending on how many
dives you do and whether you bring your own gear. There are a number of organisations you
can do trips with such as; Poni Divers,Oceanic Quest, The Brunei Sub Aqua Dive Club in
Brunei-Muara & Panaga Divers based in seria
Sunset
Brunei has one of the most beautiful sunset sights in Asia. Tourist tend to watch sunset at The
Empire Hotel or nearest beaches.
Buy
The local currency is the Brunei dollar (BND, B$); you might hear ringgit used to refer to
the dollar but be sure that participants are not talking about the Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
which is valued at less than half a Brunei dollar.
As of 26th April 2017 BND1.00 = USD0.72 = GBP0.56 = €0.66 = MYR3.12 = RMB4.94 =

JPY79.79
The Brunei dollar is tied to the Singapore dollar at a 1:1 rate. By law both currencies can be
used interchangeably, so if you're coming in from Singapore, there's no reason to change
money as your cash will be readily accepted. (Likewise, any leftover Brunei dollars can be
used at par in Singapore. Although Singaporean coins can be used in Brunei with the
exception of the SGD1, Singapore does not accept Bruneian coins. However, many stores
refuse Singapore notes with seemingly microscopic tears in them, and notices to this effect
are posted at the cash register.
The Brunei dollar is divided into 100 cents. There are banknotes [10] from BND1 to a
whopping BND10,000 (handy if you're shopping for Rolls-Royces) and coins [11] of 1 to 50
cents. All smaller notes and the 2004 series of larger notes are printed as brightly coloured
polymer notes.
Costs
By South-East Asian standards Brunei is roughly on par with Singapore, meaning roughly
twice as expensive as neighbouring Malaysia. You can reduce costs by eating at local
restaurants and avoiding the more expensive restaurants in hotels. Budget accommodation,
once very limited, has expanded in recent years and you can now get a decent bed for the
night for around B$30.
Eat
Knock knock, who's there? Nasi
Katok
Katok is actually "ketuk" in the
Malay language, and it means
knock. There is a story behind the
name Nasi Katok. It was begun by
a couple of teenagers who were
feeling very hungry after a
midnight practice. They went to a
place where they normally bought
their food. This place was actually
a residential house, which offered
Nasi bungkus (a pack of rice with
chicken and egg) even in the
middle of the night. At any time
you could just Katok (knock) on
their door, and the owner will
come up with fresh hot Nasi
Katok. And that's how it became
Nasi Katok.
Bruneians love to eat out and there are many excellent restaurants in Brunei serving a wide
variety of cuisines, thanks to the large number of foreign workers in the country.
There is also the local nasi katok, a simple combination of rice and curried beef or chicken,
which can be quite spicy. It is relatively inexpensive when compared to other food that you
can buy, for example local food such as chicken rice.
Another choice is ambuyat, a culinary experience unique to Borneo. It is a starchy and gooey
paste made from sago that can be dipped into a savoury sauce.
Brunei produces excellent quality soy sauce, darker, thicker and stronger in flavour than
you'd typically find in Japan or China.
Drink
Alcohol
Brunei is a "dry country;" alcohol is not sold anywhere in the country and consumption of
alcohol in public is prohibited by law. That said, non-Muslim visitors are allowed to bring
in up to two litres of alcohol (wine or spirits), plus up to twelve 330mL cans of beer, lager or
cider every 48 hours. According to the laws of Brunei, this alcohol must be “stored and
consumed at the place of residence of the importer” and is “not to be given, transferred or
sold to another person.”
As alcohol is not sold in Brunei, there is a wide array of duty-free shops just across the border
in Malaysia to cater to the high demand for personal importation. However, alcohol permits
must be obtained upon arrival in Brunei while going through customs. (At customs you will
be required to fill in a yellow form to declare your alcohol.)
The legal age for privately possessing and consuming alcohol in Brunei is 17, however you
have to be 21 to purchase alcohol in Malaysia.
Other beverages
One should definitely try out Teh Tarik, a sweet milk tea that is poured from one cup to
another to create a layer of bubbles that bring out the aromatic smell of tea, Teh C Special,
another form of milk tea that is mixed with the palm sugar that gives a distinct taste to it, as
well as the wide array of coffee (kopi) available in restaurants.
Sleep
Accommodation in Brunei was until recently famously expensive — there is still only one
youth hostel in the entire country — but some reasonably cheap guesthouses can now be
found here and there. See Bandar Seri Begawan for listings.
There are also some decent accommodation and even business hotels in other parts of Brunei.
Learn
Work
Many of the jobs in Brunei are in the gas and oil industry but many positions have opened up
for international English Teachers due to the booming economy and business sector.
Footprints Recruiting offers placement in teaching jobs in Brunei. This can be a great way to
absorb the culture and see many of the wonderful attractions Brunei has to offer, while
making money to boot.
Stay safe
WARNING: Brunei treats drug offences extremely severely. The death penalty
is mandatory for those convicted of trafficking, manufacturing, importing or
exporting more than 1 g of heroin, 1 g of morphine, 1 g of cocaine, 1 g of cannabis, 1
g of cannabis resin and 1 g of opium, and possession of these quantities is all that is
needed for you to be convicted. For unauthorised consumption, there is a maximum
of 10 years' jail or a heavy fine, or both. You can be charged for unauthorised
consumption as long as traces of illicit drugs are found in your system, even if you
can prove that they were consumed outside the country, and you can be charged for
trafficking as long as drugs are found in bags that are in your possession or in your
room, even if they aren't yours and regardless of whether you're aware of them -
therefore be vigilant of your possessions.
Brunei is a very safe country, with theft being uncommon and violent crime almost unheard
of. However basic travelling safety precautions should be taken at all times. Brunei has mixed
legal system based on English common law and Sharia (Islamic) law.
Brunei revised its penal code in 2014, imposing Sharia law in three phases. Currently it is still
on the first phase (April 2017). The first phase of Sharia law includes only fines and prison
sentences for crimes. The Penal Code applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims. However,
many of the specific offences are applicable to Muslims only. For example, non-Muslims can
be implicated for adultery if committed with a Muslim, consuming alcohol in a public place,
close proximity to the other gender if committed with a Muslim, contempt of the Prophet
Muhammad, deriding verses of the Quran or Hadith, indecent behaviour and disrespecting
Ramadan (fasting month).
It is illegal for any person to consume food, drink or tobacco in public during the fasting
hours of Ramadan - this can attract fines of up to B$4,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 1
year.
Possession of pornographic material, in addition to homosexual and prostitution

activities, are illegal. These laws apply to foreigners as well. There are severe penalties in
Brunei including, in some cases, the death penalty. Some crimes may attract caning and
lengthy prison sentences.
It is difficult to obtain tobacco in Brunei; travellers may bring in their own tobacco, but there
is no duty-free allowance. Duty charge on cigarettes is BND0.50/stick, i.e. BND10 per pack
of 20 sticks and BND100 per carton of 10 packs. Duty charge on other tobacco products may
vary.
The carriage of live ammunition, including amulets, lucky charms, decorations, and other
byproducts containing prohibited items, is a serious offence punishable by law for 5 to 15
years of imprisonment and 3 to 12 strokes of caning. This applies to all passengers travelling
to or transiting through Brunei without exception.
Stay healthy
Eating out is generally safe because of good food safety standards, although tap water is not
fit for drinking & should be boiled first. Alternatively, bottled water is very cheap.
Respect
The Brunei Government is run as a Malay Islamic Monarchy; as such, the Sultan of Brunei -
apart from being one of the richest men in the world - is in charge and frequently appears on
the front page of the two daily newspapers. At all costs, do not insult or speak badly of the
Royal Family - His Majesty The Sultan and other members of the Royal Family are highly
revered and public criticism of them will cause great offence.
Furthermore, though Bruneians are generally courteous and tolerant, it is a good idea to be
aware of sensitivities surrounding certain topics of conversation, especially politics
(domestic, regional & international) and world events, particularly those relating to Islam or
Islamic countries.
Bruneian values are strongly influenced by Islam. Places of business and offices, including
shops and restaurants, shut between 1200 and 1400 every Friday for Friday prayers.
Some courtesies to observe include the following:
 Remove shoes before entering mosques

 For women, ensure that the head, knees, and arms are covered before entering
mosques
 Do not pass in front of people in prayers
 Do not touch the Qur'an
 Shake hands lightly if you must, but never with a member of the opposite sex
 Point with the right thumb instead of the index finger
 Beckon another with the palm facing downwards
 Do not smack the right fist into the left palm
 Food and gifts must be passed with the right hand
 When sitting, the sole of the feet should not be pointed towards one's companions
Contact
By phone
The international code for Brunei is 673. The telephone numbers in Brunei consist of 7 digits
with no local codes, although the first digit of the number indicates the area such as 3 for the
Belait District and 2 for Bandar Seri Begawan.
The prepaid Hallo Kad, available from TelBru telephone offices (including one at the
airport) and other outlets in denominations from B$5 to B$50 can be used at any phone in the
country to make local and international calls. Other phone cards are also available for use in
public phones.
GSM mobile phone services are available from network operator DST [12]. They have a
good range of roaming connections. 3G mobile phone services are available from B-Mobile
[13].
B-Mobile is now known as Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd (PCSB). Once exit from the Arrival
Hall at Brunei International Airport, they have a counter selling simcards & plans. There is
also a Visitor Sim - for short term stay (BND10 all in SMS, voice & data)

Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam
View map
Establishment Type
Cuisines & Dishes
Asian
Cafe
Chinese
More
Dietary Restrictions
Halal
Vegetarian Friendly
Vegan Options
Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Price
Cheap Eats
Mid-range
Fine Dining
Restaurant features
Accepts Credit Cards
Buffet
Delivery
More
Good for
Business meetings
Families with children
Kids
More
Kaizen Sushi Bandar Seri Begawan
450 reviews
#1 of 408 Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam
#1 of 217 Restaurants in Bandar Seri Begawan
$$ - $$$ Japanese Sushi Asian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options Halal Gluten Free Options
 “Totally Legit” 01/25/2019

 “Love the Kaizen Maki!” 01/13/2019
Just Momos Nepali Restaurant Sdn Bhd Kuala Belait
63 reviews
#1 of 32 Restaurants in Kuala Belait
$$ - $$$ Nepali Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options Gluten Free Options
 “Excellent food, place and service!” 01/24/2019

 “Super restaurant!” 01/13/2019
Roti Culture Gadong
252 reviews
#1 of 37 Restaurants in Gadong
$ Indian Asian Indonesian Malaysian Vegetarian Friendly Halal Vegan Options
 “The food” 11/29/2018

 “This is how its done. 'nuf said” 11/17/2018
Thien Thien Restaurant Bandar Seri Begawan
124 reviews
$ Chinese Asian Halal
 “Local favourite” 12/11/2018

 “Brunei's chicken rice secret” 11/28/2018
Its a Grind Coffee House Bandar Seri Begawan
64 reviews
$$ - $$$ Cafe Halal Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options

 “Very good coffee” 12/17/2018
 “Lovely atmosphere and great coffee” 09/02/2018
Aminah Arif restaurant Bandar Seri Begawan
104 reviews
$$ - $$$ Asian Vegetarian Friendly Halal
 “Popular delicacy” 12/11/2018

 “Best ambuyat place” 11/28/2018
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Bandar Seri Begawan
152 reviews

$$ - $$$ Cafe
 “LOVE CBTL CAKES” 11/09/2018

 “Coffee up to the par” 10/18/2018
Kaizen Japanese Restaurant Seria
75 reviews
#1 of 10 Restaurants in Seria
$$ - $$$ Japanese Sushi Asian Vegetarian Friendly
 “Love the Food” 01/15/2019

 “Quality Japanese food” 10/05/2018
Excapade Sushi Bandar Seri Begawan
195 reviews
$$ - $$$ Japanese Sushi Asian Vegetarian Friendly Halal Vegan Options Gluten Free Options
 “My Girl & I” 12/22/2018

 “SUSHI TIME” 12/11/2018
Chop Jing Chew Since 1946 Bandar Seri Begawan
70 reviews
$ Asian Halal Vegetarian Friendly
 “Tasty buttermilk buns” 12/29/2018

 “Peanut buns 'kawin'” 12/11/2018
Kaizen Sushi Kuala Belait
34 reviews
$$ - $$$ Japanese Sushi Asian Seafood Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options
 “Only sushi restaurant in KB Town” 01/23/2019

 “Best Sushi in KB” 01/17/2019
Tasek Brasserie Bandar Seri Begawan
70 reviews
$$ - $$$ International Asian Vegetarian Friendly
 “Great Spread for Dinner Buffet” 05/30/2018

 “Nice!” 05/08/2018
Piccolo Cafe Bandar Seri Begawan
56 reviews
$$ - $$$ Cafe Vegetarian Friendly
 “Great Coffee” 10/14/2018

 “Give it a try” 10/18/2018
Zaika Kuala Belait
64 reviews
$$ - $$$ Indian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options Halal
 “Good Indian food” 10/14/2018

 “Lovely food” 06/06/2018
Burgers and Grills Kuala Belait
34 reviews
$ American Fast Food Diner South American Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options
 “Best BURGER in Seria!” 01/30/2019

 “Proper fast food” 01/23/2019
Gwad Basha Bandar Seri Begawan
39 reviews
$$ - $$$ Middle Eastern Lebanese Halal Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options
 “Amazing authentic food” 11/21/2018

 “Tasty and authentic Arabic food” 09/07/2018
Jollibee Bandar Seri Begawan
84 reviews
$ Fast Food Halal
 “Cheapest Corn Ice Cream in town” 10/14/2018

 “A taste of the Philippines in Brunei” 05/01/2018
Le Taj Bandar Seri Begawan
60 reviews
$$ - $$$ Indian Halal Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options
 “Variety of Indian options” 05/29/2018

 “Nice Indian restaurant” 04/29/2018
High Frequency Cafe Bandar Seri Begawan
34 reviews
$$ - $$$ Cafe
 “Cozy bistro” 09/24/2018

 “Perfect for a nice dinner” 08/06/2018
Ximply Chriz Cafe Bandar Seri Begawan
31 reviews
$$ - $$$ Cafe
 “Good food, Horrible service” 01/29/2019

 “Cake <3” 01/31/2018
i-Lotus Bandar Seri Begawan
49 reviews
$$ - $$$ Asian Chinese Halal
 “Eat all you can during Ramadhan Month” 04/07/2018

 “Ambience and comfortable environment” 04/04/2018
Universal Cafe, Seria Seria
25 reviews
#2 of 10 Restaurants in Seria
$ Cafe Halal
 “Mercedes Benz Automobil Group coffee time” 12/09/2018

 “Best” 08/12/2018
Danes Cafe Gadong
42 reviews
$$ - $$$ Cafe Fusion
 “Dane's on repeat!” 12/22/2018

 “Good food” 11/02/2018
Rack and Brew Boutique Cafe Bandar Seri Begawan
25 reviews
$$ - $$$ Cafe
 “Board Menu needs pricing” 08/20/2018

 “The best little cafe!” 04/15/2018
Marilyn Cafe Kuala Belait
43 reviews
$$ - $$$ Cafe
 “Lunch” 11/06/2018
 “Nice cafe” 09/27/2018
Bello Cafe Bandar Seri Begawan
31 reviews
$$ - $$$ Cafe
 “Nice Ambience” 12/21/2018

 “Great food with decent prices” 08/06/2018
Spaghettini Kampong Jerudong
28 reviews
#1 of 9 Restaurants in Kampong Jerudong
$$ - $$$ Italian European Mediterranean Vegetarian Friendly
 “Good Italian food - bit formal” 03/04/2018

 “Overcooked pasta” 12/27/2018
MyTown Eating House Bandar Seri Begawan
32 reviews
$ Asian Fusion Street Food Malaysian Singaporean Halal
 “Durian cendol!” 12/29/2018

 “Affordable,nice place for families and fri...” 12/19/2018
Thiam Hock Restaurant Gadong
36 reviews
$$ - $$$ Chinese Asian
 “Nice Chinese restaurant” 06/25/2018

 “Best Chinese” 08/25/2018
Buccaneer Restaurant Kuala Belait
57 reviews
 “Nice steak” 09/30/2018

 “Good steak” 09/27/201
There are a number of languages spoken in Brunei.[1] The official language of the state of
Brunei is Standard Malay, the same Malaccan dialect that is the basis for the standards in
Malaysia and Indonesia.[2] This came into force on 29 September 1959, with the signing of
Brunei 1959 Constitution.[3]
Contents
 1 Standard Malay
 2 Brunei Malay
 3 English
 4 Chinese
 5 Indigenous languages
 6 Arabic
 7 Indian languages
 8 Nepali languages
 9 Expatriate languages
 10 See also
 11 References
Standard Malay
Malay is specified as the national language of Brunei in the constitution of 1959,[4] and its
central role in the country is reinforced in the national MIB philosophy (Melayu Islam
Beraja, 'Malay Islamic Monarchy').[5]
While the variety of Malay that functions as the national language is not specified, it is
generally assumed to be a variety of Standard Malay that is similar to the standard varieties
promoted in Malaysia and Indonesia.[6]
In fact, the use of Standard Malay and Brunei Malay can be described under the concept of
diglossia,[7] with Standard Malay taking the H(igh) role and being used in formal domains
such as teaching and official speeches, while Brunei Malay functions in a L(ow) role, being
used in informal domains such as between friends and in local shops.[8]
In terms of pronunciation, the Standard Malay of Brunei is rhotic, so there is an [r] at the end
of words such as besar ('big'), and it has [a] rather than [ə] at the end of words such as saya
('I') and utara ('north').[6]
Brunei Malay
The local dialect, Melayu Brunei (Brunei Malay), is the most widely spoken language.[2] It is
spoken by about 266,000 people.[9] About 84% of its words are cognate with Standard Malay,
while 94% are reported to be cognate with Kedayan.[1]
Brunei Malay is also spoken as a lingua franca in some parts of East Malaysia such as the
Federal Territory of Labuan, the districts of Limbang and Lawas (Sarawak) and the districts
of Sipitang, Beaufort, Kuala Penyu and Papar (Sabah).[10] In Brunei, use of Brunei Malay is
expanding at the expense of the other indigenous minority languages in Brunei, most of
which are under threat of extinction.[11]
Some of the phonological features of Brunei Malay are: /h/ cannot occur in initial position,
and there are only three vowels, /i,a,u/.[12] For its syntax, if has been claimed that the verb
often occurs in initial position,[13] and there is a distinct set of modal verbs.[14]
English
Main article: Brunei English
English is widely used as a business and official language and it is spoken by a majority of
the population in Brunei, though some people have only a rudimentary knowledge of the
language.[15] There is one daily English language newspaper, Borneo Bulletin.
The bilingual system of education was introduced in 1985, with the first three years taught in
Malay while English was the medium of instruction for most subjects from the fourth year of
primary school onward,[16] so all school children have had substantial exposure to English
since then. In 2008, the new SPN21 education system was introduced, and from then on,
maths and science have been taught in English from the start of primary school, so the role of
English is even more firmly established.[15]
The language of the courts is mainly English,[17] though, just as in Malaysia, code-switching
between English and Malay is common.[18]
One result of the promotion of both English and Malay in Brunei is that minority languages,
such as Tutong and Dusun, tend to get squeezed out. Noor Azam has described the situation
using the Malay proverb: Gajah berperang, pelanduk mati di tengah-tengah. ('When
elephants fight, the mouse-deer between them dies.')[19]
Some features of the pronunciation of English in Brunei are: the TH sound at the start of
words such as thin and think tends to be pronounced as [t];[20] vowel reduction is mostly
avoided in function words such as of and that;[15] and there is an increasing incidence of
rhoticity.[21][22]
Chinese
The Chinese minority in Brunei speak a number of Chinese varieties.[23] The main varieties of
Chinese spoken include Hokkien, Cantonese and Hakka.[24]
Mandarin is the language of instruction in some Chinese schools, and there are also some
radio broadcasts in Mandarin.[24] Mandarin is also used as the lingua franca among the
Chinese community.[25]
Indigenous languages
Apart from Brunei Malay and Kedayan, the latter which may be considered a dialect of
Malay, five indigenous minority ethic groups are officially recognised in Brunei, each with
their own language: Tutong, Belait, Dusun, Bisaya, and Lun Bawang ('Murut').[8] Each of
these five minority languages is threatened with extinction,[11] though it has been reported that
Murut (which is spoken mostly in the enclave of Temburong) is relatively healthy, partly
because it receives some support across the Malaysian border in Lawas, where it is known as
Lun Bawang.[26]
Iban is also quite widely spoken in Temburong,[26] and there is a small community of Penan
speakers living in a longhouse along the Belait River.[27]
Arabic
Arabic is the language of the Quran and is used by Islamic scholars in Brunei. The official
religion of Brunei is Islam[28] and as such, all adherents of the faith possess some proficiency
in reading and speaking Arabic.[citation needed]
Arabic is taught in schools, particularly religious schools. All Islamic children are required by
law to attend an Ugama School ('Religious School') for three hours five days per week from
the ages of 7 till 15, and the curriculum of these schools promotes the learning of Arabic as
well as skill using Jawi, the Arabic-based script for representing Malay.[29]
In addition to the Ugama Schools, as of 2004, there were six Arabic schools and one religious
teachers' college in Brunei.[30]
Indian languages
The Indian minority in Brunei originates mostly from southern India.[citation needed] They are
joined by a relatively large expatriate community, estimated at about 7500, from India.[31]
Tamil is mainly spoken by Indians in Brunei.
Nepali languages
There is also a contingent of Nepali soldiers of the Gurkha Reserve Unit in Sungai Akar
camp and 1st and 2nd Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles stationed in Seria, Brunei.[citation
needed]
The language spoken by most of these soldiers is Gurkhali. There are Gurkhali
languages services provided by Radio Television Brunei[32] and the British Forces
Broadcasting Service.[33]
Expatriate languages
Besides the expatriate Indians, Brunei also has a large expatriate community of Filipino,[34]
Indonesian, Dutch and English-speaking[35] origins. Betawi, Javanese, Sundanese, Ambonese
and Batak languages are also spoken by immigrants from Indonesia.
See also
 Demographics of Brunei
References
1.
 Martin, P. W., & Poedjosoedarmo, G. (1996). An overview of the language situation in

Brunei Darussalam. In P. W. Martin, C. Ozog & G. Poedjosoedarmo (Eds.), Language use &
language change in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 1-23). Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Center for
International Studies.
  Gallop, 2006. "Brunei Darussalam: Language Situation". In Keith Brown, ed. (2005).
Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics (2 ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 0-08-044299-4.
  Language and Literature Bureau Brief History Archived 2 May 2007 at the Wayback
Machine - retrieved 20-04-2007
  Hussainmiya, B. A. (2001). The Brunei constitution of 1959: An inside history, 2nd ed.
Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei Press.
  Jones, G. M. (2016). Changing patterns of education in Brunei: How past plans have
shaped future trends. In Noor Azam H-O., J. McLellan & D. Deterding (Eds.), The use and
status of Language in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 267-278). Singapore: Springer.
  Clynes, A., & Deterding, D. (2011). Standard Malay (Brunei). Journal of the
International Phonetic Association, 41, 259–268.On-line Version
  Ferguson, C. A. (1959). Diglossia. Word, 15, 325-340.
  McLellan, J., Noor Azam H-O., & Deterding, D. (2016). The language situation in
Brunei Darussalam. In Noor Azam H-O., J. McLellan & D. Deterding (Eds.), The use and
status of Language in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 9-16). Singapore: Springer.
  Ethnologue report for language code: kxd
  Clynes, A. (2014). Brunei Malay: An overview. In P. Sercombe, M. Boutin & A.
Clynes (Eds.), Advances in research on linguistic and cultural practices in Borneo (pp. 153-
200). Phillips, ME: Borneo Research Council.
  Noor-Azam H-O., & Siti Ajeerah, N. (2016). The state of indigenous languages in
Brunei. In Noor Azam H-O., J. McLellan & D. Deterding (Eds.), The use and status of
Language in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 17-28). Singapore: Springer.
  Deterding, D., & Ishamina Athirah (2017). Brunei Malay. Journal of the International
Phonetic Association, 47(1), 99–108. On-line Version
  Poedjosoedarmo, G., & Hj Rosnah Hj Ramly (1996). Some notes on Brunei Malay
syntax. In P. W. Martin, C. Ozog & G. Poedjosoedarmo (Eds), Language Use & Language
Change in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 60-72). Athens, OH: Ohio University Center for
International Studies.
  Aznah, S. (2016). Comprehension of aspect markers by Brunei Malay L1 learners. In
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Brunei Darussalam (pp. 75-94). Singapore: Springer.
  Deterding, D., & Salbrina, S. (2013). Brunei English: A New Variety in a Multilingual
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Darussalam (123-132). Athens, OH: Ohio University Center for International Studies.
  Hjh Masmahirah Hj Mohd Tali (2016). Courtroom discourse: A case study of the
linguistic strategies in Brunei courtooms. In Noor Azam H-O., J. McLellan & D. Deterding
(Eds.), The use and status of Language in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 135-163). Singapore:
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  Powell, R. (2009). Language alternation in Malaysia courtrooms and comparisons with
other common law jurisdictions. In M. K. David, J. McLellan, S. Rafik-Galea & A. N.
Abdullah (Eds.), Code switching in Malaysi (pp. 135-149). Frankfurt: Peter Lang.
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In V. Rapatahana & P. Bunce (eds.), English Language as Hydra. Bristol: Multilingual
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  Mossop, J. (1996). Some phonological features of Brunei English. In P. W. Martin, A.
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Darussalam (189-208). Athens, OH: Ohio University Center for International Studies.
  Salbrina, S., & Deterding, D. (2010). Rhoticity in Brunei English. English World-Wide
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In Noor Azam H-O., J. McLellan & D. Deterding (Eds.), The use and status of Language in
Brunei Darussalam (pp. 57-74). Singapore: Springer.
  Dunseath, K. (1996). Aspects of language maintenance and language shift among the
Chinese community in Brunei. In P. W. Martin, C. Ozog & G. Poedjosoedarmo (Eds),
Language Use & Language Change in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 280-301). Athens, OH: Ohio
University Center for International Studies.
  Coluzzi, P. (2011). Endangered languages in Borneo: A survey among the Iban and
Murut (Lun Bawang) in Temburong Brunei. Oceanic Linguistics, 49(1), 119-143.
  Martin, P. W., & Sercombe, P. (1996). The Penan of Brunei: Patterns of linguistic
interaction. In P. W. Martin, C. Ozog & G. Poedjosoedarmo (Eds), Language Use &
Language Change in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 302-311). Athens, OH: Ohio University Center
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  Encyclopædia Britannica - retrieved 22-04-2007
  Noor Azam H-O. (2016). Bilingual education revisited: The role of Ugama Schools in
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and status of Language in Brunei Darussalam (pp. 253-265). Singapore: Springer.
  Ministry of Education Statistics 2004 - retrieved 22-04-2007
  Indian Community in Brunei - High Commission of India to Brunei Archived 6 April
2007 at the Wayback Machine - retrieved 20-04-2007
  Pilihan Radio, Radio Television Brunei - retrieved 20-04-2007
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Machine - retrieved 20-04-2007
35. v
36. t
37. e
Languages of Brunei
 v
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Brunei articles
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TRANSFORMATION IN MODE OF CLOTHING IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

AND ITS IMPACT ON IDENTITIES
Article (PDF Available) · December 2010 with885 Reads
 Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah

o 2.32
o Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Abstract
While there has been a growing interest in studies of clothing in Southeast Asia among academics in
the recent years, little attention has been paid to Brunei Darussalam. Studies of dress have been
largely concerned with social and cultural contexts, including the transformation and the
contemporary forces of globalisation. Many of the studies are also frequently using clothing to
articulate and project identities. This paper examines the role of clothing in the construction of social
and cultural identity of the Malay society in Brunei Darussalam. This paper discusses social, cultural
and political organisation, followed by an explication of the different types of dress which are
considered ‘traditional’ among the Malay society and their roles in manifesting ethnic identity. It also
looks into how certain modes and types of clothing exhibit gender and religious identity. The role of
clothing as a marker of status in relation to social and political hierarchy will also be touched. Finally,
the evolution and transformation of mode of clothing will be analysed. This is done in the light of by
examining the significance of globalisation and Islamisation and their impacts in evolution and
transformation of the mode of clothing in Brunei Darussalam.
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BORNEO RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL4, DECEMBER 2010 ISSN 1985-5443
Department of Southeast Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, University of
Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
TRANSFORMATION IN MODE OF CLOTHING
IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM AND ITS IMPACT
ON IDENTITIES
Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah, Ph.D
Academy of Brunei Studies
Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
E-mail: norkhalbi.wahsalfelah@ubd.edu.bn
Introduction
This paper examines clothing in the Malay society in Brunei Darussalam.
Discussion will be focused on the role of clothing in the manifestation of identity.
I will begin the paper by presenting the social, cultural and political organisation,
followed by an attempt to explore how certain modes and types of clothing
exhibit ethnic, gender and religious identity. I will also discuss the role of
clothing in revealing social status in relation to social and political hierarchy.
Subsequently, factors that contribute to the evolution and transformation of
clothing will be analysed. This is done in the light of and through the
significance of globalisation and Islamisation and their impacts on the
construction of identity.
While there has been a growing interest in studies of clothing in Southeast
Asia among academics in the recent years
, little attention has been paid to
Brunei Darussalam. Studies of dress have been largely concerned with social and
cultural contexts, including the transformation and the contemporary forces of
globalisation
. Many of the studies are also frequently using clothing to
articulate and project identities
There are various ways to trace identity including through language and
physical body. “Outward appearance”
or clothing is also one of the significant
markers of identity. Barth

5
acknowledged that actors in a given group use some
cultural features, including clothing, as obvious signals or signs that people look
for or exhibit identity. It is often reflected in the structure and design of
clothing
. The shape, structure and decoration of clothing can distinguish certain
basic social divisions such as sex, age, and marital as well as social status.
Clothing is one of the most fundamental needs in most societies.
According to Islamic teachings, clothing is necessary to fulfil the obligation to
cover parts of the body that should not be exposed. Although there is no
specification of types of clothing, general guidance of proper modes of clothing is
outlined in the Quran according to gender and age, as well as the spatial and
temporal context.
Barnes and Eicher
suggest that in the domain of cultural phenomena,
dress or clothing has several essential attributes. Dress can be used to define a
person’s identity geographically and historically as well as the relation of an
individual to a specific community. It serves as a sign of the individual’s
affiliation to a certain group, but also distinguishes the same individuals from all
others within the groups. Dress also can indicate general social position of the
person in the society in accordance with political and social hierarchy. Social
position may be inherited by birth or may also be gained through one’s own
achievement. Furthermore, dress may also be a symbol of economic position.
For instance, types and quality of materials for clothing can acquire great value
as expressions of personal or communal well being.
In this paper, I argue that the process of globalisation has been influencing
the evolution and transformation of clothing, hence its impact on the
signification of identity. The interaction with the outside world has enhanced
the diversification and innovation of styles of clothing. On the other hand, it also
has instigated homogenization of styles of clothing. It thus generates a dilemma
in the articulation of identity. The discussion of this article is not necessarily
intended to look at such processes as negative aspects of globalisation on local
fashion; rather it aims to provide a balanced debate on how such processes have
also promoted and strengthened a sense of national or local identity.
Chua and Howard
noted that the use of clothing for identification has
changed due to globalisation. In Singapore, cultural flows have provided
relative absorption of global fashion for different groups of people, using ethnic,
religious, class and general divisions
. Howard
10
observed that the Dutch and
Christian missionaries introduced the use of western clothing among the local
indigenous people, especially when attending church services, which was seen as
an integral part of their conversion efforts, whereas the Indonesian government
has sought to promote nation building based on Javanese national culture and
inculcating the practice of wearing Javanese-style batik clothing as manifestation
of Indonesianness.
Globalisation in Brunei could be traced as early as in the sixth century in

which the location of Brunei was well known to all the sailors who travel over
the sea trade route from Arabia and India to China and surrounding areas; and
was used as a stop-over by the traders, proving that Brunei was an important
port of call in ancient times
11
. In the ninth century, the country was absorbed
into the great Sumatran Empire of Sri Vijaya. However, it recovered its
independence in the late tenth century. By the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries,
especially during the reign of the fifth sultan of Brunei, Sultan Bolkiah (1485-
1524) and the ninth sultan, Sultan Hassan (1582-1598), Brunei was a dominant
power in the region with sovereignty over the whole island of Borneo, extending
to the northern part of the Philippines. However, from the end of the sixteenth
century, Brunei began to lose its grip on its territory and in the nineteenth
century, Brunei Darussalam became the British protectorate for about a century.
The technological explosion, such as communication, transportation and
logistics
12
has also played a significant role in accelerating and intensifying the
process of globalisation. Indeed, this proves that Brunei has been exposed to
diverse influences thus affecting mode of clothing in Brunei.
Brunei regained its independence from the British in 1984 and the Sultan
of Brunei declared Malay Islamic Monarchy as the national philosophy. The
ideology stresses the importance of the Malays as the dominant population in the
country and adopting the Malay culture, values and identity based on Islam. It
also emphasises the monarch as the supreme ruler in the country. Although the
philosophy has only been proclaimed formally during the Independence Day, it
has been accepted that Brunei has always been a Malay Islamic Sultanate since
the reign of the first recorded Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Muhammad Shah (1363-
1402). The declaration has been seen as merely re-emphasising the notion as the
national ideology and has since been rigorously adopted as the foundation of
planning and implementation in all aspects of Brunei life socially, culturally,
politically and economically. Furthermore, Islamic standards as well as Malay
values of propriety are emphasised upon as filtering measure of globalising
influences.
Brunei Darussalam in Brief
Brunei Darussalam is a small state situated on the northwest coast of Borneo.
The total area of Brunei is 5,765 square kilometres. Brunei is divided into four
administrative districts, namely Brunei Muara, Belait, Tutong and Temburong
districts. According to Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2007, Brunei had
an estimated population of 390,000
13
Brunei is an ethnically plural society
14
. The majority of the population of
about 67% is Malay, 6% other indigenous groups, 15% Chinese, and the
remaining 12% are of other unspecified ethnicity, which may consist of Indians
and Europeans. Furthermore, more foreigners are now coming to stay in Brunei.
Most of them come from other Southeast Asian regions such as Indonesia,
Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. Most of them come to Brunei for
employment, either as skilled or unskilled labour.
According to the 1959 constitution of the State of Brunei, there are seven
ethnic groups that are legally recognized as Malay. They are Belait, Bisaya,
Brunei, Dusun, Kedayan, Murut and Tutong. Groups that are considered
indigenous but not Malays include Iban, Punan and Kelabit. Four of the Malay
groups are Muslims: the Brunei, Belait, Kedayan and Tutong. The majority of
people in other groups are non-Muslim. However, for the purpose of the
discussion in this article, I will only focus my discussion on the Malays, as
defined in the Brunei constitution.
Social Organization
Brunei society is highly stratified and can be viewed as a pyramid. In general,
the people of Brunei are divided into two major groups: nobles and non-nobles.
The Sultan is posited at the top of the hierarchy. The nobles can be divided into
two sub-categories i.e. the core nobility and lower nobility. All the present
nobles trace their descent from former nobles and are known generally as
Pengiran. All persons who are relatively close descendents from the Sultan or
high noble officials are the core nobility and known locally as Raja-raja Betaras.
The lower nobility is occasionally referred to as Pengiran Kebanyakan, or
ordinary/common nobles.
The non-nobles also can be divided into two categories. They are the
higher non-nobility and the commoners. The higher non-nobles are descendants
of holders of high non-noble offices and known as the awang-awang. The
commoners or orang kebanyakan includes other ethnic groups and the non-noble
citizens of Brunei. However, among the commoners, the Brunei is the
predominant ethnicity and has higher social status.
Political Structure
Brunei Darussalam is an absolute monarchy in which the Head of State is also
the head of Government. It practices dual system of government, both
traditional and modern based, which Brown

15
calls a complex system of
government. The traditional system is still practised but is more relevant to the
royal court. The modern system of government is responsible for the
administration of the state as a whole.
The traditional system correlates in large measure with the social
stratification. It is parallel to the division of Brunei society into noble and non-
noble strata, and differentiated by official orders of the noble and non-noble
officials
16
. The appointment of officials is based on seniority and birth rank of the
bearer. However, merit and other consideration such as audacity, loyalty,
prudence and knowledge
17
have also partially determined the rank of office
18
In 1906, the first British Resident was appointed as the representative of
the British government and was responsible for Brunei’s affairs and established
modern system of administration. The resident had freedom of action in the
administration and legal power, and wider fields in which to exercise them.
However, the British resident was not to interfere in matters which affected the
Islamic religion. During the proclamation of Independence in 1984, the Sultan of
Brunei declared the setting up of a new government which was in the form of
ministries, naming himself as the Prime Minister and electing other nobles and
non-nobles to hold other ministerial offices. The reformation of system of

government has provided avenues for social mobility especially among the non-
nobles. More qualified non-nobles, including those of ethnic groups other than
Brunei, and naturalised citizens, such as the Chinese, have been appointed to
hold high administrative positions in government departments. However, the
basic traditional system is still practised especially in the traditional court
system. Thus, the appointment of the non-noble officials in the modern system
of government also provides access to highly privileged positions in the
traditional court system.
Clothing and Identity
Clothing has long played an important role as marker of identity
19
, and this is
true in Brunei. The mode and pattern of dressing have not only been important
in reflecting ethnic background but also other categories such, as religion, gender
and occupation. The employment of certain accessories and types of clothing
has also been significant for determining status in many societies. Only certain
people may be allowed to wear certain accessories. The manner and styles of
clothing also reflect social status – again, universals that apply to Brunei.
Traditional Attire of Indigenous Male
Historically, among the pagan inhabitants of Brunei, such as the Murut, Belait
(the majority of whom have now converted to Islam), Bisaya, Dusun and other
indigenous groups such as the Iban and Penan, the form of clothing was very
basic. They wore loincloths to cover genitals for everyday wear. For ceremonial
wear, the pagans also wore upper body clothing. The materials used to make the
clothing may vary among different ethnic groups. For instance, clothing for the
Murut was made of bark cloth, whereas other ethnic groups, such as the Belait
and Dusun, used cotton.
In the past, most pagan ethnic groups in Brunei, such as the Murut and
Belait, were intensely involved in the ritualised warfare of headhunting, locally
known as mengayau. Capturing the enemy’s head was the highest point of
achievement, bestowing upon the successful head-hunters higher status in the
community. Upon their return, a festival would be held to celebrate their success.
During the festival, the warriors were dressed in loincloths, jackets and
headdress. The type and colour of the headdress worn were exclusive to them in
order to distinguish them from others. For instance, red was exclusively worn by
the warrior in the Murut community and for a commoner to wear it could
inadvertently mean to invite “spiritual tests” (sorcery might be involved) from
higher status people within the ethnic group. The length of the loin cloth was
also used to evaluate the status of the wearer. The longer length of the loin cloth
indicated not only higher status socially, but also economically. In the older
days, cloths were scarce and they commended high prices which not many
people could afford them at the time. Hence, the privilege of having a longer
loincloth indicated high economic status.
Muslim Malay men, i.e. the Brunei, Belait, Kedayan and Tutong,
commonly wore a tunic and a pair of long pants or/and kain tajung or a plaid
design tubular sarong. Nonetheless, the styles may distinguish the difference of
the ethnic groups. For instance, the trousers for the Kedayan ethnic are body
fitting and an additional cloth is tied around the waist and adapted as belt. The
Brunei man commonly used a pair of looser long pants and wear a short sarong
i.e. sinjang
20
over them. Styles of clothing may also vary depending on occasions.
For instance, a complete set of baju cara Melayu (Malay costume for men) which
include tunic, trousers and sinjang (a short sarong worn by men over the
trousers) are commonly worn on ceremonial occasions. Kain tajung or plaid
design tubular cloth and light round neck shirt or singlet known as baju sampang
(singlet) may also be commonly worn at home among most of the Muslim
Malays.
Plain black textiles are widely used for traditional costumes. However,
Brunei ethnic group also prefer to wear plain vibrant colours and Murut keep the
natural colour of bark for their costumes. In former times, clothing for men was
not usually decorated. This has changed especially after World War II, patterns
and decorations have been used to distinguish ethnic background
21
. For instance,
the Murut now decorate bark clothes with geometrical patterns across the main
body of the jackets and red trimming along the edges of the sleeves and the
central openings whereas the Dusun, Bisaya and Belait sometimes affix golden
trimmings or stripes to decorate their attire. The Dusun and Bisaya have also
used white and red stripes to adorn their clothing. Furthermore, elaborate
decoration by employing sequins to make geometrical and floral patterns is also
adapted, especially for ceremonial costumes. The Kedayan also adopted stripes,
usually of red colour, along the trousers as a decoration. The Brunei remain
using plain coloured material for their costumes and wear sinjang of plaid,
chequered or floral design of traditional woven cloths.
Photo 1: The Malay men wearing traditional Malay costume
Source: Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah, Fieldwork (2008)
In addition, men also wear a headgear. Black songkok (Malay velvet cap) is
commonly worn as headdress especially among the Muslim Malay, although

other types of headdress are also worn. Tengkolok (skullcap) has been popular
among men who had performed Hajj. Among other ethnic groups, plain cotton
cloth was used and tied around the head. For ceremonial wear, batik or
traditional woven cloths may be used. The utilisation of headgear remains
popular among men. Now, headgear is no longer restricted to the traditional
ones, such as the songkok and tengkolok, but has varied to include new and
modern styles of headgears, such as sport caps. Although the traditional ones
are more popularly worn during festive and ceremonial occasions, other kinds of
newly design sport caps and hats are commonly worn by males on casual
occasions, as well as during leisure time.
In the Brunei royal court, ceremonial dress denotes the status of the
wearer. Certain colours and designs distinguish the status of the wearer in the
social and political hierarchy. At royal court functions, dignitaries wear
traditional costumes (baju cara Melayu), including sinjang, arat (belt) and destar
22
(specially folded headgear). The sinjang, arat and dastar are made of traditional
woven cloth and given to them by the royal court upon their appointment to the
office. The colour and design of the sinjang, arat and dastar differ according to the
rank of the wearer in the hierarchy. For example, the noble officers, chief Cheteria
wears dark purple of Jong Sarat designed sinjang, arat and destar wheareas
Cheteria 32 wears bright pink but of similar design. For the higher non-noble
officers, the colour of their ceremonial dress is similar to Cheteria 16 but of
different design.
Traditionally, the way in which the sinjang was worn also revealed the
wearer’s social status, as well as his marital status. The length of the sinjang
worn indicated the status of the wearer. The general rule was “the shorter the
higher”. Thus, wearing a shorter length of sinjang – about six inches above the
knees- indicated the wearer may be from the core nobility. The central design of
the sinjang is placed at the back for bachelors, but if the centre is positioned
slightly towards the right, this indicated that the wearer has already married.
Source: Courtesy from Information Department, Prime Minister’s Office, Negara Brunei
Darussalam
There are different types of male traditional costumes, such as Baju cara
Melayu teluk belanga (high collar and fastened with several buttons), baju cara
Melayu cekak Musang (a flat round neck and slit at the front), baju cara Melayu
butang lima (open front tunic fastened with five small buttons) and baju cara
Melayu begulambir (an additional cloth about the size of a handkerchief is
attached at front of the collar). Basically they are of similar styles, but can be
distinguished through the design of the collar. Traditionally, designs of the
traditional costumes may denote the status of the wearer. For instance, the baju
cara Melayu teluk belanga and baju cara Melayu cekak musang were normally worn
by the commoners, whereas baju Cara Melayu begulambir was designed for people
of high status in the royal court
23
. However, such practices are only loosely
observed now. Furthermore, not many people are aware of the traditional
sartorial rules and symbols. Now, the usage of traditional attire is not restricted
to Muslim Malays only. In fact, on many occasions the non-Malay Muslim and
other ethnic groups, such as the local Chinese, also wear traditional attire during
certain occasions, such as at the royal court. The usage of traditional attire has
become a display of collective identity and as a statement of nationalism.

Another style of costumes which have become popular, especially among
the Muslim males who have performed the pilgrimage to Mecca is baju gamis (a
long dress for man), also known as baju jubah. It is made of either silk, cotton or
polyester, and a pair of long pants is usually worn underneath. The attire
originated from the Middle East and was introduced to Brunei in the 1940s
24
. In
the Brunei perspective, people who have performed pilgrimage to Mecca have
fulfilled their obligation as a Muslim, thus symbolising completeness
25
According to Islamic teaching, a Muslim must complete the five pillars of Islam
and the final pillar is performing the Hajj to Mecca for those who can afford it
physically, spiritually and economically. And in order to perform Hajj, a person
has to be economically stable. Thus, performing the pilgrimage is evidence of
having gained higher status socially and economically.
When the British Resident was in power in Brunei, the modern system of
governing was implemented. Apart from expatriates who were employed to
fulfil certain higher positions, more locals were also recruited both in higher and
lower offices. Western clothing had become popular among the office workers,
and more formal attire was eventually adopted especially among the local
“elite”
26
Western-style shirt and trousers are commonly worn for working and
everyday attire especially for such people working in the public and private
sectors regardless of their ethnic background. However, additional articles of

clothing may be used to reflect status or rank of the wearer. For instance, male
educators teaching in government and private schools and higher institutions, as
10
well as officers in higher position especially in the administrative level also wear
a necktie signifying their position. For formal meetings and functions, a three-
piece suit is also adopted, especially among senior officers. However, in the mid
1980’s, the process of reMalayanisation has taken over in which the Western shirt
was modified to conform the local characteristic by adapting the Malay
traditional suit’s collar, which replaced the western shirt’s collar. For everyday
wear, T-shirt, jeans and other forms of modern casual attire has become popular
among males.
Female Attire
Females across diverse ethnic backgrounds tend to adopt a similar style of
clothing. However, there is a distinctive feature especially among the Muslim
and non-Muslim women. Muslim female clothing should conform to the Islamic
teaching. The Islamic code of dressing for women requires them to cover the
whole body, except the face and hands.
The standard women’s costume consisting of sarong or skirt and blouse is
worn by the majority of women for all major activities outside their home, from
working fields to attending festivals. Cotton is commonly used for everyday
clothing, whereas other types of materials, such as silk and velvet are preferred
for formal occasions.
For everyday clothing, women in most ethnic groups have adopted a
common type of blouse and combined it with a batik sarong, locally known as
kain selendang
27
. Women could also wear a batik sarong on its own for covering
the body, between the breast and the knees or up to the ankles. This is locally
known as kamban. However, such a way of dressing was only acceptable when
one stayed within the domain of her home. A top or an additional batik sarong
was usually put on to cover the upper part of the body when going out of the
house.
For festive and ceremonial purposes, clothing was decorated with
embroidery, beads, sequins and hollowed silver ornaments filled with small
pellets. The design, style and decorations for festive occasions are the most
distinctive features that manifest the wearer’s ethnic identity. For instance, the
Murut female costume consists of a three-quarter-length sleeve loose blouse and
a knee length skirt. Beads are elaborately adapted for additional accessories,
such as necklace, headgear and belt. Moreover, beads and sequins of multiple
vibrant colours, such as red, white, yellow and green, are also elaborately used to
decorate the dress. Although beads are commonly used to make belts, silver belt
is also utilised.
11
Photo 3: The Murut traditional costume
The Belait, Dusun and Bisaya have a similar fashion, especially for
ceremonial purposes, but the skirt is longer and batik may alternately be used.
Hollowed silver buttons filled with small pellets are commonly attached to the
sleeves of the costumes. These buttons are generally termed kubamban, thus
lending their name to the article of clothing, baju kubamban. During festive
occasions, such as weddings, the bride and bridesmaid usually wear golden or
silver head ornament. Other accessories including gold or silver necklaces, ear
rings and bangles are also worn. Furthermore, especially among the Dusun and
Bisaya ethnic, old silver coins brooches are commonly adapted for further
decoration.
Amongst females, kebaya (a female tunic with a front opening) and loose
blouse, and batik sarong were also commonly worn. Except among the Brunei,
black was the most popular colour used to make blouses, especially for
ceremonial costumes. However, the kihip (cotton) and kasa (translucent type of
material) of floral motif materials were also preferred to make kebaya and other
types of daily clothing. Baju kurung (a long tunic that reaches to the knee as a
top, worn with a loose sarong that reached down to the ankle) or loose kebaya are
commonly worn on social and ceremonial occasions, especially among the
Brunei Malays. For ceremonial occasions, such as weddings, the bride and
bridesmaid wear clothing of traditional woven clothes of bright colours. They
also wear additional accessories, such as golden head ornaments or tiara,
necklaces, earrings and bangles.
12
Photo 4: The bride wearing traditional clothing and accessories
Source: Courtesy from Mohd Hosenal Haji Wahsalfelah (2008)
The head decoration and covering among women is one aspect of dressing
that cannot be neglected. The usage of certain types and styles of head
decoration and covering may depend on space and time. Such decoration and
covering may also reflect the identity of the wearer. For example, the Murut
females commonly wear headgear made from bright coloured beads, such as
yellow, red and black during festivals, whereas triangular shaped hat for
everyday or working wear. The hat might also be decorated with beads of
multiple colours. However, there have been some developments and changes in
types and styles of head decorations and coverings over the years.
Western style clothing has not only influenced male attire, but also female
clothing. In the past, Western and masculines styles of clothing may not have
been accepted for women. However, such perceptions have now long gone. For
casual wear, a woman may use T-shirt, trousers and skirts, which are available in
the department store. The fashion may vary, but simple and practical themes in
clothing are favoured.
13
The modern administration introduced by the British Government in
Brunei not only provided opportunities for males, but also for females to be
employed in many departments, including in the army and police forces. Such
forces required the officers to wear a specified uniform. At that time, the
female’s uniform did not conform to Islamic dressing codes in which the uniform
exposed the female’s upper arms and lower legs. The uniform consisted of a
short sleeve top, and a knee length skirt. In addition, the officer is also to wear a
specified headgear. Now, many of women uniforms have conformed to the
Islamic code of dressing. For types of employment not requiring uniforms,
traditional costumes for women i.e. baju kurung and kebaya, are commonly worn
by the female employees especially among those working in the government
sector. Baju kurung are also prescribed as school uniforms, especially in the
public schools.
In former times, selayah
28
was popularly worn for head covering for
outings and ceremonial functions. However, a batik sarong may also be
employed as head covering. Now, the uses of selayah and batik sarong as the
head coverings are no longer common. Instead, a large or medium size of square
material folded into triangular shape is alternately used as the headscarf, locally
known as tudung. The material varies, including silk and chiffon, and may be of
plain or printed design. For better presentation, a plain headscarf may be

designed with floral motif embroidery and decorated with beads.
In the past, bunga cucuk sanggul (head ornaments) were also worn,
especially on festive and ceremonial occasions amongst women. The bunga cucuk
sanggul were made of gold or silver and carved mostly with floral motifs. The
hair was usually tied in a bun, with the bunga cucuk sanggul inserted into the bun.
Fresh flowers were also used to decorate the coiffure. According to the
traditional custom of the Kedayan, the way of decorating one’s hair may express
the marital status of a woman. Placing the hair ornaments on the left side of the
head signified the woman was single, whereas positing it on the right would
indicate that she had married. However, such practice is no longer observed
now.
Now, other forms of head ornamentations are available. Modern styles of
hair band, ribbons and assorted clips are also used for head decoration.
Furthermore, hats and sport caps are also available for women and are worn
according to the occasion. Generally, headscarves are commonly worn, even
among the non-Muslim women, especially in formal occasions, such as state
functions. Furthermore, the headscarf has also been adopted as part of women
uniform especially in public schools and government departments.
14
The Evolution and Transformation of Clothing
The variety of clothing used in Brunei is now greater than ever. Generally, the
structure of clothing among the ethnic groups to some extent has shown a
similarity. However, there are some instances differences in styles and
additional items distinguish the members of one ethic group from another
29
, as
well as social status within the given group. There is also indication that the
phenomenon has undergone some development and changes. Bruneians have
been exposed to world fashion in many ways. External influences date back at
least to the sixth century in which Brunei was an entrepot especially for traders
who came from Arabia and India to travel to China and the surrounding areas.
The coming of foreign traders who traded goods including textiles has given
Bruneians access to imported goods through exchange with local products. The
availability of textiles in the market has directly developed and changed the
mode of dressing, with uncomfortable materials of traditional clothing alternated
with a comfortable one.
Some traders did not only come solely for the trading purpose, but they
were also preaching the Islamic faith to the locals. Islam is believed to have come
to Brunei during the tenth century, but it was only widely spread in the fifteenth
century when the first Sultan of Brunei converted to Islam. When Islam first
came to Brunei, the locals were especially exposed to the Islamic faith rather than
the practices and laws. At that time, the people were only exposed to the basic
teachings of Islam; especially the basic principles of Islamic faith (rukun Iman)
30
and the five pillars of Islam (rukun Islam)
31
. Only once the locals had a stronger
faith and belief were the practices and laws of Islam inculcated and implemented
as way of life, including code of Islamic dressing. However, even then such code
of dressing was only practised loosely. Not until mid 1980’s, when Islam was re-
emphasised and adopted as the basis for the national ideology, did the Islamic
code of dressing begin to be widely observed.
At the same time, not only has the style of dressing in Brunei been
influenced by the West, but other regional influences have also contributed to
changes, thus enriching the local fashion. The establishment of the British
residency in 1906 and the ensuing modern administration and departments,
opened the opportunity for foreigners to work and stay in Brunei. The
opportunities were not limited to the Europeans, who were employed to hold
many positions, but there were also Malay employees from neighbouring states
to fill certain positions such as teachers, due to the lack of local expertise.
Furthermore, the discovery of oil in 1929 also opened up more opportunities
among foreign experts and workers to come and work in Brunei, especially in the
newly discovered industry. The coming of these workers has indirectly
15
influenced the development and changes in fashion and style of clothing. In
addition, after World War II, the importation of Western styles of clothing
increased with the greater availability of varieties of types of dress, such as
trousers, blouses, shirts and headgears on market. Eventually such styles of
clothing were selectively accepted and worn by the locals.
The exploration of oil has also transformed the economic situation
although full development was delayed until after the Second World War.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien (1950-1967), the 28
th
Sultan had for the first time
utilised the Brunei’s oil revenue to finance a Five Year National Development
Plan (1953-1958). One of the emphases of the National Development Plan was
given to the development of education. Apart from developing education
institution in the country, the locals have also been given the opportunities to
study overseas, such as the U.K, Malaysia and Singapore. This not only exposed
them to foreign culture, but also gave them social mobility, especially among
graduates from the commoners. Upon completion of their study, the graduates
were guaranteed with jobs in the government departments to hold high
positions, thus conferring them higher social and political status. Such status has
evidently manifested through clothing by adapting Western styles of attire, but
they have also been honoured with “uniform” of ceremonial dress to wear in the
royal court.
The explosion of media technology in which more global information can
be transmitted through electronic and printed media, such as television, cinemas,
computer and internet facilities, magazines and newspaper, has provided
Bruneians with more direct exposure to what happens around the world. Apart
from the current issues, Bruneians have also been opened to the designs of up-to-
date fashion. Such exposure has generated the interest to possess and imitate
selective up-to-date trends, designs and styles of clothing and conform to the
standard of local values.
It has been accepted that Brunei like the rest of the world, inevitably is
open to globalisation and its impact socially, politically, culturally and
economically. The globalisation theory allows for the possibility of
globalisation’s impact upon ethnic identity that is a strengthening of national
identity as a reaction or resistance to globalisation
32
. The national philosophy,
Malay Islamic Monarchy has been adopted as a measure to filter external
influences that are considered unsuitable according to the local values. Brunei
has made this ideology a national aspiration, inculcating it as a way of life, as
well as a national identity. This ideology has thus played a role in the
development and change of mode of clothing among local Bruneians of different
ethnic background. The acceptance of traditional Malay attire as a national
dress, especially worn during certain state and royal court functions, is one way
16
of manifesting national identity through dressing. However, the re-emergence of
ethnic traditional clothes has also been encouraged in a way that has allowed
them to associate with ethnic identities. It is intended that local cultural
expression is orderly manifested and in accordance with the national ideology,
Malay Islamic Monarchy.
Conclusion
To recapitulate, it has been shown that mode of clothing in Brunei has been
developing and changing. Globalisation has played significant roles in
contributing to such processes. The mode of dressing has, to some extent,
facilitated identification of the wearer. However, the cultural flow in response to
the process of globalisation has exposed Bruneians to diverse influences, thus
providing complexity in the questions of identity.
The external influences, such as the foreign traders, Islamic preachers,
political authority, as well as the explosion of technology have penetrated deep
impacts to many aspects of Bruneians life, including towards the development
and change of modes of attire. All of the influences have been selectively
assimilated and combined to conform to the local standards of mode of dressing.
The economic development, especially after the revenue from oil industry
has been utilised to develop the nation as a whole, provided opportunities to
upgrade the social life of the people. The improvement of education system has
provided social mobility, especially among the commoners to a higher social,
political and economic status, and this was evidently expressed through clothing.
The adoption of certain modes of clothing reveals such status. The combination
of advancement of technology and economic development has also helped
expose Bruneians to the outside world and provides interaction with outsiders
that contributing in enriching local fashions. The economic development has

provided financial stability among the Bruneians and increased their ability to
purchase available clothing on market. Furthermore, more choices of types of
clothing have become available for the Bruneians to choose from and as a
consequence, questions of identity became more complex
33
Globalisation has instigated the awareness to strengthen national or local
identities. The adoption of national ideology of Malay Islamic Monarchy can be
seen as a reaction to globalisation and to maintain and strengthen national and
local identities. It is also used as measures to filter external influences. Although
both globalisation and the adoption of national ideology lead to similar impact
i.e. cultural homogenisation, the national ideology is derived from the local
values and directly associated with local identity. Now, as the awareness of
“Malay identity” amongst the ethnic groups (especially among the seven ethnic
17
groups that are legitimately recognised as the Malay race in the Brunei
Constitution) has increased, ethnic dress has been constantly used to display
ethnicity not only during ethnic celebrations, but significantly during events at
national or state level, such as the National Day and the Sultan’s birthday
celebrations. The traditional dress are worn during these events promotes the
sense of belonging and acceptance as part of the Malay culture.
Endnotes
Michael C.Howard. “Dress and ethnic identity in Irian Jaya.” Sojourn, 15. (2000). pp 1-29
ibid
3
See R. Barnes and JB Eicher. Introduction. Dress and Gender: Making and Meaning.(Oxford: Berg
Publisher, 1992), JB Eicher (ed). Dress and Ethnicity. (Oxford and Washington: Berg, 1995) and
Michael C.Howard. “Dress and ethnic identity in Irian Jaya.” Sojourn, 15.1. (2000). pp 1-29
HS Nordholt.(ed). Outward Appearances: Dressing State and Society in Indonesia. (Leiden: KITVL
Press, 1997)
A Gunaratne. “Modernization, the State, and the Construction of A Tharu Identity in Nepal.”
The Journal of Asian Studies. (1998). pp 749-773.
R Maxwell. Textiles of Southeast Asia: Tradition, Trade and Transformation. (Melbourne: Oxford
University Press, 1990)
R. Barnes and JB Eicher. Introduction. Dress and Gender: Making and Meaning.(Oxford: Berg
Publisher, 1992)
See Chua, B H. “Postcolonial Sites, Global Flows and Fashion Codes: A case study of Power
Cheogsams and Other Clothing Styles in Modern Singapore” Postcolonial Studies, 3:3. (2000). pp
279-292 and Michael C.Howard. “Dress and ethnic identity in Irian Jaya.” Sojourn, 15.1. (2000). pp
1-29
Chua, B H. “Postcolonial Sites, Global Flows and Fashion Codes: A case study of Power
Cheogsams and Other Clothing Styles in Modern Singapore” Postcolonial Studies, 3:3. (2000). pp
279-292
10
Michael C.Howard. “Dress and ethnic identity in Irian Jaya.” Sojourn, 15.1. (2000). pp1-29
11
Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri. Tarsilah Brunei: The Early History of Brunei up to 1432AD. (Bandar Seri
Begawan: Pusat Sejarah, 2000)
12
M Fraser. “Government are still in Control”, The Australia, 26 March 1997.
13
Jabatan Perancang dan Kemajuan Ekonomi (JPKE). Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook
2007.Bandar Seri Begawan: Jabatan Perdana Menteri, 2007.
14
Victor T King. “A Question of Identity: Names, Societies, and Ethnic Groups in Interior
Kalimantan and Brunei Darussalam.” Sojourn.16 (2001). pp 1-36
15
Donald Brown. Brunei: The Structure and History of A Bornean Malay Sultanante. Monograph
of the Brunei Museums Journal. 2. (1970)
16
ibid
17
See Pengiran Mohd Yusof. Adat Istiadat Diraja Brunei Darussalam. Bandar Brunei: Jabatan
Percetakan Kerajaan. 1958
18
See Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah. “Brunei Culture: The Social Stratification.” The Third
ASEAN Universities Network Educational Forum. Bandar Seri Begawan: Universiti Brunei
Darussalam. 15-27 May 2000. pp 29-33
18
19
Ruth Barnes and JB Eicher. Introduction. Dress and Gender: Making and Meaning.(Oxford: Berg
Publisher, 1992); Michael C.Howard. “Dress and ethnic identity in Irian Jaya.” Sojourn, 15.1
(2000). pp 1-29 and A. Lurie. The Language of Clothes. New York, Vintage, 1983.
20
In Malaysia, this is known as samping.
21
Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah. Textiles and Identity in Brunei Darussalam. Bangkok: White
Lotus. 2007
22
In Malaysia, it is known as tanjak.
23
Bantong Antaran. “Costumes and Textiles of Brunei: History and Evolution.” SPAFA Journal.
11. (2001). pp 11-9
24
ibid
25
Abd. Latif Haji Ibrahim (Haji). “Haji: Perspektif Masyarakat Melayu Brunei.” Brunei
Darussalam: Rantisan Sejarah dan Budaya. Bandar Seri Begawan: Akademi Pengajian Brunei. 2003
26
Bantong Antaran. “Costumes and Textiles of Brunei: History and Evolution.” SPAFA Journal.
11. (2001). p 12
27
In other region in the Malay Archipelago, a selendang is a long rectangular cloth and commonly
used as headscarf or worn like a sash over the women’s shoulder and also use to carry infants.
However, in Brunei, selendang is a batik tubular cloth and generally used as skirt, which is worn
as daily clothing especially among women.
28
Selayah is the term employed in Brunei to label what elsewhere in the archipelago is called a
selendang.
29
Michael C.Howard. “Dress and ethnic identity in Irian Jaya.” Sojourn, 15.1 (2000). pp 1-29
30
There are six basic principles of faith in Islam, i.e. to believe in God (Allah), believe in Angels,
believe in Prophets and Messengers of God, believe in holy books revealed to Prophet
Muhammad (the Koran), Prophet Isa (Jesus – the Bible), Prophet Musa (Moses – the Pentateuch)
and Prophet Daud (David – the Psalms), believe in the Day of Judgement and to believe in God’s
decree and destiny.
31
The five pillars of Islam are to confess that there is no divinity other than God (Allah) and
Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of God, perform obligatory prayers five times a day,
fasting during the whole month of Ramadhan, to pay zakat (tithe due on the wealth of the rich
according to Islamic law), and performing pilgrimage to Mecca once in a life time if one can
afford physically and financially.
32
F Cibulka. “ Nationalism and Globalisation in the Russian Federation at the Millennium.”
Nationalism and Globalisation: East and West. Leo Suryadinata (ed). . Singapore: Institute of
Southeast Asian Studies, 2000. pp 319-343
33
Michael C.Howard. “Dress and ethnic identity in Irian Jaya.
TRANSFORMATION IN MODE OF CLOTHING IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

AND ITS IMPACT ON IDENTITIES
Article (PDF Available) · December 2010 with885 Reads
 Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah

o 2.32
o Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Abstract
While there has been a growing interest in studies of clothing in Southeast Asia among academics in
the recent years, little attention has been paid to Brunei Darussalam. Studies of dress have been
largely concerned with social and cultural contexts, including the transformation and the
contemporary forces of globalisation. Many of the studies are also frequently using clothing to
articulate and project identities. This paper examines the role of clothing in the construction of social
and cultural identity of the Malay society in Brunei Darussalam. This paper discusses social, cultural
and political organisation, followed by an explication of the different types of dress which are
considered ‘traditional’ among the Malay society and their roles in manifesting ethnic identity. It also
looks into how certain modes and types of clothing exhibit gender and religious identity. The role of
clothing as a marker of status in relation to social and political hierarchy will also be touched. Finally,
the evolution and transformation of mode of clothing will be analysed. This is done in the light of by
examining the significance of globalisation and Islamisation and their impacts in evolution and
transformation of the mode of clothing in Brunei Darussalam.
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BORNEO RESEARCH JOURNAL, VOL4, DECEMBER 2010 ISSN 1985-5443
Department of Southeast Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, University of
Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
TRANSFORMATION IN MODE OF CLOTHING
IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM AND ITS IMPACT
ON IDENTITIES
Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah, Ph.D
Academy of Brunei Studies
Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
E-mail: norkhalbi.wahsalfelah@ubd.edu.bn
Introduction
This paper examines clothing in the Malay society in Brunei Darussalam.
Discussion will be focused on the role of clothing in the manifestation of identity.
I will begin the paper by presenting the social, cultural and political organisation,
followed by an attempt to explore how certain modes and types of clothing
exhibit ethnic, gender and religious identity. I will also discuss the role of
clothing in revealing social status in relation to social and political hierarchy.
Subsequently, factors that contribute to the evolution and transformation of
clothing will be analysed. This is done in the light of and through the
significance of globalisation and Islamisation and their impacts on the
construction of identity.
While there has been a growing interest in studies of clothing in Southeast
Asia among academics in the recent years

1
, little attention has been paid to
Brunei Darussalam. Studies of dress have been largely concerned with social and
cultural contexts, including the transformation and the contemporary forces of
globalisation
. Many of the studies are also frequently using clothing to
articulate and project identities
There are various ways to trace identity including through language and
physical body. “Outward appearance”
or clothing is also one of the significant
markers of identity. Barth
acknowledged that actors in a given group use some
cultural features, including clothing, as obvious signals or signs that people look
for or exhibit identity. It is often reflected in the structure and design of
clothing
. The shape, structure and decoration of clothing can distinguish certain
basic social divisions such as sex, age, and marital as well as social status.
Clothing is one of the most fundamental needs in most societies.
According to Islamic teachings, clothing is necessary to fulfil the obligation to
cover parts of the body that should not be exposed. Although there is no
specification of types of clothing, general guidance of proper modes of clothing is
outlined in the Quran according to gender and age, as well as the spatial and
temporal context.
Barnes and Eicher
suggest that in the domain of cultural phenomena,
dress or clothing has several essential attributes. Dress can be used to define a
person’s identity geographically and historically as well as the relation of an
individual to a specific community. It serves as a sign of the individual’s
affiliation to a certain group, but also distinguishes the same individuals from all
others within the groups. Dress also can indicate general social position of the
person in the society in accordance with political and social hierarchy. Social
position may be inherited by birth or may also be gained through one’s own
achievement. Furthermore, dress may also be a symbol of economic position.
For instance, types and quality of materials for clothing can acquire great value
as expressions of personal or communal well being.
In this paper, I argue that the process of globalisation has been influencing
the evolution and transformation of clothing, hence its impact on the
signification of identity. The interaction with the outside world has enhanced
the diversification and innovation of styles of clothing. On the other hand, it also
has instigated homogenization of styles of clothing. It thus generates a dilemma
in the articulation of identity. The discussion of this article is not necessarily
intended to look at such processes as negative aspects of globalisation on local
fashion; rather it aims to provide a balanced debate on how such processes have
also promoted and strengthened a sense of national or local identity.
Chua and Howard
8
noted that the use of clothing for identification has
changed due to globalisation. In Singapore, cultural flows have provided
relative absorption of global fashion for different groups of people, using ethnic,
religious, class and general divisions
. Howard
10
observed that the Dutch and
Christian missionaries introduced the use of western clothing among the local
indigenous people, especially when attending church services, which was seen as
an integral part of their conversion efforts, whereas the Indonesian government
has sought to promote nation building based on Javanese national culture and
inculcating the practice of wearing Javanese-style batik clothing as manifestation
of Indonesianness.
Globalisation in Brunei could be traced as early as in the sixth century in
which the location of Brunei was well known to all the sailors who travel over
the sea trade route from Arabia and India to China and surrounding areas; and
was used as a stop-over by the traders, proving that Brunei was an important
port of call in ancient times
11
. In the ninth century, the country was absorbed
into the great Sumatran Empire of Sri Vijaya. However, it recovered its
independence in the late tenth century. By the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries,
especially during the reign of the fifth sultan of Brunei, Sultan Bolkiah (1485-
1524) and the ninth sultan, Sultan Hassan (1582-1598), Brunei was a dominant
power in the region with sovereignty over the whole island of Borneo, extending
to the northern part of the Philippines. However, from the end of the sixteenth
century, Brunei began to lose its grip on its territory and in the nineteenth
century, Brunei Darussalam became the British protectorate for about a century.
The technological explosion, such as communication, transportation and
logistics
12
has also played a significant role in accelerating and intensifying the
process of globalisation. Indeed, this proves that Brunei has been exposed to
diverse influences thus affecting mode of clothing in Brunei.
Brunei regained its independence from the British in 1984 and the Sultan
of Brunei declared Malay Islamic Monarchy as the national philosophy. The
ideology stresses the importance of the Malays as the dominant population in the
country and adopting the Malay culture, values and identity based on Islam. It
also emphasises the monarch as the supreme ruler in the country. Although the
philosophy has only been proclaimed formally during the Independence Day, it
has been accepted that Brunei has always been a Malay Islamic Sultanate since
the reign of the first recorded Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Muhammad Shah (1363-
1402). The declaration has been seen as merely re-emphasising the notion as the
national ideology and has since been rigorously adopted as the foundation of
planning and implementation in all aspects of Brunei life socially, culturally,
politically and economically. Furthermore, Islamic standards as well as Malay
values of propriety are emphasised upon as filtering measure of globalising
influences.
Brunei Darussalam in Brief
Brunei Darussalam is a small state situated on the northwest coast of Borneo.
The total area of Brunei is 5,765 square kilometres. Brunei is divided into four
administrative districts, namely Brunei Muara, Belait, Tutong and Temburong

districts. According to Brunei Darussalam Statistical Yearbook 2007, Brunei had
an estimated population of 390,000
13
Brunei is an ethnically plural society
14
. The majority of the population of
about 67% is Malay, 6% other indigenous groups, 15% Chinese, and the
remaining 12% are of other unspecified ethnicity, which may consist of Indians
and Europeans. Furthermore, more foreigners are now coming to stay in Brunei.
Most of them come from other Southeast Asian regions such as Indonesia,
Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. Most of them come to Brunei for
employment, either as skilled or unskilled labour.
According to the 1959 constitution of the State of Brunei, there are seven
ethnic groups that are legally recognized as Malay. They are Belait, Bisaya,
Brunei, Dusun, Kedayan, Murut and Tutong. Groups that are considered
indigenous but not Malays include Iban, Punan and Kelabit. Four of the Malay
groups are Muslims: the Brunei, Belait, Kedayan and Tutong. The majority of
people in other groups are non-Muslim. However, for the purpose of the
discussion in this article, I will only focus my discussion on the Malays, as
defined in the Brunei constitution.
Social Organization
Brunei society is highly stratified and can be viewed as a pyramid. In general,
the people of Brunei are divided into two major groups: nobles and non-nobles.
The Sultan is posited at the top of the hierarchy. The nobles can be divided into
two sub-categories i.e. the core nobility and lower nobility. All the present
nobles trace their descent from former nobles and are known generally as
Pengiran. All persons who are relatively close descendents from the Sultan or
high noble officials are the core nobility and known locally as Raja-raja Betaras.
The lower nobility is occasionally referred to as Pengiran Kebanyakan, or
ordinary/common nobles.
The non-nobles also can be divided into two categories. They are the
higher non-nobility and the commoners. The higher non-nobles are descendants
of holders of high non-noble offices and known as the awang-awang. The
commoners or orang kebanyakan includes other ethnic groups and the non-noble
citizens of Brunei. However, among the commoners, the Brunei is the
predominant ethnicity and has higher social status.
Political Structure
Brunei Darussalam is an absolute monarchy in which the Head of State is also
the head of Government. It practices dual system of government, both
traditional and modern based, which Brown
15
calls a complex system of
government. The traditional system is still practised but is more relevant to the
royal court. The modern system of government is responsible for the
administration of the state as a whole.
The traditional system correlates in large measure with the social
stratification. It is parallel to the division of Brunei society into noble and non-
noble strata, and differentiated by official orders of the noble and non-noble
officials
16
. The appointment of officials is based on seniority and birth rank of the

bearer. However, merit and other consideration such as audacity, loyalty,
prudence and knowledge
17
have also partially determined the rank of office
18
In 1906, the first British Resident was appointed as the representative of
the British government and was responsible for Brunei’s affairs and established
modern system of administration. The resident had freedom of action in the
administration and legal power, and wider fields in which to exercise them.
However, the British resident was not to interfere in matters which affected the
Islamic religion. During the proclamation of Independence in 1984, the Sultan of
Brunei declared the setting up of a new government which was in the form of
ministries, naming himself as the Prime Minister and electing other nobles and
non-nobles to hold other ministerial offices. The reformation of system of
government has provided avenues for social mobility especially among the non-
nobles. More qualified non-nobles, including those of ethnic groups other than
Brunei, and naturalised citizens, such as the Chinese, have been appointed to
hold high administrative positions in government departments. However, the
basic traditional system is still practised especially in the traditional court
system. Thus, the appointment of the non-noble officials in the modern system
of government also provides access to highly privileged positions in the
traditional court system.
Clothing and Identity
Clothing has long played an important role as marker of identity
19
, and this is
true in Brunei. The mode and pattern of dressing have not only been important
in reflecting ethnic background but also other categories such, as religion, gender
and occupation. The employment of certain accessories and types of clothing
has also been significant for determining status in many societies. Only certain
people may be allowed to wear certain accessories. The manner and styles of
clothing also reflect social status – again, universals that apply to Brunei.
Traditional Attire of Indigenous Male
Historically, among the pagan inhabitants of Brunei, such as the Murut, Belait
(the majority of whom have now converted to Islam), Bisaya, Dusun and other
indigenous groups such as the Iban and Penan, the form of clothing was very
basic. They wore loincloths to cover genitals for everyday wear. For ceremonial
wear, the pagans also wore upper body clothing. The materials used to make the
clothing may vary among different ethnic groups. For instance, clothing for the
Murut was made of bark cloth, whereas other ethnic groups, such as the Belait
and Dusun, used cotton.
In the past, most pagan ethnic groups in Brunei, such as the Murut and
Belait, were intensely involved in the ritualised warfare of headhunting, locally
known as mengayau. Capturing the enemy’s head was the highest point of
achievement, bestowing upon the successful head-hunters higher status in the
community. Upon their return, a festival would be held to celebrate their success.
During the festival, the warriors were dressed in loincloths, jackets and
headdress. The type and colour of the headdress worn were exclusive to them in
order to distinguish them from others. For instance, red was exclusively worn by
the warrior in the Murut community and for a commoner to wear it could
inadvertently mean to invite “spiritual tests” (sorcery might be involved) from
higher status people within the ethnic group. The length of the loin cloth was
also used to evaluate the status of the wearer. The longer length of the loin cloth
indicated not only higher status socially, but also economically. In the older
days, cloths were scarce and they commended high prices which not many
people could afford them at the time. Hence, the privilege of having a longer
loincloth indicated high economic status.
Muslim Malay men, i.e. the Brunei, Belait, Kedayan and Tutong,
commonly wore a tunic and a pair of long pants or/and kain tajung or a plaid
design tubular sarong. Nonetheless, the styles may distinguish the difference of
the ethnic groups. For instance, the trousers for the Kedayan ethnic are body
fitting and an additional cloth is tied around the waist and adapted as belt. The
Brunei man commonly used a pair of looser long pants and wear a short sarong
i.e. sinjang
20
over them. Styles of clothing may also vary depending on occasions.
For instance, a complete set of baju cara Melayu (Malay costume for men) which
include tunic, trousers and sinjang (a short sarong worn by men over the
trousers) are commonly worn on ceremonial occasions. Kain tajung or plaid
design tubular cloth and light round neck shirt or singlet known as baju sampang
(singlet) may also be commonly worn at home among most of the Muslim
Malays.
Plain black textiles are widely used for traditional costumes. However,
Brunei ethnic group also prefer to wear plain vibrant colours and Murut keep the
natural colour of bark for their costumes. In former times, clothing for men was
not usually decorated. This has changed especially after World War II, patterns
and decorations have been used to distinguish ethnic background
21
. For instance,
the Murut now decorate bark clothes with geometrical patterns across the main
body of the jackets and red trimming along the edges of the sleeves and the
central openings whereas the Dusun, Bisaya and Belait sometimes affix golden
trimmings or stripes to decorate their attire. The Dusun and Bisaya have also
used white and red stripes to adorn their clothing. Furthermore, elaborate
decoration by employing sequins to make geometrical and floral patterns is also
adapted, especially for ceremonial costumes. The Kedayan also adopted stripes,
usually of red colour, along the trousers as a decoration. The Brunei remain
using plain coloured material for their costumes and wear sinjang of plaid,
chequered or floral design of traditional woven cloths.
Photo 1: The Malay men wearing traditional Malay costume
In addition, men also wear a headgear. Black songkok (Malay velvet cap) is
commonly worn as headdress especially among the Muslim Malay, although
other types of headdress are also worn. Tengkolok (skullcap) has been popular
among men who had performed Hajj. Among other ethnic groups, plain cotton
cloth was used and tied around the head. For ceremonial wear, batik or
traditional woven cloths may be used. The utilisation of headgear remains
popular among men. Now, headgear is no longer restricted to the traditional
ones, such as the songkok and tengkolok, but has varied to include new and
modern styles of headgears, such as sport caps. Although the traditional ones
are more popularly worn during festive and ceremonial occasions, other kinds of
newly design sport caps and hats are commonly worn by males on casual
occasions, as well as during leisure time.
In the Brunei royal court, ceremonial dress denotes the status of the
wearer. Certain colours and designs distinguish the status of the wearer in the
social and political hierarchy. At royal court functions, dignitaries wear
traditional costumes (baju cara Melayu), including sinjang, arat (belt) and destar
22
(specially folded headgear). The sinjang, arat and dastar are made of traditional
woven cloth and given to them by the royal court upon their appointment to the
office. The colour and design of the sinjang, arat and dastar differ according to the
rank of the wearer in the hierarchy. For example, the noble officers, chief Cheteria
wears dark purple of Jong Sarat designed sinjang, arat and destar wheareas
Cheteria 32 wears bright pink but of similar design. For the higher non-noble
officers, the colour of their ceremonial dress is similar to Cheteria 16 but of
different design.
Traditionally, the way in which the sinjang was worn also revealed the
wearer’s social status, as well as his marital status. The length of the sinjang
worn indicated the status of the wearer. The general rule was “the shorter the
higher”. Thus, wearing a shorter length of sinjang – about six inches above the
knees- indicated the wearer may be from the core nobility. The central design of
the sinjang is placed at the back for bachelors, but if the centre is positioned
slightly towards the right, this indicated that the wearer has already married.
Source: Courtesy from Information Department, Prime Minister’s Office, Negara Brunei
Darussalam
There are different types of male traditional costumes, such as Baju cara
Melayu teluk belanga (high collar and fastened with several buttons), baju cara
Melayu cekak Musang (a flat round neck and slit at the front), baju cara Melayu
butang lima (open front tunic fastened with five small buttons) and baju cara
Melayu begulambir (an additional cloth about the size of a handkerchief is
attached at front of the collar). Basically they are of similar styles, but can be
distinguished through the design of the collar. Traditionally, designs of the
traditional costumes may denote the status of the wearer. For instance, the baju
cara Melayu teluk belanga and baju cara Melayu cekak musang were normally worn
by the commoners, whereas baju Cara Melayu begulambir was designed for people
of high status in the royal court
23
. However, such practices are only loosely
observed now. Furthermore, not many people are aware of the traditional
sartorial rules and symbols. Now, the usage of traditional attire is not restricted
to Muslim Malays only. In fact, on many occasions the non-Malay Muslim and
other ethnic groups, such as the local Chinese, also wear traditional attire during
certain occasions, such as at the royal court. The usage of traditional attire has
become a display of collective identity and as a statement of nationalism.
Another style of costumes which have become popular, especially among
the Muslim males who have performed the pilgrimage to Mecca is baju gamis (a
long dress for man), also known as baju jubah. It is made of either silk, cotton or
polyester, and a pair of long pants is usually worn underneath. The attire
originated from the Middle East and was introduced to Brunei in the 1940s
24
. In
the Brunei perspective, people who have performed pilgrimage to Mecca have
fulfilled their obligation as a Muslim, thus symbolising completeness
25
According to Islamic teaching, a Muslim must complete the five pillars of Islam
and the final pillar is performing the Hajj to Mecca for those who can afford it
physically, spiritually and economically. And in order to perform Hajj, a person
has to be economically stable. Thus, performing the pilgrimage is evidence of
having gained higher status socially and economically.
When the British Resident was in power in Brunei, the modern system of
governing was implemented. Apart from expatriates who were employed to
fulfil certain higher positions, more locals were also recruited both in higher and
lower offices. Western clothing had become popular among the office workers,
and more formal attire was eventually adopted especially among the local
“elite”
26
Western-style shirt and trousers are commonly worn for working and
everyday attire especially for such people working in the public and private
sectors regardless of their ethnic background. However, additional articles of
clothing may be used to reflect status or rank of the wearer. For instance, male
educators teaching in government and private schools and higher institutions, as
10
well as officers in higher position especially in the administrative level also wear
a necktie signifying their position. For formal meetings and functions, a three-
piece suit is also adopted, especially among senior officers. However, in the mid
1980’s, the process of reMalayanisation has taken over in which the Western shirt
was modified to conform the local characteristic by adapting the Malay
traditional suit’s collar, which replaced the western shirt’s collar. For everyday
wear, T-shirt, jeans and other forms of modern casual attire has become popular
among males.
Female Attire
Females across diverse ethnic backgrounds tend to adopt a similar style of
clothing. However, there is a distinctive feature especially among the Muslim
and non-Muslim women. Muslim female clothing should conform to the Islamic
teaching. The Islamic code of dressing for women requires them to cover the
whole body, except the face and hands.
The standard women’s costume consisting of sarong or skirt and blouse is
worn by the majority of women for all major activities outside their home, from
working fields to attending festivals. Cotton is commonly used for everyday
clothing, whereas other types of materials, such as silk and velvet are preferred
for formal occasions.
For everyday clothing, women in most ethnic groups have adopted a
common type of blouse and combined it with a batik sarong, locally known as
kain selendang
27
. Women could also wear a batik sarong on its own for covering
the body, between the breast and the knees or up to the ankles. This is locally
known as kamban. However, such a way of dressing was only acceptable when
one stayed within the domain of her home. A top or an additional batik sarong
was usually put on to cover the upper part of the body when going out of the
house.
For festive and ceremonial purposes, clothing was decorated with
embroidery, beads, sequins and hollowed silver ornaments filled with small
pellets. The design, style and decorations for festive occasions are the most
distinctive features that manifest the wearer’s ethnic identity. For instance, the
Murut female costume consists of a three-quarter-length sleeve loose blouse and
a knee length skirt. Beads are elaborately adapted for additional accessories,
such as necklace, headgear and belt. Moreover, beads and sequins of multiple
vibrant colours, such as red, white, yellow and green, are also elaborately used to
decorate the dress. Although beads are commonly used to make belts, silver belt
is also utilised.
11
Photo 3: The Murut traditional costume
The Belait, Dusun and Bisaya have a similar fashion, especially for
ceremonial purposes, but the skirt is longer and batik may alternately be used.
Hollowed silver buttons filled with small pellets are commonly attached to the
sleeves of the costumes. These buttons are generally termed kubamban, thus
lending their name to the article of clothing, baju kubamban. During festive
occasions, such as weddings, the bride and bridesmaid usually wear golden or
silver head ornament. Other accessories including gold or silver necklaces, ear
rings and bangles are also worn. Furthermore, especially among the Dusun and
Bisaya ethnic, old silver coins brooches are commonly adapted for further
decoration.
Amongst females, kebaya (a female tunic with a front opening) and loose
blouse, and batik sarong were also commonly worn. Except among the Brunei,
black was the most popular colour used to make blouses, especially for
ceremonial costumes. However, the kihip (cotton) and kasa (translucent type of
material) of floral motif materials were also preferred to make kebaya and other
types of daily clothing. Baju kurung (a long tunic that reaches to the knee as a
top, worn with a loose sarong that reached down to the ankle) or loose kebaya are
commonly worn on social and ceremonial occasions, especially among the
Brunei Malays. For ceremonial occasions, such as weddings, the bride and
bridesmaid wear clothing of traditional woven clothes of bright colours. They
also wear additional accessories, such as golden head ornaments or tiara,

necklaces, earrings and bangles.
12
Photo 4: The bride wearing traditional clothing and accessories
Source: Courtesy from Mohd Hosenal Haji Wahsalfelah (2008)

List of Sultans of Brunei
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Sultan and the Lord of Brunei Darussalam

Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam
Arms of His Majesty the Sultan and the Lord of Brunei

Darussalam
Incumbent
The Sultan seen during the Golden Jubilee.
Hassanal Bolkiah
since 5 October 1967
installation 1 August 1968
Details
Style His Majesty
Heir apparent The Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah
First monarch Sultan Muhammad Shah
Formation 1405
Residence Istana Nurul Iman, Bandar Seri Begawan
Brunei
This article is part of a series on the

politics and government of
Brunei
 Sultan
Hassanal Bolkiah
 Constitution
Privy Council
 Prime Minister
Hassanal Bolkiah
 Cabinet
 Succession Council
 Islamic Religious Council
 Legislative Council
 Judiciary
Civil courts
Syariah Courts
 Administrative divisions
o Districts
o Mukims
o Villages
o Municipalities
 Foreign relations
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Melayu Islam Beraja
(national philosophy)
 Other countries
 Atlas
 v
 t
 e
The Sultan of Brunei is the head of state and absolute monarch of Brunei. He is also head of
government in his capacity as Prime Minister.[1] Since independence from the British in 1984,
only one Sultan has reigned, though the royal institution dates back to the 14th century.[2]
The Sultan of Brunei can be thought of as synonymous with the ruling House of Bolkiah,
with generations being traced from the first sultan, temporarily interrupted by the 13th Sultan,
Abdul Hakkul Mubin, who in turn was deposed by a member of the House of Bolkiah. The
Sultan's full title is: His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
[1]
Contents
 1 Sultans
 2 Uncertainties
 3 See also
 4 References
Sultans
Sultans of Brunei since 1368[2]
No. Name Reign start Reign end Notes
Muhammad Shah /
1 1368[3] 1402 Established the Sultanate.[3]
Awang Alak Betatar
Ahmad / Awang
2 1408 1425
Pateh Berbai
3 Sharif Ali / Sultan 1425 1432 No direct genealogical relation to predecessor,

Barkat (Blessed but was selected as he was the son-in-law of the
Sultan) previous sultan (Ahmad) and was well versed in
Islam.
Son of the previous sultan, Sharif Ali. Abdicated

4 Sulaiman 1432 1485
to allow his son Bolkiah to become sultan.
Bolkiah / Nakhoda
5 Ragam (The Singing 1485 1524 Son of the previous sultan, Sulaiman.
Captain)
6 Abdul Kahar 1524 1530 Son of the previous sultan, Bolkiah
Nephew and adopted-son of the previous sultan,

7 Saiful Rijal 1533 1581 Abdul Kahar. Castile War broke out between
Brunei and Spain.
8 Shah Berunai 1581 1582 Eldest son of Sultan Saiful Rijal
Younger brother of Shah Berunai. Hukum Kanun

9 Muhammad Hassan 1582 1598 Brunei or Law of Brunei was introduced.
Continued the expansion of Bruneian Empire.
Eldest son of Muhammad Hassan. Olivier Van

10 Abdul Jalilul Akbar 1598 1659
Noort visited Brunei.
11 Abdul Jalilul Jabbar 1659 1660 Second son of Abdul Jalilul Akbar.
Strangled by his successor Abdul Hakkul Mubin,

12 Muhammad Ali 1660 1661
sparking the Brunei Civil War.
Started the Brunei Civil War by killing his

Abdul Hakkul predecessor Muhammad Ali and was in turn
13 1660 1673
Mubin killed by Muhyiddin who succeeded him as
Sultan.
Son of Abdul Jalilul Akbar who avenged the death

of his father-in-law Muhammad Ali by killing
14 Muhyiddin 1673 1690
Abdul Hakkul Mubin, thus ending the Brunei Civil
War.
The first sultan to introduce gold coinage. Dato

15 Nasruddin 1690 1710
Godam visited Brunei.
16 Hussin Kamaluddin 1710 1730 He ruled for the second time between 1737 to
1740. After his demise, he was known as
Marhum Di Luba.
Instructed Datu Imam Yaakub to write the Silsilah

Muhammad
17 1730 1737 Raja-Raja Berunai or the Genealogy of the
Alauddin
Sultans of Brunei.
Abdicated in 1778. The first sultan to be buried

18 Omar Ali Saifuddin I 1740 1778
at Kubah Makam Di Raja in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Became the Sultan of Brunei twice, the first from

Muhammad 1778 to 1804 and the second from 1804 to 1807.
19 1778 1807
Tajuddin He ordered Khatib Abdul Latif to inscribe Batu
Tarsilah or Stone Tablet.
Muhammad
20 1804 1804 The sultan who ruled less than a year.
Jamalul Alam I
Second son of Omar Ali Saifuddin I to become

Muhammad Kanzul
21 1807 1826 sultan. Appointed Pengiran Indera Mahkota
Alam
Mohammad Salleh as Governor of Sarawak.
Muhammad Alam /
22 1826 1828 Son of Muhammad Kanzul Alam.
Raja Api
Brunei ceded some territories of Sarawak to

Omar Ali Saifuddin
23 1828 1852 James Brooke. Brunei ceded Labuan to the
II
British.
Brunei ceded northwestern part of Borneo to the

British. The declaration of Amanat took place in
24 Abdul Momin 1852 29 May 1885
1884 that vowed not to cede more Brunei
territories to foreign powers.
Hashim Jalilul Alam United Kingdom established protectorate over

25 29 May 1885 10 May 1906
Aqamaddin Brunei in 1888.
26 Muhammad 10 May 1906 11 The Sultan's reign was a short one. An outbreak
Jamalul Alam II September of malaria claimed his life as well as three
1924 members of his family.
11
27 Ahmad Tajuddin September 4 June 1950 Japanese occupation of Brunei took place.
1924
Signed the Brunei Constitution of 1959.

Omar Ali Saifuddien 5 October Abdicated voluntarily in favor of his eldest son,
28 4 June 1950
III 1967 Hassanal Bolkiah. Became Brunei's first Minister
of Defence after independence in 1984.
5 October Brunei regained independence from the United

29 Hassanal Bolkiah Incumbent
1967 Kingdom in 1984.
Uncertainties
The earliest historical record of the Sultans of Brunei is not clearly known due to the poor
early documentation of Brunei's history. Many elder members of the House of Bolkiah claim
that their ancestors were the BaHassan and BaAlawi Saadah from Tarim and Hadhramawt in
Yemen. In addition there has been an effort to Islamise the history, with the "official history"
not matching up with verifiable foreign sources.[4] The Batu Tarsilah, the genealogical record
of the kings of Brunei, was not started until 1807 CE.
See also
 House of Bolkiah
 Line of succession to the Bruneian throne
 Malay styles and titles
References

 "Prime Minister". The Prime Minister's Office of Brunei Darussalam. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  "Sultan-Sultan Brunei" (in Malay). Government of Brunei. Archived from the original on 15 April
2015. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  Elisseeff, Vadime (January 2000). "Chapter 8: A Brunei Sultan of the Early Fourteenth Century – A
Study of an Arabic Gravestone". The Silk Roads: Highways of Culture and Commerce. Berghahn
Books. pp. 145–157. ISBN 978-1-57181-222-3. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
 "Brunei". 4dw.net. Retrieved 18 January 2015.

What are Brunei's neighboring countries?
Malaysia is the only country that shares a border with Brunei. Brunei is almost completely
surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
Besides Brunei and Sarawak, the island of Borneo also includes the
Malaysian state of Sabah and the Indonesian state of KalimaBrunei
Capitals
The capital city of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan which is located in the north of the country, and
part of the town lies on the banks of the Brunei River. The original name of the city was "Bandar
Brunei", which translates to "Brunei Town". This was changed to the current name on 5 October
1970. Settlement of the city and surrounding areas can be traced back to the seventh and eighth
centuries with an old fishing and trading port located close-by. The area was later settled by the
British in the 19th Century, and modern development of the land began in 1906. Bandar Seri
Begawan was granted city status in 1920 and was invaded and occupied by the Japanese Army
during World War II.
The estimated populace of the city is 100,000, but the surrounding areas also include some
180,000 people, giving the area over half of the nation's population. The majority of the
people of the capital city are of Malay ethnicity and the second most prevalent ethnic group is
Chinese. Several smaller ethnic groups exist such as the Bisaya, Belait, Dusun, Kedayan,
Murut and Tutong. There are also many foreign workers from Malaysia, the Philippines,
Thailand, and India.
Bandar Seri Begawan is home to many museums and other cultural installations, but one of
the most famous attractions is the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque which was constructed
in 1958. This mosque is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The city also
offers excellent parks and nature walks with great park facilities available. Kampong Ayer is
a fantastic city that is based on the Brunei River on stilts. Founded over 1,000 years ago, the
'Venice of the East' has 2,000 homes and 30,000 residents.
The climate of Brunei is classed as a tropical rainforest environment which means hot, humid
temperatures as well as being relatively wet. The year-round average high temperature is
usually more than 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and the average low
temperature at any time throughout the year is about 23 degree Celsius (73/74 degrees
Fahrenheit). The best time to visit Brunei would be February or March as the average days of
rain is only 12 and 11 days per month compared to November and December which have an
average of 23 and 21 days of rain per month. The country is subject to both the Northeast and
Southeast Monsoons which contribute significantly to the overall climate of Brunei
ntan.
Brunei - Nature and Wildlife
1. Print
2. Brochure
3. Chat
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 3
Chestnut-naped forktail
Brunei is home to tropical rainforests covering approximately 75% of the land and provides
natural habitats for a diverse range of wildlife. There is a great deal of beautiful flora
including trees, ferns and flowers. Many small animals, tropical birds, reptiles and
amphibians exist in the rainforests however, they are often hard to spot due to their incredibly
shy natures. There are over 300 bird species found in the rainforests, and there are around 100
non-flying mammals (half of which are rodents). One of the most interesting looking
monkeys in the world lives in Brunei. The Proboscis Monkey is characterised by a very
long nose that can reach longer than 10 cm (3.9 in).
The mangroves found in Brunei are considered by many to the some of the best in Southeast
Asia. Within the mangroves are a rich diversity of plants and animals. There are
approximately 88 species of flowering plants as well as over 33 known fern species. Part of
the reason Brunei Bay is abundant with fish and shrimp is down to the mangroves and the
vegetation they provide, acting like a nursery for juvenile marine species. Birds are also
common as they use the mudflats as feeding grounds.
In terms of nature conservation, one of the best places to visit in Brunei is Ulu Temburong
National Park. The national park is an unspoiled nature heritage that is quite diverse. Like the
rainforests, it is hard to spot the abundant wildlife within the park. There is an extensive
network of wooden boardwalks and it has been said that visitors could theoretically walk
around for days on the boardwalks without their feet ever touching the ground. There is also a
popular canopy walkway that is 50 m from the forest floor and is level with the highest trees.
Up there, visitors truly gain an appreciation for the flora around them and there is the
possibility of spotting tree snakes that cannot be seen from the ground.
Another project dedicated to conservation in Brunei is the Kuala Belalong Field Study
Centre. Established in 1990, the Centre was set up within the Ulu Temburong National Park
with the goal of studying threats to rainforests and ecosystems. While not a spot for
ecotourism, the Centre is open to schools as a teaching and training resource.
Brunei Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we
have compiled an easy to navigate travel information section dedicated to Brunei.
Learn about the history and culture of Brunei, the must-try food and drink, and what to

pack in your suitcase. Read about Brunei's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along
with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as
our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and
enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey
and discovering Brunei for yourself. Start exploring...book one of our Brunei tours today!

Extend Your Trip
After your Brunei vacation, consider taking the time to visit other destinations. Goway
offers exciting China vacation packages, India tours and Thailand vacation packages plus a
comprehensive selection of vacation packages in many other Asian countries.
Book your Brunei tour with Goway!
ASIA by Goway is an exclusive division that

specializes in planning and organizing Brunei tours, vacations and experiences. Choose from
a simple city stopover or see the country highlights when travelling on one of our
independent travel modules. We want to be your first choice when next you go globetrotting
to Brunei.
PROBOSCIS
MONKEY
15 Amazing Rainforests of the World (PHOTOS)
By Stephanie Valera
July 27 2015 12:00 AM EDT
weather.com
1 of 72
1. Daintree National Park, Australia
The Wurrmbu Creek is seen flowing through the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia. Much
of the national park, a World Heritage site, is covered by tropical rainforest. Its plant diversity and
structural complexity is unrivaled on the Australian continent. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Rainforests are some of the world's most pristine and important environments on Earth.
Covering less than 2 percent of the Earth's total surface area, the world's rainforests are
actually home to 50 percent of the Earth's plants and animals and act as the world's
thermostat by regulating temperatures and weather patterns, according to the Nature
Conservancy. They are also some of the most beautiful spots in the world and worth a visit on
your next vacation. View the slideshow above to explore 15 of the world's most spectacular
rainforests.
1. Daintree National Park, Australia
A vast area of tropical rainforest wilderness in Far North Queensland, Australia, Daintree
National Park is home to the oldest rainforest on the planet—the closest living counterpart to
the forests that once covered the ancient supercontinent of Gondwanaland. More than 18,000
known plant species exist here, according to DiscoverAustralia, and some trees are more than
2,500 years old. The park also supports more than 430 bird species and is home to significant
populations of the endangered cassowary. The park is accessible by car and there are marked
paths for hiking through the jungle. However, only experienced hikers can penetrate the heart
of the park's wilderness. Tours of the park are available.
2. Yasuni National Park, Ecuador
Located in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Yasuní National Park is one of the most biologically
diverse places on the planet. In fact, authors of the study, "Global Conservation Significance
of Ecuador’s Yasuní National Park," published in the journal PLoS One, noted that one area
of the park, the 1,600-acre Tiputini Biodiversity Station, has unparalleled peaks of diversity
in reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds and bats. The park also shelters more than 20 globally
threatened mammal species, including the white-bellied spider monkey and the rare golden-
mantled tamarin, according to World Conservation Society. Yasuní National Park is home to
some of the last indigenous peoples still living in isolation in the Amazon, the Tagaeri and
Taromenane clans of the Waorani. Visitors can participate in rainforest hikes, and can see
"parrot clay licks," clay walls where various species of parrots and macaws go to lick the clay
ina spectacle of sound and color.
3. Dominica
An island in the Caribbean Sea, Dominica (also known as "Nature Island") is covered with
densely wooded mountains and rainforest, which make up two-thirds of the island and is
home to 1,200 plant species. The high annual rainfall (more than 275 inches a year in the
interior) also feed the island's numerous rivers, streams, and waterfalls. The best place to
experience Dominica's natural wonders is the eco-tourism paradise that is Morne Trois Pitons
National Park. The World Heritage Site has 27 square miles of thick jungle, raging rivers,
lush rain forest, deep gorges and volcanic fissures, according to the Dallas Morning News.
4. El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
Located in northeastern Puerto Rico, El Yunque National Rainforest is the only tropical
rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. The forest, popular with vacationers and hikers,
has 13 well-marked hiking trails that range in difficulty, according to U.S. News. The two
most popular, La Mina & Big Tree Trail, are a combined two-hour hike that snakes by La
Mina River and ends around La Mina Falls. The trails are ideal spots to appreciate the jungle-
like territory's flora and fauna. Visitors to El Yunque can learn more about the rainforest at
the site's El Portal Rain Forest Center. A walkway set at 60 feet above the ground also
provides a stunning view of the tops of trees, and another walkway winds along tree bases,
according to PuertoRico.com.
5. Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington
One of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the United States, the Hoh
Rainforest is also one of Olympic National Park's most visited destinations. The Hoh
experiences an average annual rainfall of 140 to 170 inches, according to USA Today. As a
result, the lush forest is home to many species of plants, trees, mosses and ferns. The Hoh
Rain Forest has a campground that is open year-round, with 88 sites located in the old growth
forest along the river, says the National Park Service. There are also places to stay just
outside the park boundary, and in the town of Forks, less than a one-hour drive by car.
6. Tongass National Forest, Alaska
The nation's largest national forest, the Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast
Alaska, surrounding the famous Inside Passage. Despite decades of clear-cutting its best old-
growth habitat, the Tongass still contains some of the most intact expanses of temperate
rainforest remaining in the world, according to the Alaska Wilderness League. It offers
unique opportunities to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon, not to mention the breathtaking
scenery of the Alaskan wilderness. Visitors to the Tongass can take a sled-dog ride on a
glacier, hike boardwalk trails, fish in streams or the ocean, or just relax and enjoy the view at
a remote cabin.
7. Kakum National Park, Ghana
Located in the central region of Ghana, Kakum National Park is covered with tropical
rainforest and is home to endangered species such as the Diana monkey, giant bongo
antelope, yellow-backed duiker and African elephant, according to UNESCO. It is an
important bird area (it shelters over 200 species of birds) and is rich in butterflies (over 400
species of butterflies). In March 1995, Kakum National Park became home to the only
canopy walkway on the Africa continent. The 1,148ft walkway, which connects seven
treetops, provides both tourists and researchers privileged access to the rainforest's canopy
and allows them to see species of birds and insects that are almost impossible to find on the
ground level.
8. Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei
Situated within the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve, Brunei's Ulu Temburong National Park
showcases the magnificence of Borneo's lowland rainforests. The country's only national
park, Ulu Temburong offers a great chance to experience incredible diversity of flora and
fauna, complete with stunning views from the canopy walkway. The park is only accessible
by boat, according to Ecology Asia. From the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan water taxis
take about one hour to ply the route to the main town of Bangar in Temburong District. This
allows the visitor a glimpse of the mangrove forests which line the muddy delta of the
Limbang River flowing out of Sarawak into Brunei Bay.
9. Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Congo

One of the most biodiverse areas in the Congo, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park is more than
1,500 square miles of pristine rainforest. It remains uninhabited and its peripheral villages
have little habitation, heightening its appeal with visitors. The park has some of the most
important populations of western lowland gorillas and forest elephants in the world. The
Ndoki landscape is home to over half of the world’s gorillas—a full 140,000—alongside
45,000 elephants and 15,000 chimpanzees, including some that have never seen humans,
according to the Wildlife Conservations Society. One of the most remote areas within the
park is Mbeli Bai, which visitors can reach after a 45-minute walk through the forest, says
Natural World Safaris. Here, WCS researchers monitor the wildlife from an observation
platflorm.
10. Khao Yai National Park, Thailand
Khao Yai, Thailand's oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, incorporates
one of the largest intact monsoon forests remaining in mainland Asia. The park's terrain
covers five vegetation zones: evergreen rainforest; semi-evergreen rainforest; mixed
deciduous forest; hill evergreen forest ; and savannah and secondary-growth forest, according
to Lonely Planet. It contains a wide range of plant and animal life including elephants (there
are around 120 elephants in the wild here), bears, gibbons, deer, gaur, wild pigs, porcupines,
civet cats and even a handful of tigers. A road runs through the park and the central area has
tourist facilities such as a museum, accommodation and food, according to Nakon Nayok.
11. Lope National Park, Gabon
Gabon's Lope National Park was the first protected area in the country. Its terrain is mostly
rainforest and it is home to a wide range of birds and mammals, including the forest elephant,
western lowland gorilla, chimpanzee, mandrill, forest buffalo, sun-tailed guenon, leopard,
black colobus, sitantunga and yellow-backed duiker, according to African World Heritage
Sites. The park contains a small research station and it has infrastructure to cater for tourists
at the base, including several chalets and a large open-air dining room, from which the
rainforest is a few feet away, the Associated Press reported.
12. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica
One of Costa Rica's most popular destinations, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a misty
oasis of lush trees and diverse wildlife. It is home to over 100 species of mammals, 400
species of birds, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles, according to Monteverde Info.
It's one of the few remaining habitats that support all six species of the cat family – jaguars,
ocelots, pumas, oncillas, margays, and jaguarundis. Visitors to Monteverde can stay at
several lodges and hotels which offer canopy and birdwatching tours, night hikes and other
activities.
13. Mount Field National Park, Australia
The first national park in Tasmania, Australia, Mount Field is one of the region's most
beloved natural attractions. The area around the park's jewel, Russell Falls, has been
protected for its natural beauty since 1885, when it was set aside as Tasmania's first nature
reserve, according to Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service. The park's landscape ranges
from eucalyptus temperate rainforest to alpine moorland, rising to 4,705 ft at the summit of
Mount Field West. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including many of Tasmania's
native mammals and endangered species, such as the eastern quoll and the eastern barred
bandicoot, according to DiscoverTasmania. Eleven of Tasmania's twelve endemic birds can
also be seen here.
14. Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
A breathtaking tropical rainforest located between Cuzco and Bolivia, the Tambopata
National Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon is one of the world’s most biologically diverse
areas. Nearly one-third the size of Costa Rica, Tambopata has more species of birds (595)
and butterflies (more than 1,200) than any place of similar size on earth, reported The New
York Times. "Environmentalists claim that the [reserve's] great diversity of wildlife is due to
its location at the confluence of lowland Amazon forest with three other ecosystems,"
according to an article in the Times. "At least 13 endangered species are found here,
including the jaguar, giant otter, ocelot, harpy eagle, and giant armadillo." The reserve is also
home to the world's largest known mineral clay lick, where hundreds of parrots and macaws
of up to 15 species congregate daily to ingest the detoxifying clay.
15. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Located in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is full of lush tropical rainforest and volcanic
scenery, but it is perhaps best known as one the premier places in the world to see rare
mountain gorillas. It is the first national park to be created in Africa, and it was set up to
protect the mountain gorillas. There are 19 mountain gorilla families currently living in the
Virunga Mountains, which are located in the Northern Province near the border of Rwanda,
the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Of these 19 gorilla families, only 10 can be
visited. A permit is mandatory to see the primates and the process of getting one can take up
to a year, according to the Daily Mail, because visitor numbers are strictly controlled at only
80 people a day.
Facts About Brunei
23 Interesting Facts and Travel Information for Brunei

By Greg Rodgers
Updated 01/24/19
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Greg Rodgers
Most famous of the interesting facts about Brunei is the amount of gossip-fueling controversy
that the Sultan has produced as a byproduct of his love life -- fans of soap operas pay
attention!
Where Is Brunei?
Official Name: Brunei Darussalam
Brunei is a tiny, independent, oil-rich country wedged between the states of Sarawak and
Sabah on the Malaysian side (northeast) of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.
Brunei is considered a "developed" nation, and thanks to an abundance of oil, continues to
prosper. Public debt in Brunei is zero percent of GDP. As of 2014, public dept for the
United States was 106% of GDP.
Some Interesting Brunei Facts
 The name Brunei Darussalam means "abode of peace" which is mostly true given the
country's higher standard of living and longer life expectancy (average is 77.7 years) than
many of their neighbors in Southeast Asia.
 In 2015, Brunei ranked higher on the Human Development Index (31st overall in the index)
than all other countries in Southeast Asia aside from Singapore.
 Brunei is considered to be the most observant Islamic nation in Southeast Asia. Beautiful
mosques dot the country. Visitors are welcome inside of mosques outside of prayer times
and with proper dress. Read more about etiquette for visiting mosques.
1. Much of Shell oil comes from offshore drilling platforms in Brunei.

2. The 2015 per-capita GDP in Brunei was US $54,537 -- ranking them 10th in the world. The
U.S. GDP in 2014 was US $54,629.
3. Citizens in Brunei receive free education and medical services from the government.
4. Brunei has one of the highest rates of obesity in Southeast Asia. An estimated 20% of
schoolchildren are overweight.
5. The literacy rate in Brunei is estimated at 92.7% of the population.
6. Brunei passed a law in 2014 making homosexuality punishable by stoning to death.
1. Caning is still a method of punishment for crimes in Brunei.

2. Brunei is just a little smaller than the U.S. state of Delaware.
3. The sale and public consumption of alcohol is illegal in Brunei, although non-Muslims are
allowed to bring up to two liters into the country.
4. Eight days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked and occupied Brunei to
secure a source of oil.
5. Brunei has one of the highest car-ownership rates (roughly one car per every two people)
in the world.
6. Although the Federation of Malaysia -- which includes Brunei's neighbors of Sarawak and
Sabah -- was formed in 1963, Brunei did not gain their independence from Great Britain until
1984.
1. The Sultan of Brunei holds an honorary commission in the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force
and Royal Navy.
2. The Sultan also serves as Defense Minister, Prime Minister, and Finance Minister of Brunei.
The Sultan's Controversial Love Life
The Sultan of Brunei, one of the richest men in the world (at last estimate, his net worth was
more than US $20 billion), has a tumultuous history:
1. The Sultan married his first cousin, Princess Saleha.

2. The Sultan's second wife was a flight attendant for Royal Brunei Airlines.
3. He divorced his second wife in 2003 and removed her of all royal statuses.
4. Two years later, the Sultan married a TV show host 33 years younger than himself.
5. In 2010, the Sultan divorced the TV host and even took away her monthly allowance.
6. In 1997, the royal family hired former Miss USA Shannon Marketic and a handful of other
beauty queens to come model and entertain at parties. The women were allegedly forced
into prostitution to entertain royal guests for 32 days.
Traveling to Brunei
Despite having miles of beautiful coast, most travelers to Brunei only visit the capital city of
Bandar Seri Begawan (population around 50,000). The roads and infrastructure in Brunei are
excellent. Due to an abundance of oil and low fuel prices, local buses and taxis are the most
cost-effective means of getting around.
Brunei is typically a short stopover for travelers crossing by bus between the Malaysian
Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah. Nearby duty-free Labuan Island -- part of Sabah -- is an
alternative route in and out of Brunei. Miri in Sarawak is the last major town in Borneo
before crossing into Brunei.
Visits of 90 days or longer require a travel visa before entering Brunei. Transit visas of 72
hours are available at the border.
Travel in Brunei will be affected during Ramadan. Read about what to expect during
Ramadan travel and important considerations for Ramadan.
Population
1. In July 2013, the population of Brunei was estimated to be only 415,717 people.
Religion
 Islam is the official religion in Brunei. Muslim: 67%; Buddhist: 13%; Christian: 10%; Other:
10%
Language
 The official language of Brunei is Malay, although it differs from the Bahasa Malay spoken in
Malaysia English, and Chinese are also spoken in Brunei. English is understood and used
widely for business.
 Telephone Country Code: 673
Currency in Brunei
 The currency used in Brunei is the Brunei dollar (BND).
U.S. Embassy in Brunei
The U.S. embassy in Brunei is located in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Simpang 336-52-16-9
Jalan Kebangsaan
Bandar Seri Begawan BC4115, Brunei Darussalam.
Telephone: (673) 238-4616
After hours: (673) 873-0691
Fax: (673) 238-4606
See a list of all the U.S. embassies in Asi
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BRUNEI’S FLAG

It is a member of the Commonwealth and has good education and hygiene.

The population is devoutly Muslim.

 New Year's Day: 1 January 2019

Geography and climate

Brunei and Muara

Tasek Merimbun; famous lake located in Tutong district.

Kiulap; Shophouses and Shopping Mall.

Entry will be refused to citizens of Israel. Other passports containing Israeli

There is a car ferry service from Brunei to Sabah [9]

Brunei bus map

Omar Ali Saifuddie Mosque

Royal Regalia Building

Kampong Ayer Cultural & Tourism Gallery

Eco Ponies Garden, Tutong

As of 26th April 2017 BND1.00 = USD0.72 = GBP0.56 = €0.66 = MYR3.12 = RMB4.94 =

Possession of pornographic material, in addition to homosexual and prostitution

Some courtesies to observe include the following:

 Remove shoes before entering mosques

Cuisines & Dishes

Gluten Free Options

Families with children

Kaizen Sushi Bandar Seri Begawan

#1 of 408 Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam

#1 of 217 Restaurants in Bandar Seri Begawan

 “Totally Legit” 01/25/2019

#2 of 408 Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam

#1 of 32 Restaurants in Kuala Belait

$$ - $$$ Nepali Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options Gluten Free Options

 “Excellent food, place and service!” 01/24/2019

Roti Culture Gadong

#3 of 408 Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam

$ Indian Asian Indonesian Malaysian Vegetarian Friendly Halal Vegan Options

 “The food” 11/29/2018

#4 of 408 Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam

#2 of 217 Restaurants in Bandar Seri Begawan

$ Chinese Asian Halal

 “Local favourite” 12/11/2018

Its a Grind Coffee House Bandar Seri Begawan

#5 of 408 Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam

#3 of 217 Restaurants in Bandar Seri Begawan

$$ - $$$ Cafe Halal Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options

Aminah Arif restaurant Bandar Seri Begawan

#6 of 408 Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam

#4 of 217 Restaurants in Bandar Seri Begawan

$$ - $$$ Asian Vegetarian Friendly Halal

 “Popular delicacy” 12/11/2018

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Bandar Seri Begawan

#7 of 408 Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam

 “LOVE CBTL CAKES” 11/09/2018

Kaizen Japanese Restaurant Seria

#8 of 408 Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam

$$ - $$$ Japanese Sushi Asian Vegetarian Friendly

 “Love the Food” 01/15/2019

#9 of 408 Restaurants in Brunei Darussalam

#6 of 217 Restaurants in Bandar Seri Begawan

 “My Girl & I” 12/22/2018

Chop Jing Chew Since 1946 Bandar Seri Begawan