PowerPoint PresentationGEOGRAPHY OF BRUNEI
Brunei located on the north coast of the island of
Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with
the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by
the state of Sarawak, Malaysia; and
It is separated into two parts by the Sarawak district
of Limbang. It is the only sovereign state completely on the
island of Borneo; the remainder of the island's territory is
divided between the nations of Malaysia and Indonesia.
History of Brunei
From the 14th to the 16th centuries Brunei Darussalam was the seat
of a powerful sultanate extending over Sabah, Sarawak and the lower
Philippines. Thus, the current Sultan represents one of the oldest
continuously ruling dynasties in the world.
By the 19th century, the Brunei Darussalam Empire had been whittled
away by wars, piracy and the colonial expansion of European
powers.
In 1847, the sultan concluded a treaty with Great Britain and in
1888 Brunei Darussalam officially became a British
protectorate.
In 1906, the Residential System was established in Brunei
Darussalam. A British Resident was nominated as a representative of
the British government to advise the sultan in all matters except
Malay customs, traditions and Islamic religion.
The 1959 Agreement established a written constitution which gave
Brunei Darussalam internal self-government.
In 1971, the agreement was amended and revised to assert full
internal independence
except defense and external affairs.
In 1967 His Highness Sultan Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien
abdicated in favour of his son Pengiran Muda Mahkota Hassanal
Bolkiah.
On January 1, 1984 Brunei Darussalam resumed full independence and
the Sultan took office as Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Home
Affairs Minister, presiding over a cabinet of six.
In October 1986, the cabinet was expanded to 11 members, with His
Majesty relinquishing the portfolios of Finance and Home Affairs
and taking over the Defence portfolio which his late father had
held since 1984.
In 1988 another reshuffle brought about the elevation of the deputy
minister to a full minister and the creation of the Ministry of
Industry and Primary Resources designed to boost the country's
development.
Nationality:
Bruneian(s)
Ethnic groups:
Malay 65.7%, Chinese 10.3%, other indigenous 3.4%, other 20.6%
(2011 est.)
Languages:
Religions:
Muslim (official) 78.8%, Christian 8.7%, Buddhist 7.8%, other
(includes indigenous beliefs) 4.7% (2011 est.)
Population:
Constitutional sultanate (locally known as Malay Islamic Monarchy
or MIB)
CAPITAL
4 Districts 1. Belait, 2. Brunei-Muara, 3. Temburong, 4.
Tutong
CONSTITUTION
Drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959; amended 1984, 2004,
2011; some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a
State of Emergency, others since independence in 1984 (2011).
LEGAL SYSTEM
Mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law;
note - in May 2014, the first phase of a sharia-based penal codes
was instituted, which applies to Muslims and non-Muslims and exists
in parallel to the existing common law-based code
International law organization participation
It has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party
state to the ICCt
Suffrage
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (36 seats;
members appointed by the sultan including 3 ex-officio members -
the speaker and first and second secretaries; meets annually for
approximately two weeks).
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Highest resident court(s):
Supreme Court consists of Court of Appeal and High Court, each with
a chief justice and 2 judges;
Sharia Court of Appeal consists of judges appointed by the monarch;
Brunei has a dual judicial system of Secular and Sharia (religious)
courts; the Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London serves as
the final appellate court for civil cases only.
Judge selection and term of office:
Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch to serve until age
65, and older if approved by the monarch;
Sharia Court of Appeal judges appointed by the monarch;
Subordinate courts:
Intermediate Court;
Magistrate's Courts;
Juvenile Court;
Chief of state
Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October
1967); the monarch is both chief of state (Yang Di-Pertuan Agong)
and head of government.
Head of government
Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October
1967).
Cabinet:
Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the
monarch; membership traditionally changes every five years, with
the next change expected in 2015; deals with executive matters;
There is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the
monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council
(members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional
matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the
monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need
arises; cabinet traditionally changes every 5 years, with the next
change expected in 2015.
Elections:
FLAG AND CREST
The Brunei flag has four colours - a yellow backdrop, with two wide
strips of white and black cutting diagonally across and the state
crest in red right in the middle.
The national flag of Brunei was first used in 1906 when Brunei
signed an agreement with Britain. The colours on the flag
represented the signatories to the agreement - yellow for the
Sultan, white for the Pengiran Bendahara and black for Pengiran
Pemancha.
The National Crest,added to the centre of the flag in 1959,
consists of;
•the Bendera (flag).
•the Sayap (wing) which signifies justice, tranquility, prosperity
and peace.
•the Tangan (hand) which represents the government's pledge to
promote welfare, peace and prosperity.
•the Bulan (crescent) which symbolises Islam, the national
religion of Brunei Darussalam.
The Arabic characters inscribed on the crescent reads "Always in
service with God's guidance" while the words on the scroll mean
"Brunei, the abode of peace".
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 than many of their neighbors in Southeast
Asia.
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.
The per-capita GDP in Brunei is US $49,400 -- ranking them 9th in
the world. The US was ranked 12th in the world in 2011.
Brunei is just a little smaller than the US state of
Delaware.
The sale of alcohol is forbidden inside of Brunei, however,
non-Muslims may bring in two liters of alcohol.
Citizens in Brunei receive free education and medical services from
the government.
The same sultan family has ruled Brunei for more than six
centuries.
Crude oil and natural gas account for around 50% of the GDP and
more than 90% of the exports from Brunei.
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.
News
Minister: Brunei committed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
BRUNEI is committed to address climate change and will fulfil its
international obligations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, said
the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya
Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar said Brunei is among 32
countries that have ratified the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto
Protocol, which requires parties to ensure they meet CO2 emission
reduction targets by 2020.
The minister was speaking at a climate change forum jointly
organised by the foreign missions of Germany, France and the United
Kingdom.
He added that the government has undertaken various mitigation
efforts to address climate change domestically, despite
contributing only 0.02 per cent to net global CO2 emissions.
Such initiatives include the Heart of Borneo, promoting green
building and integrating environmentally-friendly policies into
national development projects.
“As a country party to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, Brunei Darussalam has, and
will continue to play its role in fulfilling its obligations and
commitments in addressing climate change and its impacts.”
The forum is part of European efforts to highlight the importance
of climate change issues, in the run up to the Climate Conference
(CO21) in Paris this December.
In a joint statement, French Ambassador Loan Forgeron, German
Ambassador Roland Grafe and British High Commissioner David
Campbell, said: “2015 is a decisive year for climate negotiations.
We need to achieve an ambitious international agreement to limit
global temperature rises to below two degrees centigrade”.
“Today’s climate change forum is an opportunity to exchange views
with Brunei Darussalam on the preparatory work needed to achieve a
successful outcome at the Paris Conference.”
The forum, held at the Radisson Hotel, featured presentations from
Philippe Zeller, France’s ambassador-at-large for climate
negotiations in Asia and Oceania; Dr Weerawat Chantarakome, CEO of
Brunei National Energy Research Institute; as well as a panel
discussion with officials from Brunei’s Ministry of Development. -
Quratul-Ain Bandial
MPK members can hold village leader positions
MEMBERS of village consultative councils (MPK) can now hold acting
positions as grassroots leaders when their village chief or
penghulu is away or the post is left vacant, the Tutong district
officer announced.
At a district-level meeting with Tutong grassroots leaders, Wardi
Hj Mohd Ali said members of MPK will be allowed to take up the
positions of their respective grassroots leaders in an acting
capacity under the new service scheme for penghulus and village
heads.
Previously, the grassroots leaders of nearby villages were
obligated to hold the acting positions of their neighbouring
penghulus and village heads.
“When grassroots leaders go on holiday, we will be able to appoint
suitable people to hold acting positions in line with existing
policies. Other grassroots leaders will no longer be required to
take over vacant positions or off-duty village heads,” said Wardi
at his official residence.
He said acting grassroots leaders will also receive allowances, but
did not elaborate on the amount that will be paid.
Prior to the appointment of acting positions, he explained
candidates will be considered from a list of names submitted by
their respective penghulus or village heads. Those who are
nominated will also undergo a vetting process conducted by the
district office.
Wardi urged penghulus and village heads to submit nominations ahead
of their vacation or retirement, indicating candidates outside MPK
may also be eligible.
“There are opportunities for MPK members to hold acting positions.
This is one of the reasons MPK members should be in close contact
with their grassroots leaders in order to familiarise themselves
with the tasks and responsibilities,” he said.
He added that acting grassroots leaders who perform well will be
considered as a candidate in upcoming elections for penghulus and
village heads.
The new service scheme for penghulus and village heads came into
effect on April 1, replacing the previous service scheme launched
in 1998, to improve and strengthen as well as uphold the status and
integrity of grassroots leadership in Brunei.
Apart from the revision of voters’ registration and voting
procedure for the election of grassroots leaders, the service
scheme also included a higher salary scale.
Three grades of grassroots leaders were introduced, allowing for
progression of penghulu and village head positions which was
non-existent in the previous scheme. The service scheme will see
penghulus and village heads earning up to $5,400 and $2,270
respectively.
Baiduri Capital opens stock trading portal
BRUNEIANS can trade equities, or stocks, through an online platform
provided by new local investment firm Baiduri Capital Sdn
Bhd.
The firm, a wholly owned subsidiary of Baiduri Bank Bhd, began
operations yesterday and is offering its clients the opportunity to
access and invest in three major stock exchanges in the
region.
The three bourses are Singapore (SGX), Hong Kong (HKEx) and Bursa
Malaysia.
An online trading portal has been developed, enabling customers to
access their investment portfolio and research reports, obtain
quotes, place trading orders, check trading history and review
account status.
Baiduri Capital said the portal is a “secure, web-based securities
trading platform which is the first in Brunei”.The platform can be
accessed through internet browsers on any laptop, tablet or
phone.
“The investor-focused design is feature rich, allowing customers to
research prices, as well as look up market information to assist
decision making when trading online,” Baiduri Capital said.
Peng Eng Soon, Baiduri Capital general manager, said there had been
demand coming from retail investors to personally trade stocks
online. So far, 10 individuals have submitted their applications to
open online trading accounts pending approval.
Clients will be required to open a savings or current account with
Baiduri Bank or Baiduri Finance for easy funding of their
trades.
Investors may start trading with as low as $1,000 in their
account.
Opening a trading account can be done online via the website and
upon receipt of the application form, licensed dealers from Baiduri
Capital will contact investors to process the account
opening.
Customers are required to carry out a ‘risk profile assessment’ to
ensure that their risk profile is suitable for securities
trading.
Clients may also carry out trades and access their account by
dealing with the firm’s licensed dealers via telephone.
Trading booths have also been set up at the Baiduri Capital in
Kiarong and are equipped with tablets for customers to trade.
Well-versed Baiduri Capital staff, including an in-house financial
planner, and qualified and registered dealers will be available to
provide investment guidance and assist with trades if
required.
In addition, there is a suite of tools available such as the
viewing gallery at the facility to track price movements in SGX and
Bursa Malaysia.
However, Baiduri Capital dealers and the company, does not provide
trade strategies and will not be directly involved in traders’
decision-making.
“What it means is that we give general information on what
investment products are available in each market, share fundamental
data and analysis, and be there to answer their questions on market
performance in general,” said Yeo Kun Yu, Assistant Manager,
Trading and Investment Services at Baiduri Capital.
Baiduri Capital will introduce new products, services and markets
to provide customers more and more opportunities to expand their
portfolio.
The firm, the first in Brunei to offer online securities trading,
is also looking to add the US stock market in its list of exchanges
by September, said Peng.
He said there has been “a lot of interest” from retail clients to
trade in the US stock exchanges as the US market is more volatile,
offering more growth opportunities compared to stable
markets.
“Once customers are familiar with these kinds of investment
products such as securities or equities, then of course we will
expand Baiduri Capital because ultimately we won’t just be trading
equities,” he told The Brunei Times.
He added existing investment products and services such as unit
trusts will be transferred and offered through Baiduri
Capital.
“Moving forward, we will be looking to offer them more investment
products and to give them more options in terms of investments,” he
said.