About Brunei

Brunei Darussalam is on the northwestern shore of borneo and share a common border with the Malaysia state of Sarawak. Set like a crown slightly askew, 75 per cent of its 5,765 km land area is covered by equatorial rainforest. The living standard of its population is sustained by oil and gas exports.

Brunei is divided administratively into four districts: Brunei-Muara, Belait, Temburong and Tutong. Several mukim compose a district and several villages compose a mukim. Headman of single village is called ketua kampong and headman of mukim is called penghulu.

The post, ketua kampong, is an elected office voted by people living in a village. A penghulu is elected by people living in a mukim. Both posts are open to contests for male candidates aged between 30 and 60. Office holders serve until they age 65.

Brunei's official langguage is malay but English is widly spoken. Its official religion follows the Sunni strand of islam. His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is the head of the Islamic faith. Other relegions are also practised in Brunei including Christianity and Buddhism.

(Adapted from booklet published by Information Department)

Short info about Brunei:
The country resumed full independence on January 1, 1984 where the National Day is celebrated every February 23.

• Capital - Bandar Seri Begawan is based in the Brunei-Muara district
• Government - Constitutional Monarchy
• Philosophy - Malay Islamic Monarchy
• Population - The Population is estimated at 383,000 people (2006)
• Land Area - 5,765 km2, 75%-80% of the country's land area is covered with tropical rainforests
• Climate - Brunei Darussalam has an equatorial climate
• Time - Brunei Darussalam is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Currency - Brunei dollar which divides in 100 cents