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| BRUNEI HISTORY |
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Negara Brunei Darussalam i.e. "State of Brunei- Abode of Peace" or only Brunei Darussalam, or just Brunei", is one of the oldest continuing monarchies in the world. Its earliest history is known through Chinese chronicles of the 6th century, when Brunei was apparently called "Puni" (possibly a distortion of the Sanskrit "Baruni"), or "Poli". Brunei, then a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom, had linkages with the famed SriVijaya and Majapahit empires of the region, as well as with China. Islam arrived early onto Brunei shores. In late 14th century Brunei converted into an Islamic Sultanate when its ruler, Awang Alak Betatar, married a Muslim Johore princess from Malacca, and embraced Islam, to become Brunei's first Sultan- Mohammed Shah. The third Sultan, succeeding his father-in-law, was a descendent of Prophet Mohamed, visiting from Taif. Brunei reached its zenith in the 15th / 16th centuries, under the 5th Sultan Bolkiah and 9th Sultan Hassan, when it controlled the whole of Borneo island, as well as southern Philippines. |
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Brunei's global exports of its indigenous camphor reinforced its sea-faring and trading traditions. Europeans first landed in Brunei in 1521. Trade developed quickly, but Brunei - along with the region - was also targeted by the European ambitions. Advent of colonialism in the region, combined with piracy and internecine strife, led to gradual erosion in the Sultanate's influence and territory. A British fortune hunter, James Brook - later styled as Raja James Brook of Sarawak, and his nephew Charles Brook, emerged as main instruments responsible for Brunei’s territorial losses in the 19th century. Eventually, when reduced almost to its present small size, and faced with further threats, British "protection" was sought, and upon mutual agreement, on 17 September 1888, Brunei became a British Protectorate. In 1905-6 administration of Brunei was placed under the charge of a British Resident, with only matters pertaining to Islam remaining in Bruneian hands. |
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After the Second World War, with the rise of nationalism all around, Brunei too started regaining autonomy, in stages. Agreement was reached with the British to promulgating, on 29 September 1959, Brunei’s first written Constitution. This provided a measure of self-government to Brunei, and the British Resident was redesignated as High Commissioner, but defence and foreign relations remained with the British. In 1963 when invited to join the emerging federation of Malaysia, Brunei opted to be the only Malay State to stay out. Meanwhile, the early moves for introduction in the country of popular democracy suffered a setback when, in 1962, the victorious "Parti Rakyat Brunei" led an internal armed rebellion, and which had to be put down with the British help. The country has since continued to be officially under a declared state of Emergency, renewed every two years. In 1971 Brunei regained full internal independence. A Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation was signed in 1979 with the British, and accordingly, from 1 January 1984 Brunei became a fully independent, sovereign State. |
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| Physical Features of Brunei Darussalam |
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Brunei is a small enclave of 5,765 sq km (coastline 161 km) on the western side of the north coast of Borneo island, surrounded on land on all sides by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, and South China Sea in the north. Lying about 442 km north of the Equator, Brunei's landmass is divided into two separate parts by the territory of Sarawak jutting northward like a wedge between them. Its four administrative districts are Brunei/Muara (smallest in area, but with over 85% of the population, including the capital - Bandar Seri Begawan), Belait (the westernmost district and the main source of Brunei's oil wealth), Temburong (the separate eastern part), and Tutong. About 75% of the land area is forest, including rain-forests. Climate is tropical - warm and humid round the year, with heavy rainfall. The population estimate for 2002 was 340,800 with 2/3rds urban. |
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| Countries With Resident Missions Exchanged With Brunei |
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In the order of the opening of Missions in Brunei
1. U.K.
2. Malaysia
3. Singapore
4. Indonesia
5. ROK
6. Thailand
7. Australia
8. Philippines
9. U.S.A.
10. Japan
11. Pakistan
12. Germany
13. France
14. Bangladesh
15. Oman
16. India
17. China
18. Saudi Arabia
19. Vietnam
20. Canada
21. Laos
22. Myanmar
23. Cambodia |
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| Brunei’s other Diplomatic Missions abroad
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1. Jeddah - Consulate General
2. New York - Mission to the UN
3. Geneva - Mission to the UN
4. Amman
5. Cairo
6. Abu Dhabi
7. Brussels
8. Dhaka |
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