 Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan

 Population: 418,626
 Nationality: (n) Bruneian(s);
(adj) Bruneian
 Ethnic groups: Malay 65.7%,
Chinese 10.3%, other indigenous
3.4%, other 20.6% (2011 est.)
 Religions: Muslim (official)
78.8%, Christian 8.7%, Buddhist
7.8%, other (includes
indigenous beliefs) 4.7% (2011
est.)
 Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese
 Area: 5,765 sq km (2,226 sq miles)
 Monetary unit: 1 Bruneian dollar = 100 cents
 Main exports: Crude oil, liquefied natural
gas, petroleum products
 Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years
(women) (UN)
 Government type: constitutional sultanate
(locally known as Malay Islamic Monarchy)

 The politics of Brunei take place in a

framework of an absolute monarchy, where
by the Sultan of Brunei is both head of
state and head of government.
 The Sultan's role is enshrined in the national
philosophy known as Melayu Islam Beraja
(MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy. The
country has been under hypothetical martial
law since a rebellion occurred in the early
1960’s and was put down by British troops
from Singapore.
 Drafted in 1954 to 1959
 Amended in 1984, 2004, 2011
 Some constitutional provisions suspended
since 1962, under a state of emergency
 The constitution of Brunei is understood in a
Malay Islamic Monarchy(MIB) manner.
Brunei’s constitution makes it quite clear
there is a distinction between State and the
Monarchy.
 In 1953, Sultan Omar Saifuddien III formed a
seven (7) member committee named Tujuh
Serangkai to find out the citizens views
regarding a written constitution for Brunei

 In May 1954, the Sultan Resident and High

Commissioner met to discuss the findings of
the committee
 They agreed to authorize the drafting of a
constitution, in March 1959. Sultan Omar
Saifuddien III led a delegation to London to
discuss the proposed constitution.
 On September 29 1959, the constitution
agreement was signed by Sultan Omar
Saifuddien III and Sir Robert Scott. (Sir
Robert Scott: the Commissioner-general of
the South East Asia)
 The Sultan made the Supreme Head of the
State. With FULL executive authority

 Brunei is responsible for its internal

administration.

 The British government was responsible for

foreign and defence affairs only.
 The Sultan will be assisted and advised by five
council:

1. The Religious Council

2. The Privy Council
3. The Council of Ministers
4. The Legislative Council
5. The Council of Succession
(1959 constitutions with amendments of through 1984)
 Pt. 1 Preliminary - The citation or
interpretation of the constitution
 Pt. 2 Religion - it states that the prime
religion of Brunei is Islam.
 Pt. 3 Executive Power - Articles about the
power of the executive especially the Sultan
 Pt. 4 Privy Council - Articles about the
establishment, function of the privy council
(1959 constitutions with amendments of through 1984)
 Pt. 5 The Council of Ministers - Articles giving the
ministers a constitutional basis to support and assist
the Sultan
 Pt. 6 The Legislative Council - Articles about the
establishment, composition, function and the
nomination of the legislative council
 Pt. 7 Legislation and Procedure in the Legislative
Council - An outline of the power, function and
mechanism of the legislative branch of Brunei
 Pt. 8 Finance - Articles that state the financial
provisions, taxation and other economic policy of the
State.
(1959 constitutions with amendments of through 1984)
 Pt. 9 Public Services - Articles that describe the
regulations, appointments, commission and oaths
regarding to public service
 Pt. 10 The State Seal - States that the Sultan and the
Yang-Di Pertuan shall keep and use the national seal of
Negara Darussalam for sealing all things whatsoever that
shall pass that state seal.
 Pt. 11 Miscellaneous - provisions to give effect the power
of the Atty. General, city language and state of
emergency.
 Pt. 12 Amendment and Interpretation of the
Constitution - provision for the amendment of the
constitution and interpretation of the tribunal.
 Sultan and Prime
Minister: Sir Hassanal
Bolkiah (since October
5, 1967) *The monarch is
both chief of state (Yang Di-
Pertuan Agong) and head of
government.*
 Cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and
presided over by the monarch; deals with executive
matters. (there is also a Religious Council that
advises on religious council, a Privy Council that
deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of
Succession that determines the succession of the
throne if the need arises. ALL are appointed by the
members of the monarch.)
 Manner of election: None; the monarchy is
hereditary
Executive Authority and Principal Officers
 The Supreme executive authority of Brunei
Darussalam shall be vested in His Majesty
the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan
 Subject to this Constitution and to any other
written law the executive authority shall be
exercised by His Majesty and Yang Di-
Pertuan or by the Council of Ministers or any
Minister authorized by the Council of
Ministers
Executive Authority and Principal Officers
 There shall be a Prime Minister who subject
to the provisions of this Constitution and
any other written law shall be responsible to
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan
for the exercise of executive authority
 There shall be such other Ministers as His
Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan may
appoint.
Executive Authority and Principal Officers
 No person shall be appointed to be
Prime Minister unless he is a Brunei
Malay professing the Muslim religion
and belonging to the sect of that
religion
Executive Authority and Principal Officers
 The Prime Minister and other Ministers shall
be appointed by His Majesty the Sultan and
Yang-Di Pertuan by Instrument under His Sign
Manual and the National Seal and shall hold
office during the pleasure if His Majesty the
Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan
Executive Authority and Principal Officers
 The Attorney General shall be appointed by
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan
by notification in the Gazette and shall hold
office during the pleasure of His Majesty the
Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan
Executive Authority and Principal Officers
 The remuneration of the Prime Minister,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall be such
as may be provided by the Legislature
 His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan
may appoint Deputy Ministers who shall assist
the Ministers in the discharge of their duties
and functions.
 Qualifications of a Sultan:
• Thirty eight (38) years old
• Must be a citizen of Brunei
• A Muslim who practices the culture and
tradition of Sunni Islam.
 During the early stages of the Councils and
until the Second World War, both Sultans,
Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam and Sultan
Ahmad Tajuddin were minors. According to
the Brunei Annual Report of 1928, Sultan
Ahmad Tajuddin attended State Council
meetings though he took no active part in the
proceedings.
 In March 1959, Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali
Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Brunei's
28th Sultan made constitutional proposals
which were accepted by the British and hence
a new 1959 Brunei Agreement was signed to
replace the 1906 Treaty. The British granted
internal self government to Brunei.
 The Sultan promulgated the new
Constitution on 29th September 1959 with
the supreme executive authority invested in
the Sultan. The old State Council was revoked
and replaced by an Executive Committee and a
Legislative Council. Thus the current State
Legislative Council was born.
 The first Legislative Council was made up of
eight (8) ex officio members, six (6)
nominated members, three (3) nominated
non-official members and sixteen (16)
elected members chosen from the District
Councils. The Council was to exercise financial
control and pass laws. No taxes might be
levied or public money spent without the
Council's approval.
 The Council would consist of twenty one (21)
members, ten (10) of whom were directly
elected, six (6) ex-officio members and five (5)
unofficial members appointed by the Sultan.
The Legislative Council continued to meet until
1983 when it was suspended. In 1984, Brunei
became an independent nation. The Legislative
Council met again on 25th September 2004 for
the first time in 20 years with 21 members
appointed by His Majesty Sultan Hassanal
Bolkiah to pass a number of constitutional
amendments.
 A new council was appointed with 29 members
on 2nd September, 2005. So far, the new council
has met every March since 2006 to this year. The
new Legislative Council building officially opened
during the March 2008 session last year is the
second permanent building to be built for the
Legislative Council. The previous one was the
Lapau in the city centre which was completed in
1968. That was used by the Legislative Council
until 1983.
 The Assembly was dissolved following the
declaration of a state of emergency which the
banning of the Brunei People’s Party.
 In 1970, the Council was changed to an
appointed body by degree of the sultan and
in September 2004 the sultan announced for
the parliament 45 of the 20 seats would be
elected.
 The Legislative Council met on 25th of September
2004 and for the first time in 20 years with 21
members appointed by the Sultan it passed
constitutional amendments calling a 45 seat
council with is elected members. (No timedframe
for an election was announced.)
 The Legislative Council currently consist of 20
appointed members, and has only consultative
powers. But last June 2011 the Sultan increased
the size of the council to 36 members.
 Although there are no elections, the
following legal parties exist:
• Brunei National Solidarity Party (PPKB)
• Brunei People’s Awareness Party (PAKAR)
• National Development Party (NDP)
 Brunei has dual legal system the Supreme
Court and the Sharia Court
• Supreme Courts - consist of Court of Appeals
and High Court. Each with a Chief Justice and
2 Judges.
• Sharia Court of Appeal - Consist of Judges
appointed by the monarch.
 The Judicial Committee of Privy Council serves
as the final appellate court for civil cases only.
 Supreme Court Judges - appointed by the
Monarch to serve until the age of 65 and
older if approved by the Monarch.
 Sharia Court Judges - appointed by the
Monarch and to serve until the age of 65
 Brunei Darussalam is a sultanate that has been
ruled by the same family for more than 600
years. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah governed under
longstanding emergency powers that placed few
limits on his powers.
 The Legislative Council, made up of appointed,
indirectly elected and ex officio members, met
during the year and exercised a limited role in
recommending and approving legislation.
Security forces reported to the sultan.
 Restrictions on religions freedom;
exploitation of foreign workers; and
limitations on freedom of speech, press,
assembly, and association were the
most prevalent human right problems.
 The following human rights problems were
also reported: inability of citizens to change
their government, trafficking in persons, and
discrimination against women.
 There were no reported cases of government
officials committing human rights abuses.
 Group Members:
• Jessaline Cabreros
• Hassan Dimaampao
• Patricia Obrero
• Chelsie Valdez