GOVERNMENT
Under Brunei's 1959 constitution, the Sultan is the head of state with full executive authority, including emergency powers since 1962. The Sultan is assisted and advised by five councils, which he appoints. A Council of Ministers, or cabinet, which currently consists of 14 members (including the Sultan himself), assists in the administration of the government. The Sultan presides over the cabinet as Prime Minister and also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Minister of Finance. His son, the Crown Prince, serves as Senior Minister. One of the Sultan's brothers, Prince Mohamed, serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Brunei's legal system is based on English common law, with an independent judiciary, a body of written common law judgments and statutes, and legislation enacted by the sultan. The local magistrates’ courts try most cases. More serious cases go before the High Court, which sits for about 2 weeks every few months. Brunei has an arrangement with the United Kingdom whereby United Kingdom judges are appointed as the judges for Brunei's High Court and Court of Appeal. Final appeal can be made to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London in civil but not criminal cases. Brunei also has a separate system of Islamic courts that apply Sharia law in family and other matters involving Muslims.
The Government of Brunei assures continuing public support for the current form of government by providing economic benefits such as subsidized food, fuel, and housing; free education and medical care; and low-interest loans for government employees. The Sultan said in a 1989 interview that he intended to proceed, with prudence, to establish more liberal institutions in the country and that he would reintroduce elections and a legislature when he "[could] see evidence of a genuine interest in politics on the part of a responsible majority of Bruneians." In 1994, a constitutional review committee submitted its findings to the Sultan, but these have not been made public. In 2004 the Sultan re-introduced an appointed Legislative Council with minimal powers. Five of the 31 seats on the Council are indirectly elected by village leaders.
Brunei's
economy is almost totally supported by exports of crude oil and
natural gas. The government uses its earnings in part to build
up its foreign reserves, which at one time reportedly reached
more than $30 billion. The country's wealth, coupled with its
membership in the United Nations, Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
forum, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference give it
an influence in the world disproportionate to its size.
Principal
Government Officials
Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan, Prime Minister, Minister of Defense,
and Minister of Finance--His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Minister of Foreign Affairs--His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed
Bolkiah
Ambassador to the United States--Pengiran Anak Dato Haji Puteh
Ambassador to the United Nations--Dr. Haji Emran bin Bahar
Brunei
Darussalam maintains an embassy
in the United States at 3520 International Court, NW, Washington,
DC 20008; tel. 202-237-1838.
Government Type:
Malay Islamic Monarchy.
Independence: January 1, 1984.
Constitution: 1959.
Branches: Executive--Sultan is both head of state and prime
minister, presiding over a nine-member cabinet. Judicial (based
on Indian penal code and English common law)--magistrate's courts,
High Court, Court of Appeals, Judicial Committee of the Privy
Council (sits in London).
Subdivisions: Four districts--Brunei-Muara, Belait, Tutong,
and Temburong.
