Brunei 2018
In 2018, Brunei had a population of approximately 439,000 people. The economy is largely based on oil and gas production, as well as services and tourism. Malay is the official language although other languages such as English and Chinese are also spoken. According to extrareference, Brunei is an absolute monarchy with an executive branch headed by the Sultan who is elected for life. The legislative branch consists of a unicameral parliament (the Legislative Council). In terms of foreign relations, Brunei maintains diplomatic ties with over 90 countries around the world and has close ties with its neighbors in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The government also works closely with international organizations such as the United Nations, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Organization (WTO) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Yearbook 2018
Brunei. In January, the country’s ruler, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, carried out a government reform and replaced six of the ministers. According to Countryaah.com, Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital city of Brunei, a country located in Southeastern Asia. The latest more extensive change in the government’s composition took place in October 2015 and usually the restructuring takes place every five years. The one-sided sultan himself holds the positions of head of government as well as finance, foreign, trade and defense minister. In that latter role, he met in February with Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of the US Pacific Command. The meeting led to an agreement to strengthen the defense policy ties between the countries.
- According to Abbreviationfinder: BRN is an three letter acronym for Brunei.
In September, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad visited Brunei. The agenda included the issue of the planned major highway between the two Malaysian states of Borneo, Sarawak and Sabah. The question has been whether the road would pass through Brunei, but this will not be the case, partly for cost reasons and partly because of the migration issues that could then arise.
HISTORY
In the 16th century. the authority of the sultan of Brunei extended over Borneo, over part of the Sulu islands and on the Philippines, but in the following centuries the Brunei lost most of its territories to the Dutch and English. In 1888, reduced to its current borders, the sultanate was placed under the protection of the United Kingdom. Occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945, it then returned to British control and only in 1984 did it become independent within the Commonwealth.
The sultanate has maintained its traditional characteristics of an absolute regime. Sultan Hassan al-Bolkiah, who ascended to the throne in 1967, following the abdication of his father, Omar Ali Saifuddin (sultan since 1950), strengthened the Islamic character of the monarchy and reaffirmed the fundamental role of the royal family in the state. Only in 2005 did it allow the creation of a Parliament of 25 members, all of whom were actually nominated and without effective powers.
