Brunei
Origins
• Independent Sultanate in 15th century
• becoming a British protectorate in 1888
• Japan occupied Brunei during World War II; it was liberated by Australia in 1945.
• The sultan regained control over internal affairs in 1959
• Britain retained responsibility for the state's defense and foreign affairs until 1984,
when the sultanate became fully independent .
Economic success based on oil and gas
• Brunei has one of the highest per capita incomes in Asia
• Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more
than 90% of exports
• 0.00 external debt
• Unemployment 2.6%
How did he beginning drilling
• Although oil was discovered in the 1920s it did not become largely
profitable in Brunei until the 1970s
• Profits, royalties, and taxes from hydrocarbon, oil production and
shipping were controlled from the beginning by the royal family in
partnership with divisions of the Shell Oil company
Oil and Gas
• Brunei is the third-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia, averaging
about 180,000 barrels per day (29,000 m3/d).
• It also is the fourth-largest producer of liquefied natural gas in the
world.
Welfare State
• Pop- 422,675
• 1.82 children born/woman
• Pay no taxes
• The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university
level and subsidizes rice and housing
• Avg education- 14 years and 95.4 literacy rate
Is it sustainable?
• While oil and gas exports account for the bulk of government revenues,
reserves are dwindling and Brunei is attempting to diversify its economy.
It markets itself as a financial center and as a destination for upmarket
and eco-tourism.
Will the Sultan relinquish power?
• Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world's longest-reigning monarchs, became sultan in October
1967
• The country has been given Not Free status by Freedom House
• Sultan Bolkiah began taking cautious steps toward democratic reform in Sept. 2004, when
he reinstated Parliament for the first time since Brunei gained independence in 1984. They
still have little power.
Media Freedom
• Brunei's media are neither diverse nor free. The private press is either owned or controlled
by the royal family, or exercises self-censorship on political and religious matters.
• Media rights body Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says news outlets carry "virtually no
criticism of the government". A press law provides prison terms of up to three years for
reporting "false news". Brunei came 155th out of 175 countries in the 2009 RSF Press
Freedom Index.
Anti-Homosexuality and Sharia
• The Sultan of Brunei has announced that those committing same sex
relations could be stoned to death. The draconian law has brought
condemnation from the UN, with the tiny Asian oil rich nation having a
virtual moratorium on the death penalty since 1957.
• Homosexuality has long been a criminal offence in Brunei, which is
situated on the island of Borneo, with a penalty of 10 years in prison
previously handed out for the offence. However, stoning is now set to be
allowed for a range of sexual offences, such as rape, adultery, sodomy,
extramarital sexual relations. The law is planned to come into force on
April 22.
• The death sentence could also be imposed for defamation of the Prophet
Muhammad, insulting any verses of the Koran and Hadith, blasphemy, and
declaring oneself a prophet or non-Muslim.
• http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/concern-asbrunei-brings-in-system-of-islamic-law-with-punishments-that-include-thedismemberment-of-limbs-and-stoning-to-death-9223633.html
Is the Sultan hoarding billions?
• The Sultan Bolkiah is believed to be one of the richest men in the
world. Net Worth estimated around 20 billion.
Prince Jefri
• Prince Jefri, the Sultan’s brother, was charged by the Brunei
government for the embezzlement of $14.8 billion.
• Prince Jefri is known for his extravagant lifestyle.
• He is married to three wives and divorced from two others and has
eighteen children.
• He has been a many legal disputes with the Sultan
• http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/07/prince-jefri201107
How does he spend his billions?
• His official residence is the Istana Nurul Iman, with 1,888 rooms,
290 bathrooms, and a floor area of 2,152,782 sq ft. Undisputedly the
world's second largest palace after Beijing's Forbidden City
Sultan’s real estate
• Hassanal's real estate holdings alone include an unknown number of luxury hotels
and other properties in the United States, Great Britain, and southeast Asia as well
as cattle stations in Australia that are larger than his entire country.
Listed for $37,500,000 / 18 bedrooms
Other toys
• spend astonishing sums on hundreds of polo ponies, works of art,
jewels, custom airliners, and innumerable other items.
Cars
• It has been said that he has 3,670 cars
• During the 1990s, his family accounted for almost half of all Rolls-Royce purchases
Family future
• The Sultan's eldest son, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah is the next in line.
• He and his wife have a 7 year old son.
Brunei