Language in Brunei

In Brunei, the state uses Malay (Bahasa Melayu) as its official language. Article 82 of the Constitution provides that, when language versions conflict, the Malay text takes precedence. English versions of legal texts are provided and English is institutionally very present, but equal co-official status is not documented. The Attorney General’s Chambers translates laws; nevertheless, the 2025 Gazette contains individual legal instruments without a Malay translation. Legal and practical bilingualism therefore remains asymmetrical. Rumi, the Latin script, dominates written usage. Jawi, the Arabic-based Malay script, appears especially in religious contexts, Adat (customary practice), and ceremonies, as well as an expression of national identity. The Department of Language and Literature, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), supports terminology, translation, lexicography, and Jawi. Together with Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), this language and script policy forms part of the country’s cultural self-presentation. The population uses languages in addition to Malay and English. Official sources name seven Indigenous Melayu groups: Brunei, Kedayan, Belait, Tutong, Bisaya, Murut, and Dusun. Ethnic groups are not automatically individual language groups, however. There are also Chinese and various Chinese varieties, Indian languages, and Indigenous Borneo languages; depending on the community, people use Iban, Hindi, or Tamil, among others. These languages are predominantly organized around communities and cannot be equated with the state position of Malay. The 2021 census reports a literacy rate of 96.5 percent for the population aged nine and over. Reported language combinations include, among others, Malay only at 16.8 percent, English only at 1.7 percent, Chinese only at 0.9 percent, Malay and English at 56.5 percent, and Malay, Chinese, and English at 6.0 percent. These figures describe language and literacy combinations and are not a complete measure of general language proficiency. Current official speaker figures for each individual language and reliable language statistics by district are not available. Malay is the central reference point in state procedures. State Council consultations take place in Malay; English may be used with the chair’s permission. An interpreter may be provided for members who do not speak Malay, and an official English text version must be provided. Government and agency portals are often available in Malay and English. No general legal obligation to provide individual language assistance, or uniform fee and deadline rules for language choice, is documented; translation and interpreting depend on the specific procedure. Under SPN21, the education system uses English for many subjects. Exceptions include Malay, Islamic Religious Knowledge, and Melayu Islam Beraja. The Education Order designates Malay as the main medium of instruction and English as an additional language of instruction. Arabic schools may use Arabic as the medium of instruction for certain areas, but must also take Malay and English into account. These details describe institutional language use and not a separate topic of language learning. Multilingualism is also reflected in broadcasting. RTB Pilihan FM broadcasts in English around the clock and then offers content in Mandarin and Nepali. Pelangi FM uses English and Malay, while Nasional FM broadcasts current information as well as programmes on community, religion, and culture. DBP and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, KKBS, promote language, literature, and culture; Bulan Bahasa (Language Month) takes place every July and involves government institutions and society. Malay is particularly relevant to state belonging, ceremonies, and national identity, while English is important for business, science, international access, and many institutional contacts.