State and government in Brunei

Brunei has been fully sovereign since 1 January 1984. The Constitution of 1959 forms the basis of the state order. The Malay Islamic Monarchy (Melayu Islam Beraja), abbreviated MIB, combines Malay identity, Islam as the official religion, and monarchical government. The Sultan is simultaneously head of state, Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, supreme commander, and head of official religious affairs. He exercises executive power and appoints ministers and deputy ministers. They are responsible exclusively to him; their regular term of office is five years unless the Sultan determines otherwise. Bahasa Melayu is the official language, while English is widely used. Other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony. The constitutional organs include the Privy Council, the Council of Succession, the Religious Council, the Council of Ministers, and the Legislative Council. Under the Constitution, the Legislative Council may have no more than 45 members and currently has 34 members. Its members include the Prime Minister and ministers ex officio, as well as appointed persons from traditional offices, the public service, various professions, and the community. Up to 15 District Representatives may be provided from the four administrative districts. The regular term of office is five years. The practical arrangements for elections and political parties are distinct from this and do not form part of the general institutional structure of government. The Legislative Council debates and passes laws. Acts are enacted by this body and published in the Government Gazette. During a state of emergency, the Sultan may issue broad Orders under Article 83(3) of the Constitution. An emergency may be declared when there is a threat to security or economic life. The Attorney General’s Chambers maintains a continuously updated list of the relevant Orders; the documented renewal extends through 6 March 2026. The ordinary judiciary comprises the Supreme Court, with the Court of Appeal and High Court, the Intermediate Court, and the Subordinate Courts. The subordinate courts include, among others, the Magistrate Court, Juvenile Court, Coroner Court, and Small Claims Court. In criminal matters, the Court of Appeal is the final court. In certain civil matters, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council may be approached if both parties previously agreed to this. Syariah Courts also exist as a parallel local jurisdiction. The Attorney General’s Chambers advises the state, drafts laws, and performs the functions of the Public Prosecutor. Prosecutions are generally conducted without direction or control by other bodies; proceedings before Syariah Courts and Courts Martial are subject to special jurisdictions. Brunei is divided into the four administrative districts of Brunei and Muara, Belait, Tutong, and Temburong. Below the districts are subdistricts (Mukim) and villages (Kampung). District Offices operate under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Municipal Departments exist, among other places, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, and Seria, as well as in Tutong. An independent subnational legislative or financial authority is not apparent in the official state structure. Local leadership and consultative functions are performed, among others, by Pegawai Daerah, Penghulu Mukim, Ketua Kampung, and Majlis Perundingan Mukim dan Kampung. They support community administration, local mediation, consultation, and feedback on security and infrastructure. A Ketua Kampung is appointed by the Sultan. Local election or E-Undi elements in the appointment of individual community officials do not constitute a national system of government. The Prime Minister’s Office coordinates central ministries, authorities, and the public service. The Government Directory lists ministries, departments, statutory bodies, embassies, and consulates. Key institutions include the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Judiciary, the Audit Department, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Brunei Internal Security Department, the Royal Brunei Police Force, and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. For many government services, gov.bn with e-Darussalam serves as the central point of access. Access is available to citizens with a yellow identity card (Yellow IC), permanent residents with a red identity card (Red IC), and foreign nationals with a green identity card (Green IC) and a valid Employment Pass or Work Permit. The responsible authority, fees, documents, and processing time depend on the specific service. Talian Darussalam 123 accepts general information requests, complaints, questions, and feedback around the clock. It can be reached through 123, WhatsApp at 8333123, info@123.com.bn, and TD123.gov.bn. The Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Treasury manage public finances. The proposed budget for the 2026/2027 financial year is BND 6.3 billion. Of this amount, BND 2.31 billion, or 36.7 percent, is allocated to personnel expenditure; BND 2.45 billion, or 38.8 percent, to recurrent expenditure by ministries and departments; and BND 480 million to development expenditure. RKN12 has a total plan value of BND 4 billion. For 2025, revenue of BND 3,335.2 million and expenditure of BND 6,428.4 million were reported; the budget balance was negative BND 3,093.3 million. Oil and gas revenue amounted to BND 2,357.2 million. Economic diversification and fiscal discipline are therefore among the central tasks of the state. Under the Audit Act Cap. 152, the Auditor General examines, among other things, public accounts, public funds, government stores, statutory bodies, and government companies. Serious irregularities are reported to the responsible minister without delay. Audit reports and recommendations are submitted to the minister and the Sultan. Ministries and departments also have internal audit units. The Anti-Corruption Bureau is an independent body for investigating and preventing corruption in the public and private sectors. Its director is appointed by the Sultan and is not subject to any other person or authority. Anonymous reports are possible. Public officials must report bribes that have been offered to them; failure to do so may result in a fine of at least BND 500 and imprisonment for up to six months. A direct national ombudsman system is not identified in the official directory and institutional research. Administrative complaints can instead be submitted through Talian Darussalam 123. Depending on the circumstances, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, complaints to the Public Service Commission or under the Public Service Commission Regulations, the courts, and questions and records of the Legislative Council may also be relevant. Public information is shaped by the Information Department under the Prime Minister’s Office. Government information services include Pelita Brunei, Radio Television Brunei, gov.bn, and Hansard and question documents of the Legislative Council. Foreign media require a Media Accreditation Pass for press accreditation and must generally submit the application at least two weeks before entry. The Information Department may refuse or revoke approval. The Newspapers Act Cap. 105, Broadcasting Act Cap. 180, and Official Secrets Act Cap. 153 provide central legal frameworks. Broadcasting regulation addresses, among other things, the public interest, national harmony, and content standards; during an emergency or in matters of public security or national defence, ministerial directions are possible. The Ministry of Defence and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces are responsible for state security. They protect sovereignty and territorial integrity, support the police and civilian authorities, and perform tasks involving external threats, terrorism, uprisings, disasters, and search and rescue. The Brunei Internal Security Department under the Prime Minister’s Office handles intelligence and early warning and has four district offices. Its powers are based, among other things, on the Internal Security Act Cap. 133 and include investigations and arrests under local law. The Royal Brunei Police Force is responsible for public order and law enforcement. In emergencies, call 993 for the police, 991 for ambulance services, 995 for fire and rescue, or 998 for Search and Rescue. A Good Conduct Certificate costs BND 50 and is processed in approximately two weeks.