Brunei

In 2001 the sultan of Brunei was considered the richest man in the world, and still remains among the wealthiest 15 individuals in the world. Despite living in almost unfathomable extravagance, Brunei’s ruling family has also undoubtedly passed on much wealth to its citizens.

There are no remarkable figures available for citizens living beneath the poverty line. The unemployment rate in the country is 4.8%, and has grown in recent years due to the ongoing economic downturn. However, most citizens still command good salaries.

The relative comfort and wealth Bruneians enjoy comes from policies such as no income tax, free education and health care, cheap housing, old age pensions and a relatively pollution-free environment.

Because Brunei is a sultanate monarchy, citizens do not genuinely exercise the freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and association. Citizens to do not have the right to truly change their government, and they generally avoid political activity of any kind.

Some members of non-Malay minorities, such as ethnic Chinese, including those born and raised in the country, are not automatically accorded citizenship and its attendant rights. Brunei’s naturalization laws, which date back to its colonial area, are viewed widely as out-of-date and in need of reform.

About 20,000 foreigners are employed in the garment industry, whose conditions are protested as inadequate and unsanitary. Certain countries actually no longer permit their nationals to work in garment factories in Brunei.

Shari’a (Islamic Law) supersedes civil law in some areas, including divorce, inheritance, and some sexual crimes. Shari’a law tends to have harsher consequences on women; in accordance with Koranic precepts, women are denied equal status with men in areas of divorce, inheritance, and custody of children. Religious authorities strongly encourage Muslim women to wear the tudong, a traditional head covering, but there is no official pressure on women to do so (save in government-operated schools).

The official religion of Brunei is the Muslim religion, however the constitution allows for other religions so long as they are practiced in peace and harmony. This said, in practice the government routinely restricts the practice of non-Islamic religions. Non-Muslims who attempt to proselytize (convert others to their religion) may expect to be arrested or detained, and possibly held without charges for an extended period of time. The government maintain that these detentions are a security, not religious, matter. The government requires residents to carry an identity card that states the bearer’s religion.

Domestic violence against women is pervasive, but underreported. However, a special unit exists within the police department to investigate domestic violence complaints, staffed by female officers. Islamic religious authorities recognize wife beating as grounds for divorce.

Any nongovernmental organization seeking to operate within the country must apply for permission, and currently there is no government or private organization that deals specifically with the protection of human rights. There are no known allegations of abuses or requests to visit by international human rights groups.

The World Health Organization does not report any major outbreaks of disease in recent years.

The country’s Ministry of Health asserts that Brunei is free of all major communicable diseases, and reported cases of Malaria were all imported cases.

Routine vaccination is widespread, and health care is free.

A large proportion of the land surrounding the Brunei Bay have undergone considerable development for urban, recreational, and industrial purposes. This increase in population and activity can have adverse outcomes to the bay’s environment.

Education in Brunei is compulsory between the ages 5 and 16, and the state provides free education from kindergarten up, including university training abroad. The official policy is to promote bilingual education, Malay and English. The adult literacy rate is approximately 92.5%.

The Ministry of Education requires courses on Islam or the national ideology, the Malay Muslim monarchy, in all schools. It prohibits the teaching of other religions, and requires that all students, including non-Muslims, follow a course of study on the Islamic faith and learn the “jawi” (Arabic script). Private mission schools are not allowed to give Christian instruction and are required to give instruction about Islam. The International School of Brunei and the Jerudong International School are exempt from these restrictions.

Information Currently Unavailable

Information Currently Unavailable