Brunei Darussalam Travel Guide

Brunei Darussalam — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: South-East Asia, island of Borneo.
Language: Malay is the official language. English is widely used and Chinese dialects are also spoken.
Area: 5,770 sq km (2,226 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 8.
Electricity: 220/240 volts AC 50Hz. Plugs are either round or square three-pin.
Population: 381,371 (2008 estimate).
Population Density: 66 per sq km.
Capital City: Bandar Seri Begawan. Population: 27,285 (2001).
Government: Traditional Islamic monarchy. Gained full independence from the UK in 1984.
Head of State: Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah since 1967.
Religion: Most of the Malay population are Sunni Muslims. There are also significant Buddhist, Confucianist, Daoist and Christian minorities. Large numbers of the indigenous groups practise traditional animist forms of religion.

Recent History

Political parties were allowed to operate openly for a brief period in the 1980s and again in the mid 1990s, although were ultimately suppressed. The Sultan's intention to maintain the leading role of the dynasty was reflected by an official announcement in August 1998, stating that his eldest son, Prince al-Muhtadee Billah, will succeed him as Sultan upon his death or retirement.

In 2004, the Sultan reopened parliament 20 years after it was suspended; this has been seen as a step towards giving some political power to the country's citizens.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +673. Coin- and card-operated public telephones are available at post offices and in major shopping areas. Telephone cards are sold at post offices and some shops. Reasonably priced international calls can be made from mobile phones with local SIM cards, public phones and internet cafes.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Local SIM cards can be purchased from Brunei's two mobile phone operators, DST Communications (www.dst-group.com) and b.mobile (www.bmobile.com.bn). There is good mobile phone coverage in the main cities and towns.

Internet

Internet cafes are available in Bandar Seri Begawan. Most hotels have internet computers or Wi-Fi.

Media

Brunei's media are neither diverse nor free. The privately-owned press is either owned or controlled by the sultan's family, or exercises self-censorship on political and religious matters. A press law provides prison terms of up to three years for reporting "false news". The main English-language newspaper is the Borneo Bulletin (www.borneobulletin.com.bn). All local broadcast media are operated by government-controlled Radio Television Brunei (www.rtb.gov.bn) Foreign TV stations are available via a cable network. Access to the internet is said to be unrestricted.

Post

Postal services (www.post.gov.bn) are efficient and reliable. Airmail letters to Europe take two to five days. Courier companies include DHL (www.dhl.com.bn).Mon-Thu & Sat 0800-1630, Fri 0800-1100 & 1400-1600

Press

Media Permata is a Malay-language newspaper.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
28 Jun Israk Mikraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
15 Jul Sultan’s Birthday
1 Aug Start of Ramadan
30 Aug - 31 Aug Hari Raya Aidilfitri (End of Ramadan)
27 Sep **Anniversary of the Revelation of the Quran
6 Nov - 7 Nov Hari Raya Aidiladha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
26 Nov Hijriah (Islamic New Year)
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
23 Jan Chinese New Year
4 Feb Maulud (Birth of the Prophet)
23 Feb National Day
31 May Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment
17 Jun Israk Mikraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
15 Jul Sultan’s Birthday
20 Jul Start of Ramadan
19 Aug Hari Raya Aidilfitri (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct Hari Raya Aidiladha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
15 Nov Hijriah (Islamic New Year)
25 Dec Christmas Day
* Where a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, official rules apply allowing days in lieu.
** Date to be confirmed.
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Hari Raya Puasa, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Restaurants are closed during the day and Muslims are prohibited from smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Hari Raya Puasa itself. Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji may last anything from two to 10 days.

Contact Information

Brunei Tourism

Jalan Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Brunei Darussalam
Tel: (673) 238 2822/32.
Website: www.tourismbrunei.com

High Commission of Brunei Darussalam in the UK

20 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG, UK
Tel: (020) 7581 0521 (ext 111/137 for consular section).
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300 and 1400-1630.
Also provides tourist information.