Brunei - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Brunei, it was derivation of the name is unclear; the name may come from the Sanskrit word bhumi, meaning "land" or "region". The Government system in this country is the absolute monarchy or sultanate type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong
National symbols
Royal parasol.
The flag
The National flag of Brunei has .
Info
The National Anthem
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More about the government of Brunei
| Date of Independence | 1 January 1984 (from the UK) |
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| National holiday | National Day, 23 February (1984) |
| Legal system | mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC |
| Constitution | |
| History | Drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959 |
| Amendment process | Proposed by the monarch; passage requires submission to the Privy Council for Legislative Council review and finalization takes place by proclamation; the monarch can accept or reject changes to the original proposal provided by the Legislative Council |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | the father must be a citizen of Brunei |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 12 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) |
| Head of government | Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch |
| Election/appointment process | none; the monarchy is hereditary |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Legislative Council (Majlis Mesyuarat Negara) |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 45 (all appointed) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 1/20/2023 |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 11.4% |
| Expected date of next election | January 2028 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, each with a chief justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court (consists the Court of Appeals and the High Court) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch to serve until age 65, and older if approved by the monarch; Sharia Court judges appointed by the monarch for life |
| Subordinate courts | Intermediate Court; Magistrates' Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires IZZATI Baharuddin (since 6 May 2025) |
| Chancery | 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 237-1838 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 885-0560 |
| Email address and website | info@bruneiembassy.org http://www.bruneiembassy.org/index.html |
| Consulate(s) | New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Caryn R. McCLELLAND (since December 2021) |
| Embassy | Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Duta, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115 |
| Mailing address | 4020 Bandar Seri Begawan Place, Washington DC 20521-4020 |
| Telephone | (673) 238-7400 |
| FAX | (673) 238-7533 |
| Email address and website | ConsularBrunei@state.gov https://bn.usembassy.gov/ |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Brunei
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Brunei
Want to know more about Brunei? Check all different factbooks for Brunei below.
