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Brunei vs. Malaysia

Introduction

BruneiMalaysia
BackgroundThe Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. In 2017, Brunei celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH's accession to the throne.

The adoption of Islam in the 14th century saw the rise of a number of powerful sultanates on the Malay Peninsula and island of Borneo. The Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century were the first European colonial powers to establish themselves on the Malay Peninsula and Southeast Asia. However, it was the British who ultimately secured their hegemony across the territory and during the late 18th and 19th centuries established colonies and protectorates in the area that is now Malaysia. These holdings were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula except Singapore formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore, as well as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's independence were marred by a communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's withdrawal in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to the development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Prime Minister MAHATHIR and a newly-formed coalition of opposition parties defeated Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak's United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in May 2018, ending over 60 years of uninterrupted rule by UMNO. MAHATHIR resigned in February 2020 amid a political dispute. King ABDULLAH then selected Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin as the new prime minister.

Geography

BruneiMalaysia
LocationSoutheastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and MalaysiaSoutheastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates4 30 N, 114 40 E2 30 N, 112 30 E
Map referencesSoutheast AsiaSoutheast Asia
Areatotal: 5,765 sq km

land: 5,265 sq km

water: 500 sq km
total: 329,847 sq km

land: 328,657 sq km

water: 1,190 sq km
Area - comparativeslightly smaller than Delawareslightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundariestotal: 266 km

border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km
total: 2,742 km

border countries (3): Brunei 266 km, Indonesia 1881 km, Thailand 595 km
Coastline161 km4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)
Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea
Climatetropical; hot, humid, rainytropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Terrainflat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in westcoastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Elevation extremeshighest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 478 m
highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,095 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 419 m
Natural resourcespetroleum, natural gas, timbertin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite
Land useagricultural land: 2.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 71.8% (2018 est.)

other: 25.7% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 23.2% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 19.4% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.9% (2018 est.)

forest: 62% (2018 est.)

other: 14.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land10 sq km (2012)3,800 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardstyphoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rareflooding; landslides; forest fires
Environment - current issuesno major environmental problems, but air pollution control is becoming a concern; seasonal trans-boundary haze from forest fires in Indonesiaair pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires; endangered species; coastal reclamation damaging mangroves and turtle nesting sites
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - noteclose to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; the eastern part, the Temburong district, is an exclave and is almost an enclave within Malaysiastrategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
Total renewable water resources8.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)580 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Demographics

BruneiMalaysia
Population471,103 (July 2021 est.)

note: immigrants make up approximately 26% of the total population, according to UN data (2019)
33,519,406 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 22.41% (male 53,653/female 50,446)

15-24 years: 16.14% (male 37,394/female 37,559)

25-54 years: 47.21% (male 103,991/female 115,291)

55-64 years: 8.34% (male 19,159/female 19,585)

65 years and over: 5.9% (male 13,333/female 14,067) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 26.8% (male 4,504,562/female 4,246,681)

15-24 years: 16.63% (male 2,760,244/female 2,670,186)

25-54 years: 40.86% (male 6,737,826/female 6,604,776)

55-64 years: 8.81% (male 1,458,038/female 1,418,280)

65 years and over: 6.9% (male 1,066,627/female 1,184,863) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 31.1 years

male: 30.5 years

female: 31.8 years (2020 est.)
total: 29.2 years

male: 28.9 years

female: 29.6 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate1.48% (2021 est.)1.06% (2021 est.)
Birth rate16.3 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)14.72 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate3.75 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)5.66 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate2.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 10.79 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.21 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.08 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 78.14 years

male: 75.75 years

female: 80.63 years (2021 est.)
total population: 75.87 years

male: 74.24 years

female: 77.62 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate1.75 children born/woman (2021 est.)1.76 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rateNA0.4% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Bruneian(s)

adjective: Bruneian
noun: Malaysian(s)

adjective: Malaysian
Ethnic groupsMalay 65.7%, Chinese 10.3%, other 24% (2019 est.)Bumiputera 62.5% (Malays and indigenous peoples, including Orang Asli, Dayak, Anak Negeri), Chinese 20.6%, Indian 6.2%, other 0.9%, non-citizens 9.8% (2019 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDSNA92,000 (2020 est.)
ReligionsMuslim (official) 78.8%, Christian 8.7%, Buddhist 7.8%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 4.7% (2011 est.)Muslim (official) 61.3%, Buddhist 19.8%, Christian 9.2%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 1.3%, other 0.4%, none 0.8%, unspecified 1% (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deathsNA2,000 (2020 est.)
LanguagesMalay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects

major-language sample(s):
Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Malay)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; note - Malaysia has 134 living languages - 112 indigenous languages and 22 non-indigenous languages; in East Malaysia, there are several indigenous languages; the most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan

major-language sample(s):
Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Bahasa Malaysia)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.2%

male: 98.1%

female: 93.4% (2018)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.7%

male: 96.3%

female: 91.1% (2016)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2019)
total: 14 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2017)
Education expenditures4.4% of GDP (2016)4.2% of GDP (2019)
Urbanizationurban population: 78.6% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 77.7% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: total: 100% of population

unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 89.3% of population

total: 96.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 11.7% of population

total: 3.3% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population241,000 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2011)

note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold
8.211 million KUALA LUMPUR (capital), 1.045 million Johor Bahru, 828,000 Ipoh (2021)
Maternal mortality rate31 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)29 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight9.6% (2009)14.1% (2019)
Health expenditures2.4% (2018)3.8% (2018)
Physicians density1.61 physicians/1,000 population (2017)1.54 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Hospital bed density2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)1.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate14.1% (2016)15.6% (2016)
Demographic profile

Brunei is a small, oil-rich sultanate of less than half a million people, making it the smallest country in Southeast Asia by population.  Its total fertility rate - the average number of births per woman - has been steadily declining over the last few decades, from over 3.5 in the 1980s to below replacement level today at nearly 1.8.  The trend is due to women's increased years of education and participation in the workforce, which have resulted in later marriages and fewer children.  Yet, the population continues to grow because of the large number of women of reproductive age and a reliance on foreign labor - mainly from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Asian countries - to fill low-skilled jobs.

Brunei is officially Muslim, and Malay is the official language.  The country follows an official Malay national ideology, Malay Islamic Monarchy, which promotes Malay language and culture, Islamic values, and the monarchy.  Only seven of Brunei's native groups are recognized in the constitution and are defined as "Malay" - Brunei Malays, Belait, Kedayan, Dusun, Bisayak, Lun Bawang, and Sama-Baiau.  Together they make up about 66% percent of the population and are referred to as the Bumiputera.  The Bumiputera are entitled to official privileges, including land ownership, access to certain types of employment (Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brunei Shell Petroleum), easier access to higher education, and better job opportunities in the civil service. 

Brunei's Chinese population descends from migrants who arrived when Brunei was a British protectorate (1888 and 1984).  They are prominent in the non-state commercial sector and account for approximately 10% of the population.  Most Bruneian Chinese are permanent residents rather than citizens despite roots going back several generations.  Many are stateless and are denied rights granted to citizens, such as land ownership, subsidized health care, and free secondary and university education.  Because of the discriminatory policies, the number of Chinese in Brunei has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years.  Native ethnic groups that are not included in the Bumiputera are not recognized in the constitution and are not officially identified as "Malay" or automatically granted citizenship.  Foreign workers constitute some quarter of the labor force.

Malaysia's multi-ethnic population consists of the bumiputera - Malays and other indigenous peoples - (62%), ethnic Chinese (21%), ethnic Indians (6%), and foreigners (10%).  The majority of Malaysia's ethnic Chinese and Indians trace their roots to the British colonialists' recruitment of hundreds of thousands of Chinese and Indians as mine and plantation workers between the early-19th century and the 1930s.  Most Malays have maintained their rural lifestyle, while the entrepreneurial Chinese have achieved greater wealth and economic dominance.  In order to eradicate Malay poverty, the Malaysian Government in 1971 adopted policies that gave preference to the bumiputera in public university admissions, government jobs and contracts, and property ownership.  Affirmative action continues to benefit well-off urban bumiputera but has done little to alleviate poverty for their more numerous rural counterparts.  The policies have pushed ethnic Chinese and Indians to study at private or foreign universities (many do not return) and have created and sustained one of the world's largest civil services, which is 85-90% Malay. 

The country's age structure has changed significantly since the 1960s, as fertility and mortality rates have declined.  Malaysia's total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped from 5 children per woman in 1970, to 3 in 1998, to 2.1 in 2015 as a result of increased educational attainment and labor participation among women, later marriages, increased use of contraception, and changes in family size preference related to urbanization.  The TFR is higher among Malays, rural residents (who are mainly Malay), the poor, and the less-educated.  Despite the reduced fertility rate, Malaysia's population will continue to grow, albeit at a decreasing rate, for the next few decades because of its large number of reproductive-age women.  The youth population has been shrinking, and the working-age population (15-64 year olds) has been growing steadily.  Malaysia's labor market has successfully absorbed the increasing number of job seekers, leading to sustained economic growth.  However, the favorable age structure is changing, and around 2020, Malaysia will start to become a rapidly aging society.  As the population ages, Malaysia will need to better educate and train its labor force, raise productivity, and continue to increase the number of women workers in order to further develop its economy.

More than 1.8 million Malaysians lived abroad as of 2015, including anywhere from 350,000 to 785,000 workers, more than half of whom have an advanced level of education.  The vast majority of emigrants are ethnic Chinese, seeking better educational and job opportunities abroad because of institutionalized ethnic discrimination favoring the Malays.  The primary destination country is nearby Singapore, followed by Bangladesh and Australia.  Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians also commute across the causeway to Singapore daily for work.

Brain drain is an impediment to Malaysia's goal of becoming a high-income country.  The situation is compounded by a migrant inflow that is composed almost entirely of low-skilled laborers who work mainly in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.  Officially, Malaysia had about 1.8 million legal foreign workers as of mid-year 2017 - largely from Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Bangladesh - but as many as 3 to 4 million are estimated to be in the country illegally.  Immigrants outnumber ethnic Indians and could supplant the ethnic Chinese as Malaysia's second largest population group around 2035.

Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 38.7

youth dependency ratio: 31

elderly dependency ratio: 7.7

potential support ratio: 12.9 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 44.2

youth dependency ratio: 33.8

elderly dependency ratio: 10.4

potential support ratio: 9.7 (2020 est.)

Government

BruneiMalaysia
Country nameconventional long form: Brunei Darussalam

conventional short form: Brunei

local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam

local short form: Brunei

etymology: derivation of the name is unclear; according to legend, MUHAMMAD SHAH, who would become the first sultan of Brunei, upon discovering what would become Brunei exclaimed "Baru nah," which roughly translates as "there" or "that's it"
conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Malaysia

local long form: none

local short form: Malaysia

former: Federation of Malaya

etymology: the name means "Land of the Malays"
Government typeabsolute monarchy or sultanatefederal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

note: all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka (Malacca) and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls)
Capitalname: Bandar Seri Begawan

geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E

time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: named in 1970 after Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986; "The Father of Independence") who adopted the title of "Seri Begawan" (approximate meaning "honored lord") upon his abdication in 1967; "bandar" in Malay means "town" or "city"; the capital had previously been called Bandar Brunei (Brunei Town)
name: Kuala Lumpur; note - nearby Putrajaya is referred to as a federal government administrative center but not the capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur

geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E

time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the Malay word for "river junction or estuary" is "kuala" and "lumpur" means "mud"; together the words render the meaning of "muddy confluence"
Administrative divisions4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (Wilayah Persekutuan) with 3 components, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya
Independence1 January 1984 (from the UK)31 August 1957 (from the UK)
National holidayNational Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection; the Sultan's birthday, 15 JuneIndependence Day (or Merdeka Day), 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day, 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia)
Constitutionhistory: drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959; note - some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a State of Emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984

amendments: 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; amended several times, last in 2010
history: previous 1948; latest drafted 21 February 1957, effective 27 August 1957

amendments: proposed as a bill by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in the bill's second and third readings; a number of constitutional sections are excluded from amendment or repeal; amended many times, last in 2019
Legal systemmixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in April 2019, the full sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and non-Muslims in parallel with present common law codesmixed legal system of English common law, Islamic (sharia) law, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Court at request of supreme head of the federation
Suffrage18 years of age for village elections; universal18 years of age; universal (2019)
Executive branchchief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government

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; note(s)- 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for constitutional issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council; Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah is also Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade

elections/appointments: none; the monarchy is hereditary
chief of state: King Sultan ABDULLAH Sultan Ahmad Shah (since 24 January 2019); note - King MUHAMMAD V (formerly known as Tuanku Muhammad Faris Petra) (selected on 14 October 2016; installed on 13 December 2016) resigned on 6 January 2019; the position of the king is primarily ceremonial, but he is the final arbiter on the appointment of the prime minister

head of government: Prime Minister Ismail SABRI Yaakob (since 21 August 2021); note - Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin resigned on 16 August 2021

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament with the consent of the king; note - cabinet dissolved 24 February 2020 with Prime Minister MAHATHIR resignation

elections/appointments: king elected by and from the hereditary rulers of 9 states for a 5-year term; election is on a rotational basis among rulers of the 9 states; election last held on 24 January 2019 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister designated from among members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader who commands support of the majority of members in the House becomes prime minister
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (33 seats; 20 members appointed by the sultan from ex-officio cabinet ministers, titled people, and prominent citizens in public service and various professional fields and 13 members from 4 multi-seat constituencies, and 3 ex-officio members - the speaker and first and second secretaries

elections: appointed by the sultan

election results: NA; composition (as of July 2021) - men 30, women 3, percent of women 9.1%
description: bicameral Parliament of Malaysia or Parlimen Malaysia consists of:
Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 members appointed by the king and 26 indirectly elected by 13 state legislatures; members serve 3-year terms)
House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) (2019)

elections: Senate - appointed
House of Representatives - last held on 9 May 2018 (next to be held no later than May 2023)

election results:
Senate - appointed; composition - men 54, women 14, percent of women 20.6%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - PH 45.6%, BN 33.8%, PAS 16.9%, WARISAN 2.3%, other 1.4%; seats by party/coalition - PH 113, BN 79, PAS 18, WARISAN 8, USA 1, independent 3; composition - men 199, women 23, percent of women 10.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women 12.8%

note: as of 16 November 2019, seats by party - PH 129, BN 41, GS 18, GPS 18, WARISAN 9, GBS 3, UPKO 1, PSB 1, independent 1, vacant 1
Judicial branchhighest courts: 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); note - Brunei has a dual judicial system of secular and sharia (religious) courts; the Judicial Committee of Privy Council (in London) serves as the final appellate court for civil cases only

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
highest courts: Federal Court (consists of the chief justice, president of the Court of Appeal, chief justice of the High Court of Malaya, chief judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak, 8 judges, and 1 "additional" judge); note - Malaysia has a dual judicial hierarchy of civil and religious (sharia) courts

judge selection and term of office: Federal Court justices appointed by the monarch on advice of the prime minister; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 66 with the possibility of a single 6-month extension

subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Sessions Court; Magistrates' Court
Political parties and leadersNational Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi]

note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered in 2007; parties are small and have limited activity
National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN:
Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [LIOW Tiong Lai]
Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC [S. SUBRAMANIAM]
United Malays National Organization or UMNO [Zahid HAMID]

(Formerly - Coalition of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH (formerly the People's Alliance, before former PM MAHATHIR resigns 24 February 2020): 
Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [TAN Kok Wai]
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM [Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin; note - former PM MAHATHIR steps down 24 Feb 2020]
National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH [Mohamad SABU]
People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [ANWAR Ibrahim]

Coalition Perikatan Nasional or PN, after Pakatan Harapan or PH coalition fell apart 24 February 2020
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM [Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin; note - former PM MAHATHIR steps down 24 Feb 2020]
United Malays National Organization or UMNO [Zahid HAMID]
People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [ANWAR Ibrahim]
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang]
Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [TAN Kok Wai]
National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH [Mohamad SABU]


New - Fighters of the Nation Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or Pejuang [former PM MAHATHIR bin Mohamad; interim president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir note - started August 2020] 

Other:

Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang]
Progressive Democratic Party or PDP [TIONG King Sing]
Sabah Heritage Party (Parti Warisan Sabah) or WARISAN [SHAFIE Apdal]
Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS [ABANG JOHARI Openg] (includes PBB, SUPP, PRS, PDP)
Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS [James MASING]
Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [Dr. SIM Kui Hian]
United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Wilfred Madius TANGAU]
United Sabah Alliance or USA (Gabungan Sabah)
United Sabah Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah) or PBS [Maximus ONGKILI]
United Sabah People's (Party Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]
United Traditional Bumiputera Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB; note - PBB is listed under GPS above

International organization participationADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador Dato Paduka Haji Serbini bin Haji ALI (since 28 January 2016)

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
chief of mission: (vacant)

chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700

FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882

email address and website:
mwwashington@kln.gov.my

https://www.kln.gov.my/web/usa_washington/home

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Emily M. FLECKNER (since 20 August 2020)

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/
chief of mission: Ambassador Brian D. McFeeters (since 26 February 2021)

embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur

mailing address: 4210 Kuala Lumpur, Washington DC  20521-4210

telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000

FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207

email address and website:
KLACS@state.gov

https://my.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptionyellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; yellow is the color of royalty and symbolizes the sultanate; the white and black bands denote Brunei's chief ministers; the emblem includes five main components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella representing the monarchy, the wings of four feathers symbolizing justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace, the two upraised hands signifying the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the people, and the crescent moon denoting Islam, the state religion; the state motto "Always render service with God's guidance" appears in yellow Arabic script on the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace"14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the flag is often referred to as Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory); the 14 stripes stand for the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government; the 14 points on the star represent the unity between these entities; the crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam; blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay people and yellow is the royal color of Malay rulers

note: the design is based on the flag of the US
National anthemname: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)

lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap

note: adopted 1951
name: "Negaraku" (My Country)

lyrics/music: collective, led by Tunku ABDUL RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER

note: adopted 1957; full version only performed in the presence of the king; the tune, which was adopted from a popular French melody titled "La Rosalie," was originally the anthem of Perak, one of Malaysia's 13 states
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICChas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
National symbol(s)royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, blacktiger, hibiscus; national colors: gold, black
Citizenshipcitizenship 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
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malaysia

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 out 12 years preceding application

Economy

BruneiMalaysia
Economy - overview

Brunei is an energy-rich sultanate on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei boasts a well-educated, largely English-speaking population; excellent infrastructure; and a stable government intent on attracting foreign investment. Crude oil and natural gas production account for approximately 65% of GDP and 95% of exports, with Japan as the primary export market.

Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon production. Bruneian citizens pay no personal income taxes, and the government provides free medical services and free education through the university level.

The Bruneian Government wants to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon exports to other industries such as information and communications technology and halal manufacturing, permissible under Islamic law. Brunei's trade increased in 2016 and 2017, following its regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

Malaysia, an upper middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into a multi-sector economy. Under current Prime Minister NAJIB, Malaysia is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020 and to move further up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology, knowledge-based industries and services. NAJIB's Economic Transformation Program is a series of projects and policy measures intended to accelerate the country's economic growth. The government has also taken steps to liberalize some services sub-sectors. Malaysia is vulnerable to a fall in world commodity prices or a general slowdown in global economic activity.

The NAJIB administration is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand and reduce the economy's dependence on exports. Domestic demand continues to anchor economic growth, supported mainly by private consumption, which accounts for 53% of GDP. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics, oil and gas, and palm oil - remain a significant driver of the economy. In 2015, gross exports of goods and services were equivalent to 73% of GDP. The oil and gas sector supplied about 22% of government revenue in 2015, down significantly from prior years amid a decline in commodity prices and diversification of government revenues. Malaysia has embarked on a fiscal reform program aimed at achieving a balanced budget by 2020, including rationalization of subsidies and the 2015 introduction of a 6% value added tax. Sustained low commodity prices throughout the period not only strained government finances, but also shrunk Malaysia's current account surplus and weighed heavily on the Malaysian ringgit, which was among the region's worst performing currencies during 2013-17. The ringgit hit new lows following the US presidential election amid a broader selloff of emerging market assets.

Bank Negara Malaysia (the central bank) maintains adequate foreign exchange reserves; a well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments, although it remains vulnerable to volatile global capital flows. In order to increase Malaysia's competitiveness, Prime Minister NAJIB raised possible revisions to the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but retreated in 2013 after he encountered significant opposition from Malay nationalists and other vested interests. In September 2013 NAJIB launched the new Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Program, policies that favor and advance the economic condition of ethnic Malays.

Malaysia signed the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement in February 2016, although the future of the TPP remains unclear following the US withdrawal from the agreement. Along with nine other ASEAN members, Malaysia established the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, which aims to advance regional economic integration.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$26.906 billion (2019 est.)

$25.904 billion (2018 est.)

$25.891 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$906.239 billion (2019 est.)

$868.853 billion (2018 est.)

$829.296 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - real growth rate1.3% (2017 est.)

-2.5% (2016 est.)

-0.4% (2015 est.)
4.31% (2019 est.)

4.77% (2018 est.)

5.81% (2017 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$62,100 (2019 est.)

$60,389 (2018 est.)

$60,996 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$28,364 (2019 est.)

$27,558 (2018 est.)

$26,661 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 1.2% (2017 est.)

industry: 56.6% (2017 est.)

services: 42.3% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 8.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 37.6% (2017 est.)

services: 53.6% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty lineNA5.6% (2018 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 34.7% (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)-0.2% (2017 est.)

-0.7% (2016 est.)
0.6% (2019 est.)

0.9% (2018 est.)

3.8% (2017 est.)

note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled
Labor force203,600 (2014 est.)15.139 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 4.2%

industry: 62.8%

services: 33% (2008 est.)
agriculture: 11%

industry: 36%

services: 53% (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate6.9% (2017 est.)

6.9% (2016 est.)
3.3% (2019 est.)

3.33% (2018 est.)
Budgetrevenues: 2.245 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.345 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 51.25 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 60.63 billion (2017 est.)
Industriespetroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportationPeninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, petroleum and natural gas, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics and semiconductors, timber processing;Sabah - logging, petroleum and natural gas production;Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum and natural gas production, logging
Industrial production growth rate1.5% (2017 est.)5% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productspoultry, eggs, fruit, cassava, bananas, legumes, cucumbers, rice, pineapples, beefoil palm fruit, rice, poultry, eggs, vegetables, rubber, coconuts, bananas, pineapples, pork
Exports$5.885 billion (2017 est.)

$5.023 billion (2016 est.)
$265.499 billion (2019 est.)

$268.915 billion (2018 est.)

$263.815 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - commoditiesnatural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, industrial alcohols, industrial hydrocarbons (2019)integrated circuits, refined petroleum, natural gas, semiconductors, palm oil (2019)
Exports - partnersJapan 34%, Australia 12%, Singapore 10%, India 8%, Malaysia 8%, Thailand 7%, China 6%, South Korea 5% (2019)Singapore 13%, China 13%, United States 11%, Hong Kong 6%, Japan 6%, Thailand 5% (2019)
Imports$2.998 billion (2017 est.)

$2.658 billion (2016 est.)
$233.719 billion (2019 est.)

$239.643 billion (2018 est.)

$236.129 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - commoditiescrude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, tug boats, valves (2019)integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment, coal (2019)
Imports - partnersSingapore 18%, China 14%, Malaysia 12%, Nigeria 5%, United Arab Emirates 5%, United States 5% (2019)China 24%, Singapore 14%, Japan 6%, United States 6%, Taiwan 5%, Thailand 5% (2019)
Debt - external$0 (2014)

$0 (2013)

note: public external debt only; private external debt unavailable
$224.596 billion (2019 est.)

$226.901 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange ratesBruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar -

1.33685 (2020 est.)

1.35945 (2019 est.)

1.3699 (2018 est.)

1.3749 (2014 est.)

1.267 (2013 est.)
ringgits (MYR) per US dollar -

4.064 (2020 est.)

4.161 (2019 est.)

4.166 (2018 est.)

3.91 (2014 est.)

3.27 (2013 est.)
Fiscal year1 April - 31 Marchcalendar year
Public debt2.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

3% of GDP (2016 est.)
54.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

56.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: this figure is based on the amount of federal government debt, RM501.6 billion ($167.2 billion) in 2012; this includes Malaysian Treasury bills and other government securities, as well as loans raised externally and bonds and notes issued overseas; this figure excludes debt issued by non-financial public enterprises and guaranteed by the federal government, which was an additional $47.7 billion in 2012
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$3.488 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$3.366 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$102.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$94.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance$2.021 billion (2017 est.)

$1.47 billion (2016 est.)
$12.295 billion (2019 est.)

$8.027 billion (2018 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$12.13 billion (2017 est.)$364.631 billion (2019 est.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 70.1 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 94.9 (2020)

Trading score: 58.7 (2020)

Enforcement score: 62.8 (2020)
Overall score: 81.5 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 83.3 (2020)

Trading score: 88.5 (2020)

Enforcement score: 68.2 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-17.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 21.4%

male: 19%

female: 25.8% (2019 est.)
total: 10.5%

male: 9.6%

female: 12% (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 25% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 24.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 32.6% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 8.5% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 45.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -36.8% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 55.3% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 25.3% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 71.4% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -64.4% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving53.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

53.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

55.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
26.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

28.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

28.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Energy

BruneiMalaysia
Electricity - production4.014 billion kWh (2016 est.)148.3 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption3.771 billion kWh (2016 est.)136.9 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports0 kWh (2016 est.)3 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - imports0 kWh (2016 est.)33 million kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production100,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)647,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports160 bbl/day (2015 est.)166,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports127,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)326,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)3.6 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves260.5 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)1.183 trillion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production12.74 billion cu m (2017 est.)69.49 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption3.936 billion cu m (2017 est.)30.44 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports8.268 billion cu m (2017 est.)38.23 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)2.803 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity821,000 kW (2016 est.)33 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)78% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)18% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)4% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production10,310 bbl/day (2015 est.)528,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption18,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)704,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)208,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports6,948 bbl/day (2015 est.)304,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 100% (2020)electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Telecommunications

BruneiMalaysia
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 86,590

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18.94 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 7,446,300

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22.7 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 574,799

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 125.73 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 44,600,700

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135.98 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.bn.my
Internet userstotal: 426,234

percent of population: 94.6% (July 2018 est.)
total: 25,829,444

percent of population: 81.2% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

Brunei is improving its national telecom network; telecommunications infrastructure and services are of high standard, due to healthy investment in networks and services; relatively mature telecom system compared to other Asian countries; mobile subscription increasing steadily to high penetration; launch of 5G services in 2021 will boost the mobile broadband sector; access to telecom services via the Kacific-1 satellite (2020)

(2020)

domestic: every service available; 20 per 100 fixed-line, 129 per 100 mobile-cellular (2019)

international: country code - 673; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, SJC, AAG, Lubuan-Brunei Submarine Cable via optical telecommunications submarine cables that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment:

one of the most advanced telecom networks in the developing world; strong commitment to developing a technological society; Malaysia is promoting itself as an information tech hub in the Asian region; closing the urban rural divide; 4G and 5G networks with strong competition, mobile dominance over fixed-broadband; government development of five-year fiber and connectivity plan; some of Malaysia's key exports are integrated circuits and broadcasting equipment to North America and China; importer of integrated circuits from Singapore and China (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line 20 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 140 per 100 persons; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations (2019)

international: country code - 60; landing points for BBG, FEA, SAFE, SeaMeWe-3 & 4 & 5, AAE-1, JASUKA, BDM, Dumai-Melaka Cable System, BRCS, ACE, AAG, East-West Submarine Cable System, SEAX-1, SKR1M, APCN-2, APG, BtoBe,  BaSICS, and Labuan-Brunei Submarine and MCT submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean); launch of Kacific-1 satellite in 2019 (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 54,195

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11.85 (2019 est.)
total: 2,964,500

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9.04 (2019 est.)
Broadcast mediastate-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks and broadcasts on multiple frequencies; British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides radio broadcasts on 2 FM stations; some radio broadcast stations from Malaysia are available via repeatersstate-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with relays throughout the country, and the leading private commercial media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays throughout the country; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates multiple national networks, as well as regional and local stations; many private commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio services are available; about 55 radio stations overall (2019)

Transportation

BruneiMalaysia
Roadwaystotal: 2,976 km (2014)

paved: 2,559 km (2014)

unpaved: 417 km (2014)
total: 144,403 km (excludes local roads) (2010)

paved: 116,169 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways) (2010)

unpaved: 28,234 km (2010)
Waterways209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong Rivers are major transport links) (2012)7,200 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km) (2011)
Pipelines33 km condensate, 86 km condensate/gas, 628 km gas, 492 km oil (2013)354 km condensate, 6439 km gas, 155 km liquid petroleum gas, 1937 km oil, 43 km oil/gas/water, 114 km refined products, 26 km water (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Muara

oil terminal(s): Lumut, Seria

LNG terminal(s) (export): Lumut
major seaport(s): Bintulu, Johor Bahru, George Town (Penang), Port Kelang (Port Klang), Tanjung Pelepas

container port(s) (TEUs): Port Kelang (Port Klang) (13,580,717), Tanjung Pelepas (9,100,000) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (export): Bintulu (Sarawak)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Sungei Udang
Merchant marinetotal: 102

by type: general cargo 18, oil tanker 2, other 82 (2020)
total: 1,772

by type: bulk carrier 16, container ship 26, general cargo 179, oil tanker 153, other 1,398 (2020)
Airportstotal: 1 (2020)total: 114 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 1 (2019)

over 3,047 m: 1
total: 39 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 8 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2017)

under 914 m: 8 (2017)
Heliports3 (2013)4 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 10

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,234,455 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 129.35 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 13 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 270

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 60,481,772 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,404,410,000 mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixV89M

Military

BruneiMalaysia
Military branchesRoyal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (2020)Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM); Ministry of Home Affairs: the Royal Malaysian Police (PRMD, includes the General Operations Force, a paramilitary force with a variety of roles, including patrolling borders, counter-terrorism, maritime security, and counterinsurgency) (2021)

note: Malaysia created a National Special Operations Force in 2016 for combating terrorism threats; the force is comprised of personnel from the Armed Forces, the Royal Malaysian Police, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Malaysian Coast Guard, MMEA)
Military service age and obligation17 years of age for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve; recruits from the army, navy, and air force all undergo 43-week initial training (2019)17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent and proof of age); mandatory retirement age 60; women serve in the Malaysian Armed Forces; no conscription (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP3.3% of GDP (2019)

2.6% of GDP (2018)

2.9% of GDP (2017)

3.5% of GDP (2016)

3.3% of GDP (2015)
0.9% of GDP (2020 est.)

1% of GDP (2019)

1% of GDP (2018)

1.1% of GDP (2017)

1.4% of GDP (2016)
Military and security service personnel strengthsthe Royal Brunei Armed Forces is comprised of approximately 6,500 total active troops (4,500 Army; 1,000 Navy; 1,000 Air Force) (2020)the Malaysian Armed Forces have approximately 115,000 active duty troops (80,000 Army; 18,000 Navy; 17,000 Air Force) (2020)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe Royal Brunei Armed Forces imports nearly all of its military equipment and weapons systems; the top supplier since 2010 is Germany (2020)the Malaysian Armed Forces field a diverse mix of imported weapons systems; the top  suppliers of military hardware since 2010 are France, Germany, Spain, and Turkey (2020)

Transnational Issues

BruneiMalaysia
Disputes - international

per Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei in exchange for Brunei's sultan dropping claims to the Limbang corridor, which divides Brunei; nonetheless, Brunei claims a maritime boundary extending as far as a median with Vietnam, thus asserting an implicit claim to Louisa Reef

while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties, which is currently being negotiated between China and ASEAN; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but did not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; land and maritime negotiations with Indonesia are ongoing, and disputed areas include the controversial Tanjung Datu and Camar Wulan border area in Borneo and the maritime boundary in the Ambalat oil block in the Celebes Sea; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; per Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei in exchange for Brunei's sultan dropping claims to the Limbang corridor, which divides Brunei; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

Illicit drugsdrug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penaltydrug trafficking prosecuted vigorously, including enforcement of the death penalty; heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional drug market
Refugees and internally displaced personsstateless persons: 20,863 (2020); note - thousands of stateless persons, often ethnic Chinese, are permanent residents and their families have lived in Brunei for generations; obtaining citizenship is difficult and requires individuals to pass rigorous tests on Malay culture, customs, and language; stateless residents receive an International Certificate of Identity, which enables them to travel overseas; the government is considering changing the law prohibiting non-Bruneians, including stateless permanent residents, from owning landrefugees (country of origin): 119,230 (Burma) (2019)

stateless persons: 111,298 (2020); note - Malaysia's stateless population consists of Rohingya refugees from Burma, ethnic Indians, and the children of Filipino and Indonesian illegal migrants; Burma stripped the Rohingya of their nationality in 1982; Filipino and Indonesian children who have not been registered for birth certificates by their parents or who received birth certificates stamped "foreigner" are not eligible to attend government schools; these children are vulnerable to statelessness should they not be able to apply to their parents' country of origin for passports
Trafficking in personscurrent situation: human traffickers exploit foreign victims in Brunei; some men and women who migrate to Brunei to work as domestics or in retail or construction are subject to involuntary servitude, debt-based coercion, contract switching, non-payment of wages, passport confiscation, physical abuse, or confinement; some female migrants entering Brunei on tourist visas are forced into prostitution; some traffickers use Brunei as a transit point for victims used for sex and labor trafficking in Malaysia and Indonesia

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Brunei does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government enacted the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Order, which criminalized sex and labor trafficking and separated trafficking crimes from migrant smuggling crimes; the government formalized its interagency anti-trafficking in persons committee; instituted a committee to review foreign worker recruitment practices, ratified the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, and acceded to the UN TIP Protocol; however, authorities did not formally identify any trafficking cases, did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions, and did not convict any traffickers; trafficking victims continued to be detained, deported, and charged with crimes without law enforcement determining if they were forced to commit the illegal acts by traffickers; the government again did not allocate money to a fund established in 2004 for victim compensation and repatriation; a draft national action plan to combat trafficking was not completed for the sixth consecutive year (2020)
current situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children subjected to conditions of forced labor and women and children subjected to sex trafficking; Malaysia is mainly a destination country for foreign workers who migrate willingly from countries including Indonesia, Nepal, India, Thailand, China, the Philippines, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam, but subsequently they encounter forced labor or debt bondage at the hands of their employers in the domestic, agricultural, construction, plantation, and industrial sectors; a small number of Malaysian citizens were reportedly trafficked internally and to Singapore, China, and Japan for commercial sexual exploitation; refugees are also vulnerable to trafficking; some officials are reportedly complicit in facilitating trafficking; traffickers lure Rohingya women and girls residing in refugee camps in Bangladesh to Malaysia, where they are coerced to engage in commercial sex

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Malaysia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government identified more victims, increased the number of trafficking-specialist prosecutors, drafted victim identification standard operating procedures, identified two volunteer victim assistance specialists that worked with more than 100 victims, and co-hosted the first national conference on anti-trafficking; however, authorities prosecuted and convicted fewer traffickers and investigated few trafficking cases; despite the issue of corruption, insufficient efforts were made to prosecute officials' complicity in trafficking-related crimes or to report the results of investigations into such crimes; insufficient interagency coordination and victim services discouraged foreign victims from participating in criminal proceedings; no resources were devoted to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; Malaysia was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 (2020)

Environment

BruneiMalaysia
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 5.78 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 7.66 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 8.4 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 16.04 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 248.29 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 51.51 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 151.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 5.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 1.342 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 1.641 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 2.505 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 1.57% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 216,253 tons (2016 est.)municipal solid waste generated annually: 12,982,685 tons (2014 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,271,970 tons (2016 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.5% (2016 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook