TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Brunei Darussalam is one of the richest countries in the Southeast Asia region. This country, which is known for its oil and natural gas (oil and gas) reserves, has a number of unique features that may not be found in other parts of the world.
Summarized from various sources, here are 15 interesting facts about Brunei Darussalam.
List of Interesting Facts about Brunei Darussalam:
1. King with the Longest Reign in the World
Sultan Hassanal Bolkia is the king who has ruled a country the longest, namely since 5 October 1967 or 57 years in 2024.
Meanwhile, the title of longest reigning queen is held by Queen Elizabeth II of England with a reign of more than 70 years.
2. The Only Remaining Absolute Monarchy System Left
Apart from Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam is also the only country with an absolute monarchy system left in Asia.
As an absolute monarch, Sultan Hassanal Bolkia acts as head of state, head of government, monarch, prime minister, foreign minister, defense minister, and finance minister.
3. Has the Largest Palace in the World
Nurul Iman Palace in Brunei Darussalam holds the title as the largest residential palace in the world according to the Guinness Book of World's Records.
The king's official residence was built at a cost of around US$ 1 billion or Rp15.9 trillion (exchange rate Rp15,963) on an area of 50 hectares and has 1,788 rooms.
4. Has the Largest Amusement Park in Southeast Asia
Jerudong Park in the Brunei-Muara District was built with government funds amounting to US$ 1 billion. This entertainment location, which was founded in 1994, is said to be the most expensive and largest park in Southeast Asia.
5. First Southeast Asian Country to Adopt Sharia Law
Despite widespread international criticism, sharia law was implemented for the first time in Brunei Darussalam in 2014. As such, punishments such as stoning, flogging and amputation for thieves, adulterers and same-sex sexual relations were implemented.
6. Does Not Collect Personal Income Tax (Pph)
Brunei Darussalam does not impose personal income tax and imposes a tax rate of 55 percent on companies.
Not only that, local residents also do not need to pay value added tax (VAT) or sales tax and there is no social security tax. However, they must contribute 5 percent of their income to a state-managed savings fund.
7. Almost 80 Percent of the Area is Rainforest
Even though it is only a small country, Brunei Darussalam has managed to preserve almost 80 percent of its territory as rainforest.
These tropical forests are home to several endangered species of flora and fauna, such as the Sunda clouded leopard, hornbills and proboscis monkeys.
8. First Asian Country to Ban Shark Fin Harvesting
Brunei has become an Asian country that has banned shark fishing and finning since June 2013.
Shark finning is considered a cruel practice and detrimental to the sustainability of the ecosystem. Not only that, the sale and import of shark products is also criminalized in the country.
9. British Protectorate State
In 1847, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam agreed to an agreement with England, and in 1888 Brunei officially became a British protectorate.
In 1906, the housing system was established. A British resident became the government's representative to advise the king on all matters, except Malay customs, traditions, and Islamic religious teachings.
10. Country with Low Level of Corruption
In 2019, Brunei Darussalam was ranked 35th out of 180 countries in Transparency International's corruption perception index.
According to the official website of the United States Government, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah repeatedly stated in his speeches that corruption is an unacceptable act.
11. Country with Low Debt
Brunei Darussalam had a debt to gross domestic product ratio of 1.9-2.4 percent in 2018. Thus, the country is one of the countries with the least debt in the world.
12. Country with the Highest Car Ownership
In 2020, Brunei Darussalam recorded the highest ratio of vehicle ownership to population among ASEAN countries, namely around 997.8 vehicles per 1,000 population.
This means that on average every person in that country has their own four-wheeled vehicle.
13. Press is Restricted
Quoting monitor.civiscus.org, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) placed Brunei Darussalam in 154th position out of 180 countries in the press freedom index.
Local officials can close media companies without reason and fine and imprison journalists for up to three years for reporting deemed “malicious.”
14. Christmas Day is Prohibited
Brunei Darussalam emphasized the ban on Christmas celebrations since 2014. For Christians and Catholics who want to celebrate Christmas, their activities must be carried out privately and must first confirm with the local government.
Residents who violate will be subject to a fine of US$20,000, equivalent to Rp319 million or imprisonment for up to five years.
15. Prohibition of Interfaith Marriage
As a country that implements sharia law, Brunei Darussalam calls marriage between Muslims and non-Muslims a zina (Unlawful sexual intercourse).
Human Rights Watch Director for Asia, John Sifton via Buzz Feed News, on Friday, May 9, 2014, stated that several interfaith couples have reportedly left the country.
MELYNDA DWI PUSPITA
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