About Brunei / Brunei Darussalam
Population: 372,400
Capital City: Bandar Seri Begawan (83,500)
Currency: Bruneian Dollar (BND) - pegged to Singapore Dollar ( Exchange rates : www.xe.com)
Religions: Muslim (67%), Buddhist (13%), others
Brunei Darussalam is an independent Sultanate located 450 km north
of the Equator, less than 2
hours by air from Singapore, on the northwest coast of the island of
Borneo, which it shares with parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei is
a small but, thanks to oil and gas reserves, very rich country. Largely
jungle and beach, Brunei was a British protectorate between 1888 and
1984.
A safe, stable and secure country governed by the longest serving
family monarchy in the world (over 600 years), there are no typhoons,
earthquakes, or severe flooding to contend with.
Brunei's equatorial climate brings sunshine all year round. A typical day will begin like a pleasant
summer’s day, becoming more humid in the afternoon. There will then follow a brief, powerful and
refreshing thunderstorm. A cooler night-time will then descend before the cycle begins again.
The country has 160 km of coastline on the warm South China Sea, with a hilly and inaccessible
interior covered in untouched primary rainforest . The capital of Brunei is Bandar Seri
Begawan, which is locally known as Bandar or BSB. This is a lively shopping and dining hub with a
population of about 100,000. Tutong town is much smaller and is very close to some excellent
beaches. Kuala Belait, the main town of the Belait district, is Brunei’s second town and is
near the Shell complex of Seria, with its large expatriate population. Temburong district and its main
town, Bangar, are less developed, pristine jungle areas, and are reached by a 45 minute boat trip
from BSB or a two hour drive passing through Malaysian territory.
Bruneian People
Brunei has a mixture of Southeast Asian ethnic groups. About two-thirds of
the population is Malay,nearly one-fifth is Chinese, and the remainder are
indigenous peoples. Almost two-thirds of the people are Muslims, 12 percent
are Buddhists, and 9 percent are Christians, and in the remote interior there
are a few animists. Approximately two-thirds of the population is urban.
Most of the people live in Bandar Seri Begawan or near the oil fields at Seria
and Kuala
Belait. The interior of Brunei is sparsely populated by indigenous peoples who clear areas of the
forest for temporary, or shifting, cultivation.
The pace of life is much slower and more relaxed than in many Western countries. Though this can
take newcomers some time to get used to, most people find that it soon becomes addictive and
much more pleasant than the hustle and bustle of some other places.
The people of Brunei Darussalam are generally welcoming of expatriates and usually very
friendly, but you obviously need to have respect for their local culture which is centuries old.
Religion
The official religion is Islam and the people in their everyday life follow Islamic principles. Many
teachers who have taught in some of the countries of the Middle East report that the Bruneian
version of Islam is much more gentle and laid back from an expatriate’s perspective. Indeed, the
Islamic principles of peace, tolerance and respect are very evident in Brunei and are some of the
many attractions of living in the country. There are also Christian churches in Bandar Seri Begawan,
Kuala Belait andSeria.
Language
The official language is Malay. However, English is widely spoken and most business is transacted in
English. Other dialects are also widely spoken including the Hokkien dialect of Chinese as well as
various native languages (Iban, Murut, Dusun etc.) and local dialects (Tutong, Belait etc.).Malay is
often said to be an easy language to learn. The grammar is fairly
simple and the script is Roman. Unlike English, there is a straightforward script/sound
correspondence.
Social Customs
Brunei is a much more tolerant, laid back and welcoming place than the current Western media
image of Islamic countries might have some people believe. Though more conservative than many
Western countries, this tends to translate into a lack of social ills such as street violence and public
drunkenness. Teachers from the UK will also note a refreshing lack of CCTV cameras and inane
reality TV! Possibly the best testament to living and working in Brunei is the fact that so many
expatriates decide that Brunei is a better place for their children to grow up than their home
country.
Bruneians love to eat out and there are many excellent restaurants in Brunei serving a wide variety
of cuisines. An tasty meal can be had for as little as B$2.50
Alcohol is not sold in Brunei. However, the Malaysian border is never more than an hour’s drive
away and expatriates are permitted to bring in 12 cans of beer and 2 bottles of wine or spirits every
48 hours. Most expatriate parties are therefore well stocked, whilst several restaurants allow guests
to bring their own wine and beer – even providing ice buckets.
Things to do in Brunei
There are plenty of things to do in Brunei. As a modern, wealthy country, it has all the amenities you
might expect at home, such as well stocked supermarkets (selling home favourites including
Marmite, Vegemite and bacon); well equipped gyms (CfBT enjoys corporate membership which
allows teachers to make significant savings); large, landscaped swimming pools; and a vast selection
of high quality restaurants. Families generally find that children love the outdoor life in Brunei, and
that the size of their houses and amount of free time add significantly to family life. Single teachers
often discover that with house parties during the week; a high disposable income; and visits to
Malaysia or elsewhere during days off; they have a better social life than they had back home.
Yacht/watersports Clubs
For a very affordable monthly fee, many teachers join one of the yacht clubs in Brunei. This allows
them to spend their days off socialising by the pool, or using one of the sailing dinghies, windsurfers,
canoes, jet skis, or other amenities that usually come as part of the membership.
The Royal Brunei Yacht Club
Clubs also organise barbecues, regattas and other events that allow members to meet new friends
and enjoy themselves.
Jerudong amusement park
If you have children (or wish to indulge your inner child), Jerudong can be fun. It is the largest
amusement park in South East Asia, and a B$15 pass will get you unlimited rides all day. The park
also organises special kids’ days where games and activities are on offer in addition to the usual
rides.
Beaches
There is no shortage of beautiful beaches in Brunei, where you can enjoy a range of watersports
with few of the crowds you might find elsewhere. Below is just a sample:
Muara Beach
Less than 27km from Bandar Seri Begawan’s town centre, Muara Beach’s long, quiet esplanade
invites leisurely strolling and is an ideal destination for a family outing. Amenities here include a well
equipped picnic area, a children’s playground, changing and toilet facilities, as well as weekend food
and drink stalls.
The Empire beach resort
Serasa Beach
A 10-minute drive from Muara, lively Serasa Beach is a haven for water sports enthusiasts and
boasts an extensive watersports complex built recently to host the SEA games. The complex provides
comprehensive facilities at international competition level standards, including jet skiing, kayaking,
windsurfing, regatta sailing, power boat racing, aqua sports training and water skiing.
Berakas Beach
Berakas beach is situated along the Muara highway and about 15 minutes drive from the town
centre. It is usually a busy place during weekends as it has facilities for BBQs, huts for resting and
showers for those who like to take a dip in the warm water.
Pantai Seri Kenangan Beach
Literally the unforgettable beach, this scenic locale is a popular recreation spot located at Kuala
Tutong. Here, the beauty of the beach is enhanced by a narrow strip of land, with the South China
Sea on one side and the Tutong River on the other. The beach is a five minute drive from Tutong
town and is a lovely spot for picnics, fishing and swimming.
Lumut Beach
For those who prefer a day of sun and sand while in Belait, Lumut Beach beckons. Lumut offers
complete facilities for picnicking, jogging and family
outings. Added features here are the huts and shelters especially designed for visitor relaxation.
Restaurants
Brunei has a vast selection of excellent places to eat, and most teachers find they eat out a lot more
than they would at home. There are many types of delicious food to choose from, including Malay,
Indonesian, Thai, Indian, Japanese and Western style restaurants. Eating out is also very affordable.
Even the restaurants at five star hotels are relatively inexpensive, whilst cheaper restaurants and
delicious street stalls will hardly make a dent in your budget at all.
Eating by the sea at the Empire hotel
Food stalls – tasty and cheap
A riverside café in the capital, BSB
Eco Tourism
Ulu Temburong National Park occupies almost 40% of the Temburong district of Brunei. It is
regarded by many as the best preserved tropical rainforest on Borneo, and one of the best in the
world. The park includes a range of wilderness habitats, from lowland forest and jungle rainforest, to
mountain forest at an elevation of almost 2000 metres. The area has often been looked upon as a
refuge for threatened species from throughout Borneo.
The topography is mountainous, with steep slopes, narrow ridges and numerous peaks. Visitors
entering the area are always amazed by the transition from cultivation and secondary vegetation to
deep jungle, as they travel upriver towards the National Park entrance.
The Belalong River basin within the park is reserved solely for scientific study. The
Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre, operated by the University of Brunei Darussalam, hosts
scientists from around the world to survey and study the eco systems and animal inhabitants.
Isolation, mountainous terrain, and a dedicated preservation policy have protected
the park from destructive logging, clearing and plantation development that has scarred some areas
of Borneo. The Ulu Temburong National Park is a haven for scientists and all people who appreciate
nature. Many teachers also take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy hiking, canoeing and whitewater rafting in a beautiful setting.
Pop in to Malaysia
It is cheap and easy to get across the border into Malaysia (between 30 minutes and one hour
depending on where a teacher is located). Once in Malaysia, teachers find that their Brunei dollar
allows them to enjoy the bars, restaurants and nightclubs to a far greater extent than they might be
able to when going out back home.
Teachers living in Timburong can most easily take the short river ferry ride to Limbang. This lively
town is famous for the night markets, where native tribes from the region’s jungles come to sell
their produce. It also has an array of bars and riverside restaurants that make it a popular
destination for Brunei residents on a night out.
Limbang
Teachers living in the Kuala Belait area are between 30 minutes and one hour from Miri. Miri has a
justified reputation as a party town and, though one or two of its bars and nightclubs can verge on
the seedy, there are plenty of other options.These range from fun student disco bars to lavish 5 star
hotels with huge landscaped pools and sumptuous restaurants. The good news is that even top of
the range hotels become surprisingly affordable when one is earning Brunei dollars.
Miri
Teachers living in the BSB region are two hours by car from Miri and 45 minutes by riverboat from
Limbang. There are also cheap speedboats that take less than an hour to get to Labuan. Labuan is a
duty free island that is part of Malaysia and very popular amongst people living in Brunei. Here one
can spend the weekend socialising in bars and restaurants, and perhaps stock up on some duty free
items to take back to Brunei.
Labuan
Summary
If you are a qualified teacher with the requisite experience, looking for a chance to make a
difference - perhaps in a tax free environment - Brunei is an excellent choice. The cost of living is also
significantly lower than in other tax free destinations, and the standard of accommodation for
teachers is higher. The Bruneians, with their largely Malay heritage, are also more laid back than
people you might find in other Islamic, tax free destinations. Perhaps best of all, Brunei is in South
East Asia. Entering Malaysia is comparable to going to a neighbouring town back home, whilst the
capitals of other south East Asian countries are within a couple of hours by plane.
Naturally, there are challenges involved in relocating to a new country and living and working in a
foreign environment. Teachers must be flexible and be prepared to work hard for their schools, just
as they would back home. However, Brunei is arguably one of the easier overseas destinations in
which to live. The large number of expatriates who have been in Brunei for years – or who have left
and then come back – is a good indication of this.
8 Things that might surprise you about Brunei
Income
Brunei is an affluent country. At about US$15,000, its per capita income ranks 4th in Asia and
32ndglobally, ahead of Spain, New Zealand and Greece. Adjusted for purchasing power, Brunei ranks
th
16 globally ahead of France, the UK and Italy. Best of all, Brunei does not have income or other
personal taxes.
Life Expectancy
A woman in Brunei can expect to live to 78.9 years old and a man to 74.2 years old - among the
highest in Asia.
Purchasing Power
A strong currency - the Brunei Dollar is pegged to the Singapore Dollar - and depressed asset value
gives Bruneians a relatively favourable purchasing power within the region. Money goes 42 percent
further in Brunei than in Japan, 13 percent further than in Hong Kong and 12 percent further than in
Singapore.
Spending on Health and Education
Brunei tops the Asian league table for health and education spending as a percentage of national
income. In 1999, the equivalent of 13.5 percent of its GDP went toward funding its heavily
subsidised public healthcare and education system.
Quality of Life
The United Nations' Human Development Index (HDI) ranks Brunei 32nd in the world for its quality of
life - the highest among Islamic countries* - and 5th highest in Asia. The HDI is based on a
combination of indicators including life expectancy, income levels, health and education.
Quality of Life: Gender Equality
The United Nations' Gender Related Development Index shows that Brunei ranks No. 1 among
Islamic countries* in terms of equality for women, ahead of European countries such as Czech
Republic and Hungary.
Islamic country defined by membership of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)
Car Ownership
Brunei has the 3rd highest per capita car ownership in the world after Lebanon and New Zealand.
Car ownership per capita in Brunei is 20 percent higher than in the US, 50 percent higher than in the
UK and 4 times that of Malaysia. In 2003, there were 239,600 vehicles or 1.5 cars per household
Petrol is also extremely cheap.
Access to Technology
By 2000, 95% of households had fixed line telephone. Internet penetration rates in 2007 were 42%
although only 3% of the population uses broadband. 340,000 out of the total population of 380,000
people in Brunei use mobile phones!