Last updated: April 11, 2007
DISCLAIMER: The ‘State of Brunei’ and its equivalent, Kalimantan, Sabah, Sarawak and U.S. that are mentioned in this article are purely fictional and do not represent Negara Brunei Darussalam, Indonesian Kalimantan, and Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, and the United States of America, respectively. The intent of this article is to describe the author’s experience and vision as derived from the playing of SimCity 3000. The use of such names within the game and this article are purely arbitrary. The concepts and ideologies developed herein must not be interpreted as the endorsement of the author on such thinking and practice. All clauses of disclaimers that appear in the bottom of this page remain in full force and effect.
Introduction
Brunei, State of, independent city-state in SimNation, comprising an enclave and 3 islands on the mouth of Brunei River. The country is bordered by Kalimantan on the south, Strait of Brunei on the north, Sabah on the east and Sarawak on the West.
The independent city-state of Brunei is separated by the Brunei River, where many skyscrapers line along its bank.
Brunei is densely populated, with the majority of its people reside by the both sides of the banks of Brunei River, popularly referred to as East Bank and West Bank. The population is remarkably homogenous in its composition, with an insignificant minority.
Brunei was just a virgin forest when human first arrived 585 years ago. Since the first democratic government in the world was formed in Brunei then, the country has spearheaded the development of technology and trade. As a result, Brunei is now the world’s most important port, financial center, and economic powerhouse, and its citizens enjoy the highest standard of living in the world.
Land and Resources
The total area of Brunei, including the enclave and the three islands, is 212 sq km (82 sq mi). From north to south the enclave, the major portion of Brunei, extends 15.2 km (7.6 mi), and its greatest east-west extent is 16 km (10 mi). The three islands are commercial establishments Central Island and industrial centers East Island and West Island. The enclave is low-lying with no prominent topographical features. The highest point of 178 m (584 ft) is located at northern West Bank. The region is drained by Brunei River.
The country enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and cool winters.
Redwood found only in Brunei.
All of the region is built up. Forests once covered Brunei, but much of these have been removed for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Nevertheless, the country possesses abundant greenery thanks to its long history of tree-planting undertaking, which preserves the redwood species not found anywhere else on earth. Since 1500s land reclamation have added nearly 20 percent of new land into the country’s total area. Brunei River, besides draining the enclave, provides the plains with rich sediments, which keeps the plains fertile. Extraordinarily high land demands, coupled with a lack of land area, made agricultural activity prohibitively expensive in Brunei, and as a result agriculture in Brunei limits itself chiefly to subsistence farming.
The country obtains its water supply from Brunei River. During the great industrial expansion in the 1500s, air and water pollution were greatly increased. However, stringent governmental regulations and incorporation of environmental-friendly technologies in industrial production have greatly reduced pollution level, and the country is currently one of the cleanest in the world.
The People of Brunei
At the time of 2006 census, Brunei had a population of 1,783,703. Immigration is highly restricted, so the natural population increase is an important indicator of the country’s future population growth. Brunei’s natural population increase is 0.017 percent annually, and this rate is expected to remain stable well into the future. The overall population density is 8,413 persons per sq km (21 791 per sq mi). Large residential gardens are located throughout the country.
Ethnic Groups, Languages, and Religion
The overwhelming majority of Brunei’s population is ethnically Bruneian. Brunei is one of the most ethnically homogenous countries in the world. English is the official language and its usage in Brunei is nearly universal.
Brunei does not have any principal religions as most Bruneians affix themselves with one of the branches of philosophy.
Education
University of Brunei which was founded in 1426.
Although education is not compulsory in Brunei, all the educational institutions operate free of charge, and attendance is universal. Some 97 percent of high school graduates also attend college. Institutions of higher education include chains of public colleges and the prestigious University of Brunei. Of Bruneians aged 7 and older, 100 percent can read and write. 97 percent of Bruneians aged 25 and older had graduated from college, while 33 percent had been conferred postgraduate degree by University of Brunei.
Way of Life
Bruneians value a strong work ethic and close family relations. Bruneians generally share the same housing across several generations, mainly to foster closer family relations, but also due to extraordinarily high property price.
Social Issues
Since the existence of Brunei in 1422, governments have brought orderliness and efficiency to the country. Examples are coordinated urban planning, and enforcements of strict environmental protection measures to ensure an ideal living environment. While these policies draw few objections, outsiders consider criminal punishments in Brunei severe. Brunei stresses, however, that its strict laws and sentences have made the nation one of the safest places in the world.
Economy
The Bruneian economy, the most highly developed and one of the most powerful in the world, produces a wide range of technologically-advanced capital and consumer goods, along with a diversified range of services, notably financial and insurance services. In 2006 the gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at U.S.$2.61 trillion, or $1,468,000 per capita, the highest per capita GDP of any country in the world, which far exceeded that of Bermuda and the United States.
Labor
In 2006 Brunei’s labor force consisted of 963,200 people. The composition of men and women in the labor force is equal.
The prosperity of Bruneian economy is reflected by the vast amount of skyscrapers found in the city.
Services
The services sector has dominated Bruneian economy for many centuries. In 2006 the sector comprises 79.7 percent of the GDP. The composition of the sector is highly diversified, but so far financial and insurance services remain the most important. This is followed by communications, transportation, retail, and various consultation services.
Manufacturing
Industry in Brunei.
Manufacturing accounts for 20.3 percent of the GDP. Brunei produces a wide variety of goods, including a wide range of transportation equipments, construction machinery and materials, pharmaceutical products, and computer hardware and software.
Agriculture and Fishing
Agriculture and fishing does not contribute to the composition of GDP as most of these activities are carried out on a subsistence basis. Fishing and slaughtering of all kinds are prohibited in Brunei on the base of ecological and humanitarian reasons, and nearly all Bruneians are vegetarians. The high level of productivity of subsistence farming in Brunei means that it is largely self-sufficient in food, although the country imports a considerable amount of produces to compliment its own.
Energy
Fusion powerplants in Brunei.
Brunei has no conventional natural energy resources and for many decades was an energy importer. However, since 1500s the country has harnessed solar energy and since 1700s, nuclear fusion. The expansion in electric-generation capacity makes Brunei currently a net energy exporter.
Transportation and Communications
Part of the subway system in Brunei.
Brunei, despite its relatively isolated position, is a major world port and has extensive land-transport terminal, seaport, airport and space-port facilities, which ranked the largest in the world. In addition, the country is serviced by the Integrated Land Transit System, the largest and most efficient land-based transit system in the world. A well laid-out network of roads also cross the island. Brunei is one of the, and possibly, the only country in the world which does not face traffic congestion at any time of the day.
Foreign Trade
In 2006 Brunei’s exports totaled U.S.$2.05 trillion; imports cost U.S.$640 billion. Exports consistently exceeded imports, giving Brunei one of the world’s largest trade surpluses. The major exports are machinery, transportation equipments, and a wide variety of luxury goods. Exports of services in the financial and insurance sectors are no less important. More than 80 percent of imports are raw materials and agricultural products that are used by the country to produce finished goods.
Currency and Banking
The unit of currency is Simoleon (0.000005 simoleon equal U.S.$1, 2006 average). Since the value of simoleon is very high, another currency, Bruneian dollar, which is on par with U.S. Dollar, is issued to facilitate everyday financial transactions. Simoleon is issued by the treasury of federal government of Brunei and is backed 100 percent by precious metals, while Bruneian dollar is issued by Monetary Authority of Brunei, an association with participation from the government and commercial banks. The unique banking system of Brunei results in a highly stable currency, which is much prized around the world.
Government
The Supreme Court building and the City Hall.
Brunei is a parliamentary democracy governed under a 1422 constitution, promulgated when the country was founded. Voting is universal for all Bruneians aged 25 and older.
Executive
A mayor is both Brunei’s head of state and head of government. The mayor is elected directly by the voters. Under the Bruneian constitution, a mayoral election is held only in the event of the incumbent mayor leaving or is being removed from the office. However, review is held annually in the form similar to a referendum to afford the voters chance to assess the suitability of the incumbent mayor to remain in office. All mayoral candidates must meet the requirement as defined in the constitution.
Legislature
Legislative power is vested in the one-house parliament, which in 2006 included 33 popularly elected members. In addition to elected members, the mayor may invite eligible socio-economic-related group leaders to sit in the parliament, which stood at 5 members in 2006. The purpose of such arrangements is to ensure that parliament represents a wide range of views. Nomination and review of members of parliament are similar to that of the mayor.
Judiciary
Judicial power is vested in the Brunei Supreme Court and the subordinate courts. Historically, the Supreme Court undertakes such matters as review and interpretation of the constitution, but is also empowered to review civil and criminal cases of brought from the lower court. Supreme Court judges are appointed by the mayor, with review and consent of the parliament.
Political Parties
Brunei does not have any political parties. However, several political pressure groups exist, which include Green Gaians, Industry for a Better Tomorrow, Brunei Chamber of Commerce, and others.
Social Services
Bruneians enjoy modern and extensive health care, which is mainly financed by insurance companies. Government funding in this sector mainly goes to research and development. Brunei strictly enforces its sanitation and public health regulations and regularly reviews them. Life expectancy are indisputably the highest in the world at 89 years for the population as a whole, and infant mortality rates are approaching zero.
Defense
Brunei does not have a standing army. However, its air force are one of the most powerful in the world, and it possesses an array of nuclear weapons under the command of Strategic Force. The mayor is the only person who can authorize the use of nuclear weapons, even in response to attack. The member of the armed forces, inclusive of paramilitary forces, numbered 53,000 in 2006. Military service is voluntary.
