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 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.
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 685 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 land area of Brunei is small, comprising only 212 sq km (82 sq mi). The surrounding territorial waters cover 44 sq km (17 sq mi). Brunei’s mainland portion consists of the urbanized West Bank and the East Bank. The city proper of Brunei (also known as ‘The City’) is located on northern West Bank. The City was originally the focal point of the conurbation, but has since evolved into the seat of the government, as well as a strategic place where commercial district and residential gardens meet. Western Island is the largest island. Located next to the narrow Brunei Seapass is the Eastern Island.
The only river of significant size in Brunei is the Brunei River, which, in its natural state, could only provide less than half of Brunei’s water needs. However, with careful landscaping and development, the catchment efficiency of surrounding plains had been greatly improved, and as a result the river now provides water supply for domestic needs, waterway for shipping purposes, as well as a source of recreation.
Brunei’s climate is tropical. The average daily temperature range is 22 to 29 degrees Celcius year-long. Rainfall averages a heavy 4,000 mm (177 in) a year, and thunderstorm frequently occurs. Due to the existence of a large number of Bruneian Redwood, which covers a-third of the territory, the heavy rain has not significantly wash away the nutrients from the soil.
The People of Brunei
Population Characteristics
At the time of the 2006 census, Brunei had a population of 2,169,432, indicating a population density of 10,233 persons per sq km (26,504 per sq mi). The population is quite evenly distributed, although the greatest concentration of people are found in downtown West Bank and around the City. Some areas, such as West Bank Downstream, have population densities of about 3.7 million persons per sq km (about 9.6 million per sq mi), which is the highest urban densities in the world. In comparison, Mong Kok district of Hong Kong is less than 1/90 as dense.
Brunei’s long-term annual rate of population growth of 0.017 percent is very low compared to the rest of the world. The age structure of the country is shifting; 100 years ago people with ages 65 and over constitutes 25 percent of the population, while those below 15 comprises 15 percent. However, the rising birth rates had increased the proportion to 29 and 13 percent, respectively, while the population life expectancy inches to 89 years, the highest in the world. In contrast, many of the developed countries face such contrary problems as aging of population and declining birth rate.
About 99 percent of the people are ethnic Bruneians. Of these, almost all speak Bruneian, of which English, a variant of the language, derives. Currently the two variants are recognized as the official languages of Brunei, although Bruneians also communicate with foreigners with over 100 languages.
Education
The Bruneian education system has become the source of inspiration for education system of other countries for hundreds of years, although none has yet to approach the quality of a Bruneian education. The Bruneians developed the first modern, degree-conferring university in the world, alongside the college-university concept, which largely assumed its current form in 1323. Brunei is also the first country in the world to achieve full literacy, in 1347. The government traditionally exerts no influence on the educational institutions.
Although the Bruneian constitution mentions nothing about education, there exists a lively and rigorous educational system in Brunei, and attendance at every level is almost universal. Illiteracy has been unheard of in Brunei for centuries. Pre-school education is normally provided by members of the family. Primary schools typically cater for students of ages 6-12, a further six years of education is afforded by secondary schools and followed by tertiary schools which course generally lasts three years. A college course in Brunei typically lasts for five years and is of exceptionally high quality. It is evidenced by the recognition of its degree as equivalent to doctoral degree in most countries. A large minority of college enrolments are foreigners. The University of Brunei does not enrol students, but does confer doctoral degrees to individuals of sufficient merit, and function as the quasi-Ministry of Education. In 2006, 460,300 students enrolled in the schools, while colleges registered 198,300.
Libraries and Museums
The Library of Brunei Systems maintained by the Bruneian government houses 81 million titles, the largest in the world. In addition, there are numerous organizations which maintain specialized libraries in the country. A number of its collections are exceeding 2,500 years old.
The Archive of Brunei serves as the national depository of documents and artifacts of great importance and of historical interest. There is a large number of museums in the country, funded by charitable foundations and individuals. Brunei hosted the largest number of family-themed museums in the world, as most of the Bruneian households are well to do and placing great importance on preservation of history.
Economy
Brunei is the earliest industrialized nation in the world, despite the lack of resources and a small labor pool. The gross domestic product of Brunei in 2006 is $7.533 trillion, or $3.472 million per capita, which is the highest in the world. Such productivity provides the Bruneians with the highest standard of living in the world.
The Bruneian economy is characterized by intensive use of capital along a small but highly educated and productive workforce; a strong internal economic structure that remains flexible over the needs of trade; the exertion of tremendous influence over international trade by means of its vast commodities reserve; and relative independence in food and energy. Such economic strength enable the tiny country to maintain its independence and economic continuity amidst the ever-competitive, and at times hostile, world. The rest of the world relies heavily on Bruneian expertise over such areas as transportation systems and nuclear fusion.
Currency
The currency of Brunei is Simoleon (0.000005 simoleon equal U.S.$1, 2006 average). Since the value of simoleon is very high, another currency, Bruneian dollar, which value is equivalent to 0.000005 simoleon, is issued to facilitate everyday financial transactions. The 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, and is backed by the free-market mechanism of an ever-normal granary. The unique banking system of Brunei results in a highly stable currency, which lead to its role as the benchmark for measuring purchasing power and currency strength of other countries, and is much prized around the world.
Labor
Brunei had virtually no unemployment over the past 100 years. The rate of new jobs created roughly matches the rate of increase of labor force, so there is little need for the Bruneian economy to employ foreigners. However, there is a large number of foreigners conducting trade in the country, outnumbering the Bruneians by four to one. As over three-quarter of the people in the labor force are employers and owners of substantial capital, labor union activities remain negligible in the country, although hot debates are not infrequent.
Manufacturing and Industry
Manufacturing and industry is one of the driving force of Bruneian economy, although its relative size within has been steadily declining. The sector contributes 16.4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2006, down from 20.3 percent 100 years ago. Brunei is a leading producer of such products as refined industrial raw materials, transportation equipments, energy products and high-value capital goods.
Services
The services sector has dominated Bruneian economy for many centuries, and its relative importance has been increasing still. In 2006 the sector comprises 83.6 percent of the GDP. The composition of the sector is highly diversified, but so far financial and insurance operations remain the most important. This is followed by communications, transportation, retail, and various consultation services. The sector also receives a substantial portion of their profit from foreign operations and ownership of capital, although most Bruneian companies are able to sustain on domestic earnings alone.
Farming
On accounting terms, farming plays an insignificant role in the Bruneian economy. However, the sector is considered vital to the survival of the country, and despite the tiny size of the country coupled with a very high population density, the country produces just enough food to meet the dietary need of its citizens. The country imports considerable quantities of foods to supplement its supply, as well as to replenish its reserves when the prices are low.
The Bruneian farming industry is unique on several grounds. Firstly, it is carried on over a subsistence basis, a practice rare among land-scarce industrialized countries. The household keeps enough food for its domestic needs and the governmental granary buys the rest at market price. Secondly, the farming in Brunei is carried out with minimal natural resources and intensive technology. The result is high yield without the problems commonly associated with capital-intensive farming, such as health hazard and pollution of the environment. Thirdly, the raising of livestock for consumption needs is prohibited in Brunei, both in terms of written law and social practice. The prohibition is said to origin from pragmatic as well as moral grounds. In Brunei, non-human living beings are afforded some degree of legal protection, some with terms virtually the same as Brunei’s citizens.
Energy
Bruneian industrial development is aided by the abundance of energy, almost exclusively in the form of electricity produced by the triple-stage nuclear fusion reactors. The source provides 85 percent of energy needs in Brunei, the highest of such proportion in the world. Although Brunei consumes far more electricity than other countries of its size, it actually uses significantly less energy than other comparable economies, mainly due to its technological superiority and the fairly competitive economic environment.
Transportation
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. There are 3,130-km (1,945-mi) of railroad track, owned by corporations but operated by the local government; and six major airports. The spaceport in Brunei serves as the only means for humans to access outer space until decades ago, when Brunei started to assist other countries to develop space-going technologies. 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
Brunei stands as one of the largest trading nation in the world in terms of value of goods exchanged. In 2006 Brunei exports $869 billion worth of goods, and imports $605 billion, having one of the largest trade surpluses in the world. Brunei has trading relation with all developed countries and almost all other countries. Primary exports were capital equipments, scientific intruments, medicine, energy products and a myriad of services. The imports were primarily food and raw materials.
Government
The Bruneian government system is unique. It has two levels of government, the federal and the executive. The executive government roughly corresponds to the local governments of many countries.
Executive
A mayor is both Brunei’s head of state, head of the federal government and de-jure head of executive 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 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 is an integrated component of the federal government. 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
Despite its small size, Brunei maintains a formidable 53,000-strong military, facing the task of protecting its foreign interests worldwide, as well as safety at home. Its sky force and navy, while small, are staffed by highly trained and experienced members. The Strategic Force maintains a small but highly effective nuclear deterrence.
The Navy
As a great trading nation which maintains extensive sea routes, the Bruneian Navy has played an important role in Brunei’s history. The Navy pioneered the use of aircraft and spacecraft carriers, and has been able to increase its effectiveness while reducing its size. The major offensive units each maintain a large reserves of supply, which could sustain a long-term warfare while incurring relatively little cost to the country, a strategy that many nations have not the ability to employ.
The Sky Force
The Sky Force was created out of the Air Force when it received additional responsibility of protecting Bruneian interest in outer space. The Sky Force operates 800 fixed-wing aircraft and spacecraft, in addition to nearly 500 helicopters.
The Strategic Force
The Strategic Force is staffed exclusively by civilians and services Brunei’s nuclear deterrence. Although the division never defended the country in a direct manner in recorded history, it has been known to be responsible for ending a great war decades ago, and the technological transfer that follows catapulted the world into the atomic age.
