Brunei
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- Constitutional Sultanate
- CONSTITUTION
- September 29, 1959
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on Islamic law and English common law; note - in May 2014, part of the Sharia penal code was established, which is applied alongside common law to both Muslims and Non-Muslims
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- The Legislative Council met for the first time in 20 years on September 25, 2004, with 21 members appointed by the Sultan. They voted on constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; the Sultan dissolved the council on September 1, 2005, and appointed a new one with 29 members.
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court, judges appointed for three years by the Sultan. The final court of appeal in civil cases is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. Sharia Courts handle Islamic law
RELIGIONS
67% Muslims; 13% Buddhists; 10% Christians; 10% Other
From the country
- JANUARY 24, 2002BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The Director of Narcotic Control Bureau, Awg Hj Momin B
The Director of Narcotic Control Bureau, Awg Hj Momin B
- JANUARY 1, 2002BruneiDEATH PENALTY
Smuggling more than 200 grams of heroin, morphine,...
Smuggling more than 200 grams of heroin, morphine, opium and marijuana or possessing more than 250 grams carries the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2002BruneiDEATH PENALTY
On november 21, 2001, the police warned the public...
On november 21, 2001, the police warned the public that anyone caught lighting up fireworks during Hari Raya would face legal action
- JANUARY 1, 2002BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful...
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives, and drug trafficking (possession of more than 250 grams of Syabu (methylamphetamine) the substance is enough to warrant a death sentence according to Brunei law
- NOVEMBER 21, 2001BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The police warned the public that anyone caught lighting...
The police warned the public that anyone caught lighting up fireworks during Hari Raya would face legal action
- JANUARY 1, 2001BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful...
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives, and drug trafficking (possession of more than 250 grams of Syabu (methylamphetamine) the substance is enough to warrant a death sentence according to Brunei law
- JUNE 26, 2000BruneiDEATH PENALTY
Brunei Darussalam observed the International Day against...
Brunei Darussalam observed the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
- MAY 24, 2000BruneiDEATH PENALTY
Comments published on the Borneo Bulletin caused some...
Comments published on the Borneo Bulletin caused some heated debate on the death penalty
- MAY 7, 2000BruneiDEATH PENALTY
Wong Boon Hing, 26, a Malaysian cook, was charged with...
Wong Boon Hing, 26, a Malaysian cook, was charged with allegedly importing 1060
- MAY 3, 2000BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The High Court sentenced Othman bin Abdullah, a water...
The High Court sentenced Othman bin Abdullah, a water taxi operator, to death for drug trafficking
- JANUARY 1, 2000BruneiDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful...
The death penalty is mandatory for murder, unlawful possession of firearms and explosives, and drug trafficking (import and export of over 15g of morphine or heroin; possession of over 30g of morphine or heroin for the purpose of unauthorized trafficking
- NOVEMBER 20, 1999BruneiDEATH PENALTY
On November 20, a court condemned Daud bin Naim, 36,...
On November 20, a court condemned Daud bin Naim, 36, a Malaysian truck driver, to hang