GOVERNMENT
Type of Government
Brunei is an independent
sovereign sultanate
Head of State
His Majesty
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzadin Waddaulah
Head of Government
His Majesty Sultan Haji
Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzadin Waddaulah
Constitution and Government
The Constitution of Brunei Darussalam Provided for a number of constitutional bodies including:
- Council of Succession
- A Privy Council
- Council of Cabinet Ministers
- Religious Council
- Legislative Council
Members of the Cabinet (as at April 1997)
Sultan,
Prime Minister, Defence and Finance
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah
Foreign
Affairs
His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.
Full title: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul
Himmah Wal-Waqar Pengiran Muda Haji Mohamed Bolkiah.
Home
Affairs and Special Adviser to His Majesty in the Prime Minister's Office
Pehin Dato Haji Isa.
Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato
Laila Utama Awang Haji Isa.
Education
(Temporary Acting Minister of Health)
Pehin Dato Haji Abdul Aziz.
Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Dr.
Haji Awang Abdul Aziz.
Industry
and Primary Resources
Pehin Dato Haji Abdul Rahman.
Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia
Awang Haji Abdul Rahman.
Religious
Affairs
Pehin Dato Haji Mohammad Zain.
Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama
Dr. Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd. Zain.
Development
(Acting Minister)
Dato Haji Ahmad.
Full title: Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Paduka Dr. Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji
Jumat.
Culture,
Youth and Sports
Pehin Dato Haji Hussain.
Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Paduka
Haji Awang Hussain.
Communications
Pehin Dato Haji Zakaria.
Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia
Awang Haji Zakaria.
Judicial System
The Supreme Court comprises
the High Court and the Court of Appeals, while the Subordinate Court consists
of the Magistrate's Courts. The High Court receives appeals from Magistrate's
Courts in the districts and is itself a court of first instance for cri minal
and civil cases. Appeal from the High Court is submitted to the Court of Appeals.
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London is the final court of
appeal for civil cases only. Syariah courts exist side by side with the Supreme
Court and d eals with Islamic law. In 1991 the Intermediate Court was established,
with extensive original civil and criminal jurisdiction; however, it does
not deal with capital cases.
Defence
With independence, Brunei established its own defence force for the first time since 1881 when Brunei became a British protectorate. The defence portfolio is in royal hands with the Sultan as Minister of Defence. There is no conscription and enlistment is voluntary in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). The strength of the country's defence forces were further enhanced with the formation in 1987 of the Royal Brunei Reserve Regiment. The Sultan announced a restructuring of the RBAF, namely from 1 October 1991 they consist of five components: land force, air force, navy, support services and a training corps.