Brunei

Introduction

Golden light in Bandar Seri Begawan

© Julien Mordret

A thriving oil trade has brought Brunei great wealth, and today the country's population are like spoiled children: free health care, tax-free income, low loan rates and free education are all handed to the populous on a silver platter. The people seem pretty content with their strict Muslim Sultanate ruling family, as dissent for the increasing fundamentalism of national laws is slight.

What is interesting about Brunei is that despite the relative wealth afforded to Bruneians, many still live in very traditional ways. In Bandar Seri Begawan, some 30,000 Bruneians still live in water villages, built entirely on stilts over the Brunei river. The apparent contradiction between a nation as wealthy as Brunei and a population living in water villages is what makes Brunei a fascinating place.

Brief History

Early history
In the absence of any other evidence, scholars have created an early history of Brunei that is mainly based on flexible interpretations of Chinese texts. Chinese records from the sixth century mention a state called P’o-li on the northwest coast of Borneo. In the seventh century, Chinese and Arab accounts state a place called Vijayapura, which was thought to be founded by Kingdom of Funan royal family members, who landed on the northwest coast of Borneo with some of their followers. They then captured P’o-li and renamed the territory 'Vijayapura'. In 977, Chinese records started to use Po-ni instead of Vijayapura to refer to Brunei. A report in 1280 described Po-ni as controlling northern parts of Borneo Island, Sulu and some parts of the Philippines. In the 14th century, Po-ni became a vassal state of Majapahit.

The power of the Sultanate of Brunei was at its peak between the 15th and 17th centuries, with its power extending from northern Borneo to the southern Philippines.

By the 16th century, Islam was firmly rooted in Brunei, and the country had built one of its biggest mosques. In 1578, Alonso Beltrán, a Spanish traveller, described it as being five storeys tall and built on the water.

European influence
European influence gradually brought an end to the regional power, as Brunei entered a period of decline compounded by internal strife over royal succession.

In the 16th century, Brunei lost Manila to Spanish forces and at one stage, Spain took Brunei itself before being defeated in what is known as the Castille War. Brunei's regional power continued to gradually fade as European influence increased in South East Asia.

The final blow for the Bruneian Empire was in the 19th century during the reign of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II. In 1841, James Brooke, an English adventurer, arrived in Sarawak. There was a rebellion against the Sultan of Brunei, and a royal family member, in charged of solving the problem, sought Brooke's help in restoring order. Brooke and his crew managed to bring about a peace settlement without bloodshed, and this enhanced his reputation amongst the native people. In return of the assistance, the Brooke was bestowed the title Governor, which made him the effective ruler of Sarawak. In 1842, the Sultan appointed James Brooke as the Rajah of Sarawak in return of an annual payment of an agreed sum of money. Sarawak at that time was only an area around Kuching. Throughout the rule of the White Rajah Dynasty, the Sultans of Brunei ceded further stretches of territory to the White Rajahs through a series of treaties and agreements.

In 1846, Brunei ceded Labuan to the British. Beginning 1865, North Borneo was leased to a series of chartered companies, and in 1946 it became a British crown colony.

In 1888, Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin signed a treaty with the United Kingdom which placed Brunei as a British protectorate; Britain took charge of foreign representation of the Sultanate. A rebellion in the 1962 against the monarchy, known as the Brunei Revolt, was suppressed with the help of the United Kingdom. The rebellion was partly responsible for a failure to create a North Borneo Federation and affected Brunei's decision to join the Malaysian Federation in 1963. The country has been under hypothetical martial law, renewed every two years, since the rebellion.

On 1 January 1984, Brunei Darussalam ended its status as a British protectorate and became a fully independent state.

Geography

Brunei occupies 5,270 km² of the island of Borneo in South East Asia. It is made up of two unconnected parts; the western section home to 97% of the population, while only 10,000 or so call the mountainous eastern exclave of Temburong home. It has about 160 kilometres of coastline next to the South China Sea, and it shares a 381-kilometre-long border with Malaysia. It has 500 square kilometres of territorial waters. Most of Brunei is within the Borneo lowland rain forests ecoregion that covers most of the island but there are areas of mountain rainforests inland.

Regions

Brunei is organised into 4 districts (daerah):

• Belait - Western-most district, also the centre of the country's petroleum industry.
• Brunei-Muara
• Temburong - Isolated eastern district, separated from the rest of country by the Malaysian district of Limbang.
• Tutong - Lies under the coverage of the virgin forest, scattered small scale plantations.

Cities

• Bandar Seri Begawan - the capital city, once known as Brunei Town (Bandar Brunei).
• Bangar - the small district capital of Temburong.
• Muara - the country's main port, just north of the capital.
• Pekan Tutong - the main town of Tutong.
• Kuala Belait - an oil producing town in western Brunei.

Sights and Activities

Kampong Ayer

Kampong Ayer (English: Water Village) is a district of Bandar Seri Begawan and home to 30,000 people. All of the buildings in the Water Village are constructed on stilts above the Brunei River and roughly one out of ten people in Brunei live here. Kampong Ayer contains many small villages that are linked together by almost 30 kilometres of foot-bridges, although speed boats nowadays are a more important mode of transport, especially on some longer distances. There are over 4,200 structures including homes, mosques, restaurants, shops, schools, and a hospital and on top of the foot-bridges there are 36 kilometres of boardwalks connect the buildings.

Ulu Temburong National Park

The Ulu Temburong National Park, one of the natural highlights of Brunei, is comparable to Borneo's many other parks, including those in Malaysia. It is located in the remote part of the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve and can be accessed only by long boat. The main feature of the Ulu Temburong National Park is the canopy walkway, suspended from the treetops, 50 metres above the forest floor. From the canopy walkway there are tremendous views of the virgin forest and you can see wildlife including birds, butterflies and monkeys. Most people visit on tours which can be arranged in Bandar Seri Begawan or the administrative centre of the Temburong District, Bangar.

Scuba Diving

Brunei offers some great diving. In addition to coral and fish, Brunei is home to several shipwrecks and many species of nudibranch - one of the best places in S.E. Asia for macro photography. Water temperature is generally around 30 °C and visibility is usually in the 10-30-metre range, although this can be changeable during the monsoon season. As diving here is not overly developed, it means that the sites, and especially the coral reefs, are unspoiled and in pristine condition.

Popular dive sites include the American Wreck, Admirable Class Minesweeper, USS Salute (AM-294) lies broken in half on a sand bottom at 30 metres after hitting a Japanese mine on the 8th June 1945, during pre-invasion sweeps of the Brunei Bay, with the loss of nine lives. Australian Wreck, In 1949 while on a voyage to Manila it struck a mine off Brunei and sank. The wreck lies in 33m of water and is roughly 85m. Dolphin 88 Wreck Malaysian commercial vessel sunk in bad weather in 2013. Experienced divers will enjoy exploring the interior of the wreck. Oil Rig Wreck, a decommissioned oil rig. There are 9 structures to be explored, each seeming to be home to one dominant group of fish. Baiei Maru Wreck was a Japanese oil tanker that sank in October 1944 in Brunei Bay after hitting a Japanese mine. Discovered by the Brunei Shell Petroleum during a survey, the wreck sits in about 50m of water and has only recently been dove in what is believed to be the first time in June 2008 by local club divers. Other dive sites includes Labuan Wreck, Bolkiah Wreck, UBD Wreck, Amai Wreck, Arun Wreck, Stone Wreck to name a few.

Diving is very reasonable, averaging out to BN$35-45 per dive depending on how many dives you do and whether you bring your own gear. There are a number of organisations you can do trips with.

Other sights and activities

• Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque in Kampong Kiaron.
• Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
• Arkib Negara - or the Brunei National Archives, contains the country's public records and archives. Popular with researchers.^[2]
• Muzium Teknologi Melayu - or The Malay Technology Museum, provides insights into Brunei's traditional and technological innovations.^[2]
• Galeri Seni - or Art Gallery, serves to educate visitors about art heritage. ^[2]
• Muzium Brunei - or Brunei Museum, displays a variety of historical items, including several gilded Holy Qurans and other Islamic artifacts.^[2]
• Pusat Latihan Kesenian dan Pertukangan - or Brunei Art's and Handicrafts Training Centre, also houses a handicraft shop where silver goods and sarongs, among other items, are available for purchase. ^[2]
• Bubungan Dua Belas - one of the oldest surviving buildings in Brunei; also offers a beautiful view of Kampong Ayer. ^[2]
• Bangunan Alat Kebesaran Diraja - or The Royal Regalia Museum, housing collections of items used for the Sultan's Silver Jubilee festivities, as well as a multitude of gifts from foreign governments.^[2]
• Taman Warisan Tasek Merimbun - or Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park, where visitors can enjoy trekking around Brunei's largest lake. It is a forest reserve in the middle of the city. It features a natural waterfall. There is also an exhibition hall displaying the flora and fauna of the area.^[2]

Events and Festivals

Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday

An Islamic holiday without a fixed date, Muhammad’s Birthday usually falls in January/February. The Sultan and the rest of the royal Brunei family typically lead a procession throughout Bandar Seri Begawan.

National Day

February 23 is Brunei’s National Day, an annual celebration of its independence from Britain. Though freedom was actually achieved on January 1, 1984, the official celebration is held every February 23 to follow tradition.

Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day is celebrated every May 31 to pay tribute to the dedicated men and women behind the Royal Brunei army. You will see displays of artillery, exhibitions, parachuting, and military parades.

Sultan’s Birthday

July 15 is Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s birthday. He is the 29th Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of the country, and is also the first Prime Minister of Brunei. He was born in 1946 in Brunei Town, which is currently known as the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

First Day of Hijra

This day celebrates the migration of the prophet Muhammad and his followers to Medina from Mecca. This festival also marks the Islamic New Year, so it doesn’t have a fixed date but typically falls in June/July.

End of Ramadan

Eid al-Fitr is the celebrated at the end of Ramadan or the month of fasting, which is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. There is also no set date, but it usually takes place in August. Children are given presents and money, and everyone wears new clothes. Muslims go to the mosque in the morning for special Eid prayers, worship and thanksgiving. The rest of the day is all about eating and socializing with friends and family.

Weather

Brunei has a tropical climate with hot and humid conditions year round. It doesn't have specific wet or dry seasons, although rain falls heaviest between September and January at around 300 mm a month. February to April is the driest and sunniest time of the year, a good time for a visit with only around 120 mm of rain in March. The country has a mean average temperature of around 28 °C and high humidity. Temperatures are around 31 °C during the day and 23 °C at night, with very little variation throughout the year (average highs: 30.4 °C in January versus 32.6 °C in May, average lows: 23.0 °C in July versus 23.7 °C in April and May).

Getting There

By Plane

Brunei International Airport (BWN) is the one and only civilian airport in the country and is the base of the national carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines. Other airlines flying into this airport include AirAsia, Cebu Pacific Air, Malaysia Airlines, MASwings and Singapore Airlines.

There are daily flights to and from Dubai, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, London and Singapore.

An airport tax of B$12 is payable for departing passengers, at the check-in desk, in cash. For Royal Brunei Airlines passengers, the airport tax is already included in the ticket price. Passengers from other airlines boarding a Royal Brunei Airlines flight on codeshare are still required to pay the airport tax at the check-in desk.

By Car

You can drive into Brunei from Sarawak, Malaysia. There are two entry points for the main part of Brunei, one from Miri at Sungai Tujuh and one from Limbang at Kuala Lurah (Tedungan on the Malaysian side). Both these crossings have drive-through immigration checkpoints at the border but queues can be horribly long, especially during weekends.

It is also possible to drive from the Sarawak towns of Limbang and Lawas to the Temburong district of Brunei. A bridge across the Pandaruan River was opened in December 2013 and the ferry service has been discontinued. Immigration is now conducted at Pandaruan (Malaysia side; opened in June 2007) and at Puni (Brunei side; opened in 2013). From Lawas (which is connected by road to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia), another bridge completes the connection between the banks of the Trusan River (and no ferry ride is required anymore). Malaysian immigration formalities are done in Trusan (the immigration office, officially known as the Mengkalap immigration checkpoint, is in a shoplot just east of the ferry crossing) about 8 km away, and no longer in Lawas. Those for Brunei can be done at the Labu checkpoint at the border.

It is possible to drive from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to Bandar Seri Begawan in one day. See the Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by land page for details.

Warning: Only some petrol stations in the country are permitted to sell petrol to cars with non-Brunei plates due to a tax issue. It can be frustrating to find these stations and so ensure your car is topped up.

The Malaysia-Brunei ferry the Malaysian town of Limbang and the Bruneian district of Temburong has been discontinued since December 2013, due to the completion of the toll-free Friendship Bridge, which connects the two borders at the eastern side of Limbang.

By Bus

From Miri: The Miri Belait Transportation Company runs buses between Kuala Belait in Brunei and Miri in Sarawak, Malaysia. The journey requires a bus change at the Sungei Tujoh border checkpoint. Through tickets are however available at RM12.20 from Miri. There have been reports that buses from Miri occasionally refuse to go all the way to the border and stop just before the Asean Bridge at Kuala Baram because of the high toll charge of the bridge. You may have to use taxis to complete the final 5 km between the border and the bridge. From Kuala Belait, there are buses to Seria ($1) approx. every 20 minutes, where you can change to another bus for Bandar Seri Begawan ($6). The entire journey takes about 5 hours. Buses depart Seria every hour.

From Limbang: There are no direct buses between Bandar Seri Begawan and Limbang in Sarawak. However, you can catch a local bus from Bandar's bus station to Kuala Lurah on the border, walk across the checkpoint into Tedungan in Sarawak and catch a Syarikat Bas Limbang bus to Limbang. Do the reverse if coming from Limbang to Bandar. Buses depart from Limbang bus terminal several times a day and bear the destination "Batu Danau". Taxis are also available on both sides of the border but bargain hard for the fare. You can also get to Temburong district by bus from Limbang, although again, there are no direct buses into Bangar; all buses (destination "Pandaruan") stop at the ferry landing at Pandaruan, where there is now a Malaysian immigration checkpoint. Cross the river by ferry and catch a taxi for the 5 km to Bangar.

By Boat

The main ferry terminal in Brunei is the Serasa Ferry Terminal at Muara, where there are several ferries daily from Labuan and one daily ferry each from Lawas and Sundar, both in Sarawak. With a change of boats in Labuan, you can even make it to/from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, in a day. See the Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by land page.

The ferry terminal is quite a distance from Muara town where the container port is. The terminal is about 25 km from Bandar Seri Begawan. Getting there: There are purple buses (No. 38 or 39) linking the ferry terminal with BSB. Buses are cheap ($1) but can take some time, up to 2 hours including delay and transfer. Or you can just take a tour van or taxi.

There is a car ferry service from Brunei to Sabah.

You need to pay a tax ("cukai kepala") to get out of Brunei (currently, $2 per ferry ticket). Enquire at the counters/travel agent if you didn't get the tax coupon when purchasing the tickets.

Getting Around

By Plane

There is no domestic flight in Brunei.

By Taxi

Taxis are quite expensive in Brunei and the cost for one way from the airport to the city centre, a mere 10-minute journey, is approximately B$25. You can find taxis easily around the airport (arrival area) or around the city (bus station).

Getting a Tour

There's variety of transit tours available for transit passengers, if you are in the airport you can look for the airlines ground handler and they will assist you to the tour department. The tour department can be found in the transit area as well as in the arrival hall itself.

By Car

The best developed road network is in the Brunei-Muara district, including a coastal highway which runs from Muara to Jerudong and then on to Tutong. You can rent cars at the international airport or Bandar, either driving yourself or hiring a car with a driver that can double as a guide. Traffic drives on the right and you need an international driving permit. You will get a temporary Brunei driver's license when showing your national driver's license as well.

By Bus

Around the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, there is a good-sized network of purple minibuses. Brunei's high rate of private car ownership means very few Bruneians take these buses, which largely cater to foreign workers. The speed of the buses are limited to 50 km/h but are quite efficient and reliable.

In general, the bus system around the capital radiates from the bus terminal in the central district. There are designated bus stops along each route but passengers are picked up or let off at unofficial locations at the discretion of the driver. The unofficial mode of operation makes easy travel and entice patronage. It is difficult to obtain details on bus routes and timetables. There are 13 routes and the fare is $1 which is collected by a conductor. The passenger can advise the driver the location to disembark. Sometimes, the conductor asks the passengers their respective locations to disembark and skips part of the route, to the dismay of passenger who wish to catch the bus. This also implies that there is no strict scheduled time. It is quite normal to wait 30 to 45 minutes for a bus.

There is also an infrequent long-distance bus which runs between BSB and Seria through Tutong.

By Boat

Water taxis are the most common way of getting to the water village of Kampong Ayer, with stations at Jalan Kianggeh and Jalan McArthur. Regular water taxi and boat services also ply the waters between Bandar Seri Begawan and Bangar (in Temburong).

Red Tape

All foreign nationals entering Brunei must have visas obtainable from any Brunei diplomatic missions abroad except the following countries with whom Brunei Darussalam has visa arrangements.

Foreign nationals of the following countries/territories can enter Brunei visa-free as long as they present a passport valid for at least 6 months:

• For up to 90 days: All European Union member states, British citizens and subjects with right of abode in the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, United States
• For up to 30 days: Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates
• For up to 14 days: Cambodia, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Laos, Macau SAR, Maldives, Myanmar, Peru, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam

Nationals of Israel are not allowed to enter Brunei, though other passports containing Israeli stamps and visas are not a problem for entry.

Citizens of Australia and Bahrain can obtain a visa on arrival (single or multiple entry) for 30 days. Citizens of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait can get a single entry 30 days visa on arrival. Citizens of China, Qatar and Taiwan can obtain a visa on arrival for 14 days. These citizens can obtain a visa on arrival for $20 or a 3 day transit Visa for $5. Immigration officers at Sungai Tujoh Checkpoint between Miri and Kuala Belait will not accept payment for a visa on arrival other than in Brunei or Singapore dollars - there is no ATM and cheques are not accepted. At Brunei airport payment must also be made in cash. There is a money changer (with reasonable rates), but no ATM prior to immigration. If you need a visa-on-arrival, make sure you join the right queue at entry. Joining the foreign passport queue will see you sent to the back of the line. Large tour groups requiring visas on arrival can jam up the system. You may have to be quick, persistent or patient.

Proof of return or onward travel is officially required to check in for your flight to Brunei. If you plan to leave by ferry you will need to purchase a cheap flight out of Brunei before you arrive there. Alternatively, you can book an expensive (but fully refundable) flight, and cancel it afterwards.

From Kuala Lumpur, Air Asia is not enforcing this rule; hence you probably won't need such a proof of return if you fly from KL.

Those who need a visa must apply in advance at a Brunei embassy, where processing can take up to 3 days and costs $20 for a single entry visa.

For a complete, detailed and up-to-date list, refer to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Visa Information.

Money

See also: Money Matters

Brunei's currency is the Brunei ringgit. It is sometimes referred to as Brunei dollar and normally abbreviated with a dollar symbol and the letter B (B$). It is pegged to the Singapore Dollar at a 1:1 ratio, which is particularly convenient because Singapore is Brunei's largest trading partner. One ringgit is divided into 100 sen (cents). Coins exists in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 sen. Banknotes are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 10,000 ringgit.

Language

See also: Malay Phrasebook, Chinese Phrasebook

Malay is the country's official language. Other languages commonly spoken are English and Chinese (Mandarin & other dialects).

Brunei also officially uses the Arabic script for Malay known as Jawi, although most signs are written both in Jawi and Roman letters. Nevertheless, with the exception of religious publications, the Roman alphabet is still by far the more commonly used script when writing Malay in Brunei.

Eat

Local nasi katok, a simple combination of rice and curried beef or chicken, can be quite spicy but it is very tasteful. Another choice is ambuyat, a culinary experience unique to Borneo. It is a paste made from sago that can be dipped into a savoury sauce. Kueh melayu (sugar, raisin, and peanut-filled sweet pancakes) is a delicious desert.

Sleep

Accommodation in Brunei was until recently relatively expensive (there is still only one youth hostel in the entire country) — but some reasonably cheap guesthouses can now be found here and there.

Drink

Brunei is a dry country: alcohol is not sold anywhere in the country and consumption of alcohol in public is prohibited by law. That said, non-Muslim visitors are allowed to bring in up to two litres of alcohol (wine or spirits) plus up to twelve cans of beer every 48 hours, and there is a wide array of duty-free shops just across the border in Malaysia to cater to this demand. However, alcohol must be declared upon arrival in Brunei while going through customs.

Many higher-end restaurants allow guests to bring in their own alcohol and corkage is not charged, though this is actually illegal and it's best to keep a low profile if you choose to consume in a public establishment. At the lower end (particularly Chinese restaurants), many restaurants supply illicit booze under euphemisms like "special tea".

One should definitely try out teh tarik, a sweet milk tea, as well as the wide array of coffee (kopi) available in restaurants.

Health

See also: Travel Health

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Brunei. There is one exception though. You need a yellow fever vaccination if you have travelled to a country (6 days or less before entering Brunei) where that disease is widely prevalent.

It's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Brunei. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also a Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended and when travelling longer than 2 weeks also typhoid. Vaccination against Tuberculosis as well as Hepatitis B are also sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months.

Finally, other possible health issues include diarrhoea and other general travellers' diseases like motion sickness. Watch what you eat and drink and in case you get it, drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) and bring ORS.

There is no malaria in Brunei. Few travellers though will visit Brunei, without paying a visit to nearby Malaysia, so having anti-malarial pills is probably recommended anyway. Dengue occurs as well, so take other general precautions as well, including sleeping under a mosquito net and using repellant (50% DEET).

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Brunei is a very safe country with few problems for travellers. Crime against westerners is almost unheard of and walking around the capital at night poses few problems either. As with any other place, just take care of your personal belongings the way you would elsewhere.

And although it might be a bit redundant to mention: drug criminals can face the death penalty and also the usage of small portions might mean years in jail. Brunei, like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, has very strict laws when it comes to drugs. Drug trafficking to a certain degree has a mandatory death sentence. Other crimes, such as murder, kidnapping and unauthorised possession of firearms are also punished with death. Brunei uses caning (for males only) for rapes, as well as for less serious crimes, including illegal entry, overstaying your visa for over 90 days, robbery, corruption and vandalism. Caning is no slap on the wrist. Strokes from the thick rattan cane is excruciating and very painful. They can take weeks to heal, and even scar for life. These laws apply to foreigners as well.

During the Islamic month of Ramadhan, avoid consumption of food and beverages in public as a hefty fine in the thousands will be levied if caught doing so. Additionally, all restaurants, including non-halal ones, cease dine-in services during the day. It is best to avoid visiting Brunei during Ramadhan.

The bottom line is: know their laws, and obey them.

In terms of personal safety, Brunei is a very safe country, on par with Japan, though you should use common sense no matter what.

Driving in Brunei is easy. Most drivers obey the traffic rules, and the roads are well maintained. Distances are not great. If you're driving around Brunei, however, do watch out for impatient and/or dangerous drivers. Some drivers obviously consider themselves above the law, and given the social structure of Brunei, this is likely to actually be the case. Take extra caution around midnight and early morning as some drivers illegally race on the roads.

Homosexuality is illegal in Brunei, with a penalty of death by stoning.

The numbers to call in an emergency are:

• 991 – Ambulance
• 993 – Police
• 995 – Fire Brigade
• 998 – Search and Rescue

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet cafés are available at major business districts. Most cafés and eateries provide free Wi-Fi service, simply ask the staff for the password.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

Brunei has a modern telecommunications infrastructure. To dial overseas from Brunei, dial 00 followed by the country code and telephone number.

Prepaid call cards are available from mobile phone shops and mini-markets in various denominations and can be used at any phone in the country to make local and international calls.

Mobile phone services are available from local network operators DST and PCSB (Progresif) with connections up to 4G (LTE). Mobile prepaid services are also available.

Telephone numbers in Brunei are assigned in the following prefixes:

• 2xx xxxx – Brunei-Muara
• 3xx xxxx – Belait
• 4xx xxxx – Tutong
• 5xx xxxx – Temburong
• 7xx xxxx – Mobile phones
• 8xx xxxx – Mobile phones

Emergency numbers:

• 991 – Ambulance
• 993 – Police
• 995 – Fire Brigade
• 998 – Search and Rescue

Post

Brunei Postal Services Department is the government-run postal service. Airmail, EMS, registered letter, parcel service and Poste Restante are available. Post office opening hours are 08:00 to 16:30, from Monday to Saturday.

International courier companies such as DHL, FedEx, TNT and UPS have local branches in the country.

External Links

• Official Governmental Website
• Official Tourism Website