PEOPLE
Many cultural
and linguistic differences make Brunei Malays distinct from the
larger Malay populations in nearby Malaysia and Indonesia, even
though they are ethnically related and share the Muslim religion.
Brunei
has hereditary nobility, carrying the title Pengiran. The Sultan
can award to commoners the title Pehin, the equivalent of a life
peerage awarded in the United Kingdom. The Sultan also can award
his subjects the Dato, the equivalent of a knighthood in the United
Kingdom, and Datin, the equivalent of damehood.
Bruneians
adhere to the practice of using complete full names with all titles,
including the title Haji (for men) or Hajjah (for women) for those
who have made the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca. Many Brunei Malay women
wear the tudong, a traditional head covering. Men wear the songkok,
a traditional Malay cap. Men who have completed the Haj wear a
white songkok.
The requirements
to attain Brunei citizenship include passing tests in Malay culture,
customs, and language. Stateless permanent residents of Brunei
are given International Certificates of Identity, which allow
them to travel overseas. The majority of Brunei's Chinese are
permanent residents, and many are stateless. An amendment to the
National Registration and Immigration Act of 2002 allowed female
Bruneian citizens for the first time to transfer their nationality
to their children.
Oil wealth
allows the Brunei Government to provide the population with one
of Asia's finest health care systems. Malaria has been eradicated,
and cholera is virtually nonexistent. There are three general
hospitals--in Bandar Seri Begawan, Tutong, and Kuala Belait--and
there are numerous health clinics throughout the country.
Education starts with preschool, followed by 6 years of primary education and up to 7 years of secondary education. Nine years of education are mandatory. Most of Brunei's college students attend universities and other institutions abroad, but approximately 3,674 (2005) study at the University of Brunei Darussalam. Opened in 1985, the university has a faculty of more than 300 instructors and is located on a sprawling campus overlooking the South China Sea.
The official
language is Malay, but English is widely understood and used in
business. Other languages spoken are several Chinese dialects,
Iban, and a number of native dialects. Islam is the official religion,
but religious freedom is guaranteed under the constitution.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Bruneian(s).
Population (2007 est.): 390,000.
Annual growth rate (2007 est., Government of Brunei): 1.8%.
Ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, other indigenous groups.
Religion: Islam.
Languages: Malay, English, Chinese; Iban and other indigenous dialects.
Education: Years compulsory--9. Literacy (2006)--94.7%.
Health: Life expectancy--men 75.2 years, women 77.8 years. Infant mortality rate (2007 est., Government of Brunei)--7.6/1,000.
