Government of Brunei
Government of Brunei | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Established | 1 January 1984 |
State | Brunei |
Leader | Sultan, Yang di-Pertuan and Prime Minister (Hassanal Bolkiah) |
Annual budget | BND5.86 billion |
Website | www |
The Government of Brunei is the union government created by the
Executive branch
The
Privy Council
According to the Constitution, the Privy Council advises the Sultan in the matters concerning the exercise of authority of mercy and the amendment or revocation of provisions in the Constitution. The council also advises the Sultan on the conferring of Malay customary ranks, titles and honours. It also performs functions such as proclaiming a succession of regency. Members of the Privy Council include members of the royal family and senior government officials.[2]
Council of Succession
The Council of Succession determines succession to the throne should that need arise. The order of succession is determined by the Constitution.[citation needed]
Religious Council
The Religious Council, known in full as the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (BIRC) advises the Sultan on all matters pertaining to Islam. The body in charge of Islamic administration policy. Policies determined by the council are executed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Members of the Religious Council include government ministers, a pengiran cheteria, pehin manteris, state mufti, the Attorney General, the Syarie Chief Justice and additional members appointed by the Sultan.[3]
Council of Ministers
A Council of Ministers, or cabinet, which currently consists of nine members (including the Sultan himself as Prime Minister), perform the day-to-day administrative functions of government.[4]
Ministry | Minister |
---|---|
Prime Minister's Office |
|
Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications |
|
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports |
|
Ministry of Defence |
|
Ministry of Development | |
Ministry of Education | |
Ministry of Finance and Economy |
|
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
|
Ministry of Health |
|
Ministry of Home Affairs | |
Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism |
|
Ministry of Religious Affairs |
|
Legislative branch
Under the 1959 constitution there was an elected Legislative Council (
Since 13 January 2017, the Council has 33 members, including 13 cabinet ministers.[6]
Judicial branch
Brunei has a dual legal system. The first is the system inherited from the British, similar to the ones found in India, Malaysia and Singapore. It is based on the
The structure of the common law courts in Brunei starts with the magistracy. There are currently less than 10 magistrates for the country, all of whom are locals. A rung above the magistracy is the intermediate courts. This was set up to be a training ground for the local. There are currently two intermediate court judges, both are locals.
The High Court of the
There is no jury system in Brunei; a judge or magistrate sits alone to hear a case except for capital punishment cases where two High Court judges will sit.
The Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court consists of three Judges, all of whom are currently retired British judges. The Court of Appeal sits twice a year for about a month each time.
Appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom in criminal cases are no longer available, whilst still retaining a very limited right of appeal to the J.C.P.C. in civil cases.
The other system of justice in Brunei is the shariah courts. It deals mainly in Muslim divorce and matters ancillary to a Muslim divorce in its civil jurisdiction and in the offences of khalwat (close proximity) and zina (adultery) amongst Muslims.
The shariah court structure is similar to the common law court structure except that it has no intermediate court and that the Court of Appeal is the final court of appeal.
All magistrates and judges in both the common law courts and the shariah courts are appointed by the Government. All local magistrates and judges were appointed from the civil service with none thus far being appointed from private practice.
Territorial disputes
The sovereignty of the Territory of Limbang has been an ongoing issue between Brunei and Malaysia. It was reported in 2009 that a solution "was achieved between the two governments, when Brunei dropped all claims to Limbang, thus recognising it as a Malaysian territory". These reports, however, were dismissed by Brunei's former second minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 18 March 2009, who clarified that the claim on Limbang was never discussed [with Malaysia]. What was discussed between both countries was the demarcation of land boundaries on the whole.[7]
Brunei is one of many nations that lay claim to the disputed
See also
References
- ^ "Prime Minister". Prime Minister's Office of Brunei. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- Brunei Times. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
- Brunei Times. 14 January 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
- ^ "Brunei Darussalam 1959 (rev. 1984)". Constitute. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
- ^ "Timeline: Brunei". BBC News. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ "Pelantikan Keahlian Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Baharu". Pelita Brunei (in Malay). Department of Information, Brunei. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- ^ News Sultanate News Service