South East Asian Trips

Brunei is a constitutional sultanate, and the head of state and Prime Minister is Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The country is divided into 4 districts, and the administrative/legal structure is based on the British model although in more remote areas the Islami Sha'ria law is in force. The legislative functions of government are in the hands of a unicameral council, which serves only in a consultative capacity. In addition, there are two rather unusual government departments: one is the Religious Council which advises on Islam and religious matters, and the Council of Succession, which determines succession to the throne- if the need arises.

There is only one legal political party in Brunei- the PPKB (the Brunei Solidarity National Party); other parties like the Brunei People's Party and the Brunei National Democratic Party have been banned or de-registered. No elections are held in the country; the monarchy is hereditary.