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The only full-length study of the Brunei Sultanate from the earliest times to the present. First published in 1994 and a sell-out success, Curzon is pleased to present this new edition, updated to the present. Saunders skilfully elucidates historiographical controversies over important events, persons and developments in Brunei's past which are still important issues in defining Brunei's identity and its political and social systems today. These controversies, over the antecedents of the Sultanate, the date of the conversion to Islam, the reigns of the early sultans, early contacts with Europeans and others, retain their relevance. Newly presented are interpretations of events since 1945 during the transition from protected state to full independence, and thence to the present Malay Islamic Monarchy. ... Read more

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prosperous and content society
Brunei is a tiny country that is one of the richest per capita in the world. Due to its vast reserves of oil and gas. Located on the island of Kalimantan, it bears closer resemblance to Kuwait and the Emirates of the Middle East, than to anywhere in south east Asia. Saunders gives us an indepth look at its history. How its royal family managed to keep the country independent. A notable achievement, considering that Malaysia and Indonesia are its neighbours. Malaysia managed to absorb its sultanates prior and during its independence from Britain. But even under British rule, Brunei was considered somewhat different from Malaya.

Saunders also describes the society that has emerged under the mostly benevolent rule of the Sultan of Brunei. Again, like the Emirates, the Sultan delivered a broad prosperity that garnered continuing consent to his rule. Certainly, the contrast between the average income in Brunei and that of Indonesia or Malaysia is vast. Of course, the small population and area of Brunei greatly aided the efficient dissemination of wealth.

The escapades of Prince Jefri are outlined. Some details are murky, due to veils of financial secrecy. But there was a period of heavy free spending that has now been sharply curtailed. ... Read more

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Again, a predominantly British narrative over Konfrontasi
Most of the British positions over the Brunei Rebellion and Konfontasi are well documented by previous authors - and Majid's new material do not shed any new light on British narratives of Konfrontasi that have been extensively documented elsewhere (i.e. Mackie 1974). While Harun Abdul Majid does criticize 'the victor's view' (mainly British) that plagues most of the writings on the period , his book becomes redundant given the absence of the most important material that have never been used on the conflict's historical analysis: Indonesian sources (bulks that can be read at the Indonesian National Archives, the Roeslan Abdulgani collection, military archives).

Majid takes a particularly harsh critique on Greg Poulgrain's 'The Genesis of Konfrontasi' (1998), which Majid accuses of being 'revisionist'. However, it is worth mentioning that Poulgrain did extensive interviews with Indonesian military actors (e.g. Suharjo Padmodiwirjo) and the last breed of Brunei's dissident exiles living in Indonesia. This is where Poulgrain's work differs in contrast to the majority of Anglo-perspective writings (which Majid's book is sadly part of). Majid has been uncritically accepting British views that Sukarno was poised to annex the Borneo states - while many writings by The Cornell Modern Indonesia Project, as well as numerous writings by Sukarno, Roeslan Abdulgani or Subandrio revealthat Indonesia was never ideologically ambitious nor militarily capable to do so (explaining why Sukarno never invaded, for example, East Timor). Majid also ignored sequential facts in analyzing why Sukarno was vehemently against the Malaysia project. The PRRI / Permesta rebellion in Indonesia (which Malaya and Singapore covertly supported) was a major evidence (convincingly presented by Poulgrain) which sustained Indonesia's longtime suspicions over British designs over Malaya and Borneo. In addition, the internal social and political dynamics within Brunei and Sarawak are critically under-represented (e.g. no analysis on the mass popularity of Azhari & the PRB in Brunei, Ahmad Zaidi and the CCO in Sarawak, the failings of the Cobbold Commission)

It is relatively shocking how much Majid's analysis is trapped within the narratives of British actors (e.g. General Walker). I was hoping that Majid would come forward with more local sources that may contribute to a more nuanced and holistic view of the Konfrontasi itself. He regrettably failed on this aspect. ... Read more

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The complex social, political and economic problems which Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei face in the 1ate 1980's are seen from an historical perspective in this very readable account. Mary Turnbull traces events in the area from first occupation 50,000 years ago, through the rise of Melaka as an important trade centre, the impact of colonialism and the growth of British interest in the 18th and 19th centuries, to the separation of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia and the dilemmas of the present day. Readership - students of South East Asian history. Mary Turnbull traces events in the area from first occupation 50,000 years ago, through the rise of Melaka as an important trade centre, the impact of colonialism and the growth of British interest in the 18th and 19th centuries, to the separation of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia and the dilemmas of the present day. C. Mary Turnball, until recently Professor of History at the University of Hong Kong, has produced a stimulating book which will be of particular interest to students, business people and tourists, but also to those general readers who want to gain a greater understanding of Asia today. ... Read more

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The Malayan Emergency, the confrontation with Indonesia and the Brunei Revolt are fundamental to an understanding of Southeast Asia during the 20th century. This bibliography brings together 4575 sources which should provide useful information for scholars researching these developments and Southeast Asian history in general. Sources include books, theses, newspaper and magazine articles and unpublished manuscripts. ... Read more

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Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Brunei," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Brunei in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Brunei when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in a comprehensive set of entries for a bibliographic and/or event-based timeline on the proper name Brunei, since editorial decisions to include or exclude events is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. ... Read more

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This study describes the way in which Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin III, Brunei's 28th Ruler and the father of the present Sultan, conducted diplomatic relations with Britain, in the face of tough challenges, in an attempt to restore the sovereignty and grandeur of Brunei's monarchy and attain self-government. ... Read more

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The second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam substantially updates the first edition through a list of acronyms and abbreviations, a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of dictionary entries on important persons, places, events, and institutions and significant political, economic, social, and cultural aspects. ... Read more

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The modern state of Negara Brunei Darussalam achieved its independence from the British in 1984, after 96 years of existence as a British protectorate. This dictionary covers all aspect of the kingdom which is famous for its wealth. ... Read more

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The oil-rich sultanate of Brunei Darussalam is located on the northern coast of Borneo between the two Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. Though the country is small in size and in population, the variety of language use there provides a veritable laboratory for linguists in the fields of Austronesian linguistics, bilingual studies, and sociolinguistic studies, particularly those dealing with language shift. This useful reference is divided into three sections: one on varieties of the Malay language used in the country, one on the other indigenous languages, and one on the role and form of the English used there. Contributors to the collection include Bruneian scholars as well as established experts in the fields of Austronesian linguistics, sociolinguistics studies, and the description of new varieties of English. ... Read more

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Contrary to modern theories of developing nations, Brunei Darussalam, which has a very high rate of literacy, is also one of the few countries where the traditional elite retains absolute political power. Professor Gunn's comprehensive study, which assesses the state's efforts to implement national language policies, explores the aspects of the complex relationship between language and power including the oral tradition, the rise of Islamic literacy, print culture and mass literacy, and the electronic media and its effects. ... Read more

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Islamic cultures in the Middle East have inherited and developed a legacy of urbanism spanning millennia. Most studies have focused exclusively on urban social organization, often neglecting the extension of political power to rural areas. Covering Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Iran, and Brunei, this book explores the relationship between political power and social networks in medieval and modern Islamic history. The authors examine social, religious, and administrative networks that governed rural and urban areas and led to state formation, providing a more inclusive view of the mechanisms of power and control in the Islamic world. ... Read more