| Constitution of Brunei Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei | |
|---|---|
 Constitution of Brunei printed on theBrunei History Centre wall | |
| Overview | |
| Jurisdiction |  Brunei |
| Ratified | 29 September 1959 |
| System | Melayu Islam Beraja |
| Government structure | |
| Branches | Three (executive, legislative and judiciary) |
| Head of state | Sultan of Brunei |
| Last amended | 1984 |
| Signatories | Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III andSir Robert Heatlie Scott |
| Full text | |
 Constitution of Brunei atWikisource | |
TheConstitution ofBrunei, officiallyConstitution of the State of Brunei (Malay:Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei;Jawi: ڤرلمباݢاءن نڬري بروني), was created in 1959.[1] Ultimate authority rests with theSultan, who is both head of state and head of government. In 2004 the Sultan approved a number of amendments to the constitution, including provision for a partially elected Legislative Council. As of 31 December 2018[update], elections had not been held.[2]
Brunei's political system is governed by the constitution and the national tradition of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (Melayu Islam Beraja; MIB). The three components of MIB cover Malay culture, Islamic religion, and the political framework under the monarchy.[3] It has a legal system based onEnglish common law, although Islamic law (shariah) supersedes this in some cases.[4] Bruneihas a parliament but there are no elections; the last election was held in1962.[5]
Under Brunei's 1959 constitution, the Sultan is thehead of state with full executive authority. Since the 1962Brunei revolt, this authority has includedemergency powers, which are renewed every two years, as well as the imposition ofmartial law.[6] The current Sultan,Hassanal Bolkiah, also serves as the state's prime minister,finance minister anddefence minister.[7]
It took almost six years to design the 1959 Constitution of Brunei before an agreement was reached with theBritish government. The creation of theTujuh Serangkai ("seven branches"), a constitutional committee, and the signing of the agreement on 29 September 1959, followed a roughly three-year period of constitutional consultations in Brunei andLondon. These actions were the primary means of carrying outSultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III's intentions.[8]
The 86 articles of the Constitution are organized into 12 chapters, a schedule, and apreamble.[9]
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