Further information on living and working in brunei - Brunei Shell ...

FURTHER INFORMATION ON LIVING AND WORKING IN
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Brunei Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd (BSP) offers prospective employees with a
competitive and challenging working environment.
This document will cover, in more detail, the living and working environment in
Brunei as well as provide answers to frequently asked questions.
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CONTENTS
1. Housing 3
Allocation of company housing 3
On arrival 3
Current shortage of available housing 3
Size of housing 4
Furniture 4
Air-conditioning 4
Gardens 4
Wildlife 4
2. Hiring a Maid (locally known as an Amah) 4
Full time or part time services 5
Live in or Not to live in? 5
Nationality 5
Sponsoring an Amah 5
3. Healthcare Services and Hospitals 6
Government Hospitals 7
Private Hospitals 7
Health Insurance 7
4. Shopping 8
Local (Sundry) Shops 8
Shopping Malls 8
Markets 8
Souvenirs 9
Currency and Payments 9
Opening Times 9
5. Getting Around 9
Travel 9
Travel within Brunei 10
Travel within Borneo – Sabah and Sarawak 10
6. Get Connected 11
Utilities 11
Television 11
Internet access 12
Telephone line 12
Mobile phone 12
7. Brining your pets into Brunei 12
Importing live animals 13
Exporting live animals 13
Dog License 14
Vets 14
8. Others 14
Things to bring to Brunei 14
TLAs you need to know 15
Frequently asked questions 15
Do’s and Don’ts 17
Did you know? 17
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1. Housing
a) Eligibility for company housing
Expatriates (Shell staff) arriving to work at BSP are entitled to be housed in company
housing. A majority of housing is in the Panaga camp. All staff on payroll are
allocated housing under exactly the same condition, irrespective of contractual
status.
b) Allocation of company housing
Houses are allocated based on housing points and the number of family members
accompanying you.
Housing points are calculated as follows:
Housing points = service points + salary points
i. Service points
Service points = 48 per year of service, rounded up
Note: For previous non-pensionable staff - Service with other Shell Group/Associated
Companies will not count towards service points calculation.
ii. Salary points
For Bruneian Staff (BNS) and Regional Technical Contractors (RTC):
service points = basic salary
For Expatriate Senior staff (ESS):
service points = GBI points
c) On arrival
Accommodation at the Shell Guest House is provided on arrival. A maximum stay of
seven days is advised, assuming that suitable housing is available within that period.
d) Current shortage of available housing
There is currently a shortage of available housing in the main camp area. Although
an upgrade and renovation program is in progress, it is possible that a suitable house
will not be immediately available on arrival in Brunei. In this case, staff are likely to
be offered an “Allocated House” outside of the main camp.
Staff have the option to accept the “Allocated House” as permanent accommodation.
They have the option to add their names to a waiting list to move onto the main
camp when an appropriate house becomes available.
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Additionally, staff in permanent housing who would like a lateral move within their
housing group can also be waitlisted, and will be offered the preferred house when
one becomes available.
e) Size of housing
Representative floor plans are available for some of the house-styles common on
camp. The internal areas of available houses vary considerably, and it is worth noting
that some of the smaller flats and houses may not accommodate a full allowance of
sea freight (31m3).
f) Furniture
All accommodation comes with hard furniture: Venetian blinds in all windows (except
kitchen and bathrooms), curtains, sofa, chairs, dining table and chairs etc. However,
these items are basic and a vast majority of people replace them with their own,
whether from their sea freight or from local purchases.
Soft furnishings and crockery, glassware, cutlery etc. are provided on temporary loan
(30 days) on arrival. These items must be returned on arrival of your sea freight.
g) Air-conditioning
All types of SG 6+ housing have air-conditioning units in the living room, dining
room and bedrooms. Stores, kitchens and amah quarters do not usually have airconditioners.
It may be possible to install an additional air-conditioner unit, where
the electricity supply can cope with the extra load.
Electricity supply around the camp is currently being upgraded. It is hoped that more
houses will be able to upgrade to the modern, split-unit style air-conditioner units,
and more additional units in stores etc. will be allowed.
h) Gardens
Many houses on camp have lawns or garden areas around them. Maintenance of
these areas is the responsibility of the occupant. Most people employ a local
gardener to cut the lawn twice a month; a typical price would be B$ 80 per month,
more if additional garden maintenance is required.
i) Wildlife
The Panaga camp is in close proximity to the jungle, and retains much natural
vegetation and foliage around many of the houses. Some of the local wildlife enjoys
living close to the houses; hornbills, monkeys and lizards are all common around the
camp area. Snakes and scorpions are also often seen. It is good practice to get the
outside areas sprayed periodically against mosquitoes, and the inside of the house
against other insects, such as cockroaches. This service is provided on request from
the Camp Services Department.
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2. Hiring a Maid (locally known as an Amah)
Amahs are easily available, and applicants clamour for work when you move into
your new house on camp! If you want to employ an amah, there are several choices
to make:
a) Full time or part time services
Are you looking for full-time or part time services? All hours and wages are
negotiable. Wages vary hugely, but expats tend to pay at the top end, typically
B$300- B$600 per month for a full-time Amah, B$100- B$200 per month for a parttime
Amah. Note that locals pay their Amahs considerably less than this.
b) Live in or not to live in?
Many houses come with Amah quarters adjacent to the main house, and most people
who choose to employ a full-time Amah prefer to have her (and her family) live in. A
live-in Amah provides extra security, as she can look after the house while you are
away, and it is easier for her to baby-sit or help out at odd hours, if required.
c) Nationality
If your Amah is a Bruneian resident (red card holder), there should be no problem
with work permits. Muslim Amahs usually will not work around dogs, and should not
be asked to deal with non-halal foodstuffs, whether during food preparation or
cleaning.
Many foreign Amahs are available; these tend to be green card holders and require
someone to sponsor their “quota”, i.e. to pay for their work permit. Additionally, it is
usual for an employer to pay return airfare to their home country once a year and
allow sufficient time off for the Amah’s annual leave. Arranging a quota can involve a
large amount of paperwork, and it may be advantageous to employ a local firm to
deal with this, especially if you are not fluent in Malay.
3. Sponsoring an Amah
If you intend to employ an amah, you must ask to see her identity card to check her
resident status. Identity cards are colour coded to indicated resident status as
follows:
Brunei Darussalam citizen Yellow card holder
Brunei Darussalam permanent resident
Foreigner
Red card holder
Green card holder
The person who is employing a green card holder amah must sponsor the individual.
Step 1
Apply for a quota (license) to employ a foreign person. The form can be obtained
from the Immigration Office in Kuala Belait. You will require:
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A copy of your passport, including the employment pass stamp
A copy of your employment contract
A copy of your pay advice
A copy of you I.D. card (or receipt for application of your I.D. card)
Step 2
Once you have the approval, obtain form BUR 500 from the Labour Office and
submit this with two photographs of the amah and copies of her passport. You will
also pay a deposit of B$600 (cash only) as a guarantee during the sponsorship
period.
Step 3
Have the amah medically examined at Panaga Hospital or Kuala Belait Hospital and
obtain a medical certificate
Step 4
Once the BUR500 form is approved, you must apply for an employment pass at the
Immigration Department. Submit this with copies of the BUR 500 form, quota
receipt for your BN600 deposit, medical certificate for amah, the amah’s passport
and two passport sized photographs of the amah.
Step 5
Obtain four copies of employment contract from Seen Yee Trading Company,
Plaza Seria (map) and complete but do not sign them. The employer and the amah,
in the presence of an officer from the Immigration Office, must sign the contracts.
Note: The whole process may take some time from the initial application but it is not
difficult as long as you have the relevant documents to accompany the various
application forms.
Trying to shortcut the process may lead to trouble and a fine for the
employer.
4. Health Care Services and Hospitals
There are 13 Health Centres, 10 Health Clinics, 15 Maternal and Child Health Clinics,
13 Travelling Health Clinics and five Flying Medical Services for remote areas in
Brunei.
For dental health, there are 12 Health Centres, four Health Clinics, 72 schools that
provide Dental Care Clinics, 16 travelling Dental Health clinics and four Flying Dental
services.
Medical care facilities include the four Government and two private hospitals in
Brunei. Of the two private hospitals, the Jerudong Park medical Centre (JPMC) and
the Gleneagles JPMC Cardiac Centre is open to the public. The other private clinic,
Panaga Health Centre, is for employees of the Brunei Shell Joint Venture companies.
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a) Government Hospitals
Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS) in the capital, Bandar Seri
Begawan, is the largest and most comprehensive of the Government medical
facilities with 880 beds. It is a multi-disciplinary institution providing a wide range of
specialist services.
The other three hospitals are the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital (SSB) in Kuala Belait,
Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong
and Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam Hospital in Temburong.
However, patients who require very specialised treatment not available in the
Sultanate are sent abroad. Expenses for Bruneian citizens are borne by the
government.
b) Private Hospitals
i. Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC)
JPMC is a private specialist hospital situated in Jerudong Park. Its healthcare
facilities are top of the range with expertise and medical practitioners recruited from
all over the world. Clinical services included: inpatient/outpatient, delivery suits,
operating theatres, intensive care and paediatric intensive care. Core services
established are: dentistry, radiology, laboratory and pharmacy.
ii. Gleneagles JPMC Cardiac Centre
JPMC in a joint venture with Gleneagles International Pte Ltd formed Gleneagles
JPMC Sdn Bhd to provide all heart patients in the country with comprehensive
cardiac and cardiothoracic services. It provides sophisticated cardiac care including
open-heart surgery.
For more <strong>information</strong>, please call +(673) 261 2111.
c) Health insurance
Private health insurance is provided for all expatriate employees of Brunei Shell Joint
Venture companies through BUPA. The policy and coverage provided can be found on
the BUPA website.
5. Shopping
Brunei may be a tiny place to find bargains but if you know where to shop – you can
definitely get some good deals! The shops range from a few big shopping complexes
as well as small local sundry shops. This is no surprise since Bruneians love to shop
and are known to spend a lot of their time shopping - With shopping malls blooming
everywhere, it’s no wonder!
a) Local (Sundry) Shops
These sundry shops are generally locally owned and run, and normally sell all of the
everyday necessities and more. These have added advantages – convenience in
terms of location (as most are located just around the corner from your house).
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Bargaining is common and if you can strike the right kind of deals, you’ll be
guaranteed the best prices. There are other added ‘services’- if you’re lucky, like
delivery to your car.
b) Shopping malls
The largest shopping malls are located in the capital town of Bandar Seri Begawan
and neighbouring town of Miri, where it is very common among expats and locals to
be have shopping trips. They sell a range of items from DVD’s and electronics to
make-up, clothes, shoes, furniture as well as other daily needs and goods. In Brunei
itself, a wide range of goods and services are imported so there are endless choices
for the shopper.
The Mall, in the Gadong Area in BSB is Brunei’s largest shopping complex, which
houses many smaller local boutiques (which have a wide range of fashionable items
at incredibly competitive prices) as well as well known boutiques selling brands such
as Gucci, Prada, Aussino and Charles and Keith.
Aside from shopping, the mall has a multiplex cinema, food court and a variety of
restaurants, gym, spa, hair saloons and even a skating rink – so your weekend could
be filled with plenty of activities with family and friends.
Another bonus is that the Mall is situated in Gadong – the main hub for shopping and
business (so if you get bored of The Mall, you can still shop just outside of it too).
This area is definitely the ‘place to be seen’.
There are also smaller shopping complexes in KB town and Seria which house a
similar range of goods at lower prices. Among favourites here are CD and DVD
shops, which supply a big variety of latest and favourite movie titles, box sets and
soundtracks at competitive prices (better than BSB!).
Also, local KB and Seria shoe-makers are famous for their high quality leather shoes
and boots, which are perfect for frequent travelers and as protective shoes for
engineering work. Lastly, there is a number of smaller tailor shops around town,
which are skilled at making simple dresses and local ‘baju kurungs’ as well as
altering clothes to fit your body size & shape.
c) Markets
Brunei has some famous local markets, which sell a wide range of fresh fish and
other seafood as well as local fresh fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices. The
local market – called the ‘tamu’ is a Bruneian Tradition that has existed since the
fifth century and still exists today although modernised (in the past the most famous
‘Tamu’ was located in the Brunei River next to “Kampung Ayer” (Water village),
where all bargaining was done in small ‘sampan’ boats over the river.
Today there are ‘tamu’s located in all districts and they represent a small nuclear
explosion of Malay culture and local delicacies at cheap prices. Normally, the ‘tamu’
and ‘gerai’ (open air stalls) come hand in hand and have the advantages of picking
up some local cakes and fast food while shopping for other food. In Seria, there is a
‘tamu’ and ‘gerai’ every Friday at the local Market – an experience that an expat
should get to know.
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d) Souvenirs
Since Brunei is a country rich in tradition and culture, it is no surprise that Brunei is
especially rich in their traditional handicrafts and arts, which represent excellent
souvenirs to remember Brunei.
Souvenirs can be bought at several places – for many local and traditional arts and
handicrafts, the Arts and Handicrafts centre at the edge of the capital houses them
all. The best bit about visiting this place is that you can witness a local actually
weaving certain traditional handicrafts and arts such as the ‘Kain Tenunan’ (Locally
woven cloth). If not, there are a number of smaller stores that sell a variety of
Bruneian Souvenirs at cheaper prices.
Among one of the best souvenirs to take home is the ‘Jong Sarat’ a cloth in a range
of different colours (normally red or maroon) that is woven in gold and/or silver
threads. This is a type of ‘Kain Tenunan’, which is unique to Brunei due to the design
and is commonly seen by the groom and bride at a Traditional Brunei wedding.
Aside from this, there are other cleverly woven baskets and other arts, which can be,
treasured as authentic pieces of Bruneian life and culture.
e) Currency and Payment
Brunei has its own currency – the Brunei ‘Dollar’ or ‘Ringgit’ in Malay. Notes are in
denominations of 1 dollar, 5 dollars, 10 dollars, 100 dollars, 500 dollars, 1000 dollars
and even 10,000 dollars.
Coins are in denominations of 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents.
Singapore dollars and coins are also accepted since Brunei currency is equivalent to
Singapore currency.
Brunei is one of the easiest places to shop because all Major Credit Cards are widely
accepted such as the American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Diners Club. If not
there are a number of moneychangers located nearby in all shopping areas as well as
a number of ATM’s that widely accept national and international transactions.
f) Opening times
Stores generally open from 10.00 am – 10.00 pm. It is always best to check with the
stores for their opening times.
6. Getting around
Like anywhere else in Brunei, the most convenient mode of transport for shopping is
to take your car. There are also local buses running through many of the major
kampongs and towns as well as across Brunei.
7. Travel
Brunei is ideally situated to explore South East Asia, Australia and beyond.
<strong>Further</strong>more, BSP has an excellent system, whereby the annual travel allowance for
each employee is lodged with a local travel agent as a lump sum each year. The
employee and family can use this allowance as they please to fund travel
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expenditure throughout the year, whether for air travel, hotel lodgings, car rental or
other excursions. This flexibility greatly enhances the travel opportunities throughout
the region.
a) Travel within Brunei
Brunei offers the chance to explore pristine, primary tropical rainforest, and
Temburong national park is one of the most popular destinations for walking,
camping and exploring this habitat.
The Empire hotel is a luxury hotel, located between Jerudong and BSB. With a worldclass
golf course, spa, cinema and reasonable prices for Brunei residents, a weekend
(or two) at the Empire is a must. Check out http://www.theempirehotel.com/
Brunei International Airport is located close to Bandar Seri Begawan in the north of
the country. This is the hub for Royal Brunei Airlines, the national carrier, which
offers regular flights to Singapore (2hrs), Dubai (8hrs), Australia (5hrs to Perth), Bali
(2 hrs), Bankok (3hrs) China and many other destinations. Schedules and
destinations can be found on RBA’s website
A BSP-published book, "Brunei Darussalam, A Guide" is available in bookshops
throughout the country. It gives up-to-date details of tourist attractions and beauty
spots, with maps, and is well worth acquiring.
<strong>Further</strong>more, there is the "Road Map and Street Index of Brunei Darussalam", which
was published for the first time in 1997. This excellent book contains every highway,
jalan and simpang in Brunei, and is very useful in finding your way about the
country. It is available from petrol stations and bookshops.
b) Travel within Borneo: Sarawak and Sabah
The Malaysian town of Miri is only 1 – 1.5 hrs drive from KB, assuming no delays at
the toll bridges or Brunei-Sarawak border. Miri achieved city status in 2005 and has
a thriving nightlife and plenty of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping
opportunities to keep visitors amused. It is also the starting point for trips to the
Niah and Mulu caves and long house trips deeper into Sarawak.
Miri has an international airport, with Malaysian airlines and Merpati being the major
carriers.
Kuching (the name means "cat" in Malay) is the charming capital of Sarawak.
Sarawak‘s rich and fascinating history can be experienced in the Kuching Museum.
There is also a unique "living" museum, The Sarawak Cultural Village, which displays
the many different styles of living of the indigenous people of Borneo. This sprawling
17-acre site at the legendary Mount Santubong should not be missed.
For nature lovers, The Bako National Park offers many interesting jungle walks
that take you into the heart of Borneo to witness interesting flora and fauna such as
carnivorous plants and Proboscis monkeys.
Trips up the Skrang river take you into Iban territory, where you can enjoy staying
overnight at an Iban longhouse, and be treated to a feast with the Headman
accompanied by traditional dancing.
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Most visitors to Kuching choose to split their stay there between the town and the
beach, where there are now several good resort hotels.
You can fly to Kuching from BSB (a 1.25 hour flight), or you can drive there. The
road across Sarawak from Brunei to Kuching has now been resurfaced, so it is
tarmac all the way. The road is in reasonable condition, and the drive takes about 14
hours (it is not advisable to drive by night).
Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah, is a short flight from Miri or Brunei Airports, or
~8hr drive from KB. KK has first class tourist resorts and great opportunities for
snorkelling or scuba diving on the nearby islands. Mount Kinabalu, the highest
mountain in South East Asia (4,101m) attracts hikers and climbers the world over;
Kinabalu National Park offers hot springs, canopy walks and beautiful scenery.
Other major tourist destinations are easily reached by air from KK, including the
Sandakan orang-utan and wildlife sanctuary and Turtle Island.
Sipadan, Kapalai, Mabul, Sandakan, Lankayan, Labuan etc - Some of the
world’s best scuba diving can be found in the water around Sabah. These include
Sipadan Island, easily reached by a bus and boat from Tawau airport. Although there
is no accommodation on Sipadan itself, nearby resorts such as Kapalai and Mabul
offer excellent facilities and good diving in their own right. Check out www.sipadankapalai.com.
Lankayan, about 90mins boat ride north of Sandakan also offers
outstanding macro and wreck diving (www.lankayan-island.com) .
Labuan is a small Malaysian island off the coast of Brunei. It is fast becoming a
financial centre in the region. Since it is a tax-free island, it is becoming more and
more popular as a shopping resort. There are a few luxury hotels that cater to the
many visitors from Brunei, such as the Sheraton, the Waterfront Hotel and the
Manikar Beach Resort.
Labuan is a 25-minute flight from BSB, and there is a new, very fast express ferry
which takes around 45 mins from Muara. It is possible to book tickets for the ferry in
advance.
8. Get Connected
a) Utilities
• Power Supply is 220-240 volts, 50 Hz.
b) Television
• Local TV uses both PAL and NTSC systems
• Kristal and Astro satellite services are available – see your local DST counter, found
nationwide
• Satellite (Mini-parabola) is also available for more world-wide channels but must be
obtained through an authorised local agent
c) Internet access
• • Internet access is available by visiting local JTB (Jabatan Telekom Brunei – local
telecoms department) who will offer a variety of services such as:
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• BRUNET dial-up
• BRUNET leased line
• e-SPEED 1 or 2 (able to use home phone while still using the internet; unlimited
dial-up access)
• NETKAD & NETKAD Plus Hello (for dial up services)
• e-MAIL account, space & mail forwarding
• WEB Hosting (with Domain name & online banner)
• Facilities also include File Transfer Protocol, World Wide Web (www) access;
Newsgroup & GRIC Global Roaming
• Variety of other services such as Wireless connection
• Application forms obtained from Sales Counter of JTB or www.telecom.gov.bn/sol
Visit www.brunet.bn , call Brunet Call Centre 121 or email 121@brunet.bn for
more details
d) Telephone lines
•Available through JTB with a variety of services (IDD, STD, Caller ID etc). For Shell
staff, please arrange this with your Housing advisor.
e) Mobile phones
There are two main mobile providers in the country. These are:
i. Datastream Technology (DST)
This company offers two types of lines:
EASI (uses top-up EASI credit, once off registration fees and annual fee)
PRIMA (mobile phone lines with more services than EASI)
For DST services contact, visit local DST counters, found nation-wide.
ii. B-MOBILE
This company offers 3G mobile services (both using top-up B-MOBILE credit and
mobile phone lines)
For B-Mobile services, visit local B Mobile counters or its main branch in the Mall,
Gadong. Easi lines and Top-up B-Mobile lines can also be bought at local stores
9. Bringing Your Pets into Brunei
Generally, it is not advised to bring animals into Brunei because of the possibility of
putting them in quarantine. This is to prevent the threat of local diseases (e.g. tick
fever, rabies), which non-local animals may not be resistant to.
Although Brunei is a Muslim country where dogs are considered unclean to touch,
animals are generally treated well and all kinds of animal products are readily
available in supermarkets and special pet shops.
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a) Importing live animals
Pets and other animals are not permitted as any type of baggage on flights but can
be checked in as manifested cargo. Brunei has a strict quarantine regulations in
place for bringing pets and other animals into the country (the quarantine normally
lasts 6 months). However, due note that there are only a few rabies free countries
from which you can avoid the full 6 months quarantine when bringing animals into
Brunei.
b) Steps to take when importing a pet
Contact the senior veterinary officer who is in charge of all importation of domestic
pets into Brunei. Request for the Import Permit Application form and the
regulations relating to the importation of your pet.
Contact details
Address:
Agriculture Headquarters
Department of Agriculture
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Bandar Seri Begawan BB3510
Brunei Darussalam
Telephone:
+(673) 238 0144 extension 310
Fax:
+(673) 238 2226
Fill in the details on the Import Permit Application form, add an application letter
stating why you want to bring in the pet, attach copies of the animal's vaccination
report confirming rabies cover and send together with B$7.00 to the Senior
Veterinary Officer.
Once the Import Permit is approved, a copy will be faxed or sent to you. You will
need the copy of the Import Permit for the airline to transport the animal. The
original is kept at the airport to await the animal’s arrival.
Inform the Senior Veterinary Officer in good time when the animal is due to arrive,
as a Government Inspector has to be waiting at the Cargo Terminal at the Brunei
International Airport to receive the animal.
c) Exporting animals
When exporting animals, be sure that you are fully aware of the regulations in both
the exporting and importing countries as you may otherwise be faced with an
unpleasant surprise and possibly a high bill for boarding and vet charges. Also you
could run the risk of your animal being sent back to its originating country with no
one to look after it.
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d) Dog License
Dog Owners are required to have a dog license in Brunei to protect the pet and its
owners. Contact the Agriculture Department on where to obtain this license at an
office nearest to you. The license costs B$5.00 and is to be renewed annually.
e) Vets
Currently, the only veterinarian clinics available in Brunei are located in Bandar Seri
Begawan. However, some of the vets visit the other major cities in Brunei on a
regular basis or can be called out for a home visit.
With the possibility of the vet paying a home visit, it is also possible to have them
perform most types of surgery at your home. However, it may be best to, if at all
possible, try and plan any surgery needed and make an appointment to take the
animal to the clinic.
For details of vets available in Brunei please refer to ‘veterinary hospitals’ or
veterinary services in the Yellow Pages section of the Brunei Telephone Directory.
10. Others
a) Things to bring to Brunei
Not all the creature comforts of your home country will be easily available in Brunei,
or perhaps even in the regions. Below are some suggestions for items you might
want to bring with you.
De-humidifiers
De-humidifiers (powerful electric ones) are not easily available in Brunei; many
people from cooler or drier countries find that their houses benefit from using a dehumidifier
and many people bring one over in their sea freight. There is also the
option to ship one in as unaccompanied airfreight.
Gas-fired BBQs
This staple of Australian and American life is generally not available in Brunei. Many
people include one in their sea freight, or even ship one over from Australia – perfect
for an evening on the patio
Books
www.amazon.co.uk does speedy (~1-3 week) delivery from the UK, so getting hold
of English (or other) books is not a problem, as long as you have a little time in
hand.
Transformers for electrical equipment of a different voltage
Note: This list is not complete! Please do send us any other suggestions that you
may have
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) TLAs you need to know
Three Letter Acronyms (TLAs) are everywhere, and certainly abundant in Shell! Here
are some of the ones used on this website, and a few more useful references as well.
STAFF
ETC Expatriate Term Contract
ESS Expatriate Senior Staff
ISS International Senior Staff
RTC Regional Term Contract
LTC Local Term Contract
BNS Bruneian Regular Staff
PROCESSES
PIR Post Implementation Review
IPF Individual Performance Factor
IPB Individual Performance Bonus
OTHERS
HPD HR Planning and Development Department
HRS HR Relations and Services Department
ASEAN
HOUSING
Association of South East Asian Nations
(Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam)
ETB Elevated timber bungalow
PWB Permanent Wooden Bungalow
11. Frequently Asked Questions
a) Is Islam the only accepted religion in Brunei Darussalem?
Islam is the official religion of Brunei Darussalam as stated in the Brunei
Constitution, with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan as the head of the
Islamic faith in the country.
Thus Islam plays a central role in the life of every Muslim in Brunei Darussalam.
However, other faiths practised in the State include Christianity and Buddhism.
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) What languages are spoken in Brunei Darussalam?
Official language is Malay. English is the language of business and is very widely
spoken and understood by a greater part of Brunei's population. Other languages
include Chinese (various local dialects).
c) How long do I have to travel to get to work and how do I get there?
BSP office is approximately 7 minutes maximum drive from most houses in the
BSP Panaga Camp. Most people drive, while many staff cycle daily to work
although shower and changing facilities are unfortunately not currently available
at BSP Head Office
d) What is the climate like in Brunei?
The climate is fairly constant all year round (26-32 deg. C), with high humidity
(90%+) and varying amounts of rain. Two monsoons affect the area each year –
the northeast monsoon blows from late November to March and the southwest
monsoon from April to September. However, “monsoon” does not necessarily
mean torrential rain – rather, they bring variable and unpredictable
thunderstorms interspersed with days of sunshine.
Seasonality is therefore not well-defined! September to January tends to be a
rainy period (with December being the wettest) and also May to July, while
February to April is generally drier. Also, Brunei Darussalam is outside the
typhoon belt and cyclones are not known.
e) What is the situation regarding tropical diseases?
The quality of healthcare in Brunei Darussalam is good. An affluent lifestyle
combined with a successful record in preventative medicine, improved water
supply and sewerage disposal have meant that Brunei's health problems are
similar to developed countries.
Malaria is not endemic, and malaria prophylaxis is not required. However, for
visits to neighbouring Sabah, tablets are recommended for visits into the jungle
of more than a few days. There have been no reported cases of Bird Flu and
SARS in Brunei.
f) Is alcohol available in Brunei?
Alcohol is not sold in shops in Brunei. Although Brunei is a 'dry' country, a
monthly alcohol allowance is made available to non-Muslim expatriates every
month. These may be purchased from the company 'special import services'
store, which offers a selection of wines, beers and spirits.
Current allowance is 2 crates of beer, 4 bottles of spirits and 12 bottles of wine
per month. Additionally, each non-Muslim adult is allowed to bring in 2 bottles of
wine or spirits and ½ crate of beer each time they enter Brunei
g) Are Domestic Helpers available in Brunei?
Amahs (maids) are easily available, see the “Housing” section.
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h) How safe is Brunei?
Brunei Darussalam is a safe country to live in. It is far less affected by crime and
other types of unsocial behaviour than many other countries worldwide.
Nevertheless, incidents, such as house break-ins, do occur from time to time.
It is not possible for the companies to make all of their houses totally secure. All
staff can, however, take the simple and sensible precaution of ensuring that all
doors and windows are locked both at night and when a house is left unoccupied
during day. Similarly, car doors should be locked when a vehicle is left
unattended and other items, such as children's bicycles and toys, should be
secured when not in use.
c) Dos and Don’ts
• Muslims are forbidden by religious law to drink alcohol and eat pork or any
meat that has not been slaughtered according to religious customs
• Muslims are not allowed to come into contact with pigs and dogs. If you
have Muslim visitors to your house, please prevent your dog from making
contact even in the friendliest ways.
• It is considered very rude to point at a person in the European manner
with one finger; you should point instead with the thumb of the right
hand, the four fingers folded under.
• Do not pat anyone on the head; it is considered a sacred personal spot
• It is impolite to beckon someone with fingers up most. Instead the whole
hand should be waved with palm facing downwards.
• Always take off your shoes when you enter someone’s home and when
visiting the mosques
• Avoid giving or receiving with the left hand or pointing the soles of one’s
feet towards companions.
d) Did you know?
• Tipping is not expected. Some hotels will add a 10% service charge to
their room rates
• To avoid some mail being redirected to a small country in Africa, it is good
to have incoming mail addressed: Brunei Darussalam (Via Singapore)
• It is illegal not to wear seat-belts in your car
• Gifts, particularly food, are passed with the right hand
• A Bruneian shakes hands lightly and brings his hands to his chest.
Members of the opposite sex do not shake hands
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• Envelopes should not be addressed in red ink (VIP’s only), purple ink
(royalty only), or green ink (officials only). Blue and black are safe
• Government workers and school children at local schools get Fridays and
Sundays off, rather than the usual two-day weekend
• Don't question the intent of colleagues, upon short acquaintance, if they
invite you to their daughter's or son's wedding. They really want you to
come.
• When sitting, the sole of your feet should not be pointed towards your
companions
• There are many honorific titles in Brunei: Awang (abbreviated to Awg), for
instance is equivalent to Mr, and Dayang (abbreviated to Dyg) is
equivalent to ‘Ms’ or ‘Mrs’. ‘Haji’ and ‘Hajah’ are honorific titles for men
and women respectively, for those who have performed pilgrimage to
Mecca.
• There is no income tax in Brunei
• It is illegal to import fruit – particularly oranges – into Brunei
• Tap water is safe to drink; some people do take the precaution of boiling it
first
• A woman should ensure that her head, knees and arms are covered before
entering a mosque.
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