Brunei and Malaysia

Book excerpt: Brunei, officially the State of Brunei Darussalam, is an oil-rich sovereign state in Southeast Asia, with 5th highest GDP per capita in the world. Formerly a British protectorate, in 1963 Brunei defied expectations and declined to join the federation of states which became Malaysia – a pivotal turning point in Brunei's history which set the course for its future development. In this book, Isa Bin Ibrahim – a key player in the Sultan of Brunei's delegation - provides an insider's account of the 1963 negotiations and deliberations. He sheds new light on Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III's relations with Tunku Abdul Rahman and explains why the British were so keen for Brunei to become part of the proposed federation, intending to create a counter-balance for Chinese power in the region. Through the author's unique eyewitness perspective, the true story behind Brunei's determination to retain its territorial integrity as a sovereign state is revealed for the first time.