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There has been concern among the public and policymakers on the adequacy of Brunei Darussalam's pension system, with particular emphasis on the returns generated. This paper will investigate the historical returns since 1993, comparing them with other countries as well as theoretical optimal asset allocations. The detailed financial statements, statistics and annual reports released by Tabung Amanah Pekerja (TAP) provide the basis for a robust assessment. This paper will then conclude with recommendations to improve the returns generated by Brunei Darussalam's pension system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temburong Bridge is a 27 km long crossing linking the two parts of Brunei across Brunei Bay. It includes 13 km of marine viaduct, split into two sections by a cable-stayed bridge. Construction of its twin road decks in the shortest possible time called for a new type of lifting gantry that could lift and place both decks simultaneously. Each pair of 50 m full-span precast concrete box girders was delivered by barge to both sides of the piers, lifted, tracked sideways and then lowered onto their bearings, all by the gantry, which then launched itself to the next span. This cycle was repeated 267 times. The gantry had an overall length of 130 m, a 'wingspan' of 59 m and could lift the 870 t deck sections 26 m from its centreline. Having completed the first 165 spans, the gantry was relocated to the other side of the cable-stayed spans in one piece by floating crane. This paper describes the engineering challenges posed by this unique method and their solutions. One such challenge was catering for the dynamic out-of-balance loading on the gantry's cantilever 'wings' generated when lifting simultaneously off independent barges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we argue that there is a 'missing middle' between policies to ameliorate poverty of those in need and the experience of poverty. Drawing on interviews with respondent poor(er) households in Brunei's 'water village' of Kampong Ayer and with officials and local leaders, the paper details a complex and well‐funded system of support for those in need. It then shows how this impressive architecture of welfare does not always meet the needs of those it seeks to support. Through rendering poverty technical, policies implicitly ascribe persistent destitution as arising from the failure of the poor to take advantage of the opportunities made available to them. The paper suggests that this gap could be bridged by giving non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), social enterprises and informal businesses a greater role in the delivery of support. Kampong Ayer's experience has its parallels in other places and situations: the tendency to bureaucratize poverty and its amelioration; the desire to simplify poverty but complicate programmes for poverty eradication; and the expectation that the onus for adaptation should be on—and with—the poor. When the poor fail to adapt and to respond in the manner desired, they are blamed for their enduring poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses several papers from the Topic Study group 9 (TSG9) that are published within the issue including one by Khoon Yoong Woon about the courses being offered to teachers in Brunei to link mathematics to science and another by Hironori Osawa on the connection between mathematics and physical education in a secondary school in Japan.

This study aims to investigate elements associated with consumer behavior towards the demand for halal logistics, namely concern about halal (COHA), knowledge of halal (KNHA), awareness of halal logistics (AWHL), and perceptions of halal logistics (PEHL). This research applied a quantitative methodology that gathered primary data from Muslim consumers residing in Brunei Darussalam. Data were collected using an online self-administrated survey questionnaire, and regression and correlation analyses were tested to investigate the proposed hypotheses. The result demonstrates that COHA, KNHA, AWHL, and PEHL constructs significantly influence demand for halal logistics (DEHL). All four elements show a medium to strong positive correlation with the dependent variable, inferring that the independent variables and the DEHL construct are closely related or associated — suggesting that an increase in the independent variables will increase DEHL and vice versa. This research does not fully represent the general consumers in Brunei markets as this research solely focuses on Muslims. Future research on non-Muslim consumers might be an option to give a bigger picture of the need for halal logistics in Brunei Darussalam. This study is beneficial to relevant stakeholders such as halal businesses, logistics service providers (LSP), policymakers, and consumers to reconsider the extent of halal logistics in not only safeguarding halal integrity across the logistics chain but also its significance in shaping continuous and viable demands in the pursuit of competitive advantage. This paper is among the first attempts to investigate Muslim consumer demand for halal logistics in Brunei, considering that past research focused heavily on Malaysian and Indonesian markets. This paper could contribute to future theoretical and empirical studies and suggest practical initiatives towards relevant stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper sheds light on the extent of the haze problem in Brunei Darussalam and on Brunei's unique position in contributing to the haze through fires occurring in disturbed parts of its peatlands. Brunei's peatland fires, which have their roots in infrastructure development, juxtapose drastically with the drivers of peat fires in other parts of southern Southeast Asia, which are mainly due to small‐ or large‐scale agriculture development. Our discussion highlights how Brunei's status as both a small state in ASEAN and a minor producer of smoke haze has resulted in Brunei remaining at the sidelines of haze diplomacy and cooperation at the ASEAN level. Further, the paper points out a lack of attention to the role of infrastructure development on peatlands in driving fires and haze in the country and how this is also increasingly becoming an issue in neighbouring countries, where massive infrastructure projects are underway, cutting through Borneo's peatlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Existing research on health equity falls short of identifying a comprehensive set of indicators for measurement across health systems. Health systems in the ASEAN region, in particular, lack a standardised framework to assess health equity. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework to measure health equity in the ASEAN region and highlights current gaps in data availability according to its indicator components. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was undertaken to map out a core set of indicators to evaluate health equity at the health system level. Secondary data collection was subsequently conducted to assess current data availability for ASEAN states in key global health databases, national health accounts, and policy documents. Results: A robust framework to measure health equity was developed comprising 195 indicators across Health System Inputs and Processes, Outputs, Outcomes, and Contextual Factors. Total indicator data availability equated to 72.9% (1423/1950). Across the ASEAN region, the Inputs and Processes sub-component of Health Financing had complete data availability for all indicators (160/160, 100%), while Access to Essential Medicine had the least data available (6/30, 20%). Under Outputs and Outcomes, Coverage of Selected Interventions (161/270, 59.63%) and Population Health (350/350, 100%) respectively had the most data available, while other indicator sub-components had little to none (≤ 38%). 72.145% (384/530) of data is available for all Contextual Factors. Out of the 10 ASEAN countries, the Philippines had the highest data availability overall at 77.44% (151/195), while Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam had the lowest data availability at 67.18% (131/195). Conclusions: The data availability gaps highlighted in this study underscore the need for a standardised framework to guide data collection and benchmarking of health equity in ASEAN. There is a need to prioritise regular data collection for overlooked indicator areas and in countries with low levels of data availability. The application of this indicator framework and resulting data availability analysis could be conducted beyond ASEAN to enable cross-regional benchmarking of health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brunei Film Blitz and PRISM UBD Short Film Festival are two institution-based higher education film festivals in Brunei. Their initial purpose was to showcase film production-centric media studies students' coursework in an effort to help recent graduates gain employment in the local film industry. Over time, this purpose expanded and both events transformed into "an industry node" (Iordanova, 2015). As industry nodes, these events provide guidance to the burgeoning Bruneian content creation sector and often influence a range of issues from localized distribution to governmental policy and initiatives. The main discussions unfold around four signposts: 1. Addressing the recognized gaps of a screen-based media education; 2. a summary of key isomorphic indicators; 3. higher education film festivals as industry nodes in the Brunei context; and 4. potential influence of future governmental policies regarding a future Bruneian film and screen industry. Drawing on the discussion above, this paper suggests that the higher education film festivals may be utilized as a catalyst, or industry node, for Media Study and Screen Production faculties in higher education institutions to build up close connectivity with the local screen and media industry, promoting student enrollment in related programs and graduate employment in creative sectors. For a long-term perspective, with their potential influence on governmental policymaking and incentive steering, such higher education film festivals may grow into and form diverse and effective mechanisms that facilitate to galvanize and inform the incipient film and screen industry in Brunei Darussalam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a case study on Brunei Darussalam's public sector employees' observations regarding the new performance appraisal system introduced in 2018. While the new system was aimed at instilling a more "performance-driven" public sector, however, based on the survey findings of this paper, a majority of respondents raised their concerns on the key performance indicators (KPIs) and other aspects of the appraisal system. The findings highlight the need for more research to be done on appraisal systems and their processes, specifically in the public sector, where an effective appraisal system can create a performance-driven public sector which can improve overall governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective communication plays a part in the success and the sustainability of the tourism and hospitality management, including community-based tourism (CBT). In Brunei Darussalam, communication barriers have affected the growth of the CBT industry on both local and national levels. By analyzing responses from 16 local CBT operators, this investigation focuses aspects of communication and its channels in securing sustainability and empowerment of CBT industry. This study found that the CBT ventures in Brunei include (1) horizontal/lateral communication between CBT operators and surrounding communities and (2) top-down communication and bottom-up accessibility between the authority, the community leaders, and the CBT owners. This paper further discusses how bureaucracy can impede the success of CBT operations, and how a collaborative approach between stakeholders has inspired the formulation of a new Interactional Model of Leadership and Empowerment among CBT stakeholders, which can be used to measure the efficacy of communication among stakeholders in the CBT industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective communication plays a part in the success and the sustainability of tourism and hospitality management, including community-based tourism (CBT). In Brunei Darussalam, communication barriers have affected the growth of the CBT industry at both local and national levels. By analysing responses from 16 local CBT operators, this investigation focuses on aspects of communication and its channels in securing sustainability and empowerment of the CBT industry. This study found that the CBT ventures in Brunei include: (1) horizontal/lateral communication between CBT operators and surrounding communities; and (2) top-down communication and bottom-up accessibility between authorities, community leaders, and CBT owners. This paper further discusses how bureaucracy can impede the success of CBT operations, and how a collaborative approach between stakeholders has inspired the formulation of a new Interactional Model of Leadership and Empowerment among CBT stakeholders, which can be used to measure the efficacy of communication among stakeholders in the CBT industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers an insight into the role of young people in shifting risk perception of the current global pandemic, COVID‐19, via social distancing narratives on social media. Young people are creatively and affectively supporting the social distancing initiatives in Brunei Darussalam through the use of social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok. Using qualitative content analysis (QCA) data of social media content by Bruneian youth, this paper reveals the localised and contextualised creative production of five 'social distancing' narratives as a response to the national and global concerns in times of a global pandemic: narrative of fear; narrative of responsibility; narrative of annoyance; narrative of fun; and narrative of resistance. This paper reflects on three key socio‐cultural reconfigurations that have broader implications beyond the COVID‐19 crisis: new youth spatialities and social engagements; youth leadership in development; and consideration of social participation and reach in risk communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Using evidence from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Indonesia, the purpose of this paper is to explore how Islamic welfare regime notion evolves in a South East Asian (SEA) context. Design/methodology/approach: To gain a broad frame of reference in discussing Islamic welfare regimes in SEA, this paper employs a combined political-economic and cultural approach to analyze how Islamic welfare ethics in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Indonesia are developed. The specific criterion used to make a comparative analysis of these countries is an interconnection between four levels of Islamic welfare actors (state, market, community and household/relatives) in providing social welfare. Findings: Malaysia and Indonesia have demonstrated the most balanced form of "Islamic welfare diamond" in the relationship between welfare actors, even as the state-centered welfare initiative continues to be expanded, while Brunei has taken a different route. A monarchical political system underpinned by high economic growth has enabled the state to play a major role in welfare distribution, rather than other welfare actors. For this reason, Malaysia and Indonesia are described as having an "Islamic inclusive welfare regime," while Brunei is reported to have an "Islamic welfare state regime." Originality/value: For the purpose of theoretical advancements, there is no doubt that this paper has proposed an alternative framework to developing an understanding of how the Islamic ethical code is articulated in a wide range of welfare configurations within the "South East Asian context." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mosque connotes a place of prostration towards Allah. As a sacred space, mosque designs use great detail to respect specific ceremonial functions and some requirements outlined in the Quran, but accommodate diverse styles and construction materials that several traditional and cultural factors determine. As early as the seventh century, as Islam spread across the Mediterranean, North Africa, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, the mosque remained a quintessential Islamic building for local Muslim communities. Consequently, mosque architecture presents diverse styles and forms. It does not follow a normative design form besides having an essential hall to accommodate the congregation and visibly indicating the qibla. This paper explores mosque architecture designs in Brunei Darussalam to analyse expressions of cultural identity and constructions of a collective identity. Since the 1950s, mosque architecture in Brunei has distinguished itself by amalgamating designs that culturally significant historical exchanges within and beyond the Malay world dictated. The paper argues that specific governmental, social, cultural and economic contexts necessarily inform the built environment and, particularly, that of religious architecture, resulting in the development of autochthon styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper analyses the leadership approach and practices of the Brunei Government, in response hitherto to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: A review of the available resources and existing literature on COVID-19 and crisis management in Brunei is conducted, consequently drawing lessons on effective measures of Brunei experience in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: The main key lessons of Brunei's success factors in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak are the "Whole of Government Approach" and "Whole of Nation Approach". It is to be noted that the approach would not be successful without the approval and full support of the monarch himself and, more importantly, the public's cooperation. Engaging in constant updates with the government's willingness to have themselves be led by recognised experts has gained public trust, which leads to the success of containing COVID-19, which resulted Brunei not needing to opt for a lockdown, which in turn did not lead Brunei to succumb to the second wave of COVID-19. Research limitations/implications: Brunei experiences in containing novel coronavirus will help international scholars, especially in Muslim countries, to understand the lessons and develop a robust pandemic leadership model. Practical implications: The lessons and strategies used by Brunei can be used as an exemplary approach to prepare for any future uncertainties by other countries. Originality/value: The literature on pandemic leadership during COVID-19 in Brunei is scarce. This study might be considered as the first attempt to exhibit strong crisis leadership capacity in Brunei which resulted in the success of containing COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reassesses the impact of the residential electricity tariff reform implemented in 2012 on the distributional equity and fiscal cost of electricity subsidies in Brunei. Using data from the latest Household Expenditure Survey (HES) conducted in 2015/16, the study estimates that the poorest 20 per cent of households receive 18 per cent of total electricity subsidies, which is considerably larger than the previously estimated share of 11 per cent based on the 2010/11 HES data. This, in part, reflects behavioural changes induced by the reform to an increasing block tariff (IBT), as wealthier households reduce their electricity usage due to higher per-unit costs at higher levels of consumption while poorer households increase their usage as the tariff cost is cheaper in the first consumption block. Concomitantly, the fiscal cost of electricity subsidies has declined by more than 20 per cent following the tariff change. Yet, simulations of alternative reform scenarios show that there are substantial welfare gains and cost savings from refining the IBT structure, using a volume-differentiated tariff, or providing targeted cash transfers. The overarching message is that improving the design of subsidy schemes or introducing targeted transfers can achieve distributional equity and fiscal objectives more efficiently than existing electricity subsidies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty exists not only in low and middle-income countries but also in high-income countries. Brunei, a rich country heavily reliant on hydrocarbon in Southeast Asia, is not an exception. Though poverty is not a topic that is politically taboo in Brunei, there are no statistics on poverty in Brunei. Yet, having such statistics would aid the government to achieve the target of zero poverty in 2035. Therefore, this technical paper provides a pioneering estimation of poverty rates in Brunei, utilising published data from 'Household Expenditure Surveys' and focusing on the basic need approach. It calculates monthly household poverty rates based on the World Bank's poverty lines and OECD median income approach. It produces poverty rates based on expenditure and income. The research employs two models: a proportional model and a refined model. The results show declining rates of poverty, regardless of the poverty lines and models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) abroad, particularly in Brunei Darussalam, is crucial to ensure their rights and welfare. Despite existing regulations such as Law Number 18 of 2017, PMIs continue to face various challenges including exploitation, unpaid wages, and violence. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach involving legal, social, and diplomatic efforts. Purpose. This study aims to analyze the legal protections available to Indonesian Migrant Workers in Brunei Darussalam. It seeks to identify the effectiveness of current legal frameworks, the roles of Indonesian governmental institutions, and the impact of bilateral agreements between Indonesia and Brunei in safeguarding the rights of PMIs. Method. Utilizing a juridical-normative methodology, this research examines the legal documents, regulations, and policies related to PMI protection. It also analyzes case studies and statistical data on PMI cases in Brunei, focusing on the roles of BP2MI, the Ministry of Manpower, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Results. The findings reveal that while legal frameworks exist to protect PMIs, there are significant gaps in implementation and enforcement. Bilateral agreements between Indonesia and Brunei need to be strengthened, and there is a need for more effective legal assistance and support systems for PMIs. The study also highlights the critical role of the Indonesian Embassy in providing on-ground support to PMIs. Conclusion. Comprehensive protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Brunei requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes stronger bilateral relations, improved regulatory frameworks, and active support from Indonesian government institutions. Ensuring the rights and welfare of PMIs will require ongoing collaboration between Indonesia and Brunei, as well as continuous monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of legal protections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aligns with the theme, “Overcoming Adversity, Embracing Change: Addressing Challenges in Language and Culture in Asia”, and with the call for papers for this conference. It takes an optimistic but critical stand on questions of digital technologies, including social media in multilingual societies. The telephone, radio, television and more recently the internet were all in their turn (wrongly) seen as heralding the demise of normal face-to-face communication, and as threatening the continued existence of minority indigenous languages in multilingual nations. But the Chinese traditional saying, “A crisis is an opportunity riding a dangerous wind”, remains relevant in the pandemic and post-pandemic era. Technologies are not in themselves language-specific, nor are they necessarily biased towards powerful, global languages. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram and others do not force users to shift towards Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic or English. I discuss examples of mixed language use in Southeast Asian social media contexts, taking up the point raised by Deterding (2020, 175) in his article based on his keynote presentation at the previous conference in this series: “perhaps trying to analyse the different languages in Brunei as distinct entities is flawed. In the modern globalised world, languages no longer belong in distinct boxes that can be neatly labelled”. The key argument is that the mixing of local vernacular and powerful global languages does not necessarily signal an impending language shift. On the contrary, such hybrid discoursal practices in social media may be viewed as a minority language maintenance and survival strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at the role of English in Brunei and the sociocultural structure of Bahasa/language in Brunei Darussalam. The aim of this research is to critically analyse sociocultural theory from Vygotsky's "peak psychology" approach and understand depth-knowledge of sociocultural theory from other scholars' perspectives. The scholars' views on education, language and sociocultural importance-related topics have been analysed by Barry, Goode, Jones, Haji-Othman, Sharbawi and Gardiner. These scholars' ideas give a better understanding of the sociocultural importance of Bruneian's individual development. For this research, a qualitative method applies and collected data is critically analysed in detail. This research has the potential to discuss the link between language evolution and Bruneian sociocultural development. The "Citizenship Acts 1961" is relevant to discuss the theoretical concepts like, 'nationality' and 'ethnic identification' from the Bruneian context. To put it in a nutshell, the ratification of "Melayu Islam Beraja" or "Malay Islamic Monarchy" and the impact of linguistic diversity in Brunei consist of a Bruneian identity. In bilingual education policy, Bahasa Melayu and English have a major role in the child development. Although a balance of regional languages and English is essential to maintain the "Bruneian" identity. Brunei is a small country but it is diverse, multilingual and multicultural. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For countries with an abundance of rain, there is definite potential to implement a rainwater harvesting system for different applications. This paper describes feasibility studies of an open-pond rainwater harvesting system for ablution purposes, analysing the quality of harvested rainwater and formulating a rainwater harvesting model with suitable performance measures. The formulated model can be used to analyse the feasibility of the system in any locality by inputting local meteorological data. Quality analysis has shown that the harvested rainwater can be used safely for ablution purposes, albeit with a slightly acidic pH below 6.5. At a depth of 1.0 m and using the current pond configuration of a local mosque, the reliability of the system is 62.5% (228 days per year), and the amount of water saved is 345 m3, which is 60.7% of the water demand. It has been shown that a pond surface area of 60–70 m2 provides optimum reliability and water saving, and more water savings can be expected with a more economical usage of water during ablution. These results indicate the feasibility of implementing a rainwater harvesting system for ablution purposes in religious institutions to help curb the water shortage crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the cultural homogenization process in Brunei Darussalam. While the success and outcomes of cultural homogenization, in general, have been thoroughly examined and highlighted, recent research trends have also been focusing more on the processes of cultural homogenization on the ground, i.e., the responses and reactions of ordinary people who are, supposedly, at the receiving end of the homogenization process. In the case of Brunei Darussalam (hereinafter Brunei), cultural homogenization strategies were introduced as early as the 1950s, primarily for statebuilding purposes. Similar to conventional writings, official narratives of Brunei's homogenization also focus more on the outcomes of the process. Thus, focusing on the Dusun ethnic group as its case study, this article questions the ways the Dusuns view and respond to the homogenization process. This study utilizes the interview data gathered from thirty-four Dusun respondents to examine how they perceive, understand, and react toward the process and related policies. The findings of the study suggest that the Dusuns generally accept the homogenization with a sporadic indication of contestation mainly due to the observable decline of ethnic culture and language. Modernization has also been identified as a notable agent, integrating successfully with the homogenizing process, and driving the latter to the desired outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the identity construction of the Chinese diaspora in Brunei Darussalam. It argues that social, cultural, national and global demands for integration the Chinese in Brunei face collectively shape their sense of self. Considering Wang Gungwu’s claim that because “home is not here,” ethnocultural roots inform the diasporic subject’s sense of belonging. They maintain these roots through cultural customs, beliefs and values, and also historical routes to the host nation—where naturalisation signals localisation. Across generational gaps, Brunei’s Chinese diaspora reflects the demands, dreams and desires for reconstructing individual, familial and transnational selves. This paper aims to provide insights into Chinese Bruneian identity by examining the tensions between these multiplex selves. An analysis of K. H. Lim’s Anglophone Bruneian novel Written in Black (2014), offers a valuable lens through which to view the complex dynamics and internal structures of Chinese Bruneian families. While its representations are by no means representative of the entire Chinese Bruneian community, the novel provides a useful platform to discuss the roles, positions and experiences of the Chinese diaspora in Brunei. Many ethnic Chinese living in Brunei strive to conform to the successful image of “the model minority” at the expense of their individual desires for self-actualisation. Analysing the Chinese familial home as analogous to the Brunei national home, Chinese and Malay cultural demands for filialness simultaneously produce an anxiety among the localised Chinese diaspora that causes a transnational shifting of familial and individual selves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is increasingly recognized that invasion by alien plant species such as Acacia spp. can impact tropical forest ecosystems, although quantifications of nutrient fluxes for invaded lowland tropical rain forests in aseasonal climates remain understudied. This paper describes the methodology and presents data collected during a year-long study of litterfall production and leaf litter decomposition rates in two distinct tropical lowland forests in Borneo affected by Acacia invasion. The study is the first to present a comprehensive dataset on the impacts of invasive Acacia species on Bornean forests and can be further used for future research to assess the long-term impact of Acacia invasion in these forest ecosystems. Extensive studies of nutrient cycling processes in aseasonal tropical lowland rainforests occurring on different soil types remain limited. Therefore, this dataset improves understanding of nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes in tropical forests and can be utilized by the wider scientific community to examine ecosystem responses in tropical forests. Dataset: DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7528856. Dataset License: CC BY 4.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of agriculture and agrifood-based products is at the forefront of Brunei Vision 2035, Brunei Darussalam's most aggressive economic drive to date. One such instance of agri-food production is locally made coffee and tea products, which is taking place in the country despite the limited amounts of domestic raw materials available. The presence of this sector in the market, therefore, warrants further investigation. This case study uses Michael Porter's Value Chain Analysis (VCA) and Gereffi's Global–Regional Value Chain (GRVC) theory to analyze Brunei's coffee and tea Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by mapping and tracing the origins of inputs; identifying local and regional value-adding processes; and pinpointing firms' strategies towards building their capacities and capabilities. The aim is to establish the competitiveness of this sector against regional and global well-known brands. As such, this paper highlights inter-firm linkages of coffee and tea production in Brunei and positions Brunei's firms in Shih's GVC smiling curve, relative to its partners based on levels of value-addedness and functional complexities. While limited to conventional coffee and tea producers, this study provides a starting point in the hybrid use of VCA and GRVC to understand local–regional development linkages that exist in small national economies like Brunei Darussalam which are necessary for firms to remain competitive. It also contributes to policy learning and knowledge enrichment for the government, consumers, and industrialists alike, by highlighting the lessons gained from this sector's experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on research in secondary schools in Brunei to investigate how teachers and learners view the English language learning classroom. The paper reviews the literature on learner perceptions, and comparisons with those of teachers, and argues that a "researcher's agenda" frequently imposes limitations on data gathered. A research design utilising personal construct repertory grids was therefore developed to allow respondents to "speak for themselves." Respondents were asked to build repertory grids in respect of task types from their classroom, in order to establish the constructs they draw on when thinking about their language lessons. Findings show that the teachers and learners have very different views, with evidence that the learners view the classroom as a "social event" in direct contrast to the teachers, who view the classroom as "a pedagogic event." The significance of this is that the learners are unlikely to be oriented towards achievement in language learning, and that the teachers will therefore find it difficult to keep learners focussed on the learning objectives. The paper concludes that only by involving learners in establishing aims and objectives, and in determining ways of working, will teachers and learners be brought to "inhabit the same classroom world."

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the styles that are desirable in a leader in the perspective of youth in Asia, particularly Brunei Darussalam and South Korea. Thus, by investigating it using the Path Goal Theory as its approach, this study provides leaders with the desirable leadership style to motivate and influence the youth.Design/methodology/approach The research used a quantitative method with a proportionate stratified sampling method using the criteria of age of youth defined by UNESCO. The data then collected using a face-to-face method of a questionnaire from February 2016 till June 2016.Findings The evidence depicts that Bruneian youth prefers directive leadership while South Korean youth prefers supportive leadership. This finding is based on the selected styles that are desirable by the youth and their choice is also influenced by culture. This may imply that culture has a large impact which can determine the leadership styles best suited to the environment.Research limitations/implications Since the research has limited sample sizes and geographical location, this can lead to future research by considering more regions of different continents to determine whether different leadership preference still persists. This study can also be used as a basis to consider other factors in investigating leadership preference in Asian countries.Originality/value This paper identifies and encourages the need to study leadership style that is desirable among youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on interviews with households in Brunei's Kampong Ayer, this paper explores the geography of poverty in an urban, high-income country context. Under the forces of modernisation and broader conditions of prosperity, the residents of Kampong Ayer can survive with dignity, but cannot prosper and are constrained in their upward mobility. State agencies' approaches to poverty normalise a terrestrial mode of living, implicitly problematising the lives of those who choose to remain in Kampong Ayer, thus overlooking the important role such a space provides for the less privileged in Bruneian society. The paper develops the notion of 'geographical context' as a means to elucidate the co-production of produced marginality and enduring survival in a national context of thoroughgoing transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic identification and classification of sedimentary rocks into sandstone and mudstone are important in the study of sedimentology and they are executed by a sedimentologist. However, such manual activity involves countless hours of observation and data collection prior to any interpretation. When such activity is conducted in the field as part of an outcrop study, the sedimentologist is likely to be exposed to challenging conditions such as the weather and their accessibility to the outcrops. This study uses high-resolution photographs which are acquired from a sedimentological study to test an alternative basic multi-rock identification through machine learning. While existing studies have effectively applied deep learning techniques to classify the rock types in field rock images, their approaches only handle a single rock-type classification per image. One study applied deep learning techniques to classify multi-rock types in each image; however, the test was performed on artificially overlaid images of different rock types in a test sample and not of naturally occurring rock surfaces of multiple rock types. To the best of our knowledge, no study has applied semantic segmentation to solve the multi-rock classification problem using digital photographs of multiple rock types. This paper presents the application of two state-of-the-art segmentation models, namely U-Net and LinkNet, to identify multiple rock types in digital photographs by segmenting the sandstone, mudstone, and background classes in a self-collected dataset of 102 images from a field in Brunei Darussalam. Four pre-trained networks, including Resnet34, Inceptionv3, VGG16, and Efficientnetb7 were used as a backbone for both models, and the performances of the individual models and their ensembles were compared. We also investigated the impact of image enhancement and different color representations on the performances of these segmentation models. The experiment results of this study show that among the individual models, LinkNet with Efficientnetb7 as a backbone had the best performance with a mean over intersection (MIoU) value of 0.8135 for all of the classes. While the ensemble of U-Net models (with all four backbones) performed slightly better than the LinkNet with Efficientnetb7 did with an MIoU of 0.8201. When different color representations and image enhancements were explored, the best performance (MIoU = 0.8178) was noticed for the L*a*b* color representation with Efficientnetb7 using U-Net segmentation. For the individual classes of interest (sandstone and mudstone), U-Net with Efficientnetb7 was found to be the best model for the segmentation. Thus, this study presents the potential of semantic segmentation in automating the reservoir characterization process whereby we can extract the patches of interest from the rocks for much deeper study and modeling to be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the 17th ASEAN Regional Forum in 2010, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi reminded everyone that "China is a big country and all the other countries are small countries; this is a fact." Though Brunei is the smallest of all the ASEAN states in both population and GDP, the level of Chinese investment in the sultanate (cumulated direct investment and construction contracts divided by 2018 GDP) is much higher than in most other ASEAN states. This paper analyzes the Belt and Road stakes for both Brunei and China and Brunei's response to the Chinese proposals, showing that in spite of its smallness, the sultanate still seems able to preserve its own interests to a certain extent, thanks to its balanced foreign policy and its financial resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers aspects of identity among the Eastern Penan of Borneo, 2 in the approximately half century since many have transitioned from full-time hunting and gathering to a partial or fully sedentary existence, in both Brunei Darussalam (henceforth, Brunei) and East Malaysia. Despite settlement, many Eastern Penan continue to project aspects of hunting and gathering behaviour (at both the individual and community level) through a number of traits such as: social organisation, lifestyle, and nostalgia for the past. Nonetheless, following their move to settlement, there has been more continuous and intense interaction with settled neighbours and state proxies. Through this, Eastern Penan have come to demonstrate identity features that align with neighbours, as well as the nation state in each country, in a number of ways. This paper is based on periods of field work (spanning several decades), in both Brunei and East Malaysia, during a time of considerable change, especially regarding how the physical environment has been exploited in Malaysia. This paper provides a snapshot of Eastern Penan identity which, rather than having fundamentally shifted, appears to have diversified over time as reflected through evolving social circumstances and ways these have impinged on lifestyle, language repertoire, and cultural affiliations among the Eastern Penan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential impact of trade openness on economic growth for the economy of Brunei Darussalam. Design/methodology/approach: Empirical analyses are conducted using the autoregressive distributed lagged model (ARDL) procedure and the data used were spanning from 1989 to 2018. Findings: The obtained results indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between trade openness and economic growth. Similarly, the results also revealed that domestic investment and natural resources positively impacted economic growth. Further, this paper found that human capital has impacted economic growth both negatively and significantly, which is against the prior expectation. Moreover, in the short-run, trade openness and domestic investment have lost its significance level while all other variables have maintained both their significance levels and signs of their coefficients. Practical implications: This paper has provided comprehensive evidence regarding the relationship between trade openness and economic growth for Brunei Darussalam. Therefore, the policymakers of Brunei are suggested to take practical steps to gear up trade liberalization, and hence attain higher growth. Further, a favorable attention is also needed toward economic diversification and encouraging domestic investment to accelerate the long-run economic growth. Originality/value: As this is a comprehensive study on the economy of Brunei Darussalam, therefore, this paper expects that the policymakers would find it useful while formulating and exercising suitable policies related to trade openness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper summarizes and evaluates a test-based strategy for early return to work for health-care workers (HCWs) with mild coronavirus disease in Brunei Darussalam during the Omicron wave in February 2022 and compares the characteristics of HCWs by how long it took them to return to work. Methods: The early return-to-work strategy involved testing on day 3 of infection with reverse transcription--polymerase chain reaction and with a rapid antigen test on days 5 and 6 or days 5 and 7. Data about infected HCWs were extracted from the Ministry of Health's public health surveillance database. Percentages and proportions were used for descriptive statistics, and Pearson's Χ² test and the paired t-test were used to compare return-to-work patterns with demographic factors and vaccination status of the HCWs, as well as between cycle threshold (Ct) values and occupational groups of HCWs. Results: From 15 February to 15 March 2022, a total of 1121 HCWs were notified as being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Of these, 175 (15.6%) were able to return to work on day 4 of their infection, 153 (13.6%) on day 6 and 268 (23.9%) on day 7; 525 (46.8%) required 10 days of home isolation. Statistically significant associations were observed between return-to-work periods and occupational group (P < 0.01) and Ct value (P < 0.01), but not between return to work and age, sex or vaccination status. Discussion: This test-based strategy ensured a balance between mitigating a shortage of HCWs and enabling them to return to work early without compromising their safety and that of their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia is a tropical country that experiences forest fires every year. Forest fires occur due to a prolonged summer season. A major effect of forest fires that commonly occurred in Indonesia is the respiratory disorder and the visual impairment caused by the thick smoke that can experienced by the people who lives around the forest. The effects of forest fire fumes when the forest fire spread across the bigger land or area are also experienced by neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. Forest is a habitat for many animals, one of which is a bird. Birds are able to communicate with their colonies through sound. The bird sound during communication to the group can be in the form of calls, marriage invitations, and warnings of danger or threat of forest fires. This paper presents bird sounds classification study using one of Deep Learning (DL) algorithms i.e. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) method. The CNN method is used to classify bird sounds in the two conditions: (1) under normal circumstances or conditions, and (2) under threated or panic condition. The bird sound data used in this study were collected from the local birds in Indonesia. The classification result of two bird sounds based on CNN method achieved up to 96.45%. This paper is a preliminary study for bio inspired early warning of forest fires based on the sound of birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Heart of Borneo initiative in Brunei Darussalam led to a Faunal Biodiversity Survey in the Sungei Ingei Conservation Forest and a variety of other localities in the country from 2009-2016. This paper highlights the differences between the two Muntiacus species based on camera trap images and establishes that their distribution is allopatric. Our data from camera traps deployed in different habitats have shown conclusively that Muntiacus atherodes ranged from secondary forests, lowland forests that include mixed dipterocarp forests, kerangas forests, riverine forests, mineral licks and low hills while Muntiacus muntjac was only recorded in the Ulu Temburong National Park and hills in other parts of Temburong and higher hills in Tutong without any instance of both species co-occurring in the same habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper inquired into the discourse practices in classroom teaching in a State university in Brunei Darussalam. Respondents comprised four (4), local Bruneian lecturers, from two (2) academic streams: STEM-driven and entrepreneurship programmes. Subjected to data saturation, teaching observations of each respondent were shadowed over several weeks. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using the Classroom Discourse Observation Protocol (CDOP) to determine the types and frequencies of teacher-student utterances. Findings showed that the students were provided insufficient opportunities to interact meaningfully and that the lecturers who were leaning toward conventional teaching did minimal attempts to engage the students, failing to utilise appropriate prompts and basic questioning techniques believed to facilitate critical thinking and deep learning. Classroom discourse was propelled by a corresponding approach in teaching; hence continuous readiness in classroom teaching needs to be sustained, should students' quality of learning be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent global pandemic has conveyed emergency remote teaching (ERT) specifically the blended approach, an indispensable alternative teaching and learning delivery in formal schools. In Brunei secondary schools, the blended learning approach formed the core 'Continuity Learning Plan' for instruction along with the mandated educational changes accruing to the social and economic challenges of the twenty-first century learning system. Its widespread adaptation underlies teachers' transitional initiatives and practices which must have reshaped the structural climate and relational dynamics of conventional instruction. Espousing the continuous learning model, this paper envisages to investigate the adaptive-related practices of Bruneian secondary school teachers and learners employing blended learning. Qualitative research approach with semi-structured interview was adopted in the study with respondents comprising of 18 teachers and 13 students. Thematic coding and recursive analysis of data revealed seven (7) dimensions or centre points of blended learning and teaching practices, namely: technological, interactive and effectiveness, added value, feasibility, pedagogical, institutional support and evaluation of success. In general, results suggest the Hub-and- Spokes model that organic support, integrated implementation and professional readiness are germane to the adaption of a functional and manageable blended delivery approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precarity often characterizes the inadequate social and legal protection that transient migrants receive. Drawing on participant observation and semi-structured interviews of Chinese migrant workers of Mainland Chinese enterprises in Brunei Darussalam between 2021 and 2022, this paper discusses their precarious experiences by demonstrating their encounters with local communities and when interacting with their families in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. It unveils that the daily struggles and precariousness of Mainland Chinese workers in Brunei are due to both exogenous and endogenous factors. This study sheds light on the vulnerable conditions of Chinese workers resulting from their individual choices and institutional factors that affect transient migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I address a perceived gap in the lifelong learning literature. There is very little research which addresses how learning should be construed, when individuals transition across a longitudinal span of their working life. This transition which could be viewed as a process of ‘becoming somebody’, often oversimplifies the full complexity of individuals’ learning experiences. Using a sociocultural perspective, the paper explores the lived experiences of individuals in the process of becoming a vocational teacher, in order to help conceptualise the individuals’ learning through their working life. The study draws upon data from a completed research on a group of vocational education trainee teachers learning to teach. This paper argues that learning varies significantly from individual to individual, time to time, context to context and also in different stages of individuals’ lives. This transition could be viewed as an individual learning journey, through understanding the interrelationship between individuals and the contexts, across the individuals’ lives. Drawing from this understanding, the individual’s agency is presented as a way that individuals construct their own lifecourse through the actions and choices they made within the opportunities and constraints of the context. The findings of the study also contribute to the understanding of changes, from the individual learner’s perspective, which could be useful for policy and practice relating to lifelong learning. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Brunei Darussalam is rich in natural resources, including fossil fuels and biodiversity, which it uses to develop its economy, while at the same time, conserve them in order to ensure that it maintains a clean and green environment. However, as a developing Islamic nation, Brunei Darussalam cannot escape from creating an undesirable change to its environment. Pollution is considered to be one of the most critical problems facing the environment today. Haze and solid waste are among the most prominent kinds of pollution in the country. The paper will look into the attitudes of the largely-Muslim society in Brunei Darussalam on environmental pollution, and their knowledge and behaviour regarding this issue. Finally, the paper attempts to explain what seems to be uncaring attitude and behaviour among Muslims in Brunei Darussalam towards environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the mass media systems of Brunei and East Malaysia. It states that Brunei and East Malaysia's mass media represents an example of the different issues discoursed under the New International Information Order's rubric. It says that the newspapers of East Malaysia were challenged by the press problems in the third world countries such as overdependence on governmental information resources and insufficient materials, staff, and capital. It adds that the Bruneian television, on the other hand, serves as media and cultural submission's prime example to outside entities.

This paper highlights the findings of a study into the language use, identity and attitudes of some Bruneian Malay government officers and students living in London. It is found that their allegiance towards the Malay language and Bruneian culture remains strong, despite their living in a largely Anglophone metropolis which requires them to communicate predominantly in English. As highly proficient bilingual speakers, the respondents are highly aware of the importance of maintaining their vernacular Brunei Malay as a marker of their identity. Through the use of observation and semi-structured interview methods, it emerges that predicted patterns of language shift towards the global language do not occur, and there is evidence of maintenance of strong Malay identity precisely because of their requirement to use more English in out-group communication contexts. The 'zero-sum game' notion, of more English equaling less Malay, is not applicable. This paper includes vignettes which show the participants negotiating between their languages in work and study contexts. It also demonstrates the need to consider how English interconnects with the other languages that are found in the repertoire of globally mobile South-East Asians.

This paper adds to writing to learn research by reporting on empirical and conceptual studies on the subject matter but also by speculating on the learning virtues that writing offers besides its function as an assessment tool, namely that it can provide students with an adequate avenue to reflect on their learning. For this purpose, I reviewed 17 studies spanning a 17-year period (2004-2020) and representing both the L1 and L2 contexts. Reviewed studies examined writing to learn in different disciplines and grade levels across countries, including the US, Canada, Turkey, Norway, Spain etc. Later in this paper, I set out to elaborate on thematic patterns if these existed and identify areas where further research may be warranted. Findings indicated that writing to learn is an effective instructional strategy across different grade-levels and disciplines both in the L1 and L2 teaching and learning contexts. Finally, this paper overviews relevant pedagogical implications and future research directions.

The practice of written reflections as a source for creating awareness, evaluating and decision making for classroom instructional and managerial decisions is synonymous with student teachers, especially during the practicum. However, there is the reality of these written entries being denigrated to detached descriptive pieces of journal entries, especially if the practicum stretches over a period of time. How then does the student teacher move beyond the level of personal recounts and achieve a higher level of awareness of self-efficacy? This paper proposes the reflection model which considers three elements: reflective writing, reflective dialoguing and self-efficacy to be necessary for critical reflection. As a preliminary report, the paper concentrates on one element – reflective dialoguing. Excerpts from the sessions show that when provided with opportunities to critically evaluate and talk about these reflections with their peers and lecturers on a regular basis, the student teachers are able to sharpen and target their observations to build local funds of knowledge bases, e.g. on the students, the school, the community, and at the same time to critically reflect on their own beliefs and practices, which in turn helped inform them of their own pedagogic choices and practices in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper explores the ways in which Bruneians who are born into a Chinese-Malay family define their identity, how the state classifies them in terms of "race," how they negotiate their bicultural practices, and what challenges they face while growing up in the liminal space of inbetweenness. Considering the hegemonic force of assimilation enforced by various state apparatuses, the article critically discusses the ways in which Chinese-Malays negotiate the space between assimilation and hybridity. By examining the experience of between and betwixt among these biracial subjects, the article alludes to the different forces that define the boundaries of exclusion and inclusion, belonging and non-belonging in Brunei Darussalam. 摘要: 本文探讨出生在华人-马来人家庭的文莱人如何定义自己的身份，国家如何以"种族"来界定他们，他们如何处理自己的双重文化，以及他们在域限空间中成长所面临的挑战。基于各种国家机器所施加的同化强权力量，本文对华人-马来人如何在同化与杂糅间的协商进行了批判性的探讨。通过研究这些双种族群体的经历，文章也提及了在文莱定义排斥和包容、归属和不归属边界的不同力量。 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest fires have been showing an increasing trend in the past few years. Hundreds of hectares of forests are damaged every year. Thus, it is crucial to identify and implement appropriate forest fire management measures. GIS hotspot analysis has become an advantageous technique for the analysis of spatial clustering of forest fires. However, inadequate research has been undertaken on the validation of forest fire hotspot analysis in GIS. The objective of this paper is to validate forest fire hotspots identified by two statistical-based and one non-statistical-based GIS hotspot analysis methods, namely Getis-Ord Gi*, Anselin Local Moran's I and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), in a study area. The three hotspot analyses were validated by evaluating the spatial interference between the identified forest fire hotspots by each method and existing forest fire contributory factors. The study found that KDE resulted in better spatial matching of forest fire hotspots and forest fire contributory factors, compared to Getis-Ord Gi*. However, Anselin Local Moran's I did not identify any statistically significant forest fire hotspots in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine various methods of payment and foreign-exchange risk management among firms involved in either export or import trade only, or both in Brunei Darussalam. The paper also seeks to delineate the relationship(s) between various characteristics of firms such as number of years in business, size, and frequency of imports, and various methods of payment and foreign-exchange risk management by the firms. Design/methodology/approach - Judgment and snowball sampling methods are employed to collect data from the companies. The results are analyzed from a total sample of 42 responding firms. Descriptive statistics is used to present and analyze the data. Findings - The paper highlights the various important methods currently used for both payment, and foreign-exchange risk management in foreign trade by firms. It also mentions the methods that are used to lesser extent by importers and exporters in the country. Furthermore, various relationship(s) between either number of years in business, or size, or frequency of imports with various methods of payment, and foreign-exchange risk management among firms are also highlighted in the paper. Research limitations/implications - The results are basically from the various trading companies involved in foreign trade in Brunei Darussalam. Originality/value - This paper contributes to the existing literature of international business and finance. It fills the gap in the existing literature about current practices prevalent in the country. Furthermore, recommendations are made to enhance the methods of payment and foreign-exchange risk management practices among firms. The findings may also be useful for financial institutions interested in providing hedging products and services to the firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic (e) government is now deployed by many governments around the world in order to achieve the promise brought by the advancement of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The implementation of many e-government projects, however, seems to have failed to achieve its full potential due to the complex nature of e-government. It is now realized that ICT diffusion is much more than just technological adoption and adaptation. There are many soft issues particularly one that deals with the human side of technological implementation. This paper examines the core factor of leadership, which according to the findings of this paper, is of paramount importance to the successful implementation of e-government. The implementation process of e-government in Brunei is first discussed and then analysed from the leadership's perspectives. Case studies on the experiences of implementing e-government projects in all the ministries in Brunei were conducted. Interviews with key players from each ministry were also conducted. This paper shows that poor identification of a champion in e-government resulted in inertia in initiating the e-government, silos (compartmentalization) among the government agencies, duplication of projects, poor change management strategy, lack of incentives to take risk, and the emergence of rank and file rather than top-down innovation approach. Several key learning points on leadership have been proposed in this paper with regards to all the identified leadership issues in implementing e-government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The objective of this paper is to assess the degree to which Islamic banks in Brunei Darussalam use risk management practices (RMPs) and techniques in dealing with different types of risk. Design/methodology/approach — The researcher developed a questionnaire which covers six aspects in the first part: understanding risk and risk management, risk assessment and analysis (RAA), risk identification (RI), risk monitoring, credit risk analysis and RMPs. The second part consists of two questions based on an ordinal scale dealing with two topics: methods of RI and risk facing the sample banks. Findings — This study found that that the three most important types of risk that the Islamic banks in Brunei Darussalam facing are foreign-exchange risk, followed by credit risk and then operating risk. It also found that the Islamic banks are somewhat reasonably efficient in managing risk where RI and RAA are the most influencing variables in RMPs. Research limitations/implications — The paper's findings are limited to the RMPs of Islamic banks in Brunei Darussalam. Originality/value — The paper explores the RMPs of the Islamic banks in Brunei Darussalam. The results can be used as a valuable feed back for improvement of RMPs in the Islamic banks in Brunei and will be of value to those people who are interested in the Islamic banking system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate the Islamic Governance Examination tool (IGET) in applicability to the healthcare setting. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional study using IGET, developed by a panel of expert and extensive literature, which measures Islamic governance (IG) domains – Tauhid, Juristic, Values and Culture. Health and allied health professionals from the largest hospital in Brunei were recruited to establish validity and reliability of the instrument. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to explore the relationship of the IG domains. Findings: Content validity and construct validity were established with good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α ranged 0.835–0.953). SEM supports the conceptual model and demonstrated potential to improve quality of health services. By articulating internal and organisational processes put in place for compatibility of Muslim patients and accommodating incumbent form of healthcare governance. Originality/value: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study developing, validating and exploring IG components in healthcare setting. Usage of IGET should be cross-validated in different disciplines and settings before application. Nonetheless, IG as a whole need to be developed further to create healthcare environment compatible for Muslim patients and complement current health services to improve health service quality for everyone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]