Pusat Bandar (

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

: ''City Centre'') is the

city centre A city centre, also known as an urban core, is the Commerce, commercial, Culture, cultural and often the historical, Politics, political, and geographic heart of a city. The term "city centre" is primarily used in British English, and closely e ...

Bandar Seri Begawan Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) is the capital and largest city of Brunei. It is officially a Municipalities of Brunei, municipal area () with an area of and an estimated population of 100,700 as of 2007. It is part of Brunei–Muara District, the s ...

, the capital of

Brunei Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. Apart from its coastline on the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, with ...

. It is home to a number of national landmarks, important government offices, and commercial and financial establishments.

Administration

The city centre is part of the

municipal A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the gov ...

area of the capital. It is also one of the administrative

villages A village is a human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a population typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Although villages are often located in rural areas, the term urban village ...

within

Mukim Kianggeh Mukim Kianggeh is a mukims of Brunei, mukim in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. The population was 8,228 in 2016. The mukim encompasses Pusat Bandar, Brunei, Pusat Bandar, the city centre of the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Etymology The name ...

, a

mukim A mukim is a type of administrative division used in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The word ''mukim'' is a loanword in English language, English. However, it was also originally a loanword in Malay language, Malay from the Arabic word ...

of Brunei-Muara District, with a population of 204 in 2016. It has the

postcode A postal code (also known locally in various English-speaking countries throughout the world as a postcode, post code, PIN or ZIP Code) is a series of letters or numerical digit, digits or both, sometimes including spaces or punctuation, inclu ...

BA8611.

Infrastructure

Commerce

* Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, a commercial centre * '' Tamu Kianggeh'' (Kianggeh Market) offers a selection of regional produce, including edible ferns and healing plants. Also available are prepared local delicacies and the day's catch from the fisherman. Bandar Seri Begawan 27 May 2023 10

Places of interest

The city centre is home to several sites with historical and cultural significance, including: *

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque () or unofficially Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque (SOAS Mosque), is a mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei, is credited with building the mosqu ...

, one of the two state mosques of Brunei. In the 1960s and early 1970s, religious activities including Holy Qur'an readings were held in the lagoon, a replica of a 16th century mahligai or royal barge. The mosque has been hailed as Brunei's architectural triumph and has evolved into the nation's most identifiable landmark throughout time. * 1968 Coronation Arch, to remember

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah (born 15 July 1946) is the Sultan of Brunei since 1967, and prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the worl ...

Coronation on 1 August 1968. The gate was once built in

Kampong Sultan Lama Kampong Sultan Lama () was a neighbourhood in Kampong Ayer, the riverine stilt settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It was officially a Villages of Brunei, village Subdivisions of Brunei, subdivision under Mukim Sungai Kedaya ...

, but in October 1993 it was moved to its current site. * , where the declaration of Brunei's independence from the United Kingdom was proclaimed on 1 January 1984, and where national celebrations of Maulidur Rasu are still celebrated. * ''Cendera Lambang Kenangan'', is an arch that stands 10 meters tall for the silver jubilee celebration of Bandar Seri Begawan's 25-year name conversion from Bandar Brunei. The Brunei Shell Company provided the Commemorative Emblem, whose construction cost more than B$60,000. * Brunei Energy Hub, a museum and former Royal Customs and Excise Building. *

Lapau The Lapau, also known as the Royal Ceremonial Hall, is a ceremonial hall in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. It is where the royal ceremonies, state investiture and some state events are traditionally held. It was the place where the present Sulta ...

, a royal ceremonial hall. It was where the

Constitution of Brunei The Constitution of Brunei, officially Constitution of the State of Brunei (; Jawi: ڤرلمباݢاءن نڬري بروني), was created in 1959. Ultimate authority rests with the Sultan, who is both head of state and head of government. In 20 ...

was promulgated in 1959, as well as

Hassanal Bolkiah Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah (born 15 July 1946) is the List of sultans of Brunei, Sultan of Brunei since 1967, and Prime Minister of Brunei, prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is one ...

was crowned as the 29th and current

Sultan of Brunei The Sultan of Brunei is the monarchical head of state of Brunei and head of government in his capacity as prime minister of Brunei. Since independence from the British in 1984, only one sultan has reigned, though the royal institution dates bac ...

. * , a former building for the

Legislative Council of Brunei The Legislative Council of Brunei ( Malay: ''Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei''; Jawi: ; abbrev: Legco) is a national unicameral legislature of Brunei. The council comprises 36 appointed members, that only has consultative tasks. Under Brunei's 1 ...

. * '' Lapau Lama'' (Old Lapau), former royal ceremonial hall and now a museum within the

Brunei History Centre The Brunei History Centre (PSB; ) is a government institution which conducts research, documentation, publication and dissemination on matters pertaining to the history of Brunei. It was established in 1982 by the consent of Sultan Hassanal Bolk ...

. *

Raja Ayang Mausoleum The Raja Ayang Mausoleum () is a historical mausoleum in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. It believed to honour a royal punished for incest in the 15th century, became a site of cultural significance where visitors seek blessings despite the resultin ...

, a mausoleum or an old

Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

cemetery A cemetery, burial ground, gravesite, graveyard, or a green space called a memorial park or memorial garden, is a place where the remains of many death, dead people are burial, buried or otherwise entombed. The word ''cemetery'' (from Greek ...

may be seen right next to the General Post Office. It is the grave of a member of the Royal Family who was punished for disobeying Islamic traditions, according to elders' tales. * ''Bangunan Sekretariat'' (Secretariat Building), which serves as the headquarters for

Radio Television Brunei Radio Television Brunei (, Jawi: راديو تيليۏيشين بروني, officially abbreviated as RTB) is the national public broadcaster of Brunei, headquartered at the Secretariat Building, Bandar Seri Begawan. Radio Brunei made its fir ...

(RTB) and former office for the State Secretary of Brunei. * Teng Yun Temple is the oldest still-standing Chinese temple in the country and has served as a shelter for devotees in the Chinese community ever since it was founded in the 1960s. * Timepiece Monument, built around 1959, marks the 0-kilometre point in Brunei Darussalam, located at the intersection of Jalan Sultan in Bandar Seri Begawan. It stands near the General Post Office and the Secretariat Building. Constructed from concrete and adorned with blue Italian mosaics, the tower features four

Seiko , commonly known as Seiko ( , ), is a Japanese maker of watches, clocks, electronic devices, and semiconductors. Founded in 1881 by Kintarō Hattori in Tokyo, Seiko introduced the world's first commercial quartz wristwatch in 1969. Seiko is ...

clocks at each cardinal direction. It was erected to commemorate the visit of the

Yang di-Pertuan Agong The King of Malaysia, officially ''Yang di-Pertuan Agong'' ( Jawi alphabet, Jawi: ), is the constitutional monarch and Figurehead, ceremonial head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957, when the Federation of Malaya gained ...

to Brunei on 11 July 1959. The foundation stone was laid by

Tuanku Abdul Rahman '' Tuanku'' Sir Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad ( Jawi: ; 24 August 1895 – 1 April 1960) was the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan from 1933, and the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong of the Federation of Malaya from 1957, unt ...

to strengthen the ties between Brunei and Malaya. *

Royal Regalia Museum The Royal Regalia Museum () is a museum located in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. Originally built as a monument in 1965, the museum had a makeover and expansion in 1992 that combined constructivist and Melayu Islam B ...

(), which houses the

regalia Regalia ( ) is the set of emblems, symbols, or paraphernalia indicative of royal status, as well as rights, prerogatives and privileges enjoyed by a sovereign, regardless of title. The word originally referred to the elaborate formal dress and ...

of the Bruneian royalty. * '' Istana Darussalam'' (Darussalam Palace), a former royal residence of

Omar Ali Saifuddien III Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien (Jawi script, Jawi: ; 23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986) was the 28th Sultan of Brunei, reigning from 1950 until his abdication in 1967 to his oldest son, Hassanal Bolkiah. Over the course of his ...

, the 28th Sultan of Brunei. * ''

Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas (from the Malay language, Malay name, literally 'Golden Jubilee Crown Park'), initially known as Eco-Corridor Park (), is a riverfront public park in the former Mukim Sungai Kedayan of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The par ...

'' (Golden Jubilee Crown Park) is a 12-hectare riverbank park next to Kampong Ayer, and the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. * ''Bangunan Dewan Kemasyarakatan'' (Community Hall Building), which serves as the headquarters for Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB). *

Dermaga Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan The Dermaga Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan, simply known as the Royal Wharf (), is a Waterfront (area), waterfront site located in Bandar Seri Begawan. Originally known as the Royal Customs and Excise Wharf, it has a rich history as both a port and ...

, a former

wharf A wharf ( or wharfs), quay ( , also ), staith, or staithe is a structure on the shore of a harbour or on the bank of a river or canal where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers. Such a structure includes one or more Berth (mo ...

renovated into a

promenade An esplanade or promenade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The historical definition of ''esplanade'' was a large, open, level area outside fortification, fortress or city walls ...

that now also connects to the Mahkota Jubli Emas Park. * ''Mercu Dirgahayu 60'' (60th Year Monument), a landmark worth B$1.5 million was sponsored and contributed by the private sector and the people and residents of the country. It symbolises the nation's devotion to the occasion, which coincides with the 60th birthday anniversary of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Government

There are several government institutions which have their headquarters in the city centre, including: *

Ministry of Home Affairs An interior ministry or ministry of the interior (also called ministry of home affairs or ministry of internal affairs) is a government department that is responsible for domestic policy, public security and law enforcement. In some states, the i ...

(MOHA) * Department of Mosque Affairs * Department of Syariah Affairs *

Syariah Court Syariah ( Jawi: , the Malay spelling of "Sharia") refers to sharia law in Islamic religious law and deals with exclusively Islamic laws, having jurisdiction upon every Muslim in Malaysia. The Syariah Court system is one of the two separate cou ...

of Brunei *

Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Library The Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Library () or simply Dewan Bahasa Pustaka Library, is a public library located in Pusat Bandar of Bandar Seri Begawan, was initiated in 1965 and completed in 1968. Designed in the Constructivist architecture, the buil ...

, which oversees the official

history of Brunei The history of Brunei concerns the settlements and societies located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, which has been under the influence of Greater India, Indianised kingdoms and empires for much of its history. Local scholars assume ...

. * (JAIN), which oversees the royal protocol of Brunei. * Main Post Office () * Bandar Seri Begawan Police Department * Bandar Seri Begawan Fire Station Pusat Bandar 16 July 2022 09

Diplomacy

The area is also home to several embassies, high commissions and consulates. * Embassy of Germany * Embassy of France * High Commission of Canada * High Commission of the United Kingdom * High Commission of Australia * Consulate of Switzerland * Consulate of Norway * Consulate of New Zealand

References

External links

* Neighbourhoods in Bandar Seri Begawan Central business districts {{Brunei-geo-stub