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LAWS OF BRUNEI
CHAPTER 15
BRUNEI NATIONALITY ACT
4 of 1961
1984 Ed. Cap. 15
Amended by
S 43/00
REVISED EDITION 2002
(1st June 2002)
Section
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
1. Citation.
2. Interpretation.
3. National status.
4. Subject of His Majesty by operation of law.
5. Subject of His Majesty by registration.
6. Registration of minors.
7. Effect of registration as a subject of His Majesty.
8. Subject of His Majesty by naturalisation.
9. Loss of status of subject of His Majesty.
10. Renunciation of status of subject of His Majesty.
11. Deprivation of status of subject of His Majesty.
12. Saving of obligations incurred before loss of national status.
13. Decision of His Majesty not subject to appeal or review.
14. Birth on ship.
15. Language Board.
16. Evidence.
17. Offences.
18. Power of His Majesty in Council to make regulations.
FIRST SCHEDULE — MEMBERS OF GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERED TOBE INDIGENOUS TO BRUNEI DARUSSALAM WITHIN THE MEANING OF THIS ACT
SECOND SCHEDULE — OATHS OF ALLEGIANCE
________________________
BRUNEI NATIONALITY ACT
An act to make provision for the status of a subject of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan, for the acquisition and loss of such status and for other purposes connected therewith
Commencement: 1st January 1962
Citation.
1. This Act may be cited as the Brunei Nationality Act.
Interpretation.
2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“child” includes any child whose adoption has been registered inaccordance with any written law in force in Brunei Darussalam;
“citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies” means a person whois a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies under the British NationalityAct 1948;
“minor” means a person who has not attained the age of 18 yearsreckoned according to the Gregorian calendar;
“appointed day” means the 1st day of January 1962.
(2) A person shall for the purposes of this Act be of full capacity if hehas attained the age of 18 years reckoned according to the Gregorian calendarand is of sound mind.
(3) For the purposes of this Act, any reference therein to a woman who is,or has been, married shall be deemed to refer only to a woman whose marriage hasbeen registered in accordance with any written law in force in Brunei Darussalamor in accordance with any regulations made under this Act.
(4) Any reference in this Act to the status or description of the father of a person at the time of that person’s birth shall, in relation to a person born after the death of his father, be construed as a reference to the status or description of the father at the time of the father’s death; and where that death occurred before, and the birth occurs after the appointed day, the status or description which would have been applicable to the father had he died after the appointed day shall be deemed to be the status or description applicable to him at the time of his death.
National status.
3. A subject of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan shall havethe status of a national of Brunei Darussalam.
Subject of His Majesty by operation of law.
4. (1) On and after the appointed day the following persons, and noothers, shall be subjects of His Majesty by operation of law —
(a) any person born in Brunei Darussalam before, on or after theappointed day who is commonly accepted as belonging to one of the following indigenous groups of the Malay race, namely, Belait, Bisayah, Brunei,Dusun, Kedayan, Murut or Tutong and any person born outside Brunei Darussalambefore, on or after the appointed day, whose father was, at the time of birth ofsuch person, a subject of His Majesty by operation of law under this paragraphor paragraph (c) (i) and was employed outside Brunei Darusalam in theservice of the Government, by any company registered in Brunei Darussalam or insuch special circumstances as His Majesty thinks fit, if the birth of such person was registered at a Brunei Consulate or in Brunei Darussalamwithin 6 months of its occurance, or such longer period as His Majesty may inany particular case allow;
[S 43/00]
(b) any person born in Brunei Darussalam before, on or after the appointed day whose father and mother were both born in Brunei Darussalam and are members of any of the groups of people specified in the First Schedule to this Act and any person born outside Brunei Darussalam before, on or after the appointed day, whose father was, at the time of birth of such person, a subject of His Majesty by operation of law under this paragraph of paragraph (c) (ii) and was employed outside Brunei Darussalam in the service of the Government, by any company registered in Brunei Darussalam or in such special circumstances as His Majesty thinks fit, if the birth of such person was registered at a Brunei Consulate or in Brunei Darussalam within 6 months of its occurrence, or such longer period as His Majesty may in any particular case allow;
[S 43/00]
(c) any person born outside Brunei Darussalam before, on or after theappointed day —
(i) whose father was, at the time of birth of such person, a person born inBrunei Darussalam before, on or after the appointed day and was a person commonly, accepted as belonging to one of the following indigenousgroups of the Malay race, namely, Belait, Bisayah, Brunei, Dusun, Kedayan, Murutor Tutong; or
(ii) whose father and mother were both born in Brunei Darussalam and weremembers of any of the groups specified in the First Schedule to this Act;
(d) any person born in Brunei Darussalam on or after theappointed day whose father was, at the time of the birth of such person, asubject of His Majesty; and any person outside Brunei Darussalam before, on orafter the appointed day, whose father was, at the time of birth of such person,a subject of His Majesty and was employed outside Brunei Darussalam in the service of the Government, by any company registered in BruneiDarussalam or in such special circumstances as His Majesty thinks fit, if thebirth of such person was registered at a Brunei Consulate or in BruneiDarussalam within 6 months of its occurrance, or such longer period as HisMajesty may in any particular case allow; and
[S 43/00]
(e) any person born outside Brunei Darussalam on or after theappointed day whose father was at the time of birth of such person a subject ofHis Majesty by registration under section 5 or 6 or by naturalisation undersection 8, if the birth was registered at a Brunei Darussalam Consulate or inBrunei Darussalam within 6 months of its occurrence, or such longer period as His Majesty may in any particular case allow.
[S 43/00]
(2) His Majesty may from time to time by notification in the Gazette amend, repeal, add to or vary the First Schedule to this Act.
Subject of His Majesty by registration.
5. (1) Subject as hereinafter provided a person, not being a minor,born in Brunei Darussalam before, on or after the appointed day, who is not asubject of His Majesty, shall be eligible on making application in the prescribed manner to be registered as a subject of His Majesty if hesatisfies His Majesty that he —
(a) has within the period of 15 years immediately preceding the dateof his application for registration resided in Brunei Darussalam for periodsamounting in the aggregate to not less than 12 years; and
(b) has resided in Brunei Darussalam throughout the 2 yearsimmediately preceding the date of his application.
(2) In calculating the period of residence in Brunei Darussalam for thepurposes of subsection (1) of this section any period of absence from BruneiDarussalam —
(a) for purposes of education of such kinds in such countries andduring such periods as may from time to time be either generally or speciallyapproved by His Majesty in Council* for the purposes of such subsection; or
(b) while on duty in the service of His Majesty, where His Majesty is satisfied that such period is consistent with essential continuity ofresidence; or
(c) between the 1st day of July 1941, and the 31st day ofDecember 1946, in the case of a person who was residing in Brunei Darussalam for a period of 5 years immediately preceding such absence; or
(d) for reasons of health or any other cause prescribed generally orspecially by His Majesty in Council*,
shall be treated as residence in Brunei Darussalam.
(3) In calculating the period of residence in Brunei Darussalam for thepurposes of subsection (1) of this section any period of residence in BruneiDarussalam —
(a) during which a person was not lawfully resident in Brunei Darussalam; or
* Transferred to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan — [S29/95]
(b) spent as an inmate of any prison or as a person detained inlawful custody in any place other than in a mental hospital under the provisionsof any written law in Brunei Darussalam; or
(c) during which a person is allowed to remain temporarily in BruneiDarussalam under the authority of any pass or permit issued under the provisionsof any written law in Brunei Darussalam,
shall not be treated as residence in Brunei Darussalam:
Provided that the period mentioned in paragraph (c) may be treated asresidence with the consent of His Majesty in Council*.
(4) For the purposes of this Act a person shall be deemed to be resident inBrunei Darussalam on a particular day if he had been resident in BruneiDarussalam before that day and that day is included in any such period ofabsence as is referred to in subsection (2) of this section.
(5) No person shall be eligible to be registered under subsection (1) unless —
(a) His Majesty is satisfied that he has been examined by a Language Board and such Board has advised His Majesty that he —
(i) has a knowledge of the Malay language to such a degree ofproficiency as may be prescribed; and
(ii) is able to speak the Malay language with proficiency or is unable tospeak such language with proficiency by reason of a physical impediment or animpediment of speech or hearing;
(b) His Majesty is satisfied that he is of good character; and
(c) he has taken the oath in the form set out in the Second Schedule.
(6) Subject as hereinafter provided a woman who —
(a) is not a subject of His Majesty; and
(b) is or has been married to a subject of His Majesty,
* Transferred to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan — [S29/95]
shall, on making application therefor to His Majesty in the prescribed manner, be eligible to be registered as a subject of His Majesty,whether or not she is of full capacity:
Provided that no woman shall be eligible to be registered under thissubsection —
(A) unless she —
(i) satisfies His Majesty that she is of good character; and
(ii) has taken the oath in the form set out in the Second Schedule to this Act; or
(B) if at the time of her application she has ceased to be married to asubject of His Majesty and has married a man who is not a subject of HisMajesty.
(7) A person who has renounced, or has been deprived of, the status of asubject of His Majesty conferred by or under this Act, shall not be eligible tobe registered as a subject of His Majesty under this section, but may be soregistered with the approval of His Majesty.
Registration of minors.
6. (1) His Majesty may cause the minor child of any subject of HisMajesty to be registered as a subject of His Majesty upon application made inthe prescribed manner by a parent or guardian of the child.
(2) His Majesty may, in such special circumstances as he thinks fit, causeany minor to be registered as a subject of His Majesty.
(3) For the purposes of this section “parent” in relation to achild whose adoption has been registered means the adopter.
Effect of registration as a subject of His Majesty.
7. A person registered under section 5, 6 or subsection (4) of section 9 shall be a subject of His Majesty as from the date on which he is registered.
Subject of His Majesty by naturalisation.
8. (1) His Majesty may, if application therefor is made to him in the prescribed manner by any person who is not a subject of His Majesty and who is of full capacity, grant to such person a certificate of naturalisation if he satisfies His Majesty that he —
(a) has within the period of 25 years immediately preceding the dateof his application resided in Brunei Darussalam for periods amounting inthe aggregate to not less than 20 years; and
(b) has resided in Brunei Darussalam throughout the 2 yearsimmediately preceding the date of his application; and
(c) is of good character; and
(d) is not likely to become a charge on Brunei Darussalam; and
(e) has been examined by a Language Board and such Board is satisfiedthat he —
(i) has a knowledge of the Malay language to such a degree ofproficiency as may be prescribed; and
(ii) is able to speak the Malay language with proficiency or is unable tospeak such language with proficiency by reason of a physical impediment or animpediment of speech or hearing; and
(f) has made a declaration that he intends, in the event of acertificate being granted to him, to settle permanently in BruneiDarussalam.
(2) In calculating the period of residence in Brunei Darussalam for thepurposes of subsection (1) of this section any period of absence from BruneiDarussalam —
(a) for purposes of education of such kinds in such countries andduring such periods as may from time to time be either generally or speciallyapproved by His Majesty in Council* for the purposes of such subsection; or
(b) while on duty in the service of His Majesty, where His Majesty is satisfied that such period is consistent with essential continuity ofresidence; or
(c) between the 1st day of July 1941, and the 31st day of December 1946, in the case of a person who was residing in Brunei Darussalam for a period of 5 years immediately preceding such absence; or
(d) for reasons of health or any other cause prescribed generally orspecially by His Majesty in Council*,
* Transferred to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan — [S 29/95]
shall be treated as residence in Brunei Darussalam.
(3) In calculating the period of residence in Brunei Darussalam for thepurposes of subsection (1) of this section any period of residence in BruneiDarussalam —
(a) during which a person was not lawfully resident in Brunei Darussalam; or
(b) spent as an inmate of any prison or as a person detained inlawful custody in any other place other than in a mental hospital under theprovisions of any written law in Brunei Darussalam; or
(c) during which a person is allowed to remain temporarily in BruneiDarussalam under the authority of any pass or permit issued under the provisionsof any written law in Brunei Darussalam,
shall not be treated as residence in Brunei Darussalam:
Provided that the period mentioned in paragraph (c) may be treated asresidence with the consent of His Majesty in Council*.
(4) For the purposes of this Act a person shall be deemed to be resident inBrunei Darussalam on a particular day if he had been resident in BruneiDarussalam before that day and that day is included in any such period ofabsence as is referred to in subsection (2) of this section.
(5) The person to whom a certificate of naturalisation is granted underthis section shall, on taking the oath in the form set out in the SecondSchedule, be a subject of His Majesty by naturalisation as from the date onwhich that certificate is granted.
Loss of status of subject of His Majesty.
9. (1) Subject as hereinafter provided, where a person who is a subject of His Majesty has, at any time after the appointed day, absented himself from Brunei Darussalam, for a continuous period of 5 years and is unable to provide proof to the satisfaction of His Majesty that he has maintained substantial connection with Brunei Darussalam during that period, such person shall cease to be a subject of His Majesty.
* Transferred to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan — [S 29/95]
(2) A person who has absented himself from Brunei Darussalam for theaforesaid period of 5 years but who, before the expiration thereof, has madeapplication in the prescribed manner to His Majesty for a certificate that such person is maintaining substantial connection with BruneiDarussalam shall not, because of his absence during that period, cease to be asubject of His Majesty unless and until he has been notified that such application has been refused. The grant of any such certificate shall be atthe absolute discretion of His Majesty.
(3) A person who is a subject of His Majesty under section4(1) (a) ,
(b) , (c) , (d) or (e) shall not cease to be asubject of His Majesty under this section if, on such cesser, he would have nonational status.
(4) If any person who has ceased to be a subject of His Majesty under thissection, resumes residence within Brunei Darussalam, he may apply to HisMajesty, in the prescribed manner and subject to any conditions that may beprescribed, for registration as a subject of His Majesty and His Majesty may, inhis discretion, cause him to be registered as such.
(5) A person who has the status of a subject of His Majesty shall cease tohave such status if —
(a) he voluntarily acquires the nationality or citizenship ofany
State or country outside Brunei Darussalam; or
(b) being a woman who has acquired such status by registration underProviso (B) to section 5(6), she acquires by reason of her subsequent marriagethe nationality or citizenship of her husband being the nationality orcitizenship of any State or country outside Brunei Darussalam.
Renunciation of status of subject of His Majesty.
10. If any person of full capacity who is a subject of His Majesty makes a declaration in the prescribed manner of renunciation of the status of a subject of His Majesty, His Majesty shall cause the declaration to be registered; and, upon the registration, that person shall cease to be a subject of His Majesty: Provided that His Majesty may withhold registration of any such declaration if it is made during a period of emergency declared as such, at or after its commencement, by His Majesty in Council for the purposes of this section.
Deprivation of status of subject of His Majesty.
11. (1) A subject of His Majesty shall cease to have such status ifhe is deprived of that status by an order of His Majesty in Council made underthis section.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, His Majesty in Council mayby order deprive any person who is a subject of His Majesty —
(a) by registration; or
(b) by naturalisation,
of that status if he is satisfied that the registration of such person or thecertificate of naturalisation granted to him under this Act was obtained bymeans of fraud, false representation or by concealment of any material fact orwas made or granted by mistake:
Provided that no person shall be deprived, under the provisions of thissection, of the status of a subject of His Majesty on the grounds of mistakeunless notice of the intention so to do has been served on him or published inthe Gazette within 24 months of the date of registration or the grant ofa certificate, as the case may be.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this section, His Majesty in Council mayby order deprive any person who is a subject of His Majesty —
(a) by registration; or
(b) by naturalisation,
of that status if he is satisfied that, subsequent to registration orsubsequent to the grant of a certificate of naturalisation under this Act thatperson —
(a) has shown himself by act or speech to have the intent to bedisloyal or disaffected towards His Majesty; or
(b) has exercised any right, power or privilege to which he may beeligible by reason of any nationality or citizenship; or
(c) has, during any war in which His Majesty is engaged, unlawfully traded or communicated with an enemy or been engaged in or associated with any business that was to his knowledge carried on in such manner as to assist an enemy in that war; or
(d) has within 5 years after registration or becoming naturalised,been sentenced in any other country to death or to imprisonment, by whatevername called, for a term exceeding 12 months and has not received a freepardon:
Provided that no order shall be made on any of the grounds specified in thissubsection in the case of a subject of His Majesty who would, on being deprivedof such status, have no national status; unless His Majesty in Council is, inthe exercise of his discretion, satisfied that such a person is in a position effectively to enjoy the protection of some other State and to proceedthereto if he so wishes without thereby endangering his personal safety.
(4) Before making an order under this section His Majesty inCouncil shall cause to be given to the person against whom the order is proposedto be made a notice in writing informing him of the ground on which it isproposed to be made and of his right to an inquiry under this section.
(5) If the person against whom the order is proposed to be made applies inthe prescribed manner for an inquiry His Majesty in Council shall refer the caseto a Committee of Inquiry consisting of a chairman, being a person possessingjudicial experience, appointed by His Majesty, and of such other membersappointed by His Majesty as he thinks proper.
(6) His Majesty in Council shall not make an order under this sectionunless he is satisfied that it is not conducive to the public good that theperson against whom the order is proposed to be made should continue to be asubject of His Majesty.
Saving of obligations incurred before loss of national status.
12. Where a subject of His Majesty ceases to be a subject of HisMajesty, he shall not thereby be discharged from any obligations, duty orliability in respect of any act done before he ceased to be a subject of HisMajesty.
Decision of His Majesty not subject to appeal or review.
13. His Majesty shall not be required to assign any reason for thegrant or refusal of any application under this Act, and the decision of HisMajesty on any such application shall not be subject to appeal to or review inany court.
Birth on ship.
14. (1) Birth on board a ship registered or belonging to theGovernment of Brunei Darussalam shall be deemed to be birth in BruneiDarussalam.
(2) A person born on board a registered ship or on board anunregistered ship of any country shall be deemed to have been born in the placein which the ship was registered or, as the case may be, in that country.
Language Board.
15. (1) There shall be one or more Language Boards each of whichshall consist of a Chairman and 2 other members appointed by His Majesty inCouncil*. Any such Board may act by a majority of the members thereof.
(2) It shall be the duty of a Language Board to advise His Majesty inaccordance with such regulations as may be prescribed whether any personapplying for registration or naturalisation under the Act has a knowledge of theMalay language to such a degree of proficiency as may be prescribed and is ableto speak that language with proficiency or is unable to speak such language with proficiency by reason of a physical impediment orimpediment of speech or hearing.
Evidence.
16. (1) Every document purporting to be a notice, certificate, orderor declaration, or an entry in a register or a subscription of an oath, given,granted or made under this Act shall be received in evidence, and shall, unlessthe contrary is proved, be deemed to have been given, granted or made by or onbehalf of the person by whom or on whose behalf it purports to have been given,granted or made.
(2) Prima facie evidence of any such document as aforesaid may begiven by production of a document purporting to be certified as a true copythereof by such person and in such manner as may be prescribed.
* Transferred to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan — [S29/95]
Offences.
17. Any person who, for the purpose of procuring anything to be doneor not to be done under this Act, makes any statement which he knows to be falsein any material particular, or recklessly makes any statement which is false inany material particular, shall be guilty of an offence: Penaltyimprisonment for 3 years and a fine of $10,000.
Power of His Majesty in Council* to make regulations.
18. His Majesty in Council* may by regulations make provisiongenerally for carrying into effect the purposes of this Act, and inparticular —
(a) for prescribing, anything which under this Act may beprescribed;
(b) for the registration of anything required or authorised underthis Act to be registered;
(c) for prescribing forms of declaration, the administration andtaking of oaths, the time within which such oaths shall be taken and theregistration of such oaths;
(d) for the giving of any notice required or authorised to be givento any person under this Act;
(e) for the procedure to be followed by a Language Board forascertaining the ability of any person to speak the Malay language with proficiency or by persons applying for registration or for certificates of naturalisation under this Act, the evidence to be required from suchperson as to their qualifications for the status of a subject of His Majesty,including evidence of ability to speak the Malay language with proficiency, and for imposing penalties for requiring any consideration for supplying anyreference that may be required by any prescribed form;
(f) for the issue of certified copies of documents made, and extracts from registers kept, under this Act, for the cancellation and amendment of entries in a register and of certificates and of certified copies of entries in a register and of certificates prepared under this Act and relating to persons who lose the status of a subject of His Majesty under this Act, and for requiring such documents to be delivered up for those purposes;
* Transferred to The Minister with the approval of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan — [S 29/95]
(g) for the imposition and recovery of fees in respect of anyapplication made under this Act or in respect of any registration, or the makingof any declaration, or the grant of any certificates, or the taking of any oath,authorised to be made, granted or taken by or under this Act, and in respect ofsupplying a certified or other copy of any notice, certificate, order,declaration or entry given, granted or made as aforesaid; and for theapplication of any such fees;
(h) for the issue of certificates that a person has produced prima facie proof that he is a subject of His Majesty byoperation of law;
(i) for the delegation of any of the powers conferred by this Act;
(j) for the practice and procedure to be followed in connection with references under this Act to a Committee of Inquiry; and in particular for conferring on any such committee any powers, rights or privileges of any court and for enabling any powers so conferred to be exercised by one or more members of the committee;
(k) for prescribing penalties for the breach of any of theprovisions of such regulations; and
(l) for providing for the publication by persons applying forcertificates of naturalisation under section 8 of notice of intention to applyfor such certificates, and for the hearing and disposal of any objections lodgedin respect of any such notices.
FIRST SCHEDULE
(section 4)
MEMBERS OF GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERED TO BEINDIGENOUS TO BRUNEI DARUSSALAM WITHIN THE MEANING OF THIS ACT
Bukitans Dayaks (sea) Dayaks (land) Kalabits Kayans
Kenyahs (including Sabups and Sipengs)
Kajangs (including Sekapans, Kejamans, Lahanans, Punans, Tanjongs andKanowits)
Lugats Lisums Melanaus Penans Sians Tagals Tabuns Ukits
and any admixture of the above with each other, or with a subject undersection 4(1) (a) .
SECOND SCHEDULE
(section 5(5) (c) , proviso (A)(ii) of section 5(6) and section8(5))
OATHS OF ALLEGIANCE
I ...................................................... of.............................................................
.....................................................................................hereby declare on oath that I will not exercise the rights, powers andprivileges to which I may be eligible by reason of any nationality orcitizenship, and that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure allloyalty to any country, state or sovereign, and I.......................................................................... doswear that I will truly give wholehearted affection to Brunei Darussalam and doswear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty the Sultanand Yang Di- Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Successors according to thelaw.
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