Bumiputera

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This article defines the legal definition of Bumiputera as defined in Brunei. For the definition of Bumiputera in terms of Malaysia, please see Bumiputra.

The Brunei Constitution defines a Bumiputera as a member of the following seven races:

• Brunei
• Tutong
• Belait
• Dusun
• Murut
• Kedayan
• Bisaya

Other ethnic groups otherwise native to Borneo (e.g. Iban, Dayak, Kelabit and Penan) are not defined as being Bumiputera by the Brunei constitution, nor are citizens who are of ethnic-Chinese, Indians or of Caucasian ancestry. It should be noted that race is patrilineally defined in Brunei, so, for example, a half-Chinese man with an ethnic Dusun father is considered to be Bumiputera.

This is different from the definition in Malaysia where a larger number of races and ethnic groups are considered as Bumiputra although the Malaysian Constitution does not actually provide a definition of the term.

There are a number of affirmative action items targeting the Bumiputeras in Brunei. It should also be noted that the Royal Brunei Armed Forces only enlist Bumiputeras.