The Residental System(1906-1959)

The Residental System(1906-1959)

-Introduced in Brunei in 1906

-Result of the supplementary protectorate agreement signed on 31/1/1905 and on 3/1/1906

-British Resident appointed to advise sultan on all matters of administration except those touching on Islam

-First resident: Malcom Mc Arthur,also officer responsible for Labuan

“Agent & representative of his Britannic Majesty’s government under the high commissioner for the British protectorate in Borneo”

-May 1906- he took the office

-Assistant of resident introduce 1906

-Abolished from 1915-1930,becoz financial difficulties

-Beginning,Brunei was administrative linked with Labuan

-Brunei had STRONG administrative links with the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay states

-High commissioner also “GOVERNOR OF THE STRAITS SETTLEMENT”

-Resident had WIDE-RANGING power

-Secured executive power

-He interfered with malay customs,*matters of land rights*

-Resented by locals

In theory:	In reality:
Resident as advisers	Resident acted as ruler and the sultan was obliged to accept his advice.

Advantages	Disadvantages
1.Better administration	1.Power of sultan weakened
2.Social welfare	2.Traditional responsibilities disrupted
3.Economis	3. Resident did not make effort to understand locals
4.Political	4.Resident did not work for Brunei’s interest
	5.Local could not head departments

:1929- oil, the source of Brunei first struck at Seria

:1932- went into commercial production

:World war 2, japan occupied Brunei

:1945- Australia liberated Brunei

:1959- Promulgation of a written Constitution, which gave the State self-government, made the Sultan supreme executive authority in the country, and changed the post of British Resident to High Commissioner who continued to advise the Sultan on all matters other than those relating to Islam and Malay customs.

History for Brunei Darussalam:
Sharing OUR past;
Secondary 3