Bumiputera (Brunei)

The Bumiputera (or Bumiputra) is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Bhumiputra' (भूमिपुत्र), which roughly translated means 'sons of the soil'. In both Malaysia and Brunei the term is used to refer to a member of majority Malay ethnic group. It can also refer to members of certain indigenous groups as outlined below.

The Brunei Constitution defines a Bumiputera as a member of the following ethnic groups: Bruneian Malay, Tutong, Belait, Dusun, Murut, Kedayan, and Bisaya.

Other indigenous peoples (e.g. Iban, 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. 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. The Malaysian Constitution does not actually provide a definition of the term, which has led to some controversy concerning its relation to the indigenous groups in that country. See Bumiputera (Malaysia). Constitutional references to Bumiputeras can be found in Section 160 (2) of the Constitution of Brunei Darassalam.

Being accorded the status of Bumiputera in Brunei (as in Malaysia) carries with it certain benefits and opportunities which other ethnic groups in the country may not have access to. There are a number of affirmative action items targeting the Bumiputeras in Brunei. Under special legislation they have extended land rights and are given special privileges for employment opportunities in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brunei Shell Petroleum.

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