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| 3. Brunei |
| 1984, Jan. 1 |
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| Brunei became a fully independent state under Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, though without a fully elected legislature or a government responsible to the people. Previously a British colonial protectorate, it was an extremely rich nation because of the Seris oil fields. | 1 |
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| 1980s |
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| As a result of its oil revenues, Brunei had accrued foreign reserves of more than $9 billion. Even among other oil-rich states, it stood as one of the wealthiest in the world on a per capita basis. | 2 |
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| 1991 |
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| As a result of the events surrounding the Gulf War, Brunei decided to increase its own security and defense. It was, like Kuwait, a small, oil-rich Islamic state ruled by an absolute monarchy. Although the ruler of Brunei supported the U.S.-led coalition against Iraq, he also felt that the coalition's actions overstepped the mandate of the UN resolution. As an Islamic nation, Brunei expressed discomfort with the level of destruction that was wrought on another Islamic nation, Iraq. A trend toward the re-Islamicization of the country's institutions emerged in this context. In addition, diplomatic relations with China and the former Soviet Union were established—Brunei's first diplomatic links with Communist states. As a member of ASEAN, Brunei was influenced by other members' rhetoric concerning development. | 3 |
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| 1998, July 29 |
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| Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah dismissed his brother and former finance minister, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, from his position as chairman of the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). Replacing Prince Jefri as heir to the 500-year-old monarchy was Oxford-educated prince Al Muhtadee, the sultan's 24-year-old son. Amedo Development Corp., run by Prince Jefri and his son, collapsed earlier in July with apparent losses of some $16 billion. | 4 |
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| 2000, Feb. 24 |
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| After misappropriating the funds of his brother, the sultan, whose petroleum empire had made him the second-richest man in the world, Prince Jefri was charged with stealing state funds. Jefri allegedly squandered $15 billion on personal expenditures. There was a trial settlement on May 12. | 5 |
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| Nov. 15 |
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| Brunei hosted 21 representatives from APEC member nations. In a new round of global trade discussions, heated debate arose between industrialized and developing nations. The meeting was attended by important world leaders such as Bill Clinton of the U.S., Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico, Alberto Fujimori of Peru, and Jean Chrétien of Canada. | 6 |
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