List of Brunei Municipalities

In Brunei Darussalam, municipalities are officially incorporated urban settlements administered directly by municipal departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Unlike districts, mukims, and villages, municipalities exist outside the normal administrative hierarchy, even though they geographically overlap with mukims and kampongs.

Each municipality is governed by a Municipal Department (Jabatan Bandaran), headed by a Town Board Chairman (Pengerusi Lembaga Bandaran), a role similar to a mayor.

Currently, Brunei has four municipalities.

Official Municipalities of Brunei

MunicipalitySettlement TypeDistrictGoverning Body
Bandar Seri BegawanCity (Capital of Brunei)Brunei-MuaraBandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department
Kuala BelaitTownBelaitKuala Belait and Seria Municipal Department
SeriaTownBelaitKuala Belait and Seria Municipal Department
TutongTownTutongTutong Municipal Department

A Look at Each Municipality

1. Bandar Seri Begawan

  • Capital city of Brunei
  • Largest and most complex municipality
  • Covers multiple mukims such as Berakas, Gadong, Kianggeh, Kota Batu, and others
  • Includes major commercial, diplomatic, and government areas
  • Administered by its own dedicated municipal department

2. Kuala Belait

  • Administrative capital of Belait District
  • One of Brunei’s key urban and economic centers
  • Covers parts of Kuala Belait mukim and surrounding villages
  • Shares a municipal department with Seria

3. Seria

  • Major oil and gas town in Belait District
  • Historically important for Brunei’s petroleum industry
  • Smaller in size compared to Kuala Belait
  • Also governed by the Kuala Belait and Seria Municipal Department

4. Tutong

  • Administrative town of Tutong District
  • Smaller municipality compared to Bandar Seri Begawan
  • Covers parts of Pekan Tutong mukim
  • Governed by the Tutong Municipal Department

Settlements Without Municipal Status

Although they are officially called “towns” (pekan in Malay), the following do not have municipal status and are instead administered as village-level subdivisions:

  • Muara (Brunei-Muara District)
  • Bangar (Capital of Temburong District)

Both remain under mukim and kampong administration despite their urban importance.

Key Characteristics of Brunei’s Municipalities

  • Exist outside the standard district–mukim–village hierarchy
  • Governed by municipal departments, not district offices
  • Overlap with mukims and villages geographically
  • Focus on urban management, infrastructure, sanitation, and local services
  • Limited political autonomy; still under central government authority
List of Brunei Municipalities

Quick Summary

  • ✅ Total municipalities: 4
  • 🏙️ Only city: Bandar Seri Begawan
  • 🏘️ Municipal towns: Kuala Belait, Seria, Tutong
  • ❌ Not municipalities: Muara, Bangar

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