How to Survive in Brunei?

 I want to share some important things here, it’s all based on my personal experiences. Please take a note, I am a single lady and get provided for housing and driver. My condition is for a normal visitor, not a COVID pandemic situation.

There are some basic life need you have to bring from origin country before come to Brunei (Preparation)

1.       Passport, visa call, and medical checkup result (the most important)

2.       Driving license, health insurance (additional)

3.       Clothes, basic stationery, skin care, BND cash (optional)

First of all, when you arrived in the airport, make sure you got a stamp on the arrival gate by the custom. In the airport usually many taxy available, but not official taxy car. But I preferably choose free accommodation like a driver from the company. So I won’t get lost or paid too much for the drive. On the way home, ask to go to a restaurant for food and access to kedai runcit (supermarket) in the nearest in your area. It will be very useful in the future.

After settling in your place, ask the guide to do a medical checkup again. It is located in Berakas, near Airport Mall. And don’t forget to bring your previous medical record from your origin country as a reference. If your company has an agency to help, usually they arrange the appointment and set the  schedule for the next step. Yes, it’s making an identity card or IC. For this section, please bring your passport, visa call, and filling form. The location of Immigration Office can find at Bandar Sri Begawan (Jalan Menteri Besar), Tutong (kawasan jabatan kerajaan), and KB (Jalan Bendahara).

Communication is an important thing, get the access to a mobile connection with a local provider. There are two providers you can choose, DST and PCSB. A strong connection will get in DST. Affordable internet package available on PCSB. For refill or top up your balance, kedai runcit provides the credit starting from $5 to $50. Simply, you can top up the balance on mobile banking. But make sure you have the apps and bank account.

So next, I will explain about making a bank account in Brunei Darussalam. As usual, don’t forget to bring your documents like passport, visa call, and reference letter from company. The bank questioning about your salary and working contract paper. It is just to assure the amount you receive as monthly payment from the company. They will also ask what type of your house in your home country, your mom’s name, and about tax obligations from your original country. You can choose which bank you want to make a personal account. Here we can go to BIBD (Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam), Baiduri, Standart Chattered, and TAIB. Personally I just follow which bank my boss has an account, it will make the transaction easier for salary transfer.

If you are not feeling unwell, medical facilities are needed the most at the time. Usually, for an urgent situation like emergency you can got to nearest hospital. But for occasional term like general practitioner doctor, I suggest going to a private clinic. It’s so hard to find medicine in a local pharmacy, people usually just buy Paracetamol in kedai runcit. Or you can find chinese medicine in local chinese store. Please remember, to bring your Identity Card, Bru-Hims card, and passport when you go to the hospital.

Last but not least, driving license. Honestly, it’s hard to move using public transportation here. There’s no certain schedule of their arrival, no certain information about the route, and far stop location. Yeah, I ain't really in to live with this condition, but no choice. So, if you can drive and can afford the vehicle so much better to buy a car. Need to remember, that even taxy is not always available here. The requirement of having a car is your driving license. It’s so much easier if you have it and still valid when you arrive in Brunei. No need to take class, so just exam and get your Bruneian driving license. To make a new driving license you can go to JPD (Jabatan Pengangkutan Darat) office. As always, don’t forget to bring your documents, like your passport and identity card.

For buying a used car, you can find a dealer anywhere. Usually the price follows the brand and the age of the car. And please make sure the dealer gives you all documents like: road tax, insurance, and previous owner IC copy. I usually check the condition first, try drive test and ask about the history of the car. In case, you have to do repairs on some parts, etc. For changing the ownership name, you can proceed by yourself at JPD or easier way by using a car agency. Personal reason, I usually ask agent to help me not only for administration, but also the insurance. It’s faster and no need to do long queue at JPD.

Car maintenance is a big thing for better condition, if you don’t want get any trouble in the future. Find your loyal work shop near your house for convenience reasons (make a note if they can help you on emergency and need thawing). Good service and affordable autoparts can found in Manglait area, but if you need the used things, you can go to Bengkurong, Masin. Wash car also is a basic need for a car, you can DIY or bring it to the nearest carwash. The range price is around $10 to $30, depending on your car type and the service you want.

 

So, that’s all from me. I wish you can survive too

NATIONAL EMERGENCY LINE

998    : Search and Rescue

123    : Brunei National Call Center

140    : Water (JKR)

144    : Natural Disaster

991    : Ambulance

993    : Police

995    : Fire and Rescue