I spoke with a tour guide today. Her English was impressive. She showed me all the great tours from her brochure. However, all the prices were high (1st-world prices). Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be doing any sort of tour in Brunei. The tours were expensive and so were rental cars. If I wanted to explore this island, Borneo, I’d probably do it in the Malaysian part where it’d be much cheaper.
She diverted the subject to the Sultan. She asserted that he took care of his citizens. He provided free education, medical, dental, and retirement funds for all citizens. Brunei’s bountiful oil sites are the source of the country’s wealth.
Then she restrained herself. She said it was illegal to talk about the Sultan.
I asked, even if it’s positive?
She said, yes, even still. It is illegal no matter what.
It’s unfortunate that Bruneians have 1st-world riches but lack 1st-world freedoms.