Constitution of Brunei

The Constitution of the State of Brunei was ratified on 29 September 1959 after roughly six years of consultation between Brunei and the British government, and was last substantially amended in 1984, with further modifications approved in 2004. Its 86 articles across 12 chapters, a preamble and a schedule embody the concept of Melayu Islam Beraja, Malay Islamic Monarchy, vesting ultimate authority in the Sultan as both head of state and head of government, and combine English common law with Islamic law, which takes precedence in certain matters. The document grants the Sultan renewable emergency powers held continuously since the 1962 Brunei revolt, under which no parliamentary elections have been held since 1962, and 2004 provisions for a partially elected Legislative Council remain unimplemented.