"Data Spike or Trust Dip? What Brunei’s Internet Anomaly Might Reveal"

📱 KopiTalk with MHO

📝 By Malai Hassan Othman | 24 July 2025

 

When a single voice speaks up, we often dismiss it as a fluke. But when that voice resonates across homes, neighbourhoods, and WhatsApp groups - we are no longer dealing with coincidence. We are witnessing a pattern. And patterns deserve attention.

On July 23, a letter published in the Borneo Bulletin Opinion Page interrupted the quiet complacency of Brunei’s digital landscape. 

A user, writing under the pseudonym Blue Dolphin, shared a troubling experience: unexplained spikes in home broadband data usage beginning June 24. 

Their family changed passwords, disconnected devices, and tried everything - to no avail. 

The data consumption surged abnormally until, curiously, it stopped only after a formal complaint was filed.

Even more concerning? The telco’s response was not an investigation, not an apology, but a suggestion: "Why not re-contract for two more years - with a larger data quota?"

And just like that, a technical anomaly transformed into a business opportunity. But at whose expense?

A Familiar Frustration in an Unfamiliar Form

For many Bruneians, this is not news. It is déjà vu. Social media threads and family group chats are filled with similar experiences:

"I barely use my mobile data, but it disappears in days."
"Every month before billing, the usage spikes."
"They just tell you to buy more quota."

The patterns are disturbingly consistent - yet the response is consistently dismissive.

At the centre of this digital riddle stands AITI - Brunei’s telecom regulator. Intended to be the bridge between providers and consumers, many now view it as a shield - not for customers, but for the telcos.

 

The Global Context: Not Just a Brunei Problem

Across Southeast Asia, telcos have faced scrutiny for similar practices:

• In Malaysia, Celcom and Unifi encountered backlash over billing glitches and phantom data spikes. Investigations revealed backend errors and pressures to upsell packages.
  
  
• In Singapore, public pressure led regulators to mandate real-time usage tracking and third-party audits. Consumers there can access logs showing which device used which data, and when.
  
  
• In Indonesia, Telkomsel and XL Axiata were found to have auto-renewed hidden data packages, draining customer credit without consent. They were fined and compelled to offer opt-outs.

The catalyst in each case? Public outcry, documentation, and regulatory intervention.

 

What Might Be Happening in Brunei?

Based on regional parallels and public responses, four possibilities emerge:

1. Metering Glitch or Software Bug
   Backend updates or caching errors may misreport data consumption. Complaints followed by sudden normalisation suggest silent resets.
   
   
2. Silent Overcounting or Misattribution
   Data might be double-counted or misattributed among users on shared infrastructure.
3. Upsell Tactics Linked to Usage Spikes
   Some telcos globally have connected usage spikes to end-of-contract cycles, encouraging customers to upgrade.
   
   
4. Infrastructure Bottlenecks or Misconfigurations
   Shared fibre nodes or routing errors may route others' usage through a single account.

These are not mere speculations — they are documented elsewhere. The question is whether Brunei has the mechanisms to detect or disclose them.

Real Voices, Real Impact

Since Blue Dolphin’s letter, more Bruneians have come forward:

“My 1300GB plan was used up before the month’s end. I purchased a 60GB boost at 11 pm; it was gone by 7 am. That’s never happened before.”

“We’re a small family. We stream videos as usual. But lately, our broadband slows down four times a day. No explanation.”

“My bill shows recurring 0.03-cent call charges, day and night. I reported it; they fixed it temporarily. But it kept reappearing.”

“I requested usage logs to check my data. They told me, 'It’s not in the system.' How can we verify anything then?”

Others have resorted to downloading Wireshark, a technical tool for packet-level monitoring, to track their usage. 

When ordinary users are forced to act like network engineers, trust is already broken.

One user remarked:

“It’s $10 for 5GB here. In Malaysia, that gets you 20GB. Why are we paying more and getting less?”

 

The Real Issue Isn’t Just Data - It’s Trust

When usage spikes are unexplained and transparency is lacking, the public is left to speculate. When complaints yield contracts instead of clarification, it raises suspicion. And when regulators remain silent, that silence becomes deafening.

What Needs to Happen Now

This moment calls for a shift in policy, accountability, and respect for the user.

We need:

• Transparent usage logs per device and period
• Independent audits of billing and metering systems
• Clearer communication when anomalies arise
• Regulatory encouragement for consumer reporting platforms

Brunei can look to models like Singapore’s IMDA, where usage disputes are documented, investigated, and resolved through an accountable framework.

Final Sips from the Cup

Brunei aspires to be a smart nation, a digital leader, and a trusted global tech hub. 

But none of that will matter if citizens feel they can’t trust the meter that tracks their household connection.

Unexplained data spikes may appear to be a technical issue. But when they occur en masse and no one provides answers, they become a crisis of governance.

Before we ask people to spend more, let’s offer them more clarity.

Before we advocate for re-contracts, let’s show them the logs.

Because what Bruneians truly want isn’t just more data.

They want the truth. (MHO/07/2025)

Owning Land, Leasing Trust: New Land Rules Stir Hope, Doubt, and Debate

Brunei’s bold new land policy promises ownership rights for stateless residents and lease options for foreigners.

But behind the legal wording lies a storm of questions: Who truly qualifies? And is “ownership” simply another word for renting with regulations?

🔍 In this special investigative piece, KopiTalk with MHO explores public sentiment, policy gaps, and real-life cases that challenge the promise - and the limits of reform.

👉 Read more and decide: Is this a step towards fairness, or a lease on uncertainty?

By Malai Hassan Othman 

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei’s landmark Land Code (Amendment) Order 2025 (LCAO 2025), set to take effect on August 1, has been hailed by the government as a bold step toward inclusive property reform.

For the first time, stateless permanent residents (PRs) will be allowed to own a single lot of freehold land for residential use, while foreigners may hold land through lease arrangements of up to 60 years. 

However, public reaction to the reform reveals a far more complex landscape - one of hope, uncertainty, and unease.

The Ministry of Development, under royal command, announced the amendments in mid-July, framing the reform as a clarification of ownership rights and a step toward improved land governance. 

Yet online discussions and social commentary have since become battlegrounds of interpretation. 

For some, the reform marks overdue recognition; for others, it feels like a mischaracterised move that risks deeper misunderstanding. 

"If you don’t consider leasing to be owning, then your title is wrong," commented one user on a popular social thread. 

"Foreigners can only lease, not own. A lease can and will expire."

Indeed, the reform’s use of the term “ownership” is now under scrutiny. 

While Section 3D of LCAO 2025 allows stateless PRs to acquire one lot of freehold land, foreigners (classified as Orang Bukan Rakyat Brunei or OBRB) are restricted to leasehold arrangements. 

Section 3A clarifies that these leaseholds - capped at 30 to 60 years depending on intended use - require formal approval and are not guaranteed in perpetuity. 

"The word 'own' here is emotionally charged," said a retired government legal officer familiar with the previous Land Code. 

"But in legal practice, perpetuity is different from leasehold. The distinction matters."

Still, for many within Brunei’s long-marginalised stateless community, the amendment offers a glimmer of long-awaited hope. 

“Alhamdulillah, the government has woken up. Brunei for Bruneians,” wrote one user. 

Others, however, highlighted persistent financial hurdles. “I can't even afford groceries these days. How am I going to buy land?” asked another commenter. 

Some questioned whether the policy genuinely benefits the stateless or regularises existing land arrangements made under Power of Attorney or Trust Deeds - now required by Section 3B to be declared and converted into leasehold within 12 months.

Sections 3E and 3F sparked even more debate. These provisions require former Bruneian citizens or PRs to sell their freehold land within 10 years of losing their status, or risk automatic conversion to leasehold. 

Section 32A goes further by banning Bruneian citizens from acting as nominees for non-citizens or stateless PRs - rendering such trusts null and void. 

Some supported this as a long-overdue crackdown on proxy ownership and legal grey areas. Others viewed it as yet another instance of Brunei’s policy overcorrection. 

“The government is still under the delusion that investors would come flocking because of this,” wrote one commenter, noting that developers remain hesitant due to perceived legal uncertainty and inconsistent implementation.

Conversations among Yellow IC holders - many of whom were born and raised in Brunei - exposed lingering confusion over the eligibility criteria for kekal land. 

The undefined status of 'Rakyat Jati' often leads to inconsistent land decisions across districts. 

“My IC has ‘AK’ - but I was told I still can’t buy kekal land reserved for Rakyat Jati,” wrote a user. 

This ambiguity has reignited debate over who qualifies as a 'true' indigenous Bruneian, and how that affects access to property.

While some Bruneians believe that the "AK" on their identity card denotes Anak Kandung - a label informally associated with indigenous or Malay lineage - in many cases, "AK" is simply part of the naming convention used by Iban and other Dayak communities, meaning "Anak" (son or daughter of). 

The Land Department, however, does not consider the use of “AK” in one’s name as legal proof of Rakyat Jati status, which further compounds confusion around eligibility for kekal land. 

This illustrates the policy’s lack of transparent criteria, where identity, ethnicity, and access to land often collide.

From a broader policy standpoint, the reform has brought renewed scrutiny of Wawasan 2035 and the role of land reform in national progress. 

Critics argue that structural inefficiencies - outdated systems, weak enforcement, and high legal costs - still hamper equitable access and efficient development. 

"Fix tanah.gov.bn first before you talk about reforms," said a commenter, referencing the persistent issues with Brunei’s digital land registry. 

Concerns about exploitative land practices also surfaced. 

In one recurring tactic, a BND250,000 plot may be lost over a BND20,000 debt due to sale and purchase agreements or trust deeds that heavily favour the lender, leaving landowners with little recourse due to legal cost barriers.

There are also troubling cases involving Temporary Occupation Licenses (TOLs). 

In one case, land initially awarded under a TOL for commercial use was shifted under a company name, without the full awareness of all stakeholders. 

A foreign permanent resident, by their corporate position, then leased the land to a third party without consulting the Bruneian awardee. 

When discovered, the local stakeholder sought legal redress, only to face litigation threats. 

Authorities ultimately revoked the TOL, not because of any wrongdoing by the awardee, but due to procedural breaches committed by one of the partners and the ‘illegal’occupant.

Legal experts reviewing the case described it as a textbook fiduciary breach and warned that such abuses - if unchecked - could be legitimised under vague corporate arrangements.

To its credit, the government has acknowledged the reform’s complexity. 

Officials cited consultations with the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Brunei Law Society before finalising the amendment. 

Yet public confidence hinges on broader engagement - particularly with those affected by legacy disputes and inconsistent enforcement. 

In sum, the Land Code (Amendment) Order 2025 seeks to chart a new course on a well-worn path. 

It grants hope to the stateless, redefines ownership lines, and reasserts national interests. 

But whether it opens doors to meaningful home ownership or merely extends a lease on uncertainty remains to be seen. 

While the reform aims to modernise Brunei’s land policy, it must remain anchored in the spirit of the nation's constitutional foundation - upholding the philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB). 

The preservation of Bruneian land for Bruneians is not just a legal matter, but a legacy issue tied to national identity, sovereignty, and collective memory. 

Ensuring clear criteria, robust enforcement, and transparency is key not only to safeguarding land rights, but also public trust.

As one seasoned observer aptly put it:

“In Brunei, laws are often written to perfection. It’s in the execution, the follow-up, and the heart behind the law where real trust is either earned - or eroded.” (MHO/07/2025)

 

 

 

His Majesty Leads with Vision - Are We Aligned?

“Titah 79 isn’t just a birthday speech. It’s a call to action. A King leads - will the nation follow?” From land reform to digital ethics, fair wages to youth empowerment - His Majesty has spoken. The question now: Are we listening?

By Malai Hassan Othman

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 16 JULY 2025: The titah of His Majesty the Sultan on his 79th birthday was no ordinary royal message. It was a quiet yet firm reminder that leadership is being exercised with vision, responsibility, and rahmah. 

Yet one cannot help but feel - His Majesty is waiting for the rest of us to move. As always, the speech opened with gratitude and humility - our cultural hallmark of harmony and decorum. 

But for those who listen closely, this titah was more than ceremonial - it was a mirror held up to the nation.

Wawasan Brunei 2035 is now said to be semakin rancak - a diplomatic nudge that we are still in motion.

“Rancak” isn’t “berjaya sepenuhnya.” It's movement - but not arrival. 

And the rakyat can feel that. The blueprints - human capital, Social, and economic - are acknowledged. 

But His Majesty knows: ideas are not enough. We’ve had taskforces, studies, and consultants - but the rakyat still queue, still wait, still wonder. 

So when His Majesty praises the initiatives, it's also a subtle push: Walk the talk, now, not later.

Policies must evolve with the times, adapting to shifting social landscapes and genuine public needs. 

Hence, the overdue Land Code amendment will take effect this August. 

For the stateless, long waiting on the sidelines - it’s a flicker of recognition. And a restoration of dignity. 

It's not just the law. It's keadilan and ihsan. It's His Majesty saying: No Bruneian, regardless of status, should be left behind.

Then came the digital agenda. AI, cybersecurity, and a Data Protection Order - timely and necessary. 

Yet again, His Majesty shows leadership with balance. Innovate, yes - but don’t lose our ethics. 

The law comes first, then the rush to digitise - a gentle but clear warning to the over-eager tech elite. 

To tech players and policymakers - this is a reminder: protect the people, not just the systems.

The labour policy announcement speaks volumes. 

Minimum wage laws now apply to seven white-collar industries: banking and finance, ICT, security, tourism and hospitality, professional engineering, medical and dental, and private higher education. 

Banks, ICT, medicine, and even universities, where pay inequality often hides behind degrees and reputations. 

It reflects the spirit of His Majesty’s message: fair wages are not just the right of factory workers, but of all workers, regardless of sector or status.

In youth development, sixteen new SkillPlus courses aim to future-proof a generation. 

But more than an opportunity - it’s a wake-up call: Anak bangsa ku, bangkitlah. Jangan lalai, jangan tunggu lama-lama. 

His Majesty doesn’t scold, but he doesn’t flatter either. 

He quietly calls out: rise, learn, lead. 

To agencies and GLCs, the message is unmistakable: you are appreciated, but now it's time to prove your worth. Civil servants are thanked. Similarly, our security forces and those serving abroad are also affected. 

However, gratitude must translate into urgency, empathy, and tangible results. 

The private sector is acknowledged. But it must now be felt, especially in employment, fair wages, and innovation.

To the people, the ruler has led with wisdom and endurance. But he cannot walk alone. 

There’s a quiet ache in the titah - a desire for shared burden, for national maturity. 

Because His Majesty may be patient. But time isn’t. And the rakyat is watching. 

The titah ends with a prayer. Not just for peace, but for keberkatan. 

For unity with purpose. And a heartfelt thanks to all who made the celebration possible - from national to district committees, whose quiet service supports the spirit of our monarchy.

So the real question isn’t whether the King will lead - he already has.

The real question is - apakah kita sudah bersungguh-sungguh menjunjung titah membangun bangsa?(MHO/07/2025)

 

Can Brunei Deliver a More Just and Efficient Welfare System?

His Majesty’s latest titah reveals more than just inefficiency in Brunei’s welfare system - it exposes the quiet erosion of trust, dignity, and spiritual accountability. 

Can a high-income nation still fall short in uplifting its own? Read the full feature: A deep dive into Brunei’s zakat governance and why meaningful reform is more urgent than ever.

By Malai Hassan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan, 9 July 2025: The administration of Brunei’s zakat system has come under renewed scrutiny following an unscheduled royal inspection by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on Tuesday, 8 July 2025. 

His visit to the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) cast a spotlight on persistent delays, inefficiencies, and governance flaws that have long troubled Brunei’s welfare delivery framework.

This latest titah is both a reaffirmation of Brunei’s commitment to Islamic governance and a moral reckoning, calling for immediate, systemic reform.

“Is it not sufficient for officers from the zakat department to conduct field visits together with village heads to quickly assess the actual conditions of applicants?” His Majesty asked during the surprise inspection.

The question resonated loudly. Applicants - some of whom wait weeks, even months, for basic aid continue to report inconsistent assessments, excessive documentation demands, and repeated visits without resolution. These delays represent more than administrative shortcomings—they are stories of distress and dignity deferred.

A History of Unfinished Reform

This is not the first time Brunei’s zakat system has drawn royal and public scrutiny. In 2023, His Majesty conducted a similar unannounced visit that led to a review of several welfare departments, including the Jabatan Urusan Zakat, Waqaf dan Baitulmal. 

MoRA responded with assurances that reforms were underway to empower the asnaf and uphold Brunei's Islamic governance ethos - Melayu Islam Beraja.

Yet five years later, many of the same frustrations persist. Poor communication, inconsistent standards, and slow evaluation continue to undermine public confidence. 

The emotional toll remains palpable. In July 2024, a viral post under “KopiTalk with MHO” documented the heartbreaking story of a woman forced to publicly plead for assistance, kneeling in desperation. A December 2024 follow-up editorial questioned whether reforms were reaching those who needed them most.

The Economics Behind the Expectations

Brunei’s macroeconomic metrics paint a picture of affluence. Classified as a high-income country, its GDP per capita exceeds USD 37,000, ranking second in ASEAN behind Singapore. 

The average monthly income per employed person stands at BND 1,536. But these numbers often mask the uneven terrain of lived realities.

Many Bruneians rely on multi-generational households to stretch income, navigate rising costs, and contend with job insecurity. Shared housing and quiet hardship are common, but rarely reflected in statistics. While the Ministry interprets the decline in zakat recipients as a marker of progress, public scepticism is growing.

Extreme poverty is rare, but "near-poverty" is poorly defined. No official poverty line exists. Without a reliable measure, policy responses become reactive, not strategic.

Unofficial estimates suggest that over 40% of Bruneians may live near the threshold of financial insecurity, though recent government data to confirm this is lacking. 

In 2022, Brunei recorded over 37,000 applications under the National Welfare System (SKN) - a figure that challenges the notion of universal prosperity in a population of just 450,000.

Zakat’s Deeper Dimensions

Zakat is not merely an institutional mechanism - it is a foundational pillar of Islamic identity and Brunei’s social compact. His Majesty’s remarks drew attention not just to governance lapses, but to the moral responsibility of every Muslim to pay zakat faithfully.

“Zakat is a sacred obligation. When neglected, it weakens communal welfare and undermines our spiritual integrity,” His Majesty reminded.

The monarch urged MoRA to expand its public outreach through Friday sermons, television announcements, and community engagement campaigns to reinforce zakat’s significance. 

This was not only a message to administrators, but a direct call to the faithful: to honour the divine obligation of zakat, and to recognise that neglect diminishes both community and soul.

Building Systems of Trust and Empowerment

In his titah, His Majesty called for the establishment of a steering committee to oversee zakat and wakaf administration. This committee would bring together religious scholars, private sector experts, and SKN representatives, reflecting a commitment to multi-sector collaboration.

He also stressed the importance of digital transformation, demanding a system that is “efficient, fast, accurate, and consistent.” 

A digital zakat application pilot programme has now begun in selected districts, promising to automate field inputs, reduce documentation barriers, and provide real-time updates to applicants.

But technology alone cannot restore trust.

Mismanagement of zakat, the Sultan warned, is not just a failure of paperwork - it is a failure of duty, of conscience, and faith.

Critics argue that zakat funds have occasionally been used to cover housing loans and long-term debts, a move that risks fostering dependence if not linked to empowerment strategies. 

His Majesty clarified this stance: Zakat should serve as temporary relief, not a permanent subsidy. Recipients must be uplifted toward self-reliance, not left in perpetual vulnerability.

“Zakat is meant to empower, not sustain dependency. Its true purpose is kemerdekaan hidup,” His Majesty said.

Programmes like PROPAZ - intended to link recipients to job opportunities, microfinancing, and skill development - are now under close evaluation. 

His Majesty has requested written reports detailing zakat disbursement delays, asnaf eligibility criteria, and the success rate of empowerment schemes.

A Broader Framework for Poverty Analysis

Academic research has begun to question Brunei’s approach to poverty metrics. A 2023 study by Gweshengwe and Noor Hasharina, published in SEA Journal Vol. 19, examined spatial and locational disadvantages in public housing schemes. Their findings highlighted that poverty in Brunei is not just economic - it is multidimensional, shaped by poor access to opportunity, weak social capital, and structural isolation.

Scholars now advocate using a capability approach, measuring whether welfare recipients achieve dignity, self-determination, and improved well-being. It’s a lens that goes beyond numerical targets to ask deeper questions: Are people truly better off? Are lives transformed, not just temporarily supported?

Without such nuance, Brunei’s goal of “Zero Poverty by 2035” may remain aspirational.

The Road Ahead

Brunei stands at a crossroads. His Majesty’s titah was not just a policy prompt - it was a moral declaration, placing integrity, justice, and compassion at the heart of governance.

Reform is already underway. Digital tools are in the pilot stage. Oversight committees are being formed. But unless these changes translate into timely aid, transparent processes, and holistic empowerment, public confidence will continue to erode.

The zakat system must evolve - not just technologically, but philosophically. It must reflect the best of Brunei: faith-driven governance, community upliftment, and a sacred promise of justice for all.

Whether Brunei rises to meet this challenge will define not only its welfare policy but the spiritual and social soul of the nation. (MHO/07/2025)