(Bandar Seri Begawan, 16th) The Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato Erywan, emphasized that all Bruneian citizens and permanent residents should register via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs electronic registration system (KHELN), so that government departments and representative offices of the relevant country can quickly contact them or their families in Brunei in case of emergencies or disasters.
The Minister stressed this point at the National Assembly Hall on the fourth day of the first meeting of the 22nd session of the 2026 National Assembly (MMN).
This was also in response to a question raised by a member of parliament regarding the main actions the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should take if a Bruneian citizen passes away overseas.
The Minister explained that the primary actions are identification and notification. Upon receiving information or a report of a Bruneian citizen passing away abroad, the relevant country or its nearest representative office will verify the deceased's identity via travel documents such as passport or ID card. After verification, the representative will promptly notify the Bruneian Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters.
The Minister added that the Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work with relevant Bruneian agencies to obtain the deceased’s next of kin information in Brunei, and then contact the next of kin.
The Minister again explained that the second step is consular assistance and guidance. Bruneian diplomatic missions will provide consular consultations and guidance to the family, explaining the procedures that need to be followed as well as the necessary regulations in the relevant country. This includes preparing official documents such as the death certificate, hospital or police report, and any legal or regulatory requirements of the relevant country.
The representative office will also assist in handling matters relating to the remains, including repatriating the body to Brunei or arranging the funeral in the relevant country, according to the family’s wishes.
The representative office also provides logistical support, including handling permits, coordinating with local authorities and airlines, etc.
The Minister further explained that, for convenience of communication, the ministry and its representative offices provide hotline numbers and consular email channels, so that families can obtain the latest information.
All administrative costs must be borne directly by the family, or by the insurance company if the deceased had purchased travel insurance.
The Minister added that the third point is the facilitation for the family. In some cases, if there is no travel insurance, the cost of arranging the funeral or repatriating the body to Brunei can indeed be very high.
In such cases, under specific conditions, the ministry may assist in advancing the related costs, but the amount must be reimbursed to the government.
In addition, the minister took this opportunity to inform the public that, in view of the current unrest in the Middle East, Brunei and its various representative offices in the region are closely monitoring developments in the security situation, with special concern for the wellbeing of all Bruneian citizens registered with the representative offices.
In this regard, the Minister emphasized that Brunei hopes citizens living in affected countries, especially those not yet registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will register as soon as possible through the ministry’s electronic registration system on its website.
This registration will enable the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the representative offices to transmit important information more conveniently and contact Bruneian citizens in a timely manner should uncertain situations arise.
At the same time, the Minister also expressed gratitude to all officials and staff of the respective representative agencies in the Middle East, thanking them for always providing services to Bruneian citizens, even as they themselves face various uncertain circumstances.
The Minister stressed this point at the National Assembly Hall on the fourth day of the first meeting of the 22nd session of the 2026 National Assembly (MMN).
This was also in response to a question raised by a member of parliament regarding the main actions the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should take if a Bruneian citizen passes away overseas.
The Minister explained that the primary actions are identification and notification. Upon receiving information or a report of a Bruneian citizen passing away abroad, the relevant country or its nearest representative office will verify the deceased's identity via travel documents such as passport or ID card. After verification, the representative will promptly notify the Bruneian Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters.
The Minister again explained that the second step is consular assistance and guidance. Bruneian diplomatic missions will provide consular consultations and guidance to the family, explaining the procedures that need to be followed as well as the necessary regulations in the relevant country. This includes preparing official documents such as the death certificate, hospital or police report, and any legal or regulatory requirements of the relevant country.
The representative office will also assist in handling matters relating to the remains, including repatriating the body to Brunei or arranging the funeral in the relevant country, according to the family’s wishes.
The representative office also provides logistical support, including handling permits, coordinating with local authorities and airlines, etc.
The Minister further explained that, for convenience of communication, the ministry and its representative offices provide hotline numbers and consular email channels, so that families can obtain the latest information.
All administrative costs must be borne directly by the family, or by the insurance company if the deceased had purchased travel insurance.
The Minister added that the third point is the facilitation for the family. In some cases, if there is no travel insurance, the cost of arranging the funeral or repatriating the body to Brunei can indeed be very high.
In such cases, under specific conditions, the ministry may assist in advancing the related costs, but the amount must be reimbursed to the government.
In addition, the minister took this opportunity to inform the public that, in view of the current unrest in the Middle East, Brunei and its various representative offices in the region are closely monitoring developments in the security situation, with special concern for the wellbeing of all Bruneian citizens registered with the representative offices.
In this regard, the Minister emphasized that Brunei hopes citizens living in affected countries, especially those not yet registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will register as soon as possible through the ministry’s electronic registration system on its website.
This registration will enable the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the representative offices to transmit important information more conveniently and contact Bruneian citizens in a timely manner should uncertain situations arise.
At the same time, the Minister also expressed gratitude to all officials and staff of the respective representative agencies in the Middle East, thanking them for always providing services to Bruneian citizens, even as they themselves face various uncertain circumstances.