Chermin Island

About

Chermin Island (Malay: Pulau Chermin) is an islet at the mouth of the Brunei River in the Mukim Kota Batu, Brunei–Muara District, Brunei. Historically, it played a crucial role in Brunei's defence strategy, particularly after the devastating raids during the Castilian War in the late 16th century. The island was fortified as a bastion to protect the capital and surrounding areas from further invasions, strategically positioned near the narrow channel upstream from the former capital. Chermin Island served as a key defensive point during this period of political and military instability. It was later temporarily occupied by Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin as his palace following the assassination of Sultan Muhammad Ali, an event that sparked the Brunei civil war.

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.