Chermin Island
Native name: Pulau Chermin | |
|---|---|
The island in 2022 | |
Location in Brunei | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Brunei Bay |
| Coordinates | 4°55′47″N 115°01′30″E / 4.9298333°N 115.0249126°E |
| Archipelago | Malay Archipelago |
| Area | 5 ha (12 acres) |
| Highest elevation | 110 ft (34 m) |
| Administration | |
Brunei | |
| District | Brunei–Muara |
| Mukim | Kota Batu |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Chermin Island (Malay: Pulau Chermin) is an islet at the mouth of 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. During a period of political and military instability, Chermin Island's significance was further underscored, serving as a key defensive point. 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.