The Evolution Of Brunei's Monarchy: A Historical Overview

Brunei has been an absolute monarchy since it gained independence from Britain in 1984. The Sultan of Brunei is the head of state and government, and the country's only ruling monarchy in Southeast Asia. The current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world's longest-reigning monarchs and was crowned in 1968. Brunei's monarchy, however, dates back to the 14th century, making it the world's oldest unbroken reigning dynasty.

Brunei's monarchy is the oldest unbroken reigning dynasty in the world

Brunei's monarchy, the House of Bolkiah, is the oldest unbroken reigning dynasty in the world. The Sultanate of Brunei and its Malay sultans have been around for around 700 years, dating back to the 14th century. The present Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, is the 29th ruler in a line of hereditary Sultans.

The early history of Brunei and its ruling dynasty is shrouded in mystery due to a lack of records and attempts to construct an official Islamic version of history. According to the national epic poem, the origins of the present sultanate began when Dewa Emas Kayangan descended from heaven in an egg. One of his children converted to Islam and became the first sultan.

Another version of the story states that the first ruler, Awang Alak Betatar, was the son of Dewa Amas of Kayangan and the Sang Aji's daughter. He travelled to 13 settlements, fathering children with different wives in each village. Official accounts attempt to Islamise his origins, but several elements of the story emanate from the Hindu concept of the cosmic egg.

Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888 and gained its independence in 1984. Since then, the Brunei monarchy has consolidated its power and now has almost unchallenged control over the state. The Sultan has centralised power in his office, drawing on traditional and religious sources of legitimacy. He has also shown himself to be a stable leader, effectively using the country's hydrocarbon revenues to provide extensive welfare programmes for his people.

The Sultan of Brunei is the head of state and absolute monarch. He is also the head of government in his capacity as Prime Minister and holds several other ministerial portfolios. The Sultan's birthday on July 15th is a significant event in the national calendar, marked by mass prayer and festivities nationwide.

Brunei is one of only two absolute monarchies left in Asia, the other being in Bhutan. It is the only ruling monarchy in Southeast Asia and is one of seven monarchic dictatorships in the world as of 2023. The Sultan wields absolute power and has final authority on all executive subjects.

The Sultan is the head of state and government

The Sultan of Brunei is the head of state and government. The Sultan is an absolute monarch and has been since the country gained independence from Britain in 1984. The Sultan's full title is: 'His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam'.

The Sultan is a direct descendant of the centuries-old royal line, maintained by intermarriage among cousins. The current Sultan, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, is the 29th ruler in a line of hereditary Sultans that dates back 600 years. The Sultan's power is absolute, and he has the authority to appoint himself Prime Minister, as well as Minister of Finance, Defence, Foreign and Home Affairs. The Sultan also appoints all the directors of the Brunei Investment Agency, the government's investment arm.

The Sultan is the head of the Islamic faith in Brunei. In 1991, he introduced the Malay Muslim Monarchy ideology, which positioned the monarchy as the defender of the Muslim faith. This ideology has become an important basis for the Sultan's political legitimacy, elevating Islam as the national religion and upholding the rights of the Malay ethnic community.

The Sultan's role as head of state and government is supported by several councils, including the Privy Council, the Council of Succession, the Religious Council, the Council of Ministers, and the Legislative Council. The Sultan's birthday on July 15th is a significant event in the national calendar, marked by mass prayer and festivities across the country.

The Sultan's power is consolidated by the country's extensive welfare programmes, made possible by the country's oil and gas wealth. Brunei's economy is heavily dependent on natural resource extraction, with oil and gas accounting for 90% of its export revenue and more than half of its GDP. The state is the largest employer, currently employing 25% of Bruneians, and provides a high standard of living, with GDP per capita of US$51,760, ranked among the highest in Asia.

Brunei is one of seven monarchic dictatorships in the world

Brunei is one of the world's few remaining absolute monarchies. It has been a monarchy for around 700 years, dating back to the 14th century. The current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world's longest-reigning monarchs, having ascended the throne in 1967.

The Sultan of Brunei is the head of state, supreme executive authority, and absolute monarch of the country. He is also the head of government in his capacity as Prime Minister. The Sultan's power is not limited by a constitution but is absolute. As such, Brunei can be classified as a monarchic dictatorship.

A dictatorship is an autocratic form of government where a leader or small group of leaders wields power with few to no limitations. In a monarchy, the monarch is typically the sole leader with absolute power, and in the case of Brunei, the Sultan holds all executive, legislative, and judicial authority.

There are six other monarchies that could be considered dictatorships:

• Saudi Arabia: An absolute monarchy with no legislature or constitution limiting the King's power.
• Bhutan: One of only two absolute monarchies left in Asia, along with Brunei.
• Qatar: An absolute monarchy where the Emir is the head of state and has full executive authority.
• United Arab Emirates: An absolute monarchy composed of seven emirates, each ruled by a hereditary emir with significant political power.
• Oman: An absolute monarchy where the Sultan is the head of state and directly controls the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
• Swaziland: An absolute monarchy where the King is the head of state and directly controls all three branches of government.
• Vatican City: An elective monarchy where the Pope, as head of state, holds absolute power.

These monarchies share characteristics with Brunei, such as the concentration of power in a single leader or small group of leaders, with limited political opposition and activity allowed.

The Sultan appoints his family members to important government positions

Brunei has been a monarchy since the 14th century, but the current ruling family, the House of Bolkiah, has only been in power since Brunei's independence from Britain in 1984. The Sultan of Brunei is the head of state and absolute monarch of Brunei. He is also the head of government in his capacity as Prime Minister. The Sultan's role extends beyond politics, as he is also the Defence Minister, Finance Minister, Superintendent of Police, chancellor of the national university, and supreme commander of the armed forces.

The Sultan of Brunei appoints his family members to important government positions. The Sultan's sister, Princess Masna Bolkiah, is the ambassador-at-large to the United Nations, representing the Brunei government. She is the only extended royal member to be part of the working royals. The Sultan's two sons, Al-Muhtadee Billah and Abdul Mateen, also carry out government duties full-time, mainly for the Prime Minister's Office and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

The Sultan's family members who do not hold official government duties are still considered part of the royal family and hold royal rank. These include the Sultan's siblings and their children:

• Prince Mohamed Bolkiah
• Prince Sufri Bolkiah
• Prince Jefri Bolkiah
• Princess Norain Bolkiah
• Princess Umi Kalthum Al-Islam Bolkiah
• Princess Amal Rakiah Bolkiah
• Princess Amal Nasibah Bolkiah
• Princess Amal Jefriah Bolkiah

The Sultan of Brunei is one of the world's richest individuals, and his family members also possess huge private fortunes. The Sultan regularly allocates land lots and housing to deserving residents under various government schemes.

Brunei has a national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy

Brunei has been a monarchy since the 14th century, but it has not always been independent. It became a British protectorate in 1888 and gained full independence in 1984. On the day of its independence, 1 January 1984, Brunei's national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) was officially proclaimed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

The MIB philosophy is described as:

> a blend of Malay language, culture, and Malay customs, the teaching of Islamic laws and values and the monarchy system which must be esteemed and practiced by all.

MIB is based on the Quran and hadith, and it opposes the concept of secularism. It is a philosophy of tolerance, allowing other cultures to follow their traditions and practice their religions. However, it has been criticised for limiting freedom of speech and for its strict laws against insulting the royal family.

The sultan is the head of the Islamic faith in Brunei and has power over all Islamic matters. He is also the head of state and the absolute monarch, as well as the prime minister, defence minister, finance minister, superintendent of police, chancellor of the national university, and supreme commander of the armed forces.

The sultan's role is to preserve the MIB philosophy, which is based on the idea of Brunei as a traditional Malay state, a long-established Islamic state, and a monarchy. The sultan is descended from a centuries-old royal line, and the monarchy has been closely linked to Islam since the 14th century.

The MIB philosophy has been used to create a sense of belonging and maintain peaceful coexistence within Bruneian society. It is a blend of Malay, Muslim, and Monarchy, which gives Brunei its national identity.

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