The Sultan Of Brunei: Exploring His Sexuality

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei has been criticised by celebrities and human rights groups for introducing the Sharia Penal Code, which includes punishments such as death by stoning for homosexuality. In response to international pressure, the Sultan has since stated that Brunei will not impose the death penalty in cases involving gay sex and adultery. However, the laws remain in place, indicating the Sultan's commitment to punishing the LGBT+ community. Notably, the Sultan's son, Prince Azim, was outed as gay in 2019, and supported his father's implementation of Sharia law.

The Sultan's gay son, Prince Azim

Prince Abdul Azim ibni Hassanal Bolkiah, commonly known as Prince Azim of Brunei, was the gay son of the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Prince Azim was born in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on July 29, 1982. He was the second-born child of the Sultan and was fourth in line to the throne of Brunei until his death on October 24, 2020, at the age of 38.

Prince Azim was a prominent figure in the international jet set and was known for his lavish lifestyle and extravagant parties attended by celebrities and Hollywood A-listers. He was also a Hollywood producer and worked with his London-based film production company, Daryl Prince Productions. Through this company, he produced several films, including "You're Not You" in 2014 and "The Happy Prince" in 2018.

In addition to his career in film, Prince Azim had a net worth of US$5 billion and was a philanthropist, advocating for various causes, including the arts, youth, and people with disabilities. He was also involved in fashion design and designed unisex weekend bags for MCM in 2009, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK.

In April 2019, Prince Azim was outed as gay by blogger Perez Hilton in response to the Sultan of Brunei's introduction of Sharia law, which included the death penalty for gay people. Despite his father's push for harsh punishments for queer sex, Prince Azim himself was reportedly gay. He stated that he did not mind being outed but was concerned about the impact on the LGBTQ+ community in Brunei.

Prince Azim's death was met with an outpouring of condolences from celebrities and world leaders, and the government of Brunei declared a seven-day period of national mourning.

The Sultan's introduction of Sharia law

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has been criticised for introducing Sharia law in the country, which includes harsh punishments such as death by stoning for adultery or homosexuality, or amputation of limbs for theft. These laws were implemented in several phases, with the first phase covering crimes punishable by prison sentences and fines, implemented in 2014. The final phase, which included the most controversial punishments, was rolled out in 2019.

The introduction of these laws has been met with widespread condemnation from the international community, including celebrities, activists, and politicians. The Sultan, who is also the prime minister, defence minister, finance minister, and foreign minister of Brunei, has been accused of imposing these laws to compensate for his family's controversies and to create a religious legacy. The laws have also been seen as a way for the government to strengthen its hold on power and to appeal to Islamic investors and tourists.

The implementation of Sharia law by the Sultan has had a significant impact on the country's LGBT+ community, who now face even harsher punishments for their sexuality. The laws have also affected freedom of speech and religion, with individuals punished for renouncing Islam or criticising the government.

While the Sultan has faced strong opposition to these laws, he initially stood by them, stating that they would preserve and guarantee the rights of all people regardless of their race and faith. However, following international pressure and boycotts, the Sultan eventually announced that the country would not impose the death penalty in cases involving gay sex and adultery, instead extending the country's moratorium on the death penalty to include these offences.

The introduction of Sharia law in Brunei has highlighted the power and influence of the Sultan, who rules the country with absolute authority, and the challenges faced by the LGBT+ community and other marginalised groups in the country.

The Sultan's return of an Oxford degree

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, returned an honorary degree to Oxford University after a global backlash to his proposal of the death penalty for gay sex and adultery. The degree had been awarded to him in 1993, and nearly 120,000 people signed a petition for its rescission. This proposal was part of a series of harsh punishments integrating the country's interpretation of Islamic law into its common laws. The laws, which took effect on April 3, also included stoning to death for sodomy and rape and amputation of limbs for theft.

The Sultan's proposal sparked widespread condemnation, with celebrities such as George Clooney and Elton John calling for a boycott of luxury hotels owned by the country's investment agency, including The Dorchester in London and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. In response to the criticism and boycott, the Sultan announced that the death penalty would not be imposed in cases involving gay sex and adultery, stating that there were "many questions and misperceptions" regarding the implementation of the law.

The Sultan's decision to return the honorary degree from Oxford University was made public on May 6, 2019, while the university was reviewing its decision to award it. The university had notified the Sultan, requesting his views by June 7, 2019, and he replied with his decision to return the degree.

The return of the Oxford degree by the Sultan of Brunei highlights the international opposition to his proposed harsh punishments, particularly those targeting the LGBT+ community. The backlash led to a moratorium on the death penalty for queer sex, demonstrating the impact of global pressure on influencing policy changes.

The Sultan's response to international criticism

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has faced significant international criticism for his country's implementation of a harsh penal code that includes death by stoning for gay sex and adultery, among other punishments. In response to this criticism, the Sultan has portrayed the change as a clarification rather than a capitulation to international pressure. He has stated that there are "misperceptions" and that once these are cleared, the "merit of the law will be evident".

The Sultan has also emphasized that Brunei has had a moratorium on the death penalty for decades under its common law, and this will now cover cases brought under the country's Islamic laws. He made no mention, however, of changes to other strict punishments under the laws, such as amputations for thieves and whipping for women convicted of lesbian sex.

The international backlash against the Sultan's policies included calls for boycotts of luxury hotels owned by the country's investment agency, many of which are in Europe and the United States, such as the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles and The Dorchester in London. Celebrities such as George Clooney and Elton John joined in the boycott calls, and Oxford University reviewed and ultimately rescinded an honorary degree it had awarded to the Sultan in 1993.

In addition to the economic pressure exerted through boycotts, the Sultan also faced criticism from human rights groups and the United Nations. Rights advocates are now urging Brunei to scrap its Sharia criminal law entirely, arguing that it is a "rights-abusing monstrosity" with no place in the modern age.

Despite the backlash and calls for change, the Sultan remains steadfast in his beliefs. He has not indicated any plans to repeal or amend the controversial laws, and his country continues to enforce its interpretation of Islamic law. The laws remain on the books, indicating the Sultan's commitment to punishing LGBT+ people despite the moratorium on the death penalty.

The Sultan's family and their controversies

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has been criticised for his family's controversies and his own lavish lifestyle, which seems at odds with the strict Islamic laws he enforces on his citizens.

Bolkiah, who is also the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, and Foreign Minister, has been described as a "godfather of excess", with a personal fortune of $20 billion. His palace, Istana Nurul Iman, is the biggest private residence in the world, with 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and air-conditioned stables for 200 polo ponies. He and his family also own thousands of luxury cars, including a large collection of Rolls Royces, the largest private collection in the world.

Bolkiah and his brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, were known for their lavish parties, spending sprees, and running a "harem" of women at their palace. They owned luxury hotels in London, Paris, and New York, and Prince Jefri owned a yacht named "Tits" and two smaller vessels called "Nipple 1" and "Nipple 2".

In 1996, Bolkiah threw a lavish two-week celebration for his 50th birthday, which included a banquet dinner for 3,000 people, a concert by Michael Jackson, and a polo match with Britain's Prince Charles, costing an estimated $25 million.

However, in recent years, Bolkiah has introduced a harsh penal code in Brunei, calling for death by stoning for same-sex relations and lashes for lesbians, among other strict punishments. This has been met with widespread criticism and a boycott of businesses associated with the sovereign wealth fund.

The Sultan's second-born son, Prince Azim, was outed as gay in 2019 by blogger Perez Hilton, in response to the Sultan's introduction of these harsh laws. Prince Azim died in 2020 at the age of 38, with an estimated net worth of $5 billion. He was a prominent figure in the international jet set and was known for hosting extravagant parties attended by celebrities.

Frequently asked questions