The Meaning Of 'Hj' In Brunei Explained

what does hj mean in brunei

The Malay language has a complex system of styles, titles, and honorifics that are used extensively in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Singapore. In Brunei, the title Hj. or Hjh. is used by people who have completed the Hajj.

Characteristics Values
Meaning Haji/Hajah (for Muslim men and women who have performed the Hajj)
Example In Brunei, the Wazir is a group of royal nobles, one of whom is a gahara (pure descendant of the Sultan)

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'Hj' is an abbreviation for Haji or Hajjah for women, an honorific for Muslims who have completed the Hajj

The Malay language, which is the national language of Brunei, has a complex system of styles, titles, and honorifics. These are used extensively in Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore.

The title "Hj." is an abbreviation for "Haji" or "Hajjah" for women. It is an honorific for Muslims who have completed the Hajj. This title is placed after the name of the person.

In Brunei, the sequence of names and titles is as follows:

  • Honorary style
  • Professional rank
  • Royal hereditary title
  • Federal title
  • State title
  • Non-royal hereditary title
  • Doctor (of medicine or philosophy)
  • Haji/Hajah (for Muslim men and women who have performed the Hajj)
  • Name

For example, in Brunei, the Wazir is a group of royal nobles, one of whom is a royal prince and is the second-highest official post in the nation, after the Sultan.

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In Brunei, the title 'Dato' is comparable to the Commonwealth's 'Sir'

In Brunei, the title Dato is comparable to the Commonwealth's Sir. The title is frequently used with a great non-royal chief. It is related to the country's orders (darjah kebesaran) and is a title or the prefix of a title given to a person upon being conferred with certain orders of honour. The power to bestow the order, and thus the title, lies with the country's sovereign, the Sultan.

The Malay language has a complex system of styles, titles and honorifics that are used extensively in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore. Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and several provinces in Indonesia regularly award honorary and life titles.

The title of the wife of a male Datuk is Datin. Women with the title can take either the title Datin or Datuk. The husband of a woman with the title does not receive a Datuk-related title.

The oldest historical records mentioning the title Datuk are the 7th-century Srivijayan inscriptions, such as Telaga Batu from Palembang, Indonesia, which describe a regional leader or elder. The term kadatwan or kedaton refers to the residence of a Datuk, equivalent to keraton and istana. In later Mataram Javanese culture, the term kedaton shifted to refer to the inner private compound of the keraton, the residential complex of the king and royal family.

In Minangkabau tradition, Datuk (or Datuak) is a traditional, honorary title bestowed on a person by the agreement of a people or tribe in the Minangkabau language, spoken by the Minangkabau people. The title engenders great respect and is only used for Minangkabau men who have become stakeholders of traditional leaders or penghulu (noblemen) for a particular tribe.

In Brunei, the Wazir is a group of royal nobles, namely one of the royal princes who is gahara (a pure descendant of the Sultan). They are the second-highest official post in the nation, right behind the Sultan. Following this, the Cheteria, only bestowed upon the Pengiran, who perform specific jobs and are ranked above the Manteri, a group of non-royal nobles. An example of a Manteri would be the former police commissioner of Brunei, Hasrin Sabtu, whose honorary title would be Yang Dimuliakan (The Exalted One), noble rank is Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam, state title is Dato Paduka Seri and traditional Bruneian prefix title for non-royalty is Awang (Mr.).

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The Malay language has a complex system of honorifics, styles and titles, used extensively in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore

The Malay language has a complex system of honorifics, styles and titles that are used extensively in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.

In Malaysia, all non-hereditary titles can be granted to both men and women. Every title has a form of address that can be used by the wife of the title holder. This form is not used by the husband of a titled woman; instead, she will bear the same title as a titled man.

Singapore, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders.

The sequence that should be used when formally writing or addressing a person's name is: honorary style, professional rank, royal hereditary title, federal title, state title, non-royal hereditary title, Doctor (of medicine or philosophy), Haji/Hajah (for Muslim men and women who have performed the Hajj), name.

For example, in Brunei, the Wazir is a group of royal nobles, namely one of the royal princes who is gahara (pure descendants of the Sultan). They are the second-highest official post in the nation, right behind the Sultan.

The following titles are hereditary and reserved for the royal families of Brunei and the nine royal states of Malaysia:

  • Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the official title of the ruler of all Malaysia, elected from among the nine heads of the royal families. The title is often glossed as 'King' in English.
  • Yang di-Pertuan Negara is the official title of the Sultan of Brunei.
  • Yang di-Pertuan Besar is the official title of the Ruler of Negeri Sembilan. All other Rulers are Sultans except the Raja of Perlis.
  • Yang di-Pertua Negeri is not a royal title but is the title of the Governor of a state that does not have a native Ruler.

Tuanku is both a title when used before a name and a form of address when used alone. It is reserved for the Malay Rulers and literally means 'My Lord'. In Aceh, now a province of Indonesia, 'Tuanku' is given to children and grandchildren of a ruling monarch. In Sarawak, 'Tuanku' is the prefix used by certain noble families.

Pengiran Anak is a royal title for the royal families of Brunei. Pengiran is a hereditary title for people with blood ties to Brunei royals.

The following styles often precede the royal title on formal notices:

  • Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia is used for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and state Rulers alike. However, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong also uses the prefix 'Seri Paduka Baginda' (literally, 'Conqueror Majesty') and in English, his title is often translated as 'His Majesty'.
  • Yang Teramat Mulia is used by the children of reigning Sultans (except in Negeri Sembilan) and by the Dato' Kelana, the Undang of Sungai Ujong in Negeri Sembilan.
  • Yang Amat Mulia is used by the children of the ruler of Negeri Sembilan and Johor, the Undang of Jelebu, Johol and Rembau, and the Tunku Besar of Tampin in Negeri Sembilan.
  • Yang Mulia are used for Tengkus, Rajas, Syeds and Megat.

The following titles, which roughly correspond to the British knighthood, can be granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong:

  • Tun is the highest non-royal title and is limited to 25 living holders at any one time. The wife of a Tun is Toh Puan.
  • Tan Sri is the second-highest title and is limited to 75 living holders at any one time. The wife of a Tan Sri is Puan Sri.
  • Datuk titles are conferred by the federal government and are limited to about 200 holders. The wife of a Datuk is Datin.

Some states also confer awards that carry the title of 'Datuk'. The award of these titles is determined by the individual rulers, and there is no set limit on the number of state Datuks.

The following titles, which roughly correspond to the British knighthood, can be granted by the Ruler or Governor of each state:

  • Dato' Seri Utama is the highest state title, below Tun but above Tan Sri. The wife of a recipient is 'Datin Seri Utama'.
  • Dato' Seri or Dato' Paduka ranks below the federal titles above. The wife of a Dato' Seri is a Datin Seri.
  • Dato' (also Datuk) is the most common chivalrous title. The wife of a Dato' is a Datin, except in Terengganu, where they are known as 'To' Puan'

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In Malaysia, all non-hereditary titles can be granted to both men and women

In Brunei, 'HJ' or 'Hjh' is an abbreviation of the title 'Haji' or 'Hajjah', which can be used by people who have completed the Hajj.

Now, as requested, here is some information about Malaysia's non-hereditary titles:

Some examples of non-hereditary titles in Malaysia include:

  • Dato' Sri or Dato' Seri: The highest state title, conferred by the ruler on the most deserving recipients who have contributed greatly to the nation or state.
  • Tun: The most senior federal title, awarded to recipients of the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara or Seri Setia Mahkota Malaysia.
  • Tan Sri: The second-most senior federal title, awarded to recipients of the Panglima Mangku Negara or Panglima Setia Mahkota.
  • Dato': A federal title conferred since 1965, limited to recipients of the Panglima Jasa Negara or Panglima Setia Diraja.
  • Dato' Wira: A variation of the Dato' title, awarded by the Heads of State of Kedah, Perlis, and Melaka.
  • Dato' Paduka: The official title of a female recipient of the Dato' title in the state of Selangor.

In addition to these titles, Malaysia also has a category of courtesy titles that are specifically for women. These titles are not held by the women themselves but are based on the titles of their husbands or fathers. Courtesy titles include:

  • Toh Puan: The wife of a Tun.
  • Puan Sri: The wife of a Tan Sri.
  • Datin: The wife of a Dato'.
  • Datin Sri: The wife of a Dato' Sri.
  • Datin Paduka: The wife of a Dato' Paduka.
  • Che Engku: Non-royal wives of senior royals in Negeri Sembilan.
  • Che Puan or Cik Puan: Non-royal ladies who marry senior royalty.
  • Datin Wira: The wife of a Dato' Wira.
  • Raja Puan Muda: The consort of a Raja Muda (crown prince).
  • Sharifah: The hereditary title of a daughter of a Syed.

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Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and some Indonesian provinces regularly award honorary and life titles

Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and some Indonesian provinces regularly award honorary and life titles. The Malay language has a complex system of styles, titles, and honorifics that are used extensively in these countries.

In Malaysia, all non-hereditary titles can be granted to both men and women. Every title has a form of address that can be used by the wife of the title holder. This form is not used by the husband of a titled woman; instead, she will bear a title that is the same as a titled man. Singapore, which abolished its Malay royalty in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders.

In Brunei, the Wazir is a group of royal nobles, namely one of the royal princes who is gahara (a pure descendant of the Sultan). They are the second-highest official post in the nation, right behind the Sultan. The Cheteria is the next highest group, and they are ranked above the Manteri, a group of non-royal nobles. An example of a Manteri is the former police commissioner of Brunei, Hasrin Sabtu, whose honorary title is Yang Dimuliakan (The Exalted One).

In Malaysia, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) grants honorary and non-hereditary honours to recipients nominated by the Government of Malaysia. Some of the highest honours carry the titles of Tun, Tan Sri, or Datuk.

In Singapore, the Honorary Citizen Award is the highest national honour conferred by the Government of Singapore to foreigners since 2003. It is awarded to those who have contributed extensively and significantly to Singapore and its people. The title of Honorary Citizen is conferred for life, but it does not equate to citizenship.

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