Who Will Be Brunei's Next Sultan?

Brunei has been led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah since 1967, when he took over from his father, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, who abdicated. As the current sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah is also the prime minister, defence minister, finance minister and foreign minister of Brunei.

Hassanal Bolkiah is one of the world's longest-reigning monarchs and one of the few remaining absolute monarchs. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee in 2017, marking 50 years on the throne.

Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984, and Hassanal Bolkiah has been in power ever since. There is no indication that he plans to step down or that there will be a new sultan in the near future.

Who is the current Sultan of Brunei?

The current Sultan of Brunei is Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Waddaulah, who has been the 29th Sultan of Brunei since 1967. He is the eldest son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit.

Hassanal Bolkiah was born on 15 July 1946 and became crown prince at the age of 15 in 1961. He was educated at the Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, England.

Hassanal Bolkiah became Sultan of Brunei on 5 October 1967, following the abdication of his father. His coronation took place on 1 August 1968. Brunei gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984, and Hassanal Bolkiah has served as the country's prime minister since then.

As the head of state and government, the Sultan of Brunei holds significant power. He is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world and is the world's longest-reigning current monarch and longest-serving current head of state. The Sultan is also the head of the House of Bolkiah, the ruling royal family of Brunei.

Hassanal Bolkiah is known for his vast wealth, with a net worth of $30 billion as of 2023, and his opulent lifestyle. He is also a proponent of a hard-line vision of Islam, which has sparked international condemnation, particularly with the introduction of strict Islamic criminal penalties in 2014.

What is the line of succession to the Bruneian throne?

The current Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has been in power since 1967. He is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world and, as of 2023, is the world's longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state.

The line of succession to the Bruneian throne is as follows:

• Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah (born 1974): eldest son of Hassanal Bolkiah by his first wife
• Prince Abdul Muntaqim (born 2007): grandson of Hassanal Bolkiah, eldest son of Al-Muhtadee Billah
• Prince Muhammad Aiman (born 2015): grandson of Hassanal Bolkiah, second son of Al-Muhtadee Billah
• Prince Abdul Malik (born 1983): second son of Hassanal Bolkiah by his first wife
• Prince Abdul Mateen (born 1991): second son of Hassanal Bolkiah by his second wife
• 'Prince Abdul Wakeel (born 2006): eldest son of Hassanal Bolkiah by his third wife
• Prince Haji Mohamed Bolkiah (born 1948): brother of Hassanal Bolkiah, second son of Omar Ali Saifuddien III
• 'Prince Abdu'l Qawi (born 1974): eldest son of Mohamed Bolkiah
• Prince Abdul Muhaimin Bolkiah Petra (born 2022): grandson of Mohamed Bolkiah, son of 'Abdu'l Qawi
• Prince Abdu'l Fattah (born 1982): second son of Mohamed Bolkiah
• Prince Abdu'l Mu'min (born 1983): third son of Mohamed Bolkiah
• Prince Omar 'Ali (born 1986): fourth son of Mohamed Bolkiah
• Prince Abdu'l Muqtadir: fifth son of Mohamed Bolkiah
• Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah (born 1952): brother of Hassanal Bolkiah, third son of Omar Ali Saifuddien III
• Prince Muhammad Safiz (born 1974): son of Sufri Bolkiah
• Prince Abdu'l Khaliq: son of Sufri Bolkiah
• Prince Abdu'l Aleem: son of Sufri Bolkiah
• Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah (born 1954): brother of Hassanal Bolkiah, fourth son of Omar Ali Saifuddien III
• Prince Abdu'l Hakeem Jefri Bolkiah (born 1973): son of Jefri Bolkiah
• Prince Abdul Halim Ar-Rahman: grandson of Jefri Bolkiah, son of 'Abdu'l Hakeem Jefri Bolkiah
• Prince Bahar (born 1981): son of Jefri Bolkiah
• Prince Hasan Kiko (born 1995): son of Jefri Bolkiah
• Prince Faiq (born 1998): son of Jefri Bolkiah
• Prince Musa (born 1990): grandson of Abdul Samad

What is the history of the Sultanate of Brunei?

The Sultanate of Brunei, or the Brunei Empire, was a Malay sultanate centred around the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is believed that the early Arab explorers called this new country Kamrun, which changed over time to become Muja, Zabaj, and finally Brunei. The kingdom, known as P'oli or Brunei, is first mentioned in Chinese historical records around 518 AD. It was a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom at the time, governing 136 regions.

In the 14th century, Brunei seems to have been a subject of Java. The Javanese manuscript Nagarakretagama, written by Prapanca in 1365, mentioned Barune as the vassal state of Majapahit, which had to make an annual tribute of 40 katis of camphor. After the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese, Portuguese merchants traded regularly with Brunei from 1530 and described the capital of Brunei as surrounded by a stone wall.

Brunei became a sovereign state around the 15th century, when it substantially expanded after the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese, extending throughout coastal areas of Borneo and the Philippines. At its peak during the reign of Sultan Bolkiah (1485-1528), the state is claimed to have had control over most of Borneo, including modern-day Sarawak and Sabah, as well as the Sulu archipelago and the islands off the northwestern tip of Borneo.

In the 16th century, Brunei's influence extended as far as the Kapuas River delta in West Kalimantan. The Malay Sultanate of Sambas in West Kalimantan and the Sultanate of Sulu in the southern Philippines, in particular, developed dynastic relations with the royal house of Brunei. The true nature of Brunei's relationship with other Malay sultanates of coastal Borneo and the Sulu Archipelago is still a subject of study, as is whether it was a vassal state, an alliance, or just a ceremonial relationship.

Brunei's influence spread elsewhere around Manila Bay, present-day Batangas, and coastal Mindoro through closer trade and political relations. However, the rising power of the nearby Sultanate of Sulu occurred due to infighting between Bruneian nobles and the king. Brunei eventually lost its authority over the Bajaus and lapsed into a collection of riverine territories ruled by semi-autonomous chiefs.

By the end of the 17th century, Brunei entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. Brunei lost much of its territory due to the arrival of western powers such as the Spanish in the Philippines, the Dutch in southern Borneo, and the British in Labuan, Sarawak, and North Borneo. By 1725, Brunei had lost many of its supply routes to the Sultanate of Sulu.

In the 18th century, Brunei attempted to reclaim territories. In 1769, it sent forces to reclaim Manila, previously part of its territory, and achieved success. However, another challenge came from North Borneo, which had been promised to the Sultan of Sulu after the Bruneian civil war. In 1771, Sulu forces attacked Brunei, prompting the Sultan to seek British support. The British secured exclusive pepper trade rights and established a temporary base in Labuan but left in 1777 due to financial strain.

In the 19th century, the Bruneian Empire continued to decline. The Sultanate ceded Sarawak (Kuching) to James Brooke and installed him as the White Rajah, and it ceded Sabah to the British North Borneo Chartered Company. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate and was assigned a British resident as a colonial manager in 1906. This protectorate lasted until 1984, when Brunei gained independence.

What is the role of the Sultan of Brunei?

The Sultan of Brunei is the monarchical head of state and head of government in his capacity as prime minister. The current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world. He is also the Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Finance.

The Sultan is the main enforcer of religion in the country and has advocated for a hard-line vision of Islam. In 2014, he implemented strict Islamic criminal penalties, including flogging, amputation of limbs, and death by stoning for crimes such as abortion, adultery, and same-sex relationships. These laws sparked international protests and calls for boycotts of companies owned by the Bruneian royal family.

In addition to his role as the country's religious leader, the Sultan of Brunei is responsible for maintaining the peace and prosperity of the nation. He has the power to appoint and dismiss members of the government, including ministers and other high-ranking officials. The Sultan also plays a significant role in foreign relations, signing agreements and treaties with other countries.

The Sultan of Brunei is also the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces and has the authority to deploy troops and make decisions regarding national security. He holds the rank of Honorary Admiral in the Royal Navy, Honorary Major General in the British Army, and Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force.

Overall, the Sultan of Brunei has extensive powers and responsibilities as the head of state and government, religious leader, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He plays a crucial role in shaping the country's laws, foreign relations, and national security.

What is the net worth of the Sultan of Brunei?

The current Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has a net worth of $30 billion as of 2023. He is the 29th and current Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei, as well as the Prime Minister of Brunei. He is the second longest-reigning monarch in history after Queen Elizabeth II.

The Sultan's immense wealth is primarily due to Brunei's abundant oil and natural gas reserves, which came under the control of the royal family when the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. The state-owned Brunei Shell Petroleum has been a significant source of revenue for the tiny nation of less than 500,000 people. The Sultan's fortune has been amplified by conservative fiscal policies and strategic global investments managed by the Brunei Investment Agency, which has over $70 billion in known assets. The agency owns several significant hotels worldwide, including The Beverly Hills Hotel, the Hotel Bel-Air, and The Dorchester in London.

The Sultan of Brunei also has a vast car collection, reportedly owning anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 cars, including a gold-coated Rolls-Royce. He constructed a 1,788-room palace, the largest private home in the world, and owns a private zoo with 30 Bengal tigers. He also has a Boeing 747 for his personal use and a theme park called Jerudong Park.

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