View source for Hassanal Bolkiah

{{Short description|Sultan of Brunei since 1967}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Hassanal Bolkiah <br/> {{Script/Arabic|حسن البلقية}}
| image        = Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah - 53857993945.jpg
| caption      = Hassanal Bolkiah in 2024
| succession   = [[List of sultans of Brunei|Sultan of Brunei]]
| reign        = 5 October 1967 – present
| coronation   = 1 August 1968
| predecessor  = [[Omar Ali Saifuddien III]]
| suc-type     = {{nowrap|Heir apparent}}
| successor    = [[Al-Muhtadee Billah]]
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Other positions|titlestyle=border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox royalty |embed=yes
| succession1  = [[Prime Minister of Brunei]]
{{Infobox officeholder/office
| color        = #e4dcf6
| termstart    = 1 January 1984
| deputy       = Al-Muhtadee Billah
| predecessor  = ''Office established''
}}
| succession2  = [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Brunei)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]]
{{Infobox officeholder/office
| color        = #e4dcf6
| termstart    = 22 October 2015
| alongside    = [[Lim Jock Seng]] (2005–2018) and [[Erywan Yusof]] (2018–)
| predecessor  = [[Mohamed Bolkiah]]
}}
| succession3  = [[Ministry of Defence (Brunei)|Minister of Defence]]<br />[[Commander-in-chief|Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Royal Brunei Armed Forces]]
{{Infobox officeholder/office
| color        = #e4dcf6
| termstart    = 7 September 1986
| alongside    = [[Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof|Halbi Mohd Yussof]] (2018–2022; 2023–)
| predecessor  = [[Omar Ali Saifuddien III]]
}}
| succession4  = [[Ministry of Finance and Economy (Brunei)|Minister of Finance and Economy]]
{{Infobox officeholder/office
| color        = #e4dcf6
| alongside    = [[Abdul Rahman bin Ibrahim|Abdul Rahman Ibrahim]] (2005–2018) and [[Amin Liew Abdullah]] (2018–)
| termstart    = 23 February 1997
| predecessor  = [[Jefri Bolkiah]]
}}
{{Infobox officeholder/office
| termstart    = 1 January 1984
| termend      = 20 October 1986
| predecessor  = ''Office established'' 
| successor    = [[Jefri Bolkiah]]
}}
| succession6  = [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei)|Minister of Home Affairs]]
{{Infobox officeholder/office
| color        = #e4dcf6
| termstart    = 1 January 1984
| termend      = 20 October 1986
| predecessor  = ''Office established'' 
| successor    = [[Isa bin Ibrahim|Isa Ibrahim]]
}}
}}{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| birth_name   = Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1946|7|15|df=yes}}
| birth_place  = [[Istana Darussalam]], [[Bandar Seri Begawan|Brunei Town]], [[History of Brunei|British Protectorate of Brunei]]<br/>(now Brunei)
| full name    = Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien
| spouse       = {{Plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Queen Saleha of Brunei|Pengiran Anak Saleha]]|28 July 1965}}
* {{marriage|[[Mariam Abdul Aziz]]|1981|2003|end=div}}
* {{marriage|[[Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim]]|2005|2010|end=div}}}}
| issue        = {{Collapsible list
|[[Princess Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah]]
|[[Princess Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah]]
|[[Al-Muhtadee Billah|Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah]]
|[[Princess Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah]]
|[[Princess Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah]]
|[[Prince Abdul Azim of Brunei|Prince Abdul Azim]]
|[[Prince Abdul Malik of Brunei|Prince Abdul Malik]]
|[[Princess Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah]]
|[[Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah]]
|[[Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei|Prince Abdul Mateen]]
|Prince Abdul Wakeel
|Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah
}}
| house        = [[House of Bolkiah|Bolkiah]]
| father       = Omar Ali Saifuddien III
| mother       = [[Queen Damit of Brunei|Pengiran Anak Damit]]
| religion     = [[Sunni Islam|Islam]]
| signature    = Signature of Hassanal Bolkiah.svg
| module       = {{infobox person
| embed        = yes
| education    = [[Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College]]<br />[[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]}}
{{Infobox military person
| embed              = yes
| allegiance         = {{flag|Brunei}}
| branch             = [[File:War Flag of Brunei.svg|20px]] [[Royal Brunei Armed Forces]]
| serviceyears       = 1965–present
| serviceyears_label = Years of active service
| rank               = [[File:20.RBrLF-FM.svg|20px]] [[Field Marshal]]
| unit               = 
| commands           = 
| battles            = 
| awards             = [[List of awards and honours received by Hassanal Bolkiah|Full list]]
| module             = 
}}
}}
{{Bruneian Royal Family}}

'''Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah''' (born 15 July 1946) is [[List of sultans of Brunei|Sultan of Brunei]] since 1967, and [[Prime Minister of Brunei|prime minister of Brunei]] since its independence from the [[United Kingdom]] in 1984. He is one of the few remaining [[Absolute monarchy#Current absolute monarchs|absolute monarchs]] in the world.

The eldest son of [[Omar Ali Saifuddien III|Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III]] and Raja Isteri [[Queen Damit of Brunei|Pengiran Anak Damit]], he is the 29th sultan to ascend to the [[Succession to the Bruneian throne|Bruneian throne]], following the abdication of his father in 1967. The sultan has been ranked among the wealthiest individuals in the world. As of 2023, Hassanal Bolkiah is said to have a net worth of $30 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anuj Tiwari |date=2022-02-02 |title=500 Rolls-Royce, Palace Of Gold - Everything About The Lavish Life Of The Sultan Of Brunei |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/sultan-of-brunei-hassanal-bolkiah-and-his-net-worth-560996.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=IndiaTimes |language=en-IN}}</ref> He is the world's [[List of current reigning monarchs by length of reign|longest-reigning current monarch]]<ref>{{cite news |last=The Buzz |date=5 October 2017 |title=World's second-longest reigning monarch, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, marks golden jubilee in style |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/the-buzz/article/worlds-second-longest-reigning-brunei-monarch-sultan-hassanal-bolkiah-marks-golden-jubilee-in-style/101287 |access-date=14 September 2018 |publisher=[[Times Now]]}}</ref> and the [[List of current state leaders by date of assumption of office|longest-serving current head of state]]. On 5 October 2017, Bolkiah celebrated his [[Golden Jubilee of Hassanal Bolkiah|Golden Jubilee]] to mark the 50th year of his reign.<ref name="Ganguly2017">{{Cite news |last=Ganguly |first=Manisha |author-link=Manisha Ganguly |date=5 October 2017 |title=Sultan of Brunei's Golden Jubilee celebrated with chariot parade |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/05/asia/brunei-sultan-jubilee-celebration/index.html |access-date=23 October 2017 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Pengiran Muda (Prince) Hassanal Bolkiah was born during the reign of his uncle [[Ahmad Tajuddin|Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin]] on 15 July 1946,{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=50}} in [[Istana Darussalam]].{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=212}}<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last= |title=Prime-Minister |url=https://www.pmo.gov.bn/SitePages/minister-and-senior-officials/Prime-Minister.aspx#:~:text=His%20Majesty%20undertook%20his%20early,at%20the%20age%20of%2015. |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.pmo.gov.bn |publisher=[[Prime Minister's Office (Brunei)|Prime Minister's Office]] |place=Brunei Darussalam}}</ref> His father, the {{Langx|ms|[[Vizier (Brunei)|Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara]]|label=none}} at that time, was the [[heir presumptive]] of Brunei which put him second in line to the throne at the time of his birth.{{sfn|Leifer|2013|p=76}} [[Prince Mohamed Bolkiah]], [[Prince Sufri Bolkiah]], and [[Prince Jefri Bolkiah]] are his three brothers, while [[Princess Masna Bolkiah]], Princess Nor'ain Bolkiah, Princess Umi Kalthum Al-Islam Bolkiah, Princess Amal Rakiah Bolkiah, Princess Amal Nasibah Bolkiah, and Princess Amal Jefriah Bolkiah are his six sisters.<ref>{{Cite book |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EZ2xDAAAQBAJ&dq=Raja+Isteri+Pengiran+Anak+Damit&pg=PA11 |title=The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2014 |date=2014-12-04 |publisher=Oxford Business Group |isbn=978-1-910068-15-1 |page=11 |language=en}}</ref>

His education at the [[Istana Darul Hana]] Surau began in the latter part of 1955 and finished in the first week of 1959.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=51}} Abdul Ghani bin Jamil revealed in an interview that in addition to Hassanal Bolkiah, among the students at the [[surau]] were Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Princess Masna Bolkiah, Princess Nor'ain, [[Queen Saleha of Brunei|Pengiran Anak Saleha]], Pengiran Muda Abdul Rahman, [[Pengiran Anak Mohammad Yusof|Pengiran Anak Yusof]], [[Pengiran Anak Puteh]], Pengiran Anak Ja'afar, and Pengiran Muda Apong. They range in age from five to ten years old, with Abdul Ghani stating that Hassanal Bolkiah is the oldest by far.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=53}}

Hassanal Bolkiah finished his third grade schooling at the Jamalul Alam Malay School in [[Bandar Seri Begawan|Brunei Town]] in 1955 when he was nine years old.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=50}} Abdul Rahman bin Haii Mohd. Ja'afar was the teacher assigned to him and the prince only received instruction from Abdul Rahman for three to four months, following which he ceased receiving "Private Tuition" for a month at the surau.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=51}} He was able to read [[English literature]] in three months, and after four years, he had reached the sixth grade of [[Primary education|primary schooling]]. He prefers to study the sciences, languages, and history from a subject standpoint.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=53}}

For over four years, Hassanal Bolkiah attended school at the Istana Darul Hana Surau before relocating to [[Kuala Lumpur]] to further his education. He originally attended Jalan Gurney School before studying at [[Victoria Institution]] from January 1961 to December 1963.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=54}} As a result, he became the first Sultan of Brunei to complete his education both domestically and abroad.{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=212}} According to V. Murugasu, the headmaster of Victoria Institution, he has demonstrated qualities of a great and responsible leader since he was a student.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=55}} While at Victoria Institution, he enlisted in the Cadet Corps and was named best recruit in 1961. He wasn't the only royal or nobleman at the institution, according to G. E. D. Lewis, the school principal, thus the prize was given solely on the basis of merit. He had attained the rank of [[Lance corporal|Lance Corporal]] when he left the institution.{{sfn|Hussainmiya|2012|p=17}}

At the age of fifteen, he was crowned as {{Langx|ms|Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota|label=none}} (His Royal Highness the Crown Prince) on 14 July 1961.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=50}}{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=212}}<ref name=":10" /> Notably, the [[2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)|2nd Gurkha Rifles]] were dispatched to Brunei in December 1962, the month the [[Brunei revolt]] began. [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Digby Willoughby (bobsleigher)|Digby Willoughby]] and a small [[Royal Gurkha Rifles]] squad helped to rescue his father and him from their palace, and his father was eternally grateful for Willoughby's actions on that day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horton |first=A.V.M. |date=2008-01-01 |title=Negara Brunei Darussalam: obituary 2008. |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Negara+Brunei+Darussalam:+obituary+2008.-a0201548857 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.thefreelibrary.com |publisher=Borneo Research Bulletin}}</ref>

Due to the strained relations between [[Brunei–Malaysia relations|Brunei and Malaysia]] in 1963, Hassanal Bolkiah went back to Brunei to complete his education at an English school, [[Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kon |first=James |date=2021-12-30 |title=Walk down memory lane for Class of '64 |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/walk-down-memory-lane-for-class-of-64/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Borneo Bulletin Online |language=en-US}}</ref> The wedding between Pengiran Anak Saleha and Hassanal Bolkiah took place in the palace on 29 July 1965.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=50}}<ref name=":11" /> He later enrolled as a [[Officer cadet|cadet officer]] at the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] (RMAS) on 4 January 1966.{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=212}}{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=55}}{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=50}} On 16 August, he praised the [[Launch (ship)|launch]] of two ships by Sharikat Limbongan Kapal Takehara Berhad, highlighting the Japanese company's investment as beneficial for Brunei and stressing the importance of pursuing domestic enterprises over relying on specific income sources.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=57}}

He and his wife bid farewell to state dignitaries early on 7 September 1966, and departed [[Old Airport, Brunei|Brunei Airport]] for [[England]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1966-09-14 |title=Y.T.M. Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Selamat Berangkat Ka-England |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1966/14%20SEPTEMBER%201966.pdf |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |page=1 |language=ms}}</ref> He pursued studies in English, mathematics, science, [[military science]] and [[International relations|international affairs]], with a focus on the country of [[Russia]], throughout his time at the RMAS. He gave particular emphasis to the study of the significance of technical and strategic development. The two most crucial skills for his future, self-discipline and responsibility, were the focus of his training at the RMAS.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=55}} He graduated and was [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned]] as an Honorary [[Captain]] in the [[Coldstream Guards]] on 1 March 1968.{{sfn|Leifer|2013|p=76}}<ref>{{London Gazette
| issue = 44539
| date = 1 March 1968
| supp = 1
}}</ref>

== Reign ==
=== Proclamation ===
[[File:Accession_to_the_Throne_of_Sultan_Hassanal_Bolkiah_1967_02.jpg|thumb|255x255px|Accession to the throne of Hassanal Bolkiah in 1967]]
After 17 years in power, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III voluntarily abdicated on the evening of 4 October 1967, to make way for Crown Prince Hassanal Bolkiah, his 21-year-old eldest son.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Haji Awang Mohd Jamil al-Sufri |author-link=Jamil Al-Sufri |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=87cuAQAAIAAJ&q=Omar+Ali+Saifuddin+Husain+Kamaluddin |title=Brunei Darussalam, the Road to Independence |date=1998 |publisher=Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Arshad |first=Arlina |date=2017-10-05 |title=Brunei celebrates Golden Jubilee: What to know about Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/brunei-celebrates-golden-jubilee-what-to-know-about-sultan-hassanal-bolkiah |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref> Following the abdication, Hassanal Bolkiah returned to Brunei before finishing his studies to assume his father's responsibilities as leader of the country's government and populace.{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=212}}<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Dayangku Herney Zuraidh binti Pengiran Haji Rosley |date=2007 |title=Pemerintahan Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien III (1950-1967) |url=http://www.history-centre.gov.bn/Download/Pemerintah%20Sultan%20Omar%20Ali.pdf |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=www.history-centre.gov.bn |language=ms}}</ref> At night, [[Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam|''Pengiran Pemancha'' Anak Haji Mohamed Alam]], the Chief of ''{{Langx|ms|[[Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara|Adat Istiadat Negara]]|label=none}}'', made the abdication public on [[Radio Television Brunei|Radio Brunei]].{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=47}}

The next day, on 5 October 1967, at 3:00 p.m., Hassanal Bolkiah was proclamed to his throne in a public ceremony in the Balai Singgahsana of Istana Darul Hana as Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah, the 29th Sultan of Brunei. State dignitaries, including the [[Vizier (Brunei)|Wazir]], [[Cheteria]], Acting [[Prime Minister of Brunei|Menteri Besar]], and [[Legislative Council of Brunei|Legislative Council]] (LegCo) members, were present during the occasion.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=47}} The historic night that stunned the entire country became known as the {{Langx|ms|Peristewa 4hb. Oktober|label=none}} (4th October Event).{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=46}} In addition to resigning from the throne, Omar Ali Saifuddien III opted to be styled {{Langx|ms|Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan|label=none}} (His Highness the Retired Sultan),{{sfn|Sidhu|2009|p=169}} while his wife, [[Queen Damit of Brunei|Pengiran Anak Damit]], likewise became {{Langx|ms|Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Suri Seri Begawan|label=none}}.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=46}}

The Acting Menteri Besar represented government officials at the ceremony by pledging, "loyalty that does not waver even for a single point and is similar to what was once offered to {{Langx|ms|Paduka Ayahanda Baginda|label=none}} (His Majesty's Father)... His Majesty will follow in the footsteps and example of {{Langx|ms|Paduka Ayahanda Baginda|label=none}} in performing his role as Sultan."{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=48}} In Hassanal Bolkiah's first ''titah'' (speech) inside the Balai Singgahsana as Sultan of Brunei,{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=47}} he stated:{{sfn|Hussainmiya|2012|p=25}}

{{Cquote
| quote = “I, as Sultan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, would endeavour to carry out the policies of my dear father, and would always safeguard and preserve the peace, tranquility and prosperity of the country.
| author = Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddien Waddaulah
| source = 5 October 1967
}}

=== Coronation ===
[[File:Coronation portrait of Hassanal Bolkiah 1968.jpg|thumb|274x274px|Official coronation portrait of Hassanal Bolkiah]]
A meeting of the country's [[Nobility|nobles]] and high-ranking officials was held six months prior to the date of {{Langx|ms|Perpuspaan|label=none}} ([[Coronation]]) to decide what would be done in the ceremony. An official announcement was sent to all [[districts of Brunei]], and from that point on Bukit [[Mukim Sungai Kebun|Sungai Kebun]] a red flag was raised, and on [[Kampong Bukit Panggal|Bukit Panggal]] a yellow flag. On 8 January 1968, at 8:15 pm, the Acting Menteri Besar announced the date of the coronation on Radio Brunei:{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=45}}
{{Cquote
| quote = So I hereby act as Acting Chief Administrative Officer of the State of Brunei to uphold the agreement that has been approved by His Majesty the Sultan in the Privy Council which convened on the 8 January 1968, declared that the date of the coronation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah, Sultan of Brunei, will be held on the 1 August 1968, same to 6 Jamadil-Awal 1388, that is on Thursday.
| author = [[Yusuf Abdul Rahim|Yang Amat Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Utama Haji Mohd. Yusuf]]
| source = 8 January 1968
}}
On 1 February 1968, two groups of individuals left for Bukit Panggal and Bukit Sungai Kebun. {{Langx|ms|[[Manteri|Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Perdana]]|label=none}} Haji Muhammad officially hoisted the red ceremonial flag on Bukit Sungai Kebun while the yellow flag on Bukit Panggal was raised by {{Langx|ms|Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar|label=none}} Haji Ahmad. According to Bruneian tradition, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah's coronation begins with the flag raising ceremonies in these two communities of the red and yellow flags.{{sfn|Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei|1968|p=44}} The coverage of the coronation that Radio Brunei and the Information Department provided was hailed as the year's most excellent program. Furthermore, the Coronation Committee contracted a Japanese film firm to make a coloured film that documented the occasion. The film was distributed in [[35 mm movie film|35 mm]] and [[16 mm film|16 mm]] films for global distribution.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Great Britain Colonial Office |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mFYLAQAAMAAJ&dq=Coronation+of+Sultan+Brunei&pg=PA293 |title=Brunei |date=1968 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |pages=293 |language=en}}</ref>

As thousands of residents and tourists flocked to vantage points in [[Pusat Bandar, Brunei|Pusat Bandar]], access to which had been limited (except from official vehicles) since early in the morning, dignitaries from near and far saw the age-old rite in the newly built [[Lapau]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brunei |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sCAdAAAAIAAJ |title=Annual Report on Brunei |date=1977 |page=497 |language=en}}</ref> With the back roof dropped to make himself visible, the Sultan arrived in his brand-new six-door [[Mercedes-Benz 600|Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=American Universities Field Staff |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7hjvAAAAMAAJ&q=Sultan+brunei+coronation+mercedes |title=Reports Service: Southeast Asia series |date=1967 |publisher=American Universities Field Studies. |pages=5 |language=en}}</ref> following the customary Muslim washing rite at the palace, which was preceded by a [[21-gun salute]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Leake |first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jnBwAAAAMAAJ&q=Sultan+1967+21-gun |title=Brunei: The Modern Southeast-Asian Islamic Sultanate |date=1989 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-89950-434-6 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:The_Crown_Prince_being_borne_by_the_"Usungan",_or_Royal_coach,_to_his_Coronation_on_1_August_1968..jpg|right|thumb|252x252px|Hassanal Bolkiah being borne by royal chariot on the day of his coronation, 1968]]
At the [[fire station]], the Sultan and his similarly colourful attendants entered the {{Langx|ms|Usongan Diraja|label=none}} (Royal [[Chariot]]). The Sultan was wearing a red and gold ceremonial dress, gleaming with his medals' insignia. Specifically constructed for the coronation, the chariot included a tiger skin throne and a body composed of 26 carved wooden panels embellished with 24-carat gold lead and precious diamonds.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gilad James PhD |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WE3AEAAAQBAJ&dq=Coronation+of+Sultan+Brunei&pg=PT71 |title=Introduction to Brunei Darussalam |publisher=Gilad James Mystery School |isbn=978-84-7777-619-2 |language=en}}</ref> About {{Convert|85|ft}} long, it was driven on 1 August 1968, by fifty soldiers from the fifty specially selected black-dressed soldiers of the [[Royal Brunei Armed Forces|Royal Brunei Malay Regiment]] (RBMR).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=HMjubliemas - EN_CoronationCeremony |url=https://www.hmjubliemas.gov.bn/SitePages/EN_CoronationCeremony.aspx |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=www.hmjubliemas.gov.bn |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008053858/https://www.hmjubliemas.gov.bn/SitePages/EN_CoronationCeremony.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

He had the crown placed on his head and handed him the [[Kris|Keris]] si-Naga,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Marfauzi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-1_PEAAAQBAJ&dq=keris+si+naga+sultan&pg=PA20 |title=Brunei Darussalam |date=2023-08-07 |publisher=Bumi Aksara |isbn=978-602-444-990-2 |pages=20 |language=id}}</ref> symbol of supreme royal power in Brunei, by his father, {{Langx|ms|Paduka Seri Begawan|label=none}} Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien. Following this he removed his ceremonial [[sabre]], swearing loyalty to his son as head of state and religion. His brothers and the senior ranked nobility did the same as well. Like his father before him, the new Sultan took vows to maintain the peace and the prosperity of the nation. He also promised to improve the [[standard of living]] of his subjects through various development projects, and to protect and uphold [[Islam]] and Brunei's customs and traditions.<ref name=":3" /> After the crowning ceremony, the new Sultan proceeded in procession through the capital, passing lines of school children cheering {{Langx|ms|Daulat Tuanku|label=none}} (Long Live the King).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suhaimi |first=Johan |date=2007-10-05 |title=Reign Of Splendour |url=http://sultanate.com/news_server/2007/5_oct_5.html |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=sultanate.com}}</ref>

Among the foreign dignitaries who attended the ceremony were the [[Prime Minister of Singapore|prime minister of Singapore]], [[Lee Kuan Yew]]; the [[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Malaysian prime minister]], [[Tunku Abdul Rahman]]; and the [[List of high commissioners of the United Kingdom to Brunei|British High Commissioner to Brunei]], [[Arthur Adair]], who represented [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1968-08-02 |title=BRUNEI: SULTAN HASSAN AL BOLKIAH CROWNED IN TRADITIONAL CEREMONY |url=https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/145735 |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=[[British Pathé]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> To commemorate the event, the Coronation Medal<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brunei - Coronation Medal |url=https://worcmedals.com/brunei-coronation-medal |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=Worcestershire Medal Service}}</ref> and stamps were established.{{sfn|Gurney|1986|p=391}}

=== Early reign ===
Hassanal Bolkiah continued to get advice from his father on all significant decisions because of his youth and lack of expertise in state administration matters. When he gave a speech at his coronation, he clarified this problem. Despite his previous denials that he would not be involved in politics, the directive indicates that Hassanal Bolkiah still retains the ability to influence the [[politics of Brunei]]. His father's participation strengthens the case for the royal family's stability because of the "power behind the throne."{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=213}} Under the 1959 [[Constitution of Brunei]], the Sultan is the [[head of state]] with full [[Executive (government)|executive authority]], including [[State of emergency|emergency powers]] since the 1962 Brunei revolt.{{sfn|Black|2022|p=361–391}}

The British government's demand for Brunei to become an [[Independence|independent nation]] with a [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary democracy]] conflicted with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his father's preference for maintaining the monarchical political structure. They were concerned about Brunei's security and defence capabilities, feeling the nation was not ready for independence from British protection. During visits by [[Malcolm MacDonald]] in January 1968 and [[George Thomson, Baron Thomson of Monifieth|George Thomson]] in April 1968, the Sultan and his father expressed their worries about the consequences of a British military withdrawal from the [[Far East]].{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=216}}

A delegation led by Hassanal Bolkiah traveled to London to discuss Brunei's political future. From 19 September to 26 October 1968, the delegation held negotiations with British officials, focusing on the stationing of Gurkha troops and the provisions of the 1959 Agreement concerning Brunei's security clause and British responsibility for its foreign affairs, both set to expire in November 1970. Despite the fact that the first round of negotiations did not result in a change of heart from the British regarding Brunei, he remained optimistic and pursued more talks.{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=218}}

Between May and December 1969, Hassanal Bolkiah made three journeys to London in an attempt to establish contact with the British government; however, these travels were unsuccessful. The British government persisted in pushing for the removal of all military troops, including those stationed in Brunei. On 14 November 1969, the Sultan traveled to London to resume talks with [[Malcolm Shepherd, 2nd Baron Shepherd|Malcolm Shepherd]] and [[Michael Stewart, Baron Stewart of Fulham|Michael Stewart]]. Accompanied by [[Prince Mohamed Bolkiah]] and other officials. Despite these efforts, the [[Labour Party (UK)|British Labour Party]] government persisted in its resolve to cede [[sovereignty]] of Brunei.{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=219}}

[[File:Gambar2 di-Istiadat Mengarak Y.T.M. Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Perdana Wazir 04.jpg|thumb|Hassanal Bolkiah at a state ceremony in 1970|223x223px]]Hassanal Bolkiah made another trip to London in April 1970 in an attempt to break the stalemate in the negotiations, but the British government refused to compromise since it thought Brunei could defend itself on its own without British assistance. Given that the [[Defense pact|defence pact]] was about to expire in November 1970, he expressed significant concern about this, saying that "even if half the male population were to join the Armed Forces, Brunei would not be able to defend itself.{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=219}}

With the election of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], Hassanal Bolkiah found new hope. The British government agreed to keep a limited presence of British troops in [[Southeast Asia]], which included keeping [[Gurkha]] troops stationed in Brunei, and decided not to renounce the 1959 Agreement, which was scheduled to expire on 30 June 1970. This resulted in successful negotiations with [[Anthony Royle, Baron Fanshawe of Richmond|Anthony Royle]] in November 1970. These negotiations led to the signing of the Brunei–British Friendship Agreement on 23 November 1971, which gave Brunei "full internal independence" and restricted the authority of the British High Commissioner to matters concerning foreign affairs.{{sfn|Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit|1997|p=220}}

At the age of 25, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was named [[Inspector-general of police|Inspector-General]] of the [[Royal Brunei Police Force]] (RBPF) and General of the RBMR on 17 July 1971.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=17 July 1971 |title=Brunei Sultan is now a general |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19710717-1.2.38 |access-date=2024-10-03 |work=The Straits Times |pages=8}}</ref> In an earlier statement on 14 July, he stated that this was "in accordance with long established Royal Custom in other countries."{{sfn|Hussainmiya|2012|p=17}} The commander of the RBMR, Colonel [[John Simpson (British Army officer)|John Simpson]], declared this to be a noteworthy distinction and an effort to fortify the relationship between the army and the royal family.<ref name=":0" />

A budget of B$500 million was allotted for the Third [[National Development Plan (Brunei)|National Development Plan]] (RKN 3), which was enacted between 1975 and 1979. The following objectives were given priority in the formulation and design of the plan to maintain a high level of employment and diversify the economy through accelerated development of agriculture and industry.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |title=RKN JOURNEY |url=https://deps.mofe.gov.bn/SitePages/RKN%20Journey.aspx |website=Department of Economic Planning and Statistics}}</ref> With a budget of B$2.2 billion, the RKN 4 (1980–1984) placed a strong emphasis on advancing the economic, social, and cultural well-being of the populace. With a budget of $B3.7 billion, the RKN 5 (1986–1990) aimed to offer the numerous services and infrastructure necessary to raise peoples' standards of living while advancing the nation's economic and social growth.<ref name=":22" />

Per Chapter 55 of the 1959 Constitution, the 1970 elected-LegCo was dissolved on 15 December 1977, with the Sultan's approval. He has consented to restructure and reappoint a number of the council's former members. On 22 December 1977, a new council was formally called back to order.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1977-12-28 |title=Ahli2 M.M.N. yang di-susun semula |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1977/PB%2028%20Dis%201977.pdf |access-date=2023-07-17 |work=Pelita Brunei |pages=1 |language=ms}}</ref> The next day, Hassanal Bolkiah dissolved the council.<ref name=":24">{{Cite web |last=Othman |first=Azlan |title=Sultan officiates LegCo meeting |url=http://sultanate.com/news_server/2007/7_mar_2.html |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=sultanate.com}}</ref>

Hassanal Bolkiah headed another mission to London in 1978 to negotiate Brunei's status as an independent, [[sovereign state]] with the British government. The result was the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Brunei and Great Britain, which took effect on 1 January 1984, and released the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British Government]] from its duties managing Brunei's foreign affairs and defence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ministry of Defence |title=THE BIRTH OF A MONARCH AND A LEADER |url=https://www.mindef.gov.bn/SitePages/THE%20BIRTH%20OF%20A%20MONARCH%20AND%20A%20LEADER.aspx |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=www.mindef.gov.bn}}</ref> This marks Brunei's [[National Day (Brunei)|day of independence from the United Kingdom]], following nearly 20 years of being a protectorate. He assumed control of Brunei as an independent country under a [[Constitutional monarchy|democratic monarchy]],{{sfn|Bowman|2000|p=413}} as their [[head of government]], the [[Prime Minister of Brunei|Prime Minister]].{{sfn|East|Thomas|2014|p=71}} He recited the Declaration of Independence at midnight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-23 |title=A look back at Brunei's first National Day |url=http://thescoop.co/2018/02/24/look-back-bruneis-first-national-day/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=The Scoop |language=en-GB}}</ref>
{{Cquote|Whereas, the time has now arrived when Brunei Darussalam will resume full international responsibility as a sovereign and independent nation in the community of nations.
| author = Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah
| source = 1 January 1984
}}

On the day of the country's independence, Hassanal Bolkiah holds the portfolios of [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei)|Minister of Home Affairs]] and [[Ministry of Finance and Economy (Brunei)|Minister of Finance]].<ref name="finmins32">{{cite web |last=The Government of Brunei Darussalam Official Website |title=Ministry of Finance |url=http://www.finance.gov.bn/mof_temp/index.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706150722/http://www.finance.gov.bn/mof_temp/index.htm |archivedate=6 July 2011 |accessdate=27 October 2010 |work=www.finance.gov.bn}}</ref>{{efn|name=Minister|Hassanal Bolkiah named six other ministers, including his father as the [[Ministry of Defence (Brunei)|Minister of Defence]], [[Prince Mohamed Bolkiah]] ([[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Brunei)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]]), [[Prince Jefri Bolkiah]] ([[Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (Brunei)|Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports]] and [[Ministry of Finance and Economy (Brunei)|Minister of Finance]]), [[Bahrin Abbas|Pengiran Bahrin]] ([[Attorney General of Brunei|Minister of Law]] and [[Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications|Minister of Communication]]) and [[Abdul Aziz Umar|Pehin Dato Haji Abdul Aziz]] ([[Ministry of Education (Brunei)|Minister of Education]] and [[Ministry of Health (Brunei)|Health]]).{{sfn|Siddique|2018|pp=179–189}}}} At the same time, he declared [[Melayu Islam Beraja]] (MIB) as the national [[philosophy]]. It serves as a pillar of life for the citizens of the nation, regardless of [[Religion in Brunei|religion]], [[Culture of Brunei|culture]], or social background; the royal family, Malay cultural values, and Islamic religious teachings have all contributed to the nation's historical heritage that is still upheld today. They have also served as a fortress to protect Brunei from outside influences.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-15 |title=Melayu Islam Beraja sebagai pegangan hidup |url=https://mediapermata.com.bn/melayu-islam-beraja-sebagai-pegangan-hidup/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Media Permata Online |language=ms}}</ref>

[[File:King Hussein of Jordan with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in cockpit, 1984.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Hassanal Bolkiah in the cockpit with [[King Hussein of Jordan]], 1984]]
Hassanal Bolkiah reestablished the LegCo on 27 December 1983, and it was dissolved on 13 February 1984.<ref name=":24" /> He gave a contribution of [[Brunei dollar|B$]]210,000 to the [[United Nations International School]] (UNIS). Pengiran Bahrin, his [[Diplomatic rank|special envoy]], presented the gift to Refauddin Ahmad, chairman of the board of UNIS, on the occasion of the [[United Nations]]' 40th anniversary and the first anniversary of Brunei's membership.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1985 |title=$210,000 for UN school |url=https://www.information.gov.bn/English%20Publication%20PDF/BDN%20DECEMBER%201985.pdf |access-date=2023-06-25 |work=Brunei Darussalam Newsletter |pages=9}}</ref>

With a budget of B$5.5 billion, the RKN 6 (1991–1995) intended to address the demands of the country, particularly in enhancing the standard of living and quality of life of its citizens as well as further bolstering the national economy. The RKN 7 (1996–2000) of a 20-year long-term development plan that began in 1985 and has a total budget of B$7.2 billion is the seventh national development plan. The plan aimed to raise the nation's economic achievement while continuing to significantly improve the quality of life for the populace.<ref name=":22" /> He appointed himself as the Minister of Finance on 23 February 1997.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last=Mulliner |first=K. |date=1985 |title=Brunei in 1984: Business as Usual after the Gala |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2644305 |journal=Asian Survey |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=214–219 |doi=10.2307/2644305 |issn=0004-4687 |jstor=2644305}}</ref> He had previously held the post from 1984 to 1986 before it was taken over by his brother [[Prince Jefri Bolkiah]].<ref name="finmins32" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Liow |first=Joseph Chinyong |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ROxvEAAAQBAJ&dq=1984+Hassanal+Bolkiah&pg=PT29 |title=Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Southeast Asia |date=2022-07-21 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-000-57288-9 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Silver Jubilee ===
[[File:APEC Summit 1993 - Leaders' Group Photo (1).jpg|thumb|Hassanal Bolkiah attending the 1993 [[APEC Summit]] on [[Blake Island]], [[Seattle]]]]
The Silver Jubilee of 1992 commemorated 25 years since Hassanal Bolkiah's accession to the throne. An estimated $200 million was spent by Brunei to commemorate the event, which included building a 6,000-seat mosque with a gold dome, 21 guest homes for visiting dignitaries, an exhibition center, and 200 [[Mercedes-Benz]] automobiles for visitors.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Charles P. |date=1992-10-06 |title=Diamonds and Gold for a Silver Jubilee : Asia: Brunei fetes its sultan, the world's richest man, but he is freer with wealth than democracy. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-06-mn-499-story.html |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref> To commemorate the milestone, the Churchill Memorial Building became the [[Royal Regalia Museum|Royal Brunei Regalia Building]] in 1992.<ref name=":42">{{Cite news |last=Branigin |first=William |date=1992-10-13 |title=CHURCHILL PUSHED ASIDE FOR MUSEUM CELEBRATING BRUNEI'S WEALTHY SULTAN |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1992/10/13/churchill-pushed-aside-for-museum-celebrating-bruneis-wealthy-sultan/f322992d-7ecc-4d87-8273-4cb6acc7a4f3/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Established to commemorate the event, the Silver Jubilee Medal (''Pingat Jubli Perak'') was given out in three classes: gold, silver, and bronze.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Royal Collection Trust |title=Medal commemorating the Silver Jubilee of the Accession to the throne by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah |url=https://www.rct.uk/collection/445766/brunei-medal-commemorating-the-silver-jubilee-of-the-accession-to-the-throne-by |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=www.rct.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ilja Repetski |title=Silver Jubilee Medal |url=https://wawards.org/en/brunei/silver-jubilee-medal.html |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=World Awards}}</ref> 

The culmination of all the activities was a glamorous banquet held at the Istana Nurul Iman, where the [[King of Malaysia|Yang di-Pertuan Agong]] [[Azlan Shah of Perak|Azlan Shah]] and [[Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Bainun]] of Malaysia, [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Edward]], and the Sultans and Consorts of the [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|Malaysian states]] were among the royal attendees.<ref name=":03" /> The sultan made an appearance before his people during a ceremony at the Istana Nurul Iman, accompanied by his two wives and ten children, all of whom were dressed in yellow attire and dazzling in jewels. "My late father's policies, particularly in safeguarding peace, increasing the standard of living of the people and the prosperity of the country, as well as upholding... Islam," the 46-year-old sultan pledged in a brief address. After that, the sultan traveled to the capital in a [[Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit|Rolls-Royce Silver Spur]] [[limousine]] and rode a massive chariot made of wood and gold that had servants dressed in black costume.<ref name=":03" />

The people of [[Kuala Belait]] gifted The Silver Jubilee Park as a memorial to the occasion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Attractions - Silver Jubilee Park |url=https://green-brunei.com/kenali-negara-kitani/belait-3/place-of-attraction/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Green Brunei |language=en-US}}</ref> The recreational park known as [[Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Silver Jubilee Park]] is a popular tourist destination and landmark in the neighbourhood.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosli Abidin Yahya |date=2005-06-26 |title=New polish at Silver Jubilee Monument |url=http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/26_jun_1.html |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=www.sultanate.com}}</ref> He ordered the creation of a foundation called as the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation in connection with the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah assuming the throne on 5 October 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation (Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation) |url=https://www.swfinstitute.org/profile/5cb65d05dd891e09d75eb445 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=www.swfinstitute.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=Halaman Utama |url=https://yshhb.org.bn/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah |language=ms-MY}}</ref>

=== The new millennium ===
[[File:SultanHassanalBolkiahDez2002.jpg|thumb|280x280px|Hassanal Bolkiah visiting [[Fort Campbell]] on 17 December 2002]]
In 2004, the LegCo, which had been dissolved since 1962, was reopened.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 September 2004 |title=Sultan of Brunei reopens parliament |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3688860.stm |access-date=4 May 2010 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The proposed amendment to the 1959 constitution was the first item on the agenda when the Sultan convened again on 25 September 2004, following a 21-year break. A proposal to amend the constitution to expand the LegCo to 45 seats, 15 of which would have been elected, was passed by the council. On 1 September 2005, the Sultan dissolved the council; the next day, the council was recreated using the revised Brunei Constitution.<ref name=":24" /> 

In September 2005, the Sultan nominated five members to the new LegCo, who were indirectly elected to represent [[Municipal council|village councils]]. Plans for a 45-member legislature with 15 seats up for public election were on the table in 2006 and 2007, but by year's end, elections had still not been set. The Internal Security Act (ISA) essentially preserves the sultan's personal authority, while all state power is still held by the sultan's family and designated heirs.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=Refugees |first=United Nations High Commissioner for |title=Refworld {{!}} Freedom in the World 2008 - Brunei |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/487ca1f7c.html |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Refworld |language=en}}</ref> On 9 March 2006, the Sultan was reported to have amended Brunei's constitution to make himself infallible under Bruneian law.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 March 2006 |title=Sultan of Brunei Declares Himself Infallible |url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2006/03/09/brunei/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=[[Hello! (magazine)|Hello!]]}}</ref>

On 4 March 2008, the LegCo convened its inaugural meeting of the fourth session in the new facility located in Jalan Kebangsaan. Soon after receiving the Royal Salute and seeing the [[guard of honour]] manned by the RBPF officers, the Sultan presided over the grand inauguration by signing a plaque.<ref name=":43">{{Cite web |last=Othman |first=Azlan |date=2005-03-05 |title=Sultan opens new Legislative Council building |url=http://sultanate.com/news_server/2008/5_mar_2.html |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=sultanate.com}}</ref>

At the [[Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium]] on 23 February 2009, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was present at Brunei's Silver Jubilee National Day celebration, accompanied by members of his royal family and official leaders. Following the guard of honour inspection and the march past, the Sultan was present when up to 25 young people representing various government agencies, the private sector, higher education institutions, and associations read the National Day oath. The faultless field performances, which were broken up into six parts, were created to represent the topic of the celebration was {{Langx|ms|Kedewasaan Bernegara|label=none}} (Maturity of the Nation).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kon |first=James |date=2009-02-24 |title=Brunei's grand 25th National Day celebration |url=http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/2009/24_feb_2.html |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=www.sultanate.com}}</ref> To commemorate the event, he established the Silver Jubilee National Day Medal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Day Silver Jubilee Medal |url=https://royalinsignia.com/medals_country/brunei/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Royal Insignia |language=en-US}}</ref>

The RKN theme of "Knowledge and Innovation, Increase Productivity, Accelerated Economic Growth" centered the RKN 10 (2012–2017) on developmental initiatives to achieve faster and higher economic growth.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |title=RKN JOURNEY |url=https://deps.mofe.gov.bn/SitePages/RKN%20Journey.aspx |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Department of Economic Planning and Statistics}}</ref>

[[File:นายกรัฐมนตรี และภริยาเป็นเจ้าภาพงานเลี้ยงอาหารค่ำ เพื่ - Flickr - Abhisit Vejjajiva (1).jpg|thumb|[[Secretary-General of ASEAN|ASEAN Secretary-General]] [[Surin Pitsuwan]] and Hassnal Bolkiah in 2009]]

In 2014, Hassanal Bolkiah declared the implementation of strict Islamic criminal penalties, moving forward with proposals that prompted both rare domestic opposition to the opulently wealthy ruler and also worldwide outrage. The small sultanate's plans for the [[Sharia|sharia penalties]], which would eventually include [[Flagellation|flogging]], [[Amputation|amputation of limbs]], and [[Stoning|death by stoning]], sparked outrage on [[social network]]ing sites. Following the unexplained delay of the penalties' anticipated implementation on 22 April 2014, which prompted speculation that he was hesitant, uncertainty surrounded their execution. However, he stated in his proclamation that the action was "a must" in light of Islam, dismissing the "never-ending theories" that the sharia's penalties were harsh in remarks that were obviously directed at critics.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=2014-04-30 |title=Sultan of Brunei unveils strict sharia penal code |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/30/sultan-brunei-sharia-penal-code-flogging-death-stoning |access-date=2023-06-04 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Khullar |first=Arshiya |date=2014-05-01 |title=Brunei adopts sharia law amid international outcry |url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/05/01/world/asia/brunei-sharia-law/index.html |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

Hassanal Bolkiah also banned public celebrations of [[Christmas]] in 2015, including wearing hats or clothes that resemble [[Santa Claus]]. The ban only affects local Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brunei did not ban Christians from celebrating Christmas|url=http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/minister-brunei-unfairly-hurt-by-unverified-news-on-christmas-ban|access-date=24 December 2015|agency=TheMalayOnline|date=25 December 2015|archive-date=29 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229201814/http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/minister-brunei-unfairly-hurt-by-unverified-news-on-christmas-ban|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Christians]] are still allowed to celebrate Christmas. According to the late Bruneian [[Bishop]] and [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] [[Cornelius Sim]], on 25 December 2015, there was an estimated 4,000 out of 18,000 Bruneian Catholics, mainly Chinese and expats living in the country, who attended mass on [[Christmas Eve]] and Christmas Day. While there was no absolute ban on celebrations, there was a ban affecting [[Christmas decoration|Christmas decorations]] in public places, especially shopping malls.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 December 2015 |title=Thousands celebrating Christmas in Brunei |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2015/12/26/christians-celebratex%E2%80%99mas-brunei |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229105833/http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2015/12/26/christians-celebratex%E2%80%99mas-brunei |archive-date=29 December 2015 |access-date=25 December 2015 |agency=[[The Brunei Times]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref> 

On 22 October 2015, Hassanal Bolkiah appointed himself as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs,<ref name=":12" /> thus replacing his younger brother Prince Mohamed Bolkiah. The RKN11 (2018–2023), whose theme was "Increased Non-Oil and Gas Sector Output as Catalysts for Economic Growth," further integrated development efforts in the production of the non-oil and gas sector.<ref name=":23" /><ref name=":023">{{Cite web |last=Othman |first=Azlan |date=2022-06-08 |title=New Cabinet unveiled |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/new-cabinet-unveiled/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=Borneo Bulletin Online |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Golden Jubilee ===
[[File:His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha 2017.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Hassanal Bolkiah and Pengiran Anak Saleha being transported in the royal chariot on 5 October 2017]]
The [[Golden Jubilee of Hassanal Bolkiah|50th anniversary of his royal ascension]] was celebrated on 5 October 2017, he declared during his speech that it was the "most historic day" for both Bruneians and himself.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Marletta |first=Gianrigo |date=2017-10-05 |title=Brunei monarch marks golden jubilee in style |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/brunei-monarch-marks-golden-jubilee-in-style/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> In addition, the Sultan stated that he and his people needed to exercise "reciprocal responsibility".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arshad |first=Arlina |date=2017-10-05 |title=More than 60,000 celebrate Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's Golden Jubilee |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/crowds-line-the-streets-to-celebrate-brunei-sultans-golden-jubilee |access-date=2024-05-19 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref> According to press releases from their respective countries, Prime Ministers [[Lee Hsien Loong]] of [[Singapore]], [[Hun Sen]] of [[Cambodia]], [[Najib Razak]] of Malaysia, State Counsellor [[Aung San Suu Kyi]] of [[Myanmar]], President [[Rodrigo Duterte]] of the [[Philippines]] and [[Joko Widodo]] of [[Indonesia]] were scheduled to attend the festivities.<ref name="Ganguly2017" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-05 |title=Brunei monarch Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah marks golden jubilee |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1172636/world |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=[[Arab News]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-04 |title=Brunei sultan to mark golden jubilee with lavish celebrations |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20171004-brunei-sultan-mark-golden-jubilee-with-lavish-celebrations |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=[[France 24]] |language=en}}</ref> Among the many royal guests in attendance were Prince Edward and his wife, [[Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh|Sophie]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-05 |title=The Earl and Countess of Wessex Attend Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Sultan of Brunei |url=https://royalportraitsgallery.com/home/the-earl-and-countess-of-wessex-attend-golden-jubilee-celebrations-of-the-sultan-of-brunei |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Royal Portraits Gallery |language=en-CA}}</ref>

Ahead of the [[Golden Jubilee of Hassanal Bolkiah|Golden Jubilee]] parade, 80,000 people gathered in the heart of the capital under the shadow of low-lying clouds outside the Istana Nurul Iman.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ganguly |first=Manisha |date=2017-10-05 |title=Golden parade marks Brunei Sultan's jubilee |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/05/asia/brunei-sultan-jubilee-celebration/index.html |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> The [[Chamberlain (office)|Grand Chamberlain]] led the royal parade, and the [[marching band]]s of the RBPF and the [[Royal Brunei Armed Forces]] (RBAF) followed. The Sultan got onto his royal chariot in front of the Bandar Seri Begawan Fire Station.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hazair |first=Rachel Thien, Rasidah Hj Abu Bakar, Hadthiah |date=2017-10-05 |title=HM: Golden Jubilee is our celebration |url=http://thescoop.co/2017/10/05/golden-jubilee-our-celebration/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=The Scoop |language=en-GB}}</ref> As he entered the streets, tens of thousands of well-wishers cheered, ''Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik! Daulat'' (Long live the king), while waving the national flag.<ref name=":02" />

The sultan's palace hosted festivities earlier, with the Sultan and the Queen consort sitting on golden thrones for a royal audience and an honor guard firing a [[21-gun salute]]. The royal chariot pulled by fifty specially chosen workers across a {{Convert|5|km}} course.<ref name = "Ganguly2017"/> Crown Prince [[Al-Muhtadee Billah]], Princes [[Prince Abdul Azim of Brunei|Abdul Azim]], [[Prince Abdul Malik of Brunei|Abdul Malik]], [[Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei|Abdul Mateen]] and Abdul Wakeel, and [[Princess Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah]] joined their majesties on the chariot. A custom typically saved for royal occasions, visitors and locals alike were shown drumming and the lavish display of gold and silver weapons, including the ''Kampilan'' ([[dagger]]) and ''Kalasak'' ([[shield]]).<ref name=":2" />

The Sultan's Golden Jubilee would be celebrated with a number of events in October, including the opening of the [[Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge]] on 14 October and inauguration of the [[Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas|Eco-Corridor Park]] on 22 October.<ref name=":2" /> Furthermore, the sultan's Golden Jubilee Medal was created with three distinct classes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-08 |title=Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal |url=https://royalinsignia.com/the-making-of-golden-jubilee-medals/,%20https://royalinsignia.com/the-making-of-golden-jubilee-medals/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Royal Insignia |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The [[Royal Regalia Museum]] has been the new name of the Royal Regalia Building since 2 December 2017, in honour of his golden jubilee celebration.<ref name=":02" />

=== Pandemic and beyond ===
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei|May 2020 rise in COVID-19 cases]], Brunei's most valuable asset was its quick response time. [[Lockdown]] procedures were promptly instituted, and return citizens were detained in quarantine centers. As social constraints weaken domestically, Hassanal Bolkiah has urged ongoing caution. He showed his leadership when, in a matter of days, he forbade foreigners from entering Brunei and prevented its nationals from leaving. Furthermore, as an Islamic authority, the sultan's leadership was especially significant.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Hayat |first=Moez |date=2021-01-07 |title=Most Read of 2020: Brunei Darussalam: An Unexpected COVID-19 Success Story |url=https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/brunei-darussalam-an-unexpected-covid-19-success-story/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=[[Australian Institute of International Affairs]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Mattarella and Draghi welcomed Hassanal Bolkiah to the G20 Rome Summit.jpg|thumb|Hassanal Bolkiah (middle) at the [[2021 G20 Rome summit]]]]
Hassanal Bolkiah led the country morally and steadfastly as its political and religious head. He also reminded Bruneians that for Muslims, the virus itself was sent by [[Allah|God]], highlighting the obligation of Muslims to observe social distancing standards, take sanitary care, redouble their prayers, and meditate on the [[Quran]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasidah Hj Abu Bakar |date=2020-03-21 |title=HM: Stay calm, we're in this together |url=https://thescoop.co/2020/03/22/hm-stay-calm-were-in-this-together/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=The Scoop |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Ain Bandial]] |date=2020-04-24 |title=Spectre of COVID-19 casts shadow over Ramadan |url=http://thescoop.co/2020/04/25/spectre-of-covid-19-casts-shadow-over-ramadan/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=The Scoop |language=en-GB}}</ref> It took these kinds of attitudes to guarantee adherence to public health recommendations.<ref name=":7" /> On 1 April 2021, he was given an injection of the [[COVID-19 vaccine|COVID-19 vaccination]] at the royal residence Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan. The sultan has given his approval for the public to receive the COVID-19 vaccination program gradually following the first dosage injection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brunei's sultan receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-04/02/c_139853904.htm |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=www.xinhuanet.com}}</ref> Participants indirectly honoured the Sultan, known as the "caring monarch," for his providing for his "rakyat" (people) throughout the developing pandemic by sharing their opinions on how effective the government was.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Hannah |date=2021-05-13 |title=Living with Covid-19 in Brunei Darussalam: A research update |url=https://ari.nus.edu.sg/ariscope/living-with-covid-19-in-brunei-darussalam-a-research-update/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Asia Research Institute, [[National University of Singapore]]}}</ref>

On 19 September 2022, the Sultan and [[Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei|Prince Abdul Mateen]] attended [[Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral]] at [[Westminster Abbey]] in London.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chong |first=Kenji |date=2022-09-21 |title=In pictures: Asia's leaders pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II |url=https://asianews.network/in-pictures-asias-leaders-pay-their-respects-to-queen-elizabeth-ii/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=[[Asia News Network]] |language=en-US}}</ref> As a gesture of respect for the late Queen, he had approved that the national flag be flown at [[half-mast]] at government buildings and the offices of Brunei's diplomatic missions abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=His Majesty attends state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/his-majesty-attends-state-funeral-of-queen-elizabeth-ii-2/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Borneo Bulletin Online |language=en-US}}</ref>

Hassanal Bolkiah encouraged stopping the bloodshed, showing moderation, and respecting [[international humanitarian law]] to prevent regional spread, and urged the international community and [[United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council]] to support comprehensive peace efforts in the [[Middle East]], including resolving [[Palestinians|Palestinian]] hardships, during his speech at the ASEAN-GCC Summit in October 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 October 2023 |title=Brunei King urges ceasefire and peace in Palestine at the Asean-GCC Summit in Riyadh |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2023/10/21/brunei-king-urges-ceasefire-and-peace-in-palestine-at-the-asean-gcc-summit-in-riyadh |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref> The Sultan stated in a statement to the UN on [[International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People]] that the purpose of the yearly event is to remind us that the [[Palestinian nationalism|Palestine question]] is still unsolved.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-01 |title=His Majesty reaffirms Brunei's long-standing solidarity, steadfast support for Palestine |url=https://thebruneian.news/2023/12/01/his-majesty-reaffirms-bruneis-long-standing-solidarity-steadfast-support-for-palestine/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=The Bruneian |language=en-US}}</ref> The National Committee for the Humanitarian Fund for Palestinians in Gaza 2023 and the Humanitarian Fund for Palestinians in Gaza 2023 have been formally constituted with the approval of the Sultan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-19 |title=Brunei launches humanitarian fund for Gaza relief efforts |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2023/10/19/brunei-launches-humanitarian-fund-for-gaza-relief-efforts |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref>

During a speech on 22 February 2024, Brunei's 40th National Day, Hassanal Bolkiah referred to the nation's independence as a gift from God. He underlined that unity and [[patriotism]] are essential for upholding the value of religion, sovereignty, and national identity. He also underlined that genuine independence involves freedom and harmony, attained through the sacrifices of previous and present generations. The Sultan further attributed Brunei's strong performance in international indices to the RKN's success in developing the country's workforce and putting creative solutions into practice.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-23 |title=40 years of independence is a blessing, says Sultan |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/40-years-of-independence-is-a-blessing-says-sultan/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Borneo Bulletin Online |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Foreign policy ==
[[File:3rd ASEAN Summit, Manila 14-15 Dec 1987 (3).jpg|thumb|188x188px|Hassanal Bolkiah at the 3rd [[ASEAN Summit]] on 14–15 December 1987]]
Hassanal Bolkiah likewise places great emphasis on fostering and fortifying ties with the outside world. He has taken numerous trips around [[Europe]], the [[Middle East]], [[Southeast Asia|Southeast]] and [[East Asia]], and the [[United States]]. Bolkiah addressed the [[United Nations General Assembly]] on Brunei Darussalam's admission to the United Nations in September 1984.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 February 2023 |title=Country profile: Brunei |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1298607.stm |access-date=4 May 2010 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2013 |title=Brunei Darussalam In Brief |url=https://www.information.gov.bn/Media%20Document%20Library/Brunei%20Today/brunei%20in%20brief_FINAL%202.pdf |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Department of Government Printing, Prime Minister’s Office |page=21}}</ref> Following this, Brunei made several [[Foreign relations of Brunei|diplomatic milestones]] such as being a part of both [[ASEAN]] and [[United Nations]] (UN) in 1984.<ref name="UN_1984">{{cite web |author=United States Department of State |author-link=United States Department of State |date=30 March 2010 |title=MOFAT, UN |url=http://www.mfa.gov.bn/foreignpolicy/unitednation.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218170858/http://www.mfa.gov.bn/foreignpolicy/unitednation.htm |archive-date=18 February 2008 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam}}</ref> That same year, he formally established diplomatic ties with a number of nations, including [[Singapore]].<ref name=":6" /> Like his father, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, of which Brunei was a [[protectorate]] until 1984.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Severino |first1=Rodolfo C. |author-link=Rodolfo Severino Jr. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NcV6BwAAQBAJ&dq=Hassanal+Bolkiah+abdication+5+October+1967&pg=PA29 |title=Southeast Asia in a New Era: Ten Countries, One Region in ASEAN |last2=Thomson |first2=Elspeth |author-link2=Elspeth Thompson |last3=Hong |first3=Mark |date=2010 |publisher=[[ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute|Institute of Southeast Asian Studies]] |isbn=978-981-230-957-0 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Macmillan |first=Palgrave |author-link=Palgrave Macmillan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PBs9DgAAQBAJ&dq=Hassanal+Bolkiah+abdication+1+August+1968&pg=PA242 |title=The Statesman's Yearbook 2017: The Politics, Cultures and Economies of the World |date=2017-02-28 |publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]] |isbn=978-1-349-68398-7 |language=en}}</ref> He was chairman of Summit [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]] Leaders in 2000 when Brunei Darussalam hosted the summit.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=otVRAQAAMAAJ&q=2000+Summit+APEC+Leaders+Bolkiah |title=Brunei Darussalam Newsletter |date=2001 |publisher=Department of Information, Prime Minister's Office |pages=4 |language=en}}</ref> 

Following the two countries' signing of the [[Trade and Investment Framework Agreement]] (TIFA) in [[Washington, D.C.]] on 16 December 2002, trade and investment relations between [[Brunei–United States relations|Brunei and the United States]] are expected to expand. On 27 December 2004, Brunei signed the Multilateral Agreement on the Liberalization of Passenger Air Services. A [[Freedoms of the air|open skies]] agreement that grants unrestricted rights for third and fourth freedom traffic allows airlines operated by Brunei to operate into signatory states and transport passengers from non-signatory countries. Singapore and [[Thailand]] are among the other parties to this agreement.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Milestones Since 2000 |url=https://www.information.gov.bn/SitePages/Milestones%20Since%202000.aspx |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Information Department}}</ref> 

Following the signing of the bilateral liberalized air services agreement by the two governments on 19 April 2005, Brunei's open skies policy currently extends to its air connectivity with the [[United Arab Emirates]]. The signing of the "Agreement between Japan and Brunei Darussalam for an Economic Partnership" on 18 June 2007, made it possible for [[Brunei–Japan relations|Brunei and Japan]] to collaborate in the areas of energy, human resource development, and capability upgrading. On 25 July 2008, [[Kuwait]] and Brunei signed a [[Memorandum of understanding|Memorandum of Understanding]] (MoU) in the fields of economics and technology. On 11 August 2008, Brunei and [[Kenya]] established formal diplomatic ties.<ref name=":8" />

Hassanal Bolkiah was also the chairman of [[ASEAN]] Summit in 2013 and 2021, when Brunei Darussalam became the Chair of ASEAN Summits and its Related Meetings.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mohamed Pero |first=Siti Darwinda |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-fedDwAAQBAJ&dq=2013+ASEAN+Summit+Bolkiah&pg=PA256 |title=Leadership in Regional Community-Building: Comparing ASEAN and the European Union |date=2019-06-18 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-981-13-7976-5 |pages=256 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Arihant Experts |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RyRcEAAAQBAJ&dq=2021+ASEAN+Summit+Bolkiah&pg=PA86 |title=50 Solved Papers SSC CGL Combined Graduate Level Tier 1 Prelims Exam 2022 |date=2021-01-12 |publisher=Arihant Publications India limited |isbn=978-93-257-9729-1 |pages=86 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Pres. Obama and HM Bolkiah APEC 2015.jpg|thumb|Hassanal Bolkiah with [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] in 2015|188x188px]]

Hassanal Bolkiah said in front of world leaders on 30 September 2015 that the UN has no equivalent and that its 70-year existence is proof of its significance, despite what some may say about its efficacy. In order to eradicate [[poverty]], combat [[Gender inequality|inequality]], and combat [[climate change]] over the following 15 years, all 193 [[Member states of the United Nations|UN Member States]] endorsed the [[Sustainable Development Goals|2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development]], to which he was alluding. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states in his area, he said, share the values of [[territorial integrity]], non-interference, the [[rule of law]], and good [[governance]], which serve as a framework for attempts to increase cooperation for [[peace]]. He said that one method to do this is through cultural exchanges to promote more empathy and understanding among people, which may also help avert future conflicts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-30 |title='UN has no equal,' Sultan of Brunei tells Assembly, praising scope of new sustainability agenda |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2015/09/510782 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=UN News |language=en}}</ref>

[[Brunei–Singapore relations|Singapore and Brunei]] commemorated their 40 years of bilateral defence relations in August 2016. He paid his fourth state visit to Singapore on 5–6 July 2017, as the two nations commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA). Commemorative $50 notes were introduced by him and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Additionally, former [[President of Singapore|President]] [[Tony Tan|Tony Tan Keng Yam]] treated him to a state banquet.<ref name=":6" />

Hassanal Bolkiah and Chinese President [[Xi Jinping]] met in [[Bangkok]] on 18 November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-18 |title=President Xi Jinping Meets with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam |url=https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/topics_665678/2022/cxesgjtytjhtg/202211/t20221118_10977822.html |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=www.mfa.gov.cn}}</ref> He visited the [[Bahrain|Kingdom of Bahrain]] on 9–11 June 2023, at the request of its king [[Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa]]. On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, this visit highlights the close bilateral connections that exist between Bahrain and Brunei and seeks to further collaboration in the areas of finance, investment, and military.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-07 |title=His Majesty's State Visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain |url=https://www.pmo.gov.bn/Lists/2022%20PMO%20News/NDispForm.aspx?ID=474&source=/SitePages/All%20News.aspx&InitialTabID=Ribbon.Read |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Prime Minister's Office}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{further|Human rights in Brunei}}

===Shannon Marketic Incident===
In 1997, [[Shannon Marketic]] sued Prince Jefri Bolkiah, younger brother of Hassanal Bolkiah, claiming that she and other women were hired for promotional work but instead held as a "virtual prisoner", drugged and sexually abused.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 March 1997 |title=Former Miss USA sues Sultan of Brunei over sex |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=437&dat=19970309&id=-u0jAAAAIBAJ&pg=1841,3196556 |access-date=2024-07-05 |newspaper=[[The Nation]] |pages=B8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 December 1997 |title=Former Miss USA wants court to have jurisdiction over Brunei prince |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19971217&id=P7wfAAAAIBAJ&pg=5909,1999118 |access-date=2024-07-05 |newspaper=[[The Gadsden Times]] |pages=7}}</ref><ref name="SultanDenies1997">{{Cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19970305&id=_i0zAAAAIBAJ&pg=4874,755547|title=Sultan denies he kept girl as slave|date=5 March 1997|newspaper=The Free Lance-Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 March 1997 |title=Media frenzy follows suit of ex-Miss USA |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=437&dat=19970306&id=eKZNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6603,1926425 |access-date=2024-07-05 |newspaper=The Nation |pages=A3}}</ref> The sultan denied the claims.<ref name="SultanDenies1997" /> Marketic's lawsuit named Miss USA 1997 [[Brandi Sherwood]] as also being a victim; however, Sherwood declined to file her own lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 June 1997 |title=Miss USA won't sue Sultan of Brunei |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2026&dat=19970604&id=EU8tAAAAIBAJ&pg=6337,2685928 |access-date=2024-07-05 |newspaper=[[Moscow-Pullman Daily News]] |pages=4A}}</ref>  After 18 months of litigation, a judge at the US court dismissed the [[lawsuit]] due to the Sultan's diplomatic immunity.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Graves |first=David |date=19 March 1998 |title=Of Sultans and Swinging |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/122993080/?terms=shannon%2Bmarketic |access-date=2024-07-05 |newspaper=[[The Age]] |location=[[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] |pages=13}}</ref><ref name="newsweekaug2000">{{cite web |date=9 April 2000 |title=Profligate Prince Jefri |url=http://www.newsweek.com/2000/04/09/profligate-prince-jefri.html |access-date=1 November 2010 |work=[[Newsweek]]}}</ref>

===Amedeo crisis===
Hassanal had open disagreements with his brother [[Prince Jefri Bolkiah]], who owned a network of companies and investment vehicles under the name "[[Amedeo Development Corporation]]" run by his son [[Pengiran Muda Abdul Hakeem]], which was used to buy the luxury goods company [[Asprey]] and build an amusement park and other projects in Brunei.<ref name="nytimesaug98">{{cite news |last=Landler |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Landler |date=27 August 1998 |title=The Royal Treatment; Ruling Family Feuds as Oil Income Drops in Brunei |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E6D7123CF934A1575BC0A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 |access-date=22 October 2010 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In July 1998 the Amedeo group collapsed under US$10 billion in debt.<ref name="businessweeknov2000">{{cite news | url = http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/nov2000/nf20001117_749.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010122104700/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/nov2000/nf20001117_749.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 22 January 2001 | title = A Scandal's Sting Eases in Brunei | publisher = [[Business Week|BW Online]] | date = 17 November 2000 | access-date =15 October 2010 }}</ref> Between 1983 and mid-1998 some US$40 billion of what were called "special transfers" were made from the accounts of the [[Brunei Investment Agency]] (BIA).<ref name="privy">{{cite web | url = http://www.privy-council.org.uk/files/other/Bolkiah.Bingham.rtf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110405221402/http://www.privy-council.org.uk/files/other/Bolkiah.Bingham.rtf | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 April 2011 | format = [[Rich Text Format|RTF]] | title = ''His Royal Highness Prince Jefri Bolkiah and others v. The State of Brunei Darussalam and Brunei Investment Agency'' Privy Council Appeal No 69 of 2006, Judgment of the Lords of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council | date = 8 November 2007 | access-date = 20 October 2010 }}</ref> An independent investigation was undertaken into the circumstances of these special transfers, concluding that in round figures, US$14.8 billion were paid to the accounts of Prince Jefri apart from the US$8 billion to accounts of the sultan and US$3.8 billion for Government purposes. The destination, purpose and recipients of the remaining transfers were not established.<ref name="privy" /> Due to the secretive nature of the state and the blurred lines as to where the royal family's finances and the state finances began and ended, establishing the true course of events is very difficult.<ref name="nytimesaug98" />

Prince Jefri was accused of misappropriating state funds to pay for his own personal investments, bought through BIA and Amedeo companies and removed from his position as head of BIA.<ref name="guardianjul07">{{cite news |last=Temko |first=Ned |author-link=Ned Temko |date=29 July 2007 |title=Battle royal for riches of the Sultan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jul/29/theobserver.worldnews |access-date=15 October 2010 |publisher=[[The Observer]]}}</ref><ref name="asiaweek2000">{{cite journal |last=Mitton |first=Roger |date=10 March 2000 |title=Everyone Was Shocked |url=http://cgi.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/2000/0310/nat.brunei.jefri.html |url-status=dead |journal=[[Asiaweek]] |volume=26 |issue=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927040459/http://cgi.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/2000/0310/nat.brunei.jefri.html |archive-date=27 September 2011 |access-date=15 October 2010 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In February 2000, the Bruneian government attempted to obtain a [[Asset freezing|freezing order]] on Prince Jefri's overseas assets, which led to him [[counterclaim|countersuing]] in New York.<ref name="guardianjul07" /> Following protracted negotiations a settlement agreement was signed by the Prince in May 2000,<ref name="privy" /> the terms of which were never made public.<ref name="businessweeknov2000" /> However, Prince Jefri claimed assurances were made to him by the sultan with regards to keeping certain properties to maintain his lifestyle, which BIA denied.<ref name="businessweeknov2000" /><ref name="privy" /> In accordance with the settlement agreement signed in 2000, the prince began to return his assets to the state, including more than 500 properties, both in Brunei and abroad, about 2500 cars, 100 paintings, five boats, and nine aircraft.<ref name="businessweeknov2000" /> In 2001 ten thousand lots of Prince Jefri's possessions went to [[auction]].<ref name="telegraphaug2000">{{cite news | last1 = Stephen | first1 = Ignatius | last2 = Spillius | first2 = Alex | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1337212/Prince-Jefris-shame-goes-under-the-hammer.html | title = Prince Jefri's shame goes under the hammer | publisher = [[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] | date = 12 August 2001 | access-date =10 October 2010 }}</ref>

The BIA alleged that the Prince failed to uphold the agreement by failing to disclose all his accounts, and allowing money to be taken from frozen accounts,<ref name="telegraph2">{{cite news |last=Alderson |first=Andrew |date=14 June 2008 |title=Prince Jefri blames brother Sultan of Brunei for family feud |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2791627/Prince-Jefri-blames-brother-Sultan-of-Brunei-for-family-feud.html |access-date=19 October 2010 |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]}}</ref> and restarted legal proceedings to gain full control of the Prince's assets. After a number of appeals,<ref name="timesmar06">{{cite news |last=Pierce |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Pierce |date=7 March 2006 |title=Sultan's brother told to repay billions |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article738180.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612124824/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article738180.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2011 |access-date=22 October 2010 |work=[[The Times]] |location=London}}</ref> this finally reached the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] in London, which can serve as Brunei's highest court of appeal as a result of Brunei's former protectorate status.<ref name="dfat">{{cite web | url = http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/brunei/brunei_brief.html | title = Brunei Darussalam country brief | publisher = [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)|Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade]], Australian Government | access-date =10 October 2010}}</ref> The Privy Council rejected Prince Jefri's evidence, describing his contention that the agreement allowed for him to retain a number of properties as "simply incredible",<ref name="privy2">{{cite BAILII
| litigants = Bolkiah & Ors v. The State of Brunei Darussalam & Anor (Brunei Darussalam)
| link =
| court = UKPC
| division =
| year = 2007
| num = 63
| date = 8 November 2007
| courtname = auto
| juris = The Court of Appeal of Brunei Darussalam
}} Retrieved 9 November 2010.</ref> and ruled in favour of the Government of Brunei and the BIA; consequently the Prince's appeal was dismissed and he was ordered to return the rest of his assets to Brunei.<ref name="privy" /> The decision of the Privy Council did not end the litigation between Prince Jefri and the BIA. The BIA re-opened proceedings in Malaysia and the [[Cayman Islands]], resulting in the BIA gaining control over the [[Hotel Bel-Air]] in Los Angeles and [[Lotte New York Palace Hotel|The New York Palace Hotel]] in [[Manhattan]].<ref name="timesjul2008">{{cite news | last = Walsh | first = Dominic | url = http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article4412709.ece | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110611211608/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article4412709.ece | url-status = dead | archive-date = 11 June 2011 | title = New York Palace joins Dorchester stable | work = The Times | location = London | date = 28 July 2008 | access-date =10 October 2010 }}</ref>

The BIA also re-opened collateral litigation in the [[High Court of Justice|High Court of England and Wales]]. After winning before the Privy Council, the BIA asked the court to determine whether Prince Jefri should be held in [[contempt of court]] for allegedly making misstatements in his listing of assets. The contempt proceeding was scheduled for a hearing in June 2008, but the Prince did not attend, instead going to Paris.<ref name="telegraph2" /><ref name="bbcnewsjun2008">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7450412.stm | title = Arrest warrant for Brunei prince | work = BBC News | date = 12 June 2008 | access-date =1 October 2010 }}</ref> [[Peter Smith (judge)|Judge Peter Smith]] did not rule on whether Prince Jefri was in contempt, but did issue a [[arrest warrant|warrant]] for his arrest.<ref name="smith">{{cite web | url = http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/F/11/Transcript.pdf | title = Transcript of proceedings of 11 June 2008, Brunei v. Bolkiah, High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Claim No. HC00007888 | publisher = thomsonreuters.com | access-date = 10 December 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111007121156/http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/F/11/Transcript.pdf | archive-date = 7 October 2011 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

As of October, 2009, Prince Jefri appears to have been allowed back to Brunei. He is not back in any official government role but retains all his royal titles and decorations and remains in the royal protocol order. He is seen at major national functions like the national teachers day celebrations, the sultan's birthday and at the National Day Celebrations. His most recent appearance was at The Legco (Legislative Council) opening ceremony in March 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maremont |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Maremont |date=2009-09-25 |title=Royal Dispute Over Billions in Brunei Nears a Resolution |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125375281010136095 |access-date=2023-12-13 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

=== Anti-LGBT and death by stoning legislation ===
{{main|LGBT rights in Brunei}}
As Prime Minister, Hassanal Bolkiah has spearheaded legislation that would introduce [[capital punishment for homosexuality]] and adultery, by stoning, effective from 3 April 2019. This sparked international protests.<ref>{{cite news | last = Stapleton | first = AnneClaire | url = https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/30/asia/brunei-lgbt-death-penalty-intl/index.html | title = Brunei's new anti-gay law goes into effect this week. Here's how the world is reacting | work= CNN | date = 30 March 2019 | access-date = 31 March 2019 }}</ref> The policy resulted in calls for [[Boycott|boycotts]] of numerous companies owned by the Bruneian royal family, notably the [[Dorchester Collection]], a group of well-known hotels owned by the sultan in the US and Europe.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47769964?ocid=global_bbccom_email_02042019_top+news+stories|title=Brunei implements stoning to death under new anti-LGBT laws|last=Tan|first=Yvette|date=3 April 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=3 April 2019}}</ref> The sultan, via his BIA that 
owns the Dorchester Collection hotels, also raised concerns abroad in April 2014 after he implemented a [[Sharia|Sharia law]] penal code. The code included death by [[stoning]], the severing of limbs, and [[Flagellation|flogging]] for crimes in Brunei that included [[abortion]], [[adultery]], and [[same-sex relationship]] acts. None of these were exempted from Sharia law, regardless of a person's social class, although the law was applied only to acts committed in Brunei itself. When the sultan made his announcement, entertainers such as [[George Clooney]], [[Elton John]], and [[Ellen DeGeneres]] called for a boycott of all hotels associated with him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clooney |first1=George |author-link=George Clooney |date=2019-03-28 |title=Boycott Sultan Of Brunei's Hotels Over Cruel Anti-Gay Laws |url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/george-clooney-sultain-of-brunei-hotels-boycott-beverly-hills-hotel-anti-gay-laws-brunei-1202584579/ |access-date=2019-04-03 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-03-31 |title=Elton John joins call for boycott of Brunei-owned hotels |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/31/elton-john-joins-call-for-boycott-of-brunei-owned-hotels-george-clooney |access-date=2019-07-02 |work=[[The Guardian]] |issn=0261-3077 |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/accommodation/tv-personality-ellen-degeneres-calls-for-brunei-hotel-boycott/news-story/a735ffbefcf9ac9951cd7e8829a30997|title=Brunei anti-gay laws: Ellen posts desperate plea on Facebook|website=www.news.com.au|date=2 April 2019|access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref>

In protest, a United States national LGBT advocacy organisation, the [[Gill Action Fund]], canceled its reservation to hold a conference of major donors at the [[The Beverly Hills Hotel|Beverly Hills Hotel]] and demanded a refund of its deposit. The hotel management responded by issuing a statement asserting that it does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 19, 2014 |title=Beverly Hills Hotel Boycotted by LGBT Group Over Sultan of Brunei Ownership (Report) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/beverly-hills-hotel-boycotted-by-697712 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Fashion designers [[Brian Atwood]] and [[Peter Som]] subsequently called for wider protests, urging the fashion industry to boycott all of the hotels owned by the Dorchester Collection.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 April 2014 |title=How A Stay At This Iconic Los Angeles Hotel Supports The Stoning To Death Of Gays In Brunei |url=http://www.queerty.com/how-a-stay-at-this-iconic-los-angeles-hotel-supports-the-stoning-to-death-of-gays-in-brunei-20140422 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |website=[[Queerty]]}}</ref>

In January 2013, the [[Royal College of General Practitioners]] designated the sultan the first Companion of the college for services to healthcare in Brunei and abroad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rcgp.org.uk/news/rcgp-inaugurates-companion-of-the-college-award.aspx|title=RCGP inaugurates Companion of the College Award|date=2013-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118041612/http://www.rcgp.org.uk/news/rcgp-inaugurates-companion-of-the-college-award.aspx|access-date=2019-04-03|archive-date=18 January 2013}}</ref> In April 2019, the RCGP withdrew this honour in light of new anti-LGBT laws supported by the sultan which are not in concert with the organisation's values.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gponline.com/rcgp-revokes-sultan-bruneis-honorary-title-anti-lgbtq-laws/article/1582411|title=RCGP revokes Sultan of Brunei's honorary title over anti-LGBTQ laws|website=GP Online}}</ref> Due to the international condemnation of the legislation, the Sultan announced that he would extend a moratorium on capital punishment for [[homosexuality]] and ratify the [[United Nations Convention Against Torture]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/05/asia/brunei-lgbt-death-penalty-intl/index.html|title=Brunei backs down on gay sex death penalty after international backlash|first1=Ben|last1=Westcott|first2=Rebecca|last2=Wright|newspaper=CNN|date=2019-05-06|access-date=2022-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48171165|title=Brunei says it won't enforce death penalty for gay sex|newspaper=BBC|date=2019-05-06|access-date=2022-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/05/06/720598000/brunei-wont-enforce-death-by-stoning-law-for-gay-sex-sultan-says|title=Brunei Won't Enforce Death-By-Stoning Law For Gay Sex, Sultan Says|first=Bill|last=Chappell|newspaper=NPR|date=2019-05-06|access-date=2022-07-23}}</ref>

===Car collection controversy===
The sultan once owned [[Car collection of the 29th Sultan of Brunei|one of the largest private car collections in the world]] with about 2,500 cars<ref>{{cite web |last1=Colyar |first1=Brock |date=22 July 2019 |title=Who Was Jeffrey Epstein Calling? |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/07/jeffrey-epstein-high-society-contacts.html |access-date=24 July 2019 |website=[[New York Magazine]]}}</ref> which his brother [[Prince Jefri Bolkiah|Jefri Bolkiah]] bought for himself, the Sultan, and other members of the royal family to entertain their car passion. The car collection and Prince Jefri Bolkiah's other indulgences cost billions of US dollars, and ultimately landed him in trouble and the royal family in financial crisis. The car collection was left abandoned; most of the non-garaged cars were beyond saving, the rest were auctioned.<ref>{{cite web |author=Michael Sheehan |date=14 March 2011 |title=The Sultan Of Brunei's Rotting Supercar Collection |url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/03/the-sultan-of-bruneis-rotting-supercar-collection/ |access-date=22 July 2017 |publisher=[[Gizmodo]]}}</ref>

== Philanthropy ==
[[File:2023 Majlis Ramah Mesra Belait 83.jpg|thumb|Hassanal Bolkiah on his 2023 visit to the [[Belait District]], seen greeting the populace<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dk. Vivy Malessa Pg. Ibrahim |date=2023-07-22 |title=Raja berjiwa rakyat disanjung |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Lists/Berita%202018/NewDisplayForm.aspx?ID=48151 |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |language=ms}}</ref>]]

=== Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation ===
The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation ({{Langx|ms|Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah|label=none}}; YSHHB), sometimes referred to as the Yayasan, was founded on 5 October 1992. Hassanal Bolkiah and his family members intended for the foundation to act as a conduit for their philanthropic gifts. Yayasan is guided by five guiding principles: finance, development, welfare, education, and religion.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=James Kon |last2=Azaraimy HH |date=2005-07-15 |title=The Yayasan - symbol of His Majesty's generosity for people of Brunei |url=http://sultanate.com/news_server/2006/15_jul_10.html |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=sultanate.com}}</ref> 

In a speech on 28 January 2009, Hassanal Bolkiah gave his approval for "The Committee for the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund" to be established. The Palestinian Humanitarian Fund received a $50,000 grant from the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation. The gift increased the amount raised to sixty-one thousand dollars. The Foundation's School and the Foundation Building Complex both have donation boxes placed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-01-28 |title=Sultan Foundation donates $50,000 to Palestinian Humanitarian Fund |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/sultan-foundation-donates-50000-palestinian-humanitarian-fund |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}</ref>

At a meeting of the YSHHB Committee of Governors on 2 October 2018, Prince Abdul Malik disclosed that more than $115,000 had been embezzled from the organisation. He mentioned that eight instances of breach of trust involving five employees and a total of $115,528 were filed between 2004 and 2016. The fraud was uncovered after the Prime Minister's Office Audit Department carried out its first audit since the foundation was founded in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasidah Hj Abu Bakar |date=2018-10-02 |title='$115,000 stolen from Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation' |url=http://thescoop.co/2018/10/03/yayasan-115k-financial-embezzlement/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=The Scoop |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Scholarships ===
Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also the RBAF's Supreme Commander, has visioned that Brunei's future leaders will possess exceptional leadership skills and be prepared to steer the nation through the world's current fast changes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Background |url=https://scholarship.mindef.gov.bn/Site%20Pages/Background.aspx |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=scholarship.mindef.gov.bn}}</ref> In order to draw and nurture outstanding young leaders for Brunei's defence and security industries, the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Scholarship Scheme was established in 2005. It offers tuition at esteemed international universities and military schools. Since its establishment, more than fifty exceptional Bruneians have been awarded this scholarship, which pays for tuition, living expenses, stipends, and an annual round-trip ticket. In addition to offering a broad range of disciplines, the scholarship recipients represent Brunei abroad as youthful ambassadors.{{sfn|Hussainmiya|2012|p=33}}

As a direct result of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation's founding objective, particularly with regard to education, a unique scholarship program called "Sultan's Scholar" has been formed.  In 2006, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah gave his approval for the "Sultan's Scholar" award to be given. The "Sultan's Scholar" Scholarship Scheme was enlarged by the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation in 2013 to include recitation up to the Doctor of Philosophy degree.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang Biasiswa |url=http://sultansscholar.yshhb.org.bn/latar-belakang-biasiswa/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=sultansscholar.yshhb.org.bn |language=ms-MY}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Azlan Othman |last2=James Kon |date=2022-09-09 |title=Nine awarded Sultan's Scholar |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/nine-awarded-sultans-scholar-2/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=borneobulletin.com.bn |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Wedding of Prince Hassanal Bolkiah and Pengiran Anak Saleha 02.jpg|thumb|206x206px|Bersanding ceremony of Hassanal Bolkiah and Pengiran Anak Saleha on 29 July 1965]]
=== Interests ===
Hassan Bolkiah played [[polo]] with [[Charles III|Prince Charles]] on 15 July 1996, to commemorate his 50th birthday.<ref name=":6" /> He played polo competitively when he was younger, at one point even representing the [[Indian Army]]'s [[61st Cavalry (India)|61st Cavalry team]]. He has a history of attending polo matches frequently in recent years, especially since two of his children started playing competitive polo. A friendly polo match between the Brunei team and the 61st Cavalry Indian Army team was also held a few years ago as part of the sultan's 70th birthday celebrations as a tribute to his long friendship with the latter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-10 |title=Friendly Exhibition Polo match between 61 Cavalry Indian Army Polo Team and Brunei Polo Team on 10 March 2017 |url=https://www.hcindiabrunei.gov.in/event_detail/?eventid=10 |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=www.hcindiabrunei.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-10 |title=Friendly Exhibition Match between Brunei Polo Team and 61 Cavalry Indian Army Polo Team to celebrate His Majesty's 70th birthday |url=https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/CountryNews/7500_10.03.17_-_Pre_Press_Release_Polo_Match.pdf |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=www.mea.gov.in}}</ref>

On 8 February 2015, Hassanal Bolkiah competed in and won the [[Richard Mille]] Gold Cup, a charity polo match held at Padang 1, Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club (RBPRC) [[Kampong Jerudong|Jerudong]], in support of the Children's Cancer Foundation (YASKA).<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Ariffin Md Noor |date=2015-08-02 |title=080215_RICHARD_MILLE_EXHIBITION_POLO_MATCH |url=http://www.infofoto.gov.bn/main.php?g2_itemId=385293&g2_page=2 |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=www.infofoto.gov.bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-08 |title=His Majesty leads team to victory in charity polo tournament |url=https://www.information.gov.bn/PublishingImages/SitePages/English%20Publication/BD%20FEBRUARY%202015.pdf |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Informations Department |page=12}}</ref> Later on the following day, he led his team to victory in the Richard Mille Exhibition Polo Match. The black team of the monarch defeated the white team 7–5 on the eighth day of the four-team charity competition at the same venue to advance to the final.<ref name=":4" />

Hassanal Bolkiah likes to play badminton and [[Squash (sport)|squash]].<ref name=":6" />

=== Marriages and issue ===
The sultan married his first cousin and first wife, [[Queen Saleha of Brunei|Pengiran Anak Saleha]], who later carried the title {{Langx|ms|Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri|label=none}} (Her Majesty the [[Queen consort|Queen Consort]]) at Istana Darul Hana on 29 July 1965.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |date=1965-08-04 |title=Istiadat Muleh 3 Hari Di-Langsongkan Dengan Selama-nya |pages=1 |work=Pelita Brunei |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1965/Pelita%20Brunei%204%20Ogos%201965.pdf |access-date=2023-10-26}}</ref> He married [[Mariam Abdul Aziz]] (formerly titled {{Langx|ms|Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Isteri|label=none}}) as his second wife in 1981 when she was a ex-flight attendant for [[Royal Brunei Airlines]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mir Bahadur Hussain Kahn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eTLjAAAAMAAJ&q=Hajah+Mariam+Brunei+1981 |title=Islamic World |date=1991 |publisher=Dadabhoy Foundation |pages=324 |language=en}}</ref> According to Brunei's sharia law, Mariam was stripped of all royal titles in 2003 and the Sultan proclaimed a first-stage divorce from her, according to a statement made by Prince Sufri Bolkiah on state-run television.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=2 February 2003 |title=Sultan of Brunei Will Divorce Second Wife |url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Sultan-of-Brunei-Will-Divorce-Second-Wife-7081664.php |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=[[Midland Daily News]]}}</ref> The Sultan married 33-year-old former Malaysian [[TV3 (Malaysian TV network)|TV3]] anchor [[Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim]] (formerly known as {{Langx|ms|Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Isteri|label=none}}) in a private wedding held in Kuala Lumpur in August 2005.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=grzR0yFZ5RcC&q=2005+Azrinaz+Mazhar+Hakim |title=Britannica Book of the Year |date=2006 |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica, Incorporated |isbn=978-1-59339-291-8 |pages=373 |language=en}}</ref> On 16 June 2010, the Grand Chamberlain announced that the Sultan was divorcing his third wife and would strip her of all royal titles after five years of marriage,<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |date=2010-06-16 |title=Brunei's sultan divorces Malaysian wife of 5 years |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2010/06/16/bruneis-sultan-divorces-malaysian-wife-of-5-years/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |language=en-US}}</ref> citing "special reasons" without further details, following weeks of rumors in the capital.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-06-17 |title=Brunei sultan Hassanal Bolkiah divorces third wife Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/brunei-sultan-hassanal-bolkiah-divorces-third-wife-azrinaz-mazhar-hakim/news-story/d745e95713b0162757cf81f2851cc103 |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=[[The Australian]]}}</ref> It was also known that he has an adopted daughter named Afifa Abdullah with Mariam.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-01-30 |title=Sultan of Brunei's daughter Afifa Abdullah 'duped over jewels' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-25966934 |access-date=2024-01-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Prince [[Al-Muhtadee Billah]] is the current ''Pengiran Muda Mahkota'' ([[Crown prince|Crown Prince]]) and the sultan's [[Heir apparent|heir]], as the eldest son of the sultan and ''Raja Isteri'' Pengiran Anak Saleha. As of 2012, Hassanal Bolkiah has five sons and seven daughters with his three wives. As of 2024, he also has 19 grandchildren.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Princess Hafizah gives birth to a boy |url=http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2013/08/03/princess-hafizah-gives-birth-boy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815080354/http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2013/08/03/princess-hafizah-gives-birth-boy |archive-date=15 August 2013 |access-date=5 August 2013 |website=The Brunei Times |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Name
! rowspan="2" |Birth
! rowspan="2" |Death
! colspan="2" |Marriage
! rowspan="2" |Children
|-
!Date
!Spouse
|-
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" |[[Queen Saleha of Brunei|Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha]] (m. 1965–present)<ref name=":11" />
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Princess Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah|Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah]]
| rowspan="5" |26 July 1969
| rowspan="5" {{N/A|}}
| rowspan="5" |15 August 1996
| rowspan="5" |''Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Di-Raja Sahibul Irshad'' [[Abdul Rahim Kemaluddin Al-Haj|Pengiran Anak Haji 'Abdul Rahim]] bin ''Pengiran Indera Mahkota'' [[Kemaluddin Al-Haj|Pengiran Anak Dr. Kemaluddin Al-Haj]]
|Pengiran Anak Raheemah Sanaul Bolkiah
|-
|Pengiran Anak Hariisah Widadul Bolqiah 
|-
|Pengiran Anak 'Abdul Raqiib
|-
|Pengiran Anak 'Abdul Haseeb
|-
|Pengiran Anak Raqeeqah Raayatul Bolqiah 
|-
|[[Princess Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah|Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah]]
|12 October 1971
| {{N/A|}}
| colspan="3" {{N/A|None}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |''Pengiran Muda Mahkota'' [[Al-Muhtadee Billah|Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah]]
| rowspan="4" |17 February 1974
| rowspan="4" {{N/A|}}
| rowspan="4" |9 September 2004
| rowspan="4" |[[Sarah, Crown Princess of Brunei|Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah]] binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab-Rahaman
|[[Abdul Muntaqim|Pengiran Muda Abdul Muntaqim]]
|-
|[[Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah|Pengiran Anak Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah]]
|-
|Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman
|-
|Pengiran Anak Faathimah Az-Zahraa Raihaanul Bolkiah
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Princess Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah|Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah]]
| rowspan="2" |16 March 1976
| rowspan="2" {{N/A|}}
| rowspan="2" |10 June 2007<br/><small>Divorced 7 December 2023</small>
| rowspan="2" |[[Khairul Khalil|Pengiran Khairul Khalil]] bin Pengiran Syed Haji Jaafari
|Pengiran Anak 'Abdul Hafeez
|-
|Pengiran Anak Raihaanah Hanaa-Ul Bolqiah
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[Princess Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah|Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah]]
| rowspan="4" |12 March 1980
| rowspan="4" {{N/A|}}
| rowspan="4" |20 September 2012
| rowspan="4" |[[Muhammad Ruzaini|Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Ruzaini]] bin Pengiran Dr. Haji Mohammad Yakub
|Pengiran Anak Muhammad Za'eem
|-
|Pengiran Anak Muhammad 'Aamir
|-
|Pengiran Anak 'Abdul Hakeem
|-
|Pengiran Anak 'Abdul Aleem
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Prince Abdul Malik of Brunei|Pengiran Muda 'Abdul Malik]]
| rowspan="3" |30 June 1983
| rowspan="3" {{N/A|}}
| rowspan="3" |9 April 2015
| rowspan="3" |[[Raabi'atul Adawiyyah|Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi'atul Adawiyyah]] binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah
|Pengiran Anak Muthee'ah Raayatul Bolqiah
|-
|Pengiran Anak Fathiyyah Rafaahul Bolqiah
|-
|Pengiran Anak Khaalishah Mishbaahul Bolqiah
|-
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" |[[Mariam Abdul Aziz]] (m. 1981–2003; divorced)<ref name=":13" />
|-
|[[Prince Abdul Azim of Brunei|Pengiran Muda Haji 'Abdul 'Azim]]
|29 July 1982
|24 October 2020
| colspan="3" {{N/A|None}}
|-
|[[Princess Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah|Pengiran Anak Puteri 'Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah]]
|26 September 1984
| {{N/A|}}
|8 January 2023
|[[Prince Bahar of Brunei|Pengiran Muda Bahar]] ibni ''Pengiran Di-Gadong Sahibul Mal'' [[Prince Jefri Bolkiah|Pengiran Muda Haji Jefri Bolkiah]]
| {{N/A|None}}
|-
|[[Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah|Pengiran Anak Puteri Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah]]
|23 August 1985
| {{N/A|}}
|16 January 2022
|[[Abdullah Mahmoud Al-Hashimi|Pengiran Suami Abdullah Nabil Mahmoud Al-Hashimi]]
| Pengiran Anak Daniya Rahmatul Bolkiah
|-
|[[Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei|Pengiran Muda 'Abdul Mateen]]
|10 August 1991
| {{N/A|}}
|7 January 2024
|[[Anisha Rosnah|Pengiran Anak Isteri Anisha Rosnah]] binti Adam
| {{N/A|None}}
|-
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" |[[Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim]] (m. 2005–2010; divorced)<ref name=":14" />
|-
|Pengiran Muda 'Abdul Wakeel
|1 June 2006
| {{N/A|}}
| colspan="3" {{N/A|None}}
|-
|Pengiran Anak Puteri 'Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah
|28 January 2008
| {{N/A|}}
| colspan="3" {{N/A|None}}
|}

==Titles and styles==
{{Infobox hrhstyles
|royal name = The Sultan of Brunei
|image = [[File:Personal Emblem of the Sultan of Brunei.svg|70px]]
|dipstyle = His Majesty
|offstyle = Your Majesty
|altstyle = ''Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik''
}}

===Full title===

* 5 October 1967 – present: ''His Majesty'' the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam<ref name="pm">{{cite web |title=Prime Minister |url=http://www.pmo.gov.bn/SitePages/minister-and-senior-officials/Prime-Minister.aspx |access-date=19 April 2022 |publisher=Prime Minister's Office}}</ref>
** [[Malay language|Malay]] ([[Malay orthography|Rumi]]): {{Langx|ms|Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda|label=none}} Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, {{Langx|ms|Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam|label=none}}<ref name="pm" />
** Malay ([[Jawi alphabet|Jawi]]): {{lang|ms-Arab|{{Script|Arab|کباوه دولي يڠ مها موليا ڤادوک سري بݢندا سلطان حاج حسن البلقية معز الدين والدولة ابن المرحوم سلطان حاج عمر علي سيف الدين سعد الخير والدين، سلطان دان يڠ دڤرتوان نݢارا بروني دارالسلام.}}}}
==Awards and honours==
{{Main|List of awards and honours received by Hassanal Bolkiah}}[[File:Hassanal Bolkiah and Mohamed Bolkiah (1966).jpg|thumb|Princes Hassanal Bolkiah and [[Prince Mohamed Bolkiah|Mohamed Bolkiah]] at [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] in 1966|199x199px]]

===Academic honours===
The sultan received an honorary doctorate at the [[Moscow State Institute of International Relations|Moscow State University for International Relations]] (MGIMO), 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2005 |title=His Majesty awarded Honorary Doctorate by MGIMO, University of Russia |url=http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/09_jun_1.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.sultanate.com}}</ref> He previously held an Honorary [[Doctor of Law]] degree from the [[University of Oxford]], England, which was returned on 6 May 2019 following a letter from the university (but not revoked),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2019/05/23/89611/|title=Sultan of Brunei hands back his honorary degree|date=2019-05-23|website=The Oxford Student|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref> and an Honorary [[Doctor of Letters]] degree from the [[University of Aberdeen]], Scotland, which was revoked on 17 April 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-47963014|title=Sultan's honour revoked over LGBT laws|date=2019-04-17|work=BBC|access-date=2019-04-17|language=en-GB}}</ref> He received an Honorary Doctorate from the [[Chulalongkorn University]] of Thailand. In 2003, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities and Culture from [[Gadjah Mada University|Universitas Gadjah Mada]] (UGM), [[Yogyakarta]], Indonesia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtb.gov.bn/NewsUpdate/2003/April03/100403/main1.htm|title=His Majesty is conferred with an Honorary Doctorate degree|date=10 April 2003|archive-date=21 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121055639/http://www.rtb.gov.bn/NewsUpdate/2003/April03/100403/main1.htm|website=[[Radio Television Brunei]]}}</ref> On 27 January 2005, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the [[National University of Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/pressrel/0501/050127.htm |title=Press Release, NUS |access-date=2007-12-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106062827/http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/pressrel/0501/050127.htm |archive-date=6 January 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 14 April 2011, he was conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Law by [[King's College London]] (KCL). The scroll for the honorary doctorate was presented by [[Charles Wellesley, 9th Duke of Wellington|Lord Douro]], the chairman of the Council of KCL. This honorary doctorate was [[Rescission (contract law)|rescinded]] on 6 June 2019 by the Fellowships and Hororary Degrees Committee at KCL upon recommendation of the KCL Chairman [[Christopher Geidt, Baron Geidt|Christopher Geidt]], in light of the Sultan's willingness to inflict death by stoning and other penalties upon homosexuals in Brunei. He was awarded with an honorary doctorate in philosophy and humanities on 21 April 2011 from [[University of Indonesia|Universitas Indonesia]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2011/04/17/indonesia-varsity-confer-honorary-doctorate-hm | work=The Brunei Times | title=Indonesia varsity to confer honorary doctorate on HM | date=17 April 2011 | access-date=18 April 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327085425/http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2011/04/17/indonesia-varsity-confer-honorary-doctorate-hm | archive-date=27 March 2012 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 23 March 2019, he was conferred the Honorary Doctorate Islamic Leadership from [[Universiti Teknologi MARA]] (UiTM), Malaysia.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://borneobulletin.com.bn/his-majesty-conferred-honorary-doctorate-by-uitm-2/ | work= Borneo Bulletin | title=His Majesty conferred Honorary Doctorate by UiTM |date=24 March 2019 | access-date=24 August 2021}}</ref> 

===Military honours===
In the [[British Army]], he was made an Honorary [[Major general|Major General]] in 1984.{{sfn|Hussainmiya|2012|p=17}} Queen Elizabeth II appointed Hassanal Bolkiah as an [[Air chief marshal|Air Chief Marshal]] in the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) in 1992.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Air Force List|date=2006|publisher=[[Office of Public Sector Information|HMSO]]|isbn=0-11-773038-6}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Bostock |first=Bill |date=8 April 2019 |title=British military called on to strip the sultan of Brunei of honorary appointments awarded to him by the Queen, as backlash against new anti-LGBT laws grows |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/royal-navy-raf-called-strip-brunei-sultan-honours-from-queen-2019-4 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>{{sfn|Hussainmiya|2012|p=17}} According to [[Buckingham Palace]], the Queen did not decide whether to give him the honours, as [[Business Insider]] was informed. In the [[Royal Navy]], he was appointed Honorary [[Admiral]] in 2001.<ref name=":15" />

In April 2008, he was made an honorary member of the Indonesian [[Bravo Detachment 90|Satgas Atbara]] Special Operations Unit. He holds the rank of Honorary Colonel Commandant of Pakistan's [[Special Service Group]] (SSG), awarded to him during his visit to the [[Pakistan Army]]'s SSG headquarters at [[Cherat]] with effect from 3 Apr 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2004-05-20|title=Sultan of Brunei made honorary colonel|url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/359440/sultan-of-brunei-made-honorary-colonel|access-date=2023-01-05|website=Dawn|type=press release|language=en}}</ref> He possesses [[red beret]] and paratrooper wings of the Black Hawk paratroopers, presented to him by the [[Indian Army]] during his state visit to India. On 30 January 2009, he was awarded the [[Order of Lakandula]] Grand Collar from [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo|President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of Philippines]] during his state visit to the country.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-01-31 |title=State visit to Manila |volume=24 |pages=7 |work=Brunei Darussalam Newsletter |publisher=Department of Information, Prime Minister’s Office |issue=1 |url=https://www.information.gov.bn/PublishingImages/SitePages/Brunei%20Darussalam%20Newsletter%202009/BD%20JANUARY%202009.pdf |access-date=2023-08-01}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Sultans of Brunei]]
*[[List of Brunei-related topics]]
*[[List of current foreign ministers]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist|30em}}

==References==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ez4xOQAACAAJ |title=Perpuspaan Ogos 1968 |date=1968 |language=ms}}
* {{Cite web |last=Muhammad Bin Haji Awg. Damit |year=1997 |title=Pengukuhan Sistem Monarki di Brunei 1945–1984 (Ke Arah Kemerdekaan, 1967-1984) |url=http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/708/6/BAB5.pdf |access-date=2024-05-24 |website= |publisher=[[University of Malaya]] |pages=211-213, 216, 218-219 |publication-place=Kuala Lumpur |via=studentsrepo.um.edu.my}}
* {{cite book |last1=Leifer |first1=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7UCl7VE4VMIC&q=sultan%20of%20brunei%201967%20sandhurst&pg=PA76 |title=Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Southeast Asia |date=13 May 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781135129453}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gurney |first=Gene |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZTNtAAAAMAAJ&q=BRunei+coronation+stamp+1968 |title=Kingdoms of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Ruling Monarchs from Ancient Times to the Present |date=1986 |publisher=Crown |isbn=978-0-517-55256-8 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sidhu |first=Jatswan S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bry0sOwstIMC&dq=Omar+ali+saifuddien+istana+kota&pg=PA169 |title=Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam |date=2009-12-22 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-7078-9 |language=en}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Black |first=Ann |date=2022-12-30 |title=Exporting a Constitutional Court to Brunei? Benefits and Prospects |url=https://consrev.mkri.id/index.php/const-rev/article/view/826 |journal=Constitutional Review |language=en |volume=8 |issue=2 |page=361 |doi=10.31078/consrev826 |issn=2548-3870|doi-access=free }}
* {{Cite book |last=Bowman |first=John Stewart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YkqsAgAAQBAJ&dq=1984+Hassanal+Bolkiah&pg=PA413 |title=Columbia Chronologies of Asian History and Culture |date=2000 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-11004-4 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last1=East |first1=Roger |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5VO4AwAAQBAJ&dq=1984+Hassanal+Bolkiah&pg=PA71 |title=Profiles of People in Power: The World's Government Leaders |last2=Thomas |first2=Richard J. |date=2014-06-03 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-63940-4 |language=en}}
* {{Citation |last=Siddique |first=Sharon |title=Negara Brunei Darussalam: "A New Nation but an Ancient Country" (1985) |date=2018 |work=Turning Points and Transitions: Selections from Southeast Asian Affairs 1974–2018 |pages=179–189 |editor-last=Singh |editor-first=Daljit |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/turning-points-and-transitions/negara-brunei-darussalam-a-new-nation-but-an-ancient-country-1985/02BEFA6A886745D4CE17610CD6D37CF8 |access-date=2024-07-04 |series=Books and Monographs |publisher=ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute |isbn=978-981-4843-08-9 |editor2-last=Cook |editor2-first=Malcolm}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Hussainmiya |first=B. A. |date=2012-01-01 |title=Royal Brunei Arrmed Forces 50th anniversary Commemorative History |url=https://www.academia.edu/101474835 |journal=RBAF 50th Golden Anniversary Commemorative Book |publisher=Southeastern University of Sri Lanka}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.gov.bn Government of Brunei]
* Leppard, David. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article694624.ece "Sultan caught in property feud"]{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ''Times Online'', 30 July 2006
* Kennedy, Dominic. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1296187.ece "The prince, the lawyer and his wife lose out in court"]{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ''The Times'', 26 January 2007. article regarding Thomas Derbyshire and Faith Zaman losing appeal against freezing of assets in multimillion-dollar fraud case
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20011116195925/http://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/10/1997/LIR.jhtml?datatype=Person&passListId=10&passListType=Person&passYear=1997&uniqueId=4712 Forbes World's Richest People 1997], Forbes.com
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000818085304/http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_14/b3675221.htm Brunei's Battle Royal], ''[[Business Week]]''
* Usborne, David. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10367760 "Brotherly love runs out"], 11 February 2006, about the sultan's legal fight with his brother; linked 17 February 2006

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[House of Bolkiah]]|15 July|1946|||name=Hassanal Bolkiah}}
{{s-roy|bn}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ahmad Tajuddin]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Crown Prince of Brunei|years=1965–1967}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Al-Muhtadee Billah]]}}
|-
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Omar Ali Saifuddien III]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Sultans of Brunei|Sultan of Brunei]]|years=1967–present}}
{{s-inc|heir=[[Al-Muhtadee Billah]]|heir-type=Heir apparent}}
|-
{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jenny Shipley]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairperson of [[APEC]]|years=2000}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jiang Zemin]]}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Trần Đức Lương]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairperson of [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]]|years=2001}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Hun Sen]]}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Hun Sen]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairperson of [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]]|years=2013}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Thein Sein]]}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Nguyễn Xuân Phúc]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairperson of [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]]|years=2021}}
{{s-after|after=Hun Sen}}

|-
{{s-ach|rec|}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bill Gates]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Forbes list of billionaires (2011)|Richest Person in the World]]|years=1997}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bill Gates]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Sultans of Brunei}}
{{Current sovereigns}}
{{Commonwealth heads of government}}
{{Current ASEAN Leaders}}
{{APEC leaders}}
{{ASEAN Foreign}}
{{ASEAN Finance}}
{{APEC foreign ministers}}
{{APEC finance ministers}}
{{Current Brunei Cabinet}}
{{PLH Recipients}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Royalty|Monarchy|Politics}}
{{Authority control}}

<!-- Orders and honours -->

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hassanal Bolkiah}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Bruneian Muslims]]
[[Category:Bruneian billionaires]]
[[Category:Car collectors]]
[[Category:Defense ministers of Brunei]]
[[Category:Finance ministers of Brunei]]
[[Category:Foreign ministers of Brunei]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Members of the Legislative Council of Brunei]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of Brunei]]
[[Category:People from Binfield]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of Brunei]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Sultans of Brunei]]
[[Category:Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George]]
[[Category:Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:People stripped of honorary degrees]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali]]
[[Category:First Classes of the Royal Family Order of Johor]]
[[Category:First Classes of Royal Family Order of Selangor]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Darjah Utama Temasek]]
[[Category:Bruneian people of Arab descent]]
[[Category:Berkeley Macintosh Users Group members]]
[[Category:Coldstream Guards officers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa]]
[[Category:Sons of sultans]]