Hassanal Bolkiah

Hassanal Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III (Jawi: حسن البلقية; born 15 July 1946) is Sultan of Brunei since 1967 and the prime minister of Brunei since independence from the United Kingdom in 1984.

He is one of the few absolute monarchs in the world.

The sultan was born during the reign of his uncle, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin on 15 July 1946, in Istana Darussalam, Brunei Town (now called Bandar Seri Begawan) as Pengiran Muda Mahkota (Crown Prince) Hassanal Bolkiah.

His father, the Bendahara at that time was the Heir presumptive of Brunei which put Hassanal Bolkiah second in line to the Throne at the time of his birth.

Under Brunei's 1959 constitution, the sultan is the head of state with full executive authority, including emergency powers since 1962.

Notably, the 2nd Gurkha Rifles were dispatched to Brunei in 1962, the year the Brunei Revolt began.

Digby Willoughby and a small squad of Gurkha troops helped to rescue his father and him from their palace, and his father was eternally grateful for Willoughby's actions on that day.

The eldest son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit, he is the 29th sultan to ascend to the 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.

He is the world's longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state.

The sultan received high school education at Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, after which he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, graduating in 1967.

Crown Prince Hassanal Bolkiah became the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam on 5 October 1967, after his father abdicated.

His coronation was held on 1 August 1968, and made him the Yang di-Pertuan (Head of State) of Brunei.

A budget of B$500 million was allotted for the Third National Development Plan (RKN3), 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.

With a budget of B$2.2 billion, the RKN4 (1980–1984) placed a strong emphasis on advancing the economic, social, and cultural well-being of the populace.

Like his father, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, of which Brunei was a protectorate until 1984.

Under his reign, Brunei made several diplomatic milestones such as being a part of both ASEAN and United Nations (UN) in 1984.

Brunei became independent from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, following nearly 20 years of being a protectorate.

He assumed control of Brunei as an independent country under a "democratic" monarch, as their Prime Minister.

Hassanal Bolkiah recited the Declaration of Independence at midnight.

The time has now arrived when Brunei Darussalam will resume full international responsibility as a sovereign and independent nation in the community of nations.

With a budget of $B3.7 billion, the RKN5 (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.

With a budget of B$5.5 billion, the RKN6 (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 RKN7 (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.

He was chairman of Summit APEC Leaders in 2000 when Brunei Darussalam hosted the summit.

In 2004, the Legislative Council, which had been dissolved since 1962, was reopened.

On 9 March 2006, the Sultan was reported to have amended Brunei's constitution to make himself infallible under Bruneian law.

Bolkiah, as Prime Minister, is also the head of government.

In addition, he currently holds the portfolios of Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance.

As Minister of Defence, he is therefore the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, as well as an Honorary General in the British and Indonesian armed forces, and also an Honorary Admiral in the Royal Navy.

He is also the appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Royal Brunei Police Force.

He has recently favoured Brunei government democratisation and declared himself Prime Minister and President.

The RKN theme of "Knowledge and Innovation, Increase Productivity, Accelerated Economic Growth" centered the RKN10 (2012–2017) on developmental initiatives to achieve faster and higher economic growth.

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.

On 22 October 2015, Hassanal Bolkiah appointed himself as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, thus replacing his younger brother Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.

On 5 October 2017, Bolkiah celebrated his Golden Jubilee to mark the 50th year of his reign.

The RKN11 (2018–2023), whose theme is "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.