His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, is the 29th of his line, which dates back to the fourteenth century.

Being the eldest son, he became Crown Prince in 1961 and ascended the Throne on 5th October 1967 following the voluntary abdication of his father, Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien.

His Majesty the Sultan was crowned on 1st August 1968 in pomp and pageantry befitting Brunei's ancient customs and traditions.

His Majesty was born on 15th July 1946 at the Istana (Palace) Darussalam in the capital, Brunei Town (now Bandar Seri Begawan). He received his early education in the form of private tuition at the Istana Darul Hana and attended top institutions in both Brunei and Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) before furthering his studies in the United Kingdom where he later qualified for admission as an officer cadet at the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and was commissioned as a Captain in 1967. He left Sandhurst in October of the same year to ascend the throne.

Besides being the Sultan and the Ruler, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is concurrently the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, and head of the religion of Brunei Darussalam. Being a working monarch, he is involved in the conduct of the State affairs internally and internationally.

Like his illustrious father, who is fondly remembered as the Architect of Modern Brunei, His Majesty is a caring monarch and tirelessly works for the continued well-being of his people. In addition to the usual day-to-day administration of the government and receiving foreign dignitaries. His Majesty is always on the move, visiting government departments and related institutions, security forces on military maneuvers, and villages including remote parts of the State. This brings him very close to the people, who love and revere him.

The promotion and strengthening of relations with the outside world also get top priority from His Majesty. He has traveled widely in Southeast Asia, East Asia, The Middle East, Europe, and the United States. He addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Brunei Darussalam's admission to the UN in September, 1984.

His Majesty takes great interests in sports, including polo in which he has excelled in matches against international teams both locally and outside of the State.

One of His Majesty's remarkable achievements was the setting up of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation in 1992. The foundation is a gift of His Majesty to his people and is devoted to, among other things, financing research-related works, particularly in the fields of knowledge.

His Majesty is married to Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajjah Saleha and has ten children - four princes and six princesses.

His Majesty's official residence is the Istana Nurul Iman, which is also the country's seat of administration. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE HAJI AL-MUHTADEE BILLAH


10 August, 1998, corresponding to 17 Rabiulakhir, 1419 Hijriah in the Islamic Calendar was a historic event for Brunei Darussalam. The date marked the Royal Proclamation of His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah as the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam. The Proclamation puts His Royal Highness in line to become the 30th Sultan of Brunei.



Throughout his academic life, His Royal Highness was not only industrious in his academic studies and extra-curricular activities but was also equally diligent and devoted much time and attention to his religious education, Islamic and welfare matters. In 1988, The Prince completed the reading of the Holy Quran (Khatamal Quran) and the 'surah-surah Lazim' and also studied various aspects of Islamic teachings through specially assigned tutors.

The Prince's education began early in life, at the Putera-Puteri (Prince-Princess) School at the Istana (Palace) Darul Hana. Subsequently, His Royal Highness progressed through the Brunei Junior Certificate (1988) and the 'O' level examination of the General Certificate of Education (Cambridge) in 1991 and 'A' level examination of the General Certificate of Education (Cambridge) in 1994. In 1995, the Prince attended a course of tutorials at the University of Brunei Darussalam and at the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies, United Kingdom.

In preparing to become the future leader and head of the country, the Prince has been on attachments to the various government agencies as well as to a leading member of the private sector, namely the Public Service Department; Public Service Commission; Immigration Department; Labour Department; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Communications; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Ministry of Religious Affairs; and Datastream Technology Communications or better known as DST, a mobile phone company. The attachments are designed to give His Royal Highness the widest possible exposure to the country's workings.

PRIME MINISTER, MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MINISTER OF FINANCE

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.
(Full title: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar Pengiran Muda)


Special Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan in the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Home Affairs

The Hon. Pehin Dato Haji Awang Isa bin Pehin Datu Perdana Menteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim.
(Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama.)


Minister of Education

The Hon. Pehin Dato Haji Abdul Aziz bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Umar.
(Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia.)


Minister of Industry and Primary Resources

The Hon. Pehin Dato Dr. Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohammad Taib.
(Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia)


Minister of Religious Affairs

The Hon. Pehin Dato Dr. Ustaz Awang Hj Mohd Zain bin Haji Serudin.
(Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama)


Minister of Development

The Hon. Pehin Dato Dr. Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat.
(Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia)





Minister of Health
The Hon. Pehin Dato Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong.
(Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia).


Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports

The Hon. Pehin Dato Haji Awang Hussain bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Mohd Yusof.
(Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Paduka)


Minister of Communications

The Hon. Pehin Dato Haji Zakaria bin Datu Mahawangsa Awg Haji Sulaiman.
(Full title: Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia)