Biografi the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah
Hassanal Bolkiah is the Sultan of Brunei and has been in power since 1967. He was born on July 15, 1946, in Brunei Town (now known as Bandar Seri Begawan), Brunei, to Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit. He is the eldest son and the first in line of succession to the throne.
Hassanal Bolkiah was educated in Brunei and later at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. After completing his military training, he returned to Brunei to begin his career in government. He was appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs in 1967 and became the Sultan of Brunei later that year, following the abdication of his father.
Under his leadership, Brunei has undergone significant economic development, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Brunei is now one of the wealthiest countries in the world in terms of per capita income. The country is also known for its strict adherence to Islamic law, with punishments including amputations and stoning for crimes such as theft and adultery.
Hassanal Bolkiah is also known for his opulent lifestyle. He has a large collection of luxury cars and reportedly owns over 600 Rolls Royces. He also owns several private jets and a palace with 1,788 rooms, making it one of the largest residential palaces in the world.
In addition to his role as the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah has also held various positions in international organizations, including as the Chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2013.
Despite criticism from some human rights groups for Brunei's strict interpretation of Islamic law, Hassanal Bolkiah remains a respected figure in Brunei and continues to lead the country to this day.