BACKGROUND

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibn Al-Marhum Sultan Haji
Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien is the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam. He was born
on 15 July 1946. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is the 29th Sultan in the dynasty and he also one of
the oldest Sultan in the world (Hays, 2008).

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was educated only by the tutors and also attended schools in
Brunei and Kuala Lumpur until 1961. In 1961, He was appointed as the crown prince and he
was married with Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha in 1965 and it was
an arranged marriage (Hays, 2008). Both of them are cousins and they have six children
together. He also has married and divorced two other wives. The second wives is Mariam, the
daughter of custom agent and have four children but then divorced. The third wife is Azrinaz
Mazhar Hakim and have two children.

Besides, He also a cadet at Britain’s Sandhurst Military Academy in United Kingdom

and was graduated in 1967. He was leaving Sandhurst in October 1967 to ascend the throne
that given by his father. He was announced as the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam on 5th October
1967 and he was crowned as 29th Sultan of Brunei Darussalam on 1st August 1968. Sultan
Hasannal Bolkiah charted the future development of Brunei Darussalam with Brunei Vision
2035 that the goals is to achieve the desired quality of life and a dynamic sustainable economy
(Hays, 2008).

His Majesty holds the Sovereign and Chief of the Family Order of the Crown of Brunei
as well as other orders or his country Brunei Darussalam. On top of that, Sultan Hassanal
Bolkiah has been award to with numerous foreign orders and decorations. His Majesty also
have many hobbies such as he can plays polo, squash and badminton. He also is a qualified
pilot for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft (Hays, 2008).

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CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was crowned as Sultan of Brunei Darussalam after his father
Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien give him the throne. As His Majesty
was crowned in 1968, for nearly twenty years until the former Sultan’s death in 1986, his career
was overshadowed by his domineering father from whom he became continuously distance.
Brunei assumed full independence in January 1984 followed by the cabinet system of
government that was created with Sultan as the Prime Minister (Leifer, 2001).

As Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in that role, he strengthen his position. He also has acquired
notoriety by becoming known as the richest man in the world. After the death of his father, he
exhibit greater interest in the business of government of the oil-rich state (Leifer, 2001).

Shortly after independence, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also became Minister of Defence
and appointed many family members in high cabinet positions. In September 1984, he
confronted the General Assembly of the United Nations and he described the concept of Malay
Islamic Monarchy into national ideology by Sultan in July 1990. Malay Islamic Monarchy has
been essential subject in university and schools and been accompanied by a number of Islamic
prohibitions. In 1985, he increased Brunei’s role in regional affairs by joining the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Leifer, 2001).

He also serve as King, Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance and
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Talib, 2013). As the Minister of Defence, he is the
Supreme Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forced, as well as an Honorary General in
British and Indonesian Armed Forces and an Honorary Admiral of the Fleet in Royal Navy. He
was appointed himself as Inspector General of Police of Royal Brunei Police Force.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah also was chairman of Summit Asia-Pacific Economic

Cooperation (APEC) Leaders in 2000 when Brunei Darussalam hosted the summit. He also
was the chairman of ASEAN Summit in 2013 as Brunei Darussalam hosted it.

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LEADERSHIP STYLE

In Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah leadership is based on the
national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB). With MIB philosophy and populations
less than 400,000 people, Brunei with the Sultan as the King and Prime Minister is able to bring
about sort of all in the family situation (Talib, 2013). His Majesty has been seen as fatherly,
the provider, caring and showing concern for their welfare and wellbeing (Cheng, 2008).

Under the rule of the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the nation have been enjoyed
undisturbed peace and very much prosperity for almost five decades including no income tax,
free educations and health services. Oil and gas export revenues and the income has also made
possible for Bruneians enjoy the standard of living which is among the highest in the world
(Talib, 2013). As a religious Muslim and leader of religion in the country, Sultan Hassanal
Bolkiah always highlight that success in life and hereafter could be realised if one upholds the
Holy Quran as guiding light. He introduced Islamic principles and ideas in his government
(Cheng, 2008).

His Majesty also shows his leadership by planning and directing. As the leader, he
knows the best for his people and he gives direction to his people so that they know what is
right and what is wrong. His vision guides his followers. He also providing and showing care
and concern to his people by visiting them to lend a hand, showing care and concern for them.
His Majesty’s birthday celebrations usually see his working since the Monarch every year
graces with his districts visit and presence in Mencemar Duli. All of the people in Brunei with
different races, cultures and ethnic backgrounds can have the chances to meet and greet him
(Cheng, 2008).

Besides, he also giving presence to the people and because of that it can assuring and
comforting them. The leader is indeed there for the people and he has to be humble and serves
the people. He is helping people to develop and also helps build community in the country
(Cheng, 2008).

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REASONS TO CHOOSE

There are many reasons for me to choose him as very respective leader. Firstly, is that
the leadership style of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. He always think about the future development
of Brunei Darussalam. As soon as he became Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, he make a vision
that have a goal that is to achieve the desired quality of life and a dynamic sustainable economy.
It shows that he is very visionary. Before reaches 2035, Brunei already reach their goals. It
shows that the leader is success at planning and organizing his country development.

Next, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah ruled based on the national philosophy which is MIB.
Because of that, he always use Islamic rule and never feel confined though the rules in Islamic
context is may too strict for other religions as not all people in Brunei is Islam They also have
many races and cultures but for them, they need to follow what their leader specified for them.

It seems that Bruneians cannot speak through their heart but because of that they
become a very successful country. The Bruneians trust their leader for his leadership way.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah believe that if we follow all things in the Holy Quran, we can become
a very successful person in the world. It is because all of the answers for the questions of the
worlds have in Holy Quran.

Besides, His Majesty also great at controlling the country development. As the King,
Prime Minister and leader of religion of his country, there are so many responsibilities for him
to do. But His Majesty can control them as he has very structured cabinet that can help him as
he only giving the order, advice and guides them to do work.

Lastly, it is about Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah sociality and presence through the nations.
He likes to help his people as it really needs for him to build a fast-paced modernization
program to make Brunei Darussalam a very successful country as he ever get title of the richest
person in world in 1997. It such amazing when a very small country can achieve the highest
achievement among other great country.

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REFERENCES

Cheng, P. D. (2008). The Father Leadership Way With Special Reference to Negara Brunei
Darussalam. E-Leader, Chinese American Scholars Association: CASA Conference.
Leifer, M. (2001). Dictionary of Modern Politics of Southeast Asia. London and New York:
Routledge. 5, 76, 143.
Talib, N. S. (2013). Brunei Darussalam: Royal Absolutism and the Modern State.
Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2018, from http://biography
yourdictionary.com/hassanal-bolkiah-sultan-of-brunei

Hays, J. (2008). Current Sultan of Brunei. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from http://factsanddetails
.com/southeast-asia/Brunei/sub5_10a/entry-3603.html