Age, Biography, and Wiki
As of 2025, Hassanal Bolkiah is 78 years old. He was born in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, and became the Sultan after his father's abdication, marking the beginning of a long reign that started in 1967. His biography is well-documented on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hassanal_Bolkiah.
| Occupation | Prime Ministers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 15 July 1946 |
| Age | 79 Years |
| Birth Place | Istana Darussalam, Brunei Town, British Protectorate of Brunei |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Brunei |
Height, Weight & Measurements
There is limited public information available regarding Hassanal Bolkiah's physical measurements, such as height and weight.
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Dating & Relationship Status
Hassanal Bolkiah is married and has been married multiple times. His marital status is documented, but specific details about his current relationship status are not publicly emphasized.
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 $50 billion. He is the world's longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state. On 5 October 2017, Bolkiah celebrated his Golden Jubilee to mark the 50th year of his reign.
His father, the at that time, was the heir presumptive of Brunei which put him second in line to the throne at the time of his birth. 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.
At the age of fifteen, he was crowned as (His Royal Highness the Crown Prince) on 14 July 1961. Notably, the 2nd Gurkha Rifles were dispatched to Brunei in December 1962, the month the Brunei revolt began. Lieutenant Colonel 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.
He and his wife bid farewell to state dignitaries early on 7 September 1966, and departed Brunei Airport for England. He pursued studies in English, mathematics, science, military science and 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. He graduated and was commissioned as an Honorary Captain in the Coldstream Guards on 1 March 1968.
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. 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. At night, Pengiran Pemancha Anak Haji Mohamed Alam, the Chief of , made the abdication public on Radio Brunei.
The next day, on 5 October 1967, at 3:00 p.m., Hassanal Bolkiah was proclaimed 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 Wazir, Cheteria, Acting Menteri Besar, and Legislative Council (LegCo) members, were present during the occasion. The historic night that stunned the entire country became known as the (4th October Event). In addition to resigning from the throne, Omar Ali Saifuddien III opted to be styled (His Highness the Retired Sultan), while his wife, Pengiran Anak Damit, likewise became.
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 (His Majesty's Father)... His Majesty will follow in the footsteps and example of in performing his role as Sultan." In Hassanal Bolkiah's first titah (speech) inside the Balai Singgahsana as Sultan of Brunei, he stated:
He had the crown placed on his head and handed him the Keris si-Naga, symbol of supreme royal power in Brunei, by his father, 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. After the crowning ceremony, the new Sultan proceeded in procession through the capital, passing lines of school children cheering (Long Live the King).
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." Under the 1959 Constitution of Brunei, the Sultan is the head of state with full executive authority, including emergency powers since the 1962 Brunei revolt.
The British government's demand for Brunei to become an independent nation with a 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 in April 1968, the Sultan and his father expressed their worries about the consequences of a British military withdrawal from the Far East.
At the age of 25, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was named Inspector-General of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and General of the RBMR on 17 July 1971. In an earlier statement on 14 July, he stated that this was "in accordance with long established Royal Custom in other countries." The commander of the RBMR, Colonel John Simpson, declared this to be a noteworthy distinction and an effort to fortify the relationship between the army and the royal family.
The culmination of all the activities was a glamorous banquet held at the Istana Nurul Iman, where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Azlan Shah and Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Bainun of Malaysia, Prince Edward, and the Sultans and Consorts of the Malaysian states were among the royal attendees. 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 Spur limousine and rode a massive chariot made of wood and gold that had servants dressed in black costume.
The 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. In addition, the Sultan stated that he and his people needed to exercise "reciprocal responsibility". 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. Among the many royal guests in attendance were Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie.
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 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. Following this, Brunei made several diplomatic milestones such as being a part of both ASEAN and United Nations (UN) in 1984. That same year, he formally established diplomatic ties with a number of nations, including Singapore. Like his father, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, of which Brunei was a protectorate until 1984. He was chairman of Summit APEC Leaders in 2000 when Brunei Darussalam hosted the summit.
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. The policy resulted in calls for 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. The sultan, via his BIA that owns the Dorchester Collection hotels, also raised concerns abroad in April 2014 after he implemented a Sharia law penal code. The code included death by stoning, the severing of limbs, and 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.
The sultan married his first cousin and first wife, Pengiran Anak Saleha, who later carried the title (Her Majesty the Queen Consort) at Istana Darul Hana on 29 July 1965. He married Mariam Abdul Aziz (formerly titled ) as his second wife in 1981 when she was a ex-flight attendant for Royal Brunei Airlines. 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. The Sultan married 33-year-old former Malaysian TV3 anchor Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim (formerly known as ) in a private wedding held in Kuala Lumpur in August 2005. 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, citing "special reasons" without further details, following weeks of rumors in the capital. It was also known that he has an adopted daughter named Afifa Abdullah with Mariam.
* Kennedy, Dominic. "The prince, the lawyer and his wife lose out in court", The Times, 26 January 2007. article regarding Thomas Derbyshire and Faith Zaman losing appeal against freezing of assets in multimillion-dollar fraud case
| Parents | |
| Husband | Pengiran Anak Saleha (m. 28 July 1965) Mariam Abdul Aziz (m. 1981-2003) Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim (m. 2005-2010) |
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Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, estimates of Hassanal Bolkiah's net worth vary significantly, with figures ranging from $25 billion to $30 billion. His wealth is primarily derived from Brunei's extensive oil and gas reserves, which have been a cornerstone of Brunei's economic prosperity.
Due to the strained relations between Brunei and Malaysia in 1963, Hassanal Bolkiah went back to Brunei to complete his education at an English school, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College. The wedding between Pengiran Anak Saleha and Hassanal Bolkiah took place in the palace on 29 July 1965. He later enrolled as a cadet officer at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) on 4 January 1966. On 16 August, he praised the 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.
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. In February 2000, the Bruneian government attempted to obtain a freezing order on Prince Jefri's overseas assets, which led to him countersuing in New York. Following protracted negotiations a settlement agreement was signed by the Prince in May 2000, the terms of which were never made public. 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. 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. In 2001 ten thousand lots of Prince Jefri's possessions went to auction.
Career, Business, and Investments
Hassanal Bolkiah's career is deeply intertwined with his role as the Sultan of Brunei. He has overseen significant economic growth and development in Brunei, leveraging the country's natural resources to build a high-income economy. His business interests are largely tied to the oil and gas sector, although specific personal investments are not widely detailed.
Hassanal Bolkiah is also known for his lavish lifestyle, which includes owning over 7,000 cars and residing in the Istana Nurul Iman, the world's largest residential palace. His car collection is valued at approximately $5 billion and includes rare models like the Ferrari 456 GT Venice and a gold-plated Rolls-Royce.
On 1 February 1968, two groups of individuals left for Bukit Panggal and Bukit Sungai Kebun. Haji Muhammad officially hoisted the red ceremonial flag on Bukit Sungai Kebun while the yellow flag on Bukit Panggal was raised by 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. 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 and 16 mm films for global distribution.
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 and Michael Stewart. Accompanied by Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and other officials. Despite these efforts, the British Labour Party government persisted in its resolve to cede sovereignty of Brunei.
A budget of B$500 million was allotted for the Third 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. 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.
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 British Government from its duties managing Brunei's foreign affairs and defence. This marks Brunei's 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 democratic monarchy, as their head of government, the Prime Minister. He recited the Declaration of Independence at midnight. 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.
Ahead of the 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. The Grand Chamberlain led the royal parade, and the marching bands 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. 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.
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 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 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.
Hassanal Bolkiah and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Bangkok on 18 November 2022. He visited the 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.
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. In July 1998 the Amedeo group collapsed under US$10 billion in debt. 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). 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. 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.
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 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. 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.
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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
In the British Army, he was made an Honorary Major General in 1984. Queen Elizabeth II appointed Hassanal Bolkiah as an Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1992. 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.
Social Network
While Hassanal Bolkiah may not be directly active on social media platforms, his activities and achievements are often covered by official Brunei government channels and international media outlets.
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. He appointed himself as the Minister of Finance on 23 February 1997. He had previously held the post from 1984 to 1986 before it was taken over by his brother Prince Jefri Bolkiah.
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 inequality, and combat climate change over the following 15 years, all 193 UN Member States endorsed the 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.
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.
Education
Hassanal Bolkiah attended Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur before graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom in 1967. This education laid the groundwork for his future leadership roles.
His education at the Istana Darul Hana Surau began in the latter part of 1955 and finished in the first week of 1959. 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, Pengiran Anak Saleha, Pengiran Muda Abdul Rahman, 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.
Hassanal Bolkiah finished his third grade schooling at the Jamalul Alam Malay School in Brunei Town in 1955 when he was nine years old. 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. He was able to read English literature in three months, and after four years, he had reached the sixth grade of primary schooling. He prefers to study the sciences, languages, and history from a subject standpoint.
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. As a result, he became the first Sultan of Brunei to complete his education both domestically and abroad. According to V. Murugasu, the headmaster of Victoria Institution, he has demonstrated qualities of a great and responsible leader since he was a student. 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 when he left the institution.
Hassanal Bolkiah reestablished the LegCo on 27 December 1983, and it was dissolved on 13 February 1984. He gave a contribution of B$210,000 to the United Nations International School (UNIS). Pengiran Bahrin, his 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.
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 (Maturity of the Nation). To commemorate the event, he established the Silver Jubilee National Day Medal.
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 5 km course. Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, Princes Abdul Azim, Abdul Malik, 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).
The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation (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.
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.
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.
The sultan received an honorary doctorate at the Moscow State University for International Relations (MGIMO), 2005. 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), and an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, which was revoked on 17 April 2019. He received an Honorary Doctorate from the Chulalongkorn University of Thailand. In 2003, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities and Culture from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta, Indonesia. On 27 January 2005, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the National University of Singapore. 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 Lord Douro, the chairman of the Council of KCL. This honorary doctorate was rescinded on 6 June 2019 by the Fellowships and Hororary Degrees Committee at KCL upon recommendation of the KCL Chairman 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 Universitas Indonesia. On 23 March 2019, he was conferred the Honorary Doctorate Islamic Leadership from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia.
