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VISITOR INFORMATION
History & Culture
Brunei Darussalam’s current Sultan, His
Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum
Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul
Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of
Brunei Darussalam is the country’s 29
th
ruler,
a descendent of a royal lineage spanning over
600 years since 1405, when the first Sultan of
Brunei, Sultan Muhammad Shah, ascended to
the throne and founded a dynasty. This renders
Brunei’s monarchy as the world’s oldest.
Chinese, Javanese and local Brunei records
have provided insight into Brunei’s early history,
including the early days of the monarchy. It is
believed that Sultan Muhammad Shah, also
known as Awang Alak Betatar, introduced Islam
to Brunei leading the nation to become the
Islamic country that it is today.
Brunei gained independence in 1984, attaining
self-government from the UK. The country’s
Golden Age commenced in the 16
th
Century,
reaching eminence when Brunei’s power
was recognised throughout Borneo, the Sulu
Archipelago and the Southern Philippines.
The Golden Age coincided with the rule of
both Sultan Bolkiah and Sultan Hassan.
These rulers were able to expand Brunei’s
territory and extend its cultural influence.
Additionally, the rulers pioneered Brunei’s
Royal Court to its full grandeur and brilliance,
rivalling other monarchies.
Brunei’s resilience is evident from being the only
monarchy in the Malay Archipelago to not only
autonomously survive but also prosper into the
late 20
th
Century.
However, with British arrival into the area, Brunei
became a British protectorate and its land area
was reduced to 5,765 square kilometres. When
Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien acceded the throne,
its geography was divided into two separate
enclaves, the Brunei-Muara, Tutong and Belait
districts on one side and the Temburong on the
other as a result of the annexation of Limbang by
Rajah Charles Brooke.
Brunei follows Malay Islamic Monarchy
(MIB), dubbed the national philosophy, which
stresses the significance of the Malay culture,
Islamic religion and a country reigned by the
monarchy. Taught in schools, MIB aims to guide
the citizens’ way of life and preserve Brunei’s
national identity.