Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah dressed in full military uniform to pay tribute to the guard of honor during his celebration of his 73rd birthday in Bandar Seri Begawan. (AP Photo)
The Sultan's luxury also extends to his personal collection, which includes more than 700 luxury cars – 300 Ferraris and about 500 Rolls-Royces.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a landmark visit to Brunei, the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the Southeast Asian country. This visit was carried out at the personal invitation of the 29th Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. This trip highlights Brunei’s strategic significance under India’s “Act East Policy”.
Brunei Darussalam, commonly known as Brunei, is a small country located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. With an area of only 5,765 square kilometers, it is smaller than many Indian states such as Sikkim. The capital is Bandar Seri Begawan. As of 2023, the total number of Brunei residents is 4,55,885, of which about 200,000 live in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Brunei's monarchy dates back to the 14th century, with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah ascending the throne in 1967. Despite its small size, the Sultan of Brunei is known for his vast wealth, ranking first on the world's richest list until the 1980s. Forbes estimates his net worth at over 1.4 billion rupees, largely derived from the country's oil and gas reserves.
Sultan Bolkiah resides in the magnificent “Nuru Iman Palace”, the largest palace in the world. Spread over an area of 2 million square feet, this luxurious residence was built in 1984 at a cost of approximately Rs 50,000. It features a 22-karat gold dome, 1,700 rooms, 250 bathrooms, five swimming pools and garages for more than 200 cars.
The Sultan's extravagant behavior also extends to his personal collection, which includes more than 700 luxury cars, including 300 Ferraris and about 500 Rolls-Royces, worth more than $5 billion. He also owns a gold-plated Boeing 747 private jet. In addition, his stables house approximately 200 horses.
Brunei enforces strict Sharia law, which includes severe penalties for crimes such as adultery and theft. The country passed these strict laws in 2014, but in 2019 the laws came under further criticism from the international community for imposing stoning penalties for adultery and same-sex relationships.
Despite its vast size, Brunei plays an important role in India's strategic interests. Its vast oil and gas reserves are vital to its economy, and India has invested about $270 million in Brunei's hydrocarbons sector. The two countries are exploring expanding cooperation in areas such as space technology and health care. Strategically, Brunei’s support is crucial for India in the Indo-Pacific, especially given the ongoing territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.
