Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to Brunei and Singapore. The visit has sparked significant interest in Brunei, a country known for its monarchy and strict regulations.
When Brunei is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is its Sultan, who is one of the world’s wealthiest monarchs. The Sultan’s luxurious lifestyle is truly astonishing. His palace is incredibly opulent, and he possesses a vast collection of cars. Let’s delve into the grandeur of Brunei’s Sultan.
The Sultan of Brunei is Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the wealthiest people globally. Brunei gained independence from Britain in 1984. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III became the king of Brunei on October 5, 1967. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has been reigning for nearly 59 years.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is renowned worldwide for his extravagant lifestyle. His most notable luxury is his palace, which spans several acres and features many golden elements. He also owns a private plane adorned with gold. It is said that the Sultan has the largest collection of cars in the world, and his property is valued at approximately $30 billion.
According to a report by Arab News, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah built the world’s largest palace in the 1980s, which he still resides in today. This palace includes 1,770 rooms and halls, as well as the world’s largest luxury car garage. The palace is so luxurious that it is said the Sultan lives in the most opulent manner in the world. The palace covers 2 million square feet, with its domes decorated in 22-carat gold. The palace is valued at over ₹2,550 crores.
The Sultan’s love for gold is evident throughout his residence, including gold-plated sinks and embellishments on his cars and plane. His private plane is often referred to as a flying palace due to its extensive use of gold. An example of his opulence includes gifting his daughter an Airbus A340.
According to the South China Morning Post, the palace has over 1,700 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and 110 garages for cars. Some walls of the palace are also adorned with gold. Even the Sultan’s haircuts cost $20,000, with experts flying in from London.
Approximately 80% of Brunei’s population is Muslim. This proportion is significantly lower compared to Indonesia, a much larger country. Since gaining independence, Brunei has not allowed opposition, and there is no influential civil society. The state of emergency declared in 1962 is still in effect.
