Brunei monarch marks golden jubilee in style
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei’s allpowerful and fabulously wealthy sultan marked 50 years on the throne in spectacular style yesterday, travelling in a gilded chariot through the streets and holding a tradition-filled ceremony at his golden-domed palace.
Tens of thousands of well-wishers waving the country’s flag lined the streets and cheered as Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the world’s second-longest reigning monarch, passed by in a chariot pulled by dozens of his subjects.
Marching bands took part in the colourful procession as it made its way through the streets, the highlight of about two weeks of celebrations to mark the golden jubilee of one of the world’s wealthiest men.
An absolute monarchy with strict Islamic laws, Brunei is one of the world’s wealthiest nations thanks to abundant oil and gas reserves.
Among the crowds was airline employee Melissa Ibrahim, who said she was grateful to Hassanal for ensuring the people are well looked after.
“His majesty cares about the people, their welfare, education and heath.”
“Everything is subsidised by the government, so for that we are very, very thankful.”
Celebrations got under way earlier at the sultan’s sprawling palace, where an honour guard performed a 21-gun salute and the ruler and his wife sat on golden thrones for a royal audience.
The festivities will continue today when Southeast Asian leaders and Middle Eastern royalty attend a banquet to mark the jubilee.
The 71-year-old Hassanal ascended to the throne in October, 1967.
He is the 29th sultan of Brunei from a royal family that has ruled the country continuously for over 600 years. – AFP