A Sultan concerned with humanity<\/p>\n
Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei
\nDarussalam is renowned not only for his vast wealth, but also for
\nhis great concern for humanity.<\/p>\n
It is this particular quality that has charmed Gadjah Mada
\nUniversity, which conferred him an honorary doctorate, or honoris
\ncausa doctorate, in the fields of humanity and culture on April
\n9, 2003.<\/p>\n
The doctorate was presented at the university to the 57-year-
\nold Sultan, who was on an official visit to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Teuku Ibrahim Alfian of the School of Cultural Sciences at
\nGadjah Mada University said Sultan Bolkiah deserved the degree
\nbecause he had succeeded in developing Brunei into a modern and
\nprosperous country.<\/p>\n
In particular, the Sultan has successfully strengthened the
\ntransportation, communication and human resources development
\ninfrastructures.<\/p>\n
\"In achieving this, His Majesty created two major policies in
\ndevelopment based on the humanitarian and cultural identity of
\nthe Malay people,\" said Ibrahim.<\/p>\n
Sultan Bolkiah has won his subjects' hearts by making frequent
\nvisits to meet him people to discuss their problems, Ibrahim
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Bolkiah has initiated humanitarian programs, scholarships,
\nfinancial aid schemes and people's housing programs. Among his
\nacclaimed undertakings is the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
\nFoundation, which oversees the distribution of financial aid for
\nBruneians in need.<\/p>\n
He has also paid special attention to education. As a wealthy
\noil state, Brunei provides free education to all citizens at all
\nlevels, from preschool to university.<\/p>\n
In accordance with this ambitious program, the Sultan
\nestablished the University of Brunei Darussalam in 1985, only a
\nyear after the country declared its independence from Britain.<\/p>\n
Medical services are also free in Brunei, with people in
\nremote areas served by mobile clinics.<\/p>\n
\"Brunei Darussalam's medical service has been recognized as
\none of the best in the world,\" said Ibrahim.<\/p>\n
In culture, the Sultan has promoted Malay as the national
\nlanguage. Language, along with literature, cultural studies and
\nhistory, has been made a priority in the national curriculum.<\/p>\n
Gadjah Mada University also praised the Sultan's great role in
\ninternational relations. His major achievements include Brunei
\nDarussalam's membership in the UN, the Organization of Islamic
\nCountries, the Organization of Commonwealth Countries, the
\nAssociation of Islamic Countries and the Association of Southeast
\nAsian Nations (ASEAN).<\/p>\n
The first-born son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adatul
\nKhairi Waddien, Hassanal Bolkiah was born on July 15, 1946 in
\nDarussalam Palace in Bandar Brunei, now Bandar Seri Begawan, and
\nwas crowned on Oct. 5, 1967 and inaugurated as the 29th Sultan of
\nBrunei on Aug. 1, 1968.<\/p>\n
The Sultan was provided his primary education in Darul Hana
\nPalace and continued his high school education in Brunei and
\nMalaysia. He joined Sandhurt Royal Military Academy in Britain to
\npursue his tertiary education, and graduated in 1967.<\/p>\n
The Sultan of Brunei was the fifth head of state in Southeast
\nAsia to ever receive the honorary doctorate from Gadjah Mada
\nUniversity.<\/p>\n
\"This conferral is not just an honor for myself, but also for
\nthe people of Brunei. It adds another link to the long-standing
\nrelationship between the two countries,\" the Sultan said in his
\nacceptance speech on Wednesday.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-sultan-concerned-with-humanity-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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