A Sultan concerned with humanity
A Sultan concerned with humanity
Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei
Darussalam is renowned not only for his vast wealth, but also for
his great concern for humanity.
It is this particular quality that has charmed Gadjah Mada
University, which conferred him an honorary doctorate, or honoris
causa doctorate, in the fields of humanity and culture on April
9, 2003.
The doctorate was presented at the university to the 57-year-
old Sultan, who was on an official visit to Indonesia.
Teuku Ibrahim Alfian of the School of Cultural Sciences at
Gadjah Mada University said Sultan Bolkiah deserved the degree
because he had succeeded in developing Brunei into a modern and
prosperous country.
In particular, the Sultan has successfully strengthened the
transportation, communication and human resources development
infrastructures.
"In achieving this, His Majesty created two major policies in
development based on the humanitarian and cultural identity of
the Malay people," said Ibrahim.
Sultan Bolkiah has won his subjects' hearts by making frequent
visits to meet him people to discuss their problems, Ibrahim
said.
Bolkiah has initiated humanitarian programs, scholarships,
financial aid schemes and people's housing programs. Among his
acclaimed undertakings is the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Foundation, which oversees the distribution of financial aid for
Bruneians in need.
He has also paid special attention to education. As a wealthy
oil state, Brunei provides free education to all citizens at all
levels, from preschool to university.
In accordance with this ambitious program, the Sultan
established the University of Brunei Darussalam in 1985, only a
year after the country declared its independence from Britain.
Medical services are also free in Brunei, with people in
remote areas served by mobile clinics.
"Brunei Darussalam's medical service has been recognized as
one of the best in the world," said Ibrahim.
In culture, the Sultan has promoted Malay as the national
language. Language, along with literature, cultural studies and
history, has been made a priority in the national curriculum.
Gadjah Mada University also praised the Sultan's great role in
international relations. His major achievements include Brunei
Darussalam's membership in the UN, the Organization of Islamic
Countries, the Organization of Commonwealth Countries, the
Association of Islamic Countries and the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The first-born son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adatul
Khairi Waddien, Hassanal Bolkiah was born on July 15, 1946 in
Darussalam Palace in Bandar Brunei, now Bandar Seri Begawan, and
was crowned on Oct. 5, 1967 and inaugurated as the 29th Sultan of
Brunei on Aug. 1, 1968.
The Sultan was provided his primary education in Darul Hana
Palace and continued his high school education in Brunei and
Malaysia. He joined Sandhurt Royal Military Academy in Britain to
pursue his tertiary education, and graduated in 1967.
The Sultan of Brunei was the fifth head of state in Southeast
Asia to ever receive the honorary doctorate from Gadjah Mada
University.
"This conferral is not just an honor for myself, but also for
the people of Brunei. It adds another link to the long-standing
relationship between the two countries," the Sultan said in his
acceptance speech on Wednesday.