The rival King of Brunei, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the richest monarchs in the world, with a personal fortune of $70 billion, 20 times that of the Queen of England. He resides in Nuroyman Palace, the largest royal palace in the world, with 1,788 luxurious rooms and even toilets made of pure gold. In addition, he owns nearly 7,000 luxury cars, 21 private jets, two luxury yachts and a Boeing airliner. However, despite his extravagance, Bruneians regarded him as a wise leader because he generously "cared" for his people, providing free medical care, education, and various benefits. So, how luxurious was King Haji's life? Why is he and his country so rich?
King Haji was born into the royal family of Brunei, the eldest son of the former king, who enjoyed a privileged life and top education from an early age. He studied at Victoria College in Malaysia and Royal Sanhurst Military College in the United Kingdom. However, at the age of 23, he had to interrupt his studies in England and return home to inherit the throne. Although he once said he regretted interrupting his studies, once he put on the crown, his life changed completely. Not only did he occupy the pinnacle of power in Brunei, but he also became the world's richest man.
King Haji lives in the world's largest royal palace, Nuroyman Palace, worth $5.4 billion and covering 200,000 square meters, four times larger than Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom. The palace has 1788 rooms and 257 toilets, some of which have toilets made of pure gold. In addition, the palace has recreational facilities such as the Royal Garden, helipad, tennis court, swimming pool and zoo. In particular, the mosque inside the palace is known as "the most luxurious mosque in the world", and the dome is covered with 45 kg of gold leaf. King Haji's garage is home to countless luxury cars, including Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Bentley, BMW, Koenigsegg and Lamborghini, totaling more than 7,000 vehicles.
However, despite enjoying such a luxurious life, King Haji was not always highly respected. His multiple marriages and rich love history have caused controversy. However, Bruneian admiration stems from his commitment to the country's economy, education and healthcare. The King of Brunei effectively "cared for" his people, providing free medical care, education and various benefits. This generous policy has made the people of Brunei generally affluent, even the envy of the people of neighboring countries.
The fundamental reason why Brunei is so rich is its abundant oil and gas resources. Despite its limited land area and relatively small population, Brunei has vast oil and gas reserves in the sea, which has become the backbone of the country's economy, accounting for more than 96% of annual revenue.
However, it is important to be wary that oil resources are finite, and Brunei may one day face resource depletion if a sustainable path is not found. Although King Haji's life was luxurious, he was also working hard to develop the country's economy and provide more benefits to his citizens. One can have different opinions about his lifestyle, but in the end time will tell.
In conclusion, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah was a much-loved king whose lavish life and the country's affluence were complemented by his caring and generous policies for his people, making Brunei a unique country that deserves our in-depth exploration and understanding.