Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Hassanal Bolkiah (Jawi: المهتدي بالله ابن حسن البلقية; born 17 February 1974) is the eldest son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his wife Queen Saleha. He is the crown prince of Brunei Darussalam, and is first in the line of succession to the Bruneian throne. He is expected to eventually lead the state and government, and is regarded as the second most significant figure in the political hierarchy.
Prince Muda (Prince) Al-Muhtadee Billah was born at Istana Darul Hana, Bandar Seri Begawan during the reign of his father on 17 February 1974. He is the first-born son, and thus heir to the throne of Brunei. His early schooling was at the Putera Puteri School at Istana Darul Hana. He received his primary education at St. Andrew's School. He finished reading the "surah-surah Lazim" and the Quran in 1988. Subsequently, he progressed through the Brunei Junior Certificate of Education (BJCE) in 1988, and the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level exam in 1991 while he was studying at the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College. He was further educated at Emanuel School in London. He passed his GCE Advanced Level exams in 1994.
Al-Muhtadee Billah attended tutorials at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), and began his overseas education at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in October 1995. He matriculated for admission to University of Oxford's Foreign Service Programme at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he graduated in 1997. During his two years at Oxford, the heir was known as "Mr. Omar Hassan," allowing him to live anonymously and enjoy a typical student social life. While at Oxford, he followed a programme of study specially designed for him involving Islamic studies, trade, diplomacy, and international relations. He received his diploma in Diplomatics in a special convocation held on 3 August 1998 in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Al-Muhtadee Billah was proclaimed Crown Prince of Brunei on 10 August 1998 at the Istana Nurul Iman. At the ceremony, his father, the Sultan of Brunei, bestowed upon him the 'Keris Si Naga'. This conferred him in line to become the 30th Sultan of Brunei. The ceremony was followed by the procession around the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.
The Public Service Department, Public Service Commission, Immigration Department, Labor Department, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Religious Affairs, and Datastream Technology Communications (DST) are just a few of the government agencies that Al-Muhtadee Billah has been attached to while he prepares to become the future head of state and head of statehood. The purpose of the attachments is to provide him with as much exposure to the nation's operations as possible.
Al-Muhtadee Billah also holds positions as a general in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) since 2004, the deputy inspector general of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) since 2005, and senior minister in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) since 24 May 2005. He gives audiences to foreign ambassadors and high commissioners, acts as deputy sultan while his father is away, and attends more formal events in order to improve his public speaking skills when giving sabda (crown prince royal speeches). He also serves as the pro-chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) since 16 September 1998; Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA); and Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB).
In the 2005 Bruneian cabinet reshuffle on 24 May, Al-Muhtadee Billah was appointed senior minister at the Prime Minister's Office. Additionally, he is the chairman of the board of directors for Brunei Shell Joint Venture (BSJV) Companies from 2018 to 2024, the chairman of the Wawasan Brunei Supreme Council since 2014, the chairman of Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) from 2011 to 2020, and the royal patron of the Heart of Borneo National Council in Brunei since 2011. In addition, he has served as the National Disaster Management Council's (NDMC) chairman from 2006 to 2018, the chairman of the Manpower Planning Council from 2015 to 2019, the chief scout of the Persekutuan Pengakap Negara Brunei Darussalam (PPNBD) from 2013 to 2018, and the patron of the Temburong District Development Authority since 2018.
Engagements in foreign relations
An annual highlight of the Singapore–Brunei Young Leaders' Programme (YLP) was Al-Muhtadee Billah's state visits to Singapore. 2019 sees him meet dignitaries and state officials, including President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. These visits also solidify the two countries' close relationship. He also paid visits to government buildings and notable locations, including Changi Naval Base, Our Tampines Hub, and Victoria School.
While expressing satisfaction with the United Nations' (UN) efforts, Al-Muhtadee Billah underlined the need for structural changes to reflect the globalised world during the general debate of the sixty-seventh session of the UN General Assembly. He emphasised the significance of reaching a regional agreement, using the ASEAN's strategy as an illustration. He also listed three major areas in which the UN is essential to building a brighter future that is marked by optimism, assurance, and trust for everyone.Al-Muhtadee Billah was awarded the title of Honorary Member of Special Forces Regiment, RBAF on 4 November 2013, in recognition of his leadership, involvement, and contributions to the growth of the RBAF since his father had conferred the rank of General of the RBAF on him on 25 March 2004. Later on 13 November 2013, he visited the Sri Iskandar Camp, Johor and received an honorary Green Beret. General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin gave the award during a ceremony held on the parade area of the camp. He gave the Chief of the 21st Special Service Group (21 GGK) a plaque, and he was then given a guard of honour at the 21 GGK Parade Square.
On 3 May 2014, Al-Muhtadee Billah paid a visit to Indonesia's Special Forces Command (Kopassus), where he was bestowed with the title of Honorary Member. In a sabda, he acknowledged the strong bilateral ties between Brunei and Indonesia, particularly in the area of defense cooperation, and thanked Kopassus for the invitation during the audience. He went to the meeting room where Major General Agus Sutomo was giving a briefing. Al-Muhtadee Billah was met with a guard of honour upon arriving at Kesatrian Marinir Hartono on 6 May 2014, together with Admiral Marsetio and Major General A. Faridz Washington. He first attended a conferment ceremony when he was named an honorary member of the Indonesian Marine Corps, followed by an honorary beret and badge from Major General Faridz.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean invited Al-Muhtadee Billah to come to Singapore for a five-day official visit as part of the Singapore–Brunei YLP from 1 to 5 September 2014. In addition to driving the improved Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) Mark-II and witnessing live shooting displays, he received the SAF's Honorary Advanced Combat Skills Badge during his visit. His visit highlights the unique and established defence cooperation between Brunei and Singapore, which is emphasised by frequent encounters through visits, bilateral exercises, and professional exchanges.
Al-Muhtadee Billah stated during the NDMC meeting on 10 October 2016, that a nationwide strategy is required to stop the Zika virus from spreading since public support for government initiatives depends on shared responsibility. He underlined that for government initiatives like fogging and fumigation to be successful, the community must be actively involved. He thanked Allah for sparing Brunei from the global health crisis and emphasised the council's responsibility in educating the people and fostering readiness.
In honour of the 50th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA), Al-Muhtadee Billah and Teo Chee Hean launched a special exhibition named "Abode of Peace & the Lion City: A Brunei-Singapore Exhibition" has opened at the art gallery at the Dermaga Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan on 4 November 2017. The exhibition in Bandar Seri Begawan, and it features coins, notes, and stamps that mark the milestone. The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports of Brunei and the Singapore Philatelic Museum collaborated on the two-part exhibition's curation.