Asean is obviously a very important association for us. Over the past 30 years Asean has made great strides in regional cooperation covering a number of areas, although recently it has been under strain because of the financial crisis and other challenges.

He is not back in any official government role but retains all his royal titles and decorations and remains in the royal protocol order. Political role as Sultan

Under Brunei's 1959 constitution the Sultan is the head of state with full executive authority including emergency powers since 1962. J.

He is also the first and incumbent Prime Minister of Brunei. Hassanal Bolkiah[needs IPA] GCB GCMG (full name: Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien; born 15 July 1946) is the 29th and current Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei.