Brunei Darussalam’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrives in PH for Apec

Brunei Darussalam’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Tuesday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) 2015.

He arrived on the tarmac at around 7:30 p.m.

Bolkiah is one the world’s remaining absolute monarchs. He is also one of the longest-reigning sultan, having been crowned in 1967 after the voluntary abdication of his father. He is the 29th of his line.

He is also one of the world’s wealthiest with a net worth of $20 billion in 2011 in a country where standard of living is high, according to Forbes magazine which called him one of the world’s wealthiest royals.

Bolkiah also reportedly owns 600 Rolls-Royces, and his residence is touted as the world’s largest palace costing over $350 million, according to Time magazine.

READ: Brunei’s sultan announces strict Islamic penalties

Although criticism is generally played down in Brunei, Bolkiah earned international outcry over his adoption of tough criminal punishment under the Shariah penal code. Penalties include amputation due to theft, stoning due to adultery, and flogging due to homosexual acts. RAM