In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Omar Ali Saifuddien III is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Jefri Bolkiah. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Pengiran Muda Jefri Bolkiah was born on 6 December 1954[7][8] at Istana Darul Hana in Brunei Town, now known as Bandar Seri Begawan.[2] He is the sixth son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Pengiran Anak Damit, as well as the fifth younger sibling of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.[7]Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Prince Sufri Bolkiah are his two other brothers, while Princess Masna Bolkiah, Princess Nor'ain Bolkiah, Princess Umi Kalthum Al-Islam Bolkiah, Princess Amal Rakiah Bolkiah, Princess Amal Nasibah Bolkiah, and Princess Amal Jefriah Bolkiah are his six sisters.[9] In 1967, at the age of 13, he underwent the circumcision ceremony alongside Sufri Bolkiah.[8]
On 31 August 1972, Pengiran Muda Jefri married Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Rahman in a grand ceremony.[10][7] In his spare time, he was deeply involved in sports, particularly polo, and took part in various charitable activities. Like his older brother Sufri Bolkiah, he attended Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College before furthering his studies abroad.[7]
Political career
Upon Brunei's independence in 1984, Jefri Bolkiah was appointed Deputy Minister of Finance and Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports.[11] He later served as the Minister of Finance from 20 October 1986 to 23 February 1997,[4] overseeing the country’s substantial oil and gas revenues through the BIA,[12] where he also held the position of chairman.[13] During his tenure, he established the Amadeo Group, a network of companies and investment vehicles managed by his son, Pengiran Muda Abdul Hakeem.[13] The group was involved in high-profile projects, including the acquisition of the luxury goods company Asprey and the development of Jerudong Park and The Empire Brunei.[14]
Following the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the sultan ordered external audits of BIA's finances, revealing that Jefri Bolkiah had allegedly embezzled $14.8 billion.[15] Although he denied the charges, the Brunei government accused him of misappropriating state funds.[16] Amid growing tensions with the sultan over the management of Brunei's vast wealth, Jefri stepped down as finance minister.[17] By July 1998, the Amadeo Group collapsed under a $10 billion debt.[16] Shortly thereafter, on 31 July, the sultan stripped him of control over the country's investment arm and telecoms empire, following widespread reports of significant financial losses in the conglomerate he managed.[17] In June 1998, the Bruneian government established a Finance Task Force to investigate the operations of the BIA.[18] Between 1983 and 1998, around $40 billion in "special transfers" were made from BIA accounts, raising significant concerns about the management of these funds.[4] Under the authority granted by emergency decrees, Arthur Andersen's partners have assumed management of his businesses as executive managers.[18]
Legal issues
Brunei government
Jefri Bolkiah has been involved in numerous legal disputes with the state of Brunei, leading to one of the most expensive legal battles in history.[19] An independent investigation into significant financial transfers revealed that approximately $14.8 billion was transferred to Jefri Bolkiah's accounts, $8 billion to the sultan's, and $3.8 billion for government purposes. However, the purpose and recipients of the remaining funds remain unidentified.[4] Due to the blurred lines between royal and state finances, it has been challenging to ascertain the full truth behind these transactions.[14] He was subsequently accused of misappropriating state funds for personal investments through the BIA and the Amedeo Group, leading to his removal as head of BIA.[20][21]
In February 2000, the Bruneian government sought a court order to freeze his overseas assets, prompting Jefri Bolkiah to countersue in New York.[20] After extended negotiations, a settlement agreement was signed in May 2000, though its terms were never publicly disclosed.[4][16] He claimed he received assurances from the sultan that he could retain certain properties to maintain his lifestyle, a claim the BIA denied.[4][16] Following the agreement, he began returning assets, including over 500 properties in Brunei and abroad, 2,000 cars, 100 paintings, five boats, and nine aircraft.[16][22] By 2001, 10,000 items from his collection were auctioned.[23] This agreement was not publicly disclosed, and after a series of legal battles, the UK's Privy Council ruled in 2007 that the agreement was enforceable.[4]
Despite this, the BIA accused Jefri Bolkiah of failing to disclose all his accounts and allowing withdrawals from frozen funds,[19] leading to renewed legal action. After several appeals,[24] the case reached the Privy Council in London, Brunei's highest court of appeal due to its historical ties to Britain.[25] The Privy Council dismissed Jefri’s claims that he had the right to retain certain properties, calling his arguments "simply incredible,"[26] and ruled in favour of the Brunei government and the BIA, ordering him to return the remaining assets.[4]
The Lotte New York Palace Hotel
The ruling did not end the litigation. The BIA pursued further legal action in Malaysia and the Cayman Islands, gaining control of key assets, including the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles and The New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan.[27] They also reopened proceedings in the British High Court, accusing him of providing misleading information about his assets. Scheduled for June 2008, the contempt hearing was postponed when he failed to attend, instead travelling to Paris.[19][28] Judge Peter Smith issued a warrant for his arrest,[29] which, as of November 2010, remains active, meaning he would face arrest if he entered the UK.[30]
Shannon Marketic lawsuit
On 3 March 1997, Shannon Marketic, a former Miss USA, accused Jefri Bolkiah, the sultan, and others of luring her and several women to Brunei under false pretences to join a harem, alleging abuse by members of the royal court.[31] She claimed that she was hired to make a promotional appearance for the sultan in 1996, but upon arriving in Brunei, her passport was confiscated, and she was detained for 32 days while performing in an Asian male discotheque, where she was allegedly sexually harassed by some men.[17] Although her complaint was filed in a U.S. federal court, the case was eventually dismissed as Jefri Bolkiah was granted diplomatic immunity.[32] The media later uncovered similar stories from other young women, but all such claims were rejected by the sultan and his court.[17]
Manoukian property dispute
In February 1998, Jefri Bolkiah was sued by his former business partners, Bob and Rafi Manoukian, for £80 million over two disputed property deals.[33] The Manoukians claimed that he reneged on agreements and led a wildly extravagant lifestyle, including flying in prostitutes from around the world.[34] He countersued, but the dispute was later settled out of court.[32][35]
Derbyshire
In 2006, Jefri Bolkiah initiated legal proceedings in both the UK and the U.S. against his former advisors, barrister Thomas Derbyshire and his wife Faith Zaman,[36] accusing them of misappropriating funds.[37] The couple, who had worked for him since 2004 and managed several of his companies, were accused of diverting proceeds from property sales and charging personal expenses to corporate credit cards.[38] They denied any wrongdoing, claiming all contested expenses were for him and his family,[39] and counter-sued for $12 million, alleging unpaid fees.[38] Despite the case being valued at $7 million,[40] Brunei reportedly spent $60 million in legal costs, with him testifying as a key witness for the state,[41] which frequently questioned his credibility and compliance with court orders.[26]
Leaked statues controversy
In November 2010, explicit statues of Jefri Bolkiah and his fiancée, Micha Raines, were leaked, adding further controversy.[42] However, Judge Ira Gammerman deemed these details, along with Jefri's wealth, multiple marriages, BIA's challenges to his credibility, and the outstanding British arrest warrant, irrelevant to the case and barred them from being mentioned in court.[43] After nearly six weeks of trial, the jury returned a near-unanimous verdict against him on all but one count,[44][45] ordering him and the New York Palace Hotel to pay $21 million to the Derbyshires.[46] Brunei announced its intention to appeal the verdict.[45]
Personal life
Marriages and issue
Wedding of Jefri Bolkiah and Pengiran Anak Norhayati in 1972
In 1995, he married Filipino actress Ayen Munji-Laurel, with whom he has one son, Hasan.[51] He later married Puan Fatimah binti Abdullah, formerly known as Evangeline Teodoro del Rosario, and together they have three children: Samantha Richelle (born 16 December 1988), an actress married to Anton del Rosario; Karraminah Clarisse, a model and actress; and Babi del Rosario, a musician.[51]
He also has children from other relationships, including Faiq Jefri Bolkiah (born 9 May 1998), a professional footballer.[52] Over the years, he has faced numerous accusations, including lawsuits from women claiming he paid them to travel to Brunei for sexual purposes.[13][53][31] Allegations suggest he maintained a harem of up to 25 women for several years. Among them was writer Jillian Lauren, who documented her experiences in the book Some Girls: My Life in a Harem.[54][55]
Personal interests
Jefri Bolkiah is known for his extravagant lifestyle.[22] His costly possessions included a private Boeing 747,[56] a large art collection including works by Édouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and at least twenty-one works by Edgar Degas, along with a collection of 2,000 luxury cars including specially commissioned unique Aston Martins,[57] a number of properties including the Plaza Athénée hotel in Paris and Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles,[58] the New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan, and others in Paris, Las Vegas and St John's Lodge, in Regent's Park, London,[22] and businesses such as the luxury goods manufacturer Asprey.[13] By the 2000s, due to his legal issues he was forced to sell many of his assets and be exiled from Brunei,[22] although as of September 2009 he appears to have been allowed to return to Brunei and has been seen in public with the royal family.[59]
Jefri Bolkiah taking part in the 2024 Charity Polo Tournament
Jefri Bolkiah played for Brunei's national polo team, which defeated Malaysia 7-4 in the Division B: 0-2 goals category to win a gold medal at the 30th SEA Games. This was Brunei's second gold medal at the competition and the first time since their debut in 1977 that they have won multiple gold medals abroad. Throughout the game, the squad held a commanding lead, and their success was aided by a third chukka effort. After losing to Malaysia in the qualification round, this victory came after that.[60] On 23 June 2024, Jefri Bolkiah participated in the Charity Polo Tournament at the Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club in Jerudong as a member of the BEARS team, securing a 2-1 victory over the TIGERS.[61] On 13 July, he participated in the finals of the sultan's Polo Cup 2024 at the same venue, leading the AHMIBAH team to a second runner-up position.[62]
The vast car collection of the Brunei royal family, often attributed to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, was primarily amassed by his brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah. At its peak, the collection exceeded 2,000 vehicles, including rare models such as ten McLaren F1s, eleven specially customised Ferrari F40s, multiple Porsche 959s, Bugatti EB110s, and unique creations like the Bentley Dominator and Pininfarina-modified Ferrari 456 variants.[64] However, much of the collection's current status remains unclear. Following financial difficulties, a significant portion, reportedly co-owned by him and the sultan, is believed to have been abandoned, leaving the fate of many vehicles uncertain.[65][66]
Feadship delivered the 55 metres (180ft)superyacht, M/Y Tits, to Jefri Bolkiah in 1996.[67] The owner's main deck, which includes a dining area, gym, office, and a spacious master suite with a private lounge, walk-in wardrobe, and elaborate bathroom, is part of the yacht's impressive exterior spaces, which were designed by the renowned British designer Andrew Winch. The VIP stateroom on the bridge deck has a grand piano, and the elevator, which is housed in a fireproof glass box, connects the four decks with separate crew staircases and entrances to ensure discreet service.[68] Additionally, the yacht came with tenders named Nipple 1 and Nipple 2.[13] The boat gained notoriety for its contentious moniker, presumed to have been chosen by him, which garnered significant attention, was regarded as unusual, and frequently caused embarrassment during public appearances. Mostly based in Brunei, the boat was rarely seen outside of its territorial waters. Its one outing was to the 1996 APEC conference, where it was allegedly requested to depart because of the connotations of its name. M/Y Tits' contentious existence came to an end in the early 2000s when it was sold and renamed Claire.[69]
The construction of the yacht Dubai was a complicated procedure that involved three changes of ownership. With a gross tonnage of 12,488GT, the yacht was the largest yacht in the world by volume when it was first commissioned by Jefri Bolkiah. It was designed by Winch and constructed in Germany by Blohm+Voss. However, only the steel hull and a portion of the aluminum superstructure were finished when the project ceased in 1998. At the Blohm+Voss yard, the boat was left on a floating dock while liquidators looked for possible buyers. In the end, the yacht's original planned royal owners were replaced when it was sold to the Dubai government.[70]
Jefri Bolkiah was appointed the wazir title Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Di-Gadong Sahibul Mal with the consent of the sultan on Wednesday afternoon, 8 November 1979.[7]
Mohamed Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is the second son of Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei, and Raja Isteri (Queen) Pengiran Anak Damit. After Brunei's independence in 1984, he became the country’s first foreign minister, serving from 1 January 1984 until 22 October 2015, alongside the second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Lim Jock Seng.
Masna Bolkiah binti Omar Ali Saifuddien III is the sister of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Princess Masna Bolkiah is considered the third most important living woman in Brunei Darussalam after Queen Saleha and Crown Princess Sarah.
The Pingat Hassanal Bolkiah Sultan is an honorary medal of Brunei. The award is subdivided into two classes: the first class Darjah Pertama and the second class Darjah Kedua.
Abdul Mateen ibni Hassanal Bolkiah is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is the tenth child and fourth son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, by his former second wife, Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Seri Puan Hajah Mariam binti Haji Abdul Aziz. Additionally, he is the founder of Jab Boxing Gym and the Deputy Chairman 2 of the Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara (JAIN).
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA or MoRA; Malay: Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama, KHEU) is a cabinet-level ministry in the government of Brunei which is responsible for the propagation of Islam and its upholding as the state religion, as well as oversees the Islamic religious education in the country. It is currently led by a minister and a deputy minister, whereby the incumbents are Badaruddin Othman and Pengiran Mohammad Tashim respectively. The ministry is headquartered in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Abdul Hakeem ibni Jefri Bolkiah is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is a sport shooter from Brunei.
Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah is Sultan of Brunei since 1967, and prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world.
Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam was a nobleman, magistrate, and politician who served as the fourth Speaker of the Legislative Council from 1971 to 1974, and as the Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara from 1954 to 1981. A member of the Bruneian royal family, he was the father of Pengiran Anak Saleha, the queen consort of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. He was also the maternal grandfather of Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince of Brunei.
The Most Esteemed Family Order of Seri Utama is an order of Brunei. It was established on 1 March 1954 by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. The order carries the post-nominal letters "DK" as well as the title "Dato Seri Utama".
The Most Esteemed Family Order of Laila Utama is an order of Brunei. It was established on 1 March 1954 by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. The order carries the post-nominal letters "DK" or "DK I" as well as the title "Dato Laila Utama".
The Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei is an order of Brunei. It was established on 15 August 1982 by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The order carries the post-nominal letters "DKMB".
Abdul Qawi ibni Mohamed Bolkiah is a businessman and a member of the Brunei royal family. He is the nephew of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and the brother-in-law of Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, Malaysia.
Sufri Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is the third son of Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei, and Raja Isteri (Queen) Pengiran Anak Damit. He is also the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) since 2010.
Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah is the eldest daughter of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Queen Saleha.
Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah is a polo player and princess of Brunei. She is the eighth child of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei by his former second wife, Puan Hajah Mariam. She made a name for herself in 2017 when she was one of only two female polo players from Brunei in Kuala Lumpur at the 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. As one of the ten ASEAN Women in Sports ambassadors in 2021, Princess Azemah was chosen to represent Brunei as part of the ASEAN #WeScore campaign, which is sponsored by Japan.
Pengiran Anak Abdul Aziz is a nobleman and formerly a police officer from Brunei who previously served as the Controller of the Royal Customs and Excise of Brunei, member of the Royal Succession Council, member of the Royal Council, and the Chief of Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara. He was one of the concept contributors for the change in the name of the Police Force to the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) as a Royal Dignitary, a State Dignitary, and a Member of Councils. Notably, he also made changes to the flag, the pattern, and the uniform color of the department's officers and staffs during his tenure as the Controller of the Royal Customs and Excise.
Bahar ibni Jefri Bolkiah is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is the second son and third child of Prince Jefri Bolkiah by his first wife, Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati. He is regarded as one of Southeast Asia's top polo players.
Pengiran Anak Hamidah Jamalul Bulqiah, also referred to as Hamidah Jamalul Bolqiah, is a member of the royal family of Brunei as eldest daughter of Prince Jefri Bolkiah, fourth son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Bey Muntassir was a member of the royal family of Brunei as the husband of Princess Amal Jefriah Bolkiah, the sixth daughter of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, and brother-in-law to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Additionally, he was also a member of the Brunei Privy Council.
Pengiran Anak Idris is a Bruneian nobleman and member of the royal family who became the prince consort to Princess Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam in 1972, the daughter of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. He is the current Chief of Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara, a member of the Privy Council of Brunei, and assistant chairman of Adat Istiadat Council, and Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah's board of governors.
References
1 2 "Ministry of Finance". The Government of Brunei Darussalam Official Website. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
↑ Sison, Carmelo V.; Jose, Roshan T. (1990). Constitutional and Legal Systems of ASEAN Countries. Academy of ASEAN Law and Jurisprudence, University of the Philippines, Law Complex. p.38. ISBN978-971-15-0298-0.
↑ "Ministry of Finance". Official Website. The Government of Brunei Darussalam. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
1 2 Bolkiah & Ors v. The State of Brunei Darussalam & Anor (Brunei Darussalam)[2007] UKPC 63 (8 November 2007), Privy Council (on appeal from The Court of Appeal of Brunei Darussalam) Retrieved 9 November 2010.
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