Proclamation of Independence Brunei Darussalam
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
PRAISE be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe and may the benediction and peace of Allah
be upon. Our leader Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Relations and Friends.
WHEREAS the time has now arrived when Brunei Darussalam will resume full international
responsibility as a sovereign and independent Nation among the international community of
nations;
AND WHEREAS Brunei Darussalam has never been a colony but had since 1847 a special treaty
relationship with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland whereby in 1888
it was agreed that external relations were the responsibility of the Government of Her
Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
AND WHEREAS a Constitution styled the Constitution of the State of Brunei, 1959, was
proclaimed by Our Predecessor Maulana Sultan Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'ddul Khairi
Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam, the twenty-eight Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in accordance with which the Government of this Nation is
regulated and is the supreme law thereof;
AND WHEREAS by the Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation, 1979 made between Us and Her
Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and by the
Exchange of Notes between Us and Her Britannic Majesty's Government it was agreed that
whatever powers, obligations or responsibility Her Britannic Majesty's Government may have
in respect of Brunei Darussalam under all previous treaties, agreements and arrangements
between Brunei Darussalam and the United Kingdom which were inconsistent with full
international responsibility as a sovereign and independent nation shall terminate on 31
December 1983 and upon such termination all the rights and powers of Our Prerogatives
including the responsibility for external relations shall revert to Us as the The Sultan
and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on the First day of January, Nineteen Hundred and
Eighty-Four;
NOW THEREFORE in the name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful, We, Sultan Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her
Territory and all Her Dependencies, do HEREBY PROCLAIM AND DECLARE in Our name and on Our
behalf and for and on behalf of Our Successors and for and on behalf of the people of
Brunei Darussalam that as from the First day of January, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Four
of the Christian era, corresponding to the Twenty-Seventh day of Rabiulawal, the Hijrah of
Prophet Muhammad (on Whom be the benediction and peace of Allah) Fourteen Hundred and Four
being the Seventeenth Year of Our reign, Brunei Darussalam is and with the blessing of
Allah (to whom be praise and WHose name be exalted) shall be for ever a sovereign,
democratic and independent Malay Muslim Monarchy upon the teachings of Islam according to
Ahlis Sunnah Waljamaah and based upon the principle of liberty, trust and justice and ever
seeking with the guidance and blessing of Allah (to Whom be praise and Whose name be
exalted) the peace and security, welfare and happiness of Our people and the maintenance
of friendly relations among nations on the principle of mutual respect for the
independence, sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of all nations free from
external interference.
May Allah, to Whom be praise and Whose name be exalted and may the Prophet Muhammad (on
Whom be the benediction and peace of Allah) grant his blessing to Brunei Darussalam, for
ever and ever. Amen! O Lord of the Universe!
HIS MAJESTY
THE SULTAN AND YANG DI-PERTUAN
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Proclaimed at Bandar Seri Begawan this First day of January, One Thousand
Nine Hundred and Eighty-Four of the Christian era, corresponding to the Twenty-Seventy day
of Rabiulawal, the Hijrah of the Prophet (on Whom be the benediction and peace of Allah)
Fourteen Hundred and Four being the Seventeenth Year of Our reign.
