The Malay language has a complex system of styles, titles and honorifics which are used extensively in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore.
Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, few provinces in the Philippines and several provinces in Indonesia regularly award honorary and life titles. What follows in this article is specific to the Malaysian system. References to Brunei and Indonesia are given when pertinent.
In Malaysia, all non-hereditary titles can be granted to both men and women. Every title has a form of address which can be used by the wife of the title holder. This form is not used by the husband of a titled woman; such a woman will bear a title which is the same as a titled man.
Former usage Singapore, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders. However, when the officials and leaders who were bestowed the Malay titles by Malaysia and Brunei, the title will be only referred to on their visit to the title's state's local media.
Much of the Philippines was historically accustomed to the usage of Malay titles by its royals and nobles, such as Raja Sulayman and Dayang Kalangitan in Luzon. Malay titles are still prominently used by the royal houses of Sulu and Maguindanao among other noble lineages in Mindanao in preservation of genealogies. Officially, the republic does not grant royal or noble titles according to the 1987 Constitution.
Indonesia, meanwhile, as a republic, does not recognise hereditary rulers and aristocratic systems outside of Yogyakarta.
Usage The sequence that should be used when formally writing or addressing a person's name is: honorary style, professional rank, royal hereditary title, federal title, state title, non-royal hereditary title, Doctor (of medicine or philosophy), Haji/Hajah (for Muslim men and women who have performed the Hajj), name.
For instance, in Brunei, the Wazir is a group of royal nobles, namely one of the royal princes who is gahara (pure descendants of the Sultan), are the second-highest official post in the nation, right behind the Sultan. Following this, the Cheteria, only bestowed upon the Pengiran, who perform specific jobs and are ranked above the Manteri, a group of non-royal nobles. An example of a Manteri would be the former police commissioner of Brunei, Hasrin Sabtu, whose honorary title would be Yang Dimuliakan (The Exalted One), noble rank is Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam, state title is Dato Paduka Seri and traditional Bruneian prefix title for non-royalty is Awang (Mr.).
When in the home state, the state title may precede the federal title. An example is the current Premier of Sarawak, Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg, whose federal title is Tan Sri, whose state title is Datuk Patinggi and Bruniean title is Dato Seri Setia. His title will be expressed as either: Yang Amat Berhormat Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (federally) Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (in his home state). Yang Amat Berhormat Tan Sri Dato Seri Setia (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (in Brunei).
Another exception is when a person has received an award from a state other than the person's home state; when visiting the award-bestowing state, that state's title will take the place of a home state's title (if any). As an example, the current Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim will be titled as follows: Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim (federally) Yang Amat Berhormat Dato Anwar bin Ibrahim (in Kelantan) Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Utama Anwar bin Ibrahim (in Penang) Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Diraja Anwar bin Ibrahim (in Perlis) Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Anwar bin Ibrahim (in Sabah) Yang Amat Berhormat Dato Laila Utama Anwar bin Ibrahim (in Brunei)
A style carried by virtue of royal title always trumps those carried by non-royal titles. Male royals may choose to append 'al-Haj' to their name instead of using 'Haji'. The following example is correct: Yang Amat Mulia General Tengku Dato' (name) al-Haj.
Malay royalty The following titles are hereditary and reserved for the royal families of Brunei and nine royal states of Malaysia.
Brunei According to royal customs established during the reign of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and based on knowledge passed down by elders, any name, rank, title, position, or honorific must be preceded by a before being mentioned or written. This tradition reflects the deep respect for hierarchical and cultural values in Brunei. Given that Brunei is an absolute monarchy, the correct use of official titles for members of the royal family is essential. Incorrect usage can cause discomfort or be perceived as disrespectful, emphasising the importance of adhering to these formal protocols.
for the Sultan:
Before reaching puberty: (followed by the Sultan's given name). Before the coronation: (followed by the Sultan's given name). After the coronation: (followed by the Sultan's given name), Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan. After the coronation and performing the Hajj: (followed by the Sultan's given name), Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan. Upon abdication: (followed by the Sultan's given name). Upon abdication after performing the Hajj: (followed by the Sultan's given name). for the Sultan's wife:
Before being honoured: (followed by her given name). After being honoured: (followed by her given name). After being honoured and performing Hajj: (followed by her given name). Second wife of the Sultan before his coronation: (followed by her name without the term 'Isteri'). Second wife of the Sultan after his coronation: (followed by her given name). Sultan's wife from common lineage: or (followed by her given name). After abdication from the throne: (followed by her given name). for the and his wife:
Before performing the obligatory Hajj: (followed by his given name). After performing the obligatory Hajj: (followed by his given name). Wife of the : (followed by her given name). Wife of the from common lineage: After being officially declared and granted the title of either , , or any other title, her depends on the bestowed honour (followed by her given name). for the son of Sultan and his wife:
son of Sultan: (followed by his given name). If he becomes a Wazir: (followed by his title) (followed by his given name). Wife of the son of Sultan: (followed by her given name). Wife of the son of Sultan from common lineage: After being officially declared and granted the title of either , , or any other title, her depends on the bestowed honour (followed by her given name). for the daughter of Sultan:
For the daughter of Sultan: (followed by her given name). If married to a Wazir or Cheteria: Same as above, preceded by the phrase (followed by her husband's title).
for the children of son of Sultan:
For the male child of a son: (followed by his given name). For the female child of a son: (followed by her given name).
for the children of daughter of Sultan:
For the male child of a daughter: (followed by his given name). For the female child of a daughter: (followed by her given name). of the mother of :
(followed by her given name).
If the Queen Consort's mother is from a common lineage, or if she has been granted the title Pengiran or otherwise, the to be used for her will depend on the title granted by the Sultan.
of the non- children of Sultan:
(followed by their given name).
of the non- grandchildren of Sultan:
(followed by their given name).
of the and his wife:
If he is the son of the Sultan: (followed by his given name). If he is the non- son of the Sultan: (followed by his given name). The 's wife from Pengiran lineage: (followed by her given name), wife of . The 's wife from Pengiran lineage: (followed by her given name). The or 's wife from common lineage: The is decreed, subject to the Sultan's grant.
of the Wazir and his wife:
: (followed by his given name). : (followed by his given name). : (followed by his given name). : (followed by his given name). If the Wazir is a son of the Sultan and his wife is from Pengiran lineage: (followed by her given name). If all of Wazir's wives from Pengiran lineage: (followed by their given name). If the Wazir's wife from a common lineage: (followed by her given name). Wife of , , or (followed by their given name), unless there is a special decree. of the Cheteria and his wife:
Cheteria: (followed by his title and given name). Wife of Cheteria if she is from : (followed by her given name). Wife of Cheteria if she is from Pengiran or common lineages: (followed by her given name), wife of Pengiran (followed by the husband's title).
of the male and female child of Wazir:
For the male child of or Wazir ( son of Sultan): (followed by his given name). If female: (followed by her given name). For the male child of (but the is a non- son of the Sultan): (followed by his given name). For the male child of Wazir (but the Wazir is a non- son of the Sultan): (followed by his given name). For the non- child of Wazir: (followed by their given name).
of the children of Cheteria:
For the children of Cheteria (if the wife of the Cheteria is a daughter of the Sultan): (followed by their given name). For the and non- child of Cheteria: (followed by their given name).
of the of Pengiran Anak:
For the children of Pengiran Anak whose wife is a Pengiran Anak: (followed by their given name). For the children of Pengiran Anak whose wife is not a Pengiran Anak: (followed by their given name). of the :
For a male or female, whether gahara or not: Yang Mulia Pengiran (followed by the name of the individual).
of the :
For the : . For the : . For the and : . For the : . For the : .
of the senior government officials:
For the cabinet ministers: . For the members of the Council of Ministers: According to the respective title and position. For the high commissioners or ambassadors: .
Malaysia Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia (KDYMM) (literally 'He/She who is below the dust of The Almighty') is used for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and state rulers alike. The title is a reference to the rulers being subjected to the Law of God with their powers below that of Allah. However, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong also uses the prefix 'Seri Paduka Baginda' (literally, 'He, the Footwear of the Prophet') and in English, his title is often translated as 'His Majesty'. The title is a reference to the rulers being in comparison to the prophet Muhammad, where the word paduka is translated in Malay as a type of footwear. In this styling, the Supreme Ruler is only the level of footwear in comparison to the Prophet. However, the style differs from state to state as according to states' tradition.
Federal Titles of Malaysian royalty and rulers: Yang di-Pertuan Agong (literally, 'He who is made Supreme Lord' but usually 'Supreme Head' or 'Paramount Ruler') is the official title of the ruler of all Malaysia, elected from among the nine heads of the royal families. The title is often glossed 'King' in English. He is styled as Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda (His Majesty). Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong (literally, 'Deputy of He who is made Supreme Lord', but usually 'Deputy Supreme Head' or 'Deputy Paramount Ruler') is the official title of the deputy ruler of all Malaysia who is also elected from among the nine heads of the royal families. The title is often glossed 'Deputy King' in English. He is styled as Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia (His Royal Highness). Raja Permaisuri Agong (literally, 'The Supreme Lady') is the official title of the consort of the ruler of Malaysia. The title is often glossed 'Queen' in English. She is styled as Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda (Her Majesty).