The orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei consist of (translatable as 'state decorations') and (literally 'medals of honour'). Both are awarded by the Sultan of Brunei on the basis of merit, especially on the contributions to the country. The investiture of some of the state decorations also include the conferment of titles, whereby they become part of the awardees' personal names in official correspondence or when mentioned in formal media in the country. The decorations and medals are under the responsibility of , a government department under the Prime Minister's Office, which also oversees Bruneian royal traditions and protocol.
The insignia are displayed in the Royal Regalia Museum located in the capital.
Investiture
The actual investiture involves awardees being given badges in a ceremony by the Sultan or sometimes the Crown Prince upon the Sultan's discretion. The ceremony is traditionally held in Lapau which is a type of ceremonial hall for royal ceremonies in the Bruneian culture. At present, the state decorations to the third class are always conferred by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in a royal ceremony held annually on the day of the Sultan's birthday on 15 July at , a ceremonial hall within Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan's palace. Meanwhile, the state decorations of lower classes as well as medals of honour are conferred by the Sultan or the Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah in other ceremonies on other days, although commonly held in conjunction with the said birthday celebration. They had been traditionally held at the Lapau building in Bandar Seri Begawan's city centre but in recent years they have been held at the Lapau hall within the palace instead to accommodate the growing number of awardees.
Decorations and medals
The following are the lists of state decorations and medals of honour of Brunei. All of their names are styled in the Malay language, nevertheless many of the names have also been officially given the equivalents in English, that is by the Department of .
State decorations
Name in MalayOfficial English translationRanks (letters)RibbonEstablishedFounderAwarded to/for/byThe Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei Royal Recipient (DKMB)15 August 1982Hassanal BolkiahMembers of the Brunei royal family and foreign royals.The Most Esteemed Family Order of Laila Utama Grand Recipient (DKLU)1954Omar Ali Saifuddien IIIMembers of the Brunei royal family, princes from other countries, chiefs of state, and other deserving individuals.The Most Esteemed Family Order of Seri Utama Grand Recipient (DKSU)1954Omar Ali Saifuddien IIIMembers of the Brunei royal family, princes from other countries, chiefs of state, and other deserving individuals.The Most Eminent Order of Islam BruneiGrand Commander (PSSUB)1 August 1968Hassanal BolkiahTo honour those who have promoted, preserved, and strengthened the Islamic faith in the nation.Commander (DSSUB)Companion (SSUB)Officer (SUB)Member (PUB)The Most Illustrious Order of Paduka Laila Jasa Keberanian GemilangGrand Commander (DPKG)1 August 1968Hassanal BolkiahCommander (DLKG)Companion (DKG)The Most Exalted Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila TerbilangGrand Commander (DPKT)1 August 1968Hassanal BolkiahFor distinguished services and gallantry by the armed forces.Commander (DKLT)Companion (DKT)The Most Gallant Order of Pahlawan Negara BruneiGrand Commander (PSPNB)28 November 1959Omar Ali Saifuddien IIIMembers of the armed forces who have displayed particularly valiant action.Commander (DHPNB)Companion (PNB)Officer (PJB)The Most Blessed Order of Setia Negara BruneiGrand Commander (PSNB)29 November 1959Omar Ali Saifuddien IIIFor committed, honourable, faithful, and exceptional service. It is given to non-military personnel.Commander (DSNB)Companion (SNB)Officer (PSB)The Most Distinguished Order of Paduka Seri Laila JasaGrand Commander (PSLJ)February 1965Omar Ali Saifuddien IIIFor meritorious and faithful services.Commander (DSLJ)Companion (SLJ)The Most Honourable Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota BruneiGrand Commander (SPMB)1 March 1954Omar Ali Saifuddien IIITo honour those who have helped the Sultan in exceptional or significant ways.Commander (DPMB)Companion (SMB)The Most Faithful Order of Perwira Agong Negara BruneiOfficer (PANB)28 November 1959Omar Ali Saifuddien IIIThe nation's highest award for gallantry.Member (PNB)
Medals of honour
Below is a list of the current medals of honour ():
Name in MalayOfficial English translationRanks (letters)RibbonEstablishedFounderAwarded to/for/byOmar Ali Saifuddin MedalFirst Class (POAS)1955Omar Ali Saifuddien IIIFor valuable and special services to the Sultan and state.Second Class (POAS)Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah MedalFirst Class1968Hassanal BolkiahFor special and loyal service to the Sultan.Second Class – Recipient (PBLI)1975Hassanal BolkiahFor meritorious service in the armed forces over a period of 20 years.Meritorious Service Medal Recipient (PJK)1954Omar Ali Saifuddien IIIAwarded for service of conspicuous merit to the state, such service being characterised by resource and devotion to duty including prolonged service marked by exceptional ability, merit and exemplary conduct.Government Office Medal Recipient (PTKL)––For 15 years of government service.Excellent Service Medal Recipient (PIKB)––To civilian personnel for meritorious service to the state.Proclamation of Independence of Brunei Medal Recipient 1 January 1984Hassanal BolkiahTo mark the independence of the State of Brunei.Long Service Medal Recipient (PKL)1954Omar Ali Saifuddien IIIFor a minimum of eighteen years’ blameless service and may be awarded to both civilians and military.Campaign MedalFirst Class1962Omar Ali Saifuddien IIIFor campaign service.Second ClassStar of Supreme Gallantry Recipient (PP)1972Hassanal BolkiahFor supreme valour in the face of the enemy.Distinguished Warrior Star Recipient (AP)1972Hassanal BolkiahFor conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy.Distinguished Soldier Star Recipient (PL)1972Hassanal BolkiahFor bravery in the field.
Medals related to national events
There are also several medals which are awarded in conjunction with certain national events:
Name in MalayOfficial English translationClassRibbonAhmad Tajuddin Coronation Medal –Omar Ali Saifuddin Coronation Medal –Coronation MedalGoldSilver- - Jubilee Medal Ascension to the Throne- Golden Jubilee Medal- Silver Jubilee MedalGoldSilverBronze- National Day Jubilee Medal- Silver Jubilee Medal –
Medals for armed forces of Brunei
The following are the medals of honour specifically for the armed forces of Brunei:
+Medals of the Royal Brunei Police ForceName in MalayOfficial English translationRibbonPost-nominal letters General Service Medal –Police Service Medal –Police Long Service MedalPKLPRoyal Police Medal 1965 – Police Golden Jubilee Medal –Police 75 Years Medal –Royal Brunei Police Centennial Medal – +Medals of the Royal Brunei Armed ForcesName in MalayOfficial English translationRibbonPost-nominal letters Inauguration Medal – General Service Medal GSM Long Service and Good Conduct MedalPKLPBRoyal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal –Royal Brunei Armed Forces Golden Jubilee Medal –Royal Brunei Armed Forces Diamond Jubilee Medal – +Medals of the Gurkha Reserve UnitName in MalayOfficial English translationRibbon Gurkha Reserve Unit MedalLong Service Medal and Good ConductGurkha Reserve Unit Golden Jubilee Medal
Foreign honours British awards granted in Brunei generally fall into two main categories. The first category comprises honorary awards given to the Sultan and senior officials, while the second includes ordinary awards granted to British officials and advisors residing in Brunei. Additionally, some native Borneans may have received the General Service Medal and campaign medals, featuring clasps for "Brunei" and "Borneo" respectively, in recognition of their services during the period from 1962 to 1966.
See also List of honours of the Bruneian royal family by country
References
External links List of state decorations and medals of hoonour of Brunei Darussalam List of orders and decorations on BRUNEIresources.com website Orders, Decorations and Medals of Brunei World Awards I. Repetski Orders and medals of Brunei. Reference catalog