TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sultanate is one of the world's oldest governance and state systems which commonly was applied in kingdoms or Islamic countries. A sultanate is led by a sultan, the same as a king who ruled a region with a monarchy system.
Sultanates appeared in the Middle East and spread to Turkey and Europe. From the Middle Ages to the 15th century, the sultanate system was popular and was also applied in a number of Islamic kingdoms in Indonesia. There were several sultanates in Indonesia as recorded in history, such as the Sultanate of Samudera Pasai, the Banten Sultanate, and many others.
Today, not many countries use the sultanate system. The development of democracy and political triad reduced its popularity. Although several countries are still implementing the system, the role and function are not as strong. Some even function only as cultural stakeholders. Currently, there are only several sultans left in the world, here is the list as cited from several sources.
- Sultan of Malaysia
Malaysia is a country with a constitutional monarchy system with nine sultans or leaders, who lead each state and act as leaders of religious affairs. Each sultan will take turns serving as king for a five-year term.
Currently, Malaysia is led by Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. He was recently inaugurated as the 17th King of Malaysia in a ceremony at the Malaysian National Palace in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. He replaces Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who will return to lead his home state, Pahang, at the end of his five-year term as king.
Meanwhile, his deputy for the next five years will be Sultan Nazrin Shah from the State of Perak.
Ibrahim Iskandar took his oath of office at the national palace, Kuala Lumpur, and signed the instrument of proclamation of office, in a ceremony witnessed by other royal families, including Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim and members of the Cabinet.
Sultan Ibrahim's appointment came after his predecessor, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah from Pahang State, completed his term of office.
- Sultan of Oman
Currently, Haitham bin Tariq al-Said sits as the sultan of Oman who was appointed on January 11, 2020. He replaced Sultan Qaboos bin Said who died. Haitham bin Tariq al-Said was a former minister of culture and cousin of Sultan Qaboos. Haitham bin Thariq bin Taimur Al Bu Sa'id was born into a family from the Sultanate of Oman, his father Thariq bin Taimur Al Bu Sa'id was Prime Minister of Oman in 1970-1972.
At his inauguration, he called for efforts to develop the relatively small oil producer, continuing the path of his deceased predecessor Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq also called for efforts to develop the relatively small oil-producing country and promised to continue working to improve the living standards of the Omani people.
- Sultan of Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam has Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah ascended the throne on October 5, 1967, after his father, Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien abdicated voluntarily. He is known as the wealthy sultan.
He spent at least 10 million pounds sterling (Rp. 186 billion) for the purchase of a luxury car and he also has a property portfolio worth billions of pounds and a private jet complete with gold-plated equipment. In 2019, the personal wealth of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was expected at 15 pounds or Rp280 trillion, making the Sultan of Brunei the second richest in the world after the King of Thailand with an income of IDR 425 trillion
- Sultan of Yogyakarta
The Sultan of Yogyakarta, known as Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, has become a sultan since March 7, 1989. Citing the Yogyakarta Palace website, the real name of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X is Bendara Raden Mas (BRM) Herjuno Darpito. He was born in Yogyakarta on April 2, 1946.
He became the most appropriate candidate to become the next Sultan to replace Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX who died on October 2, 1988. This succession process is something new in the history of the Yogyakarta Palace. In the previous era, every Sultan who was to be inaugurated had to obtain approval from the Netherlands.
- Sultan of Cirebon
Prince Handi is the king at Kaprabonan Palace, Cirebon, West Java. He replaced his older brother Sultan Pangeran Hempi Raja Kaprabon X who died in July 2021. He now holds the 11th royal throne in the Kaprabonan Sultanate.
The process of appointing the sultan, known as 'jumenengan', was carried out at Omah Kulon, one of the buildings in the Kasepuhan Palace, Cirebon. Jumenengan is carried out in a limited manner and only within the family environment.
YOLANDA AGNE | EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA
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