Prince Jefri Bolkiah

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.
Jefri Bolkiah
جيفري بولكيه
Pengiran Di-Gadong Sahibul Mal
Jefri in 2024
Minister of Finance
In office
20 October 1986 – 23 February 1997
Prime MinisterHassanal Bolkiah
DeputyAhmad Wally Skinner
Preceded byHassanal Bolkiah
Succeeded byHassanal Bolkiah
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
In office
1 January 1984 – 21 October 1986
Prime MinisterHassanal Bolkiah
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byHussain Yusof
Born (1954-11-06) 6 November 1954 (age 70)
Istana Darul Hana, Brunei Town, Brunei
Spouse
List
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1972)​
  • Puan Fatimah
    ​
    (divorced)​
  • Puan Jefridah
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1995; div. 2001)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1995; div. 2002)​
  • Puan Salma
    ​
    (m. 2003)​
  • Puan Jamilah
    ​
    (divorced)​
Issue
List
Names
Jefri Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien
Regnal name
Pengiran Muda Haji Jefri Bolkiah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien
HouseBolkiah
FatherSultan Omar Ali Saifuddin III
MotherPengiran Anak Damit
Sports career
CountryBrunei
SportPolo
Medal record
Polo
Representing  Brunei
SEA Games
Gold medal – first place 2019 Philippines Men's tournament

Jefri Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III[1] (born 6 November 1954)[2] is a member of the Bruneian royal family. His elder brother is the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah.[3] Prince Jefri was the finance minister of his oil-rich country from 1986 to 1997.[1] He also served as chairman of the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) which invests much of the country's wealth[4] and was responsible for overseas investments.[5] Additionally, he is the Deputy Chairman 3 of the Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara (JAIN).[6]

In the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the sultan had external accountants audit the books of BIA, resulting in charges by the Brunei government that Prince Jefri had embezzled $14.8 billion.[7] He denies the charges but in 2000 agreed to hand over his personal holdings to the government, in return for avoiding criminal prosecution and being allowed to keep a personal residence in Brunei.[8] After numerous legal disputes and appeals, in 2007 Britain's Privy Council ruled that this agreement is enforceable.[4]

Prince Jefri is known for his extravagant lifestyle.[8] His personal holdings included a huge art collection, the British jeweller Asprey, the New York Palace Hotel, Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles and Plaza Athénée in Paris.[citation needed] He has been married six times and divorced four wives[9] and has nineteen children.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference finance was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Istiadat Berkhatan Bagi Dua Orang Putera2 Baginda Di-Langsongkan Hari Ini" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 2 August 1967. p. 1.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference BBC News 28 July 98 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference privy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference BBC 9 August 98 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara - Senarai Ahli majlis Mesyuarat Adat Istiadat". www.adat-istiadat.gov.bn. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  7. ^ Seal, Mark (23 June 2011). "Prince Jefri: The Prince Who Blew Through Millions". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference telegraph1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference nzherald was invoked but never defined (see the help page).