Singapore leaders send condolences on death of Brunei Sultan's son

Prince 'Abdul 'Azim was known for his kind and generous spirit, as well as his dedication to charitable, educational and youth causes, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Prince 'Abdul 'Azim was known for his kind and generous spirit, as well as his dedication to charitable, educational and youth causes, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. PHOTO: ISTANA NEGARA/FACEBOOK

Singapore's leaders yesterday offered condolences to Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on the death of his son, Prince 'Abdul 'Azim.

In a letter to the Bruneian ruler, President Halimah Yacob said the Prince will be greatly missed by Brunei citizens.

"He will be remembered for his passion for the arts and kindness to the needy," she said.

Prince 'Abdul 'Azim died on Saturday. He was 38.

News of his death was reported by Brunei's state broadcaster Radio Television Brunei in an official announcement and also by the Borneo Bulletin newspaper.

The cause of his death was not stated.

Brunei is now in a seven-day mourning period.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong paid tribute to the late prince, saying that Prince 'Abdul 'Azim was known for his kind and generous spirit, and for his dedication to charitable, educational and youth causes.

"It was Singapore's privilege to have had the opportunity to host him in our schools for his primary and secondary education," said PM Lee.

"I recall him from my interactions with him over the years, as a person with great character. He will be dearly missed."

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan also extended his condolences to the Sultan.

"Through his compassion and empathy, Prince 'Abdul 'Azim had endeared himself to Bruneians and all who knew him," said Dr Balakrishnan.

Fourth in line to succeed the throne of Brunei, Prince 'Abdul 'Azim was the second-born prince of the Sultan.

He was born in Bandar Seri Begawan on July 29, 1982, and studied at International School Brunei, Singapore's Raffles Institution and Oxford Brookes University.

According to the Borneo Bulletin, the late prince was laid to rest at the Royal Mausoleum in the Bruneian capital on Saturday.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 26, 2020, with the headline Singapore leaders send condolences on death of Brunei Sultan's son. Subscribe