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Brunei's Sultan to Undergo Knee Surgery, Limits Ceremonies

1/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Brunei ruler, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, will undergo knee replacement surgery this weekend in Brunei, with a two-to-three-month recovery.
The 79-year-old monarch, who has reigned since 1967, will limit attendance at national and official ceremonies during recovery.
He remains popular in Brunei.
The surgery is scheduled to take place on Sunday.
He was hospitalized briefly in Malaysia last May due to fatigue.

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Story summary

The Brunei ruler, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, will undergo knee replacement surgery this weekend in Brunei, with a two-to-three-month recovery.
The 79-year-old monarch, who has reigned since 1967, will limit attendance at national and official ceremonies during recovery.
He remains popular in Brunei.
The surgery is scheduled to take place on Sunday.
He was hospitalized briefly in Malaysia last May due to fatigue.