Malay styles and titles

The Malay language has a complex system of styles, titles and honorifics which are used extensively in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore.
Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, few provinces in the Philippines and several provinces in Indonesia regularly award honorary and life titles. What follows in this article is specific to the Malaysian system. References to Brunei and Indonesia are given when pertinent.
In Malaysia, all non-hereditary titles can be granted to both men and women. Every title has a form of address which can be used by the wife of the title holder. This form is not used by the husband of a titled woman; such a woman will bear a title which is the same as a titled man.

Former usage

, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders. However, when the officials and leaders who were bestowed the Malay titles by Malaysia and Brunei, the title will be only referred to on their visit to the title's state's local media.
Much of the Philippines was historically accustomed to the usage of Malay titles by its royals and nobles, such as Raja Sulayman and Dayang Kalangitan in Luzon. Malay titles are still prominently used by the royal houses of Sulu and Maguindanao among other noble lineages in Mindanao in preservation of genealogies. Officially, the republic does not grant royal or noble titles according to the 1987 Constitution.
Indonesia, meanwhile, as a republic, does not recognise hereditary rulers and aristocratic systems outside of Yogyakarta.

Usage

The sequence that should be used when formally writing or addressing a person's name is: honorary style, professional rank, royal hereditary title, federal title, state title, non-royal hereditary title, Doctor, Haji/Hajah, name.
For instance, in Brunei, the Wazir is a group of royal nobles, namely one of the royal princes who is gahara, are the second-highest official post in the nation, right behind the Sultan. Following this, the Cheteria, only bestowed upon the Pengiran, who perform specific jobs and are ranked above the Manteri, a group of non-royal nobles. An example of a Manteri would be the former police commissioner of Brunei, Hasrin Sabtu, whose honorary title would be Yang Dimuliakan, noble rank is Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam, state title is Dato Paduka Seri and traditional Bruneian prefix title for non-royalty is Awang.
When in the home state, the state title may precede the federal title. An example is the current Premier of Sarawak, Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg, whose federal title is Tan Sri, whose state title is Datuk Patinggi and Bruniean title is Dato Seri Setia. His title will be expressed as either:

Yang Amat Berhormat Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg
Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
Yang Amat Berhormat Tan Sri Dato Seri Setia Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.

Another exception is when a person has received an award from a state other than the person's home state; when visiting the award-bestowing state, that state's title will take the place of a home state's title. As an example, the current Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim will be titled as follows:

Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim
Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Anwar bin Ibrahim
Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Utama Anwar bin Ibrahim
Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Diraja Anwar bin Ibrahim

A style carried by virtue of royal title always trumps those carried by non-royal titles. Male royals may choose to append 'al-Haj' to their name instead of using 'Haji'. The following example is correct:

Yang Amat Mulia General Tengku Dato' al-Haj.
Malay royalty

The following titles are hereditary and reserved for the royal families of Brunei and nine royal states of Malaysia.

Brunei

According to royal customs established during the reign of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and based on knowledge passed down by elders, any name, rank, title, position, or honorific must be preceded by a terasul before being mentioned or written. This tradition reflects the deep respect for hierarchical and cultural values in Brunei. Given that Brunei is an absolute monarchy, the correct use of official titles for members of the royal family is essential. Incorrect usage can cause discomfort or be perceived as disrespectful, emphasising the importance of adhering to these formal protocols.
Terasul for the Sultan:

Before reaching puberty: Kebawah Duli Sultan.
Before the coronation: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan.
After the coronation: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan.
After the coronation and performing the Hajj: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan.
Upon abdication: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan.
Upon abdication after performing the Hajj: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Haji.

Terasul for the Sultan's wife:

Before being honoured: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Isteri.
After being honoured: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri.
After being honoured and performing Hajj: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah.
Second wife of the Sultan before his coronation: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Raja.
Second wife of the Sultan after his coronation: Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Isteri.
Sultan's wife from common lineage: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Isteri or Pengiran Bini.
After abdication from the throne: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Suri Seri Begawan Raja.

Terasul for the and his wife:

Before performing the obligatory Hajj: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota.
After performing the obligatory Hajj: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji.
Wife of the Pengiran Muda Mahkota: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri.
Wife of the Pengiran Muda Mahkota from common lineage: After being officially declared and granted the title of either Pengiran Isteri, Pengiran Bini, or any other title, her terasul depends on the bestowed honour.

Terasul for the gahara son of Sultan and his wife:

Gahara son of Sultan: Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Duli Pengiran Muda.
If he becomes a Wazir: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda.
Wife of the gahara son of Sultan: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri.
Wife of the gahara son of Sultan from common lineage: After being officially declared and granted the title of either Pengiran Isteri, Pengiran Bini, or any other title, her terasul depends on the bestowed honour.

Terasul for the gahara daughter of Sultan:

For the gahara daughter of Sultan: Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Puteri.
If married to a Wazir or Cheteria: Same as above, preceded by the phrase isteri kepada.

Terasul for the children of gahara son of Sultan:

For the male child of a gahara son: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda.
For the female child of a gahara son: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak.

Terasul for the children of gahara daughter of Sultan:

For the male child of a gahara daughter: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak.
For the female child of a gahara daughter: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak.

Terasul of the mother of :

Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Babu Raja.
If the Queen Consort's mother is from a common lineage, or if she has been granted the title Pengiran or otherwise, the terasul to be used for her will depend on the title granted by the Sultan.

Terasul of the non-gahara children of Sultan:

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak.

Terasul of the non-gahara grandchildren of Sultan:

Yang Mulia Pengiran Anak.

Terasul of the Perdana Wazir and his wife:

If he is the gahara son of the Sultan: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar.
If he is the non-gahara son of the Sultan: Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar.
The Duli Pengiran Perdana Wazir's wife from Pengiran lineage: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri, wife of Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar.
The Pengiran Perdana Wazir's wife from Pengiran lineage: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Isteri.
The Duli Pengiran Perdana Wazir or Pengiran Perdana Wazir's wife from common lineage: The terasul is decreed, subject to the Sultan's grant.

Terasul of the Wazir and his wife:
File:Pengiran Anak Khamis ibni Almarhum Sultan Hashim.jpg|thumb|Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Di-Gadong Sahibul Mal Pengiran Anak Khamis, non-gahara son of Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin

Pengiran Bendahara: Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuaras.
Pengiran Di-Gadong: Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Di-Gadong Sahibul Mal.
Pengiran Pemancha: Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Pemancha Sahibul Rae' Wal-Mashuarah.
Pengiran Temenggong: Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Temenggong Sahibul Bahar.
If the Wazir is a son of the Sultan and his wife is from Pengiran lineage: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri.
If all of Wazir's wives from Pengiran lineage: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini.
If the Wazir's wife from a common lineage: Yang Mulia. Wife of Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Bendahara, Pengiran Di-Gadong, Pengiran Pemancha or Pengiran Temenggong, unless there is a special decree.

Terasul of the Cheteria and his wife:

Cheteria: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran.
Wife of Cheteria if she is from Pengiran Peranakan Bertaras: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran.
Wife of Cheteria if she is from Pengiran or common lineages: Yang Mulia, wife of Pengiran.

File:Prince Abdul Hakeem - 53691166793.jpg|thumb|Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Hakeem, son of Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Di-Gadong Sahibul Mal Pengiran Muda Haji Jefri Bolkiah
Terasul of the gahara male and female child of Wazir:

For the male child of Duli Pengiran Perdana Wazir or Wazir : Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda.
If female: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak.
For the gahara male child of Pengiran Perdana Wazir : Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak.
For the gahara male child of Wazir : Yang Mulia Pengiran Anak.
For the non-gahara child of Wazir: Yang Mulia Pengiran.

Terasul of the children of Cheteria:

For the gahara children of Cheteria : Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak.
For the gahara and non-gahara child of Cheteria: Yang Mulia Pengiran.

Terasul of the gahara of Pengiran Anak:

For the children of Pengiran Anak whose wife is a Pengiran Anak: Yang Mulia Pengiran Anak.
For the children of Pengiran Anak whose wife is not a Pengiran Anak: Yang Mulia Pengiran.

Terasul of the Pengiran Kebanyakan:

For a male or female, whether gahara or not: Yang Mulia Pengiran.

Terasul of the Manteri:

For the Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja: Yang Dimuliakan Lagi Dihormati.
For the Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri: Yang Dimuliakan Lagi Dihormati.
For the Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong and Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela: Yang Dimuliakan Lagi Dihormati.
For the Pehin Manteri Berchiri: Yang Dimuliakan.
For the Manteri Bertauliah: Yang Mulia.

Terasul of the senior government officials:

For the cabinet ministers: Yang Berhormat.
For the members of the Council of Ministers: According to the respective title and position.
For the high commissioners or ambassadors: Tuan Yang Terutama.