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 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 use
Singapore, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders.
The Philippines historically used Malay titles during its pre-Hispanic period (especially under Bruneian influence), as evidenced by the titles of historical figures such as Rajah Sulayman, Lakandula, and Dayang Kalangitan. Malay titles are still used by the royal houses of Sulu, Maguindanao, Buayan, and Maranao on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, but these are retained on a traditional basis, as the 1987 Constitution explicitly reaffirms the abolition of royal and noble titles in the republic.
Indonesia, meanwhile, as a republic, does not recognise hereditary rulers and aristocratic systems.
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 (of medicine or philosophy), Haji/Hajah (for Muslim men and women who have performed the Hajj), name.
For instance, in Brunei, the title for one of Bruneian traditional ministers (Pehin-Pehin Cheteria) whose honorary title would be Yang Berhormat, profession rank is Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela, state title is Dato Seri Setia and traditional Bruneian Malay prefix title for non-royalty is Awang. An example would be Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib.
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 and whose state title is Datuk Patinggi. His title will be expressed as either: Yang Amat Berhormat Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (federally) Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (in his home state).
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 (if any). As an example, the current Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim will be titled as follows: Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim (federally) Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Anwar bin Ibrahim (in Sabah) Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Utama Anwar bin Ibrahim (in Penang) Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Diraja Anwar bin Ibrahim (in Perlis)
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' (name) al-Haj.
Malay royalty
The following titles are hereditary and reserved for royal families of the royal families of Brunei and nine royal states of Malaysia. Brunei is the only absolute monarchy left in the Malay's world, and the monarchy has the power in the government.
Brunei
The following styles and official titles are used for members of the royal house in Brunei Darussalam. As Brunei is an absolute monarchy, it is important to address royal family members with the correct title. Improper usage may cause discomfort.