His Majesty Sultan Malik Samudera Pasai As Syarif Teuku Badruddin Syah Zhilullah Fil'Alam (صاحب الجلالة السلطان مالك ساموديرا باساي الشريف تيوكو بدر الدين سياح ظل الله في العالم) is the 21st successor to the Samudera Pasai Dynasty. Samudera Pasai kingdom (1257-1524) was the first Islamic kingdom in Indonesia.  Sultan al-Malik al-Ṣāliḥ (الملك الصالح), literal meaning: "the pious king", established the first Muslim state of Samudera Pasai in the year 1267 on the North Coast of Sumatra Island which is now Aceh, the westernmost province of Indonesia comprising an area of 56,839 km2. 

Coronation of Sultan Malik Samudera Pasai

In 2022, Teuku Badruddin Syah was crowned Sultan Malik Samudera Pasai by popular acclamation from a large congregation of traditional leaders, Islamic scholars (Ulama/Clergy), and members of the royal descendants of the Samudera Pasai Sultanate. After a series of traditional processes, including puasa suluk (spiritual fasting) and various customary rituals, the coronation of Teuku Haji Badruddin Syah as Sultan took place on March 1, 2022. He was then granted the official royal title: Paduka Yang Mulia (PYM) Sultan Malik Samudera Pasai  As Syarif Teuku Badruddin Syah Zhilullah Fil 'Alam - ACEH  This recognition honored his efforts to fight for the preservation of Indonesian culture and social life, and for promoting a more prosperous, equitable & inclusive economy based on the moral and spiritual tenets of Islam that guided his ancestors (endatu) in ruling Aceh. 

Arab Persian Lineage of the Samudera Pasai Dynasty

Sultan Badruddin, fondly nicknamed Abu Turki, is a direct descendant of Sultan al-Malik al-Ṣāliḥ. Following the merger of the Perlak Sultanate and the Samudera Pasai Kingdom in the late 13th century, his bloodline is traceable to Syarif Shabab Ahl al-Jannah Hasan ibn Ali (الحسن ابن علي). This royal merger was an epochal event in the history of Indonesia. Perlak Sultanate was the earliest sultanate in Southeast Asia, believed to have converted to Islam as early as the 9th century. 

The location of Perlak was in what is now the East Aceh Regency, Indonesia. The first Sultan of Perlak was Sultan Alaiddin Syed Maulana Abdul Aziz Shah, an Acehnese (Orang Aceh) of Arab-Persian descent, who founded the Perlak Sultanate on 1 Muharram 225 H (840 AD).  As a producer of a special kind of wood required for shipbuilding and house building, Perlak developed into a thriving commercial port by the 8th century, visited by foreign ships, including those of Arab and Persian origin. 

The 17th Sultan of Perlak, Sultan Makhdum Alaiddin Malik Muhammad Amin Shah II Johan Berdaulat (ruled 1230 – 1267) carried out friendship politics by marrying his daughter Princess Ganggang, to the King of the Kingdom of Pasai, Al Malik al-Saleh. The last Sultan of Perlak was the 18th Sultan, Sultan Makhdum Alaiddin Malik Abdul Aziz Johan Berdaulat (ruled 1267 – 1292). After he died, Perlak was united with the Samudera Pasai Kingdom under the reign of Sultan Samudera Pasai, Sultan Muhammad Malik Al Zahir, son of Al Malik al-Saleh.

The Aceh Sultanate (1480–1904), officially the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam, was the successor of the Samudera Pasai Sultanate. Its capital was Kutaraja, the present-day Banda Aceh, same as that of its predecessor Sultanate. In the early 17th century, the Aceh Sultanate was the wealthiest, most powerful, and most cultivated state in the Strait of Malacca. As the recognized heir of 2 related dynasties that ruled Aceh for over 6 centuries, Teuku Badruddin Syah actively sustains Aceh's civilizational legacy, which is foundational to the soul of Indonesia. 

Aceh, known as Veranda of Mecca {Serambi Mekkah) due to its pivotal and foundational role in the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia, is the spiritually gateway to the Malay-Indonesian Archipelago, also called the Indo Australian Archipelago, the "Nusantara", and the "East Indies".

Holding the title of Paduka Yang Mulia Sultan Malik Samudera ("His Majesty Sultan Malik Samudera"), recognized by the Government of Indonesia and revered by the Acehnese people as the unifying living symbol of their spiritual, cultural and historical identity, Teuku Badruddin Sya is committed to revitalizing Aceh economically and reclaim the glory and golden era of Aceh, both nationally and globally. 

In the realm of Cultural Diplomacy & Solidarity, the Sultan represents the sultanate in regional and national cultural events, such as attending the Festival Adat Budaya Nusantara II in Borobudur in 2022, which brought together over 200 Sultans and Kings from across the archipelago. 

Vision & Mission of Sultan Malik Samudera Pasai: Balancing Modernization and Tradition, Aligning the Secular with the Sacred

Sultan Malik Samudera Pasai supports preserving Aceh's cultural and historical heritage, focusing on the traditions and civilizational legacy associated with the Samudera Pasai Sultanate. He emphasizes the importance of historical awareness for social cohesion and development. His perspectives include promoting governance guided by Islamic ethical principles and aligning social, cultural, and economic progress with values of justice, compassion, and community welfare. 

Through his relentless work and transformative initiatives across, Sultan Malik Samudera Pasai connects historical perspectives with contemporary development, balancing modernization with cultural preservation. He has participated in regional economic growth initiatives, including projects in the energy, infrastructure, health and agricultural sectors, and supported programs improving education, community welfare, and conflict resolution. Through these efforts, he promotes social cohesion and sustainable development in Aceh and surrounding regions.

To advance his vision of reviving the sultanates of the Indonesian archipelago, Sultan Malik Samudera Pasai, together with Sultan Sepuh Keraton Kesepuhan of Cirebon Sultanate, established the Dewan Adat Nasional Republik Indonesia (DAN RI). The institution serves as a forum for Indonesian kings, sultans, and nobles to discuss and coordinate efforts toward shared objectives.

The Ecological & Economic Significance of Aceh

The ecological assets of the Aceh province are worth trillions of dollars. Aceh has the largest range of biodiversity in the Asian Pacific region, including the Gunung Leuser National Park, 7,927 km2 national park that stretches across the border between Aceh and North Sumatra provinces. The Leuser Ecosystem, which includes the 1.09 million-hectare Gunung Leuser National Park, stores approximately 1.6 billion tons of carbon. This makes it one of the most critical, carbon-rich rainforests and peatland areas in Southeast Asia. As this Netflix documentary on Gunung Leuser National Park reveals, the Sultan of Aceh will have Barack Obama as his ally in Making Aceh Great Again Ecologically & Economically:  President Barack Obama's Call to Action to Visit, Love & Save Gunung Leuser National Park. 

Sultan's Spectacular Arsenal of Statesmanlike Vision-Setting & Executive Leadership Skills with an Extraordinary Spectrum of Access & Sphere of Friendship, Trust and Influence in Indonesia and Abroad 

Teuku Haji Badruddin Syah's eventful and colorful career in business, public service and philanthropy spans over 35 years. As a businessman in his own rights and a Sultan responsible for the economic, social and spiritual wellbeing of the people of Aceh and the Steward-in-chief of the ecological assets of the province, he brings into play a diverse, high-level skill set that spans strategic leadership, crisis management, political acumen, coalition formation, diplomacy, tactical empath and complex communication to manage public sector constraints and deliver results that leaves no one behind. 

Presidential Decree Declaring USD $16 billion PT Korina Refinery Aceh as a National Strategic Project (PSN) 

Securing a Presidential Decree declaring the Sultan Malik Samudera Pasai's USD $16 billion Korina Refinery Aceh a National Strategic Project for accelerating its implementation is the crowning achievement of the Sultan. With this greenfield project, the Sultan aims to set a new standard for sustainable fuel production by reducing carbon emissions while producing cleaner, high-octane fuels. 

The Korina Refinery will be built in the Arun Special Economic Zone (KEK) in Lhokseumawe and is envisioned as the largest integrated crude oil and petrochemical processing complex in western Indonesia with a capacity of 300,000 barrels per day. With a total investment of USD 16 billion, Korina is the largest private investment in Aceh's modern history and a crucial pillar for Indonesia's position on the Southeast Asian energy map. 

"The Korina Refinery Aceh is not just a refinery project, but rather an engine for the revival of the Veranda of Mecca. From Aceh, energy will flow to the archipelago—building independence, prosperity, and peace," said Sultan Malik Samudera Pasai Teuku Badruddin Syah during a meeting with Prof. Dr. Ir. Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Special Advisor to the President for Energy.

Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, while expressing the Aceh Government's commitment to fully overseeing the project's implementation, said, "Aceh is ready to become an energy engine in western Indonesia. This project will create significant employment opportunities, revitalize the people's economy, and become a proud legacy for future generations." 

A Snapshot of Teuku Haji Badruddin Syah's Sphere of Friendships, Trust & Influence