Brunei Sultan weds ex-journalist - Newspaper

KUALA LUMPUR, Sunday (Reuters) The ruler of the oil-rich sultanate of Brunei has married a former journalist with a Malaysian television news station, the New Sunday Times newspaper reported on Sunday.

The private wedding ceremony of 58-year old Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and 26-year old Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim in the Malaysian capital on Saturday night contrasted sharply with previous celebrations involving members of the Brunei royal family.

In 1996, entertainer Michael Jackson was flown in to perform free for the people of Brunei to mark the sultan's 50th birthday. The same year, the sultan held a week-long celebration with concerts by American pop stars Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston to mark the marriage of his eldest daughter.

Sultan Hassanal has divorced his second wife, Mariam Abdul Aziz, in February 2003, the newspaper said.

He remains married to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajjah Saleha, his first wife.