Abdul Aziz held various roles early in his career with the Brunei government, including religious officer at the Department of Religious Affairs in 1970, head of broadcasting and information in 1971, and member of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council from 1971. He was appointed senior religious officer in 1976, a member of the Succession Council in 1978, and deputy chief
kadi in 1983. Abdul Aziz became a member of the
Privy Council on 17 April 1984, director of Syariah affairs in 1986, and deputy state mufti on 1 January 1989. The appointment of Abdul Aziz Juned as state mufti on 1 September 1994 marked a significant turning point in Brunei's Islamic governance, coinciding with an intensified effort toward state-led Islamisation. Abdul Aziz, alongside
Mahmud Saedon as special advisor in Syariah affairs, emerged as one of the most influential ulama in Brunei's modern history. As the nation's highest religious authority, his office holds the exclusive right to issue
fatwas that are uniquely enforceable as law in Brunei. Succeeding former state mufti
Ismail Omar Abdul Aziz, whose "strict" stance had steered Brunei toward a more
orthodox Islamic approach, Abdul Aziz further deepened the state's Islamic discourse. His leadership aligned with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's assertion that no law or constitution could supersede the
Quran. During this period, the groundwork for a comprehensive
Islamic criminal law code was laid, with Abdul Aziz playing a central role in shaping Brunei's legal and religious framework. As the head of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council's legal committee, Abdul Aziz Juned played a pivotal role in shaping the country's Syariah reforms. A key figure in Brunei's Islamic government, he promoted the SPCO 2013, highlighting in October 2013 that "Islam has its own human rights," which, he argued, are distinct from "man-made" rights. According to him, the latter are less universal and subject to change, whereas the rights guaranteed by Sharia law are timeless and unalterable. He stressed that genuine human rights are consistent with Syariah law, which presents them as enduring and fixed. Abdul Aziz was instrumental in establishing the SPCO 2013 as a model for Southeast Asia, with the hope that it would inspire neighbouring nations. Under his leadership, Brunei also launched an
ASEAN network for Syariah court cooperation in 2013, bringing together countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Brunei's commitment to ensuring the SPCO aligns with established Syariah law principles is further demonstrated by the consultations it held with Islamic organisations in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and
Aceh. His contributions underscore his significant role in shaping Brunei's Syariah legal system and its influence in the region. In 2013, Abdul Aziz advocated for the application of Syariah law as a deterrent to crime, particularly supporting severe penalties such as
hand-chopping and
stoning. He argued that the purpose of these laws was not to punish, but to prevent crimes from spreading through society. Despite widespread condemnation from the
United Nations, human rights organisations, and prominent figures such as
US President Joe Biden,
George Clooney, and
Elton John, Abdul Aziz maintained that those who viewed the sanctions as harsh had misinterpreted their intent. He highlighted that the aim was not to violate human rights but to discourage criminal behaviour. On 4 January 2014, Abdul Aziz responded to critics of the SPCO, claiming that their comments were made without proper understanding of Islamic law. He dismissed the objections of online human rights organisations opposing the law's implementation as ignorant. He also addressed the issue of the headscarf in a speech in
London, asserting that despite criticism, wearing the headscarf is a requirement in Islam, as prescribed by the Quran. Abdul Aziz praised Brunei’s decision to implement the alcohol ban, attributing blessings to the country. He concluded by urging students to prioritise regular prayers and Quranic study. In a talk at
International Islamic University Malaysia on 20 August, Abdul Aziz highlighted that non-Muslims often praise aspects of Syariah law, particularly the interest-free
Islamic banking system. He expressed disappointment at the confusion among Muslims, noting that ignorance of the law leads to division and weakens
Iman. He stressed that the key to overcoming this "faith crisis" is spreading accurate knowledge through speeches, publications, and talks. In 2015, amid
global counter-terrorism efforts, Abdul Aziz condemned
ISIS, stressing that Islam forbids bloodshed unless explicitly authorised by Syariah law. His firm stance reinforced Brunei's commitment to opposing extremist ideologies while upholding strict adherence to Islamic principles. == Literacy career ==