Jamil Al-Sufri | |
---|---|
جاميل الصوفري | |
1st Principal of Brunei History Centre | |
In office 26 January 1982 – 4 March 2021 | |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Hadi Melayong |
Member of Legislative Council | |
In office 1972–1976 | |
In office 1961–1961 | |
Monarch | Hassanal Bolkiah |
Personal details | |
Born | Kampong Ayer, Brunei Town, Brunei | 28 April 1921
Died | 4 March 2021 Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei | (aged 99)
Resting place | Rangas Cemetery |
Spouse | Siti Hara |
Children | 5 |
Parent(s) | Umar Rendah (father) Siti Aishah Jalil (mother) |
Relatives | Abdul Aziz Umar (half-brother) |
Occupation |
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Mohammad Jamil Al-Sufri bin Umar (28 April 1921 – 4 March 2021), pen name Wijaya,[1] was a nobleman, historian and teacher from Brunei who previously served as a member of the Royal Council, member of the Royal Succession Council, member of the Islamic Religious Council, and member of the Privy Council.[2] He has also been referred to as the National Historian.[3] He wrote works on the country's history, ancestry, customs and traditions, royal titles, Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), education, writings on Brunei heroes, and other topics.[4]
From 1 January 1939, through 31 December 1946, Jamil worked as a trainee teacher for the government of Brunei. After leaving the service, he was rehired and given the positions of director of the Language Board of Brunei from 1961 until 1964, and Director of the Language and Literature Bureau (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka) from 1977 to 1981. Since the Brunei History Centre's founding in 1982, he has served as its director till his death.[4] The late Pehin held a number of significant posts before Brunei achieved complete independence in 1984 and contributed to the development of Brunei. He also served on many councils, such as the Royal Succession Council (Majlis Mesyuarat Mengangkat Raja), and the Privy Council.[3]
The idea of creating a Federation of Malaysia to unite Malaya, the colony of Singapore, and the three British Borneo regions was put out in 1961 by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister of Malaya. At first, everyone was on board with the concept, but Brunei and Singapore would later back out. It was during the meeting between then Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and A.M. Azahari with Jamil in presence. He firmly held his ground on accusing A.M. Azahari of being a liar.[5]
At seven in the morning, the National Historian, who was 99 years old, passed away at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital on 4 March 2021.[6] At Kampong Mabohai in Bandar Seri Begawan, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah paid his final respects to Pehin Jamil on Wednesday morning of 4 March 2021. The funeral prayer was offered by the Sultan under the direction of Pehin Abdul Aziz Juned, the State Mufti.[3]
Pehin Jamil was born on 28 April 1921, also to a nobleman, Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Umar.[7] He married to Siti Hara Taha (died 2012), and together they have a daughter, Normah Suria Hayati, permanent secretary of Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.[8] Notably, he is also the half brother of Abdul Aziz Umar.[9]
Main article: Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei |
Jamil was given the manteri title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable) Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Diraja in 1968,[10] upgraded to Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja. He has earned the following honours;[2][11]