| Omar Ali Saifuddien III | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Omar Ali Saifuddien III in 1961 | |
| Sultan of Brunei | |
| Reign | 4 June 1950 – 5 October 1967 |
| Coronation | 31 May 1951 |
| Predecessor | Ahmad Tajuddin |
| Successor | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Minister of Defence Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces | |
| In office 1 January 1984 – 7 September 1986 | |
| Monarch | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Born | Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien 23 September 1914 Istana Kota, Brunei Town, Brunei |
| Died | 7 September 1986 (aged 71) Istana Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei |
| Burial | 8 September 1986 Kubah Makam Di Raja, Brunei Town, Brunei |
| Spouse | Dayang Siti Amin
(m. 1937; div. 1944)Pengiran Anak Hajah Salhah
(m. 1980) |
| Issue | List
|
| Father | Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II |
| Mother | Pengiran Anak Siti Fatimah |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| Signature |  |
Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien (23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986) was the 28th Sultan of Brunei, reigning from 1950 until his abdication in 1967.
He was also Brunei's first Minister of Defence after the country's independence. He was known as "The Architect of Modern Brunei",[1][2] "The Royal Poet",[2] and "The Father of Independence".[2] During his reign, three chief ministers were appointed according to the Constitution. They were Ibrahim Mohammed Jaafar,[3] Marsal Maun,[4] and Yura Halim.[5]
Pengiran Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien was born at Istana Kota, Kampong Sultan Lama, Brunei Town on 23 September 1914.[6] He was the second son of Muhammad Jamalul Alam II and Raja Isteri Fatimah.[7] Omar Ali Saifuddien, under the behest of his British mentor and father-figure Sir Roland Evelyn Turnbull, studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) in Perak, British Malaya from 1932 to 1936. As a result, he was the first of the Brunei sultans to receive formal education in a foreign institution.[8]
After completing education in Malaya, he returned to Brunei in 1936 to work in the Forestry Department, as a Cadet Officer. In 1937, he was transferred to the Judiciary Department, also became an administrative officer in 1938.[7] During the Japanese occupation of Brunei from 1941 until 1945, Omar Ali Saifuddien worked under State Secretary Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar.[7] After the Second World War, in 1947, he was subsequently appointed a member of Brunei State Council and chairman of the Syariah Court.[9] He had the title Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara conferred on him by his brother, Ahmad Tajuddin on 15 July 1947.
Upon the sudden death of his brother in Singapore, who left no male heirs, on 4 June 1950, he was proclaimed the next Sultan on 6 June 1950. Omar Ali Saifuddien was crowned as the Sultan Dan Yang Di-Pertuan in the Old Lapau on 31 May 1951. In conjunction of the coronation, he was conferred with the Honorary Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) by Queen Elizabeth II.[7] In September 1951, upon becoming Sultan, he performed his first pilgrimage to Mecca.[10] He also attended the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, London on 2 June 1953. On 9 June 1953, he was conferred with the Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (KCMG) by Queen Elizabeth II.[11]
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Main article: Constitution of Brunei |
In 1952 the Sultan worked for the implementation of the constitution as the foundation of governance and the achievement of independence from the United Kingdom.
In July 1953, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III formed a seven-member committee named Tujuh Serangkai to find out the citizens’ views regarding a written constitution for Brunei. In May 1954, a meeting attended by the Sultan, the Resident and the High Commissioner was held to discuss the findings of the committee. In March 1959 the Sultan led a delegation to London to discuss the proposed constitution.[12] The British delegation was led by Alan Lennox-Boyd, 1st Viscount Boyd of Merton who was the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The British Government later accepted the draft constitution.
On 29 September 1959, the Constitution Agreement was signed in Brunei Town. The agreement was signed by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Sir Robert Scott, the Commissioner-General for Southeast Asia.[13] Some of the points of the constitution were:[14]
Five councils were also set up:[15]
...The success which we had get in this year (1959) had attract and made us happy, especially as a victory which our people had dreamed of, that is the Written Constitution for Brunei. With this Constitution, our country now faced one great change. With the enforcement of this Written Constitution, which, hopefully, can be enforced, this mean Brunei will had its internal self government.
— Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, on his Titah on his 43rd Birthday celebration on 23 September 1959
The First National Development plan was introduced in 1953.[16] A total sum of B$100 million was approved by the Brunei State Council for the plan. E.R. Bevington from the Colonial Office in Fiji.[17] A $14 million Gas Plant was built under the plan. In 1954, survey and exploration works were undertaken by Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) on both offshore and onshore fields. By 1956, production reached 114,700 bpd. He had launched the first delivery of a 10-inch oil pipeline from the seabed off the coast of the Seria oil field on 28 October 1964.
Developments on education were made, as well as a written policy on education in 1952.[17] By 1958, expenditure on education totaled $4 million.[17] Communications were also improved with new roads built and reconstruction works at Berakas Airport being completed at 1954.[18]
The Second National Development Plan was launched in 1962.[18] A major oil and gas field was discovered in 1963, with this discovery, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) became important. Developments in the oil and gas sector has continued actively and oil production has steadily increased since then.[19] The plan also saw an increase of production of meat and eggs. The fishing industry increased its output by 25% throughout the course of the plan. A deepwater Muara Port was also constructed under the plan. Power requirements were met and studies were made to provide electricity to rural areas.[19] Efforts were made to eradicate malaria, with the help of the World Health Organization, under the plan. Efforts were successful, bringing the down the cases of malaria from 300 cases in 1953 to only 66 cases in 1959.[20] The death rate was also brought down from 20 per thousand in 1947 to 11.3 per thousand in 1953.[20] This has been attributed to public sanitation and improvement of drainage and the provision of piped pure water to the population.[20]
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Main article: 1962 Bruneian district council election |
Brunei's first state election was held on 30 and 31 August 1962. This was to elect members to sit in the Brunei Legislative Council. These elected members would then be involved in discussions of governmental policies. Despite this, the Sultan still held absolute power and authority in the government.[21]
Among the political parties which contested in the election were Brunei People's Party (PRB), Barisan Nasional Organisation (BNO), and Brunei United Party (BUP). The polling went on for two days on 30 and 31 August 1962. The Brunei People's Party won the election.[21]
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Main article: Brunei Revolt |
When Tunku Abdul Rahman, the prime minister of the Federation of Malaya announced his proposal for a merger of Singapore, North Borneo, Sarawak, and Brunei, Omar Ali Saifuddien saw this as an opportunity for Brunei to achieve independence from British influence. He sent a congratulatory telegraph to Tunku Abdul Rahman, showing his support for the merger.[22] For him, Brunei as a small country, still needed a protection of a larger country; the only way to achieve this was by merging with Malaysia and the rest of the states. This view was also shared by Lee Kuan Yew, the then-prime minister of Singapore.[23][24]
The PRB, including its leader who had considerable popular support, A. M. Azahari was against the merger. According to them, if Brunei was to join the Federation, Brunei would not have achieve full independence as it was viewed as a transfer of power from Britain to Malaya. On 8 December 1962, the PRB led a rebellion against the government. With British military aid deployed from Singapore, the rebellion was later crushed and the PRB were defeated.[25] Notably, the 2nd Gurkha Rifles was sent to Brunei in 1962, the year the Brunei Revolt started. Omar Ali Saifuddien III and his son, Hassanal Bolkiah was saved from his palace by Digby Willoughby and a small group of Gurkha soldiers, earning the Sultan's unwavering gratitude.[26]
After the rebellion, the discussion of joining the proposed North Borneo Federation continued. Omar Ali Saifuddien sent a delegation to attend meetings of the Malaysian Solidarity Consolidation Committee (MSCC). The views of the people were sought by the committee, which was chaired by Chief Minister of Brunei Marsal Maun.[27]
In 1963, a meeting was held to discuss the prospect of Brunei joining Malaysia. They failed to reach an agreement on the issues of Brunei's oil revenue and federal rights to taxation. Even the initial date for the federation (which was 31 August 1963) was postponed to 16 September, no agreement was reached between the two sides.[28]
Upon his ascension to the throne, Omar Ali Saifuddien also became the head of the Islamic religion in the country.[29] One important contribution of the Sultan was to regularise Islamic administration in Brunei. In 1948, a religious council, comprising the Mohammedan Religious Advisers was formed. Due to the Sultan's initiative, the council met for the first time on 31 January 1948. He himself was appointed chairman of this council. After examining several laws on Islamic affairs in the Malay Peninsula, the board made new proposals regarding the religious administration in Brunei.[29]
According to his speech during the Opening Ceremony of the Shariah Council,
The purpose of the Shariah Council is to develop policies and teachings of Islam and to promote and defend the sovereignty of the holy religion of Islam. With the purposes of which are embedded in the minds of all of us, God-willing, Islam will be stepped-up, developed, keel and wide.
— Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III
He was also responsible for the formation of the Department of Religious Affairs on 1 July 1954. The department was responsible for all the important decisions made on Islam in Brunei. All aspects of Islamic activities such as community life, laws, education, missionary activities and social administration were supervised by these two religious bodies.[30]
As Bendahara, he also criticize Sir Charles Vyner Brooke's action ceding Sarawak to Great Britain without consulting the Sultan of Brunei who had absolute rights to be consulted.
Upon his accession to the Throne, Omar Ali Saifuddien maintain his predecessor's stance that all territories that had been taken from Brunei such as Labuan and Limbang be return to Brunei. Although Sarawak and Sabah had been a long time ago separated from Brunei, he fought for the possible reunification of the two territories with the Sultanate. Despite having abdicated, in 1974, he maintain his refusal to recognize Limbang as part of the State of Sarawak and he also did not recognize Limbang as part of the Federation of Malaysia.[35]
After ruling for 17 years, on 4 October 1967, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien willingly abdicated in favour of his eldest son, Crown Prince Hassanal Bolkiah.[36] At the time of the announcement, the Crown Prince was in England, training as a cadet at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. The Prince returned immediately to Brunei.
Whereas I am happy to tell from the feelings of my word in declaring to the Government and all the citizens and residents of Brunei is that I will abdicate the Throne on 4 October 1967 is fixed and final and irrevocable.
— Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III announced his abdication on 4 October 1967
The President of the Council declared that on 4 October 1967, His Royal Highness Maulana Al Sultan Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien has, pursuant to Chapter 19 of the Proclamation of the Coronation of King and Regent in 1950, declared that his intention cannot be withdrawn, to retire from the throne. The National Assembly, in its conference session on 4 October 1967 confirms the installation of His Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Hassanal Bolkiah, the Crown Prince as the rightful heir under the law to His greatness as the Sultan of Brunei.
— Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Haji Muhammad Yusof bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim, on 5 October 1967
After his abdication, his eldest son, Crown Prince Hassanal Bolkiah ascended the throne to become the 29th Sultan of Brunei on 4 October 1967 at Istana Darul Hana.[37] It was then he was referred to as Seri Begawan Sultan (Retired Sultan).[7]
The coronation ceremony began with the flying of the yellow flag at Bukit Panggal and the red flag at Bukit Sungai Kebun in February 1968. The announcement was also made throughout the country by Radio Brunei.[38] The new Sultan rode to his coronation at the Lapau Building on 1 August 1968, on a royal carriage drawn by fifty specially selected soldiers of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment.[39]
Omar Ali Saifuddien placed the crown on the head of his son, and handed him the Keris si-Naga, symbol of supreme royal power in Brunei. Following this he removed his ceremonial sabre, swearing loyalty to his son as head of state and religion. Like his father before him, the new Sultan took vows to maintain peace and prosperity of the nation. He also promised to improve the standard of living of his subjects through various development projects and the protect and uphold Islam and Brunei's customs and traditions.[39] After the crowning ceremony, the new Sultan proceeded in procession through the capital, passing lines of school children cheering Daulat Tuanku (Long live my King).[40]
Among the foreign dignitaries who attended the ceremony were, the prime minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, the Malaysian prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and the British High Commissioner to Brunei, A.R. Adair, who represented Queen Elizabeth II.
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After his abdication from the throne at the age of 53, he took the title of Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan (referred to the former sultan after the abdication), a title he held until his death in 1986.[7] He was conferred with the Honorary Grand Commander of the Victorian Order (GCVO) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Brunei on 29 February 1972.[41]
At the stroke of midnight on 31 December 1983 in a public event held at the Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien Park, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah officially proclaimed that Brunei Darussalam had achieved its independence and sovereignty after 97 years of British protection. Soon after the reading of the declaration, Omar Ali Saifuddien led masses of people chanting Allahu Akbar (God is Great) three times. This was followed by the singing of the national anthem, a 21-gun salute by the Royal Brunei Land Forces and a prayer was read by the State Mufti for God to bless the newly independent nation.[42]
Although he had abdicated 17 years ago and Brunei had achieved its independence, he continued to play an important role after his appointed by the Sultan as Minister of Defence in Brunei's first cabinet ministers and consequently conferred the rank of Field Marshal in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.[43][44]
He also welcomed the arrival of Yasser Arafat, the Chairman of Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) on his official visit to Brunei on 26 July 1984.[45] Additionally, he granted audience from both Commander Thomas Anthony Boam and Commander L. B. Moerdani in 1985.[46]
Omar Ali Saifuddien died on 7 September 1986 at the age of 71. It was reported that he has been sick for weeks prior to his death.[47] He was granted a state funeral the following day, which Radio Television Brunei covered, proceeded by a lying in state at the Istana Nurul Iman. Prior to being taken to the neighboring Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque for a funeral prayer, his body was first placed in state at the Lapau. His royal standard flag was put over the coffin, which was pulled by a horse during the funeral procession throughout the capital. Along with his wife, father, Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II, grandfather, Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin, and eldest brother and immediate predecessor Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin, he was laid to rest at Bandar Seri Begawan's Kubah Makam Di Raja.[48]
... As a son of a dear father, I still feel the feelings of sadness and grief, and will always be felt, which is not limited to a period of time. Because his death is a great loss for me and my family. Moreover, he is not only a father who always pour a friendly affection to his children, he always gave me advice up to the end of his life.
— Hassanal Bolkiah, in his speech broadcast by Radio Television Brunei, October 20, 1986
Notable state dignitaries and foreign leaders whom attended the funeral were:[49]
Several foreign leaders had attended the funeral and given their quotes about Omar Ali Saifuddien.
I know the Paduka Seri (Sir Omar) since 1959. My late father was so close to him. I also highly respect him because to me he was a brilliant man
— Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, in an interview with Utusan Malaysia journalist, 25 April 1984
The Late Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien III is a honourable special friend to Britain. His death were deeply felt by the United Kingdom.
The Late Highness had a vision, for sightedness and wise leadership coupled with his outstanding services to his people.
The Late Highness had a unique position in the history of Brunei and in the hearts of all who knew him in Britain.
He was a keen admirer of the wartime British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill.[53] It housed the only museum in the whole world devoted exclusively to the former British prime minister. Now that Churchill's famed Victory sign monument, which stood at about 8 feet (2.4 m) tall.[54] In 1971, his admiration became clear when his son opened the world's only museum solely dedicated to Winston Churchill and it was named the Churchill Memorial Building, Bandar Seri Begawan which costed an estimated $5 million.[55] The opening ceremony was attended by Churchill's daughter Mary Soames.[56] Since its opening, it had been a notable tourist attraction in Brunei and also became well known throughout Southeast Asia.[57] In 1992, in conjunction with Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's Ascension to the Throne celebrations, the memorial had become the Royal Brunei Regalia Building.[53] The monument is now in storage.[54] Also in 2017, the building was renamed to Royal Regalia Museum in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee.
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His first wife was Dayang Siti Amin binti Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Laila Diraja Awang Haji Hashim, but the couple had no children and later divorced in 1944. On 6 September 1941, he married his cousin as his second wife, Pengiran Anak Damit binti Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman. She was the great-granddaughter of Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin. They had 10 children:
On 13 September 1979, his wife, Paduka Suri Seri Begawan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit died. After that, for the last time, he married Pengiran Bini Pengiran Anak Hajah Salhah binti Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman, who was also his sister-in-law.
Omar Ali Saifuddien was close to his first grandson, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Wadood Bolkiah, the eldest son of his eldest daughter, Princess Masna Bolkiah and her husband Pengiran Anak Abdul Aziz. Abdul Wadood accompanied his grandfather during his official and unofficial visits.
He had an interest in writing poems. Apart from that, he was also known for designing the national medals. He also made a design of flowers on his clothes, the "Tenunan Brunei" which he wore on several occasions. Also, he was interested in self-defence martial arts such as silat and kuntao.[59]
The honours given to him is as follows:[64]
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Main article: Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei |
Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB)
Family Order of Laila Utama (DK) – Dato Laila Utama
Order of Setia Negara Brunei First Class (PSNB) – Dato Seri Setia.png){kind=small}
Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB) – Dato Seri Paduka
Order of Islam Brunei First Class (PSSUB) – Dato Paduka Seri Setia
Order of Paduka Laila Jasa Keberanian Gemilang First Class (DPKG) – Dato Paduka Seri
Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang First Class (DPKT) – Dato Paduka Seri
Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei First Class (PSPNB) – Dato Seri Pahlawan
Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa First Class (PSLJ) – Dato Paduka Seri Laila Jasa
Order of Perwira Agong Negara Brunei First Class (PANB)
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)
General Service Medal (Armed Forces)[65]
Police Long Service Medal (PKLP)[65].jpg){kind=small}
Long Service Medal (PKL)[65]
United Kingdom :
Honorary Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) (1 May 1951)[66] Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) (9 June 1953)[67]
Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (2 June 1953)
Malaya:
_-_DMN.svg){kind=small}
Honorary Recipient of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (DMN) (25 April 1958)[68]
Johor:
First Class of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I) (11 February 1960)
Sultan Ibrahim Diamond Jubilee Medal (1955)[65]
Selangor:
First Class of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK I) (1961)[69]
Sultan Salahuddin Silver Jubilee Medal (3 September 1985)
