Reign
Succession
Sultan Hussin Kamaluddin subsequently gave Pengiran Muda Tengah Omar Ali Saifuddin the sultanate of Brunei. In 1740, Pengiran Muda Tengah Omar Ali Saifuddin assumed the title of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin I.[3] According to Sir Hugh Low, the new Sultan was still very young when he ascended the throne. It appears that the restoration go the Bendahara line and the end of the so-called legitimate or usurper rule coincided with the ascension to the throne of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin I. On the other hand, Spanish accounts claimed that the deceased Sultan obviously had no legal son, whereas Brunei sources Sisilah Raja-Raja Brunei and Batu Tarsilah assert that Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin I was the heir.[4]
Manila conflict
After Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin learned about the situation in Manila of the Philippines, due to it being Bruneian territory, he was not pleased. As a result, he gave command to attack Sultan Alimuddin in Manila with his forces under the command of Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela Awang Aliwaddin in 1769.[5] The mission didn't arrive in Manila until 1769 because the expedition's preparations took so long. Sultan Alimuddin had already departed Manila for Sulu, therefore Manila was under Spanish rule when the siege began.[6] The siege would go on to be a success as Manila was captured by the Brunei sultanate.[7]
Sabah conflict
The conflict over North Borneo, also known as Sabah, began after which a promise made by Sultan Muhyiddin to the Sultan of Sulu after Sulu helped him win the Brunei Civil War that went in his favor. Sulu attacked Brunei in 1771 after he had become severely weakened. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin signed a deal with the British Empire in June 1774 to secure outside support. The British were looking for a storehouse along the way to Canton and received exclusive rights to the pepper trade in exchange for their military assistance.[8] When Sulu despatch a force under the command of Datu Teting to attack Balambangan in 1775, its leaders sought safety in Labuan after the British quickly established a presence in Brunei.[8] When the two forces clashed, Datu Teting surrendered and his troops fled back to Sulu after learning that the warriors of Brunei, led by Pengiran Temenggong Ampa, were far too strong for them to defeat.[9][2] Thomas Forrest visited Brunei in February 1776.[5] Despite Labuan's offer, the British left Brunei in 1777 due to the financial collapse of Balambangan, losing the entire East India Company.[8][10]
Abdication
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin I ruled until the year 1778. He abdicated his position in favour of his son, Pengiran Muda Besar Muhammad Tajuddin, later known as Sultan Muhammad Tajuddin, being the heir.[3][11]
After death, he was buried at the Kubah Makam Di Raja in Bandar Seri Begawan.
