Omar Ali Saifuddin III
Encyclopedia
Al-Marhum Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Maulana Paduka Seri Begawan Al-Hajj
Sultan Sir
Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien III, GCVO
, KCMG
(23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986) was the 28th Sultan of Brunei
ruled from 4 June 1950 until his abdication from the throne on 4 October 1967. He was also the first Bruneian Minister of Defence. He was known as The Architect of Modern Brunei , The Royal Poet, The Father of Independence, and The Father of Brunei's Negara Zikir.
and Raja Isteri Fatimah. His older brother who would later become Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin
. His siblings were; Pengiran Muda Besar, Pengiran Muda Tengah, Pengiran Anak Puteri Besar, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddien, Pengiran Anak Puteri Tengah, Pengiran Anak Puteri Damit, Pengiran Muda Anum, Pengiran Muda Laila Gambar, and Pengiran Muda Bongsu.
Pengiran Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar
in Perak
, British Malaya
from 1932 to 1936. After finishing education in Malaya, he returned to Brunei in 1936 to work in the Forestry Department, Kuala Belait
as a Cadet Officer. In 1938, he was transferred to the Judiciary Department also in Kuala Belait
in 1937.
His first wife was Dayang Siti Amin binti Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Laila Diraja Awang Haji Hashim, but the couple had no children. On September 6, 1941, He married his cousin as his second wife, Pengiran Anak Damit binti Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman. She bore him 10 children, including the eldest being Hassanal Bolkiah
, the incumbent.
He had the title Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara conferred on him by his brother, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin
on 15 July 1947. He was subsequently appointed a member of Brunei State Council and Chairman of the Syariah Court
.
Upon the death of his brother
, who left no male heirs, on 4 June 1950, he was proclaimed the next Sultan on 6 June 1950. He was crowned as the Sultan Dan Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on 31 May 1951 in a glittering Coronation ceremony. In conjunction of the coronation, He was conferred with the Honorary Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On September 1951, upon becoming Sultan, He performed his first haj to the Holy Land, Mecca (He then performed his second haj in April 1962).
of $100,000,000.
The plan's aims included providing basic education to all districts; improving communication systems; raising the quality of medical and health services; increasing agricultural products as well as providing basic services such as roads, electricity and water to all the people.
written constitution
as the foundation of governance and the achievement of independence
from the United Kingdom
. On 9 June 1953, He was again conferred with the Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (K.C.M.G) which carries the title "SIR" from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Discussions with the British government culminated in the signing of Brunei's written constitution and the Brunei Agreement on 29 September 1959 at Lapau
, Bandar Seri Begawan
. Among other things, the constitution stipulated that Malay
and Islam
are, respectively, to be the official language and the official religion of Brunei. At the same time, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien consented to the formation of the Brunei Malay Regiment, which was elevated to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces
after independence. During His Reign, also, on September 1962, Partai Rakyat Brunei (P.R.B) led by A.M Azahari led a rebellion against Brunei Government because of Brunei's intention to join Malaysia. The rebellion was later crushed and P.R.B were defeated. One year after that, on July 1963, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III made the decision that Brunei was not to join Malaysia.
. After his abdication from the throne, he took the title of His Royal Highness Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan, a title he held until his death in 1986. He was conferred with the Honorary Grand Commander of the Victorian order (G.C.V.O) by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Brunei on 29 February 1972.
On 13 September 1979, his wife, Al-Marhumah Paduka Seri Suri Begawan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit died. After that, for the last time, he married Pengiran Bini Hajah Salhah binti Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman, who was also his sister in law. The couple, however, had no children.
A Surah Yassin book was published with the consent of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, to mark the 40th day of the passing away of his late father.
In recognition of his contributions, on October 1970, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
, had consented to rename Brunei Town, Brunei's capital to Bandar Seri Begawan
, after his father's title. Furthermore, several institutions and places in Brunei were named after him: the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
; Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College; the Seri Begawan Religious Teaching College; the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Institute of Islamic studies of Universiti Brunei Darussalam
; the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College; and the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien at the capital.
An annual Exhibition known as "Paduka Anakanda Julangan Kasih Ayahanda" was introduced in memory of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
Also, by the consent of his son, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Brunei Darussalam, organised an annual Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Memorial Lecture that started on 25 February 2009 to commemorate the late Highness who was indeed an exemplary statesman. In the first Memorial Lecture, Singapore's Minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew was invited to give a speech titled "The Legacy of Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien". The second memorial lecture was held on 7 October 2010 and the speech was given by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran (Dr.) Haji Mohd. Yusof bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim.
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
Sultan Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien III, GCVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, KCMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986) was the 28th Sultan of Brunei
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
ruled from 4 June 1950 until his abdication from the throne on 4 October 1967. He was also the first Bruneian Minister of Defence. He was known as The Architect of Modern Brunei , The Royal Poet, The Father of Independence, and The Father of Brunei's Negara Zikir.
Early life
Pengiran Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien was born at Istana Kota, Kampong Sultan Lama, Brunei Town on 3 Zulkaedah 1332 - 23 September 1914. He was the second of ten child of Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam IIMuhammad Jamalul Alam II
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam ibni al-Marhum Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin, KCMG was the 26th Sultan of Brunei Darussalam .He was the eldest son of Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin...
and Raja Isteri Fatimah. His older brother who would later become Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin
Ahmad Tajuddin
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddien ibni Almarhum Sir Sultan Mohammad Jamalul Alam II , KCMG, KBE was the 27th sultan of Brunei from September 11, 1924 until his death...
. His siblings were; Pengiran Muda Besar, Pengiran Muda Tengah, Pengiran Anak Puteri Besar, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddien, Pengiran Anak Puteri Tengah, Pengiran Anak Puteri Damit, Pengiran Muda Anum, Pengiran Muda Laila Gambar, and Pengiran Muda Bongsu.
Pengiran Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar
Malay College Kuala Kangsar
The Malay College Kuala Kangsar is a residential school in Malaysia. It is an all-boys and all-Malay school located in the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, Perak...
in Perak
Perak
Perak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
, British Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
from 1932 to 1936. After finishing education in Malaya, he returned to Brunei in 1936 to work in the Forestry Department, Kuala Belait
Kuala Belait
This article refers to the town of Kuala Belait. For the mukim of the same name, please refer to Kuala Belait, Belait. For district, please see Belait district.Kuala Belait |Jawi]]: )is a town located in South-West of Brunei...
as a Cadet Officer. In 1938, he was transferred to the Judiciary Department also in Kuala Belait
Kuala Belait
This article refers to the town of Kuala Belait. For the mukim of the same name, please refer to Kuala Belait, Belait. For district, please see Belait district.Kuala Belait |Jawi]]: )is a town located in South-West of Brunei...
in 1937.
His first wife was Dayang Siti Amin binti Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Laila Diraja Awang Haji Hashim, but the couple had no children. On September 6, 1941, He married his cousin as his second wife, Pengiran Anak Damit binti Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman. She bore him 10 children, including the eldest being Hassanal Bolkiah
Hassanal Bolkiah
General Haji Sir Hassan al-Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah GCB GCMG is the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the 29th Sultan of Brunei and the first Prime Minister of Brunei Darussalam...
, the incumbent.
He had the title Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara conferred on him by his brother, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin
Ahmad Tajuddin
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddien ibni Almarhum Sir Sultan Mohammad Jamalul Alam II , KCMG, KBE was the 27th sultan of Brunei from September 11, 1924 until his death...
on 15 July 1947. He was subsequently appointed a member of Brunei State Council and Chairman of the Syariah Court
Syariah Court
Syariah refers to Sharia law in Islamic religious law and deals with exclusively Islamic laws, having jurisdiction upon every Muslim in Malaysia. The dual-system of law in Malaysia is provided for in Article 121 of the Constitution of Malaysia. The Syariah Court system is one of the two separate...
.
Upon the death of his brother
Ahmad Tajuddin
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddien ibni Almarhum Sir Sultan Mohammad Jamalul Alam II , KCMG, KBE was the 27th sultan of Brunei from September 11, 1924 until his death...
, who left no male heirs, on 4 June 1950, he was proclaimed the next Sultan on 6 June 1950. He was crowned as the Sultan Dan Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on 31 May 1951 in a glittering Coronation ceremony. In conjunction of the coronation, He was conferred with the Honorary Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On September 1951, upon becoming Sultan, He performed his first haj to the Holy Land, Mecca (He then performed his second haj in April 1962).
Role as Sultan
In the early era of his rule, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien focused on raising Brunei's standard of living. His top priority was providing adequate education. Several primary and secondary schools were built throughout the nation to ensure that all citizens could attend formal schooling. A free-food scheme was introduced in rural schools and students with distinction results were sent abroad for higher education. In 1953, he introduced the first national development plan with an allocationAllocation
Allocation may refer to:* Computers** Delayed allocation** Block allocation map** FAT** IP address allocation** Memory allocation** C++ allocators** No-write allocation ** Register allocation* Economics** Economic system** Asset allocation...
of $100,000,000.
The plan's aims included providing basic education to all districts; improving communication systems; raising the quality of medical and health services; increasing agricultural products as well as providing basic services such as roads, electricity and water to all the people.
Creation of Constitution
In 1952 Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien worked for the implementation of the BruneiBrunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
written constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
as the foundation of governance and the achievement of independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. On 9 June 1953, He was again conferred with the Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (K.C.M.G) which carries the title "SIR" from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Discussions with the British government culminated in the signing of Brunei's written constitution and the Brunei Agreement on 29 September 1959 at Lapau
Lapau
The Lapau is located in Bandar Seri Begawan, across the Royal Regalia Building and the Brunei History Centre. It is the ceremonial hall where the royal ceremonies of Brunei are traditionally held. In this place, beneath the interior's golden-domed ceiling, that the present Sultan of Brunei, Sultan...
, Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar Seri Begawan, with an estimated population 140,000 , is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Brunei...
. Among other things, the constitution stipulated that Malay
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
and Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
are, respectively, to be the official language and the official religion of Brunei. At the same time, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien consented to the formation of the Brunei Malay Regiment, which was elevated to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces
Royal Brunei Armed Forces
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces was formed on 31 May 1961. Known as the Askar Melayu Brunei, it was honoured with the royal title on 31 May 1965, when the word 'Diraja' was added to the title. It was then known as Askar Melayu Diraja Brunei,...
after independence. During His Reign, also, on September 1962, Partai Rakyat Brunei (P.R.B) led by A.M Azahari led a rebellion against Brunei Government because of Brunei's intention to join Malaysia. The rebellion was later crushed and P.R.B were defeated. One year after that, on July 1963, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III made the decision that Brunei was not to join Malaysia.
Abdication
After ruling for 17 years, on 4 October 1967, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien willingly abdicated in favour of his eldest son, Sultan Haji Hassanal BolkiahHassanal Bolkiah
General Haji Sir Hassan al-Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah GCB GCMG is the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the 29th Sultan of Brunei and the first Prime Minister of Brunei Darussalam...
. After his abdication from the throne, he took the title of His Royal Highness Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan, a title he held until his death in 1986. He was conferred with the Honorary Grand Commander of the Victorian order (G.C.V.O) by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Brunei on 29 February 1972.
On 13 September 1979, his wife, Al-Marhumah Paduka Seri Suri Begawan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit died. After that, for the last time, he married Pengiran Bini Hajah Salhah binti Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman, who was also his sister in law. The couple, however, had no children.
Brunei's Independence
Brunei achieved its independence on 1 January 1984 as promised by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien. On that day, he led his people the calling of "Allahu-Akhbar" three times immediately after the proclamation of Independence of Brunei Darussalam. Although he had abdicated, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien continued to play an important role as a mentor to his son. was elected as the first Brunei Defence Minister, and consequently conferred the rank of Field Marshal General in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.Death
Finally, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien died on 7 September 1986, several weeks before his 72nd birthday. His death was a great loss for the nation, and the announcement upon his death shocked all the people who loved him. The next day, his body was laid in state at the "Lapau" (the former Legislative Building at Bandar Seri Begawan) before being moved to nearby Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque for a funeral prayer. A casket draped with his royal standard flag was placed on a hand drown carriage for the funeral procession around the Capital. After that, his body was brought to the Royal Mausoleum, Jalan Tutong where he was laid to rest beside his wife, Paduka Seri Suri Begawan.A Surah Yassin book was published with the consent of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, to mark the 40th day of the passing away of his late father.
Legacies
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien is known as the Architect of Modern Brunei.In recognition of his contributions, on October 1970, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Hassanal Bolkiah
General Haji Sir Hassan al-Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah GCB GCMG is the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the 29th Sultan of Brunei and the first Prime Minister of Brunei Darussalam...
, had consented to rename Brunei Town, Brunei's capital to Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar Seri Begawan, with an estimated population 140,000 , is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Brunei...
, after his father's title. Furthermore, several institutions and places in Brunei were named after him: the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is a royal Islamic mosque located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. The mosque is one of the most spectacular mosques in the Asia Pacific and a major landmark and tourist attraction of Brunei....
; Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College; the Seri Begawan Religious Teaching College; the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Institute of Islamic studies of Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
University of Brunei Darussalam is Brunei's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered.-History:...
; the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College; and the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien at the capital.
An annual Exhibition known as "Paduka Anakanda Julangan Kasih Ayahanda" was introduced in memory of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
Also, by the consent of his son, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Brunei Darussalam, organised an annual Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Memorial Lecture that started on 25 February 2009 to commemorate the late Highness who was indeed an exemplary statesman. In the first Memorial Lecture, Singapore's Minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew was invited to give a speech titled "The Legacy of Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien". The second memorial lecture was held on 7 October 2010 and the speech was given by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran (Dr.) Haji Mohd. Yusof bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim.
Titles
- 1914–1947: Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda
- 1947–1950: Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Bendahara
- 1950–1967: Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan
- 1967–1984: Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan
- 1984–1986: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan