Omar Ali Saifuddien III

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Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Malay name Template:Infobox royalty Omar Ali Saifuddien III Sa'adul Khairi WaddienTemplate:Efn (23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986) was Sultan of Brunei, reigning from 1950 until his abdication in 1967.

Early life and education

Omar Ali Saifuddien, born as Pengiran Muda Tengah,Template:Efn was born at Istana Kota, a palace in Kampong Sultan Lama, Brunei Town (present-day Bandar Seri Begawan) on 23 September 1914.Template:EfnTemplate:Sfn He was the seventh child out of ten of Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II and Raja Isteri Fatimah.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Following his birth, Pengiran Sharbanun binti Pengiran Muhammad raised him along with his older sister, Pengiran Anak Puteri Besar.Template:Sfn Like the other royal children of Brunei, he received an education centred on Islamic customs, etiquette, and good manners in the palace.Template:Sfn

Omar Ali Saifuddien's behaviour and traits from a young age aligned with Islamic teachings. He began learning to read the Quran at the age of ten, under the guidance of tutors, and successfully completed his studies, performing forty formal recitations.Template:EfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn It was customary for the princes and princesses of the royal family to study under various Quranic scholars to receive their blessings and favour. In his teenage years, Omar Ali Saifudden continued his religious education, deepening his understanding of Islamic law.Template:EfnTemplate:Sfn One of his most influential mentors was Abdul Mokti Nasar, whose teachings shaped his vision for modernising Brunei's religious institutions and strengthening the role of Islam in governance.Template:Sfn Regular instructors for him included Pengiran Abdul Rahim, a specialist in Islamic customs and ceremonies and knowledgeable about the faith.Template:Sfn

At the palace, he was instructed in English language, religious knowledge, customs, and traditions while he was in the palace. Pengiran Abdul Rahim, Shaykh Haji Abdul Halim, and T. F. Stalley were among his tutors. During this time, he studied Dikir Brunei (now called Dikir Saraful Anam), a form of traditional Bruneian vocal performance or chant,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> every day after supper until he became an expert in it.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn He had only four years of formal education.Template:Sfn

On the recommendation of Thomas Carey, the British Resident,Template:Sfn the 18-year-old prince enrolled together with two of his cousins, Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam and Pengiran Anak Abdul Kahar, at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar in Perak, British Malaya, which he attended from 1932 to 1936.Template:Sfn Haji Abdul Rahim accompanied him to the college.Template:Sfn He was the first of the Bruneian sultans to receive formal education at a foreign institution.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Early adulthood

In 1936, just one week after arriving in Brunei Town from Malaya, Omar Ali Saifuddien was invited by Roland Evelyn Turnbull, the British Resident, to Kuala Belait to work as a cadet officerTemplate:Sfn in the Forestry Department. After one week in Kuala Belait, he, along with Awang Abdul Hamid, Awang Maidin, and Awang Ludin, relocated to Bukit Puan, where they spent three months surveying the forest reserve. He got to know the forestry industry by working with Dusun, Belait, Tutong, and Iban labourers. Subsequently, he received invitations to work in locations including Bukit Sawat, Pengkalan Siong, Kuala Melayan, Sukang, Melilas, and Ingai.Template:Sfn

In 1937, he was transferred to the Judiciary Department, where he became an administrative officer in 1938.Template:Sfn He was instructed by Hughes Hallet, the Assistant British Resident in Kuala Belait, to examine the Criminal Procedure Code that was in effect in Brunei. Omar Ali Saifudden felt dedicated to implementing the law's provisions. He returned to Brunei Town, originally planning to relax, but instead studying Islam. During the Japanese occupation of Brunei from 1941 until 1945, he was employed by State Secretary Ibrahim Mohammad JahfarTemplate:Sfn at Template:Lang.Template:Efn Under his supervision, he was encouraged to familiarise himself with the Criminal Procedure Code, which he had started to learn at Kuala Belait.Template:Sfn

In 1947, after the end of the Japanese occupation, he was appointed a member of the State Council and chairman of the Syariah Court.Template:Sfn He had the Wazir title Template:Lang conferred on him by his brother, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin, on 15 July 1947.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Following his appointment as Wazir, he frequently traveled to Brunei's interior regions to get insight into the population's lives and customs. Following each trip to the interior, he prepared reports that he sent to the Sultan. He also provided the British Resident with these reports to address the issues raised. Omar Ali Saifudden said that the government always acted with his suggestions, especially when Eric Ernest Falk Pretty was serving as the British Resident.Template:Sfn

One early contribution of Omar Ali Saifuddien was to regularise Islamic administration in Brunei. A religious council, the Mohammedan Religious Advisers, was formed. Due to his initiative, the council met for the first time on 31 January 1948. He himself was appointed its chairman. After examining laws on Islamic affairs in the Malay Peninsula, the board made proposals regarding the religious administration in Brunei.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref>

Reign

Accession and coronation

Template:Multiple image Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin died suddenly in Singapore, leaving no male heirs, on 4 June 1950. Omar Ali Saifuddien was proclaimed by Pengiran Anak Muhammad Yasin as the next Sultan at the Government Office's hall on 6 June 1950.Template:Sfn Omar Ali Saifuddien embraced his new role and asserted his authority by directing his late brother's burial at the Royal Mausoleum upriver, contrary to the preference of the late Sultan's widow, Tengku Raihani.Template:Sfn Upon his ascension to the throne, Omar Ali Saifuddien also became the head of the Islamic religion in the country.<ref name=":2" />

At 2:30 p.m., Pretty formally declared him as Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and the 28th sultan of Brunei, with the decision's origin remaining unclear between Sarawak's Governor Anthony Abell and Brunei's State Council. Pretty had installed Omar Ali Saifuddien as sultan "against significant local opposition." During a news conference held in Singapore early on 7 June 1950, Gerard MacBryan stated that the intended coronation of Omar Ali Saifuddin would not be possible without the elements of the Brunei royal regalia Pretty had obtained.Template:Sfn

Omar Ali Saifuddien was crowned as the Template:Lang in the Lapau on 31 May 1951.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn In conjunction with the coronation, he was conferred with the Honorary Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George by Elizabeth II.Template:Sfn He performed the Hajj pilgrimage in September of the same year.Template:Sfn

Early reign and educational reforms

Omar Ali Saifuddien, Template:Circa

Omar Ali Saifuddien sent locals to study overseas as one of his initiatives to raise the aptitude of the country's student body. Three Malay fifth-graders were transferred to Singapore's Al-Juned Arabic School in 1950. This number went up every year.Template:Sfn Omar Ali Saifuddien later attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, London on 2 June 1953.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He supported initiatives aimed at improving the people’s livelihood through national development programs, which were reported to enhance welfare and quality of life.Template:Sfn

The Bruneian government spent B$10.65 million on educational issues. In 1954, this policy on education was first presented. The equipment of educational institutions, including secondary schools, adult education, and vocational training, was to be determined by this policy. The English-language Raja Isteri Girls' High School in Brunei Town was finished in 1957, but only went up to Form 3. The school's children went to Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College to sit for Forms 4 and 5 after completing the Lower Secondary Certificate Examination. Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School in Brunei Town, Muda Hashim Secondary School in Tutong, and Sultan Hassan Secondary School in Temburong were the secondary schools that were finished in 1966.Template:Sfn

The Department of Religious Affairs was established on 1 July 1954, by the Sultan.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The plan included aspects of Islam including legal issues, educational issues, religious message–related activities, and social administration. Two religious officials from Johor, Ismail Omar Abdul Aziz and Othman Mohammad Said, were brought to Brunei on 25 September 1954.Template:Sfn The Bruneian government started holding an evening religious school in September 1956. Additionally, the government began providing scholarships to a limited number of students to pursue further education overseas at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt;Template:Efn Islamic College in Klang; and Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah in Singapore.Template:Sfn

On 11 October 1956, seven religious schools were established in Brunei on the premises of both Malay and English schools, based on the religious officers' suggestions. Nine religious instructors who were invited from Johor were involved in the religious studies program. The religious schools opened in the afternoon, after Zuhur. These religious schools were administered by the Department of Religious Affairs, and their director and administrator were the highest ranking officials in the department.Template:Sfn

Constitutional journey of Brunei

Omar Ali Saifuddien formed a royal commission to get feedback from locals in various regions, which was the first step towards drafting a written constitution for Brunei. The commission, which had seven appointed members and was called the Template:Lang.Template:Sfn It was tasked with gathering public feedback, creating a report, and offering Omar Ali Saifuddien advice on creating district councils, reorganising the State Council, and creating the Constitution.Template:Sfn The Template:Lang created a report detailing the public's support for Omar Ali Saifuddien's constitutional goals after touring all districts of Brunei. Under his direction, Brunei's constitution was drafted based on their findings, and on 23 March 1954, the Template:Lang presented a 50-page report to him.Template:Sfn

The first draft of Brunei's constitution, prepared by Abell and his colleagues, protected Brunei's sovereignty and aligned with the objectives of the constitutional committee. Abell, the Sultan, and his two wazirs, Pengiran Muda Hashim and Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam, met with British Resident John Orman Gilbert from 16 to 17 December 1954 at Istana Darul Hana. These negotiations led to minor amendments, which were submitted to the Colonial Office and unanimously accepted.Template:Sfn District Advisory Councils were subsequently established in each of the four districts in 1955.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn By mid-1955, Omar Ali Saifuddien's insistence on securing positions for his wazirs in the Legislative Council (LegCo) and Executive Council complicated the constitutional drafting process and disrupted British plans for parliamentary reorganisation.Template:Sfn

In 1956, the Brunei People's Party (PRB), led by A. M. Azahari, gained popularity for supporting Omar Ali Saifuddien's role as a constitutional monarch while advocating independence through constitutional means. Although the Colonial authorities endorsed some of the PRB's goals, they deemed its demands for equal pay, worker welfare, ministerial governance, and public elections too extreme.Template:Sfn Omar Ali Saifuddien's firm resistance to British proposals to limit his powers and turn him into a constitutional monarch strengthened his resolve to maintain local control, leading to major revisions and deletions in the draft constitution.Template:Sfn

In 1957, Omar Ali Saifuddien sent a team to London to negotiate the constitution with the British government. The principal focus of the negotiations was the Template:Langx (Brunei State Constitution Bill), drafted by Panglima Bukit Gantang in Brunei House, Singapore.Template:Sfn Although Azahari attempted to communicate with British officials, Omar Ali Saifuddien's opposition meant that the PRB's recommendations were not considered.Template:Sfn

Omar Ali Saifuddien cutting a ribbon during the official opening ceremony of Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in 1958

In 1958, the 1957 London discussions were revisited in Brunei. Omar Ali Saifuddien and Abell met on 27 October at Istana Darul Hana to review the outcomes and finalise the key concepts from the earlier talks. On 2 November, a special meeting chaired by his adviser resolved to send a delegation led by Omar Ali Saifuddien to London for further constitutional negotiations. Panglima Bukit Gantang and Neil Lawson were selected to accompany him due to their legal expertise and roles as constitutional advisers.Template:Sfn

Lennox-Boyd and Omar Ali Saifuddien at the signing of the Brunei Agreement in London, 1959

Following the Merdeka Talks, Brunei's constitutional issues drew the attention of British authorities, who summoned Omar Ali Saifuddien to London in early 1959 to finalise the document with the Colonial Secretary, Alan Lennox-Boyd. On 14 March, he travelled via Singapore with ten members of his team for the constitutional talks. As a result of these discussions, the Brunei Agreement was concluded on 6 April 1959, marking a significant step toward implementing Brunei's constitution.Template:Sfn The agreement fulfilled the main requests of the Template:Lang, including the appointment of the Template:Lang (Chief Minister) and the adoption of staggered implementation measures starting on 1 July.Template:Sfn

At the Lapau in 1959, Omar Ali Saifuddien giving the country's first Template:Lang his instrument of office
Tuanku Abdul Rahman (left) and Omar Ali Saifuddien (right) in 1959

Under the constitution, Omar Ali Saifuddien oversaw the appointment of five key administrators: the Template:Lang, the State Secretary, the General, the State Finance Officer, and the Religious AdvisorTemplate:Sfn On 29 September 1959, the constitution was signed in Brunei Town by Omar Ali Saifuddien and Robert Scott,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with the British delegation led by Lennox-Boyd. The British government subsequently accepted the draft constitution.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The document established Omar Ali Saifuddien as the supreme head of state, assigned Brunei responsibility for its internal administration, and restricted the British Government to foreign and defence affairs. The former post of Resident was abolished and replaced by a British High Commissioner.Template:Sfn Additionally, five councils were established: the Executive Council, Legislative Council, Privy Council, Council of Succession, and the State Religious Council.Template:Sfn

1962 district council election

Omar Ali Saifuddien inspecting the newly formed Royal Brunei Malay Regiment Band in 1962

Brunei's first state election was held on 30 and 31 August 1962. This was to elect members to sit in the LegCo. These elected members would then be involved in discussions of governmental policies. Despite this, Omar Ali Saifuddien still held absolute power and authority in the government. Among the political parties which contested in the election were PRB, Barisan Nasional Organisation, and Brunei United Party. The polling went on for two days, which ended with the PRB winning the election.<ref name="N">Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p. 50, Template:ISBN</ref>

Omar Ali Saifuddien delivering a Template:Lang through Radio Brunei in 1962, from Istana Darul Hana

Proposed merger with Malaysia and 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 in May 1961, 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.Template:Sfn In his opinion, Brunei, as a small country, 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 prime minister of Singapore.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> When the Malaysian Solidarity Consultative Committee (MSCC) first convened in Jesselton in August 1961, Brunei abstained from the proceedings.Template:Sfn

The PRB, and its leader Azahari, who had considerable popular support, were against the merger. According to them, if Brunei was to join the Federation, Brunei would not have achieved full independence if it transferred power from Britain to Malaya. On 8 December 1962, the PRB led a rebellion against the government. British military aid was deployed from Singapore.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The 2nd Gurkha Rifles was sent to Brunei in 1962, the year the Brunei Revolt started. Omar Ali Saifuddien and his son, Hassanal Bolkiah, were saved from his palace by Digby Willoughby and a small group of Gurkha soldiers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After the rebellion was defeated, the discussion of joining the proposed North Borneo Federation continued. Omar Ali Saifuddien sent a delegation to attend meetings of the MSCC. The committee, chaired by Chief Minister Marsal Maun, sought the views of the people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Omar Ali Saifuddien decided in 1963 to open religious classes for adults. This practice, initiated by an emergency meeting of the Religious Affairs Committee on 7 January 1963, aimed to foster and protect loyalty to the Sultan.Template:Sfn

Angus Mackintosh and Omar Ali Saifuddien leaving the Brunei Airport Building in late 1963

In 1963, a meeting was held to discuss the prospect of Brunei joining Malaysia. Arguments arose about taxes. Omar Ali Saifuddien was offended by Tunku Abdul Rahman's proposals and held off making a decision. Singapore and Brunei were not present when the Malaysia Agreement was signed in London in July 1963. The Federation of Malaysia was established in September 1963, but Brunei chose not to join the federation.Template:Sfn

First of all, Omar Ali Saifuddien disagrees with the Federal (Central) Government, which only permits Brunei to retain and profit from its oil production for ten years, following which the Federal Government will acquire the oil production proceeds. Furthermore, because the Head of the Association regarded him as holding the lowest status among the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, he disapproved of the planned rotational structure for the Agong's appointment. The proposed five-year term for Omar Ali Saifuddien to serve as Malaysia's Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is another point of contention for the people of Brunei.Template:Sfn

Later reign

On 24 September 1964, Omar Ali Saifuddien laid the foundation stone for the nation's first school dedicated to teaching Arabic, Hassanal Bolkiah Boys' Arabic Secondary School, and outlined his vision for religious secondary schools that would combine Islamic knowledge, Sharia, and Arabic with national awareness and modern sciences.Template:Sfn On 28 October 1964, he also launched the first delivery of a 10-inch oil pipeline from the seabed off the coast of the Seria oil field.Template:Sfn

One of the results of Omar Ali Saifuddien's religious education programme was that students who completed seven years of schooling were trained to become local religious instructors. These "trained religious teachers" had to pass a specific exam and attend weekly sessions in order to become "Untrained Teachers". On 22 May 1966, evening religious training sessions were instituted five days a week for a year in order to improve their abilities and enable them become completely qualified "Trained Religious Teachers".Template:Sfn

Abdication and post-reign

Omar Ali Saifuddien seen at his son Hassanal Bolkiah's coronation in 1967

On 4 October 1967, after a reign of 17 years and a protracted illness,Template:Sfn Omar Ali Saifuddien announced his abdication in favour of his 21-year-old eldest son, Crown Prince Hassanal Bolkiah,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":6">Template:Cite news</ref> who had gained some understanding of the affairs of the country's administration.Template:Sfn The announcement was made during an assembly of the noble classes of Wazir, Cheteria, and Manteri, held in the Template:Lang, a chamber of the Istana Darul Hana.Template:Sfn

Template:Cquote The news was made public on Radio Brunei that evening by Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam.Template:Sfn His abdication came as a surprise to many in the country and became known as the Template:Langx (4 October Event).Template:Sfn Omar Ali Saifuddien was accorded the post-regnal title of Template:Langx (His Highness the Retired Sultan).Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn His spouse, Pengiran Anak Damit, became Template:Langx.Template:Sfn

The Crown Prince went back to Brunei before completing his education at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom to take over his father's position.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Following the declaration of abdication, Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf, the Acting Menteri Besar, issued the following announcement on 5 October:Template:Sfn

Template:Cquote

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah was formally proclaimed the 29th Sultan of Brunei in a ceremony on the day after his father's abdication. During the event, state dignitaries like the Wazirs, Cheteria, Acting Menteri Besar, and members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) were present.Template:Sfn

Hassanal Bolkiah and Omar Ali Saifuddien (seated, middle) at the opening of the 1967 LegCo

After his abdication, Omar Ali Saifuddien continued counselling and mentoring his oldest son in the roles of both a statesman and a father.Template:Sfn On 23 November 1971, Omar Ali Saifuddien was present at the signing of the Brunei–British Friendship Agreement, a modification of the Brunei Agreement, in Bandar Seri Begawan.Template:Sfn He was conferred with the Honorary Grand Commander of the Victorian Order (GCVO) by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Brunei on 29 February 1972.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1978, Omar Ali Saifuddien accompanied Hassanal Bolkiah to London as part of the delegation to discuss Brunei's independence with the British government.<ref name=":0" /> He remained closely involved in the transition, and was present at Brunei's proclamation of independence in 1984,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> following the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation on 1 January, which ended Britain's responsibility for Brunei’s military and foreign policy.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

Omar Ali Saifuddien was appointed by Hassanal Bolkiah as Minister of Defence in Brunei's first cabinet and consequently conferred the rank of Field Marshal in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He also welcomed the arrival of Yasser Arafat, the Chairman of Palestine Liberation Organisation, on his official visit to Brunei on 26 July 1984.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, he granted audience from Commander Thomas Anthony Boam of the United Kingdom and Commander L. B. Moerdani of Indonesia in 1985.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Death

Istana Darussalam in 2022

On 7 September 1986 at 8:45 p.m., Omar Ali Saifuddien died at his residence of Istana Darussalam at the age of 71.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It had been reported that he was sick for weeks prior to his death.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This began 40 days of national mourning.Template:Sfn The news of his passing was released at 12:25 a.m. on 8 September 1986. The announcement reached Bruneians through the disruption of regularly scheduled television and radio shows including readings from the Quran.Template:Sfn On the same day was the state funeral,Template:Sfn where his body was in Istana Nurul Iman's Green Room for eight hours.Template:Sfn

Hassanal Bolkiah and his brothers brought their father's coffin, which was covered in green velvet with Quranic inscriptions, to its resting place. Prayers and tributes were presented throughout the day by hundreds of Bruneians and international dignitaries, including Singapore's President Wee Kim Wee and Brig-Gen Lee Hsien Loong.Template:Sfn While religious leaders prayed nonstop, four guards from the Royal Brunei Police and Armed Forces kept watch over his coffin. The casket was placed beneath crystal chandeliers on a pedestal wrapped with golden drapes and adorned with Quranic calligraphy.Template:Sfn

The casket was carried out of the palace, with Wee, Lee, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and Hassanal Bolkiah positioned behind it.Template:Sfn The casket was transported in a hand-drawn carriage to the tomb, where a gun salute was fired, while hundreds of people lined the streets in the rain,Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn and the Template:ConvertTemplate:Sfn funeral procession from Bandar Seri Begawan to the Royal Mausoleum was accompanied by members of the RBAF and bearers of royal regalia. The pallbearers were Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Prince Jefri Bolkiah.Template:Sfn

At the mausoleum, Hassanal Bolkiah and his brothers placed their father's body in the grave.Template:Sfn The State Kadi, Abdul Hamid Bakal, led the funeral rites, with Quranic verses recited. Wee, the Sultan of Pahang, and the Tunku Ibrahim Ismail joined mourners, and Lee sat behind them.Template:Sfn After a 90-minute service, Hassanal Bolkiah led the sprinkling of holy water on the grave. A prayer service was held that night at the palace, with nightly prayers continuing for the mourning period.Template:Sfn Foreign dignitaries and statesmen who travelled to Brunei to attend the funeral included Iskandar of Johor, Tunku Puan Zanariah, Ahmad Shah of Pahang, Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail, Wee Kim Wee, Lee Hsien Loong, Mahathir Mohamad, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, and Moerdani.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said that Omar Ali Saifuddien holds a "unique position in the history of Brunei and in the hearts of all who knew him in Britain". Presidents Suharto of Indonesia, Zia Ul Haq of Pakistan, and Corazon Aquino of the Philippines all described it as an irreparable loss for Brunei. President of Bangladesh, Hussain Muhammad Ershad expressed his deep appreciation for him for his vision, foresight, and wise leadership.Template:Sfn

Several other heads of state and governments sent condolences, including Sir Geoffrey Howe, Ja'afar of Negeri Sembilan, Ismail Nasiruddin of Terengganu, Putra of Perlis, Ismail Petra of Kelantan, Abdul Halim of Kedah, Salahuddin of Selangor, Sharafuddin of Selangor, Azlan Shah of Perak, Muhammad Khan Junejo, Qaboos bin Said, Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Hussein of Jordan, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, Hosni Mubarak, Ronald Reagan, Fahd of Saudi Arabia, Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Birendra of Nepal, Hafez al-Assad, Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah, Agatha Barbara, Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Hirohito, Bhumibol Adulyadej, Zaid Rifai, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Richard von Weizsäcker, Helmut Kohl and Chun Doo-hwan.Template:Sfn

In a speech delivered on 20 October 1986, live on RTB from Istana Nurul Iman, on the occasion of the Council of Cabinet Ministers of Brunei's reorganisation, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah mourned the death of his father. He was quoted stating:Template:Sfn

Template:Cquote

Personal life

Family

File:Brunei Royal Family (1965).jpg
Family photo of Omar Ali Saifuddien in 1965
File:Wedding of Prince Hassanal Bolkiah and Pengiran Anak Saleha 01.jpg
Omar Ali Saifuddien (right) at the wedding of his son, Hassanal Bolkiah, on 29 July 1965

Omar Ali Saifuddien wed Dayang Siti Amin binti Awang HashimTemplate:Efn upon his return from Kuala Belait to Brunei Town in 1937.Template:Sfn The couple divorced in 1944. He wanted to get married again because the first marriage ended without children.Template:Sfn At Istana Banderung Kayangan on Saturday, 6 September 1941,Template:EfnTemplate:Sfn he married his cousin, Pengiran Anak Damit, as his second wife; she was his cousin as the great-granddaughter of Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

The royal wedding was held in accordance with all of the ceremonial customs of the royal family, including the custom of Template:Lang (waiting for the fiancé).Template:Sfn A selection of poetry was read aloud, including Template:Lang written by Pengiran Muhammad Salleh, Template:Lang written by Abdul Razak, a poem written by Pengiran Damit Sikitri, Template:Lang, and some Template:Lang whose authors were unknown, during the customary Template:Lang held every night of the wedding.Template:Sfn

They had 10 children:Template:Sfn

On 13 September 1979, his wife, Pengiran Anak Damit died. After that, for the last time, he married Pengiran Anak Salhah, who was also his wife's sister.Template:Sfn

Personal interests

File:The Sultan of Brunei, Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin (right) makes friends with a koala at Taronga Park Zoological Gardens in Sydney, watched by Sir Edward Hallstrom, Honorary Director - 1964.jpg
Edward Hallstrom and Omar Ali Saifuddien (carrying a koala) at Taronga Park Zoological Gardens in Sydney, 1964

Omar Ali Saifuddien enjoyed playing traditional Bruneian activities as a child, including Template:Lang, Template:Lang, Template:Lang, and Template:Lang. He also passed time by ocassionally assisting his father in his carpentry work, a pastime that was uncommon among children at the time. In addition, he enjoyed playing hockey, football, chess, hunting, speedboat racing, squash, badminton, tug of war, and swimming. He also enjoyed collecting items such as weapons, walking sticks, Template:Lang, and firearms. He was fascinated by walking sticks for their craftsmanship and ornamental patterns.Template:Sfn

In his free time, especially following the Isyak prayers, he enjoyed reciting Template:Lang songs with Template:Lang. He also enjoyed paying surprise visits to people he knew at their residences. He never explained the reasons for these abrupt visits. He occasionally used to till the lawn and excavate the area in order to do some gardening. He also gardened, and he went on net fishing trips to Muara, typically accompanied by Pengiran Abdul Rahim, Pengiran Abdul Kadir, and Pengiran Sulaiman.Template:Sfn He also designed the national medals.Template:Sfn

Omar Ali Saifuddien has composed numerous poems expressing his desire to struggle for the nation’s independence, including Syair Nasihat, Syair Asli Rajang Hari (1967), Syair Rajang Jenaka, Syair Perkakas Pekarangan, Syair Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei (1960), Rampaian Laila Syair (1966), Syair Laila Hasrat, Syair Laila Cinta, Syair Laila Jenaka, Syair Rajang Jawi, and Syair Kemerdekaan (1984).Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Omar Ali Saifuddien was known for being an Anglophile.Template:Sfn He was an admirer of British wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill.Template:Sfn His respect for Churchill was reflected in the establishment of the Churchill Memorial Building in Bandar Seri Begawan, opened in 1971 by his son.Template:Sfn Costing an estimated $5 million, it was the world's only museum dedicated solely to Churchill, and its opening was attended by Churchill's daughter, Mary Soames.<ref name=":7">Template:Cite web</ref>

Legacy

During his 17-year reign, Omar Ali Saifuddien played a role in shaping modern Brunei.Template:Sfn He introduced the Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) philosophy, the nation's guiding ideology.Template:Sfn To prepare the country for the restoration of full sovereignty, an effort initiated by his predecessor and driven by the Brunei nationalist movement at the end of World War II, he implemented significant social and economic reforms. He is remembered as the Architect of Modern Brunei,Template:Sfn Royal Poet, Father of Brunei Negara Zikir, and Father of Independence.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn As a result of his policies, mosques, suraus (prayer halls), religious halls, government office buildings, and schools were built across the country to further the spread of the Islamic faith.Template:Sfn In a 2007 Template:Lang marking the 22nd National Day, Hassanal Bolkiah mentioned his father's contributions to national development, saying they were carried out with dedication and without external pressure.<ref name=":11">Template:Cite web</ref>

Things named after him

File:Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque 02.jpg
Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque

Several landmarks, roads, institutions, and public spaces in Brunei are named in honour of Omar Ali Saifuddien III. Brunei Town was renamed Bandar Seri Begawan on 4 October 1970, when he assumed the title Template:Lang.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Roads bearing his name include Jalan Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien in Pusat Bandar<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Jalan Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien in Berakas Camp.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other structures named after him include the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Pedestrian Bridge at the Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Religious and educational institutions also commemorate him. These include the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque,Template:Sfn<ref name=":11" /> the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Kampong Katimahar,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College in Batu Satu,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College.<ref name=":03">Template:Cite web</ref>

Omar Ali Saifuddien III's portrait appeared on the obverse of Brunei's 1967 coin series, with the reverse, and all subsequent designs, created by Christopher Ironside. The coins were issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His image also featured on all the first issue banknotes of 1967, in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 dollar notes,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and it remains on Brunei's current 500 dollar notes.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In addition, a scene of him crowning his son as his successor is shown on the reverse of the commemorative 25 dollar note dated 1992.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Honours

File:Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III in 1964.jpg
Omar Ali Saifuddien wearing his ceremonial dress in 1964

The honours given to him is as follows:<ref name=":12">Template:Cite book</ref>

National

Foreign

Notes

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References

Citations

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Bibliography

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