Pengiran Abdul Momin (born 1927)

Pengiran Abdul Momin bin Pengiran Haji Ismail (5 December 1927 – 17 May 2008) was a Bruneian nobleman, magistrate, politician and diplomat who held various key roles in the government throughout his distinguished career. He served as the 4th Menteri Besar of Brunei and later represented Brunei on the international stage as high commissioner to multiple countries, including Malaysia, India, China, and the United States. His contributions to Brunei's development were significant, particularly in areas of education, traditional arts, and agricultural advancements. In his later years, he was appointed as a member of the Legislative Council, continuing his public service until his passing in 2008.

Pengiran Abdul Momin
ڤڠيرن عبدالمومين
DK DSNB DPMB POAS PHBS PBLI PJK PKL
Pengiran Abdul Momin in c. 1970
Member of Legislative Council
In office
6 September 2004 – 17 May 2008
4th Menteri Besar of Brunei
In office
1 July 1974 – 31 August 1981
MonarchHassanal Bolkiah
Preceded byPengiran Muhammad Yusuf
Succeeded byAbdul Aziz Umar (Acting)
4th State Secretary of Brunei
In office
25 March 1970 – 15 May 1972
Preceded byTaib Besar (Acting)
Succeeded byMatnor McAfee (Acting)
Diplomatic positions
Permanent Representative of Brunei to the United Nations
In office
1994–1995
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byMohammad Daud
Ambassador of Brunei to China
In office
1993–1994
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byAbdullah Jaafar
Ambassador of Brunei to India
In office
1990–1993
High Commissioner of Brunei to Malaysia
In office
1989–1990
Succeeded byPengiran Jaya
Personal details
Born5 December 1927
Brunei Town, Brunei
Died17 May 2008 (aged 80)
Kampong Telanai, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Resting placeTelanai 'A' Muslim Cemetery, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
SpouseMasna Yusuf
Children4
Parents
  • Pengiran Ismail (father)
  • Pengiran Rokiah (mother)
EducationRoman Catholic Mission School
Alma materCarleton University
Occupation
  • Politician
  • civil servant
  • diplomat
  • magistrate
Signature

Early life and education

edit

Pengiran Abdul Momin was born in Brunei on 5 December 1927. He attended Brunei Town Malay School and the Roman Catholic Mission School. He began his career with the Government of Brunei in 1946. He was appointed as the assistant district officer of Belait from August 1958 to September 1959. During that year, he was dispatched to Canada to undertake a public administration course at Carleton University. Over the course of his service, he held several key positions, including assistant information officer of Belait District, district officer of Belait from September to October 1969, as well as land officer of Belait District. He also served as Belait District magistrate, clerk of Councils, personnel officer, commissioner for development, and director of civil aviation.[1][2]

Political career

edit

Pengiran Abdul Momin and Abidin Abdul Rashid attended the United Nations (UN) conference on human rights for developing nations from 12 to 18 May 1964, in Kabul, Afghanistan, as delegates of Brunei.[3] He was also appointed as assistant State Secretary of Brunei in 1969.[1] While Taib Besar was on his retirement vacation on 23 July 1969, he served as acting state secretary. Returned to his position as district officer in Kuala Belait between 2 September and 1 October.[2] Before assuming the position of Brunei's 4th Menteri Besar, he was promoted to State Secretary from 1 April 1970 to 15 May 1972.[2] In connection with this, a ceremony for the declaration and presentation of the commissioning letter for the confirmation of the Menteri Besar position was held on 26 April 1975.[1] Later on 1 July, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah officially appointed him as the new Menteri Besar, and remained at this post through another council shuffle on 1 July 1974,[4] and completing his tenure on 31 August 1981.[5]

Diplomatic career

edit

Pengiran Abdul Momin served as Brunei's high commissioner to Malaysia from 1989 to 1990 and as non-resident high commissioner to India from 1990 to 1993,[6] presenting his credentials to President R Venkataraman on 24 November 1990. From 1993 to 1995, he was also Brunei's non-resident high commissioner to China.[7][6] In 1995, he became the ambassador to the United States and was the country's permanent representative to the United Nations from 1994 to 1995.[2][1]

Later life and death

edit

During his service to the government of Brunei, Pengiran Abdul Momin made notable contributions to the country's development. He organised dialogue sessions with the public, established the Craft Training School to preserve traditional arts, and introduced civic courses for village heads, community leaders, and house chiefs. Additionally, he played a key role in developing an educational system with a focus on agriculture, implementing practical methods based on science and technology at the Farmers Agriculture Centre.[1]

In his later years, Pengiran Abdul Momin became a member of the newly reformed Legislative Council on 6 September 2004.[8][2] He passed away at the age of 80 on 17 May 2008. The Sultan personally expressed his condolences to his family at their Kampong Telanai home,[9] and he was laid to rest at the Telanai 'A' Muslim Cemetery.[2]

Personal life

edit

Married to Datin Dayang Hajjah Masna binti Haji Yusuf and they have four kids; a son and three daughters,[2] notably Pengiran Mohammad Yassin,[10] Pengiran Noraini[11] and Pengiran Mariana.[12]

Titles, styles and honours

edit

Titles and styles

edit

On 25 June 1970, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah granted him the Cheteria 16 title Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Diraja, known in the honorific as Yang Amat Mulia, in appreciation of his dedication and achievements to the country and the monarchy.[2]

Honours

edit

Pengiran Abdul Momin also been bestowed upon the following honours;[1][13]

National

Foreign

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Allahyarham Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Diraja Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin bin Pengiran Haji Ismail". Majalah Pusaka (in Malay). 39. Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Horton, A. V. M. (1 January 2008). "Negara Brunei Darussalam: obituary 2008". Borneo Research Bulletin. 39: 35–53.
  3. ^ "Seminar P.B.B. Di-Kabul" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 4 June 1964. p. 8. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Lantekan M.B. dan S.U.K. Di-Tetapkan Mulai 1hb Julai 1974" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 22 January 1975. p. 1.
  5. ^ State of Brunei Annual Report 1978. Kuala Belait: Brunei Press. 1978. p. 155.
  6. ^ a b "A new envoy appointed, two others transferred" (PDF). Department of Informations, Prime Minister's Office. Bandar Seri Begawan. 31 August 1993. p. 7. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Diplomatic relations brunei darussalam & the people' s republic of china 1991-2006". Embassy of China in Brunei. p. 72.
  8. ^ a b "UPACARA MENGANGKAT SUMPAH" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 2004. p. 6. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  9. ^ "His Majesty pays last respects to late Cheteria". www.sultanate.com. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Mnteri-Mentri Kabinet". Department of Informations, Prime Minister's Office (in Malay). Bandar Seri Begawan. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  11. ^ Othman, Azlan (11 January 2021). "Local artists donate to Pusat Ehsan". Borneo Bulletin Online. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  12. ^ PD Mahdini, Waleed (16 July 2010). "His Majesty at investiture ceremony". Borneo Bulletin. Retrieved 27 August 2023 – via www.sultanate.com.
  13. ^ "AHLI RASMI YANG DI LANTIK (ORANG-ORANG BERGELAR)" (PDF). Majlis Mesyuarat (in Malay). 21 March 2006. p. 243.
  14. ^ "Istiadat pengurniakan bintang2 dan pingat2 kapada 106 orang" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 12 February 1969. p. 1. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Gambar2 Kenangan Sambutan2 Hari Jadi D.Y.M.M." (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 2 October 1963. p. 4.
  16. ^ "Istiadat Mengurkiakan Bintang2 Dan Pingat2" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 9 August 1967. p. 6. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  17. ^ "53 Orang Pendudok2 Daerah Belait Mendapat Kurniaan Pingat Perjuangan" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 21 April 1965. p. 8. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  18. ^ "brunei4". 4dw.net. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  19. ^ New Malaysian Who's who: West Malaysia (Vol. 2). Kasuya Pub. 1995. p. 913. ISBN 978-983-9624-02-1.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Office established
Permanent Representative of Brunei to the United Nations
1994–1995
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Office established
Ambassador of Brunei to China
1993–1994
Succeeded by
Preceded by
High Commissioner of Brunei to Malaysia
1989–1990
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by 4th Menteri Besar of Brunei
1 July 1974 – August 1981
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Taib Besar (Acting)
4th State Secretary of Brunei
25 March 1970 – 15 May 1972
Succeeded by
Matnor McAfee (Acting)