chapter 6 (the reign of sultan omar ali saifuddien iii 1950 - 1967)

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Chapter 6

THE REIGN OF SULTAN OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIEN III

1950 - 1967

“…Verily! Allah loves those who are the equitable.”

Surah Ar-Hujurat, Verse 9

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6.1 EARLY LIFE

Born on the 23 September 1914

Received an informal education in the palace up to the age of 18, after which he studied at the Malay College in Perak.

He studied Islam and was trained in silat. He was interested in poetry and handiwork, and was skilled in carpentry.

His Royal Highness was the 28th Sultan of Brunei

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6.1 EARLY LIFE

1936 A Cadet Officer in the Forestry Department

1938 Joined the Judicial Department

1947 Elected Chairman of the Syariah Court and member of the Brunei State Council

1951 Ascended to the throne

1941 An Administrator in the British Resident’s Office

1942 - 45

A Secretary at the Japanese Governor’s Office

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6.1 EARLY LIFE

His Royal Highness set out to work for an improved standard of living for all his people

As a result, Brunei moved into the 20th century as a modern country

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6.2 THE FIRST NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (1953 - 1958)

• 1955 – a $14 million Gas Plant was completed• Survey and exploration work by Brunei Shell Petroleum Company were carried out. • 1956 – Production of oil in Seria had reached 114,700 barrels a day

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• 1954 – Brunei’s written policy on education set out aims to provide greater educational facilities • 1956 – The Brunei Teacher Training Centre was set up.• 1958 – Teachers were sent to Kota Bahru Teachers’ Training College • More schools were built• Scholarships were given to students to further their studies overseas

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• Religious teachers recruited from Johore. • Scholarships given to students to study in Islamic institutions overseas

ROAD

SHIPPING

CIVIL AVIATION

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• October 1953: Brunei’s first nursing school began operating• Number of medical workers in Brunei continued to increase• Major improvements in public utilities such as treated water supplies and electricity

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6.3 THE SECOND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (1962 - 1966)

• 1963: Major oil and gas field discovered at South West Ampa. • Liquefied Natural Gas became important

• Efforts made to increase the quantity and quality of rice and rubber production• Studies made of sugar, pepper and coffee crops for export and home consumption • Efforts made to increase livestock • Conservation and reforestation schemes put in place

Development of Oil Industry

Development in Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry

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6.3 THE SECOND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (1962 - 1966)

• Muara Deepwater Port and the international airport planned• Electricity provided to rural areas• More homes and offices built

Commercial Development and Support Structures

Development in Health, Education and Welfare

• More clinics and hospitals built with better facilities• More training for doctors and nurses• More schools built, and training given to teachers• More mosques and religious schools built• Museums and libraries established in major towns

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6.4 THE PROPOSAL FOR A NORTH BORNEO FEDERATION

1958: The Governor of North Borneo drew up a plan that would unite the three territories of Borneo but allow each autonomy over its own expenditure and revenue

7 Feb 1958: the plan was announced

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III did not agree to the Federation because it would not benefit Brunei

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• March 1959, His Royal Highness led a delegation to London to discuss the proposed constitution• The British Government accepted the Draft Constitution

• On 29 September 1959, the signing ceremony for the Constitution Agreement was held at the Lapau in Brunei Town.• The Agreement was signed by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Sir Robert Scott.

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Significance of the 1959 Constitution Agreement

The Sultan as Supreme Head of State

Brunei responsible for its internal administration

The British Government was responsible for foreign and defence affairs only

The post of Resident was abolished and replaced by that of a British High Commissioner

A new post of Menteri Besar was created

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Administration Under the 1959 Constitution

Supreme Head of the

State

Had power to appoint Advisory

committee members

President of the Privy

Council and the

council for Ministers

Appointed the Speaker to the

Legislative Council and the State

Religious Council

Had the power to veto decisions of the Advisory Council and to declare a

State of Emergency

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Under the Constitution, five important Councils were set up:

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The District Election

• First District election held in 1962• Aimed to select 55 members to sit in 4 District Councils • Aimed to select 16 members for Brunei Legislative Council

Three political parties contested in the District Council

Partai Rakyat Brunei

Barisan Nasional

Organisation

Brunei United Party

The election was won by PRB

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6.5 THE BRUNEI NATIONALITY ENACTMENT OF 1961

Brunei subjects were divided into 3 categories

• Subjects by Operation of Law cannot lose their status as subjects• Subjects by Registration and Naturalisation can lose their status as subjects

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1961

16 Sept 1963

Federation of Malaysia formed without Brunei

1963 Meeting held between Brunei and Malaya. They failed to reach an agreement on issue of Brunei’s revenue and federal rights to taxation

Malaya’s Prime Minister revealed his plan to unite Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei into a federation to be known as Malaysia

6.6 BRUNEI’S STAND ON THE ISSUE OF MALAYSIA

The head of Brunei Delegation, Pengiran Dato Haji Ali, addressing a meeting of the MSCC in Kuala Lumpar on 6th January 1962.

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6.7 THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF SULTAN OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIEN III

• Two National Development Plans

• 1959 Constitution Agreement

• Positions of Malay Language and Islam strengthened

• Welfare of less fortunate subjects taken care of

• Greater emphasis placed on education

• Royal Brunei Malay Regiment set up in May 1961

• Brunei’s first own currency note

issued by the Brunei Currency

Board in 1967

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6.7 THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF SULTAN OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIEN III The Abdication

4 Oct 1967: Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III voluntarily abdicated in favour of his eldest son, Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Hassanal Bolkiah

1 August 1968: Coronation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

(Click on screen to view.)

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6.7 THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF SULTAN OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIEN III

His Royal Highness continued to be active, giving advice as a father and a statesman. In 1984, when Brunei gained full independence, he became the Minister of Defence.

His Royal Highness died peacefully on 7 Sept 1986

(Click on screen to view.)

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CHAPTER 6: SUMMARY

1st National Development Plan (1953 - 1958)

Oil industry Education

Religious Education

Communication Health and Welfare Services

2nd National Development Plan (1961 - 1966)

Oil industry Health Education and Welfare

Agriculture, Fishing and Industry

Commercial Development & Support Structure

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CHAPTER 6: SUMMARY

Brunei Nationality Enactment of 1961

By Operation of Law

By Registration

By Naturalisation

The Issue of Malaysia

Initially the idea was acceptable by His Royal Highness

He set up a committee to find out views of people

Brunei decided not to take part in the Malaysia Agreement

chapter 6 (the reign of sultan omar ali saifuddien iii 1950 - 1967)

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