THEME 6

THE NATION BUILDING YEARS AND INDEPENDENCE 1950 – 1984

PART ONE

THE REIGN OF SULTAN HAJI OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIEN III

1950 – 1967

OTHER NAMES:
1. ARCHITECT OF MODERN BRUNEI (ARKITEK BRUNEI MODEN)
2. ROYAL POET (PENYAIR DIRAJA)
DATE EVENTS
23.O9.1914 • Born at Kg Sultan Lama
1914 - • Received informal education
1932  Traditional Islamic education
 Based on reading and memorising al-Quran
1932 - • Received formal education
1936  At Malay college in Kuala Kangsar, Perak
• Interested in malay poetry
 Esp. Syair (poem)
 Syair Nasihat
 Rampaian Laila Syair
 Syair Asli Rajang Hari
 Syair Perkakas Perkarangan
 Syair Laila Cinta dan Syair Laila Jenaka
 Syair Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei
 Syair Kemerdekaan
 Known as Royal Poet (Penyair Diraja)
1936 • Started as cadet officer
• In Forestry department, Kuala Belait
• Enabled him to :
 Be closer to people in villages and remote areas
 Understand people’s problems and needs
1937 - • Joined Judicial Department
1938 • Was taught Criminal and Civil Procedure Codes
• By Hughes-Hallet
1941 • Worked as administrator
• In British Resident’s office
• Was taught English language
• Under H.F Stalley
1942-1945 • Worked as secretary
• To Japanese sub-district commander, Kimura
• At Japanese governor’s office
1947 • Appointed as
1. Chairman of Syariah court
2. Member of Brunei State Council
6.6.1950 • Proclaimed as sultan
31.5.1951 • Coronation at Lapau (Royal Ceremonial Hall)
1951-1967 • Improved standard of living
• Developed economy, social, and political situations
• Made Brunei a modern country
• Brought Brunei to international attention and recognition
 Earned him the title “Architect of Modern Brunei”
1
 FIRST NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
1953 - 1958

1. It was introduced in 1953.

2. The amount approved by the Brunei State Council was $100 million.

3. E.R Bevington from the Colonial Office in Fiji was appointed to handle the
plan.

4. The NDP included series of projects which laid the foundation of the
infrastructure of Brunei:

1. In 1995, SOAS III opened the newly-completed $14

million gas plant.

a. DEVELOPMENT 2. In 1954, survey and exploration work both on land and

OF OIL offshore were carried out by BSPC.
INDUSTRY
3. By 1956, production of oil in the Seria field had
increased.

4. In 1957, BSPC handled all operations.

1. In 1954, for the first time, Brunei set out a written

policy on education.

The aim of the policy was to ensure the provision of

education facilities for:
i. Primary and Secondary
ii. Technical
iii. Vocational Training
iv. Adult education

2. SOAS III also approved plans for Brunei’s own teacher

training facilities.

3. In 1956, the Brunei Teacher Training Centre (BTTC)

b. DEVELOPMENT was set up.
IN EDUCATION
4. To meet the demand for more qualified English-
medium teachers, the first batch of Brunei teachers
were sent to Kota Bharu Teacher’s Training College
(KBTC) in 1958.

5. As education was given top priority, more schools were

built:

i. In 1957, the Seria Government School was

opened. Later it was renamed as Anthony Abell
College (AAC).
ii. In 1958, an English medium school for girls was
2
 set up. It was known as Sekolah Tinggi
Perempuan Raja Isteri (STPRI)
iii. In 1951, a trade school was set up in Seria by
BSPC.
iv. In the following years, two more trade schools
were opened as the need for semi-skilled and
skilled workers increased.

6. The government of Brunei also gave scholarships to

students for further studies in various institutions
overseas.

1. In 1956, religious schools operating in the afternoon

were established in line with the Johore system.

2. By 1957, efforts were made to train more locals by

c. DEVELOPMENT offering courses locally.
IN RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION 3. Scholarships were offered to students to continue their
higher education overseas:
a) Al Junied Arabic School in Singapore.
b) Islamic College in Kalng
c) Al Azhar University in Cairo

1. ROAD

December 1958, the building of road linking Belait

District to Brunei Town came into operation on
completion of two bridges in Tutong.

d. DEVELOPMENT 2. SHIPPING
IN
COMMUNICATI The activities linked Brunei with other countries in
ONS Southeast Asia. The main ports were at Kuala Belait,
the mouth of Tutong River, Bangar and Brunei Bay.

3. CIVIL AVIATION

September 1953, reconstruction work on airfield at

Berakas started. It was completed in 1954. By 1959,
aircraft movements increased tremendously.

1. October 1953, Brunei’s first nursing school began at

DEVELOPMENT the hospital in Brunei Town.
e. IN HEALTH 2. The number of medical workers in Brunei continued to
AND WELFARE increase. Many received their training overseas,
SERVICES particularly Sarawak and Malaya.
3. There were also major improvements in public utilities
such as treated water supplies and electricity.

3
 THE SECOND NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
1962 - 1966
1. It was launched in 1962.

2. It aimed at improving the cultural, economic and social infrastructure.

a. 1. In 1963, a major oil and gas field was discovered at South

Development West Ampa.
of Oil Industry
2. With this discovery, LNG became important.
AGRICULTURE
1. Increase the quantity and quality of rice production and
rubber production.

2. Studies were set up to examine sugar, pepper, coffee and

other crops for both export and home consumption.
b. Development
in Agriculture, 3. Plan’s target was to increase numbers of livestock and yield
Fishing and of meat and eggs.
Forestry
FISHING
1. The aim was to increase the amount of landed catch by 25%.

FORESTRY
1. Conservation and reforestration schemes were also
recommened, increasing the species of trees of commercial
value for domestic and export purposes.
c. Commercial 1. Two big projects were planned and completed years later:
Development
and Support a) Muara Deepwater Port
Structures b) The International Airport

2. Power requirements were met and soldiers were undertaken

to provide electricity for rural areas.

3. More homes, shophouses, offices and industrial facilities were

constructed.
1. More clinics and health centres were set up

2. Hospitals with modern-equipped facilities were constructed.

3. More training for the nurses in health and dental clinics.

d. Development
in Health, 4. Priority was given to eradicate tuberculosis and malaria, with
Education and the help of the World Health Organization (WHO)
Welfare
5. More schools were built.

6. Training for teachers, training in trades and technical skills

were also improved. Adult education and sports programmes
were introduced.

7. Provisions for constructing mosques and religious schools.

8. Museums and libraries were established in major towns and

4
 mobile libraries provided for other places.

THE WRITTEN CONSTITUTION OF 1959

Brunei planned to have a written constitution since the beginning of

SOAS III’s reign

SOAS III formed a seven member committee called the ‘Tujuh

Serangkai’.

Main aim of the ‘Tujuh Serangkai’ Committee :

July 1953
 To find out the people’s views on the idea of a written
constitution for Brunei.
 To prepare a detailed report to the Sultan.

Activities of the ‘Tujoh Serangkai’ Committee:

 They travelled all over the country to meet and talk with the
local people.
 The people gave their opinion, suggestions and problems to
the committee.

 A meeting was held to discuss the findings of the ‘Tujoh

May 1954 Serangkai’ Committee.

 The meeting was attended by SOAS III, the British Resident

and the Committee members.

 SOAS III led a delegation to London to discuss the proposed

constitution with Britain.
March
1959  The British delegation was led by Sir Allan Lennox-Boyd, the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.

 The Talks were successful. The British accepted the Draft

Constitution.

29th
Septembe The Constitution Agreement was signed at the Lapau in Brunei
r 1959 Town.

The two men who signed the Agreement were:

 SOAS III for Brunei
 Sir Robert Scott for Britain

 The 1959 BRUNEI CONSTITUTION was the greatest achievement of Sultan

Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
 The ‘Syair Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei’ was written by SOAS II about the
1959 Constitution.

5
6
 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WRITTEN CONSTITUTION
OF 1959 /
1959 CONSTITUTION AGREEMENT

1. The Constitution marked the beginning of Brunei as a self-governing

nation.

2. The Sultan was the Supreme Head of State.

3. Brunei was responsible for its internal administration.

4. The British Government was responsible for its external (foreign)

affairs and defense only.

5. The Residential System was finally abolished.

The post of British Resident was abolished and the post of High
Commissioner was started.

6. The local post of Menteri Besar was created for the first time.

7
 ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE 1959
CONSTITUTION

SULTAN

 The Supreme Head of State

 Had the power to appoint the Advisory
Committee members
 The President of the Privy and Executive
Councils
 Appointed the Speaker to the Legislative
and State Religious Councils
 Had the power to veto a decision of the
Advisory Council and power to declare a

THE THE PRIVY THE STATE

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RELIGIOUS
COUNCIL COUNCIL
To advise the
Sultan on all
matters
concerning
Responsible Constitutional
To advise the
for changes, Sultan on all
implementing appointment to matters
decisions and customary relating to
ranks,
laws made by bestowing titles Islam.
the Legislative and awarding
Council. medals and
decorations.

THE THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF
COUNCIL SUCCESSION

To discuss To decide on
Government the successor
Bills, pass to the throne.
laws, control
state finance To decide the
and decide regent in the
government absence of the
spending and Sultan from
development the country.
8
 BRUNEI’S STAND ON THE ISSUE OF MALAYSIA

May 1961

 Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaya’s Prime Minister planned to

unite Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei into a
federation called Malaysia.

1961  The plan aimed to enable each country to benefit

economically and politically from the unity.

SOAS III found the idea acceptable.

 He set up a committee to seek the view of his people.

 The findings showed a varied view.

 A meeting was held between Brunei and Malaya to discuss

the idea of Brunei joining Malaysia.

 The discussion failed because:

1. Brunei did not agree on the issue of Brunei’s revenue

1963 and federal rights to taxation.

2. SOAS III rejected the idea that he was considered as

the most junior member among the other monarchs of
Malaya.

As a result, Brunei rejected the Malaysia Plan.

Brunei did not sign the Malaysia Agreement .

 The Federation of Malaysia was finally formed on 16

September 1963.

 It consisted of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak.

 Brunei was not included.

9
 THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF SOAS III

1. SOAS III introduced the two National Development Plans.

This made Brunei modern.

2. He signed the 1959 Constitution Agreement.

This was his greatest achievement.

3. He made the Malay Language and Islam as the official language

and religion of Brunei as written in the 1959 Written Constitution.

4. He improved the welfare of the people in Brunei by giving pension

to the old, and giving allowance to the T.B patients, the mentally
retarded, widows and their children.

5. He improved education. Primary and secondary schools were set

up. Scholarships to study overseas were given.

6. He introduced the first written policy of education.

7. He formed the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment in May 1961.

8. Brunei issued its first currency notes in 1967. It replaced the

Straits dollar used since 1906.

THE ABDICATION OF SOAS III

 SOAS III abdicated in favour of his eldest son, Yang

Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota
4th October
Hassanal Bolkiah.
1967
 At the time of announcement, the Crown Prince was still in
England, training as a cadet at the Royal Military
Academy, Sandhurst.

5th October  The Crown Prince returned immediately to Brunei.

1967
 He was then proclaimed on the same day he arrived in
Brunei.

10
 THE ROLE OF SOAS III AFTER THE ABDICATION

 After the abdication, SOAS III was known as Duli Yang Teramat Mulia
Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul
Khairi Waddien.

 He gave active advice and support both as a father and as a

statesman.

 He became the Minister of Defence when Brunei gained its

independence in 1984.

 He died peacefully on 7th September 1986 and was buried at the

11