the tomb of sultan sharif ali at Kota Batu

Sutan Sharif Ali was the third sultan of Brunei. He was also known as Barkat Ali Ibnu
Sharif Ajlan Ibni Sharif Rumaithah. He was made Sultan after Sultan Ahmad died
without leaving any male descendants,and as such, at the request of the people of
Brunei themselves, he become eligible for the throne after marrying Sultan Ahmad's
daughter, Puteri Ratna Kesuma.
Sharif Ali was a very pious ruler and was therefore nicknamed "Sultan Berkat"
(Blessed Sultan). He was the first sultan to build a mosque, and fortified the defense
of Brunei by ordering his people to build a stone fortress. Sharif Ali governed Brunei
according to Islamic principles and his reign was popular and highly respected. After
his death, Sharif Ali was succeeded by his son Sulaiman.
The royal symbol origin came from the world largest seed called "Coco De Mer".
Sultan Sharif Ali was the direct-descendant of Muhammad. His grandchild, was
Saidina Hassan r.a. Sultan Sharif Ali was the ancestor of the Brunei & Sulu royal
families.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien 3 was born on 23 september 1914 at Istana Kota,
Kampong Sultan Lama, Brunei Town (now Bandar Seri Begawan). He was the 28th
sultan of Brunei. He was installed as the 28th sultan of Brunei on June 14, 1950 &
was crowned on May 31, 1951.
He was the seventh child of Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam 2 and Raja Isteri
Fatimah and the second surviving son of the couple with his elderly brother who
would later become Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin.
Pengiran Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien studied at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar in
Perak, Malaya from 1932 to 1936. After finishing education in Malaya, His Highness
then came back to Brunei in 1936 to work in the Foresrty Department, Kuala Belait
as a Cadet Officer. In 1938, he was transferred to the Judiciary Department also in
Kuala Belait in 1937.
He was conferred with the title Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisuara by
his brother, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin on 15 July 1947. He was subsequently appointed
as a member of Brunei State Council and Chairman of the Syariah Court.
On the death of his brother, leaving no male heirs on 4 June 1950, he was
proclaimed as the next Sultan on the 6th June 1950.

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 allocation of
$100 million. 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.
In 1952 Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien worked for the implementation of the Brunei
written constitution as the foundation of governance and the achievement of
independence from Britain. Discussions with the British government culminated in
the signing of the Brunei written constitution and the Brunei Agreement on 29
September 1959 at the Lapau in 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 had consented to the formation of the Brunei Malay Regiment, which was
elevated to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces after independence.
After ruling for 17 years, on 4 October 1967, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien willingly
abdicated in favour of his eldest son, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
Brunei achieved its independence on 1 January 1984 as promised by Sultan Omar
Ali Saifuddien. Although he had abdicated, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien continued to
play an important role as a mentor to his son, as the first Brunei Defence Minister
until his death on 7 September 1986.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien's reign was marked by so much progress that he is
known as the "Architect of Modern Brunei". 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, further
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 in the capital

Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien III, remembered
as the Architect of Modern Brunei was the 28th Sultan of Brunei. Al-Marhum ruled
Brunei from 1950 until he abdicated in 1967. His great determination and dedication
which have been accorded international recognition helped to build the
infrastructure, society and economy of modern Brunei.
Birth
Al-Marhum was born on 23rd September 1914 in Kampong Sultan Lama which was a
ward of the famous Kampong Ayer (Water Village) in Brunei Town.
Education

Al-Marhum underwent a traditional Islamic education in the palace. It was an

informal education based on reading and memorising the Holy Quran. Classical
literary texts of hikayat and syair especially with historical and didactic themes
were also taught.
Al-Marhum Omar Ali Saifuddien received his formal education from 1932-36 in the
Malay College in Kuala Kangsar, Malaya (now Malaysia).
Early Career
When Al-Marhum returned from his studies in Malaya, he entered the state
administrative service with the encouragement of R. E. Turnbull. His first
appointment was as a cadet in the Forestry Department stationed in Kuala Belait.
After a year he joined the Judiciary as a cadet. Here he was able to learn aspects of
the Civil Procedure Code and the Criminal Procedure Code from the Assistant
Resident Hughes Hallet. The young prince also attended court proceedings to
acquire a practical knowledge of law.
In 1941, until the end of the Japanese occupation in 1945, Al-Marhum worked with
Enche Ibrahim bin Muhammad Jahfar, as an administrator in the office of the British
Resident. In February 1942, he was appointed to the State Council and at the
request of the Japanese Sub-district Commander, Kimura, he began work at the
Japanese Governors office.

Apart from working in the civil service, Al-Marhum was also active in the nationalist
movement in Brunei. Al-Marhum was the president of the Kesatuan Melayu Brunei
(KMB) which was set up in 1939. He was a strong supporter of Barisan Pemuda.
Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien was installed as Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Seri
Paduka Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja Permaisura by his brother Sultan Ahmad
Tajuddin in 1947. Shortly afterwards, he was appointed chairman of the Syariah
Court. Al-Marhum was the first member of the royal family to suggest fact-finding
visits to the villages. This demonstrated Al-Marhums early commitment to
improving the socio-economic standards and welfare of the people.
Accession To The Throne
On 4 June 1950 Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin died, leaving no male heir to succeed him.
He was succeeded by Duli Pengiran Bendahara Omar Ali Saifuddien who was
proclaimed the 28th Sultan on 6 June 1950. The coronation took place at Lapau
DiRaja (The Royal Ceremonial Hall) on 31 May 1951.
It was during this ceremony that Al-Marhum was awarded the British medal, the
Champion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). When he visited London
in 1953 to attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of England, he was awarded
the Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George which gave him the
title Sir.
Family

On 6 September 1941, Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien married Yang Amat
Mulia Pengiran Anak Damit binti Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman,
the grand-daughter of Al-Marhum Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin.
The royal couple had four sons and six daughters. The eldest son, KDYMM Paduka
Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah is the present
Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam. His Royal Highness Prince
Mohammed Bolkiah, the second son, is the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Hobbies
When Al-Marhum was young he liked many games such as top spinning, tarik kalat
(tug of war), pancak silat, kuit and tatak garis. This showed his penchant for the
traditions and culture of Brunei. Al-Marhum always made sure to win and this helped
him to develop a strong sense of determination. Later, Al-Marhum took a keen
interest in football, hockey, squash and badminton. Besides playing games, he
collected different types of kris and walking sticks.

Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien had a considerable literary talent as well. AlMarhum wrote a number of poems. Among them are Syair Perlembagaan Negeri
Brunei Darussalam which expresses his ambitions for Brunei to be a sovereign
nation with full independence and Syair Asli Rajang Hari which describes his hopes
for his nation and his experience of hardship and pain. Other notable poetic works
are Syair Nasihat, Syair Perkakas Perkarangan, Rampaian Laila Syair, Syair Laila
Cinta, Syair Laila Jenaka and Syair Kemerdekaan. Each of these poems is unique
in conveying Al-Marhums vision for the future and his plans, advice and guidance.
For Al-Marhums contributions in the field of literature he was honoured with the title
of The Royal Poet.

Achievements
On his accession to the throne, Al-Marhum set out to work for an improved standard
of living for all his people. His seventeen years of rule (1950-1967) witnessed
economic, social and political development that took Brunei confidently as a
modern country into the twentieth century.
Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddiens concern for his people found expression in
the First and Second Five Year Development Plans. The Plans provided for
considerable expansion of the education system throughout the state. English
schools were built, scholarships to overseas institutions were provided and school
children were assured of at least one free meal a day. Religious schools were given
utmost priority.
Hospitals, clinics were set up and dental services to schools were provided. Other
improvements included programmes for the eradication of dysentery and malaria.
The plan also covered a system for state electrification, development of roads and
telecommunication systems, swamp reclamation and resettlement.
New industries proposed included manufacturing industries based on petroleum,
natural gas, silica sand and forest products.

The Religious Affairs Department was established in 1955 and by the 1959 Brunei
Constitution, Islam was made the official religion of Negara Brunei Darussalam. The
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, an exquisite example of Muslim architecture,
was built in the capital in 1958.
The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (presently known as the Royal Brunei Armed
Forces) was set up in 1961. The Currency Board was established in 1967. Al-Marhum
Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddiens reign also marked significant changes in Bruneis
political development. Before the written Constitution was drawn up, the
administration was in the hands of the British Residents. After consistent planning
and effective diplomacy with the Colonial Office in London, he signed the first
written constitution with Sir Robert Scott at the Lapau on 29th September 1959. By
this Constitution, Brunei was responsible for its own internal administration. Thus
ended the Residential System in Brunei.
Another important aspect of his rule was the 1961 Nationality Enactment. For the
first time, law was written on national status so nationals could be registered.
One of the most important decisions made by Al-Marhum during his reign was to
maintain and strengthen Bruneis sovereignty, and he decided not to join the
Federation of Malaysia on 8 July 1963.
Abdication
On 4 October 1967, Al-Marhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin III voluntarily abdicated in
favour of his eldest son, Yang Teramat Mulia Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Hassanal
Bolkiah.
After the abdication, Al-Marhum was then known as Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Maulana Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi
Waddien. His Royal Highness continued to be active and supportive, both as a father
and as a statesman. He was untiringly involved in council meetings and discussions,
especially those concerning the independence treaty.

At midnight on 31 December 1983, when Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah proclaimed the

Declaration of Independence, the people joined Paduka Seri Begawan in chanting
Allahu Akbar.
In 1984, when the Cabinet was established Al-Marhum became the Minister of
Defence
Demise
Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien III passed away peacefully on 7
September 1986 and was laid to rest in the Royal Mausoleum bringing to an end an
era of transition in Brunei. He had promoted peace, security and well-being among
his people. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah provided a fitting eulogy, His name will be a
source of national pride and he will be talked about through the ages. Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II described his death as a sad loss for Britain. Other heads of
state also remarked on Al-Marhums vision, foresight and generous service to his
people.

During his reign, Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien managed to achieve
extraordinary objectives and ensured the preservation of an independent Malay
Muslim Monarchy in the modern world. He proved that small nations could survive.
To commemorate the Sultans rule, Brunei Town was renamed Bandar Seri Begawan