Prince Mohamed Bolkiah

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Omar Ali Saifuddien III is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Mohamed Bolkiah. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Mohamed Bolkiah
محمد بولكيه
Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar
Mohamed Bolkiah in 2004
1st Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
In office
1 January 1984 – 22 October 2015
MonarchHassanal Bolkiah
DeputyZakaria Sulaiman
Ali Mohammad Daud
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byHassanal Bolkiah
Born (1948-08-29) 29 August 1948 (age 75)
Istana Darussalam, Brunei Town, Brunei
Spouse
Pengiran Anak Zariah
​
​
(m. 1970)​
Issue
List
  • Pengiran Anak Taiyibah Qalbul Bolqiah
  • Prince Abdul Qawi
  • Pengiran Anak Ruqiyah Mataul Bulqiah
  • Prince Abdul Fattaah
  • Prince Abdul Mu'min
  • Pengiran Anak Mansurah Izzul Bolkiah
  • Prince Omar Ali
  • Pengiran Anak Khaliilah Khalilatul Bolqiah
  • Pengiran Anak Naafi'ah Khairul Bulqiah
  • Prince Abdul Muqtadir
Regnal name
Pengiran Muda Mohamed Bolkiah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien
HouseBolkiah
FatherSultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III
MotherPengiran Anak Damit
ReligionIslam
Education
Signature
Military career
Allegiance Brunei
Service/branch Royal Brunei Armed Forces
Years of active service1965–present
Rank General

Mohamed Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III (born 29 August 1948) is a member of the royal family of Brunei. He is the second son of Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei, and Raja Isteri (Queen) Pengiran Anak Damit. After Brunei's independence in 1984, he became the country’s first foreign minister, serving from 1 January 1984 until 22 October 2015, alongside the second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Lim Jock Seng.

Early life and education[edit]

Pengiran Muda (Prince) Mohamed Bolkiah was born on 29 August 1948 at Istana Darussalam, Brunei Town (now called Bandar Seri Begawan).[1] He is the second son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei, and his wife, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit.[2] Among his siblings are the current Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, Prince Sufri Bolkiah, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, Princess Masna, Princess Norain, Princess Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam, Princess Amal Rakiah, Princess Amal Nasibah and Princess Amal Jefriah.

Along with his siblings, Mohamed Bolkiah had his early education at the Lapau. Afterwards in 1960, he attended his secondary education with his brother Hassanal Bolkiah at Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia until 1963.[3] From 1964 until 1965, he studied his GCE 'A' Levels at Omar Ali Saifuddien College, Brunei.[1] From there, he would then be enrolled into Sandhurst Military Academy, United Kingdom.[1] He was commissioned as a junior lieutenant in the Irish Guards, in 1967.[4]

Perdana Wazir[edit]

Since 1906,[5] Mohamed Bolkiah was appointed by his father, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, as Pengiran Temenggong Sahibol Bahar, on 29 September 1967.[6] He became a wazir upon receiving the title, surpassing both the Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam and Pengiran Muda Hashim in importance. In keeping with protocol, the ceremony to install the new wazir took place at the Istana Darul Hana Throne Room. He was chosen to serve on the Privy Council the same year.[2]

Upon Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's coronation, all traditional ministerial positions were filled. In February 1970, he was bestowed with the new title of Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar,[5][7] head of the traditional Brunei wazirs, meaning "eyes and ears" of the ruler, by his brother.[8] On 23 September 1974, he was appointed as the honorary police commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF).

Ministerial career[edit]

Immediately following the independence of Brunei on 1 January 1984, Mohamed Bolkiah was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.[9] In an effort to fortify its global Islamic identity, Brunei joined the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in January 1984 in addition to ASEAN and the UN. As soon as Brunei gained independence, it also joined the Commonwealth, whose goal is to advance world peace and order, something that the Bruneian administration actively pursued.[5] Only until that same year, he was the President of the National Bank of Brunei (NBB).[3]

Speaking at the ASEAN ministerial summit in Singapore in June 1982, Mohamed Bolkiah said that Brunei, a tiny nation, "gives considerable emphasis to the concept of non-interference." Any attempt by one member state to meddle in another's domestic affairs would be detrimental to the cohesiveness and sustainability of the ASEAN. He addd that ASEAN always reached decisions by agreement, which is just how Brunei would like to operate. It was in line with the nation's customs. Brunei was undoubtedly at ease and felt like they belonged in their new local surroundings.[5]

During the early 1960s until Brunei's independence and ASEAN membership in 1984, Bruneian passports were not accepted for travel to Indonesia or other communist nations. The friendship that President Suharto consistently extended to Brunei changed the country's relationship with Indonesia and gave Brunei the confidence in its independence that was uncommon in the 1950s and early 1960s, according to him.[5]

The Malaysian Foreign Minister Ghazali Shafie invited Mohamed Bolkiah and Brunei's Attorney General to attend the 37th United Nations Assembly in September 1982. The objective was to examine closely how the United Nations General Assembly operates in New York as it gets ready to become independent. Mohamed Bolkiah was in New York in 1983 for the 38th United Nations General Assembly. At the 39th United Nations General Assembly on 21 September 1984, Brunei formally became a member of the UN in an effort to solidify its standing within the global organisation.[5]

Mohamed Bolkiah was able to formally announce Brunei's intention to join ASEAN only in June 1983. But nonetheless, Mohamed Bolkiah said, he was feeling his way carefully. Six weeks before to gaining independence, in November 1983, the Bruneian government officially announced that Brunei would join ASEAN as its sixth member on 7 January 1984. ASEAN's unambiguous track record of unity and cooperation struck Mohamed Bolkiah as unusual. Indeed, Brunei's best insurance policy was to join ASEAN right away, as "the five founding states would be obliged to be restrained in political intent towards their new regional partner," suited the Sultanate's security interests.[5]

Prince Mohamed Bolkiah was reported to have primary authority over QAF Holdings.[10] During the cabinet reshuffle on 22 October 2015, he was replaced by his elder brother, the Sultan himself.[11] In spite of this, he continues to meet foreign dignitaries and participate in royal ceremonies and national events.[12][13][14]

Raja Reza was granted permission to meet Mohamed Bolkiah on 3 November 2022, at the Balai Penghadapan, Bukit Kayangan, Bandar Seri Begawan. During their meeting, they discussed a range of topics, including the bilateral relationship between Brunei and Malaysia, the current cooperation between the two countries, and efforts to encourage more foreign direct investment (FDI) from Malaysia to this nation in the future.[15]

Personal life[edit]

Family[edit]

In August 1970, Mohamed Bolkiah married his first cousin, Yang Teramat Mulia (HRH) Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam, the sister of Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, the Raja Isteri (Queen).[16] Together they have 10 children whom are;[3]

Name Birth Marriage Their children
Date Spouse
Pengiran Anak Hajah Taiyibah Qalbul Bolqiah 11 June 1972 28 July 19XX Pengiran Haji Mohammad Hakimmuddin bin Pengiran Haji Hashim Pengiran Wajeeh Al-Bolkiah
Pengiran Qaiyimah Nurul Bolkiah
Pengiran Muda Abdul Qawi 27 January 1974 27 June 2013 Tengku Amalin A’ishah Putri binti Almarhum Sultan Ismail Petra of Kelantan Pengiran Anak Tengku Afeefah Musyafaah Bolkiah Putri
Pengiran Anak Tengku Azzahra Iffatul Bolkiah Putri
Pengiran Anak Tengku Zaafirah Muizzah Bolkiah Putri
Pengiran Anak Tengku Abdul Muhaimin Bolkiah Petra
Pengiran Anak Hajah Ruqiyah Mataul Bulqiah 2 May 1976 None
Pengiran Muda Dr. Abdul Fattaah 8 March 1982 10 September 2018 Dayangku Elina Zuraidah binti Pengiran Kamaluddin None
Pengiran Muda Abdul Mu'min 17 July 1984 None
Pengiran Anak Mansurah Izzul Bolkiah 1 October 1986 None
Pengiran Muda Omar Ali 28 November 1988 None
Pengiran Anak Khaliilah Khalilatul Bolqiah 19 July 1990 None
Pengiran Anak Naafi'ah Khairul Bulqiah 27 May 1992 None
Pengiran Muda Abdul Muqtadir — None

Bibliography[edit]

  • Bolkiah, Mohamed (2000). Time and the River. Brunei Darussalam: Brunei Press. ISBN 9789991732039.
  • Bolkiah, Mohamed (2007). Remember, Remember.....The 8th of December. Brunei Press.[17]
  • Bolkiah, Mohamed (2008). A Southeast Asian Community: More Than a Matter of Geography. ISEAS Publishing. ISBN 9789812307866.
  • Bolkiah, Mohamed (2013). Association. Brunei Press.[17]
  • Bolkiah, Mohamed (2016). Sana'a to San Jose' 1984 - 2015: the first 30 years of Brunei Darussalam's modern foreign affairs Mohamed Bolkiah. ISBN 9789991732466.
  • Bolkiah, Mohamed (2019). Action Point. Brunei Press. ISBN 9789991798264.

Legacy[edit]

Titles, styles and honours[edit]

Styles of
The Prince of Brunei
Reference styleHis Royal Highness
Spoken styleYour Royal Highness
Alternative styleDuli Tuanku

Titles and styles[edit]

  • 27 August 1947 – 29 September 1967: Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Duli
  • 29 September 1967 – 6 February 1970: Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Temenggong Sahibul Bahar
  • Since 6 February 1970: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar

Military ranks[edit]

First Lieutenant Mohamed Bolkiah in the Irish Guards at Sandhurst, 1967

Brunei Brunei

United Kingdom United Kingdom

Namesakes[edit]

Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque in 2023
Mohamed Bolkiah seen wearing his ceremonial uniform in 2024

Honours[edit]

See also: Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei and List of honours of the Bruneian Royal Family by country

Mohamed Bolkiah has received the following national honours;

  • Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB)
  • Family Order of Laila Utama (DK) – Dato Laila Utama (1954)[21]
  • Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 1 August 1968)[22]
  • Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal (POAS)
  • Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI; 1975)
  • Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 1954)
  • Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)
  • Coronation Medal (1 August 1968)
  • Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
  • Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal (5 October 2017)
  • National Day Silver Jubilee Medal (23 February 2009)
  • Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal (31 May 1986)
  • General Service Medal (Armed Forces)
  • General Service Medal (Police)
  • Police Diamond Jubilee Medal

In addition, he has received several foreign honours:

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c ASEAN Forecast. Executive Publication Pte. 1985. p. 60.
  2. ^ a b Brunei (1967). Annual Report on Brunei. Printed at the Brunei Press. p. 6.
  3. ^ a b c Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-8108-7078-9.
  4. ^ "Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Temenggong Sahibul Bahar Muda Muhammad Bolkiah, adinda Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan kelihatan dalam gambar sabelah kanan sedang mengambil bahagian dalam satu latehan perbarisan baru2 ini bagi perbarisan Baginda Queen di - Sandhurst, Maktab Tentera Di-Raja British yang mashor di selatan England. Yang Teramat Mulia itu akan di-lantek sebagai sa-orang Leftenan Muda dalam pasokan Irish Guards" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 27 December 1967. p. 8.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Nani Suryani Haji Abu Bakar (August 2006). "BRUNEI'S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN 1966 AND 1984: CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES OVER ITS SECURITY AND SURVIVAL" (PDF). etheses.whiterose.ac.uk. University of Leeds. pp. 102–103, 196, 198–199, 201–202. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  6. ^ Vienne, Marie-Sybille de (9 March 2015). Brunei: From the Age of Commerce to the 21st Century. NUS Press. p. 252. ISBN 978-9971-69-818-8.
  7. ^ "Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam - Ministers". www.jpa.gov.bn. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  8. ^ Bolkiah, Prince Mohamed (2008). A Southeast Asian Community: More Than a Matter of Geography. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. ISBN 978-981-230-786-6.
  9. ^ "About Us". mofat.gov.bn. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei. Archived from the original on 23 November 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  10. ^ South. South Publications Limited. 1988. p. 5.
  11. ^ Bangkok Post
  12. ^ "RBAirF JOINS THE GRAND PARADE FOR HIS MAJESTY'S 76TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION". mindef.gov.bn (in Malay). 15 July 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Berkenan berangkat ke Majlis Santap". mediapermata.com.bn (in Malay). 18 July 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  14. ^ Saerah Haji Abdul Ghani (10 July 2017). "Berkenan berangkat ke Sambutan Hari Raya Aidilfitri YSHHB". www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  15. ^ "MAJLIS MENGHADAP DYTM PENGIRAN MUDA MOHAMED BOLKIAH". www.kln.gov.my (in Malay). 8 November 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Perkahwinan Di-Raja Selamat Berlangsong" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 15 July 1970. pp. 1 and 4.
  17. ^ a b Hakim Hayat; Nazirul Hakeem A (9 April 2013). "Prince Mohamed's book 'Association' launched". www.sultanate.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  18. ^ a b Hussainmiya, Bachamiya A. (1 January 2012). "Royal Brunei Arrmed Forces 50th anniversary Commemorative History". RBAF 50th Golden Anniversary Commemorative Book.
  19. ^ "Berita - Majlis Penutup Dikir Masjid Mohamed Bolkiah..." www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  20. ^ gp (19 August 2022). "Teruja sertai Majlis Khatam Al-Quran 76 kali senegara". Teruja sertai Majlis Khatam Al-Quran 76 kali senegara. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  21. ^ Tengkusyah (18 July 2010). "Maharum Bugis Syah (MBS): Kenali Adinda Lelaki Sultan Brunei :- 18.07.2010". Maharum Bugis Syah (MBS). Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  22. ^ a b c Brunei (1972). Annual Report on the Social and Economic Progress of the People of Brunei. Printed at the Brunei Press. p. 582.
  23. ^ Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "2009 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals," p. 2.
  24. ^ "Royalty receive Malaysian State Decoration".
  25. ^ "Berkenan menerima darjah kebesaran". mediapermata.com.bn (in Malay). 25 October 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  26. ^ ประกาศสํานักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์
  27. ^ ประกาศสํานักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์
  28. ^ "Sultanate - News | Negara Brunei Darussalam | Presidential honour for Prince". sultanate.com. Retrieved 4 March 2023.

External links[edit]

Political offices
Preceded by
Office established
 1st Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
1 January 1984 – 22 October 2015 		Succeeded by
Prince Mohamed Bolkiah
Born: 29 August 1948
Preceded by
Abdul Wakeel
 Line of succession to the Bruneian throne
7th position 		Succeeded by
Bruneian royalty
Preceded by Pengiran Temenggong Sahibul Bahar
1967–1970 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Post created
 Pengiran Perdana Wazir Sahibul Himmah Wal-Waqar
1970–present 		Incumbent
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