Civil war wrecks chaos in the country

ONE of the interesting islands in Brunei Bay is a small island called Pulau Cermin (cermin means mirror in Malay). Pulau Cermin as many Brunei historians know, is the site of the temporary palace of Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin, the 13th Sultan of Brunei and is the site of the only civil war in Brunei History.Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin stayed there for a while, retreating from Brunei's capital in Kampong Ayer. Another Sultan, Sultan Muhyiddin, took up the throne in Brunei's capital while Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mumin stayed at Pulau Cermin. It was the only time that Brunei had two Sultans.How did the civil war come about? The civil war between the two Sultans was described vividly in a Brunei Malay novel entitled Mahkota Berdarah (The Bloodied Crown). It was in fact quite a bloody time in Brunei history.Yura Halim wrote the book in the mid-1960s and the book was quite popular during its hey days and is considered a classic today.The bloody episode was sparked off by a cock fight between the son of the Sultan, Pengiran Muda Alam, and the son of the Bendahara. The Bendahara was Abdul Hakkul Mubin.The Bendahara, in the old days, is always the Sultan's right hand man. He can be considered as the Deputy Sultan or in these days, the equivalent of the Prime Minister.For Brunei, the Bendahara was the most senior of all the viziers (wazir) until the appointment of the Perdana Wazir in 1970.During the cockfight, the cock belonging to the son of the Bendahara Abdul Hakkul Mubin won. It defeated the cock belonging to the son of the Sultan, Pengiran Muda Alam. Pengiran Muda Alam was so enraged by the loss that he took out his keris and plunged it into the chest of the son of the Bendahara. The son of the Bendahara died from the fatal stabbing.Bendahara Abdul Hakkul Mubin was said to have loved that son so much that he too was enraged when he was informed of his son's death. He marched to the palace to confront the Sultan. The Sultan at that time was Sultan Muhammad Ali. The Bendahara asked for his son's death to be avenged.According to some, he was denied by Sultan Muhammad Ali. Though in the book, Mahkota Berdarah, the Sultan allowed him to enter into the palace to search for Pengiran Muda Alam. By the time he went in, Pengiran Muda Alam had escaped from the palace.The Bendahara was so enraged when he could not find Pengiran Muda Alam. He lost his temper and went amok and started killing people inside the palace including the Sultan's family. The Sultan who waited in the hall was shocked to see the Bendahara on a killing spree. He tried to stop the Bendahara but the Bendahara will no longer listen to reason.The Bendahara and his men took the Sultan and killed him by garroting him to death. His body was left lying on the grass lawn and up to now he is known as 'Marhum Tumbang Dirumput'. This death was to have taken place in November 1661. The Bendahara took the throne for himself. He crowned himself the Sultan of Brunei as Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin, Brunei's 13th Sultan.As Sultan, Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin tried to foster peace between him and the followers of Sultan Muhammad Ali by installing the latter's grandson, Pengiran Muhyiddin, as the new Bendahara.At first there was peace in the country. But underneath the peace, there was still simmering hatred for Sultan Hakul Abdul Mubin. Many of Sultan Muhammad Ali's followers implored to Bendahara Muhyidin to rebel against Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin.At first Bendahara Muhyiddin felt that it was not the right thing to do. But over time, he agreed and plan for the removal of Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin.The first thing he and his men did was to create a disturbance at the palace as well as the houses in the area. They did the disturbances by poking their spears into the palace and houses. This was called 'mengarok'.Since many of these rebels were also working at the palace, it was not difficult for them to carry out the attacks.When Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin asked for Bendahara Muhyidin's advice, he was duly advised that it would be better if he went off to Pulau Cermin while waiting for the attacks to dissipate. The Sultan immediately ordered for a new palace to be built there and move as soon as it was ready.Bendahara Muhyiddin in the meantime was installed as the new Sultan in the capital. When Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin's men came ashore to seek out why the Bendahara has not taken up his residence at the island, they were shocked to see that the Bendahara had raised the Sultan's yellow flag for himself.There was no way that Brunei can have two Sultans. A battle ensued between the two Sultans and at first Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin retreated to Kinarut in Sabah.While in Kinarut, Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin built a fort about 10 miles away from Kota Kinabalu. From here with the assistance of the local Bajaus and Dusuns he managed to repel attacks from Sultan Muhiyiddin even killing a few of Sultan Muhiyiddin's Cheterias.The fort was strategically placed on top of a hill with two rivers flowing beside it and a view that can oversee a few small island in the South China Sea. The fort was so good that according to legend, Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin stayed for about 10 years becoming the Sultan in Kinarut where he among others also managed to curtail piracy activities in that area.There were several attacks carried out by Sultan Muhyddin. In a final attack at Kinarut, Sultan Muhyddin's forces failed to defeat Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin. The two went back to Brunei with Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin going back to Pulau Cermin.Pulau Cermin itself is fairly unremarkable but what makes it a very strong fortress is that it is in the middle of the entry into the Brunei river. Control the island means you control access to the food supply coming in from the sea. In those days, Bruneians were also fishermen and they could not go out to fish during the civil war.Sultan Muhyiddin worried that the war was going to drag on and created more difficulties for the citizens of Brunei, called for the assistance of Sultan Suluk to help defeat Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin promising them independence as well as the territory of Sabah to be given to Sultan Suluk.The Suluks came and took up places at Pulau Keingaran to help bombard the island but according to legends did not do much fighting and only took up the fight towards the very end. While Sultan Muhyiddin's men bombarded Pulau Cermin from Tanjung Kindana before launching a final assault on the island.During the battle, Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin knew that he was going to be defeated and be killed. Rather than surrender the crown and the throne, Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin shot the crown and other royal regalias from Pulau Chermin across the sea. Though some say that these were all still buried somewhere on the island.Pulau Cermin is now protected by the Antiquities and Treasure Trove Act and is now inaccessible to visitors unless they have permission to visit the island.The writer runs a website on Brunei at bruneiresources.com

Civil war wrecks chaos in the country

ONE of the interesting islands in Brunei Bay is a small island called Pulau Cermin (cermin means mirror in Malay). Pulau Cermin as many Brunei historians know, is the site of the temporary palace of Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin, the 13th Sultan of Brunei and is the site of the only civil war in Brunei History.Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin stayed there for a while, retreating from Brunei's capital in Kampong Ayer. Another Sultan, Sultan Muhyiddin, took up the throne in Brunei's capital while Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mumin stayed at Pulau Cermin. It was the only time that Brunei had two Sultans.How did the civil war come about? The civil war between the two Sultans was described vividly in a Brunei Malay novel entitled Mahkota Berdarah (The Bloodied Crown). It was in fact quite a bloody time in Brunei history.Yura Halim wrote the book in the mid-1960s and the book was quite popular during its hey days and is considered a classic today.The bloody episode was sparked off by a cock fight between the son of the Sultan, Pengiran Muda Alam, and the son of the Bendahara. The Bendahara was Abdul Hakkul Mubin.The Bendahara, in the old days, is always the Sultan's right hand man. He can be considered as the Deputy Sultan or in these days, the equivalent of the Prime Minister.For Brunei, the Bendahara was the most senior of all the viziers (wazir) until the appointment of the Perdana Wazir in 1970.During the cockfight, the cock belonging to the son of the Bendahara Abdul Hakkul Mubin won. It defeated the cock belonging to the son of the Sultan, Pengiran Muda Alam. Pengiran Muda Alam was so enraged by the loss that he took out his keris and plunged it into the chest of the son of the Bendahara. The son of the Bendahara died from the fatal stabbing.Bendahara Abdul Hakkul Mubin was said to have loved that son so much that he too was enraged when he was informed of his son's death. He marched to the palace to confront the Sultan. The Sultan at that time was Sultan Muhammad Ali. The Bendahara asked for his son's death to be avenged.According to some, he was denied by Sultan Muhammad Ali. Though in the book, Mahkota Berdarah, the Sultan allowed him to enter into the palace to search for Pengiran Muda Alam. By the time he went in, Pengiran Muda Alam had escaped from the palace.The Bendahara was so enraged when he could not find Pengiran Muda Alam. He lost his temper and went amok and started killing people inside the palace including the Sultan's family. The Sultan who waited in the hall was shocked to see the Bendahara on a killing spree. He tried to stop the Bendahara but the Bendahara will no longer listen to reason.The Bendahara and his men took the Sultan and killed him by garroting him to death. His body was left lying on the grass lawn and up to now he is known as 'Marhum Tumbang Dirumput'. This death was to have taken place in November 1661. The Bendahara took the throne for himself. He crowned himself the Sultan of Brunei as Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin, Brunei's 13th Sultan.As Sultan, Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin tried to foster peace between him and the followers of Sultan Muhammad Ali by installing the latter's grandson, Pengiran Muhyiddin, as the new Bendahara.At first there was peace in the country. But underneath the peace, there was still simmering hatred for Sultan Hakul Abdul Mubin. Many of Sultan Muhammad Ali's followers implored to Bendahara Muhyidin to rebel against Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin.At first Bendahara Muhyiddin felt that it was not the right thing to do. But over time, he agreed and plan for the removal of Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin.The first thing he and his men did was to create a disturbance at the palace as well as the houses in the area. They did the disturbances by poking their spears into the palace and houses. This was called 'mengarok'.Since many of these rebels were also working at the palace, it was not difficult for them to carry out the attacks.When Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin asked for Bendahara Muhyidin's advice, he was duly advised that it would be better if he went off to Pulau Cermin while waiting for the attacks to dissipate. The Sultan immediately ordered for a new palace to be built there and move as soon as it was ready.Bendahara Muhyiddin in the meantime was installed as the new Sultan in the capital. When Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin's men came ashore to seek out why the Bendahara has not taken up his residence at the island, they were shocked to see that the Bendahara had raised the Sultan's yellow flag for himself.There was no way that Brunei can have two Sultans. A battle ensued between the two Sultans and at first Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin retreated to Kinarut in Sabah.While in Kinarut, Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin built a fort about 10 miles away from Kota Kinabalu. From here with the assistance of the local Bajaus and Dusuns he managed to repel attacks from Sultan Muhiyiddin even killing a few of Sultan Muhiyiddin's Cheterias.The fort was strategically placed on top of a hill with two rivers flowing beside it and a view that can oversee a few small island in the South China Sea. The fort was so good that according to legend, Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin stayed for about 10 years becoming the Sultan in Kinarut where he among others also managed to curtail piracy activities in that area.There were several attacks carried out by Sultan Muhyddin. In a final attack at Kinarut, Sultan Muhyddin's forces failed to defeat Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin. The two went back to Brunei with Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin going back to Pulau Cermin.Pulau Cermin itself is fairly unremarkable but what makes it a very strong fortress is that it is in the middle of the entry into the Brunei river. Control the island means you control access to the food supply coming in from the sea. In those days, Bruneians were also fishermen and they could not go out to fish during the civil war.Sultan Muhyiddin worried that the war was going to drag on and created more difficulties for the citizens of Brunei, called for the assistance of Sultan Suluk to help defeat Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin promising them independence as well as the territory of Sabah to be given to Sultan Suluk.The Suluks came and took up places at Pulau Keingaran to help bombard the island but according to legends did not do much fighting and only took up the fight towards the very end. While Sultan Muhyiddin's men bombarded Pulau Cermin from Tanjung Kindana before launching a final assault on the island.During the battle, Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin knew that he was going to be defeated and be killed. Rather than surrender the crown and the throne, Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin shot the crown and other royal regalias from Pulau Chermin across the sea. Though some say that these were all still buried somewhere on the island.Pulau Cermin is now protected by the Antiquities and Treasure Trove Act and is now inaccessible to visitors unless they have permission to visit the island.The writer runs a website on Brunei at bruneiresources.com

History: The Founding Of Brunei
Long ago in Garang, a place in the Temburong District, lived Awang Alak Betatar and his thirteen brothers. Awang Alak Betatar was chosen by his brothers as their leader because of his intelligence.

One day, Awang Alak Betatar called his brothers for a meeting. In the meeting they had, they decided to move to another place.A week later, Awang Alak Betatar's brothers, led by Pateh Berbai, began their search. They landed at a site called Butir on the Brunei River.Pateh Berbai and his brothers went back to tell Awang Alak Betatar the good news. A conference was then held and Awang Alak Betatar agreed to his brothers' suggestion.

Weeks later, Awang Alak Betatar and his brothers sailed together with their followers to establish the new settlement which was to become Brunei Town. When they arrived, they began clearing the bushes and cleaning the area.Each of Awang Alak Betatar's brothers set up his own house. Soon, more and more people came to settle there and Awang Alak Betatar became the first ruler of Brunei.

Sultan Sharif Ali

Sultan Sharif Ali (also known as Barkat ALi Ibnu Sharif Ajlan ibni Sharif Rumaithah) was the third sultan of Brunei. 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 became eligible for the throne marrying Sultan Ahmad's daughter, Putri Ratna Kesuma.

Sharif Ali was a very pious ruler and was therefore nicknamed "Sultan Berkat" (Blessed Sultan). He was the first sultan to build mosque, and fortified the defense of Brunei by odering his people to build a stone fortress. Sharf 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, through his grandchild, Saidina Hassan r.a.
Sultan Sharif Ali was the ancestor of the Brunei & Sulu royal families.

~END~

Civil War Wrecks Chaos In The Country

Rozan YunosBANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, August 24, 2008

ONE of the interesting islands in Brunei Bay is a small island called Pulau Cermin (cermin means mirror in Malay). Pulau Cermin as many Brunei historians know, is the site of the temporary palace of Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin, the 13th Sultan of Brunei and is the site of the only civil war in Brunei History.Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin stayed there for a while, retreating from Brunei's capital in Kampong Ayer. Another Sultan, Sultan Muhyiddin, took up the throne in Brunei's capital while Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mumin stayed at Pulau Cermin. It was the only time that Brunei had two Sultans.How did the civil war come about? The civil war between the two Sultans was described vividly in a Brunei Malay novel entitled Mahkota Berdarah (The Bloodied Crown). It was in fact quite a bloody time in Brunei history.Yura Halim wrote the book in the mid-1960s and the book was quite popular during its hey days and is considered a classic today.The bloody episode was sparked off by a cock fight between the son of the Sultan, Pengiran Muda Alam, and the son of the Bendahara. The Bendahara was Abdul Hakkul Mubin.The Bendahara, in the old days, is always the Sultan's right hand man. He can be considered as the Deputy Sultan or in these days, the equivalent of the Prime Minister.For Brunei, the Bendahara was the most senior of all the viziers (wazir) until the appointment of the Perdana Wazir in 1970.During the cockfight, the cock belonging to the son of the Bendahara Abdul Hakkul Mubin won. It defeated the cock belonging to the son of the Sultan, Pengiran Muda Alam. Pengiran Muda Alam was so enraged by the loss that he took out his keris and plunged it into the chest of the son of the Bendahara. The son of the Bendahara died from the fatal stabbing.Bendahara Abdul Hakkul Mubin was said to have loved that son so much that he too was enraged when he was informed of his son's death. He marched to the palace to confront the Sultan. The Sultan at that time was Sultan Muhammad Ali. The Bendahara asked for his son's death to be avenged.According to some, he was denied by Sultan Muhammad Ali. Though in the book, Mahkota Berdarah, the Sultan allowed him to enter into the palace to search for Pengiran Muda Alam. By the time he went in, Pengiran Muda Alam had escaped from the palace.The Bendahara was so enraged when he could not find Pengiran Muda Alam. He lost his temper and went amok and started killing people inside the palace including the Sultan's family. The Sultan who waited in the hall was shocked to see the Bendahara on a killing spree. He tried to stop the Bendahara but the Bendahara will no longer listen to reason.The Bendahara and his men took the Sultan and killed him by garroting him to death. His body was left lying on the grass lawn and up to now he is known as 'Marhum Tumbang Dirumput'. This death was to have taken place in November 1661. The Bendahara took the throne for himself. He crowned himself the Sultan of Brunei as Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin, Brunei's 13th Sultan.As Sultan, Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin tried to foster peace between him and the followers of Sultan Muhammad Ali by installing the latter's grandson, Pengiran Muhyiddin, as the new Bendahara.At first there was peace in the country. But underneath the peace, there was still simmering hatred for Sultan Hakul Abdul Mubin. Many of Sultan Muhammad Ali's followers implored to Bendahara Muhyidin to rebel against Sultan Hakkul Abdul Mubin.

Events led to Brunei independence in 1984

On December 31, 1983, thousands of citizens and residents of Brunei congregated at the Taman Sir Omar 'Ali Saifuddien for the proclamation of full independence on January 1, 1984, after the end of British protection for 96 years.

The independence meant a reinstatement of power to rule itself in defence and foreign affairs which was previously handled by Britain.

Hj Matali Jumat, 63, recalled how he stood and prayed in the rain at the Sir Omar 'Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) mosque in the capital to rejoice the occasion.

The beat of hadrah (traditional drums) together with the thousands of voices of excitement and gratefulness from citizens will be etched in his memory forever, he said.

Suhaili Amat, who was 13-years-old then, said that thousands of students joined adults at the National Stadium to release doves and balloons into the sky at the crack of dawn to celebrate the nation-state's independence.

"Thousands of youths joined in the event. We had a marvelous time celebrating our nation-state's independence and history in the making. I am sad that the unity shown by the youths of our time is not reflected in the youths nowadays," he said, adding that youths must not undermine and forget this historic event.

"Remember that our forefathers worked very hard to achieve independence and we must always remember the significance of being an independent nation."

Hj Rozan Yunos, a senior government official, who was in the United Kingdom (UK) during the proclamation, commented that sadly, he could not attend the historic event. However, he said that the Bruneian students in the UK got together and pondered over expectations on how they could contribute in Brunei.

"I could remember vividly how proud I was when the Brunei High Comission called us to collect our brand new passport. I arrived in the UK with a British passport and returned home in the summer of 1984, proudly, on a Bruneian passport," he said.

"That, to me was the most important symbol of independence. I do not have to rely on another country's passport to travel freely throughout the world," he said, adding that the development of the country has changed immensely for the better ever since.

"I remember coming home every summer to see something new in Brunei. There were new houses being built for the Lambak Kanan Housing Scheme and new buildings keep popping up all over the place. We have developed tremendously since those early independence days," he added.

The proclamation, which was read by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, states that "Brunei shall be forever a sovereign, democratic and independent Melayu Islam Beraja (Malay Islamic Monarchy) philosophy based upon the teachings of Islam according to Ahli Sunnah wal-Jema'ah..."

This was followed by chants of Allahu Akhbar, led by the late Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien, and 21 cannon shots were fired. The ceremony ended with a recital of prayers by then Mufti Pehin Dato Seri Maharaja Datu Seri Utama Hj Ismail Umar Abdul Aziz. The first cabinet ministers led by His Majesty was also announced to ensure the execution of the country's administration and development plans.

Brunei will celebrate its National Day Silver Jubilee this year and celebrations will be held at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on February 23.

British Residental system in Brunei(1906-1959)

• Introduction in Brunei in 1906.

• Result of the Supplementary Protectorate Agreement signed on 31 December 1905 and on 3 January 1906.

• British Resident appointed to advise Sultan on all matter of administration except those touching on Islam.

Advantages:

• Better Administration
• Social welfare
• economics
• political

Disadvantages:

• Power of Sultan weakened
• Traditional responsibilities disrupted
• Resident did not work for Brunei's interest
• Locals could not head departments

Before the Residential System(land rights):

• Land governed according to traditional land right

• Holders of Tulin and Kuripan territories rarely paid taxes to the Sultan.

After Residential System:

• Land exactment Act of 1907

• All personal income earned through payments on territories became state revenue.

Before Residential System(monopoly rights):

• Monopolies mainly controlled by Chinese businessmen

Ater Residential System:

• Monopoly rights abolished(except for the Muara concession)

Before Residential System(Legislation):

• Sultan and chiefs as lawmakers

After Residential System:

• Police force began in Brunei.