- Source: Pengiran Abdul Momin (born 1927)
Pengiran Abdul Momin bin Pengiran Haji Ismail (5 December 1927 – 17 May 2008) was a Bruneian nobleman, magistrate, politician and diplomat who held various key roles in the government throughout his distinguished career. He served as the 4th Menteri Besar of Brunei and later represented Brunei on the international stage as high commissioner to multiple countries, including Malaysia, India, China, and the United States. His contributions to Brunei's development were significant, particularly in areas of education, traditional arts, and agricultural advancements. In his later years, he was appointed as a member of the Legislative Council, continuing his public service until his passing in 2008.
Early life and education
Pengiran Abdul Momin was born in Brunei on 5 December 1927. He attended Brunei Town Malay School and the Roman Catholic Mission School. He began his career with the Government of Brunei in 1946. He was appointed as the assistant district officer of Belait from August 1958 to September 1959. During that year, he was dispatched to Canada to undertake a public administration course at Carleton University. Over the course of his service, he held several key positions, including assistant information officer of Belait District, district officer of Belait from September to October 1969, as well as land officer of Belait District. He also served as Belait District magistrate, clerk of Councils, personnel officer, commissioner for development, and director of civil aviation.
Political career
Pengiran Abdul Momin and Abidin Abdul Rashid attended the United Nations (UN) conference on human rights for developing nations from 12 to 18 May 1964, in Kabul, Afghanistan, as delegates of Brunei. He was also appointed as assistant State Secretary of Brunei in 1969. While Taib Besar was on his retirement vacation on 23 July 1969, he served as acting state secretary. Returned to his position as district officer in Kuala Belait between 2 September and 1 October. Before assuming the position of Brunei's 4th Menteri Besar, he was promoted to State Secretary from 1 April 1970 to 15 May 1972. In connection with this, a ceremony for the declaration and presentation of the commissioning letter for the confirmation of the Menteri Besar position was held on 26 April 1975. Later on 1 July, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah officially appointed him as the new Menteri Besar, and remained at this post through another council shuffle on 1 July 1974, and completing his tenure on 31 August 1981.
Diplomatic career
Pengiran Abdul Momin served as Brunei's high commissioner to Malaysia from 1989 to 1990 and as non-resident high commissioner to India from 1990 to 1993, presenting his credentials to President R Venkataraman on 24 November 1990. From 1993 to 1995, he was also Brunei's non-resident high commissioner to China. In 1995, he became the ambassador to the United States and was the country's permanent representative to the United Nations from 1994 to 1995.
Later life and death
During his service to the government of Brunei, Pengiran Abdul Momin made notable contributions to the country's development. He organised dialogue sessions with the public, established the Craft Training School to preserve traditional arts, and introduced civic courses for village heads, community leaders, and house chiefs. Additionally, he played a key role in developing an educational system with a focus on agriculture, implementing practical methods based on science and technology at the Farmers Agriculture Centre.
In his later years, Pengiran Abdul Momin became a member of the newly reformed Legislative Council on 6 September 2004. He passed away at the age of 80 on 17 May 2008. The Sultan personally expressed his condolences to his family at their Kampong Telanai home, and he was laid to rest at the Telanai 'A' Muslim Cemetery.
Personal life
Married to Datin Dayang Hajjah Masna binti Haji Yusuf and they have four kids; a son and three daughters, notably Pengiran Mohammad Yassin, Pengiran Noraini and Pengiran Mariana.
Titles, styles and honours
= Titles and styles
=On 25 June 1970, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah granted him the Cheteria 16 title Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Diraja, known in the honorific as Yang Amat Mulia, in appreciation of his dedication and achievements to the country and the monarchy.
= Honours
=Pengiran Abdul Momin also been bestowed upon the following honours;
National
Family Order of Laila Utama (DK; 15 July 1972) – Dato Laila Utama
Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB; 12 February 1969) – Dato Paduka
Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB; 15 July 1973) – Dato Setia
Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal Second Class (POAS; 25 September 1963)
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)
Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI)
Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
Long Service Medal (PKL; 9 August 1967)
Campaign Medal (17 April 1965)
Foreign
United Kingdom:
Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO; 29 February 1972)
Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)
