The State Secretary[a] (Malay: Setiausaha Kerajaan; Jawi: ستياءوسها كراجأن) was established to manage Brunei’s internal administrative functions and support the Menteri Besar. Reserved for Malay Muslims, the position became a key figure under the 1959 Constitution, overseeing departmental coordination, advising the Sultan of Brunei, and holding a seat in the Council of Ministers.[2][3] The State Secretary's office was located at the Secretariat Building in Bandar Seri Begawan.[4]
| State Secretary of Brunei | |
|---|---|
| Setiausaha Kerajaan Brunei ستياءوسها كراجأن بروني | |
 Emblem of Brunei | |
| Government of Brunei State Secretary's Office | |
| Style | The Honourable (Malay: Yang Berhormat) |
| Type | State Secretary |
| Member of | State Secretary's Office Council of Ministers Executive Council |
| Reports to | Menteri Besar |
| Seat | Secretariat Building, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei |
| Appointer | Hassanal Bolkiah as Sultan of Brunei |
| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Brunei |
| Formation | 29 September 1959 |
| First holder | Wan Ahmad Umar |
| Final holder | Abdul Rahman Taib |
| Abolished | 31 December 1983 |
History
editThe 1888 Protectorate Agreement and the 1905–1906 Supplementary Treaty between Brunei and the United Kingdom were initially enacted to protect Brunei’s territorial sovereignty, particularly from external threats. However, as Brunei's governance evolved to meet modern demands, especially during the adoption of a new constitution, a call to reassess these treaties emerged, particularly from residents of the Belait District. In response to these developments, the British Resident system, which had dominated Brunei's administration, was abolished. The role of the Resident, once the chief administrator, was downgraded to an advisory position to the Sultan of Brunei and the State Council. This shift officially paved the way for the creation of new roles such as the Menteri Besar and the State Secretary, which were essential to modernising Brunei's political structure and adapting to contemporary governance needs.[3]
Functions
editThe State Secretary was established to support the Menteri Besar in overseeing Brunei's administrative functions. The position was specifically reserved for Malay Muslims and required nomination by the Sultan.[3] Under the 1959 Constitution, the State Secretary became the principal officer managing internal administrative affairs, ensuring departmental coordination and policy consultation.[5] The State Secretary also held a seat in the Council of Ministers,[2] Executive Council[6] and worked alongside other key officials like the Attorney General and the State Financial Officer to implement the Sultan's executive authority.[5] Additionally, in legal matters involving government personnel, documents signed by the State Secretary, such as those certifying employment details, were accepted as conclusive evidence in court.[7]
List of secretariats
edit- Symbols
| No. | Portrait | Name[8] | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Monarch | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | .jpg)
|
Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar إبراهيم محمد جهفر (1902–1971) |
1941 | 1945 | 3 years[b] | Ahmad Tajuddin | [10] |
| 1 | 
|
Wan Ahmad Umar مرسل ماون (b.1923) |
29 September 1959 | 1 January 1962 | 2 years, 3 days | Omar Ali Saifuddien III | [11][12] |
| 2 | .jpg)
|
Dato' Seri Raja Azam مرسل ماون (1918–1999) |
1 January 1962 | 18 January 1964 | 2 years, 3 days | Omar Ali Saifuddien III | [12] |
| 3 | 
|
Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf ڤڠيرن محمد يوسف (1923–2016) |
18 January 1964 | 1 June 1967 | 3 years, 134 days | Omar Ali Saifuddien III | [13][14] |
| – | 
|
Dato Setia Taib Besar طائب بسر (1916–1974) |
1 June 1967 | 25 March 1970 | 2 years, 297 days | Omar Ali Saifuddien III | [15][16] |
| 4 | 
|
Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Diraja Pengiran Abdul Momin ڤڠيرن عبدالمومين (1927–2008) Acting from 23 July 1969 |
25 March 1970 | 15 May 1972 | 2 years, 51 days | Hassanal Bolkiah | [15][17] |
| – | 
|
Dato Paduka Matnor McAfee متنور مچفياي (1922–1973) |
15 May 1972 | 15 February 1973 | 276 days[c] | Hassanal Bolkiah | [18] |
| 5 | 
|
Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Abdul Aziz Umar عبدالعزيز عمر (b.1936) Acting from 16 February 1973 |
1 July 1974 | 1 September 1981 | 7 years, 62 days | Hassanal Bolkiah | [19][20] |
| 6 | 
|
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Abdul Rahman Taib عبدالرحمن طائب (b.1942) |
1 September 1981 | 31 December 1983 | 2 years, 121 days | Hassanal Bolkiah | [21] |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ The Secretary of State was another title for the position.[1]
- ^ Under the pre-war State Secretary Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar, Brunei was theoretically controlled by its State Council over the following three and a half years of Japanese occupation during World War II.[9]
- ^ Died in office
References
edit- ^ Hussainmiya, B. A. (2000). "The Brunei Constitution of 1959: An Inside History". American Journal of Islam and Society. 19 (2). Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei Press: 20. doi:10.35632/ajis.v19i2.1948.
- ^ a b State of Brunei: Annual Report 1972. Brunei Press. 1972. p. 583.
- ^ a b c Mail 2015, pp. 77.
- ^ "Secretariat Building". Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
- ^ a b Mail 2015, pp. 141.
- ^ Great Britain Office of Commonwealth Relations (1965). The Commonwealth Relations Office Year Book 1965. H.M. Stationery Office. p. 460.
- ^ "PERLEMBAGAAN NEGERI BRUNEI, 1959" (PDF). Attorney General's Chambers (in Malay). 21 December 1981. p. 702. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Pengiran Haji, Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abd Rahman (2007). Islam di Brunei Darussalam zaman British, 1774-1984 (in Malay). Language and Literature Bureau, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. p. 368. ISBN 978-99917-0-557-6.
- ^ Reece 2009, p. 86.
- ^ "Speaker M.M. Negeri Meninggal Dunia" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 24 February 1971. p. 4.
- ^ "PENASIHAT UNDANG2 N. SEMBILAN DI-UMUMKAN JADI PEGUAM NEGARA" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 29 September 1959. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ a b "D. Y. M. M. MENGURNIAKAN TAULIAH KAPADA M. B. DAN S. U. K." (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 5 September 1962. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ "Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Haji Mohd. Yusuf bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim". Jabatan Majlis-Majlis Mesyuarat (in Malay). Retrieved 2023-01-21.
- ^ "Menteri Besar berchuti panjang" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 7 June 1967. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ a b "PG. DATO PADUKA MOMIN DI-LANTEK SA-BAGAI S. U. K BARU" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 25 March 1970. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Meninggal dunia di-Mekah" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 30 January 1974. pp. 1 and 5. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Horton, A. V. M. (2008). "Negara Brunei Darussalam: obituary 2008". Borneo Research Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "ALLAHYARHAM DATO MATNOR DALAM KENANGAN" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 1973-02-21. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "LANTEKAN M.B. DAN S.U.K. DI-TETAPKAN MULAI 1HB JULAI 1974" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 22 January 1975. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "HIS EXCELLENCY PEHIN DATO (DR) HAJI ABDUL AZIZ UMAR" (PDF). SEAMEO. 2014. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Speaker of The Legislative Council". Legislative Council of Brunei (in Malay). Retrieved 2022-10-08.
- Mail, Asbol (2015-05-20). Persejarahan Brunei (in Malay). PTS Publications & Distributors. ISBN 978-967-0444-30-7.
- Reece, Bob (2009). ""The Little Sultan": Ahmad Tajuddin II of Brunei, Gerard MacBryan, and. Malcolm Macdonald" (PDF). Borneo Research Bulletin. 40. Borneo Research Council. ISSN 0006-7806.