Abdul Momin

Abdul Momin (before 21 May 1788 – 30 May 1885) was the 24th Sultan of Brunei from 1852 until his death on 29 May 1885. He was the son-in-law of the previous Sultan, Omar Ali Saifuddin II.

Background

He was the son of Pengiran Shahbandar Pengiran Anak Abdul Wahab and grandson of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin I . He was also the brother in law of Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin. His Highness was well respected as he brought peace and order to the country.

Marriage

He married Pengiran Anak Zubaidah, the daughter of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II, thus making him the latter's son-in-law. He married Pengiran Anak Fatima as first wife, the daughter of Sultan Muhammad Khanzul Alam. They had issue a son, Pengiran Muda Prince Shahabuddin. ( The prince ran away to North Borneo for the safety purpose)

Reign

Abdul Momin succeeded his father-in-law Omar Ali Saifuddin II as sultan upon the latter's death, having previously served as regent for him during his ill health. During Abdul Momin's reign, the teachings of Islam were encouraged and he also sent some Ulama to the Holy City of Makkah.

Seizure of territories by foreign powers

During his reign, many territories were surrendered to James Brooke of Sarawak; in 1855, seven districts stretching from Samarahan to Rajang were surrendered to James Brooke in the signing of a treaty. On 26 November 1856, the British signed a treaty with Sultan Abdul Momin to reconfirm the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce signed in 1847. In 1861, Abdul Momin ceded more territories to James Brooke.

Sultan Abdul Momin

At the same time, between 1865 and 1878, three foreign groups encroached into North Borneo (Sabah). In 1865, Charles Lee Moses, an American Consul General, signed a treaty with Sultan Abdul Momin and obtained twenty one districts. Later, Moses transferred his rights to the lease to Joseph Wilfred Torrey who sold it to Gustavus Baron von Overbeck. In 1881, the British government granted the British North Borneo Company a royal charter. William Hood Treacher was appointed the first British Governor of North Borneo.

Declaration of Amanat

Realising that Brunei would become extinct, Abdul Momin declared the Amanat, an agreement between the Sultan, Wazirs, Manteris, and holders of Tulin rights not to cede or lease any remaining territories to the foreign powers. In the years that followed, many Brunei territories continued to be taken, including Limbang. Also, at that time, Brunei did not have the military strength to enforce the Amanat.

Death

He died on Friday, 29 May 1885 at 8:00 a.m. He was buried in the Royal Mausoleum at Bandar Seri Begawan. Abdul Momin was succeeded by his brother in law, Pengiran Temenggong Pengiran Anak Hashim, who was later known as Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin.

References

External links

• List of Sultans of Brunei (in Russian)