Mokhtar Puteh

Bruneian nobility (1929–2016)

  • Politician
  • civil servant
Known forMember of Privy Council for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Pengiran Mokhtar Puteh CVO (19 September 1929 – 30 April 2016) or also spelled Mokhtar Putih,[1] was a nobleman and a civil servant from Brunei who served in several high-ranking positions which included being a member of the Privy Council and vice-president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council.[2] He was known for his active involvement in charitable work and sport activities throughout his life.[3]

Early life and education

From 1939 to 1942, Mokhtar Puteh attended the Kajang Malay School in Brunei Town for his early schooling. He continued his studies at the Roman Catholic Mission School. In 1941, when Brunei was occupied by the Japanese, he continued his academic pursuits at a Sarawak Navy Academy.[3]

Career

Mokhtar Puteh began his career as a broadcast and information officer for the Brunei-Muara District. In May 1968, he was a member and chair of the Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara in the Royal household until the 1990s.[3][2] The Bruneian government turned down the BAKER party's request to travel to London in 1969 to negotiate alongside the Sultan's delegation. Brunei's royal authorities sent away the leaders of the BAKER party, when they asked to be represented politically in the discussions between the British and Bruneian administrations. Jamil Al-Sufri and Mokhtar Puteh declared the political representation of the BAKER party to be too ludicrous for consideration.[4]

As a representative from the palace in 1969, he denied the rumours regarding Prince Mohamed Bolkiah's engagement with a Johor royal family member.[5] During a legislative council meeting that same year, a proposal for the government to consult the British Government regarding the future of the country's constitution. Him alongside Jamil Al-Sufri deemed the proposal as too inappropriate to accept.[6]

In 1970, he represented Brunei in a debate with former Tengku Abdul Rahman regarding the Limbang dispute.[7] In 1995, he assumed the same position at the Grand Chamberlain Office, Istana Darul Hana.[3]

Later life and death

He served as the vice-president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council in 1956 and was a member of the Privy Council.[3] He was also the President of the Brunei Draussalam Pencak Silat Federation.[8]

At 18:40 on 30 April 2016, the 86-years old Mokhtar Puteh passed away at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital. Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah accompanied Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to attend his funeral at his Kampong Telanai home.[1] Funeral prayer led by Abdul Aziz Juned, along with other mourners, including other members of the royal family, Cabinet Ministers, and state dignitaries. His body was then interred in the Kilometer 6 Muslim Cemetery, Kampong Telanai.[3][2]

Personal life

Born in Kampong Kianggeh on 19 September 1929, Moktar Puteh is the son of nobleman Pengiran Rajid. Notable children of his is Pengiran Hishamuddin Alli is the founder and managing director of Pakar Tenaga Bersatu (PTB),[9] Pengiran Nor Ikhsan is an Everest Base Camp climber,[10] Pengiran Omarali is a Lieutenant commander in the Royal Brunei Navy,[11] and Pengiran Saiful Redzali is the Belait District Football Association.[12] At the time of his death, he has a total of 16 children, 64 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.[3]

Awards and honours

Titles

Mokhtar Puteh was bestowed the cheteria title of Yang Amat Mulia (The Most Noble) Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III on 4 May 1968,[13] later upgraded to Pengiran Jaya Indera on 9 May 1996.[2]

  • May 1968 – May 1996: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana
  • May 1996 – 30 April 2016: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Indera

Honours

He received the Youth Council of Brunei's Meritorious Youth Leader Award in 2006. He has earned the following honours;[3][2]

National

Foreign

References

  1. ^ a b Hamzah bin Mohidin (1 May 2016). "DYMM BERANGKAT MENZAIRAHI JENAZAH ALLAHYARHAM YAM PENGIRAN JAYA INDERA PENGIRAN HJ MOKTAR PUTIH". www.infofoto.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Haniza Abdul Latif (1 May 2016). "Berangkat menziarahi jenazah YAM Pengiran Jaya Indera" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). pp. 1, 3. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Hakim Hayat (1 May 2016). "His Majesty pays last respects to late Cheteria". borneobulletin.com.bn. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  4. ^ Nani Suryani Abu Bakar (January 2006). "Brunei's political development between 1966 and 1984: challenges and difficulties over its security and survival". Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Retrieved 6 June 2024 – via www.researchgate.net.
  5. ^ "Istana nafikan pertunangan Y.T.M. Seri Paduka Dali Pg. Temenggong" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 15 October 1969. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  6. ^ "D.Y.M.M. Tidal Berniat Hendak Membawa Pemimpin Parti Politik Dallas Perundingan Dgn. Kerajaan British" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 28 May 1969. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Tengku Di-Chabar Memboktikan-Nya" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 21 October 1970. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council". www.bruneiolympic.org. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  9. ^ Pertubuhan Ukur. "PUJA - PTB meterai MoU". www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  10. ^ Saerah Haji Abd Ghani. "Pendaki negara berjaya tawan Everest Base Camp". www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  11. ^ "INTAKE 18 MIDSHIPMEN VISITED MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY". ocs.mindef.gov.bn. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  12. ^ Daniel Lim (8 July 2023). "Panaga Dragons, BSRC Vipers Jr juara Kejohanan Akar Umbi Belait » Media Permata Online". mediapermata.com.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Pendekatan Mengenai Istiadat Mengurniakan Gelaran Di Negara Brunei Darussalam" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 14 July 2004. p. 11. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Istiadat Mengurniakan Bintang2 Dan Pingat2 Sepuloh Orang Di-Anu Gerahkan Gelaran Dato" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 27 September 1967. p. 7. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Istiadat Mengurniakan Bintang2 Dan Pingat2" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 12 February 1969. p. 8. Retrieved 10 January 2024.