Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf

Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim (2 May 1923 – 11 April 2016), pen name Yura Halim, was a Bruneian nobleman, politician, civil servant, diplomat, and writer. He served as the Menteri Besar of Brunei from 1967 to 1972. He wrote the lyrics for Brunei's national anthem, "Allah Peliharakan Sultan," in 1947.^[1] The song was adopted as the country's official national anthem in 1951, when it was still a British protectorate.^[1] He was longtime member of the Legislative Council of Brunei, serving on the council until his death in 2016.^[1][2]

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Abdul Rahim is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf ڤڠيرن محمد يوسف DK SPMB DSNB POAS PHBS PJK PKL
Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf in c. 1965
3rd Menteri Besar of Brunei
In office 4 November 1968 – 15 July 1972
Monarch	Hassanal Bolkiah
Deputy	Isa Ibrahim
Preceded by	Marsal Maun
Succeeded by	Pengiran Abdul Momin
Member of the Legislative Council
In office 1 June 2011 – 11 April 2016
In office 6 September 2004 – 15 March 2011
3rd State Secretary of Brunei
In office 18 January 1964 – 1 June 1967
Monarch	Omar Ali Saifuddien III
Deputy	Taib Besar
Preceded by	Raja Azam
Succeeded by	Taib Besar (Acting)
Diplomatic positions Ambassador of Brunei to Japan In office 26 December 2001 – 2002 Preceded by Malai Ahmad Murad Succeeded by Nor Jeludin High Commissioner of Brunei to Malaysia In office 17 November 1995 – 2001 Preceded by Pengiran Jaya Succeeded by Amin Abdul Rahim
Personal details
Born	(1923-05-02)2 May 1923 Kampong Kandang, Tutong, Brunei
Died	11 April 2016(2016-04-11) (aged 92) Kampong Sengkarai, Tutong, Brunei
Resting place	Sengkarai Muslim Cemetery, Tutong, Brunei
Political party	BARIP (1946)
Spouse	Salmah Yussof
Children	11
Alma mater	Hiroshima University of Arts and Sciences Sultan Idris Teachers' College
Occupation	Politician diplomat teacher writer
Awards	S.E.A. Write Award
Signature

Early life and education

Pengiran Yusuf was born in Tutong, Brunei, on 2 May 1923.^[3] He began his education at Bukit Bendera Malay School in Tutong, which he attend from age 10 until he reached fifth grade. In 1939, he became a trainee teacher, or student teacher, at Bukit Bendera Malay School, which is now known as Muda Hashim Secondary School, in Tutong. He then enrolled in courses to become a teacher at Sultan Idris Teachers College (SITC) in Perak, British Malaya, beginning in 1939. Following the Japanese invasion of Malaya in 1941, he was transferred to Kita Bornei Kanri Yosei Jo in Kuching, Sarawak, to study the Japanese language.^[1]

Atomic bombing of Hiroshima

In 1944, Pengiran Yusuf enrolled in advanced Japanese studies at the International School Kokusai Gakuyukai in Tokyo.^[1][2] He then studied Education at the Hiroshima University of Arts and Sciences (present-day Hiroshima University), in April 1945, towards the end of World War II.^[1][2] On 6 August 1945, Pengiran Yusuf, who was a student in at the university, survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.^[1][2] He had radiation sickness while residing in Hiroshima during the time of the atomic bomb's detonation.^[4] Pengiran Yusuf was one of only three Southeast Asian students who survived the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The other two survivors were Abdul Razak, who later became a professor of Japanese in Malaysia, and Hasan Rahaya, an Indonesian politician.^[2] In 1945, he went back to Brunei.^[4]

Political career

Pengiran Yusuf at the coronation ceremony of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Pengiran Yusuf returned to Brunei following the end of World War II, where he worked as a teacher at Kuala Belait Malay School.^[1] In April 1946, he was chosen to serve as Barisan Pemuda's (BARIP) deputy president; in 1947, he was returned to SITC. 1949 saw the return to Brunei and posting to Temburong District. He later became a prominent Persekutuan Guru-Guru Melayu Brunei (PGGMB) member. He was appointed in 1953 as the Secretary of the Constitutional Advisory Committee (also known as the Tujuh Serangkai);^[5] moved to the Information Department in 1954; and sent to South Devon Technical College, Torquay, United Kingdom, in 1954–1957 to complete a public and social administration degree.^[1][6]

After his return from the UK, Pengiran Yusuf was assigned to the Department of Information Office; a member of the State Financial Authority in 1957;^[7] a member of the Sultan's constitutional delegation to London for the 1959 Brunei Negotiations;^[8] an unofficial member of the State Council from 1957 to 1959; an official member of the Legislative Council and Executive Council from 1959 to August 1962; a State Information Officer from 1959 to 1961; Deputy State Secretary of Brunei and Director of Broadcasting and Information from August 1961 to 1964.^[1][6]

Pengiran Yusuf was elevated to the post of State Secretary of Brunei from 1964 to 1967. He was appointed acting Menteri Besar in 1965 and was confirmed to the office as permanent Menteri Besar in 1967. He held the office of Menteri Besar from 1967 to 1972.^[6] He retired from the Bruneian civil service in 1973.^[1]

Later life and death

In 1995, Pengiran Yusuf was appointed High Commissioner of Brunei to Malaysia by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.^[1] He was next appointed Ambassador to Japan in 2001.^[1] From 6 September 2004 to 15 March 2011 and 1 June 2011 to 11 April 2016, he was among the appointed members of the Legislative Council.^[9] Borneo Bulletin formally declared on 31 May 2011, that he will join the Legislative Council, effective 1 June.^[10] In his later life, he was a well-known businessman and Borneo Bulletin's managing director.^[6]

Pengiran Yusuf at his home Teratak Yura in Kampong Sengkarai in Tutong District,^[11] died on 11 April 2016, at the age of 92.^[1] He was survived by eight children, 38 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.^[1] He passed away peacefully in his sleep, according to his businessman son Yura Kesteria.^[12] His son, Pengiran Haji Yura Halim, received the letter of condolences from the Embassy of Japan in Brunei.^[13]

Books

• Mahkota Yang Berdarah. Brunei: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. 1985. ISBN 9789991767963.
• Ririsej Brunei Darussalam. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 2002. ISBN 9789991702513.
• Sekayu Tiga Bangsi. 1965.
• Allah Peliharakan Sultan. 1947.
• Sejarah berunai. Brunei: Brunei Press. 1958.
• Barat-Timur Dan Bom Atom. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. 2002.

Personal life

Pengiran Yusuf was married to Datin Hajah Salmah binti Mohammad Yussof, and together they have 7 sons and 4 daughters,^[14] who are:^[15]

• Pengiran Haji Yura Halim^[13]
• Pengiran Haji Yura Kesteria^[16]
• Pengiran Haji Yura Laila
• Pengiran Haji Yura Perkasa,^[17] married Pengiran Anak Hajah Mastura^[18]
• Pengiran Haji Yura Dupa Khodadat
• Pengiran Haji Yura Muhammad Abai
• Pengiran Hajah Yura Alaiti,^[19][20] married to Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Adnan^[21]
• Pengiran Hajah Yura Muliati^[22]
• Pengiran Hajah Yura Nurulhayaty

Pengiran Yusuf is also the father-in-law of Adnan Buntar, former ambassador to Japan,^[23] and uncle to Pengiran Shariffuddin, first director of Brunei Museum.^[24]

Titles, styles and honours

Titles and styles

In 1968, Pengiran Yusuf was bestowed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah the Cheteria title Pengiran Setia Negara, referred to as Yang Amat Mulia in honorific.^[1]

Awards

• Southeast Asian Writers Award (1993)^[25]

Honours

Pengiran Yusuf wearing his court uniform in 1961

He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Hiroshima University for promoting peace and bilateral relations between Brunei and Japan on April 22, 2013.^[26][27] He was the first Bruneian to receive such an honour.^[26] The only two other Southeast Asian survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Hasan Rahaya of Indonesia and Abdul Razak of Malaysia, had previously been awarded honorary doctorates from Hiroshima University as well.^[27] He has also received the following national and foreign honours;^[28][29]

National

• Family Order of Laila Utama (DK; 1968) – Dato Laila Utama
• Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB; 23 September 1963) – Dato Seri Paduka;^[30] Third Class (SMB; 23 September 1958)^[31]
• Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB) – Dato Setia
• Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal (POAS; 1962)
• Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 1970)
• Meritorius Service Medal (PJK; 23 September 1959)^[32]
• Long Service Medal (PKL; 23 September 1959)^[32]
• Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI; 2008)
• Campaign Medal (1963)

Foreign

•  United Kingdom:
  • Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE; 1969)^[33]
•  Japan:
  • Order of the Rising Sun First Class (1985)^[12]

Things named after him

• Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Mohd Yusof Primary School, school in Seria.^[34]

References

1. Hab, Rasidah (12 April 2016). "HM pays last respects to ex-chief minister". Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 20 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
2. Piri, Sally (23 April 2013). "Bruneian who survived Hiroshima bombings honoured". Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
3. Sidhu, Jatswan S. (2010). "Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam - page 247". Google Books. ISBN 9780810870789. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
4. Hussainmiya, Bachamiya Abdul. "Resuscitating Nationalism: Brunei under the Japanese Military Administration (1941･-1945)": 285. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
5. Siti Nor Anis Nadiah Haji Mohamad; Mariam Abdul Rahman (15 November 2021). "Penggubalan Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei 1959: Satu Sorotan Sejarah" [Drafting of The Brunei Constitutions of 1959: A Historical Review]. The Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah Journal. 8 (2): 36–37. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
6. Mohamad Yusop Damit (1995). Brunei Darussalam 1944-1962: Constitutional and Political Development in a Malay-Muslim Sultanate. University of London 1995. pp. 408–409.
7. "JAWATAN KUASA PENSION NEGERI" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 1 April 1957. p. 5. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
8. Siti Nor Anis Nadiah Haji Mohamad; Mariam Abdul Rahman (15 November 2021). "Penggubalan Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei 1959: Satu Sorotan Sejarah" [Drafting of The Brunei Constitutions of 1959: A Historical Review]. The Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah Journal. 8 (2): 40–41. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
9. "Brunei Legislative Council, 2011-2015". Brunei Legislative Council, 2011-2015. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
10. "Pelantikan keahlian Majlis Mesyuarat Negara yang baru" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 31 May 2011. p. 24. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
11. Rozan Yunos (12 April 2016). "YAM Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Dr. Haji Mohd Yusuf - Yura Halim". bruneiresources.blogspot.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
12. "Bruneian who survived Hiroshima bombing dies". The Japan Times. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
13. "Mr Fumio KISHIDA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, sent a condolence letter on the recent death of Yang Amat Mulia Pg Setia Negara Pg (Dr) Hj Mohd Yusuf bin Pg Hj Abdul Rahim, former chief minister and Legislative Council member". Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
14. Osman, Mas (1987). Biografi penulis Brunei (in Malay). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei, Kementerian Kebudayaan Belia dan Sukan. p. 153.
15. Abas, Abdul Hamid (1999). P. M. Yusuf: pejuang kebangsaan Brunei (in Malay). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. p. 16. ISBN 978-99917-0-134-9.
16. "Pengiran Yura Kesteria PSN Yusuf, Executive Chairman, Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Business Council: Interview - Asia 2014 - Oxford Business Group". 30 November 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
17. Borneo Bulletin Brunei Yearbook. Brunei Press Sdn. Bhd. in collaboration with Integrated Information Pte. Limited. 2007. p. 48.
18. Fadhil Yunus (2 July 2012). "Her Majesty attends wedding ceremony". www.sultanate.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
19. "Sambutan Hari Kebangsaan di Jakarta, Indonesia" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn. 11 April 2001. p. 15. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
20. ""Living Together"" (PDF). Kagawa University. 20 October 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
21. "Brunei ex-envoy receives Order of the Rising Sun". borneo363.rssing.com. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
22. "Perayaan Sambutan Perkahwinan Di-Raja" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 11 August 1965. p. 4. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
23. "Brunei ex-envoy receives Order of the Rising Sun". borneo363.rssing.com. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
24. Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. "IN MEMORIAM P. M. Shariffuddin". www.mbras.org.my. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
25. "Utama – Pengiktirafan – Anugerah Penulis Asia Tenggara (S.E.A Write Award)". www.dbp.gov.bn. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
26. Hab, Rasidah (12 April 2016). "HM pays last respects to ex-chief minister". Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 20 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
27. Piri, Sally (23 April 2013). "Bruneian who survived Hiroshima bombings honoured". Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
28. "YAM Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Dr. Haji Mohd Yusuf - Yura Halim". YAM Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Dr. Haji Mohd Yusuf - Yura Halim. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
29. "AHLI RASMI YANG DI LANTIK (ORANG-ORANG BERGELAR)" (PDF). 21 March 2006. p. 243.
30. "D.Y.M.M. Mengurniakan Bintang2 Kehormatan Dan Pingat2 Pada Ari Jadi Baginda" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 2 October 1963. p. 2. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
31. "Raja-Raja Dan Pembesar2 Tanah Melayu Mendapat Pingat Kehormatan" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 1 October 1958. p. 4. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
32. "65 DAPAT BINTANG DAN PINGAT HARI" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 7 October 1959. p. 1. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
33. "Pmk. M. B. di-kurniakan Bintang C. B. E." (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 18 June 1969. p. 8. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
34. "Sekolah Rendah Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Mohammad Yusof Lorong 3 Seria". Retrieved 21 February 2023.

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Malai Ahmad Murad	Ambassador of Brunei to Japan 26 December 2001 – 2002	Succeeded by Nor Jeludin
Preceded by Pengiran Jaya	High Commissioner of Brunei to Malaysia 17 November 1995 – 2001	Succeeded by Amin Abdul Rahim
Political offices
Preceded by Marsal Maun	3rd Menteri Besar 4 November 1968 – 15 July 1972	Succeeded by Pengiran Abdul Momin
Preceded by Raja Azam	3rd State Secretary of Brunei 18 January 1964 – 1 June 1967	Succeeded by Taib Besar (Acting)