Mohammad Abdul Rahman Piut

Pengiran Mohammad bin Pengiran Abdul Rahman Piut (1906 – 25 May 1971) or commonly referred to by his title Pengiran Temenggong and nicknamed National Hero, was a Bruneian nobleman, teacher and politician who formerly held several high-ranking positions which included being a member of the State Council, Privy Council, and the Islamic Religious Council. Notably, he is one of the founding members of the Royal Brunei Yacht Club and the Chairman of the Brunei Boxing Association.

Early life and education

He was born in 1906, to parents of nobility Pengiran Abdul Rahman Piut and Pengiran Rahima. For his education, he went to Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Perak. He was one of the two teachers sent to Melaka Teachers' College (''Maktab Perguruan Melaka'') in Malacca, Malaysia.

Career

In 1924, he accompanied Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin on a tour of Malaya in his capacity as aide-de-camp (ADC) of His Majesty the Sultan.

In April 1929, L. R. Watts, the Wireless Engineer, was summoned back to Singapore, and for the rest of the year, Pengiran Mohammad, the Chief Operator or State Wireless Officer, served as the officer in charge of the department. When the Japanese invaded and occupied Brunei during World War II, they drove out all foreigners, leaving just the native labour, including Pengiran Mohammad, who had been working in telecommunications for the British. Before Australian soldiers arrived in Borneo in the middle of 1945, the area was heavily bombed by Allied Forces and held by the Japanese military. He had been punished by the Japanese military occupation, and his family had endured hardship.

He later sent a letter from prison, with it discussing both political and personal aspects of the Japanese occupation period. He says that there were two distinct groups of Japanese people: the military and the government. The brutality came from the soldiers. The government employees were identical to everyone else. Children were treated well by them. He also succinctly refutes the Japanese notion that their conquest of Asia during World War I, which included Brunei, freed the people there from European colonialism:

After the liberation of Brunei, he was among three representatives of Brunei attending of London Victory Celebrations of 1946. Awarded the title of "National Hero" for his perseverance and expertise in radio technology in order to communicate with the British Forces. He later continued his work as a wireless engineer, and appointed as a member of the State Council in 1949. As of 1957, he became the Controller of Telecommunications, and would go on to retire at that post in 1966.

Additionally, he has been a member of the Privy Council throughout the 1960s and 1970s. During this period, he was a member of a delegation to hold exploratory talks in regards to joining Malaysia.

According to the Brunei Annual Report 1971, he succeeded Prince Mohamed Bolkiah in the position of ''Pengiran Temenggong''.

Death

On 25 May 1976, Pengiran Mohammad died at the age of 71, and was given a full honorary state funeral. It was attended by several officials which included the British High Commissioner, Wazirs, Cheterias, Manteri-Manteri, and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah himself. He was buried at Kubah Makam Di Raja.

Personal life

Pengiran Mohammad was married three times, to Raden Mas Dino, Raden Mas Raudzahtun Nadzrah and Pengiran Hajah Mariam binti Pengiran Menuddin. He has a daughter named, Pengiran Siti Hawa, who would go on to marry Pengiran Umar.

He had seven children; seven sons and one daughter. His children included the first ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the United States, Pengiran Idris (born 1934). His issue are as follows:

# Al-Marhum Pengiran Haji Yunus '' /o Raden Mas Dino'
# Al-Marhum Pengiran Haji Yunsi '' /o Raden Mas Dino'
# Al-Marhum Pengiran Haji Ya’akub '' /o Raden Mas Dino'
# Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Idris '' /o Raden Mas Dino'
# Al-Marhum Pengiran Haji Radin Hanafi '' /o Raden Mas Dino'
# Al-Marhum Pengiran Chedin '' /o Raden Mas Raudzahtun Nadzrah'
# Al-Marhumah Pengiran Hajah Rohana '' /o of Raden Mas Raudzahtun Nadzrah'
# Al-Marhumah Dayangku Mas Miri '' /o Pengiran Hajah Mariam, deceased during World War II'
# Al-Marhum Pengiran Anak Haji Mohammad Ali '' /o Pengiran Hajah Mariam'

He enjoyed playing all fields of sports, but mostly football.

His house was next to that of the British Resident in Brunei Town, in the 1950s, and later in Kampong Manggis.

A. M. Azahari is his nephew.

Titles and honours

Titles and styles

Upon taking up as one of the wazirs of Brunei, he was bestowed the title of ''Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Temenggong Sahibul Bahar'' at Lapau, on 20 October 1971. He had previously held the cheteria title of ''Pengiran Kerma Indera''.

* 1950–1969:
* 1969 – 20 October 1971:
* 20 October 1971 – 25 May 1976:

National

Pengiran Mohammad has earned the following honours;
* Family Order of Laila Utama (DK) – ''Dato Laila Utama''
* Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB) – ''Dato Seri Paduka''
* Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB) – ''Dato Setia''
* Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei Third Class (PNB)
* Order of Perwira Agong Negara Brunei First Class (PANB; 2 October 1963)
* Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)
* Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal First Class (POAS; 23 September 1958)
* Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
* Campaign Medal (22 April 1965)

Foreign

* :
** King George VI Coronation Medal (1951)
** Member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abdul Rahman Piut, Mohammad
Bruneian politicians
Bruneian royalty
Bruneian Muslims
1906 births
1976 deaths
Members of the Legislative Council of Brunei
Members of the Privy Council of Brunei
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Bruneian educators