Sultan Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin Saadul Khairi Waddien (1914-1986)

Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan (Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Begawan Sultan, after his abdication) Omar Ali Saifuddin III Saadul Khairi Waddien ibni Almarhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II (23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986) was born at Istana Kota, Kampong Sultan Lama, Brunei Town (now Bandar Seri Begawan). He was installed as the 28th Sultan of Brunei on 6 June 1951 and was crowned on 31 May 1951.

Role as Sultan

In the early era of his rule, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin focused on raising Brunei's standard of living. His top priority was providing adequate education. Several primary and secondary schools were built throughout the nation to ensure that all citizens could attend formal schooling. A free-food scheme was introduced in rural schools and students with distinction results were sent abroad for higher education. In 1953, he introduced the first national development plan with an allocation of $100 million. The plan's aims included providing basic education to all districts; improving communication systems; raising the quality of medical and health services; increasing agricultural products as well as providing basic services such as roads, electricity and water to all the people.

Creation of Constitution

In 1952 Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin worked for the implementation of the Brunei written constitution as the foundation of governance and the achievement of independence from Britain. Discussions with the British government culminated in the signing of the Brunei written constitution and the Brunei Agreement on 29 September 1959 at the Lapau in Bandar Seri Begawan. Among other things, the constitution stipulated that Malay and Islam are, respectively, to be the official language and the official religion of Brunei. At the same time, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin had consented to the formation of the Brunei Malay Regiment, which was elevated to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces after independence.

Abdication

After ruling for 17 years, on 4 October 1967, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin willingly abdicated in favour of hs eldest son, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

Legacy

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin's reign was marked by so much progress that he is known as the "Architect of Modern Brunei". In recognition of his contributions, on October 1970, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, had consented to rename Brunei Town, Brunei's capital to Bandar Seri Begawan, after his father's title, further several institutions and places in Brunei were named after him: the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque; the Seri Begawan Religious Teaching College; the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Institute of Islamic studies (Universiti Brunei Darussalam); the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College; and the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddin in the capital.

Brunei's Independence

Brunei achieved its independence on 1 January 1984 as promised by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin. Although he had abdicated, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin continued to play an important role as a mentor to his son, until his death on 7 September 1986.