Jamil Al-Sufri

Jamil Al-Sufri (28 April 1921 – 4 March 2021), pen name Wijaya, was a nobleman, historian and teacher from Brunei who previously served as a member of the Royal Council, member of the Royal Succession Council, member of the Islamic Religious Council, and member of the Privy Council. He has also been referred to as the National Historian. He wrote works on the country's history, ancestry, customs and traditions, royal titles, Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), education, writings on Brunei heroes, and other topics.

From 1 January 1939, through 31 December 1946, Jamil Al-Sufri worked as a Trainee Teacher for the Government of Brunei. After leaving the service, he was rehired and given the positions of Director of the Language Board of Brunei from 1961 until 1964, and Director of the Language and Literature Bureau (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka) from 1977 to 1981. Since the Brunei History Center's founding in 1982, he has served as its director till his death.The late Pehin held a number of significant posts before Brunei achieved complete independence in 1984 and contributed to the development of Brunei. He also served on many councils, such as the Royal Succession Council (Majlis Mesyuarat Mengangkat Raja), and the Privy Council.

The idea of creating a Federation of Malaysia to unite Malaya, the colony of Singapore, and the three (British) Borneo regions was put out in 1961 by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister of Malaya. At first, everyone was on board with the concept, but Brunei and Singapore would later back out. It was during the meeting between then Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and A.M. Azahari with Jamil Al-Sufri in presence. He firmly held his ground on accusing A.M. Azahari of being a liar.

At seven in the morning, the National Historian, who was 99 years old, passed away at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital on 4 March 2021. At Kampong Mabohai in Bandar Seri Begawan, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah paid his final respects to Jamil Al- Sufri on Wednesday morning of 4 March 2021. The funeral prayer was offered by the Sultan under the direction of Abdul Aziz Juned, the State Mufti.

Jamil was born on 28 April 1921, also to a nobleman, Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Umar. He married to Siti Hara Taha (died 2012), and together they have a daughter, Normah Suria Hayati, permanent secretary of Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. Notably, he is also the half brother of Abdul Aziz Umar.

• Tarsilah Brunei. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 2000. ISBN 9789991734033.
• History of Brunei in Brief. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 2000. ISBN 9789991734118.
• Chorak pendidekan di-Brunei pada masa hadapan. Brunei: Majlis Pelajaran Brunei. 1982.
• Brunei Darussalam. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 2007. ISBN 9789991734538.
• Chatatan sejarah perwira2 dan pembesar2 Brunei. Vol. 1. Brunei:Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. 1971.
• Legasi payung negara. Brunei: Brunei History Centre. 2019. ISBN 9789991763699.
• Melayu Islam Beraja. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 2008. ISBN 9789991734637.
• Satu pemikiran mengenai pendidikan untuk Brunei Darussalam berasaskan Islam. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 2008. ISBN 9789991734675.
• Latar belakang sejarah Brunei. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 1990.
• Sejarah sultan-sultan Brunei menaiki takhta. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 2002. ISBN 9789991734255.
• Liku-liku perjuangan pencapaian kemerdekaan Negara Brunei Darussalam. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 1992.
• Rampai sejarah. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 2005. ISBN 9789991734446.
• Survival Brunei. Brunei: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 1997.

Awards

• S.E.A Write Award (2010)

Honours

Jamil Al-Sufri was given the title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable) Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja, upgraded from Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Diraja. He has earned the following honours;

• Family Order of Seri Utama (DK) – Dato Seri Utama
• Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB; 23 September 1965) – Dato Paduka
• Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Second Class (DSLJ; 23 September 1967) – Dato Seri Laila Jasa

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  Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal (POAS; 23 September 1963)

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  Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)

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  Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI)

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  Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)

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  Long Service Medal (PKL; 23 September 1959)