Abdul Momin

Abdul Momin (1785 – 30 May 1885) was the sultan of Brunei from 1852 until his death. He was the son of a nobleman named Pengiran Shahbandar Pengiran Anak Abdul Wahab. Pengiran Anak Abdul Momin succeeded his father in law Omar Ali Saifuddin II as sultan upon the latter's death, having previously served as regent for him during his ill health. His Highness was well respected as he brought peace and order to the country. During His Highness's reign, the teaching of Islam were encourage and he also sent some Ulama to Holy City of Mekah.

Abdul Momin married Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Zubaidah binti Almarhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II, thus making him the latter's son in law. They had no children. During his reign, many territories was surrendered to Brooke Regime in Sarawak; in 1855, seven districts stretching from Samarahan to Rajang was surrendered to James Brooke in the signing of a treaty. On 26 November 1856, the British signed a treaty with Sultan Abdul Momin to reconfirm the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce signed in 1847. In 1861, Abdul Momin ceded more territories to James Brooke.

At the same time, between 1865 and 1878, three foreign groups encroached into North Borneo (Sabah). In 1865, Charles Lee Moses, an American Consul General, signed a treaty with Sultan Abdul Momin and obtained twenty one districts. Later, Moses transferred his rights to the lease to Joseph Wilfred Torrey who sold it to Gustavus Baron von Overbeck. In 1881, the British government granted the British North Borneo Company a royal charter. William Hood Treacher was appointed the first British Governor of North Borneo.

Realising that Brunei will be extinct, Abdul Momin declared the Amanat (the agreement between the Sultan, Wazirs, Manteris, and holders of Tulin rights not to cede or lease any remaining territories to the foreign powers. In the years that follow, many Brunei territories were continued to be taken including Limbang. Also, at that time, Brunei did not have a military strength to enforce the Amanat.

Abdul Momin was said to have brothers; the eldest being Pengiran Anak Shah Mubin. The others were; Pengiran Anak Bongsu and Pengiran Anak Mohammad Arshad. On Friday, 15 Syaaban 1302 (29 May 1885) Abdul Momin died at 8:00 a.m, at the age of more than 100 years old. He was buried in the Royal Mausoleum at Bandar Seri Begawan.

Abdul Momin was succeeded by his brother in law, Pengiran Temenggong Pengiran Anak Hashim, who later known as Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin.

External links

• List of Sultans of Brunei (Russian)