Abdul Momin Othman

Pengiran Abdul Momin bin Pengiran Othman (9 March 1923 – 9 March 2006) was a diplomat, educator, and noble politician renowned for his distinguished career, which included serving as the confidential clerk to Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III in 1961, private and confidential secretary to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah from 1968 to 1992, and ambassador of Brunei to Indonesia from 1993 to 2001. He also served as a member of the Legislative Council (LegCo) from 2004 to 2005.

Serving Brunei throughout his life, Pengiran Abdul Momin made contributions to advancements in education and religion. He was honoured to lead the event while carrying the Al-Quran and was instrumental in the historic move of Kajang Mosque to Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. Before formal religious schools were established in 1956, he was one of the first to push for the inclusion of Islamic education in both Malay and English schools.

Early life and education Pengiran Abdul Momin bin Pengiran Othman was born on 9 March 1923 in Kampong Bakut Cina, a village within Kampong Ayer. As a student teacher in 1939, he began his professional life. He served as a trainee teacher at Jalan Pemancha Malay School in Brunei Town, now known as Bandar Seri Begawan, from 1934 to 1939. He enrolled as a student at the Sultan Idris Training College (SITC) in Tanjong Malim from October to December 1941, but was forced to leave to his country with the outbreak of the Second World War. He returned to the SITC in September 1946 and completed in January 1948.

Career Pengiran Abdul Momin began his career as a teacher trainee at Brunei Town Malay School in 1940 and at Labu Estate School in Temburong in 1941. He then served as an assistant teacher at Temburong Malay School in 1945 and at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Malay School in Muara in 1949. By 1952, he had advanced to the position of assistant head teacher, grade II, and in 1956, he became an acting school inspector.

Pengiran Abdul Momin was named confidential clerk to Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III in 1961. During the 1962 haj, he was a member of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin III's entourage. He was then named private and confidential secretary to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in 1968. In conjunction to Prince Mohamed Bolkiah's wedding in 1976, a long golden dagger was presented by him at Istana Darul Hana. His tenure as private and confidential secretary ended in 1992, when he retired. Additionally, he held membership in the Islamic Religious Council and the Privy Council, among other state bodies. Pengiran Abdul Momin was later sworn in on 25 September. On 28 September, he backed a motion, recalling past unrest that led to the suspension of the 1959 Constitution, and prayed for lasting peace and stability. He also called on the government to provide educational support for children from low-income families to prevent neglect and ignorance. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah approved the appointment of new LegCo members on 31 August 2005, with the dissolution of the previous council announced by the Prime Minister's Office on 1 September. This marked the end of Pengiran Abdul Momin's brief tenure in the council and his political career. Pengiran Haji Mohd Shahrimin, and former manager of DPMM FC, Pengiran Haji Mohd Yamin, who is the acting chairman of the board of directors of KIGS, and Pengiran Hajah Fatimah, an executive officer at KIGS.

Titles, styles and honours

Titles and styles

On 14 March 1969, Pengiran Abdul Momin was honoured by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah with the cheteria title of , bearing the style .

Awards He has been given the following awards: (2003)

Honours Pengiran Abdul Momin has been bestowed the following honours: 50x50px Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB; 1968) – Dato Setia''

Pengiran Setia Jaya Pengiran Abdul Momin Religious School, a religious school in Kampong Pandan.