Yura Halim

Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim (2 May 1923 – 11 April 2016), pen name Yura Halim, was a Bruneian civil servant, diplomat, educator and noble poet. He served as Brunei's state secretary from 1964 to 1967 before becoming the third (chief minister) from 1968 to 1972. He later held prominent diplomatic roles as Brunei's high commissioner to Malaysia from 1995 to 2001 and ambassador to Japan from 2001 to 2002. Additionally, he was appointed a member of the Legislative Council of Brunei (LegCo) in 2011, serving in the position until his passing in 2016.

He was one of the "Three M's" or "Three Musketeers," feared by the British government, alongside Marsal Maun and Pengiran Muhammad Ali. As a prominent member of the Brunei Malay Teachers Association (PGGMB), Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf, along with figures like Jamil Al-Sufri, played a pivotal role in opposing British colonial influence in Brunei during the early 1950s. A hibakusha, he was widely recognised for his contributions to Brunei's governance, literature, and diplomacy. Notably, he became the first Bruneian to receive an honorary doctorate from Hiroshima University and wrote the lyrics to the national anthem .

Early life and education Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf was born in Kampong Kandang in Tutong District on 2 May 1923. He was educated at a Malay school in Tutong town and trained at Sultan Idris Training College (SITC) in 1940, but his studies were interrupted by the Japanese invasion in late 1941. He returned to Brunei in December 1942 and attended a Japanese language class in Brunei Town and later in Kuching. Towards the end of 1943, he was selected, along with a few students from the Borneo territories, to study in Japan. He enrolled in a language course at the Kokusai Gakuyukai International Institute in Tokyo and later attended Hiroshima University of Literature and Science in 1945 to study language and education.

Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf, along with other Malay-educated figures like Salleh Masri and Jamil Al-Sufri, was at the forefront of agitation in Brunei following the Japanese occupation. Their early influences may have stemmed from their training at institutions such as the SITC in British Malaya. Aged 18, he was among the Brunei students trained by the Japanese during World War II and was selected for the Nanpō Tokubetsu Ryūgaksei program. He trained in Japan, attending Hiroshima University, and was living in Hiroshima during the atomic bombing, which caused him to suffer radiation poisoning. He returned to Brunei in March 1946 and continued his efforts in Brunei's post-war political developments.

Career Early career Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf began his career as a teacher at Bukit Bendera Malay School, Tutong on 1 January 1939. He was later elected vice president of (BARIP) when it was formed on 12 April 1946. BARIP aimed to achieve Brunei's independence and promote the social and economic advancement of the Malay community, though it was influenced by Indonesian nationalism but did not prioritise independence for Brunei. Instead, the group focused on uniting young Bruneians to protect local rights against immigrants and advocated for the restoration of the British Residency to safeguard Malay interests, leading to the return to civil government in July 1946. He played a key role in bringing the issue of the arch to Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin's attention. When the British Resident ordered the protest slogan to be changed, he led BARIP in refusing to comply, threatening to bring down the arch. The sultan intervened, overruled the British Resident's order, and sided with BARIP, which he was not surprised by, as he knew the sultan shared concerns about rising Chinese influence in Brunei.

Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf (no. 4) in a group photograph with the other six members of the Tujuh Serangkai In 1947, Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf wrote the lyrics for for BARIP, which would later be adopted as Brunei's national anthem. Upon his return, he rejoined the Information Department and was later elected as the country's first information officer on 1 January 1957. Later that year, he was appointed as an unofficial member of the State Council, a role he held until the enactment of the new constitution. That same year, he accompanied the sultan to London for key constitutional discussions with the Colonial Office. During these discussions, he strongly supported the sultan’s call for appointing a chief minister, state secretary, and state financial officer to align with or follow the constitution’s implementation. He argued that the change had been delayed since 1953 and reflected the people's wishes.

In February 1958, Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf, alongside Pengiran Ali and Marsal, was appointed to review the draft Agreement between Brunei and the United Kingdom and propose a new version after the State Council insisted on discussing it without the Anthony Abell present. Later, in May 1958, as the state information officer, Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf was identified by Abell as one of three key figures, alongside Pengiran Ali and Marsal, who were vocal in the State Council. E. R. Bevington noted that they often acted as spokesmen for the sultan and played a significant role in advocating for amendments to both the constitution enactment and the draft agreement.

Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf was a member of Brunei's delegation to the 1959 constitutional negotiations in London, which included all Malay State Council members. Advised by two lawyers, the delegation discussed key issues such as the transfer of the British Resident's powers, nationality, LegCo qualifications, defence, and the high commissioner's reserve powers. On 23 March, at the London Conference, he participated in six plenary sessions chaired by the state secretary. He was involved in discussions, alongside Brunei's legal advisers, on key constitutional matters, including Brunei’s administrative separation from Sarawak.

In October 1959, Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf represented Brunei at a youth conference in Japan, where a key decision was made to advocate for the use of atomic energy for global peace and prosperity, not for destruction. He emphasised the importance of youth worldwide learning science and adapting to the Atomic Age, urging them to prepare not only as national leaders but also as global leaders who champion peace and prosperity. The conference, attended by representatives from 25 countries, was officially opened by Japan's education minister. Later, he witnessed the granting and signing of Brunei's constitution at the Lapau on 29 September 1959. Following the signing, he was appointed as a member of both the LegCo and Executive Council.

Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf was confirmed as the state information officer in December 1960 after the LegCo's unofficial members walked out in protest of their ideas being rejected, following growing hostilities between the locals and the Malayan contingent over the perceived influence of Malayan officers. In July 1961, he was promoted to deputy state secretary, succeeding Marsal. making him the country's first native Brunei Malay to occupy the role since Ibrahim. Due to health concerns, Chief Minister Marsal took leave on 1 October, and he was appointed as acting chief minister for a period of time. That same year, he and Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam represented the sultan of Brunei at the coronation of Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah, in Kuala Lumpur on 10 April. In December, he completed his short tenure as state secretary.

Chief minister of Brunei

On 1 June 1967, with the incumbent granted another long leave by the sultan, which lasted until his retirement, Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf once again served as acting chief minister, while Taib Besar became acting state secretary. In July, he expressed his happiness at the progress of the three Borneo regions, highlighting the challenges and changes faced over 13 years. While Sarawak and Sabah joined Malaysia, Brunei chose to remain independent. He also urged citizens to develop rural land for agriculture to boost food production and improve livelihoods, emphasising its importance during the inauguration of a new rural road connecting Kampong Mulaut, Kampong Tanjong Nangka, and Kampong Bebatik on 16 September.

At Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's proclamation ceremony on 5 October 1967, Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf delivered an emotional pledge of unwavering loyalty on behalf of government officials and the people, his voice breaking with emotion. He expressed confidence that the sultan would follow his father's example in ruling Brunei. On 11 December 1967, he expressed regret over certain representatives' attempts to misinterpret the sultan's speech during the opening of the LegCo session.

On 8 January 1968, Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf announced the date of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's coronation on Radio Brunei, describing it as a traditional ceremony that would bring prosperity to the nation and its people. On 4 November, he was confirmed into office as chief minister following Marsal's retirement.

Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf officially announced the renaming of Brunei Town to Bandar Seri Begawan on 4 October 1970, during a ceremony attended by thousands, marking a significant milestone in Brunei's development under the leadership of the new sultan. On 23 October 1970, he laid the foundation stone for the in Seria, thanking Belait residents for commemorating Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III's contributions to Brunei's development. On 15 July 1972, Pengiran Abdul Momin was appointed as acting chief minister, temporarily taking over Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf. He completed his tenure as chief minister and retired from the government in December 1973. On 14 March 2011, he emphasised the importance of careful judgment in decision-making and praised his fellow LegCo members for their wisdom. The speaker, Isa Ibrahim, recognised him as the "father of the house" and a living record of Brunei's history. On 26 March 2013, he raised concerns about the empowerment of Brunei's youth, leading to discussions on various government initiatives aimed at fostering youth development.

Death and funeral

Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf died in his sleep at the age of 92 at 9:37 a.m. on 11 April 2016 at his residence, Teratak Yura, in Kampong Sengkarai, Tutong District.

Personal life Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf was married to Datin Hajah Salmah binti Mohammad Yussof, and together they had seven sons and four daughters: Pengiran Yura Halim, Pengiran Yura Kesteria, Pengiran Yura Laila, Pengiran Yura Perkasa (married to Pengiran Anak Hajah Mastura), Pengiran Yura Dupa Khodadat, Pengiran Yura Muhammad Abai, Pengiran Yura Alaiti (married to Adnan Buntar), Pengiran Yura Muliati, and Pengiran Yura Nurulhayaty. He was also the uncle of Pengiran Shariffuddin, the first director of the Brunei Museum. Additionally, he had a half-brother, Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, and was the uncle of Pengiran Norhayati.

Literacy career

Themes Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf began writing in the 1930s and used various pseudonyms, including Tunas Negara, Sekunar Hayat, and Yura Halim. His works span several genres, including poetry, short stories, and essays. He is particularly recognised for publishing in 1951, which marked the beginning of modern fiction in Brunei and contributed to the development of the country's literary scene rooted in Malay tradition, alongside classical and oral texts like and . His (1965) was the first published collection of Brunei poetry and the first Brunei novel.

Selected works His notable works include (1976), (1976), (1980), (1984), and (1994). Over the years, he has authored numerous books, with many of his selected works playing a key role in shaping Brunei's literary landscape.

Titles, styles and honours Titles and styles

On 12 January 1968, Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf was honoured by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah with the cheteria title of . He was later elevated to the title of on 16 May 1969. Each of these titles carries the style . (1 August 2006) (28 December 2008)

Honours

Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf has been bestowed the following honours:

United States: University of Southern Indiana Honorary Doctorate (2002)

Things named after him Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Mohd Yusof Primary School, a school named after him in Seria. Dewan Pengiran Setia Negara, a hall at the Information Department headquarters in Berakas. Jalan Setia Negara, a road between Kuala Belait and Pandan.