Pengiran Umar

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific_prefix = Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Putera Negara

| name = Pengiran Umar

| native_name = {{no bold|ڤڠيرن عمر}}

| honorific_suffix = PSPNB PSLJ DSNB DPMB PSM PHBS PBLI CPM PJK

| image = Pengiran Umar bin Pengiran Apong.jpeg

| caption = Official portrait

| office1 = Commissioner of Police

| monarch1 = Hassanal Bolkiah

| term_start1 = 1 January 1984

| term_end1 = 31 March 1991

| predecessor1 = Pengiran Jaya

| successor1 = Abdul Rahman Besar

| birthname = Awangku Umar bin Pengiran Apong

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1940|02|02|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Kampong Kianggeh, Brunei Town, Brunei

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|05|12|1940|02|02|df=yes}}

| death_place = Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

| resting_place = Kianggeh Muslim Cemetery, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

| education = Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College

| spouse = Suraya Harun

| relations = Pengiran Ibnu Basit (brother)

| module = {{Infobox police officer | embed=yes

| department = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Royal Brunei Police Force.svg}} Royal Brunei Police Force

| service = {{Flag|Brunei}}

| serviceyears = 1957–1991

| rank = 20px Commissioner}}

}}

Pengiran Umar bin Pengiran Haji Apong{{Efn|The alternate spelling of his given name is "Pengiran Omar" rather than "Pengiran Umar."}} (2 February 1940 – 12 May 2023) was a Bruneian diplomat and noble police officer who served as the second commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) from 1984 to 1991.

Early life and education

Awangku Umar bin Pengiran Apong was born in Kampong Kianggeh, Brunei Town (present-day Bandar Seri Begawan) on 2 February 1940,{{Cite web |date=1965-04-21 |title=Inspektor Awangku Omar Di-Lantek Menjadi A.S.P. |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1965/Pelita%20Brunei%2021%20April%201965.pdf |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |page=8 |language=ms}} the son of {{Lang|ms|Pengiran Datu Penghulu}} Pengiran Haji Apong bin Pengiran Saifuddin, who served as the ketua kampung of Sungai Kianggeh.{{Cite news |date=1969-03-19 |title=Dua Orang Di-Kurniakan Gelaran Cheteria |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1969/19%20MACH%201969.pdf |access-date=2025-02-01 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=1 |language=ms}} He began his early education at St. George's Mission School, before continuing at Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Malay School in 1950, and later attending Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College.{{Cite news |last=Azlan Othman |date=2023-05-13 |title=Berkenan berangkat ziarah jenazah |url=https://mediapermata.com.bn/berkenan-berangkat-ziarah-jenazah-8/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713060349/https://mediapermata.com.bn/berkenan-berangkat-ziarah-jenazah-8/ |archive-date=2023-07-13 |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=mediapermata.com.bn |publisher=Media Permata Online |pages=1 |language=ms}}

Police career

Awangku Umar began his service with the Brunei Police Force as a recruit in 1957. He was stationed in Kuching, Sarawak, for 9 months in 1958 and was awarded the title of "Best Recruit from Brunei" during the graduation ceremony. Later being promoted to corporal in 1959, and sergeant in early 1960. In April 1960, Sergeant Awangku Umar was sent to Kuala Lumpur to mentor Brunei recruits undergoing training at the Royal Federation of Malayan Police's training centre. After completing an eight-month programme, he returned to Brunei in mid-1961 with 27 newly trained police officers, having been responsible for overseeing the trainees.{{Cite news |date=1961-05-03 |title=27 Pelateh Pulis Brunei Tamat Latehan Di-Malaya |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1961/3%20mei%201961.pdf |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=5 |language=ms}}File:Pembunohan_di-Kiudang.jpgOn 25 July 1961, Sergeant Awangku Umar led a team of Bruneian police officers in the successful apprehension of an Iban man suspected of murdering five people in Kampong Kiudang, Tutong District. The arrest took place at 9:30 am on 3 August in a forested area between Lamunin and Mungkom. Awangku Umar's leadership in the operation, which brought relief to the local community, earned him commendation from Police Commissioner A.N. Outram.{{Cite news |date=16 August 1961 |title=Pembunohan di-Kiudang: Iban Di-Tangkap |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1961/16%20ogos%201961.pdf |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=3 |language=ms}} Later that year, he was promoted to the rank of inspector{{Cite news |date=1961-11-01 |title=Pelateh2 Inspektor |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1961/1%20november%201961.pdf |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=2 |language=ms}} and transferred to the Reserve Police Unit for Riot Control. In March 1963, he was reassigned to the Special Branch, where he continued his service. A Brunei Police spokesperson later confirmed that Awangku Umar had been selected for training in the United Kingdom and was scheduled to depart soon. In April 1965, he was promoted to assistant superintendent of police. On 9 June 1965, he left for London via Singapore to attend a two-month Special Branch course,{{Cite news |date=1965-06-16 |title=Menghadhiri Kursus Chawangan Khas Di-London |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1965/Pelita%20Brunei%2016%20Jun%201965.pdf |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=1 |language=ms}} returning on 18 July.{{Cite news |date=1965-07-21 |title=Balek Dari U. K. |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1965/Pelita%20Brunei%2021%20Julai%201965.pdf |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=6 |language=ms}}

Following Brunei's independence on 1 January 1984, Pengiran Umar was appointed as police commissioner. From 1984 to 1986, he oversaw the Royal Brunei Police Force, which included Department 'B' (the Criminal Department), the Royal Police Control Branch, Department 'C' (the Communications Branch), the Marine Police Branch, the Airport Police Branch, Department 'D' (responsible for police buildings, sports, and welfare), and Department 'F' (which comprised the Special Operations Unit, Reserve Unit, Action Squad, Motorcycle Squad, Dog Care and Training Unit, and the Commissioner's Reserve). In 1987, the force underwent a restructuring, forming a new organisational structure consisting of the Administration Department, the Logistics and Finance Department (Department 'C'), the Sports Welfare and Buildings Department (Department 'D'), and the Operations Department.{{Cite book |last=Mardiah binti Haji Ramli |title=Pasukan Polis Diraja Brunei : Sejarah dan Perkembangan 1921-2004 |date=2017 |publisher=Pusat Sejarah Brunei |isbn=978-99917-63-49-1 |location=Bandar Seri Begawan |pages=182 |language=ms}}

Pengiran Umar was involved in the case Marsal v. Apong and Others, where the appellant claimed wrongful imprisonment from August 1986 to April 1990 following a dispute at Brunei International Airport. The key issue was whether the Court of Appeal was correct in upholding the respondents' limitation defence under the Limitation Act (1967), despite accusations of conspiracy and negligence. Central to the case was the 1991 Emergency (Limitation) Order, which extended the limitation period for false imprisonment from one to six years. The court ruled that the 1991 Order did not retroactively extend expired limitation periods under the 1967 Act, thus upholding the dismissal of the appeal and clarifying the order's scope.{{Cite web |date=1998-02-18 |title=Marsal v. Apong and Others (Brunei Darussalam), [1998] UKPC 10 |url=https://www.casemine.com/judgement/uk/5b2898022c94e06b9e19edd1 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=www.casemine.com |publisher=CaseMine |language=en}} Pengiran Umar served as police commissioner until 31 March 1991.

Later life and death

File:Kampong Sungai Orok 19 February 2023.jpg

After retiring from his police career, Pengiran Umar was appointed ambassador to South Korea and high commissioner to Singapore in 1993.{{Cite news |date=1993-07-15 |title=One new envoy appointed, two others on new postings |url=https://www.information.gov.bn/English%20Publication%20PDF/BD%2015%20Jul%2093.pdf |access-date=2025-02-03 |work=Brunei Darussalam Newsletter |publisher=Department of Information |pages=9 |issue=121}} He later became a member of the Privy Council in 2018.

Pengiran Umar died at the age of 83 at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital on 12 May 2023.{{Cite news |last=Wan Mohamad Sahran Wan Ahmadi |date=2023-05-13 |title=Kebawah Dymm Berangkat Menziarahi Jenazah |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2023/PELITA%20BRUNEI%2013052023.pdf |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=1-3 |language=ms}} His funeral was attended by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, who joined the congregational funeral prayer led by Salim Besar at his residence in Kampong Salambigar. He was later laid to rest at the Kianggeh Muslim Cemetery.{{Cite web |title=120523_ZIARAH_JENAZAH_PPN |url=https://infofoto.gov.bn/main.php?g2_itemId=1232049 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820050615/http://infofoto.gov.bn/main.php?g2_itemId=1232049 |archive-date=2024-08-20 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=infofoto.gov.bn |publisher=Information Department |language=ms}} The Naubat was closed for 20 days after his death. Pengiran Anak Abdul Aziz presided over a ceremony to reopen the Naubat at the Lapau on 31 May. Tahlil recitations, prayers, and a congregational Maghrib prayer were all part of the ceremony.{{Cite news |last=Pg. Syi'aruddin Pg. Dauddin |date=2023-06-03 |title=Naubat sempurna dibuka semula |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2023/PELITA%20BRUNEI%2003062023.pdf |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=1 and 14 |language=ms}}

Personal life

Pengiran Umar was married to Datin Hajah Suraya binti Harun, a Malaysian actress who died in 2016.{{Cite news |date=2016-06-01 |title=Pelakon Suraya Harun meninggal dunia |url=https://peraktoday.com.my/2016/06/pelakon-suraya-harun-meninggal-dunia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610224648/https://peraktoday.com.my/2016/06/pelakon-suraya-harun-meninggal-dunia/ |archive-date=2016-06-10 |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=peraktoday.com.my |publisher=Harian Metro |pages=1 |language=ms |via=Perak Today}} She served as the president of the Welfare Body of Police's Wives and Families from 1984 to 1991.{{Cite web |last=Rokiah Mahmud |date=2011-05-18 |title=Her Majesty at PEKERTI's 25th anniversary celebration |url=http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/2011/18_may_3.html |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=www.sultanate.com |publisher=Borneo Bulletin}} Additionally, he has a brother, Pengiran Ibnu Basit, who served as the deputy minister of defence from 1986 to 2005.{{Cite web |last=Haniza Abdul Latif |date=2021-06-01 |title=Dua mantan pahlawan ABDB kongsi pengalaman |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Lists/Berita%202008/NewDisplayForm.aspx?ID=26985&ContentTypeId=0x01000AD708F3C215FA4CB59342165B677943 |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |language=ms}}

Titles, styles and honours

= Titles and styles =

File:Royal Standard of the Cheteria Besar.svg of {{Lang|ms|Pengiran Putera Negara}}]]

On 10 August 1972, Pengiran Umar was honoured by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah with the cheteria title of {{Lang|ms|Pengiran Putera Negara}}, bearing the style {{Lang|ms|Yang Amat Mulia}}.

= Honours =

Pengiran Umar has been bestowed the following honours:{{Cite web |last=Azlan Othman |date=2023-06-02 |title=Nobat re-opens at Lapau Ceremonial Hall |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/nobat-re-opens-at-lapau-ceremonial-hall/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=borneobulletin.com.bn |publisher=Borneo Bulletin Online |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2018-03-28 |title=Senarai Gelaran Wazir dan Cheteria |url=https://www.adat-istiadat.gov.bn/SiteCollectionDocuments/Senarai%20Gelaran/Wazir%20dan%20Cheteria.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614070710/https://www.adat-istiadat.gov.bn/SiteCollectionDocuments/Senarai%20Gelaran/Wazir%20dan%20Cheteria.pdf |archive-date=2018-06-14 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=www.adat-istiadat.gov.bn |publisher=Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara |pages=3 |language=ms |location=Bandar Seri Begawan}}

National

50x50px Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa First Class (PSLJ) – Dato Paduka Seri Laila Jasa
50x50px Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Third Class (SLJ){{Cite book |title=A Year Book of the Commonwealth 1974 |date=1974 |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |isbn=978-0-11-580141-9 |location=London |pages=450 |language=en}}
50x50px Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei First Class (PSPNB; 10 February 1976) – Dato Seri Pahlawan{{Cite news |date=11 February 1976 |title=Pengorniaan Musim Pertama Taghun 1976 |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1976/11%20feb%201976.pdf |access-date=13 July 2023 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=1}}
50x50px Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei Fourth Class (PJB)
50x50px Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB) – Dato Setia
50x50px Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB; 15 July 1970) – Dato Paduka{{Cite news |date=22 July 1970 |title=105 orang di-kurniakan bintang2 dan pingat2 kebesaran |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1970/22%20jul%201970.pdf |access-date=2024-08-23 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=2 |language=ms}}
50x50px Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 1968)
50x50px Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI)
50x50px Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 1968){{Cite news |date=16 April 1969 |title=96 di-kurniakan bintang2 dan pingat2 |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1969/16%20APRIL%201969.pdf |access-date=19 August 2023 |work=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |publisher=Pelita Brunei |pages=8}}
50x50px Police Long Service Medal (PKLP)
50x50px General Service Medal (Police)
50x50px Campaign Medal

Foreign

{{Flag|Malaysia}} :
50px Honorary Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM; 1989){{Cite web |title=Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran Bintang Dan Pingat |url=https://www.istiadat.gov.my/semakan-penerima-darjah-kebesaran-bintang-dan-pingat/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.istiadat.gov.my |publisher=Jabatan Perdana Menteri Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa |language=ms-MY}}
{{Flag|United Kingdom}}:
50px Colonial Police Medal (CPM; 1969)