Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Mohammad Jahfar is patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name: Ibrahim. The Arabic-derived word 'bin' or 'binti' / 'binte', if used, means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Perdana Menteri Dato Seri Utama
Ibrahim Mohammad Jaafar
DK SPMB DSNB CBE
Ibrahim in 1960
3rd Speaker of Legislative Council
In office
June 1963 – 19 February 1971
Monarchs Omar Ali Saifuddien III
Hassanal Bolkiah
Preceded by Ali Mohamed Daud
Succeeded by Alam Abdul Rahman
1st Menteri Besar
In office
29 September 1959 – September 1961
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Marsal Maun
State Secretary
In office
1941–1945
Monarch Ahmad Tajuddin
Preceded by Office established
Succeeded by Wan Ahmad Umar
Personal details
Born
Ibrahim

17 September 1900
Crown Colony of Labuan
Died 19 February 1971 (aged 70)
Brunei General Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Resting place Kianggeh Dagang Cemetery, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Spouse
Saadiah Mohd Tahir
​
(m. 1923)​
Children Abbas Al-Sufri
Adnin
Isa
Parent Tengku Mohammad Jaafar (father)
Profession Politician

Ibrahim bin Mohammad Jaafar CBE (/ʔɪbraːˈhiːm/; 17 September 1900 – 19 February 1971) was a nobleman and politician whom became the first Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Brunei, who served from 29 September 1959 until September 1961.

Early life

Ibrahim was born in Labuan on Friday, 17 September 1900. His origin can be traced from the Malay Peninsula. His father was Tengku Mohammad Jaafar bin Tengku Mohammad Saad. It was believed that his family's move to Brunei began around the turn of the 20th century, when his father, he started attending formal school in Labuan in 1914.

Career

Ibrahim first worked as a clerk and a store supervisor. At this time, he also got an opportunity to learn English Language from A.V. Lingam. Six month after that, he worked as a dresser for six month. In June 1917, he went to Brunei, accompanying G.E. Cator, the British Resident of Labuan who got transferred to Brunei. He then worked as trainee at the Financial Office, and later, as a clerk at Custom Department till January 1918. While pursuing his studies, he worked at Singapore Audit Office. He returned to Brunei in December 1918. On his return, he worked as Assistant Post office clerk until December 1918. He then worked at the Resident Office and Land Department as a clerk. In March 1922, he led a delegation to Singapore to represent Brunei in the Borneo Malaya Conference.

Political involvement

In November 1928, Ibrahim was appointed as Administrative officer at the Resident's office. In March 1930, he was appointed as Assistant Land Tax Collector. In June 1932, he was appointed as Class 2 Magistrate for Brunei Muara District and not long after that, he became the District Officer of Brunei Muara until January 1936. After that, he continued to serve as an interpreter and Secretary to the British Resident until 1945.

Second World War

During the Japanese occupation of Brunei in 1941, Ibrahim was appointed as State Secretary or chief administrative officer from 1941 till 1945. His service under the Japanese did not last long. It was on his way to meet Chokan Kakka Koizumi at Buang Tekurok, he heard that the Allied Forces landed in Muara. Upon their landing, the Allied Forces called him to discuss several options on the restoration of the government. He assisted the Allied Forces to restore peace and stability in Brunei. At this time, his health problem were worrying him. Therefore, he retired from government position in 1949.

Pehin Dato Perdana Menteri

After the death of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin on 4 June 1950 and the ascension of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III to the throne, Ibrahim was appointed as private secretary to the Sultan. It was at this time, he was conferred the title 'Pehin Datu Perdana Menteri' in 1951, making him head of the non-noble traditional ministers. He went to accompany the Sultan on his haj pilgrimage in Mecca, and to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and official visit to Europe. On 15 February 1951, he was appointed as the private secretary to the Sultan. During his tenure, he gave advice to the Sultan on the developments of Brunei, including the Five Year National Development Plan and the proposal on drafting the Written Constitution which came into effect on 29 September 1959, after which, he himself became Brunei's first Menteri Besar. He served in that office from 29 September 1959 until September 1961.

Speaker of the Legislative Council

Ibrahim also became the member of the Royal Council. In 1957, he led a delegation to attend the ECAFE Conference held in Bangkok. In June 1963, he was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Council, which was then dissolved on 30 January 1965. When the Legislative Council was reconvened on 31 January 1965, he was reappointed as Speaker. He was also appointed as unofficial member of the Royal Council. Still, he continued to advise the Sultan on important matters on administration. Prior to his death, he still holds the position of Secretary of State to the British Resident, taking on administrative duties.

Death

Ibrahim died on Friday, 19 February 1971, after Subuh prayer. He was laid to rest at Kianggeh Dagang Cemetery, Bandar Seri Begawan. His funeral was attended by family members and several high ranking officials such as Arthur R. Adair, British High Commissioner to Brunei, Yusuf Abdul Rahim, Menteri Besar of Brunei, and many nobilities.

Personal life

Ibrahim married Dayang Saadiah binti Awang Mohd Tahir on 22 December 1923. His marriage was blessed with several children, among them are:

  • Mohd Abbas Al-Sufri (1925–2014), later known as Pehin Orang Kaya Penggawa
  • Adnin (1932–2023), businessperson
  • Isa (born 1935), later known as Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja

Legacy

Portrait of Ibrahim and his wife, Dayang Saadiah

Namesakes

  • Jalan Dato Ibrahim, a road in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Honours

In recognition to his service during World War II, he was awarded the O.B.E. by the British Government for saving several important documents from being destroyed by the Japanese. It would then be promoted to C.B.E. by Queen Elizabeth II in the 1960 Birthday Honours. On 11 May 1951, he was awarded the title of Pehin Datu Perdana Menteri. Additionally he was also awarded Order of the Rising Sun Third Class by the Japanese Government during World War II. Throughout his career, he has earned the following awards;

National

Foreign