In conjunction of our 27th National Day of Brunei Darussalam, let's look at the historic moments of Brunei Darussalam. Quote from "Ilahi Selamatkan Brunei Darussalam" by Badaruddin Othman (i.e. Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman), published by Pusat Da'wah Islamiah 2010, pages 23-28 and 53-56:
Timeline of Brunei History
* 1578 - Spanish expedition against Brunei, when Brunei rejected Christianity (Catholic).
* mid 17th century - Civil war in Brunei.
* 1839 - Appearance of James Brooke in Borneo which caused Brunei lost Limbang to Sarawak in March 1890.
* 1846 - (24 Dec) First official Brunei-UK Treaty (cession of Labuan).
*1847 - (27 May) Brunei-UK Treaty of Friendship and Commerce.
* 1878 - Cession of Sabah to Baron von Overbeck and Mr (later Sir) Alfred Dent (1844-1927).
* 1885 - Oath of Umanat or Amanat taken by the Brunei nobles. (pembesar-pembesar Brunei telah diminta bersumpah untuk tidak lagi menyerahkan tanah (wilayah) Brunei yang mereka miliki kepada orang asing).
* 1888 - Brunei, North Borneo, and Sarawak became British Protectorates.
* 1905 - 1906 - Signing of the Brunei-Britain Supplementary Treaty.
* 1929 - Discovery of Seria oil field.
* 1941-1945 - Japanese Military Administration in Brunei.
* 1949 - Formation of the frist Mohammedan Advisory Council under the Pengiran Bendahara (later Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III).
* 1950 - Death of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin: Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III becomes the Sultan.
* 1956 - (Jan) Formation of Partai Rakyat Brunei (PRB).
* 1959 - (29 Sept) End of the British Residential Era; promulgation of Brunei's first written constitution and a new Brunei-UK treaty.
* 1962 - (Aug) First general election in Brunei.
(Dec) Crushing of PRB-led uprising. Constitution suspended. Emergency Rule declared.
* 1963 - (Sep) Formation of Malaysia (Peninsula Malaysia + Sabah + Sarawak + Singapore). Brunei did not join, Singapore left in 1965.
* 1967 - Abdication of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III (r. 1950-1967), who then became known as the Seri Begawan Sultan (d. 1986). Also widely regarded as the "Architect of Modern Brunei."
* 1971 - (23 Nov) Amended Brunei-British Agreement Signed giving full internal self-government to Brunei.
* 1979 - (7 Jan) Amended Brunei-Britain Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.
* 1984 - Independence for Brunei resumed. Menteri Besar system ended and the introduction of full (nominated) cabinet form of government with the Sultan as the Prime Minister.
As a Bruneian, we should be grateful for what we are blessed to a sovereign, fully-independent and democratic Sultanate. Let's fly our national flag proudly!!!
Let's ponder "ask not what country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country". (John Kennedy, 1961).
Negaraku Brunei Darussalam ~~~ Abode of Peace :-)
