| Hakim Hayat |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, paid his last respects yesterday to the late Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Indera Pengiran Haji Mokhtar Puteh bin Pengiran Haji Rajid, who had passed away peacefully on the evening of April 30, at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital. He was 85 years old.
Accompanying His Majesty to the residence of the late Cheteria in Kampong Telanai was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince joined other mourners, including other members of the royal family, Cabinet Ministers and state dignitaries, to pay their last respects and perform the funeral prayer, which was led by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.
The body of the late Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Indera Pengiran Haji Mokhtar Puteh was then laid to rest at the Kampong Telanai Muslim Cemetery.
Born on September 19, 1930, in Kampong Kianggeh, the late Cheteria is fondly remembered by many for his significant contributions to the country, especially during his tenure as the Grand Chamberlain to the royal household, from the 1960s to the 1990s.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and His Roy-al Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, yesterday paid their last respects to Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Indera Pengiran Haji Mokhtar Puteh bin Pengiran Haji Rajid. – PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and His Roy-al Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, paying their last respects to Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Indera Pengiran Haji Mokhtar Puteh bin Pengiran Haji Rajid
He received his early education at the Sekolah Melayu Kajang in Brunei Town, from 1939 to 1942, and furthered his education at the Roman Catholic Mission School.
During the Japanese occupation of Brunei in 1941, he pursued his studies at a designated naval academy in Sarawak.
The late Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Indera Pengiran Haji Mokhtar Puteh, who was also well-known for his active involvement in sport activities and charity work throughout his life embarked on his career as a Broadcast and Information Officer for the Brunei-Muara District.
The loyal statesman was later appointed as the Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara in the Royal household in May 1968, and later took on the same role at the Grand Chamberlain Office, Istana Darul Hana, in 1995.
He was also a member of the Royal Privy Council, and was the Vice-President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council in 1956.
During his lifetime, His Majesty gave command for Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Indera Pengiran Haji Mokhtar Puteh to be promoted as an additional Cheteria under the ‘Cheteria 16’, which honoured him with the title of Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana, in May 1968. His cheteria rank was later upgraded to a full ‘Cheteria 16’ in May 1996, which conferred him the title of Pengiran Jaya Indera.
Some of the long list of state decorations, orders and medals include the The Most Esteemed Family Order Laila Utama DK, The Most Esteemed Family Order Seri Utama DK, The Most Blessed Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class DSNB, The Most Honourable Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class DPMB, The Most Gallant Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei Third Class PNB, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal PHBS, Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas PBLI, Meritorious Service Medal PJK, Long Service Medal PKL, Honorary Officer of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire CVO, Honorary Member of The Royal Victorian Order MVO and the Pingat Selangor Silver Jubilee Commemoration Medal. He was also the recipient of the Meritorious Youth Leader Award by the Youth Council of Brunei, in 2006.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Indera Pengiran Haji Mokhtar Puteh is survived by 16 children, 64 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
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