# Pengiran Jaya

Pengiran Jaya bin Pengiran Haji Rajid (1925 – 18 October 2009) past a Bruneian diplomat and noble police officer who served as the first bumiputera (local) commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) from 197 to 1991.

## Police career

Pengiran Jaya bin Pengiran Haji Rajid was born in Brunei in 1925 and began his service in the police force on 24 September 1945. In 1955, he attended a six-month training course for junior police officers in London. The following year, on 1 September, he was promoted to assistant superintendent.
As the officer in charge of the Brunei District Police, he accompanied Sir Anthony Abell during the inspection of the Brunei Town Police's honour guard on 14 November 1956, ahead of the high commissioner's visit to the British Resident's Office. In 1957, during the official opening of Brunei Airport and its new terminal building, Pengiran Jaya, then an inspector, led the police honour guard. This event marked the first time the force appeared in their new uniforms of black pants and white shirts, and it was attended by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, British Resident John Orman Gilbert, and Abell. Additionally, Pengiran Jaya played a key role in welcoming Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, during his 1959 visit to Brunei, leading the police band and the Royal Brunei Police honour guard.
In January 1961, Pengiran Jaya was promoted to superintendent. To further his career, he left for Scotland on 27 September to attend a senior police officer training course at the Tulliallan Castle Police College near Edinburgh. After completing the nearly three-month course at the Scottish Police College in Kincardine-on-Forth, he returned to Brunei on 25 December. The course featured participants from various countries, with him being the youngest and the only Malay attendee. During his stay in the United Kingdom, he met several Brunei students and had the opportunity to meet Allen Neil Outram, the police commissioner of Brunei, who was on holiday there. Additionally, Pengiran Jaya presented a police shield to Sidney Anderson Kinnear.
On 16 February 1963, Pengiran Jaya accompanied the acting sultan, Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam, and other senior officials during their visit to Bangar. The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation with the government and reassure the public by offering rewards for information on certain criminal activities. In 1964, he was part of a delegation of three Bruneian government officials who traveled to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The purpose of the trip was to observe the identity card registration procedures, including visits to immigration offices in both cities and the main identity card registrar's office in Petaling Jaya. This visit was part of the preparations for the anticipated introduction of the identity card system in Brunei. Later that year, on 22 November, he traveled to London carrying two bags filled with 50 pounds of confidential documents, as part of the delegation accompanying the sultan for talks on constitutional reforms. In December 1969, Pengiran Jaya issued a public warning against the use of fireworks during Hari Raya, Christmas, and Chinese New Year, reminding citizens that the importation and sale of fireworks were illegal and offenders could face prosecution under Brunei's emergency laws.
As the first local Bruneian to serve as Commissioner of Police in 1975, Pengiran Jaya's leadership marked a significant milestone for the Brunei Police Force. This transition was a major shift, as the Commissioner is responsible for steering and planning the force's development. Under his command, Pengiran Jaya focused on strengthening the administration and ensuring that the police force was efficient and adaptable to changes in the environment. He was committed to establishing a professional and competent force, dedicated to serving the interests of both the people and the state of Brunei. His leadership was crucial in addressing various challenges, enhancing public safety, and improving the overall administration and effectiveness of the police force. In early January 1977, the Royal Brunei Marine Police launched a new 36-foot (11 m) fast patrol boat, "PDB Sejahtera," in a ceremony held in Muara, where Pengiran Jaya, along with senior police officers and their families, attended. After serving for many years, he retired from the police force in 1983, with Pengiran Umar succeeding him.

## Later life and death

After retiring from his police career, Pengiran Jaya became a member of both the Privy Council and the Royal Succession Council. He later embarked on a diplomatic career, serving as high commissioner and ambassador to several countries. His first posting was to the United Kingdom from 14 March 1984 to October 1990, during which he also held dual accreditation to Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, and the European states. He was then reappointed as ambassador to Thailand from October 1990 to 1993, with additional accreditation to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Nepal. His final diplomatic assignment was in Malaysia, where he served from 1993 to 1995.
Pengiran Jaya died at the age of 83 at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital on 18 October 2009, at 5:45 am. His funeral was attended by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, who joined the congregational funeral prayer led by Abdul Aziz Juned at his residence in Kampong Sungai Tilong. His body is buried at the Royal Mausoleum in Bandar Seri Begawan.

## Personal life

Pengiran Jaya was married and had eight children. He also had a brother, Pengiran Mokhtar Puteh, who also served as a member of the Privy Council.

## Titles, styles and honours
### Titles and styles

On 14 March 1969, Pengiran Jaya was honoured by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah with the cheteria title of Pengiran Setia Raja, bearing the style Yang Amat Mulia.

### Honours

Pengiran Jaya has been bestowed the following honours:
* Family Order of Laila Utama (DK) – Dato Laila Utama
* Family Order of Seri Utama (DK; 2 August 1967) – Dato Seri Utama
* Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB; 1963) – Dato Setia
* Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei Second Class (DHPNB; 23 September 1963) – Dato Hamzah Pahlawan
* Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal First Class (PHBS; 1968)
* Coronation Medal (1 August 1968)
* Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
* Brunei Police Medal (Long Service) (1963)
* Royal Brunei Police Medal for the Royal Proclamation 1965
* Campaign Medal
Foreign
* United Kingdom:
** Queen's Police Medal (QPM; 1966)
** Colonial Police Medal (CPM; 1961)