Abu Bakar Umar

Pengiran Abu Bakar bin Pengiran Umar (9 September 1906 – 11 June 1985) was a nobleman, civil servant, and politician who became the fifth Speaker of the Brunei legislative council, serving from 1 December 1974 until his retirement on 14 December 1981. Notably, he is the father-in-law to Princess Masna Bolkiah.

Early life and education
Pengiran Abu Bakar was born on 9 September 1906 in Brunei Town. He began his formal education in 1914 at a mosque in Kampong Sultan Lama.

Political career
Pengiran Abu Bakar served as a clerk at the office of British Resident in 1920 at the age of 14, and later served at the Kuala Belait Customs Department in 1923 and 1929. He continued serving as a clerk at Brunei Town and Tutong District office from 1926 until 1928. After peace was restored in Tutong District, Inche Awang willingly resigned as Tutong District Officer on 1 January 1946, and his place was replaced by Pengiran Abu Bakar. In 1959, he alongside then-Prince Hassanal Bolkiah and Mohamed Bolkiah visited the Seria oil field in Belait District. In 1962, he was elected as the secretary general of Brunei Students' Association in the United Kingdom.

Upon his retirement from government services in 1962, based on his excellent service record Pengiran Abu Bakar was appointed administrative assistant at the Development Department and later at the Election Office. During his tenure, he led a delegation, as chairman, which consisted of Salleh Kadir and Jaya Rajid were sent to attend the 1969 Malaysian general election on 10 May. In 1971, he was appointed District Officer of Belait. On 10 June 1972, he officiated the Students' Day Celebration at the Muhammad Alam Malay School, Seria.

On 1 December 1974 the Sultan appointed Pengiran Abu Bakar as the Speaker of the Legislative Council to replace Alam Abdul Rahman who retired from the position.

Death
Pengiran Abu Bakar died at the age of 78 on 11 June 1985. He was survived by his wife, eight children, 32 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. His body returned to his residence at Kampong Sungai Tilong. He was laid to rest at the Kianggeh Muslim Cemetery in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Personal life
Pengiran Abu Bakar has a son named Pengiran Abdul Aziz which would go on to become the prince consort to Princess Masna Bolkiah, younger sister of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Other children included; Pengiran Zuliana, Pengiran Aisah, and Pengiran Salmah.

Titles

 * 7 March 1968 – 16 May 1968: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Seri Utama
 * 16 May 1968 – 11 June 1985: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Negara

Namesake
Several places were named after him, including:
 * Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar Secondary School, a school in Kuala Belait.
 * Jalan Jaya Negara, a road in Kuala Belait.

National
He has earned several honours which included:
 * BRU_Family_Order_of_Brunei_2nd_Class.svg Family Order of Seri Utama (DK) – Dato Seri Utama
 * BRU_Order_of_Loyalty_to_the_State_of_Brunei.svg Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB) – Dato Setia
 * Omar_Ali_Saifuddin_Medal.jpg Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal Second Class (POAS; 23 September 1958)
 * Sultan_Hassanal_Bolkiah_Medal.gif Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)
 * Pingat_Jasa_Kiebaktian_(PJK).gif Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
 * Brunei_Campaign_Medal_(1962).jpg Campaign Medal (23 September 1967) 

Foreign

 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom:
 * Order_of_the_British_Empire_(Civil)_Ribbon.svg Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE; 1952)