Alam Abdul Rahman

Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam (18 October 1918 – 14 December 1982), sometimes spelled Muhammad Alam, was a nobleman, magistrate and politician who became the fourth Speaker of the Brunei Legislative Council from 1971 until 1974 and Chief (Yang Di-Pertua) of Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara from 1954 to 1981. He is the father of Pengiran Anak Saleha, the queen consort of Hassanal Bolkiah, the current Sultan of Brunei. He was also a maternal grandfather of Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince.

Early life and education
Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam was in Brunei Town born on 18 October 1918. His father, Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman, one of the Wazirs in Brunei, was a younger brother of Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II, which made him first cousin of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. His sister, Pengiran Anak Damit married Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.

As the member of the Royal Family, Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam began his informal education at the Brunei Town Malay School. From 1932 to 1936, he went to Malaya to study at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Perak, along with other members of the Royal Family.

Career
Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam worked at the Land Office as a clerk in 1937, the Judicial Department in 1940, and as a magistrate in 1948. In 1950, he was carried the title of Pengiran Pemancha and becoming member of the Wazir in 1950. He also served as the officer of Jabatan Adat Istiadat, Ugama dan Kebajikan in 1955–1961, concurrently becoming the Yang Di-Pertua Adat Istiadat Negara from 1954 to 1981. On 28 February 1955, he was a member of the State Council. He was among the state dignitaries of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III's 1959 Brunei Negotiations in London.

After 17 years in power, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III voluntarily abdicated on 4 October 1967 to make way for his 21-year-old eldest son, Crown Prince Hassanal Bolkiah, who returned to Brunei to assume his father's responsibilities as the Sultan. That night, Mohamed Alam announced the declaration on Radio Brunei.

Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam was elected as the second Speaker of the Legislative Council, to replace Ibrahim bin Mohammad Jafar who died on 19 February 1971. He was sworn in on 13 July 1971 and served from 14 July 1971 until 30 November 1974.

Family
Pengiran Anak Mohammad Alam was born on 18 October 1918, to Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman and Pengiran Fatimah. A vizier's son. His father served as Pengiran Bendahara for 25 years, starting in 1918 and ending in his death during the Japanese occupation. Additionally, he is the brother of Pengiran Anak Damit, Pengiran Anak Omar Ali, Pengiran Anak Siti Kula, Pengiran Anak Mohammad, and Pengiran Muda Hashim. He married Pengiran Anak Hajah Besar (who became later known as Pengiran Babu Raja). He is the great-grandson of Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin.

Issue
The couple's nine children together are as follows:


 * Pengiran Anak Haji Mohammad Yusof (24 June 1948 – 13 December 2004), married to Princess Nor'ain Bolkiah
 * Pangiran Anak Haji Puteh (born 19 January 1951), ambassador of Brunei to the United States and Japan
 * Pengiran Anak Haji Ja'afar (born 1951), executive chairman of Jati Transport
 * Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha (born 7 October 1946), married to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
 * Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah (born 3 October), married to Prince Mohamed Bolkiah
 * Pangiran Anak Hajah Rokiah (born 17 July 1950s), married to Pangiran Anak Apong
 * Pengiran Anak Hajah Damit (6 May 1956 – 19 August 2007), married to Pangiran Haji Muhammad Ayub
 * Pengiran Anak Hajah Mastura (6 January 1960 – 26 July 2016), married to Pengiran Haji Yura Perkasa
 * Pengiran Anak Hajah Fatimah (born 9 April 1962)

Death
He died on Friday, 14 December 1982, at the age of 69. He was laid to rest at the Royal Mausoleum in Jalan Tutong.

Namesakes
Several places were named after him, including:
 * A road along Jalan Pemancha in Bandar Seri Begawan is named after him. The road was once known as Jalan Chevalier, named after Harvey Chevalier.
 * A road along Jalan Pemancha in Kuala Belait is named after him
 * Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam Mosque, mosque built in Sengkarai in 2017
 * Muhammad 'Alam Primary School, school in Seria.

Titles
Upon taking up as one of the wazirs of Brunei, he was bestowed the title of Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Pengiran Pemancha Sahibul Rae' Wal Mashuarah on 27 July 1950.

National
Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam also received the following awards;


 * BRU Family Order of Brunei 1st Class.svg Family Order of Laila Utama (DK I; 2 January 1967) – Dato Laila Utama
 * Ordine della Corona del Brunei (Brunei).png Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB; 23 September 1963) – Dato Seri Paduka; Second Class (DPMB; 23 September 1956)
 * BRU Order of Loyalty to the State of Brunei.svg Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB) – Dato Setia
 * Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal.gif Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 1 August 1968)
 * Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal.jpg Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal (POAS; 31 May 1951)

Foreign

 * UK Queen EII Coronation Medal ribbon.svg Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (2 June 1953)
 * Order of the British Empire (Civil) Ribbon.svg Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE; 1956)