Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar

Dato Laila Utama Haji Ibrahim bin Mohammad Jahfar (17 September 1900 – 19 February 1971) was a nobleman and politician who became the first Menteri Besar (Chief minister) of Brunei, serving from 29 September 1959 until 1 August 1962.

Early life
Ibrahim was born in Labuan on Friday, 17 September 1900. His origin can be traced from the Malay Peninsula and Lingga archipelago His father was Tengku Mohammad Jaafar bin Tengku Mohammad Saad bin Tengku Besar Wok Daud bin Sultan Abdul Rahman Syah I (Sultan of Lingga-Riau-Johor Pahang) bin Sultan Mahmud Syah III (Marhum Daik Lingga). It was believed that his family's move to Brunei began around the turn of the 20th century, when his father, he started attending English school in Labuan in 1914.

Career
Ibrahim first worked as a clerk and a store supervisor. At this time, he also got an opportunity to learn English Language from A.V. Lingam. Six months after that, he worked as a dresser for six-months. In June 1917, he went to Brunei, accompanying G.E. Cator, the British Resident of Labuan who got transferred to Brunei. He then worked as trainee at the Financial Office, and later, as a clerk at Custom Department till January 1918. While pursuing his studies, he worked at Singapore Audit Office. He returned to Brunei in December 1918. On his return, he worked as Assistant Post office clerk until December 1918. He then worked at the Resident Office and Land Department as a clerk. In March 1922, he led a delegation to Singapore to represent Brunei in the Borneo Malaya Conference.

Political involvement
In November 1928, Ibrahim was appointed Administrative officer at the Resident's office. In March 1930, he was appointed Assistant Land Tax Collector. In June 1932, he was appointed Class 2 Magistrate for Brunei Muara District and not long after that, he became the District Officer of Brunei Muara until January 1936. After that, he continued to serve as an interpreter and Secretary to the British Resident until 1945.

Second World War
With Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin's approval, General Kiyotake Kawaguchi gave Ibrahim, who served as the State Secretary during the Japanese occupation, administrative authority over the country until Japanese administrative personnel could arrive. During the previous British rule, it was rare for experienced local officers to be promoted to such high positions or kept in their current roles. He held the position of State Secretary or Chief Administrative Officer from 1941 till 1945. His service under the Japanese did not last long. It was on his way to meet Chokan Kakka Koizumi at Buang Tekurok, he heard that the Allied Forces landed in Muara. Upon their landing, the Allied Forces called him to discuss several options on the restoration of the government. He assisted the Allied Forces to restore peace and stability in Brunei. At this time, his health problems were worrying him. Therefore, he retired from government position in 1949.

Pehin Dato Perdana Menteri
After the death of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin on 4 June 1950 and the ascension of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III to the throne, Ibrahim was appointed private secretary to the Sultan on 15 February 1951. It was at this time, he was conferred the title Pehin Datu Perdana Menteri on 11 May, making him head of the non-noble traditional ministers. He went to accompany the Sultan on his haj pilgrimage in Mecca, and to attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and official visit to Europe. During his tenure, he gave advice to the Sultan on the developments of Brunei, including the Five Year National Development Plan and the proposal on drafting the written constitution during the 1959 Brunei Negotiations, after which, he himself became Brunei's first Menteri Besar. He served until 1 August 1962, where he would be succeeded by Marsal Maun.

Speaker of the Legislative Council
Pehin Ibrahim also became the member of the Royal Council. In 1957, he led a delegation to attend the ECAFE Conference held in Bangkok. In June 1963, he was appointed Speaker of the legislative council, which was then dissolved on 30 January 1965. When the Legislative Council was reconvened on 31 January 1965, he was reappointed Speaker. He was also appointed unofficial member of the Royal Council. Still, he continued to advise the Sultan on important matters on administration. Prior to his death, he still held the position of Secretary of State to the British Resident, taking on administrative duties.

Death
Pehin Ibrahim died on Friday, 19 February 1971, after Subuh prayer. He was laid to rest at Kianggeh Dagang Cemetery, Bandar Seri Begawan. His funeral was attended by family members and several high ranking officials such as Arthur R. Adair, British High Commissioner to Brunei, Yusuf Abdul Rahim, Menteri Besar of Brunei, and many nobilities.

Personal life
Ibrahim married Dayang Saadiah binti Awang Mohd Tahir on 22 December 1923. His marriage was blessed with several children, among them are:
 * Mohd Abbas Al-Sufri (1925–2014), later known as Pehin Orang Kaya Penggawa
 * Adnin (1932–2023), businessperson
 * Isa (born 1935), later known as Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja

Namesakes

 * Jalan Dato Ibrahim, a road in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Honours
In recognition of his service during World War II, he was awarded the O.B.E. by the British Government for saving several important documents from being destroyed by the Japanese. It would then be promoted to C.B.E. by Queen Elizabeth II in the 1960 Birthday Honours. On 11 May 1951, he was awarded the title of Pehin Datu Perdana Menteri. Additionally he was also awarded Order of the Rising Sun Third Class by the Japanese Government during World War II. Throughout his career, he has earned the following awards;

National

 * BRU Family Order of Brunei 2nd Class.svg Family Order of Seri Utama (DK; 1959) – Dato Seri Utama 
 * Ordine della Corona del Brunei (Brunei).png Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB; 23 September 1959) – Dato Seri Paduka; Second Class (DPMB; 23 September 1956)
 * BRU Order of Loyalty to the State of Brunei.svg Order of Setia Negara Brunei (DSNB) – Dato Setia
 * Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal.jpg Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal (POAS)
 * Pingat Jasa Kiebaktian (PJK).gif Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)

Foreign

 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom:
 * Order of the British Empire (Civil) Ribbon.svg Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE; 1960); Officer (OBE; 1948)
 * UK King George VI Coronation Medal ribbon.svg King George VI Coronation Medal (1951)
 * 🇯🇵 Japan:
 * JPN Kyokujitsu-sho 3Class BAR.svg Order of the Rising Sun Third Class (1944–1945)