Mokhtar Puteh

Pengiran Mokhtar Puteh (19 September 1929 – 30 April 2016) or also spelled Mokhtar Putih, was a nobleman and a civil servant from Brunei who served in several high-ranking positions which included being a member of the Privy Council and vice-president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council. He was known for his active involvement in charitable work and sport activities throughout his life.

Early life and education
From 1939 to 1942, Mokhtar Puteh attended the Kajang Malay School in Brunei Town for his early schooling. He continued his studies at the Roman Catholic Mission School. In 1941, when Brunei was occupied by the Japanese, he continued his academic pursuits at a Sarawak Navy Academy.

Career
Mokhtar Puteh began his career as a broadcast and information officer for the Brunei-Muara District. In May 1968, he was a member and chair of the Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara in the Royal household until the 1990s. The Bruneian government turned down the BAKER party's request to travel to London in 1969 to negotiate alongside the Sultan's delegation. Brunei's royal authorities sent away the leaders of the BAKER party, when they asked to be represented politically in the discussions between the British and Bruneian administrations. Jamil Al-Sufri and Mokhtar Puteh declared the political representation of the BAKER party to be too ludicrous for consideration.

As a representative from the palace in 1969, he denied the rumours regarding Prince Mohamed Bolkiah's engagement with a Johor royal family member. During a legislative council meeting that same year, a proposal for the government to consult the British Government regarding the future of the country's constitution. Him alongside Jamil Al-Sufri deemed the proposal as too inappropriate to accept.

In 1970, he represented Brunei in a debate with former Tengku Abdul Rahman regarding the Limbang dispute. In 1995, he assumed the same position at the Grand Chamberlain Office, Istana Darul Hana.

Later life and death
He served as the vice-president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council in 1956 and was a member of the Privy Council. He was also the President of the Brunei Draussalam Pencak Silat Federation.

At 18:40 on 30 April 2016, the 86-years old Mokhtar Puteh passed away at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital. Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah accompanied Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to attend his funeral at his Kampong Telanai home. Funeral prayer led by Abdul Aziz Juned, along with other mourners, including other members of the royal family, Cabinet Ministers, and state dignitaries. His body was then interred in the Kilometer 6 Muslim Cemetery, Kampong Telanai.

Personal life
Born in Kampong Kianggeh on 19 September 1929, Moktar Puteh is the son of nobleman Pengiran Rajid. Notable children of his is Pengiran Hishamuddin Alli is the founder and managing director of Pakar Tenaga Bersatu (PTB), Pengiran Nor Ikhsan is an Everest Base Camp climber, Pengiran Omarali is a Lieutenant commander in the Royal Brunei Navy, and Pengiran Saiful Redzali is the Belait District Football Association. At the time of his death, he has a total of 16 children, 64 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Titles
Mokhtar Puteh was bestowed the cheteria title of Yang Amat Mulia (The Most Noble) Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III on 4 May 1968, later upgraded to Pengiran Jaya Indera on 9 May 1996.


 * May 1968 – May 1996: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana
 * May 1996 – 30 April 2016: Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Indera

Honours
He received the Youth Council of Brunei's Meritorious Youth Leader Award in 2006. He has earned the following honours;

National

 * BRU_Family_Order_of_Brunei_1st_Class.svg Family Order of Laila Utama (DK; 1972) – Dato Laila Utama
 * BRU_Family_Order_of_Brunei_2nd_Class.svg Family Order of Seri Utama (DK; 1970) – Dato Seri Utama
 * BRU_Order_of_Loyalty_to_the_State_of_Brunei.svg Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB; 1968) – Dato Setia
 * BRU_Order_of_the_Crown_of_Brunei.svg Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB; 23 September 1967) – Dato Paduka 
 * BRU_Order_of_the_Hero_of_the_State_of_Brunei.svg Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei Third Class (PNB; 1963)
 * Sultan_Hassanal_Bolkiah_Medal.gif Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal First Class (PHBS; 1968)
 * Pingat_Bakti_Laila_Ikhlas_(PBLI).gif Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI; 2008)
 * Pingat_Jasa_Kiebaktian_(PJK).gif Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 1968)
 * Long_Service_Medal_(PKL).jpg Long Service Medal (PKL; 1967)

Foreign

 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom:
 * Order of the British Empire (Civil) Ribbon.svg Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (CVO; 1972); Honorary Member (MVO; 1992)
 * Selangor:
 * MY-SEL_Silver_Jubilee_Medal_1985.png Sultan Salahuddin Silver Jubilee Medal (3 September 1985)