Muhammad Jamalul Alam II

Muhammad Jamalul Alam II (1889 – 11 September 1924) was the 26th Sultan of Brunei from 1906 until his death in 1924. His reign aimed to encourage new developments in agriculture, medicine, and education. Additionally, he also encouraged learning Islam and built a mosque despite the country's lack of revenue. During World War II, the mosque was destroyed due to the intense shelling and fighting within the towns in Brunei. His reign also oversaw Brunei during its most impoverished state.

Early life
Born in 1889 at Istana Kampong Ayer, Bandar Brunei, he was the eldest surviving son of Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin and Siti Fatimah binti Radin Othman. Before he became sultan, he was known as Pengiran Muda Bongsu Muhammad Jamalul Alam.

Succession


Jamalul Alam ascended to the throne at the age of 17 after the death of his father in 1906. He became the first Sultan of Brunei who could speak English. The responsibility of the Sultan was in the hands of the Majlis Pemangku Raja (Council of Regency).

Residential System
With the introduction of the Residential System in Brunei in 1906, all the executive power, except in matters of religion and tradition, was transferred from the Sultan to the Resident. In 1909, he relocated his residence on land, and later encouraged Chinese to settle in Brunei for commercial skills. Jamalul Alam was convinced by the pengiran bendahara (vizier) to signed a petition to change 5 points to the 1905 treaty. It was also during his reign that Islamic Law was officially introduced in the country. This was known as Mohammedan Laws Enactment. It was introduced in 1912, replacing the Kanun Brunei. Then in 1913, the Marriage and Divorce Act was introduced. It was only on 15 May 1918 that he was crowned as sultan.

Visit of Prince of Wales
Then Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), accompanied by the naval officers of HMS Renown (1916) and HMS Cairo (D87), agreed to visit Brunei and meet the Sultan on 18 May 1922. Soon after the location had been sealed off to the public, Jamalul Alam came wearing robes of state and gold silk. He was escorted by his ministers, counsellors, and honour guard, and he took his place just in front of the Prince's landing spot. Soon after midday, the Prince arrived to a 21-gun salute, received assistance from the Sultan to disembark, greeted all those in attendance, and was escorted in the royal chair to the audience hall. After a curry tiffin, the Prince went to the neighbouring falls with the Resident and his wife. He shook hands with everyone and said he had a great time before leaving at four o'clock.

Later reign
On the occasion of the Malay and Borneo Cultural Festival in honour of the Prince of Wales' visit to Malaya in 1922, Jamalul Alam became the first monarch of Brunei to visit Singapore, followed by a band of traditional musicians as attendants to the Sultan. When a cultural group traveled with the Sultan, the roots of Brunei theater were planted. That same year, he moved from Istana Kampong Ayer to Istana Majlis. The first discovery of crude oil in Brunei occurred during his reign but not before major oil strikes were made in Seria in 1927.

Death
Following a brief bout of malaria, which was made worse by his anguish at the loss of his primary spouse, Pengiran Isteri Tengah, and their two children to malaria, a few days prior. He passed away at age 35 on 11 September 1924. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Pengiran Muda Besar Ahmad Tajuddin. He was buried at the Royal Mausoleum at Jalan Tutong.

Marriage
Jamalul Alam was married to Tengah and Siti Fatimah.

Issue
He had a total of 10 children whom were;
 * Prince Bongsu (18 November 1908 – 1910)
 * Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin (22 August 1913 – 4 June 1950), Sultan of Brunei from 1924 to 1950
 * Prince Anum (died September 1924), killed by malaria
 * Prince Laila Gambar (died September 1924), killed by malaria
 * Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III (23 September 1914 – 7 September 1986), Sultan of Brunei from 1950 to 1967
 * Pengiran Anak Besar Bagol (died 10 June 1945), married Pengiran Bini Zainab
 * Princess Besar (1902 – 16 September 1993), married to Pengiran Anak Hashim
 * Princess Tengah (1910 – 24 August 1969)
 * Princess Damit (born 6 April 1911)
 * Princess Tinggal, married to Pangiran Anak Besar

Namesakes

 * Muhammad Jamalul Alam Mosque, named after him and the early Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam I.
 * Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Middle School (SMJA), formerly Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Malay Middle School.
 * Maharajalela Jamalulalam (MLJ) is an offshore gas field that was discovered in 1990.

Honours
Honorary Knighthood of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George granted to Jamalul Alam by King George V in appreciation of his unwavering allegiance to the British Crown throughout World War I (1914–1918).
 * UK Order St-Michael St-George ribbon.svg Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) – Sir (1920); Honorary Companion (CMG; 1914)