The National Anthem which is played at
official ceremonies in Brunei Darussalam was officially adopted in 1952
soon after His Highness the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (Al-Marhum
Siltan Haji Omer ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien) was crowned
Sultan succeeding his elder brother, the late Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin on 6th June 1950.
In 1947, a group of youths decided that
their country should fall in line with other modern states by having its
own national anthem. They chose two of their number to compose the tune
and write the lyrics for a national anthem and from their efforts the
present national anthem was born.
The anthem is now played throughout the country on all ceremonial occasions.
The composer of the tune and the writer
of lyrics were the late Awang Haji Besar bin Sagap and Pengiran Haji
Mohamed Yusuf bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim (now Yang Amat Mulia
Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Haji Mohamed Yusuf bin Pengiran Haji
Abdul Rahim) respectively.
Prior to its adoption, the national
anthem went through many processes of development at the hands of
several Malay teachers, in particular, Awang haji Mohamed Sum bin Hashim
who was the first to introduce the tune to schoolchildren in Malay
Schools in Brunei Town (now Bandar Seri Begawan).
The idea caught up very quickly for soon
other Malay teachers taught the tune to their pupils in other schools
throughout the state. Within a few weeks most schoolchildren had become
familiar with the tune and lyrics of the anthem.
Although the tune was not officially
adopted as the National Anthem until almost four year later, its
popularity had become statewide and it was the practice to play the tune
at gatherings such as concerts, official opening ceremonies and other
funtions. It was given the respect due to the British National Anthem of
‘God Save The King’ which was also played on those occasions.
Royal recognition of the tune as
National Anthem came not long afterwards when the late Sultan Ahmad
Tajuddin attended a flag raising ceremony held in Brunei Town on the
anniversary of the Brunei youth League in 1947.
At the ceremony His Highness broke the
league’s standard to the accompaniment of the tune originally composed
by the late Awang Haji Besar bin Sagap.
Allah Peliharakan Sultan
Music by: Haji Awang Besar Sagap
Lyric by: Yura Halim
Ya Allah lanjutkanlah Usia
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Adil berdaulat menaungi nusa
Memimpin rakyat kekal bahagia
Hidup sentosa Negara dan Sultan
Ilahi selamatkan Brunei Darussalam
God Bless His Majesty
God Bless His Majesty
With A Long Life
Justly And Nobly Rule The Kingdom
And Lead Our People Happily Forever
Peacefully Be, The Kingdom and Sultan
Lord, Save Brunei, The Abode of Peace
