Bendahara Sakam

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Abdul Kahar Jalilul Alam is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Sakam. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Bendahara Sakam
بندهار ساكم
Pengiran Bendahara
BornRaja Sakam
Burial
Tarap Besar Islamic Cemetery, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Names
Sakam ibni Abdul Kahar Jalilul Alam
Regnal name
Pengiran Bendahara Sakam ibni Sultan Abdul Kahar Jalilul Alam
HouseBolkiah
FatherSultan Abdul Kahar
MotherRaja Bajau
ReligionSunni Islam

Raja Sakam (Jawi: راج ساکم‎) or commonly referred to by his title Bendahara Sakam (بندهار ساکم‎), was the son of the Sultan Abdul Kahar by his Sabah wife, Raja Bajau.[1][2] He is a peculiar folk hero in certain respects.[3] His name was consistently spelled Bendahara Saqkam in the manuscript, Silsilah raja-raja Brunei.[4]

Early life

Raja Sakam was the descended of prominent lineages, including Datu Lakandula, Raja Sulaiman, and Raja Matanda of Luzon.[5]

Pengiram Seri Ratna's daughter is said to have boldly abducted by him from her marriage to Pengiran Seri Lela's son, and brought her to his home. Sultan Saiful Rijal consented to punishing him when the enraged pengirans brought the issue before him.[6] Despite being banished and humiliated, he returned back to Brunei to help his brother, Sultan Saiful Rijal's government.[7] Raja Sakam's licentious nature was noted to be likely the cause of this reign's problems.[8]

Castilian War

The Spanish forces fighting against the Bruneian forces

Bendahara Sakam's historical significance extends to his involvement in repelling the Spanish attack on Brunei during the Castilian War of 1578, in collaboration with Orang Kaya Tiger Padang and a contingent of 1,000 warriors.[9][10] He was given command of Brunei's army to subjugate the territory lying between Sabah and Luzon.[11] This event marked a critical juncture in Brunei's history, as it faced external threats from European colonial powers. His leadership, strategic acumen, and his collaborative defense effort demonstrated his dedication to safeguarding his homeland. Additionally, for preparation for the Castilian War of 1578, they made fortifications in Kampong Pintu Malim and named it "Pulau Ambok."[12][13][14] Pengiran Bendahara Sakam successfully forced the occupiers to depart after organizing Bruneian forces and leading 1,000 warriors against them.[15]

Legacy

Bendahara Sakam Bunut Primary School

These days, the Castille War recounts the heroic deeds and tenacity of the Bruneian people, under the leadership of Pengiran Bendahara Sakam, in protecting their country from outside threats.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ History of Brunei: For Lower Secondary Schools. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. 1989. p. 28.
  2. ^ Ujan, Gira (2008). Pengantar sejarah kesusasteraan klasik Melayu Brunei (in Malay). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei, Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. p. 41. ISBN 978-99917-0-588-0.
  3. ^ Saunders, Graham (5 November 2013). A History of Brunei. Routledge. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-136-87394-2.
  4. ^ Gallop, Annabel Teh (11 June 2019). "Silsilah Raja-Raja Brunei: The Manuscript of Pengiran Kesuma Muhammad Hasyim". Archipel. Études interdisciplinaires sur le monde insulindien (in French) (97): 173–212. doi:10.4000/archipel.1066. ISSN 0044-8613.
  5. ^ Santos, Jason (19 December 2020). "Brunei or Sulu: an ancient territorial dispute". The Vibes.
  6. ^ Leake, David (1989). Brunei: The Modern Southeast-Asian Islamic Sultanate. McFarland. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-89950-434-6.
  7. ^ Saunders, Graham (5 November 2013). A History of Brunei. Routledge. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-136-87394-2.
  8. ^ Brunei (1961). Annual Report on Brunei. Printed at the Brunei Press. p. 160.
  9. ^ Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 212. ISBN 978-0-8108-7078-9.
  10. ^ "Sultan-Sultan Brunei" (PDF). History Central Government (in Malay). 13 October 2023.
  11. ^ Gin, Ooi Keat (14 December 2015). Brunei - History, Islam, Society and Contemporary Issues. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-65997-6.
  12. ^ The Daily, Brunei Resources. "Animals in Brunei Place Names". Animals in Brunei Place Names. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Brunei River Heritage Trail" (PDF). Brunei Tourism.
  14. ^ Nadhirah (19 April 2019). ""Modern Sights, Local Culture, Historical Landmarks and a Fantastic View on the Brunei River Heritage Trail"". Borneo Insider's Guide. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  15. ^ Gin, Ooi Keat; King, Victor T. (29 July 2022). Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Brunei. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-56864-6.
  16. ^ "Local theatre group tells a story » Borneo Bulletin Online". Local theatre group tells a story. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Sekolah Rendah Bendahara Sakam Bunut, Brunei III". srbsb.blogspot.com. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  18. ^ Santosa, Novan Iman (23 October 2020). "Used 'alutsista': Warships that safeguard Indonesian waters". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 13 February 2022.