Death and State Funeral
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III died on 7 September 1986, several weeks before his 72nd birthday. On that day, the Grand Chamberlain, officially announced the passing of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
On September 8, a state funeral was held. A large number of world leaders attended the funeral, including Malaysian Yang Di Pertuan Agong, Iskandar of Johor, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, the Yang Di Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Jaafar, Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah of Terengganu, Tuanku Syed Putra of Perlis, Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah, Sultan Salahuddin of Selangor, Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak, U.S. President George H. W. Bush, President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, President Suharto of Indonesia, President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq of Pakistan, Hussain Muhammad Ershad of Bangladesh, Secretary of British Foreign Affairs and the Commonwealth, Sir Geoffrey Howe, and many others.
His body was laid in state at the "Lapau" (the former Legislative Building at Bandar Seri Begawan) before being moved to nearby Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque for a funeral prayer. A casket draped with his royal standard flag was placed on a hand drown carriage for the funeral procession around the Capital. He was buried in the Royal Mausoleum in Bandar Seri Begawan, alongside his wife, and his father, Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II, his grandfather, Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin and his eldest brother and predecessor Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin.
| “ | ... As a son of a dear father, I still feel the feelings of sadness and grief, and will always be felt, which is not limited to a period of time. Because his death is a great loss for me and my family. Moreover he is not only a father who always pour a friendly affection to his children, he always gave me advice up to the end of his life. | ” |
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—Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, in his speech on 20th October 1986 |
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Several foreign leaders had given their quotes about Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III,
| “ | I know the Paduka Seri (Sir Omar) since 1959. My late father was so close to him. I also highly respect him because to me he was a brilliant man | ” |
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—Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, in an interview with Utusan Malaysia journalist, 25th April 1984 |
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| “ | I highly respect Al Marhum because of his heartfelt character which becomes a memories which will not easily forgotten. I consider him as my own father ... | ” |
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—Sultan Iskandar of Johor |
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| “ | The Late Highness had a vision, for sightedness and wise leadership coupled with his outstanding services to his people | ” |
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—President Hussain Muhammad Ershad of Bangladesh praising His Highness on his speech |
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| “ | The Late Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien III is a honourable special friend to Britain. His death were deeply felt by the United Kingdom. | ” |
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—Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain |
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| “ | The Late Highness had a unique position in the history of Brunei and in the hearts of all who knew him in Britain. | ” |
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—British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher |
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A Surah Yassin book was published with the consent of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, to mark the 40th day of the passing away of his late father.
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