Manteri

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The Manteri (Minister or Officer) are a group of royal dignitaries within the Sultanate of Brunei whose position ranks the fourth-highest official in the country behind the Sultan. There are two main groups in the Manteri, namely the Manteri Berchiri and the Manteri Bertauliah. Each person who is given a position in the Manteri is also given a certain title. They are also referred to in official speech and correspondence with specific honorific references.^[1] The title of Manteri is given to ordinary people and is held in a ceremony, which for the awarding of the title of Pehin Manteri, it is known as "menyampiri gelaran".^[2]

Prior to the British protectorate, Bruneian titles were bestowed with office positions and designated responsibilities, which gave the designated officials access to political power. These officials were frequently granted kuripan (territorial powers), which enabled them to manage finances, collect taxes, and uphold the law in their respective territories. On the other hand, Wazir (Vizier) like Pengiran Temenggong had to obtain permission from the Sultan in order to try major offences like those involving murder or mutilation. The kuripan was associated with the official's rank and was intended to pass back to the Sultan in the event of the official's demise or promotion, however it frequently stayed in the family in cases when the successor assumed the role. The system was dismantled and kuripan's management was given to the government upon the arrival of the British Resident, who also centralised power under his watch.^[3]

In the previous political system, being a title or office holder was not only a privilege but also came with important obligations in a hierarchical structure. Officials helped in state administration by serving as a go-between for the monarch and the populace. Many of the initial tasks have altered throughout time, but the symbolic significance of titles and their relationship to political power remain.^[4]

Although titles are still awarded today, the functions that they entail have changed to reflect the needs of the contemporary political structure. For instance, Jamil Al-Sufri, the current bearer of the noble title Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Diraja, which is charged with monitoring information, is the Principal of the Brunei History Centre.^[4] On another note, the nomination of traditional officials persists even though the contemporary administrative system has practically superseded the ancient political system. In addition to serving ceremonially, these officers serve as a conduit between the Sultan and his subjects, advising him on issues that impact the country as a whole.^[5]

High-ranking government officials in Brunei, such as the senior Wazir, Pengiran Bendahara, and Pengiran Paduka Tuan, oversee Islamic religious affairs to strengthen Islam in the country. The Manteri-Manteri Ugama, with appointed officers like Mudim, have managed Islamic matters since the time of Sultan Saiful Rijal. Despite British rule, these religious leaders continued to influence national affairs, as exemplified by Pehin Tuan Imam Haji Mohidin bin Nakhoda Jambul's appointment to the State Council in 1907. This illustrates the government's efforts to elevate Islam's role in Brunei.^[6]

The Manteri offices and those held by non-nobles are equivalent to Cheteria. Differentiation among the non-noble officialdom is even more intricate than it is within the aristocratic orders, nevertheless. Higher and lower non-noble officials are the two general categories into which non-noble officials fall. The two can be officially distinguished from one another by their ceremonial outfit and method of inauguration. Like the noble officials, the higher non-noble officials are sworn in using a sacred phrase called Chiri (one of the important position in the enthronement), which is made up of terms from Sanskrit, Arabic, and Malay.^[7]

There are two further divisions among the inferior non-noble officials. First, there are those who play a major role in managing state affairs: officials. Second, there are authorities who handle religious issues. The offices of Manteri Hulubalang (Defence officers), Manteri Istana (Palace officers), Manteri Darat (Interior land officers), and Manteri Pedalaman (Rural officers) are where the lesser, non-noble officials are restricted. However, there are additional positions either above or below certain levels. Manteri Dagang is the country's honour system for non-Malays.^[8]

In Bruneian society, a person's position and status are indicated by a variety of characteristics. A royal court or state function's seating arrangement is one method. In seating configurations, di atas (upper) and di bawah (lower) are used as measurements. The top end, which is often the farthest from the door, is occupied by those of greatest status. The remaining guests are placed near the entrance in decreasing order of rank. Gradations of precedence may also be shown by a person's sitting arrangement, whereby those on the right are sat higher than those on the left.^[9]

The title has been awarded to the authorities permanently. Even after passing away, the titleholder would continue be in possession of the title. It is common for officials to be promoted to a higher position within the same office and given a different title, nevertheless. The title may be inherited, as an official's successor may take office with the same title as his forebear. On the other hand, there are instances where the sons of officials are sworn in with titles that differ from their dads.^[10]

Manteri Berchiri is recited by Chiri during the title ceremony. It is also known as Pehin Manteri because the Manteri-Manteri in this group carry the title Pehin. The position is based on the system of Empat Lipatan (Four Folds) which is up to thirty-two folds.^[8] This meant that the hierarchy is ranked as 8, 16, 32, and 4. The lower the number, the greater the official's standing inside the office. These numbers represent the rating of the officials. As an illustration, officials in rank four are superior than those in rank eight. These ceremonial numerals are a reflection of Hinduism, which still has an impact on Brunei's ancient political structure.^[5] The positions in Manteri Berchiri are as follows:^[11]

• Kepala Manteri^[a]
• Kepala Manteri Ugama
• Kepala Manteri 4
• Manteri Tambahan di Atas Manteri 4
• Manteri 4
• Manteri Dagang di Bawah Manteri 4^[b]
• Manteri 8 or Manteri Pengalasan Besar
• Manteri Ugama di Bawah Manteri 8
• Manteri Ugama Tambahan di Bawah Manteri Ugama (below Manteri 8)
• Manteri 16 or Manteri Pengalasan Biasa
• Manteri 32 or Manteri Pengalasan Damit
• Manteri Tambahan di Bawah Manteri 32^[c]
• Manteri (Dalam) Istana^[d]
• Manteri Ugama (Pehin Khatib)

In contrast to Manteri Berchiri, Manteri Bertauliah's title granting ceremony just recites Tauliah (letter of commission or accreditation),^[15][16] does not employ the phrase "menyampiri," and does not recite Chiri.^[17] The Manteri Bertauliah has the following positions:^[18]

• Mudim
• Penglima
• Perwira
• Hulubalang^[e]
• Pahlawan
• Pateh
• Damong
• Pengarah
• Janang
• Malek
• Ketua Juru Laki
• Juru Laki
• Juru Bini
• Kepala Manteri Pendalaman
• Manteri Pendalaman or Manteri Darat^[f]

The difference between the titles for Manteri Berchiri and the Manteri Bertauliah is that only Manteri Berchiri has the title Pehin. However, there are two positions in the Manteri Berchiri that do not carry the title, namely the positions in the Manteri Istana that carry the titles Seri Lela Pengiring Diraja and Dayang-Dayang Diraja. The full title of Manteri Berchiri is Pehin followed by an additional phrase, which phrase may also use the titles of Manteri Bertauliah such as Orang Kaya and Datu for example Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa and Pehin Datu Lailaraja.

For Manteri Bertauliah, the title is like the name of the position, for example Pengarah (Director), Mudim, and Hulubalang Diraja and Hulubalang Asgar. However, the base titles for Manteri Pendalaman or Manteri Darat are Orang Kaya and Datu and one position carries the title Bendahari. For the position of Pehin Khatib and Mudim, the incumbent has reached the age 55 and retired from public service, has the title Begawan added.^[20] Therefore, Pehin Khatib became Begawan Pehin Khatib and Mudim became Begawan Mudim.^[21][18]

Honorary styles for Manteri-Manteri are as follows:^[22]

• Yang Dimuliakan Lagi Dihormati (The Distinguished and Honoured) — Kepala Manteri, Kepala Manteri Ugama and Kepala Manteri 4
• Yang Dimuliakan (The Distinguished) — Manteri Berchiri
• Yang Mulia (The Respected) — Manteri Bertauliah

However, if a Manteri is a member of the Council of Cabinet Ministers, the Legislative Council or the Privy Council, his honorific reference is replaced by Yang Berhormat (The Honourable).^[21][22]

The colours and patterns of each office's ceremonial dastar (tengkolok), arat (belt), and sinjang (sarong) indicate the individual's rank. Their ceremonial outfit is adorned with a variety of colours and designs. There are more ranks for higher non-noble officials: 4, 8, 16, and 32. There is no differentiation in the colour and style of their uniforms inside this office, in contrast to the Cheteria. Their customary uniform material is a pink-coloured bunga butang arab gegati (rhombus and button floral designs) arranged in a dispersed manner.^[23]

Manteri Istana (Palace Officials), Manteri Agama (Religious Officials), Manteri Dagang (Officials of Foreigners), Manteri Hulubalang (Defence Officials), and Manteri Pedalaman (Inland Officials) are the lower-ranking non-noble traditional authorities in Brunei. Their costumes are different; the Manteri Pedalaman wears blue with a bunga kembang setahun theme, while the Manteri Istana and Manteri Hulubalang use purple fabric with a bunga tampuk manggis motif, all with a scarlet basis. Traditional religious leaders dress in an Arabic-style jubah (thawb)—black during the day and white at night—and a serban (turban).^[24] Invested officials' ceremonial attire during royal court events indicates their position. Certain authorities use traditional woven cloths with certain colors and designs as part of their ceremonial attire. Umbrellas and personal standards are also employed as concrete indicators of rank. Some leaders' personal standards serve as pretty accurate markers of their position and level of authority. The state flag is flown by average residents, whereas those descended from nobles have their own standards. The traditional officials' ceremonial attire and personal standard have a similar colour. The highest ranks of Brunei society are the only ones who wear umbrellas as a symbol of their position.^[25]

Additionally, there were two conventional commandants in public ceremonies who went by the names Panglima Raja (Royal Commandant) and Panglima Asgar (Defense Commandant). These traditional commandants were traveling in a vehicle that was ahead of the Sultan's on the route from the palace to the ceremonial venue. Upon reaching the venue, these commanders got out of their car and stationed themselves on each side of the grandstand's stairs, which was where the Sultan and Wazirs were sitting. The commandants wore traditional purple woven sinjang, arat, and dastar with bunga bertabur and bunga tampuk manggis (mangosteen flower calyx) motifs, along with a scarlet traditional outfit. The Panglima Raja carried pemuras (blunderbuss) and kampilan (royal sword), or the royal pistol and ammunition container, while the Panglima Asgar carried kelasak (shield) and kampilan.^[26]

Copper, silver, and gold items used in royal ceremonies reveal the rank and identity of the owner. Items such as the keris (Malay dagger) and kaskol (gold betel container)^[27] were given to royal dignitaries who received the title of Wazir, Cheteria, and Manteri. The kaskol is only given to the Wazir and Kepala Cheteria while Cheteria-Cheteria and Manteri-Manteri such as Kepala Manteri and Kepala Manteri Empat received the silver-born tipa (container or vessel to store betel and its seasonings).^[28] While copper-born tipa was granted for the other officials.^[29]

• Ceremonial uniforms of Manteri-Manteri
• 
  Mohammad Daud, Manteri 16
• 
  Jaafar Abdul Aziz, Manteri 32
• 
  Hasrin Sabtu, Manteri 32
• 
  Husin Ahmad, Manteri Tambahan di Bawah Manteri 32
• 
  Panglima Raja and Panglima Asgar

The list of Manteri Berchiri below is as of 2 February 2024.^[30]

The list of Manteri Bertauliah below is as of 6 September 2022.^[18][11]

• Cheteria
• Wazir
• Council of Cabinet Ministers

• Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah (2005). Traditional Woven Textiles: Tradition and Identity Construction in the 'New State' of Brunei Darussalam (PDF) (PhD thesis). University of Western Australia. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
• Jamil Al-Sufri (2002). Adat Istiadat Diraja Brunei (in Malay). Bandar Seri Begawan: Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara. ISBN 9991734228.
• Li Li, Pang (2015). Minority Participation in an Islamic Negara (PDF). Policy Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
• Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah (2014). Sejarah Sosio-Budaya Kraftangan di Brunei Darussalam: Barangan Logam dan Kain Tenunan (PDF) (in Malay). Jurnal Kajian Sejarah & Pendidikan Sejarah.
• Mohidin, Musa, ed. (2014). BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 2005-2009 (PART ONE) (PDF). English Publication Unit, Department of Information, Prime Minister's Office. ISBN 978-99917-49-51-8.