Bruneian Civil War facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bruneian Civil War |
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 The Sulu Sultanate claimed that the eastern part of Sabah was reportedly given by Brunei as reward for helping Sultan Muhyiddin's forces. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin's Forces |
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| Abdul Hakkul Mubin † |
Muhyiddin  Pengiran Adipati Sultan Salahud-Din Bakhtiar |
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The Bruneian Civil War (Malay: Perang Saudara Brunei and in Tagalog: Digmaang Sibil sa Brunay) was a big fight within the Bruneian Sultanate. It lasted from 1660 to 1673. The war was fought between two leaders, Abdul Hakkul Mubin and Muhyiddin.
The trouble started during the rule of Sultan Muhammad Ali. A disagreement led to the death of a young prince. In return, Abdul Hakkul Mubin killed Sultan Muhammad Ali. He then made himself the new sultan. This started a long and difficult civil war. Abdul Hakkul Mubin had to flee to a place called Kinarut.
Sultan Muhyiddin later asked the Sultan of Sulu for help. He reportedly promised land as a reward. This promise led to a disagreement over eastern Sabah. This disagreement is still a topic of discussion today.
Why the War Started
The civil war began because of a small argument that grew very big. During the rule of Sultan Muhammad Ali, two young princes had a fight. One prince, Pengiran Muda Bongsu, lost a cockfight. The other prince, Pengiran Muda Alam, made fun of him.
Pengiran Muda Bongsu became very angry. He then killed Pengiran Muda Alam and ran away. This act caused a lot of anger and a desire for revenge.
To get revenge, Abdul Hakkul Mubin and his followers killed Sultan Muhammad Ali. Abdul Hakkul Mubin then took over as the new sultan. He called himself "Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin." He tried to make peace with the old sultan's supporters. He made Muhammad Ali's grandson, Muhyiddin, a chief minister.
But Muhammad Ali's supporters still wanted revenge. They convinced Muhyiddin to challenge Abdul Hakkul Mubin. At first, Muhyiddin said no, but he later agreed. His supporters began causing trouble. They would poke spears into palaces and homes.
Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin moved his palace to Cermin Island. Muhyiddin had suggested this move. Abdul Hakkul Mubin hoped the trouble would calm down there. But after he left, Muhyiddin declared himself the new sultan. This started the real fighting between the two leaders. And so, the civil war began.
The War Itself
During the civil war, Abdul Hakkul Mubin moved to Kinarut. This place is in what is now Papar, Sabah, Malaysia. He stayed there for ten years. He fought off many attacks from Sultan Muhyiddin's forces.
Muhyiddin's forces tried many times to defeat him. They finally went back to Brunei after failing. It is also said that Muhyiddin finally beat Abdul Hakkul Mubin on Cermin Island. They used gunpowder they bought from the Jambi Sultanate.
The Sulu army was supposed to help Muhyiddin's forces. They were meant to fight on Cermin Island. But when their ships arrived, they just watched the battle. They did not help Muhyiddin's forces fight Abdul Hakkul Mubin's forces. After the battle, they landed to take things from the war. They also captured people.
This made Sultan Muhyiddin very angry. He told the Sulu army to leave. He did not give them eastern Sabah. The Brunei government said they never promised eastern Sabah to the Sulu Sultanate. There is no written proof of such a deal.
The Sulu Claim
Sultan Muhyiddin was worried the war was taking too long. He asked the Sultan of Sulu for help. He reportedly promised land in eastern Sabah as a reward. Specifically, he promised the area of Kimanis to the Sultan of Sulu.
Muhyiddin eventually won the war. Abdul Hakkul Mubin was killed. He was later buried at the royal burial ground on the island. Historians are not sure if Muhyiddin really asked Sulu for help. But the Sultan of Sulu claimed that Brunei asked for help. They said eastern Sabah was promised as a reward. This claim by the Sultan of Sulu is important. It is part of the history of the North Borneo dispute today. This dispute is between Malaysia and the Philippines.
See also
