Brunei's Pengiran Muda Tengah in Tawi-Tawi?

Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin,

Brunei's 25th Sultan and father of Pengiran Muda Tengah

Today, Tawi-Tawi has a reputation as a place for 'rest and recreation' for those seeking solace from fast-paced urban life or the conflict-ridden province to its north. It seems this is not just true today but has also a historical precedence.

I have encountered texts with Brunei royalty calling Tawi-Tawi their "home away from home". Take the story of Pengiran Mudah Tengah.

In 1889, Brunei's 25th ruler, Pengiran Temenggong Anak Hashim (regnal name Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqam al-Din and son of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II) appointed his eldest son Pengiran Muda Besar Omar Ali Saifuddin as the acting Sultan to give him the experience needed when he took over the throne.

When the appointment was carried out, Sultan Hashim's second son (Pengiran Muda Tengah) left Brunei and stayed in Sabah before moving on to Tawi-Tawi. Pengiran Muda Tengah did return to Brunei in 1903 or 1904 to assume the throne when his elder brother died of smallbox. Unfortunately, his reign was cut short because he himself succumb to the same disease in 1905 after a ruling for 2 years. He died at Istana Kampung Ayer, Brunei town, His younger brother, Pengiran Muda Bongsu ascended the throne.

What is very interesting to note here is the time spent by Pengiran Muda Tengah in Sabah and Tawi-Tawi between 1889 and 1903 is roughly 14 years. 14 years?! Maybe he spent a third of his time in Tawi-Tawi? While in Tawi-Tawi, where did he resided? Did he married a local lady? Was he merely a 'tourist', a royal visitor or did he actually participate in local polity? Did he left royal descendants in Tawi-Tawi? Who were these royal descendants now?

Sources:

• Genealogy of "Sultan Hashim Jalil ul-Alam Akam ud-din ibni al-Marhum Sri Paduka Maulana Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saif ud-din II" (Royal Ark)
• "Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin"
• "History of Brunei"
• Poultney Bigelow, "The Last of a Great Sultan". Harper's Monthly Magazine (October 1906)

Rozan Yunos, "Era of Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam", Brunei Times (7 December 2008)