Tuesday, April 11, 2006

"Ciri" given to Chinese

Among the "ciri" title (something like a "Lord" title in the British monarchy) given by the Sultan of Brunei to his loyal Chinese subjects are:

Pehin Datu Temanggong
Pehin Datu Bandahari China Bandar, Bandar Seri Begawan
Pehin Kapitan China Kornia Diraja
Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja
Pehin Bendahari China Kornia Diraja
Pehin Bendahari China

Dato Paduka Lim Jock Seng, then Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made history for Chinese Bruneians when he was granted the title,

Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa

part of the 32 Manteri level in the traditional hierarchy of the Bruneian society. It is believed that so far, no Chinese has ever been elevated to this traditional hierarchical status. The list above is under the Manteri Dagang category meaning it is below the Manteri 32 level (basically Manteri Dagang category serve those in Manteri 32 level...)

Pehin Lim, made another history when he was appointed as the first ethnic Chinese Bruneian, to a full Cabinet Minister post, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (II) in 2005.

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