ABSTRACT
The outbreak of war in Europe had increased Brunei’s importance and prosperity. Its oil was an important British imperial resource and the increased demand for khaki dye benefited the cutch industry. However, the likelihood of hostilities with Japan made little impression in Brunei until late in 1941, despite contingency arrangements prepared by the British Government. These did not include the defence of Brunei, whatever might have been implied by the Residency Agreement. The main British effort was concentrated upon Malaya and Singapore. However, plans were made to deny the oilfields to the enemy. After the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor and on Kota Bharu in Malaya, installations and equipment were destroyed, as was the refinery at Lutong in Sarawak. On 16 December 1941, 10,000 troops of the Japanese Kawaguchi Detachment arrived at Kuala Belait and within six days had occupied the country. There was no resistance. The Resident, E. E. Pengilly, declined a Japanese proposal that he should continue in office under their direction, and with the other Europeans from Brunei was interned in the Batu Lintang camp in Kuching. The Sultan and the Brunei ruling class had no choice but to co-operate with their new masters. Awang (later Pehin Dato) Ibrahim bin Muhammad Jahfar, Secretary to the Resident, courageously made a point of approaching the British officials paraded by the Japanese to shake them each by the hand and wish them well. Yet he accepted appointment as Chief Administrative Officer or State Secretary under the Japanese Governor who took the place of the Resident (Horton, 1984a: 35 ff.)
