Haji Marsal Bin Maun was the second Menteri Besar and Brunei Scout Movement, which both still run till today.
Background
Marsal Maun was born on 8 November 1913 at Kampong Pulau Ambok.
Education
Marsal Maun had his early education at the Malay School in Jalan Pemancha. After passing primary four, Marsal was appointed as probationary teacher, and in 1930, he attended teacher training course at the Sultan Idris Training College, Tanjung Malim, British Malaya, from where he qualified as a teacher in 1933.
In January 1933, while working as a teacher at Sekolah Melayu Jalan Pemancha, Pekan, Marsal formed a Scout troop with 12 boys. Chegu Awang Zaidi bin awang Taha, headmaster of the school, who was also the head of the Education Department became the Scoutmaster while Marsal serve as the Assistant Scoutmaster.
The Written Constitution of 1959
Marsal was one of the people who was responsible in advising Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III to draft the Written Constitution for Brunei. He was also one of the members of the Constitutional delegation, representing Brunei, during a constitutional talks in London.
On 1 May 1960, Marsal was appointed as the Deputy State Secretary of Brunei and on 1 August 1961, Marsal became Brunei's Chief Minister, a post he held until 1 September 1962.
Rebellion 1962
On 8 December 1962, less than 3 months after Marsal left office, the Brunei Revolt broke out. Although he had lost the favour of the Sultan, he eventually advised the Sultan on how to dealt with the rebellion. It was him who advised the Sultan to request military assistance from Great Britain in accordance of the Treaty of Protection 1888.
Later life
After his retirement, Marsal continued to be active as an elder statesman. He continued to give advice to a more junior ministers who regarded him as mentor.
Death
Marsal Maun died on 28 March 2000.
Family
Marsal Maun was married to Datin Zubaidah Othman and blessed with four children.
Marsal Maun was posthumously granted the soubriquet Bapa Perlembagaan.
Places after him
Several places were named after him, including:
There is one roads and one primary school in Brunei such as Jalan Dato Marsal, named after Marsal, situated near Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School in Jalan Mabohai, Bandar Seri Begawan.
Sekolah Rendah Dato Marsal is a primary school named after Marsal, located in Lambak Kanan, Bandar Seri Begawan.
