It is regarded as Brunei's top government-run secondary school; it admits only exceptional pupils and is well-known for its rigorous standards for both academic and extracurricular accomplishment.

[3] In order to get his people ready for the state's sovereign rights to be restored, which his predecessor had initiated and sparked by the nationalist movement in Brunei at the end of World War II.

[5] Following Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III's accession to the throne, Brunei's Malay primary school curriculum started to take shape.

[6] Founded on 30 January 1966, the First Malay Secondary School (SMMP or Sekolah Menengah Melayu Pertama)[a][8] was home to up to 900 pupils registered from all four districts.

The council of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College organised these lectures, with Menteri Besar Marsal Maun being the first to deliver one.

On 2 July 1966, SMMP held its first Maulud of the Prophet Muhammad celebration outside the school, with Zain Serudin invited as the guest lecturer for the occasion.