Isa bin Haji Ibrahim (born 9 February 1935) is a Bruneian aristocrat and politician, currently serving as Special Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan and Minister at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) since January 2018. His distinguished career began in 1962, when he started as an assistant legal adviser, later becoming Deputy Menteri Besar of Brunei and General Adviser to the Sultan. Over the years, Pehin Isa has held numerous high-profile positions, including chairman of Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA), member of the Privy Council, and Speaker of the Legislative Council.[1]
Isa bin Ibrahim | |
|---|---|
| عيسى بن إبراهيم | |
.jpg) Pehin Isa in 2023 | |
| Minister at the Prime Minister's Office | |
| Assumed office 30 January 2018 Serving with Halbi Mohammad Yussof and Amin Liew Abdullah | |
| Monarch | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Deputy | Elinda C.A. Mohammad Riza Yunos Sufian Sabtu |
| Preceded by | Abdul Rahman Ibrahim Lim Jock Seng |
| 7th Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei | |
| In office 10 February 2011 – 11 February 2015 | |
| Prime Minister | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Preceded by | Pengiran Anak Kemaluddin |
| Succeeded by | Abdul Rahman Taib |
| 2nd Minister of Home Affairs | |
| In office 20 October 1986 – 24 May 2005 | |
| Deputy | Abidin Abdul Rashid Adanan Yusof |
| Preceded by | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Succeeded by | Adanan Yusuf |
| 2nd Deputy Menteri Besar of Brunei | |
| In office October 1970 – 1972 | |
| Monarch | Omar Ali Saifuddien III |
| Menteri Besar | Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf |
| Preceded by | Pengiran Muhammad Ali |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 February 1935 Brunei |
| Spouse | Rosnah Abdullah |
| Children | 5; including Ahmad |
| Parent(s) | Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar (father) Saadiah Tahir (mother) |
| Relatives |
|
| Alma mater | University of Southampton (BA) |
| Occupation |
|
| Signature | .svg){kind=small} |
Early life and education
editIsa was born in Brunei on 9 May 1935,[2] to Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Ibrahim, an aristocrat who served as Brunei's first Menteri Besar and later as the speaker of the Legislative Council.[3] He had several siblings, each with notable achievements, including his brothers Pehin Orang Kaya Penggawa Laila Bentara Diraja Dato Laila Utama Abbas Al-Sufri, a distinguished civil servant,[4] and Haji Adnin, a successful businessman.[5]
He received his early education at Kilanas Malay School in Brunei Town (now Bandar Seri Begawan) and continued his schooling at Roman Catholic School in Brunei Town. He furthered his studies abroad, attending Stamford School in Penang, Malaysia, Victoria Bridge School in Singapore, Beatty Secondary School in Singapore, and Sevenoaks School in Kent, England. He completed his A-level at Brighton Technical College in Sussex, England, and in July 1961, earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in law from the University of Southampton, England. In February 1962, Isa qualified as a Barrister-at-Law from Middle Temple.[1]
Political career
editOn 21 February 1953, the inaugural Sarawak–North–Borneo–Brunei Conference took place in Kuching. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, British Resident John Barcroft, and Secretary Isa were present on behalf of Brunei. To assure the Conference's success and validity, the High Commissioners Anthony Abell and Malcom MacDonald personally persuaded the Sultan to join.[6]
In March 1962, Isa began his government service as an assistant legal adviser (assisting counsel) and deputy public prosecutor at the Department of Legal Affairs. Then from April to December 1962, he was attached to the Attorney General's Chambers in Kuala Lumpur as Deputy Public Prosecutor, Federation of Malaya. In February 1963, he was the Secretary to Brunei Delegation at negotiations on merger with Malaysia.[7] In September 1965, he was appointed assistant AG and promoted to deputy AG in January 1968. He served as acting AG multiple times in the absence of the AG. In October 1970, Isa was appointed Deputy Menteri Besar and, in October 1971, General Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.[1]
Isa was also a member of the Adat Istiadat Council and the chairman of RBA's board of directors from its founding in November 1974 to January 1984.[1][7] He later became Special Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in the PMO, concurrently serving as Minister of Home Affairs from 21 October 1986, to 24 May 2005. At the same time, he served as a member of the Council of Cabinet Ministers from 20 October 1986 to 24 May 2005,[8] and as a member of the Privy Council until 24 May 2005.[1]
On behalf of Brunei's Government, Isa Ibrahim and on behalf of the Malaysian Government, Mohamed Rahmat signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Field of Information and Broadcasting on 14 February 1992.[9] On 10 February 2011, he was appointed as the Legislative Council's speaker.[2] Pehin Isa has taken on the role of Minister at the PMO since 30 January 2018, in which he had remained at post through the 2023 council reappointment.[10]
Personal life
editMarried to Seri Laila Pengiring Di-Raja Datin Seri Utama Hajjah Rosnah binti Abdullah, and they have five children; two sons and three daughters. His hobbies include photography and golf.[11] A notable child of his is Ahmad, Attorney General of Brunei.[12] For a period of time, his daughter, Siti Mariam, would be married to Ivica @ Adam Kalebic,[13] founder of Fratini franchise.[14] The former couple would give birth to Anisha Rosnah[15] and Danial Deen Isa-Kalebic,[16] founder of The Potato Habit.[17]
Books
editTitles, styles and honours
edit.jpg)
Titles and styles
editIsa was bestowed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah the Manteri title of Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja on 11 May 1968,[7][18] referred to by Yang Berhormat as honorific.
Things named after him
edit- Jalan Pehin Dato Isa, a road in Bandar Seri Begawan.[19]
Honours
editPehin Isa has earned the following national and foreign honours;[7][1]
National
edit
Order of Laila Utama First Class (DK; 1972) – Dato Laila Utama
Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB; 1970) – Dato Seri Paduka[20]
Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB; 29 September 1965) – Dato Setia[21]- Order of Setia Negara Brunei Third Class (SNB; 1964)
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 1968)[22]
Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI)
Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
Long Service Medal (PKL; 1987)
Proclamation of Independence Medal (10 March 1997)
.png){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
Foreign
edit- Egypt:
Order of the Republic (1984)
- France:
Grand-officier of the Legion of Honour (1996)
- Malaysia:
Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM; 1998) - Tan Sri[23]
- Sarawak:
Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS; 1989) – Dato Sri
- Thailand:
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the White Elephant (PCh (KCE); 2002)[24]
- United Kingdom:
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE; 1992) – Sir- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE; 1968)
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO; February 1972)- Senior Associate Member of St. Antony's College, University of Oxford (October 2007)
- Honorary Member of Magdalene College, University of Cambridge (October 2007)
- Honorary Doctor of Law from University of Southampton (1995)
_ribbon.svg){kind=small}
_Ribbon.svg){kind=small}
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Dilantik sebagai Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 9 February 2011. p. 3. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Dilantik sebagai Yang Di-Pertua Majlis Mesyuarat Negara" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 9 February 2011. p. 3. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Haji Awang Mohd Jamil al-Sufri (1998). Brunei Darussalam, the Road to Independence. Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. p. 195.
- ^ "HM pays last respects to Pehin Dato Hj Abbas". The Brunei Times. 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ Wong, Aaron (17 December 2018). "At 86, business icon Hj Adnin is determined to champion Brunei's ceramic making - Biz Brunei". Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Hussainmiya, B. A.; Haji Mail, Asbol (2014). "No Federation Please-We Are Bruneians": Scuttling the Northern Borneo Closer Association Proposals (PDF). Gadong: Institute of Asian Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. p. 14.
- ^ a b c d "Special Adviser to His Majesty and Minister at the Prime Ministers Office". Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ Kumpulan Titah: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam Tahun 1984, 1985, 1986 dan 1987 (PDF) (in Malay). Jabatan Penerangan. 2017. p. 105. ISBN 978-99917-49-94-5.
- ^ "Information Department – MoU Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia". www.information.gov.bn. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "New Legislative Council appointed » Borneo Bulletin Online". New Legislative Council appointed. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "BRUNEIresources.com – Pehin Isa". www.bruneiresources.com. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "Attorney General's Chambers - History". www.agc.gov.bn. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ Rankin, Norla (28 November 2011). "If I Make a Million She'll Not Get a Penny". Goodreads. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Maurina (12 September 2009). "Drama amidst pizza, pasta and ice cream". iammaurina. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Obsessed Fan Wishes For Prince Mateen & Anisha Isa-Kalebic's Marriage To End In Divorce - Hype MY". 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Everything To Know About Prince Mateen's Rumoured GF Anisha Isa-Kalebic & Her Family - Hype MY". 16 February 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "The Potato Habit". www.thepotatohabit.com. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Pendekatan Mengenai Istiadat Mengurniakan Gelaran Di Negara Brunei Darussalam" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 14 July 2004. p. 11. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Post Report. U.S. Department of State. 1992. p. 6.
- ^ "27 orang di-kurniakan bintang2, pingat2 kebesaran" (PDF). Pelita Brunei (in Malay). 7 January 1970. p. 8. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "SAMBUTAN HARI PUJA USIA D.Y.M.M." (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 29 September 1965. p. 2. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ "96 di-kurniakan bintang2 dan pingat2" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 16 April 1969. p. 8. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran Bintang Dan Pingat". Jabatan Perdana Menteri Bahagian Istiadat dan Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ให้แก่ชาวต่างประเทศ [เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นที่เชิดชูยิ่งช้างเผือก ให้แก่ เจ้าหน้าที่ฝ่ายบรูไน จำนวน ๗ ราย ในโอกาสที่สมเด็จพระราชาธิบดีแห่งบรูไนดารุสซาลาม สมเด็จพระราชินีและพระมเหสีเสด็จ ฯเยือนประเทศไทยอย่างเป็นทางการ] (PDF) (in Thai). Retrieved 13 December 2024.