Dato Laila Utama Haji Isa bin Haji Ibrahim CVO OBE (/iˈsa/; born 1935) is a nobleman and politician from Brunei who currently serves as the Special Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan and Minister at the Prime Minister's Office since 30 January 2018.
Isa bin Ibrahim | |||||||||||||||||
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| 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 Legislative Council | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 1 March 2011 – 11 February 2015 | |||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Kemaluddin Al-Haj | ||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Abdul Rahman Taib | ||||||||||||||||
| 2nd Minister of Home Affairs | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 21 October 1986 – 24 May 2005 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Abidin Abdul Rashid Adanan Yusof | ||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Hassanal Bolkiah | ||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Adanan Yusof | ||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 1935 (age 88–89) Brunei | ||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Rosnah Abdullah | ||||||||||||||||
| Children | 5; including Ahmad | ||||||||||||||||
| Parent(s) | Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar (father) Saadiah Mohd Tahir (mother) | ||||||||||||||||
| Relatives |
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| Alma mater | University of Southampton (BA) | ||||||||||||||||
| Occupation |
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| Signature |  | ||||||||||||||||
He had a career in the government service of Brunei, holding a number of important positions such as Deputy Attorney general, Deputy Menteri Besar (Chief Minister), Special Adviser to the sultan, General Adviser to the sultan, Minister of Home Affairs, and speaker of the Legislative Council. He received his legal training at Southampton University and is a certified barrister as well as an honorary fellow of Magdalene College in Cambridge.[1]
Early life and education edit
Isa was born in 1935, to Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar (former Menteri Besar of Brunei). In July 1961, he obtained his B.A. Honours in Law from the University of Southampton, England, and would become a Barrister-at-Law with the Middle Temple, London in February 1962. The University of Southampton awarded an honorary doctorate of laws (LLD) to the recipient in July 1995.[2]
Political career edit
On 21 February 1953, the inaugural Sarawak–North–Borneo–Brunei Conference took place in Kuching. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, British Resident John Coleraine Hanbury Barcroft, and Secretary Isa Ibrahim 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.[3]
In March 1962, Isa joined Government service as Assisting Counsel and Deputy Public Prosecutor in the Legal Department. 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. Later, he was appointed Assistant Attorney General in September 1965. Appointed Deputy Attorney General in January 1968, functioned as Attorney General on many occasions when the Attorney General wasn't present. Given the title of Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja in May 1968.[2]
Appointed Deputy Menteri Besar (Deputy Chief Minister) in October 1970. Awarded the position of Special Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in October 1971. Chairman of Royal Brunei Airlines from its founding in November 1974 to January 1984.[2] From October 1986 until 24 May 2005, Pehin Isa served as the Minister of Home Affairs and Special Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.[2] 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.[4]
From 1 March 2011 to 11 March 2015,[5] he was appointed the Legislative Council's speaker.[6] Pehin Isa has taken on the role of Minister at the Prime Minister's Office since 30 January 2018, in which he had remained at post through the 2023 council reappointment.[7]
Personal life edit
Married to Datin Seri Utama Hajjah Rosnah binti Abdullah (Seri Laila Pengiring Di-Raja), and they have five children; two sons and three daughters. His hobbies include photography and golf.[8] He is the son of nobleman Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Ibrahim, and brother of Abbas Al-Sufri and Adinin, a distinguished civil servant and businessman respectively.[9] A notable child of his is Ahmad, Attorney General of Brunei.[10] For a period of time, his daughter, Siti Mariam, would be married to Ivica @ Adam Kalebic,[11] founder of Fratini franchise.[12] The former couple would give birth to Anisha Rosnah (also known as Anisha Isa-Kalebic).[13] Anisha also has a brother, Danial Deen Isa-Kalebic,[14] founder of The Potato Habit.[15]
Books edit
- Bin Ibrahim, Isa (2013). Brunei and Malaysia: Why Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Refused to Join the Federation. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-78076-436-8.
Legacy edit
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Titles edit
Isa was bestowed the title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable) Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja, making him a member of manteri.[2]
Namesakes edit
- Jalan Pehin Dato Isa, a road in Bandar Seri Begawan.[16]
Honours edit
National edit
Isa Ibrahim has earned the following honours;[2]
Order of Laila Utama First Class (DK) – Dato Laila Utama
Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB) – Dato Seri Paduka
Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB) – Dato Setia (29 September 1965)[17]
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 1968)[18]
Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI)
Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
Long Service Medal (PKL)
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Foreign edit
United Kingdom:
Order of the British Empire Officer (OBE; 1969)
Royal Victorian Order Commander (CVO; February 1972)
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References edit
- ^ "9781780764368: Brunei and Malaysia: Why Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Refused to Join the Federation – Isa Bin Ibrahim: 1780764367 – AbeBooks". www.abebooks.com. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Prime Minister's Office – Special-Adviser-to-His-Majesty-and-Minister-at-the-Prime-Ministers-Office". www.pmo.gov.bn. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ ""No Federation Please-We Are Bruneians": Scuttling the Northern Borneo Closer Association Proposals" (PDF). 2014: 14.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Information Department – MoU Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia". www.information.gov.bn. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ "DEWAN MAJLIS" (PDF). Majlis Mesyuarat. 1 March 2011. p. 1.
- ^ Md Zain, Nurliah (2 March 2016). "MMN wadah permuafakatan" (in Malay). Bandar Seri Begawan: Pelita Brunei. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Wong, Aaron (17 December 2018). "At 86, business icon Hj Adnin is determined to champion Brunei's ceramic making". Biz Brunei. Retrieved 20 July 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.
- ^ Post Report. U.S. Department of State. 1992. p. 6.
- ^ "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.