Datin Paduka Hajah Malai Halimah binti Malai Haji Yusoff is a Bruneian diplomat who has since become the ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Vietnam in 2022.[1][2] She became Ambassador of Brunei in the Philippines in 2008 and Monaco in 2018.[3]

Malai Halimah Yusoff
مالاي حليمة يوسوفف
Malai Halimah (centre) in 2014
Ambassador of Brunei to Vietnam
Assumed office
November 2022
Ambassador of Brunei to France
In office
9 November 2016 – September 2022
Preceded byZainidi Sidup
Succeeded byRakiah Abdul Lamit
Ambassador of Brunei to the Philippines
In office
September 2008 – September 2016
Preceded byEmaleen Abdul Rahman Teo
Succeeded byJohariah Abdul Wahab
Personal details
BornBrunei
Alma materUniversity of Hertfordshire (BSc)
OccupationDiplomat

Diplomatic career edit

Malai Halimah began working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam's research office in 1983. She held the positions of assistant director for Southeast Asia, deputy director for Asia–Pacific, and director of analysis while there. She was named director of the political office in 2007 and appointed Ambassador of Brunei to the Philippines in 2008.[4]

France edit

Pehin Yasmin met with Datin Malai Halimah and a number of other recently designated ambassadors on 30 August 2016. Yasmin congratulated them and gave them an update on Brunei's strategic interests in industry, energy, and climate change in relation to their assigned duties. Because France's largest oil and gas company, Total, is present in Brunei's energy sector, the two countries enjoy strong energy cooperation.[5]

On 12 September 2017, at the OECD Headquarters in France, Brunei signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, represented by Datin Paduka Malai Halimah, Ambassador to France.[6] Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, Masamichi Kono, presided over the signing event, which included 112 nations, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.[7] She presented her credentials as permanent delegate to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 28 September 2017.[8] From 14 to 15 November 2017, she attended the 21st session of the UNESCO General Assembly of State Parties.[9] As the non-resident ambassador to Monaco, she presented her letter of credence to Prince Albert at Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo on 13 March 2018.[3]

Datin Malai Halimah spoke on behalf of Dato Hamzah at the 41st UNESCO General Conference in Paris, emphasising Brunei Darussalam's commitment to digital transformation in education. With a focus on educational technology, management technology, and enabling policies and infrastructure, she highlighted the creation of the Educational Technology Center and the Ministry of Education's Digital Transformation Plan, which aims to develop digitally literate learners through the integration of educational technology into teaching and learning processes.[10]

Vietnam edit

As the new ambassador to Vietnam on 20 October 2022, Datin Malai Halimah received her letter of credence from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman.[11][12] he and a few other recently appointed ambassadors met with Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah on 24 October.[13] On 6 July 2023, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính gave a reception for Datin Malai Halimah, the newly appointed ambassador of Brunei to Vietnam.[14] Through increased visits, multilateral coordination, and the implementation of significant agreements, she would strengthen bilateral ties between Brunei and Vietnam throughout her term by focusing on oil and gas, chemicals, Halal food, and tourism.[15]

Honours edit

Throughout his career, she has received the following honours;

References edit

  1. ^ "President receives new ambassadors from Azerbaijan, Brunei". vietnamnews.vn. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  2. ^ Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2022 Financing Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19: Financing Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19. OECD Publishing. 22 March 2022. ISBN 978-92-64-32795-5.
  3. ^ a b "Four new ambassadors received by Prince Albert". monacolife.net. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Accreditation of Ambassadors from Azerbaijan, Brunei, Congo and Russia". www.hellomonaco.com. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Courtesy Calls with Brunei Darussalam Newly Appointed Envoys". energy.gov.bn. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Brunei Darussalam expands its capacity to fight international offshore tax avoidance and evasion". www.oecd.org. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Kerajaan Kebawah DYMM tandatangani konvensyen kerjasama antarabangsa". www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 13 September 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Permanent Delegate of Brunei Darussalam (September 2017)". UNESCO. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  9. ^ "21st session of the General Assembly of States Parties". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  10. ^ "41st UNESCO General Conference, Paris, France, 09th to 24th November 2021". www.moe.gov.bn. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Kindly grant the Letter of Attestation, receive the Letter of Appointment". www-jpm-gov-bn. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  12. ^ "His Majesty presents, receives letters of credence » Borneo Bulletin Online". borneobulletin.com.bn. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  13. ^ "PMO News - His Royal Highness Audience Ceremony". www.pmo.gov.bn. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  14. ^ "PM Pham Minh Chinh hosts Bruneian Ambassador". en.vietnamplus.vn. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  15. ^ "PM Pham Minh Chinh hosts Bruneian Ambassador". en.nhandan.vn. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  16. ^ Haji Abdul Rahman, Abu Bakar (15 September 2013). "24 orang dikurniakan bintang-bintang dan pingat-pingat" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Ambassador of Brunei to Vietnam
November 2022 – present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Ambassador of Brunei to France
9 November 2016 – September 2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Ambassador of Brunei to the Philippines
September 2008 – September 2016
Succeeded by