Abdul Rahman bin Ibrahim

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Ibrahim is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Abdul Rahman. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim (born 31 October 1954) is a Bruneian nobleman and politician who formerly held the position of Minister of Finance II from 2005 to 2018 and Minister at the Prime Minister's Office from 2015 to 2018. Moreover, he is also a member of the board of directors of Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) from 2001 to 2003; deputy chairman of the board of directors of the Sustainability Fund; board member of the Authoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD); board member of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation.

Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Abdul Rahman Ibrahim PSNB DPMB PIKB PKL
عبدالرحمن إبراهيم
Pehin Rahman in 2024
Minister at the Prime Minister's Office
In office 22 October 2015 – 27 September 2018 Serving with Lim Jock Seng
Monarch	Hassanal Bolkiah
Deputy	Hamdan Abu Bakar Roselan Mohd Daud
Succeeded by	Isa Ibrahim Amin Liew Abdullah Abdul Mokti
1st Minister of Finance II
In office 24 May 2005 – 30 January 2018
Deputy	Bahrin Abdullah
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Amin Liew Abdullah
Other positions Member of the Legislative Council Incumbent Assumed office 20 January 2023
Personal details
Born	(1954-10-31) 31 October 1954 Peramu, Kampong Ayer, Brunei
Alma mater	University of Hull (BSc) Arthur D. Little School of Management London Business School
Profession	Politician

Early life and education

Abdul Rahman was born on 31 October 1954 at Kampong Peramu of Kampong Ayer, and attended both primary and secondary education at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College prior to pursuing higher education at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, where he earned a BSc in Economics (Hons) in 1978. In 1986, the Arthur D. Little School of Management in the United States granted him a Certificate of Professional Studies. In 1996, he participated in a Senior management program at the London Business School in the United Kingdom.

Early career

Prior to Abdul Rahman's ministerial role, he had held several early positions such as an economic officer in the State Secretariat's Economic Planning Unit (EPU) on 14 September 1978; a Special Duties Officer at the Ministry of Development (MoD) and as a personal assistant to the then Minister of Development on 12 March 1984; a Senior Administrative Officer Group 2 on 1 October 1986; a Senior Administrative Officer Superscale C in June 1989; the head of Financial Regulations Unit in the MoD on 6 August 1990; the director of Financial Institutions in the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in 1992; the director of the Economic Planning Unit in the MoF in May 1995; the director of Budget in the MoF on 7 September 1998; the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) on 12 May 2000; the permanent secretary at the MoF in 2001; and the acting managing director of the Brunei Investment Agency in 2001.

Ministerial career

Before being elevated to the position of Minister of Finance II on 24 May 2005, Abdul Rahman was appointed the Deputy Minister of Finance in September 2004. During the 2010 and 2015 cabinet reshuffles, he remained at his post until being succeeded by Amin Liew Abdullah on 30 January 2018. From 18 to 25 May 2014, he would be in Singapore as the 43rd Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow (LKYEF). He was the fourth Bruneian Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow. Pehin Abdul Rahman would be accompanied by representatives of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and MoF. Additionally, he also served as the Minister at the PMO from 22 October 2015 until 27 September 2018. Later on 6 March 2016, In the Preamble to the Spending Budget, he discussed the Ministry of Defence's (MinDef) priorities and areas of focus for the 2017–2018 fiscal year. During the third day of the first meeting of the 13th LegCo session.

Pehin Abdul Rahman spoke before the LegCo on 2 March 2011, on Brunei's initiatives to improve food security in the face of rising food costs worldwide. The country remains significantly depends on rice that is imported for up to 90% of consumption, despite having made great strides in increasing domestic output to the point that it currently meets 97% of local vegetable demands and more than a third of fruit need. With a goal of increasing independence to 60% by mid-decade, Brunei is diversifying its import sources of rice and engaging in abroad agricultural projects to offset threats to its food security.

Legislative Councillor

On 20 January 2023, it was announced that Pehin Abdul Rahman would be part of the titled persons appointed into the new Legislative Council of Brunei.

19th LegCo session

Pehin Abdul Rahman underlined the value of maintaining national cohesion in the face of worldwide challenges like pandemics, socioeconomic difficulties, geopolitical conflicts, and climate change during the 19th LegCo session on 4 March 2023. He stressed that the public's trust and solid coordination among all parties are essential to bringing this ambition to fruition. He highlighted the importance of placing a strategic emphasis on issues including digitisation, social assurances, unemployment, poverty reduction, education, and economic stability. He added that, although it takes consistent work and advancement, luring foreign direct investments (FDIs) could have a good effect on regional companies.

Discussions concerning the allocation of funds for the PMO and related ministries for the Financial Year 2023/2024 took place on 7 March 2023, during the 19th LegCo session. Large-scale projects in the non-oil and gas industry as well as yearly licenses for business were among the topics discussed in the morning session. Pehin Abdul Rahman suggested creating a platform to gather information on young people working for MSMEs and startup companies in order to enhance support and cooperation. He added that by assisting MSMEs in meeting national and international standards, this platform might increase young engagement with business.

20th LegCo session

Pehin Abdul Rahman demanded on 28 February 2024, that policies pertaining to foreign investors and long-term Bruneian residents over 60 years of age be reviewed. He underlined that the present course of action might erode the trust of investors and have a detrimental effect on the nation's economy, which would include employment prospects for residents. The potential advantages of the 12th National Development Plan (NDP), which attempts to improve living standards, boost economic growth, and draw in foreign direct investments (FDIs), were highlighted by Pehin Abdul Rahman. He also suggested granting homestay permits or visas for a maximum of ten years in order to increase international investment and the associated economic gains.

On 7 March 2024, members of the LegCo examined the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), discussing topics including halal certification and zakat difficulties. Pehin Abdul Rahman demanded that the halal verification procedure be expedited and made more effective. Minister Abdul Manaf responded by emphasising the responsibility of the Brunei Darussalam Food Authority in setting priorities and guaranteeing the safety and quality of food. In order to verify food safety, the laboratory food inspection procedure takes eight working days, according to Minister Mohammad Isham.

Due to a focus on the Compulsory Education Act, Minister Romaizah revealed during the 20th LegCo session on 13 March 2024, that student absenteeism in Brunei has decreased, with only 212 out of 75,835 students recorded as truant. She cited a number of reasons why students drop out of school, including poor academic performance, limited employment options, health problems, tight budgets, and a lack of family support. Since 2014, the Education Loan Assistance Scheme has provided financial support to 864 students. Of those, 692 have successfully completed their studies, including 122 who received first-class honors and are exempt from loan repayment. The minister responded to a proposal to increase the number of courses offered under the loan plan by saying that the current list complies with the Manpower Planning and Employment Council's (MPEC) list of national needs.

During the LegCo meeting on 14 March 2024, Pehin Abdul Rahman suggested introducing flexible work schedules for civil officials. He proposed this action to assist public servants in more efficiently handling their parental duties, which include taking their kids to school and their parents' doctor's appointments.

Pehin Abdul Rahman asked LegCo members to offer constructive comments to improve policy formulation during his adjournment speech on 23 March 2024. He underlined that in order to involve the public and stakeholders in Wawasan Brunei 2035, findings, policies, and regulations will be made available to the public. Additionally, he conveyed the hope that the 12th National Development Plan (NDP) will increase confidence in Brunei's potential among international investors and the business community.

Personal life

In 1977, Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman wed Datin Sapiah binti Haji Sabtu. They have three sons and two daughters.

Honours

Abdul Rahman was given the manteri title of Yang Dimuliakan (His Excellency) Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia. Moreover, he has been awarded the following honours;

See also: Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei

• Order of Setia Negara Brunei First Class (PSNB; 15 July 2006) – Dato Seri Setia
• Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB) – Dato Paduka
• Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)
• Excellent Service Medal (PIKB)
• Long Service Medal (PKL)