Bahrin bin Abdullah (born 16 July 1961)[1] is a Bruneian politician and businessperson who formerly served as the sixth Minister of Development from 2015 to 2018,[2] and the Deputy Minister of Finance from 2010 to 2015.[3] Additionally, he was also the director of Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) from 2 September 2010 until his resignation on 8 June 2018,[4] the Chairman of Takaful Brunei Board of Directors,[5] and the Chairman of Brunei Fertilizer Industries (BFI).[6]

Bahrin Abdullah
PSNB DPMB PJK PIKB PKL
بهرين عبدالله
Dato Bahrin in 2015
6th Minister of Development
In office
22 October 2015 – 30 January 2018
MonarchHassanal Bolkiah
DeputySuhaimi Gafar
Preceded bySuyoi Osman
Succeeded bySuhaimi Gafar
Deputy Minister of Finance
In office
29 May 2010 – 22 October 2015
MinisterHassanal Bolkiah
Abdul Rahman Ibrahim
Preceded byYakub Abu Bakar
Succeeded byHisham Mohd Hanifah
Amin Liew Abdullah
Other positions
Chairman of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam
In office
2013–2018
Preceded byYahya Bakar
Succeeded byAmin Liew Abdullah
Chairman of Royal Brunei Airlines
In office
2 September 2010 – 8 June 2018
Preceded byLim Jock Seng
Succeeded byAmin Liew Abdullah
Personal details
Born (1961-06-16) 16 June 1961 (age 63)
Bukit Udal, Tutong, Brunei
SpousePengiran Noorsiah
EducationSufri Bolkiah English School
Alma mater
Profession
  • Politician
  • businessperson

Education

edit

Bahrin was born on 16 July 1961 in Kampong Bukit Udal, Tutong District. He attended Sufri Bolkiah English School for his 'O' level and Tun Seri Lanang High School, Singapore for his 'A' level. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in economics from Queenstown Secondary Technical School and a Bachelor of Business Administration (MBA) in strategic management from Wolverhampton Polytechnic in England. Lastly, an academic major in financial management from University of Strathclyde.[7]

Early career

edit

Bahrin began his career in June 1983, as an education officer for the Ministry of Education (Anthony Abell College); an investment officer in the Research Unit of the Investment Department Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) in November 1983; an investment officer with the Investment Department BIA's London Office in August 1988; a senior investment officer with the Investment Department BIA in July 1994; a senior investment officer with the Investment Department BIA, as well as Senior Manager and Corporate Secretary, Audley Insurance Company in September 1996; a Deputy Director General of Venture Capital and Strategic Investment Department (VSI) BIA in January 2003; an Assistant Managing Director/General Manager with the (Research and Trade Development (RBD), and Venture Capital and Strategic Investment Agency Department in May 2003; a Senior Assistant Managing Director of the Portfolio Asset Management (External Fund Management (EFM), Internal Fund Management Department (IFM) and Venture Capital and Strategic Investment Department (VCSI) BIA in April 2005; a Deputy Permanent Secretary with the Ministry of Finance in June 2006; a permanent secretary of the Ministry of Finance in January 2008; appointed as Deputy Minister of Finance on 29 May 2010.[7]

Ministerial career

edit

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah consented to the appointment of the new cabinet on 22 October 2015, coincided with the announcement of Dato Bahrin as the new Minister of Development and Dato Suhaimi as the Deputy Minister of Development effective 23 October 2015. In addition to receiving courtesy calls from several foreign ministers and ambassadors such as Masagos Zulkifli, Vladlen Semivolos and Amphay Kindavong.[8]

On 22 March 2016, he responded to a number of problems and ideas brought up in the adjournment speeches of a number of appointed Legislative Council (LegCo) members.[9] He believes that the collaboration and contribution of the members' serious views will continue and be improved in the future in order to improve the policies, plans, and execution needed to defend the interests of the nation. He then clarified that the issue at this point in the bid process and its scope unquestionably involves the improvement of Tutong River's status as required and suitable while responding to queries about the catchment ponds and plains of Tutong River for the purpose of flood prevention.[10]

Dato Bahrin praised Brunei's ongoing dedication to working with international organizations on land surveying and geomatics in his keynote address as the guest of honor at the opening ceremony of the 14th Southeast Asia Survey Congress 2017 on 15 August. On a local level, the minister said that the Survey Department of the Ministry of Development has also developed its own Survey Geoportal, giving users internet access to Brunei's geospatial data.[11]

The shake-up, which comes barely two years after the previous one in October 2015, was revealed by the Sultan of Brunei, in a live broadcast on 30 January 2018. Deputy Minister Dato Suhaimi has been elevated to succeed him.[12]

Personal life

edit

Dato Bahrin is married to Pengiran Datin Hajah Noorsiah binti Pengiran Hamdan.[13][14]

Honours

edit

Bahrin has earned the following honours;[7]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Bahrin ABDULLAH personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Pengerusi dan Ahli-ahli Jawatankuasa sukacita merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada semua pihak yang berkenaan di atas kerjasama dan bantuan yang dihulurkan bagi menjayakan majlis ini:". Ministry of Development, Brunei Darussalam. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Deputy Ministers". jpa.gov.bn. 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Bahrin ABDULLAH personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Takaful Brunei hosts Khatam Al-Quran and donations ceremony". Takaful Brunei. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Thyssen Krupp Awarded Major Contract for Fertilizer Plant in Brunei". www.process-worldwide.com. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Keluaran Khas Sempena Pelantikan Menteri-Menteri Kabinet dan Timbalan-Timbalan Menteri" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 12 June 2010. p. 7.
  8. ^ "Ucapan Setinggi-tinggi Tahniah" (PDF). Ministry of Development Negara Brunei Darussalam. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Awang Haji Bahrin bin Abdullah". RTB News. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Berita - Jalan Dadap ke Telanai terima peruntukan..." www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Minister of Development Opens 14th South East Asia Survey Congress 2017 – Brunei Institution of Geomatics". 16 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  12. ^ Bandial, Ain (30 January 2018). "HM: Cabinet reshuffle is of 'vital importance'". The Scoop. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  13. ^ "German-Brunei ties lauded at Unity Day reception". borneo363.rssing.com. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  14. ^ "80 orang terima daging korban Kementerian Kewangan". Pelita Brunei. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Pengurniaan Bintang-Bintang Kebesaran kepada 22 orang penerima" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 16 July 2016. p. 11.
  16. ^ "HM 65th Birthday Awards". HM 65th Birthday Awards. Retrieved 26 August 2023.


Political offices
Preceded by 6th Minister of Development
22 October 2015 – 30 January 2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Minister of Finance
29 May 2010 – 22 October 2015
Succeeded by
Business positions
Preceded by Chairman of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam
2013–2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of Royal Brunei Airlines
2 September 2010 – 8 June 2018
Succeeded by