Mat Suny bin Mohammad Hussein is a Bruneian politician who formerly held the position of Deputy Minister of Development from 2005 to 2010,[1] and Minister of Energy from 2018 to 2022. Notably, he is also the deputy chairman of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB).[2][3]
Mat Suny | |||||||||||||||
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| مت سوني | |||||||||||||||
 Mat Suny in 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| 4th Minister of Energy | |||||||||||||||
| In office 30 January 2018 – 21 May 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Monarch | Hassanal Bolkiah | ||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Matsatejo Sokiaw | ||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Yasmin Umar | ||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Office abolished | ||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||
| Profession |
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| Signature |  | ||||||||||||||
Early career
editBefore being assigned to the civil service, Mat Suny started working for Shell in 1974 as a project engineer for Brunei Shell, Sarawak Shell, and Sabah Shell's offshore constructions in the South China Sea. The Fairley-4 Complex, which required the installation and connection of drilling and gas platforms as well as housing modules, was the largest project he oversaw. He had several positions abroad, including Assistant Area Coordinator for East Australasia located in London and The Hague, where he was in charge of exploration and production, concession and production-sharing agreements, and foreign affairs.[4]
He joined Konsultan MWH as a consultant and partner after leaving Shell. He served as the Deputy MD/Director of Corporate Affairs at Brunei Shell Petroleum and the MD of Brunei Shell Marketing at Shell Petroleum Company, London, from 1992 and 2002. He was solely responsible for all corporate matters, including government relations, as well as human resources for the business. He started his engineering career with a London consultancy before returning to Brunei.[4]
Minister of Energy
editFor his ministerial career, he was first appointed as the Deputy Minister of Development on 24 May 2005,[5] a position he would hold until 20 May 2010.[6] On 30 January 2018, he was reappointed as the 4th Minister of Energy, succeeding Yasmin Umar.[4]
On 10 March 2019, Dato Mat Suny stated that all parties at all levels of society, including the grassroots level, must show unwavering commitment, high dedication, and solidarity to handle the national agenda related to the economy, industry, unemployment, and well-being of the country's people. The Whole of Nation strategy has received attention in the process of ensuring the success of the national development plan. The goal, according to his motion of vote of appreciation, is to guarantee that the peace, prosperity, and well-being attained thus far will endure. This covers a wide range of complex concerns.[7]
Youth development
editOn 4 August 2019, at the closing ceremony of the 7th Green Leaders Camp, he asserted that Brunei Darussalam's young are already setting the pace for a sustainable future. Youth entrepreneurs are taking advantage of opportunities for climate mitigation and adaptation, and there are an increasing number of social companies and NGOs focused on climate challenges. Additionally, he said that as the ministry looks to the future, it must balance economic growth with environmental development.[8]
Remewable energy
edit_Awang_Haji_Mat_Suny_bin_Mohd_Hussein,_Minister_of_Energy_and_Industry.jpg)
He gave the opening remarks at the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2021, which was held virtually from 14 to 16 September, highlighting the necessity of accelerating the energy transition in the Southeast Asian region to meet the two key goals by 2025: first, the incorporation of 23% renewable energy in the ASEAN energy mix, and second, the reduction of 32% in energy intensity as outlined in Phase II of the ASEAN Plan.[10] The Bandar Seri Begawan Joint Declaration of the 39th ASEAN Ministers on Energy on Energy Security and Energy Transition, which reaffirms ASEAN Member States' shared commitment and collective responsibility in the pursuit of energy security and energy transitions, was adopted at the 39th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, which was virtually hosted by Brunei Darussalam on 15 September 2021. Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, headed the delegation. The chairperson of AMEM 2021 has been transferred to Dato Mat Suny, according to a statement made by Nguyen Hong Dien at the meeting's opening remarks on 15th.[11]
Brunei stated in 2014 that it intended to get just 10% of its energy from renewable sources by the year 2035. However, Dato Mat Suny asserted that his nation has treble that figure when in Singapore in 2021. According to him, Brunei's new energy security plan calls for obtaining 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. He proposed that Brunei will achieve its goals for renewable energy by "enhancing private sector participation through public private partnership in the financing and undertaking of renewable energy development projects." He was outlining a cooperative plan that had been under development for some years.[12]
We are enhancing private sector participation through public private partnership in the financing and undertaking of renewable energy development projects in the country.
— Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Awang Haji Mohd Hussein, Reuters
Oil and gas production
editFollowing the finding of 42 million barrels of oil in 2022, Brunei expects to increase production of both oil and gas, according to Dato Mat Suny. Notably, the nation is counting on new discoveries to stop an anticipated fall in upstream supply. The site of the upstream finding was kept a secret by him. It's possible that he was alluding to a deepwater discovery made by Shell (LSE:RDSA) in Block CA-1 during Q2 2021 with its Jagus SubThrust-1X exploration well. The operator and its associates, Murphy Oil and Petronas, have not yet made any discoveries regarding the find public. According to The Scoop earlier this month, he stated that further exploration wells will be drilled offshore this year and that more blocks will be made available in an effort to entice new operators to Brunei.[13]
Abolishment of office
editIt was stated that Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has ordered that the Ministry of Energy be abolished and that the Department of Energy be established to handle the Ministry of Energy's responsibilities. With effect from 21 May 2022, Dato Mat Suny will no longer hold the position of Minister of Energy. As a result, Dato Matsatejo Sokiaw is appointed Deputy Minister of the Department of Energy in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) with effect from the same day.[14]
Personal life
editDato Mat Suny is married and have three children.[4] Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Datin Elinda binti C.A. Mohammad's brother-in-law is him.[15]
Honours
editDato Mat Suny has earned the following honours;[16]
Order of Setia Negara Brunei First Class (PSNB) – Dato Seri Setia (15 July 2018)[17]
Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB) – Dato Paduka
Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
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References
edit- ^ "Menteri-Menteri Cabinet" (PDF).
- ^ "Council | Universiti Teknologi Brunei". www.utb.edu.bn. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "Menteri-Menteri Cabinet" (PDF).
- ^ a b c d "Speakers Bio | SIEW 2023". www.siew.gov.sg. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-8108-7078-9.
- ^ "Sultanate – News | Negara Brunei Darussalam | Royal dedication to the nation's development". sultanate.com. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "Whole of Nation Approach Given Emphasis | Brunei's No.1 News Website". brudirect.com. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ admin (5 August 2019). "7th Green Leaders Camp Closing Ceremony". Brunei Tribune. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "Ambassador Kato visits YB Dato Paduka (Dr.) Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Mohd Hussein, Minister of Energy and Industry". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ Authority, Petroleum (1 October 2021). "Petroleum Authority Co-Hosted the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF) 2021 Virtual Event". Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "39th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting". moit.gov.vn. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ Bodetti, Austin (13 February 2023). "Brunei divests from fossil fuels to fund renewable future". www.newarab.com. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ Evans, Damon (14 March 2022). "Brunei hopes to boost oil and gas production after new discovery". Energy Voice. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "Ministry of Energy abolished". Borneo Bulletin. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ bruneigazette (18 March 2018). "THE LONGSTANDING POWERFUL BRUNEI MINISTERS, TOP GOVT OFFICIALS AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS FRAMED BY THE NEWLY POWERFUL THE ACB = THE ANTI CORRUPTION BUREAU OR ABSOLUTELY CORRUPTED BUREAU?". Bruneigazette. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "DEWAN MAJLIS" (PDF). www.councils.gov.bn (in Malay). 9 March 2020. p. 2. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ "His Majesty's 72nd Birthday Celebration Audience and Investiture Ceremony" (PDF). Brunei Darussalam Newsletter. Vol. 33, no. 7. July 2018. p. 7.