Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia
Abdul Aziz Umar
PSNB SLJ DPMB GBE
Abdul Aziz in 1958
1st Minister of Education
In office
30 November 1988 – 24 May 2005
MonarchHassanal Bolkiah
DeputyAhmad Jumat[1]
Preceded byAbdul Rahman Taib
Succeeded byAbdul Rahman Taib
In office
1 January 1984 – 21 October 1986
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byAbdul Rahman Taib
2nd Minister of Communications
In office
21 October 1986 – 30 November 1988
Preceded byBahrin Abbas
Succeeded byZakaria Sulaiman
1st Minister of Health
In office
1 January 1984 – 21 October 1986
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byJohar Nordin
State Secretary
In office
1974–1981
Preceded byAbdul Momin Ismail
Personal details
Born
Abdul Aziz

(1936-03-20) 20 March 1936
Brunei Town, Brunei-Muara, Brunei
SpouseZaharah Idris
Parent(s)Umar Rendah (father)
Hitam Abdul Jalil (mother)
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham (BSS)
ProfessionPolitician
CabinetCabinet of Brunei
Signature

Abdul Aziz bin Umar GBE (born 20 March 1936), also sometimes referred to as Pehin Abdul Aziz Umar,[2] is a Bruneian nobleman and politician whom had a wide range of positions in the Government of Brunei. Before to that, he served as the Minister of Communications, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Health. His last position was as Minister of Education, which he held from 1988 until 24 May 2005. His Excellency served in the civil service beginning with his first appointment in 1964 and held a number of roles from that time until Brunei's independence in 1984, including acting Chief Minister (Menteri Besar).[3]

Pehin Abdul Aziz was one of the leading advocates for adopting Melayu Islam Beraja as Brunei's national philosophy in the early years following Independence, when the country's socio-political direction was still being fully defined. He also played a key role in introducing the idea into Brunei's educational system.[4] As of 2015, he currently serves as a member of the Privy Council of Brunei, the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei, the Customs Council of Brunei, the Religious Teaching University College Meeting in Seri Begawan, the Board of Trustees of the Oxford Center in the United Kingdom, and Rabitah Al-Alam in Saudi Arabia.[5]

Biography

Early life and education

Abdul Aziz is born on 20 March 1936 at Brunei Town, and his early education was received at the Roman Catholic St. George's School in Brunei Town. He continued his education at the Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Malay School from 1950 to 1956. After finishing his primary education, he spent a year studying at the Batu Lintang Teachers' College in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. He then came back to Brunei to finish his secondary education at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College. In 1957, he resumed his education at the Westminster College of Commerce in London and the Woodchester School in Gloucestershire, England. At the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, he received a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Economics, Politics, and Sociology in 1964.[6]

Career

Abdul Aziz worked for the Bruneian government for almost 41 years, holding a number of significant positions, including Administrative Service Officer from 20 October 1964, Director of Resettlement in 1966, Controller of Customs and Excise in 1967, Director of Public Works in 1970, Director of Establishment in 1971, Commissioner of Lands from 30 March 1972 to 7 April 1972,[7] Commissioner of Development in 1972, Chairman of the Municipal Board in 1973, State Secretary of Brunei from 1974 to 1981, and Acting Chief Minister of Brunei from 1 September 1981 to 31 December 1983.[5]

After the Independence of Brunei, he would go on to serve as Brunei's first Minister of Education and Health from 1 January 1984 to 21 October 1986 in the country's first ever cabinet, where on 22 April 1986, he signed the guest book at Kent Ridge National University during a visit.[8] He was reappointed as the second Minister of Communications from 21 October 1986 to 30 November 1988. On 11 August 1988, he commanded the commencement of the Post Office Act (Chapter 52) on the 1st of that following month.[9] From 30 November 1988 to 24 May 2005, he finally returned to the role of Minister of Education.[6][5]

During the Amedeo Corporation scandal in 1998, Abdul Aziz-led government investigation seized control of all 27 of the businesses run by Jefri Bolkiah's Amedeo Corporation on the grounds that they may have received money that was not theirs. Brunei and Prince Jefri engaged in an unusual three-month legal battle, but on 13 May 2000, it was revealed that the Prince had settled out of court with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's administration.[10] When the pious Pehin Abdul Aziz Umar was given control of the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) in place of Prince Jefri, religious authority was added to buttress the monarchy. Then Minister of Education, Acting Minister of Health and Head of the Financial Task Force, Abdul Aziz would go on to state,[11]

With this settlement, Insha Allah (God willing), all assets such as hotels, buildings, lands, shares and other similar assets in Brunei Darussalam and overseas, which were acquired with money derived from BIA and are at present under the control of his Highness (Prince Jefri) and his family, will be returned to the BIA.

— Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Aziz bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Umar, The Sunday Times (14 May 2000)

Other appointments

Additionally, Pehin Abdul Aziz also held other special positions both nationally and internationally in addition to the primary portfolio. Within the nation, he was a member of the State Legislative Council, member of the Council of Succession,[4] member of the Council of Ministers, member of the Privy Council,[4] member of the Islamic Religious Council,[4] member of the Brunei Investment Advisory Board, first deputy chairman of the Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) board of directors, non-executive director of Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), non-executive director of Brunei Liquefied Natural Gas (BLNG), chairman of the National Development Committee, secretary to Brunei Defence Council, chairman of Brunei Defence Council, vice-chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (1985–1986; 1989–1991),[12] chairman of the Supreme National Council of Malay Islamic Monarchy of Brunei Darussalam, chairman of the Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council, president of the Brunei Youth Council, chairman of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Council, chairman of the National Education Council, chairman of Yayasan's administrative committee from 5 October 2000 to 31 December 2008,[13][14] chairman of the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA),[4] and lastly the chairman of the Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institution.[6]

Outside of Brunei, he has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies United Kingdom (OXCIS) since 15 May 1998,[4] deputy chairman of the ISESCO (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), and a mmeritus member of the International Council of Education for Teaching.[6]

Later life

Abdul Aziz stated on 12 April 2021 that the Brunei Malay Teachers Association (PGGMB), which was founded 82 years ago, must work to keep up with modern demands to support national progress. During the opening ceremony of PGGMB's 71st Delegates

General Meeting for the 2020–2021 session at the PGGMB School Sungai Akar, he stated,[15]

How can PGGMB shape itself to be relevant in this age? Because PGGMB today cannot justify itself on the needs and goals of the community 82 years ago. This is our challenge today, on how we can inculcate PGGMB to be of noticeable significance in today’s community, so that the community will not turn away, except for its vital role in developing our beloved nation. Relevance will only be visible through unity of Malay teachers in the country, that is revolved around the national interest and the community at large.

— Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Aziz bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Umar, Borneo Bulletin

Personal life

Born on 20 March 1936, to a nobleman, Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Seri Paduka Haji Awang Umar. Abdul Aziz is married to Datin Paduka Hajah Zaharah binti Haji Idris and together they have 5 children;[6] including Anita Binurul Zahrina.[16] He had an elder brother named, Tahir Umar (1923–2014), whom also served with the government and as a public prosecutor.[2] Notably, he is also the half brother of Jamil Al-Sufri.

Titles and honours

Abdul Aziz became the President of the Youth Council from 1967 to 1968.[17]

Titles

Pehin Abdul Aziz was bestowed the title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable) Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya on 5 September 1977. Moreover, he has earned the following honours;[6][18]

Awards

He has been given the following awards:[6]

  • Youth Leadership Merit (2006)[19]
  • Outstanding Health Award
  • Prominent Religious Award (2009)
  • Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Education Award (24 September 2011)[20]
  • SEAMEO Recognition Award (7 May 2015)[5][21]
  • Distinguished Fellow Award, International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET)

Honours

Abdul Aziz was awarded the following honours:[6]

National

Foreign

References

  1. ↑ "(PDF) BRUNEI DARUSSALAM Hon. Pehin Dato Dr Awang Hj. Ahmad bin …€¦ · • Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, University of the Philippines. • Bachelor of Science and Jurisprudence,". dokumen.tips. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  2. 1 2 "Negara Brunei Darussalam: obituary 2014. – Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  3. ↑ "BRUNEIresources.com – Pehin Aziz". www.bruneiresources.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "PERSATUAN ASIA DIRAJA BAHAGIAN MALAYSIA THE MALAYSIAN BRANCH OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY" (PDF). MBRAS.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Berita – Mantan Menteri Pendidikan terima anugerah..." www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Curriculum Vitae" (PDF). SEAMEO. 2014. pp. 1–4.
  7. ↑ "Lands Department – Land Commissioner Since 1960". www.tanah.gov.bn. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  8. ↑ "Minister of Education and Health of Brunei Darussalam Pehin …". www.nas.gov.sg. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  9. ↑ "POST OFFICE ACT (CHAPTER 52)" (PDF). BRUNEI DARUSSALAM GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. 1988-08-11.
  10. ↑ Sidhu, Jatswan S. (2009-12-22). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8108-7078-9.
  11. ↑ "Management of Uncertainties in an Autocratic State: The Case of Brunei Darussalam" (PDF). apu.ac.jp. pp. 4–5, 10–11.
  12. ↑ "UBD People – Universiti Brunei Darussalam". 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  13. ↑ YSHHB (2022-08-16). "Jemaah Tadbir | Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah" (in Malay). Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  14. ↑ "Sultanate – News | Negara Brunei Darussalam | Royalty lays Yayasan school foundation". sultanate.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  15. ↑ "Call to adapt to changing world". Borneo Bulletin. 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  16. ↑ "Datin Dr Dayang Hajah Anita Binurul Zahrina binti Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Aziz". UBD BUZZ. 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  17. ↑ "Perkembangan Belia di-Brunei sa-umpama pokok yang tumboh-nya sa-makin subur" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 1969-01-15. p. 2.
  18. ↑ "SENARAI NAMA-NAMA GELARAN DAN ORANG-ORANG YANG DIKURNIAI GELARAN" (PDF). adat-istiadat.gov.bn. 16 July 2022. p. 2.
  19. ↑ "HARIBELIA – penerima-anugerah". www.hbk.gov.bn. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  20. ↑ "Kesultanan Brunei Darussalam | Kerajaan Nusantara". www.kerajaannusantara.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  21. ↑ "Award Ceremony of SEAMEO Recognition Award in conjunction with SEAMEO 50th Anniversary celebration" (PDF). SEAMEO. 2015-05-07.
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