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Isa bin Ibrahim
Isa bin Haji Ibrahim (born 9 February 1935) is a Bruneian aristocrat and politician, currently serving as Special Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan and Minister at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) since January 2018. His distinguished career began in 1962, when he started as an assistant legal adviser, later becoming Deputy Menteri Besar of Brunei and General Adviser to the Sultan. Over the years, Pehin Isa has held numerous high-profile positions, including chairman of Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA), member of the Privy Council, and Speaker of the Legislative Council.[1] Early life and educationIsa was born in Brunei on 9 May 1935,[2] to Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Haji Ibrahim, an aristocrat who served as Brunei's first Menteri Besar and later as the speaker of the Legislative Council.[3] He had several siblings, each with notable achievements, including his brothers Pehin Orang Kaya Penggawa Laila Bentara Diraja Dato Laila Utama Abbas Al-Sufri, a distinguished civil servant,[4] and Haji Adnin, a successful businessman.[5] He received his early education at Kilanas Malay School in Brunei Town (now Bandar Seri Begawan) and continued his schooling at Roman Catholic School in Brunei Town. He furthered his studies abroad, attending Stamford School in Penang, Malaysia, Victoria Bridge School in Singapore, Beatty Secondary School in Singapore, and Sevenoaks School in Kent, England. He completed his A-level at Brighton Technical College in Sussex, England, and in July 1961, earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in law from the University of Southampton, England. In February 1962, Isa qualified as a Barrister-at-Law from Middle Temple.[1] Political careerOn 21 February 1953, the inaugural Sarawak–North–Borneo–Brunei Conference took place in Kuching. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, British Resident John Barcroft, and Secretary Isa were present on behalf of Brunei. To assure the Conference's success and validity, the High Commissioners Anthony Abell and Malcom MacDonald personally persuaded the Sultan to join.[6]  In March 1962, Isa began his government service as an assistant legal adviser (assisting counsel) and deputy public prosecutor at the Department of Legal Affairs. Then from April to December 1962, he was attached to the Attorney General's Chambers in Kuala Lumpur as Deputy Public Prosecutor, Federation of Malaya. In February 1963, he was the Secretary to Brunei Delegation at negotiations on merger with Malaysia.[7] In September 1965, he was appointed assistant AG and promoted to deputy AG in January 1968. He served as acting AG multiple times in the absence of the AG. In October 1970, Isa was appointed Deputy Menteri Besar and, in October 1971, General Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.[1] Isa was also a member of the Adat Istiadat Council and the chairman of RBA's board of directors from its founding in November 1974 to January 1984.[1][7] He later became Special Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in the PMO, concurrently serving as Minister of Home Affairs from 21 October 1986, to 24 May 2005. At the same time, he served as a member of the Council of Cabinet Ministers from 20 October 1986 to 24 May 2005,[8] and as a member of the Privy Council until 24 May 2005.[1] On behalf of Brunei's Government, Isa Ibrahim and on behalf of the Malaysian Government, Mohamed Rahmat signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Field of Information and Broadcasting on 14 February 1992.[9] On 10 February 2011, he was appointed as the Legislative Council's speaker.[2] Pehin Isa has taken on the role of Minister at the PMO since 30 January 2018, in which he had remained at post through the 2023 council reappointment.[10] Personal lifeMarried to Seri Laila Pengiring Di-Raja Datin Seri Utama Hajjah Rosnah binti Abdullah, and they have five children; two sons and three daughters. His hobbies include photography and golf.[11] A notable child of his is Ahmad, Attorney General of Brunei.[12] For a period of time, his daughter, Siti Mariam, would be married to Ivica @ Adam Kalebic,[13] founder of Fratini franchise.[14] The former couple would give birth to Anisha Rosnah[15] and Danial Deen Isa-Kalebic,[16] founder of The Potato Habit.[17] Books
Titles, styles and honours.jpg) Titles and stylesIsa was bestowed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah the Manteri title of Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Di-Raja on 11 May 1968,[7][18] referred to by Yang Berhormat as honorific. Things named after him
HonoursPehin Isa has earned the following national and foreign honours;[7][1] National
Foreign
References
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