Abdul Aziz bin Umar (born 20 March 1936), also sometimes referred to as Pehin Abdul Aziz Umar, 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).
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. 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.
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.
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, 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.
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. 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. From 30 November 1988 to 24 May 2005, he finally returned to the role of Minister of Education.
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. 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,
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, member of the Council of Ministers, member of the Privy Council, member of the Islamic Religious Council, 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), 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, chairman of the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA), and lastly the chairman of the Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institution.
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, deputy chairman of the ISESCO (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), and a mmeritus member of the International Council of Education for Teaching.
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,
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; including Anita Binurul Zahrina, who went on to marry Major General Hamzah. He had an elder brother named, Tahir Umar (1923–2014), whom also served with the government and as a public prosecutor. 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.
Titles
Pehin Abdul Aziz was bestowed the manteri title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable) Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya on 5 September 1977. Moreover, he has earned the following honours;
Awards
He has been given the following awards:
Youth Leadership Merit (2006)
Outstanding Health Award
Prominent Religious Award (2009)
Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Education Award (24 September 2011)
SEAMEO Recognition Award (7 May 2015)
Distinguished Fellow Award, International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET)
Honours
Abdul Aziz was awarded the following honours:
National
Order of Setia Negara Brunei First Class (PSNB) – Dato Seri Setia (1975)
Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa First Class (DSLJ) – Dato Paduka Seri Laila Jasa (1970)
Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB) – Dato Paduka (1972)
Long Service Medal (PKL; 1994)
Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 1973)
Coronation Medal First Class (1968)
Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)
Sultan Silver Jubilee Medal First Class (1992)
Universiti Brunei Darussalam Doctor in Literature (D.Litt.; 1996)
Foreign
United Kingdom:
Order of the British Empire Knight Grand Cross (GBE)
University of Birmingham Doctor in Law (LLD) – (July 1994)
Royal College of Surgeons Fellowship – (1997)
University of Liverpool Doctor in Law (LLD) – (3 July 2000)
Thailand:
Order of the White Elephant
Pakistan:
Sitara-i-Imtiaz
Jordan:
Order of the Star of Jordan Grand Cordon
Malaysia:
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Doctor of Engineering (DEng) – (1991)
India:
Aligarh Muslim University Doctor in Letters (D.Litt.) – (1999)
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Pisces
