Pengiran Ibnu Basit (born 20 January 1942), sometimes spelled Ibnu Ba'asith, is a nobleman, soldier and politician in the Government of Brunei whole formerly took office as the Deputy Minister of Defence from 1986 to 2005, and the first local officer to be the commanding officer of the Boat Sections of the Boats Section AMDB (present day Royal Brunei Navy) from 1965 to 1966.
Military career
Pengiran Ibnu enlisted as an officer cadet in the first-ever recruiting for the Brunei Malay Regiment, which included Sulaiman Damit and Mohammad Daud (known as the three musketeers) in 1960, and began his career as an army officer. He was posted to several roles within the Brunei Malay Regiment (now known as Royal Brunei Armed Forces) upon his graduation from the Federation Military College (FMC), Port Dickson on 1 January 1961 prior to the regiment's establishment on 31 May 1961.
He spent three months learning seamanship and navigation at the Marine School Labuan while serving in the Boat Sections (AMDB). Soon after, he was chosen to was KDB Maharajalela commanding officer. He was also linked to the Marine Department while he was in the Boat Sections AMDB to sail to Limbang and Labuan. Soon after, he was chosen to take a 2-week navigation course in Singapore and return home with the freshly purchased riverine patrol boat in mid-1966. He was granted the chance to enroll in an advanced course in Kota Kinabalu as a result of his good job performance.
Pengiran Ibnu was afterwards transferred back to AMDB's Rifle Company after serving his time in the Boat Sections. He was appointed as adjutant during the coronation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. He was made a major in 1969 and assigned the charge of leading Rifle-2 Company. With the formation of the Second Battalion on 2 January 1975, at a temporary location in Bolkiah Camp, the AMDB developed. Lt. Col. Pengiran Ibnu was the one who created it.
He was assigned to the Palace as the Sultan's aide-de-camp (ADC) in 1977. He continued serving with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces after being promoted to brigadier general and then major general. Notably, he took involved in an event when one of his ship's crew went overboard and was saved while passing through the Sarawak River during a deployment to Kuching. In 1986, he announced his retirement and was then named Deputy Minister of Defense later that year in October. On 24 September 1987, he arrived in Malaysia at the request of Dato' Abu Bakar Mustapha.
Other appointments
Additionally a member of the Privy Council, he is vice president of the Brunei Darussalam Olympic Council and advisor to the Ex-Soldiers Association of Brunei Darussalam. He is also a member of Mesyuarat Adat Istiadat Negara (MAIN). During an interview with Pelita Brunei Pengiran Ibnu Apong advised RBAF personnel who were still in service to remain faithful to their leaders above everything else, including their commanders, the monarch, and the people. On 21 October 2022, him together with Mohammad Daud attended the "FMC Intake 5’s 60th anniversary reunion".
Personal life
Pengiran Ibnu is married and they have four children. He is son of Pengiran Datu Penghulu Pengiran Haji Apong, and brother of Pengiran Umar, a police officer in the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF).
Honours
Major Pengiran Ibnu in 1969
Pengiran Ibnu was bestowed the title of Yang Amat Mulia (The Most Noble) Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja in 1977, making him a member of cheteria. He had been previously holding the title of Pengiran Datu Penghulu in 1973 and as Pengiran Ratna Indera in 1974. Pengiran Ibnu received medals of honor and given the title of honorary president for advancing the vision of Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC) on 7 October 2016. Moreover, he has earned the following honours;
National
Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei First Class (PSPNB; 10 February 1976) – Dato Seri Pahlawan
Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB) – Dato Setia
Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Second Class (DSLJ) – Dato Seri Laila Jasa
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 1968)
Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI)
Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)
Coronation Medal (1 August 1968)
Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal (5 October 2017)
National Day Silver Jubilee Medal (23 February 2009)
Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal (31 May 1986)
Aquarius
Malaysia:
Selangor:
United Kingdom:
