Yang Berhormat Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri
Aminuddin Ihsan
DPKT SMB PGAT GCCT
Aminuddin in 2024
7th Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports
In office
30 January 2018 – 7 June 2022
MonarchHassanal Bolkiah
Preceded byHalbi Mohd Yussof
Succeeded byNazmi Mohamad
Other positions
8th Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces
In office
31 December 2009 – 29 January 2014
Preceded byHalbi Mohammad Yussof
Succeeded byMohammad Tawih
7th Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Forces
In office
12 December 2008 – 13 November 2009
Preceded byRosli Chuchu
Succeeded byYussof Abdul Rahman
16th Commander of the Training Institute
In office
1 April 2007 – 26 November 2008
Preceded bySaid Puteh
Succeeded byMohammad Tawih
Diplomatic positions
High Commissioner of Brunei to the United Kingdom
In office
15 May 2014 – 30 January 2018
Preceded byAziyan Abdullah
Succeeded byRooslina Weti
Personal details
Born
Aminuddin Ihsan

(1966-07-23) 23 July 1966 (age 57)
Brunei
SpouseNurhayana Janis Abdullah
Children3
Parent(s)Abidin Abdul Rashid (father)
Fatimah Razali (mother)
ProfessionMilitary officer and diplomat
CabinetCabinet of Brunei
Awards2017 Diplomat of the Year from Asia
Military service
Allegiance Brunei
Branch/service Royal Brunei Land Forces
Years of service1988–2014
Rank Major General
UnitFirst Battalion RBLF
Auxiliary Battalion RBLF
CommandsHead of Research Wing
Strategic Planning Ministry of Defence
Second Battalion RBLF
Training Institute RBAF

Aminuddin Ihsan bin Abidin (born 23 July 1966) is a retired Bruneian commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces who serves from 2009 until 2014 and also the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports from 2018 until 2022.

Early life and education

Aminuddin Ihsan was born on 23 July 1966 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and a Master of Arts degree in military studies. He later attended courses such as the United Nations Military Observer (UNMO) and Staff Officer Course, the Battalion Tactics Course and the Joint Staff Course in the United Kingdom. It is notable that he obtained fellowship while in the Australian Defence & Strategic Studies.[1]

Military career

On 19 September 1988, he was officially commissioned into the Royal Brunei Land Forces as a lieutenant.[1] Aminuddin took up many positions during his military career such as a platoon leader of Company 'D' 1st Battalion (1Bn RBLF), troop leader of the Auxiliary Battalion, commanding officer in the Infantry Battalion, deputy commanding officer and commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion (2Bn RBLF), Commander of the RBAF Training Institute and the Commander of the RBLF.[2][1] On 31 December 2009, he was appointed as the 8th Commander of the RBAF by succeeding Major General Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof.[2] Aminuddin would then be succeeded by Mohammad Tawih on 29 January 2014.[2]

Political career

After retirement from the military, he carried out diplomatic tasks as the Brunei High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 15 May 2014 until 30 January 2018.[3][4] On 12 November 2014, Queen Elizabeth II presented credentials to high commissioner Aminuddin at Buckingham Palace, London.[5] On 24 April 2017, Aminuddin Ihsan was named the 2017 Diplomat of the Year from Asia category during the Tata DIPLOMAT magazine Awards Ceremony.[6]

On 30 January 2018, Aminuddin became the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports after an announcement regarding the cabinet reshuffle was made by the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.[7] After another cabinet reshuffle on 7 June 2022, he would then be succeeded by Nazmi Mohamad as the Minister.[8]

Personal life

Aminuddin is married to Datin Nurhayana Janis binti Abdullah and they have three children together.[9] He is the son of the late nobleman, Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abidin.[10]

Awards and honours

U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus meets with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah accompanied by Aminuddin Ihsan in 2012

Awards

Honours

National

See also: Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei

Foreign

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "MINDEF - Commander Royal Brunei Armed Forces". www.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "News_Test - Commander RBAF Hands Over Duty And Welcomes..." www.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  3. ^ "United Kingdom". www.mfa.gov.bn. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Brunei Ambassador - Claridon Group". www.claridon.com. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Credentials presented at Buckingham Palace Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Tata Diplomat of the Year Awards 2017". Diplomat Magazine. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  7. ^ "HM announces surprise cabinet reshuffle - full list of new appointees". The Scoop. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  8. ^ Bakar, Rasidah Hj Abu (7 June 2022). "HM: New cabinet must carry out duties with 'full loyalty and responsibility'". The Scoop. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Keynote Speakers". Ucec2019. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  10. ^ "Sultanate - News | Negara Brunei Darussalam | Sultan attends former deputy minister's funeral". www.sultanate.com. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d COMSEVENTHFLT (14 November 2013), 131114-N-LO372-381.JPG, retrieved 21 October 2022
  12. ^ "Bruneian Armed Forces Chief Receives Prestigious Military Award". www.mindef.gov.sg. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces Makes Farewell Call". www.mindef.gov.sg. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Kedutaan Besar Republik Indonesia di Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam". Kementerian Luar Negeri Repulik Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  15. ^ Tengkusyah (4 October 2011). "Maharum Bugis Syah (MBS): Tuanku Mizan Hadiri Istiadat Pengurniaan Darjah Kepahlawanan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia 2011". Maharum Bugis Syah (MBS). Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  16. ^ https://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/documents/1894623.pdf
Political offices Preceded byHalbi Mohd Yussof 8th Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports 30 January 2018 – 7 June 2022 Succeeded byNazmi Mohamad Diplomatic posts Preceded byAziyan Abdullah High Commissioner of Brunei to the United Kingdom 15 May 2014 – 30 January 2018 Succeeded byRooslina Weti Military offices Preceded byHalbi Yussof 8th Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces 31 December 2009 – 29 January 2014 Succeeded byMohammad Tawih Preceded byRosli Chuchu 7th Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Forces 12 December 2008 – 13 November 2009 Succeeded byYussof Abdul Rahman Preceded bySaid Puteh 16th Commander of the Training Institute 1 April 2007 – 26 November 2008 Succeeded byMohammad Tawih
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