Halbi Bin Mohammad Yussof

Halbi bin Haji Mohammad Yussof (born 22 June 1956) is a Bruneian aristocrat, civil servant, diplomat, and retired military officer. He has served as a minister at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) since 2022 and as minister of defence II from 2018 to 2022 and again since 2023. Previously, he was deputy minister of home affairs from 2010 to 2015 and minister of culture, youth and sports from 2015 to 2018. During his military career, he commanded the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) from 2001 to 2003 before becoming commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) from 2003 to 2009. Following his retirement from the military, he briefly served as Brunei's high commissioner to Malaysia in 2010 before transitioning into government roles.

Early life and education

Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof was born on 22 June 1956 in Kampong Kilanas, a village near Bandar Seri Begawan. He received his early education at the Sixth Form Centre, now known as Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College.

Military career

On 11 August 1975, Halbi enlisted in the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment, the predecessor to the RBAF. After completing six months of basic training, he was enrolled at the British Army's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England on 6 February 1976, where he trained as an officer cadet. Upon completing Sandhurst's Standard Military Course Number 13, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 7 April 1977.

Throughout his career, Halbi attended various military training courses and staff colleges to enhance his expertise. His training included the Platoon Commanders' Battle Cadre in the United Kingdom in 1982, the Manpower and Security Officers' Course in Singapore in 1984, and the Junior Staff Course in Malaysia in 1985. He also completed the Overseas Joint Warfare program at the Australian Defence College in 1987, the All Arms Tactic Course in the United Kingdom in 1987, and the Command and Staff College in Quetta, Pakistan in 1989. Additionally, in 2000, he attended the Royal College of Defence Studies at Seaford House in London.Halbi served in the RBAF and held several key leadership positions throughout his military career. He was appointed military assistant to the commander of the RBAF before taking command of the 2nd Battalion of the RBLF. He later served as Staff Officer Grade 1 in the Directorate of Operations and Plans and acted as director of the Directorate of Strategic Planning at the Ministry of Defence (MinDef). His leadership roles culminated in his appointment as the fourth commander of the RBLF on 1 February 2001, a position he held until 14 March 2003. He was promoted to Brigadier General on 21 November 2002 and further elevated to Major General on 1 March 2003. Shortly after, on 28 March 2003, he was appointed the seventh Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

During his tenure, Halbi played a significant role in strengthening Brunei's military relations and strategic planning. On 8 January 2005, he received a farewell call from the Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces, Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, where they discussed improving bilateral military relations between Brunei and Malaysia. He also oversaw the development of the Brunei Defence White Paper in 2004 and its subsequent update in 2007. On 3 June 2008, he and Yasmin Umar visited the at Muara Naval Base for the opening ceremony of Exercise Pelican. His final official visit to Singapore took place on 10 November 2009, where he met Desmond Kuek and inspected the guard of honour. His military career concluded with a handover ceremony at Tutong Camp on 31 December 2009, where he officially handed over his command to his successor, Aminuddin Ihsan.

Political career

Following his retirement from his military career, in 2010, Halbi was appointed Brunei's high commissioner to Malaysia. In the 2010 Bruneian cabinet reshuffle on 29 May, he was appointed deputy minister at the Ministry of Home Affairs, a position he held until the 2015 Bruneian cabinet reshuffle on 22 October, when he was reappointed as minister of culture, youth and sports. On 18 November 2015, Halbi met with Khairy Jamaluddin during the ASEAN+ Young Leaders Summit to strengthen the relationship between Brunei and Malaysia and explore ways to enhance youth development and sports in both countries.

Following a cabinet reshuffle on 30 January 2018, Halbi was appointed the second minister in the MinDef. In response to the 2017–2018 North Korea crisis on 11 February 2018, minister Halbi and Erywan Yusof, in agreement with Taro Kono, decided to apply pressure on North Korea, including the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions during the 45th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Later, on 14 August, he made an introductory visit to Singapore, meeting Ng Eng Hen to strengthen the relationship of Brunei and Singapore. In December, Halbi met with UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov in Brunei to discuss cooperation on security, crime prevention, and counterterrorism efforts in the ASEAN region.

From 17 to 20 June 2019, Halbi led a Bruneian delegation to Ufa for the X International Meeting of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Matters, during which Russia and Brunei held consultations and signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral security cooperation. On 30 August 2019, during his visit to Manila, he greeted the 16th International Monitoring Team in Mindanao at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines.On 7 June 2022, during a national cabinet reshuffle televised by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Halbi was appointed as the newly appointed minister at the PMO. On 21 June, Japan's defence minister, Nobuo Kishi, congratulated Halbi on his new role, expressing concerns about regional security, the impact of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine on international order, and the need to strengthen military relations between the two nations. Later, on 25 July 2022, while acting as the minister of health, Halbi noted the downward trend in COVID-19 cases in Brunei.

On 2 June 2023, Halbi attended the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue, where he met with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and several defence ministers, including those from New Zealand, Qatar, Sweden, and Ukraine, to discuss regional security and defence cooperation. Later, on 16 November, he met with Kao again at the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus in Jakarta to address regional security challenges and explore ways to strengthen ASEAN defence cooperation.

In his budget speech for the 2024/25 fiscal year, Halbi announced a record high defence budget of B$796.3 million, stressing the importance of strengthening Brunei's military intelligence and surveillance capabilities in response to growing security challenges. On 13 August 2024, he met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon to discuss security cooperation, maritime domain awareness, and the enhancement of Brunei–United States defence ties, marking four decades of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Later, during Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah's official visit to Singapore from 10 to 14 September 2024, Halbi accompanied the delegation as part of the 10th Singapore-Brunei Young Leaders' Programme.

During the Brunei Petroleum Technology Exhibition and Conference 2025, held from 10 to 13 February, Halbi emphasised the importance of leveraging technology and innovation to enhance efficiency and sustainability in the hydrocarbon industry. Later, on 12 March, he announced efforts to improve Brunei's power generation efficiency and curb high consumption, highlighting initiatives such as the introduction of smart meters and stricter energy efficiency standards.

Personal life

Halbi is married to Datin Hajah Kalshom binti Haji Suhaili, and together they have five children and five grandchildren. His hobbies include hiking, golf, fishing, and reading.

Titles, styles and honours

Titles and styles

In 1996, Halbi was honoured by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah with the manteri title of , bearing the style .

Honours

Halbi has been bestowed the following honours:

National
* Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang First Class (DPKT; 15 July 2003) –
* Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Third Class (SMB; 1986)
* Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal First Class (PHBS; 15 July 2010)
* Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
* Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal (31 May 1986)
* General Service Medal
* Long Service Medal and Good Conduct (PKLPB)
* Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)

Foreign
*:
** Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (BYD; 20 December 2004)
**Honorary Member of the Indonesian Marine Corps (21 December 2004)
**Honorary Member of Kopassus (September 2002)
**Honorary Fist Class Pilot Wing (9 November 2006)
**Honorary Member of Korpaskhas (9 November 2006)
*:
** Grand Cordon of the Order of Independence (13 May 2008)
*:
** Courageous Commander of the Order of Military Service (PGAT; 30 November 2004)
**Honorary Member of the 10th Parachute Brigade (7 September 2007)
*:
** Hilal-e-Imtiaz (28 June 2006)
**Pakistan Command and Staff College Centenary Medal (2006)
*:
** Commander of the Philippine Legion of Honor (CLH; 24 May 2006)
**Philippine Army Combat Commander's Badge (27 November 2009)
**Philippine Navy Command-At-Sea Badge (27 November 2009)
**Philippine Air Force Gold Wing Badge (27 November 2009)
*:
** Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) (PJG; 26 October 2002)
** Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (DUBC; 23 November 2004)
*:
** Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (PM (GCCT); 27 July 2009)

Notes

References

External links

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{{Authority control

1956 births
Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies
Defense ministers of Brunei
Interior ministers of Brunei
Government ministers of Brunei
Grand Cordons of the Order of Independence (Jordan)
Recipients of the Philippine Legion of Honor
Recipients of Hilal-i-Imtiaz
High commissioners of Brunei to Malaysia
Living people
Recipients of the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)
Recipients of the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)