Sufian Sabtu

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Sabtu is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Sufian. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Dato Seri Paduka
Sufian Sabtu
SPMB DPMB PSB PJK PIKB
سفيان سبتو
Riza Yunos and Sufian in 2024
Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office
Incumbent
Assumed office
7 June 2022
Serving with Riza Yunos
MonarchHassanal Bolkiah
MinisterIsa Ibrahim
Amin Liew Abdullah
Halbi Mohammad Yussof
Preceded byElinda C.A. Mohammad
Personal details
BornBrunei
SpouseSuriati Abang
Alma mater
Occupation
  • Politician
  • civil servant

Sufian bin Haji Sabtu is a politician and civil servant from Brunei who is the incumbent Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) since 2022, and the director Internal Security Department (ISD) since 2020. Additionally, he is also the chairman of Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA).[1]

Education and early career

Sufian completed his undergraduate education at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam before going on to the University of Keele in the United Kingdom for his postgraduate studies. He also took part in the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy's Executive Development Programme for Senior Government Officers (EDPSGO).[2]

In 1994, Sufian began working for the ISD as a staff officer. Before being moved and given a promotion to become the deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in 2017, he held a variety of important positions at the ISD, including that of deputy director of operations. He was elevated to director of ISD on 25 July 2020. Subsequently, on 31 July 2021, he was named permanent secretary (Security, Enforcement and Law) in the PMO, in addition to his role as Director of ISD.[2]

Through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Sufian received facial recognition hardware and software on 14 March 2022, from Japan's Ambassador Meada.[3]

Ministerial career

On 7 June 2022, Sufian was named Deputy Minister in the PMO by order of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. In addition, he is concurrently appointed director of ISD.[2] On 16 March 2023, at the 4th Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Security (SRM) in Melbourne, he led the delegation from Brunei during the conference.[4] During the 11th International Meeting of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for peace Matters in Russia on 23 May, Sufian stated that Brunei would keep highlighting the significance of ASEAN centrality in maintaining the peace and stability of this region.[5]

During the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters (AMMD) in Vientiane in August 2023, Sufian, who was representing Brunei, underlined the Sultanate's commitment to supporting regional and international efforts aimed at addressing the challenges posed by drug misuse and smuggling.[6] He declared the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) Code of Ethics and Conduct to be in effect at a passing-out parade for trainee male police constables and probationary inspector cadet officers. In October 2023, he underlined the value of credibility and discipline among the force's employees.[7] He called on senior government officials to participate in the 30th EDPSGO later in September in order to benefit from it.[7]

Personal life

Sufian and his wife, Datin Suriati binti Haji Abang, together have three children.[2]

Honours

Main article: Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei

He has earned the following honours:[2]

References

  1. ^ "Board of Directors". shena.gov.bn. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "YANG MULIA DATO SERI PADUKA AWANG HAJI SUFIAN BIN HAJI SABTU". www.pmo.gov.bn. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Handover Ceremony of facial recognition equipment and software". www.bn.emb-japan.go.jp. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Deputy minister attends terrorism, security meeting". borneobulletin.com.bn. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  5. ^ Borneo Bulletin/ANN (30 May 2023). "Asean centrality key to regional security, says Brunei deputy minister". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  6. ^ Radio Television Brunei (11 August 2023). "8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters". www.bruneinewsgazette.com. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Take advantage of leadership programme, senior officials told". borneobulletin.com.bn. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  8. ^ Lyna Mohamad (16 July 2022). "23 state decorations conferred". borneobulletin.com.bn. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  9. ^ Nooratini Haji Abas (15 July 2022). "23 PENERIMA DIKURNIAKAN BINTANG-BINTANG KEBESARAN NBD" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  10. ^ Analisa Amu (14 July 2021). "His Majesty confers state decorations to 16 recipients". thebruneian.news. Retrieved 29 May 2024.