Badaruddin Othman

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

• Kolej Islam Malaya
• Al-Azhar University

Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Badaruddin Othman PSSUB DPMB PHBS PBLI PJK PKL
بدرالدين عثمان
Minister Badaruddin in 2024
3rd Minister of Religious Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office 22 October 2015
Occupation	Politician teacher writer diplomat
Awards	S.E.A. Write Award Mastera Literary Award

Badaruddin bin Haji Othman (born 23 September 1942), pen name Badaruddin H.O., ^[1] is a Bruneian aristocrat, politician and diplomat who is the incumbent Minister of Religious Affairs (MoRA) since 2015. ^[2] He also formerly held the position of Minister of Home Affairs (MoHA) from 2010 to 2015. ^[3] Within the limited group of political leaders, Pehin Abdul Aziz bin Umar and Pehin Badaruddin were regarded as the two primary proponents of the Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) philosophy and the heads of the more orthodox Islamic faction. ^[4]

Early life and education

Badaruddin was born on 23 September 1942, at Kampong Burong Pingai Ayer. ^[5] He obtained a master's degree in Islamic legal policy from Al-Azhar University in Egypt between 1968 and 1971. He also attended the Pekan Brunei Malay School between 1950 and 1956, Kolej Islam Malaya in Klang, Selangor, between 1962 and 1967, and Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah in Singapore between 1956 and 1961. ^[6]

Early career

Initially, Badaruddin was employed as a teacher in 1968, but later assigned by the Government of Brunei in 1971 as a Religious Officer, he later held positions as Superintendent of Information and Tabligh, ^[7] Director of Information, chief information officer, Director of Information, and Director of the Da'wah Islamiah Center. He began his career with the government in 1971. From August 1986 to March 1987, he then served as the non-resident high commissioner in Papua New Guinea and ambassador to Indonesia. ^[8] From 1 January 1989 to 1999, he served as the Prime Minister's Department's Permanent secretary. ^{[6] [5]}

Pehin Badaruddin became a Member of the Public Service Commission and Acting Chairman of the Public Service Commission from 19 May 2001 to 23 May 2005. He was appointed the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs from 24 May 2005 to 28 May 2010, and later Minister of Home Affairs from 29 May 2010 to 21 October 2015. ^{[6] [9]}

Ministerial career

Pehin Badaruddin urged the populace to immunise themselves against COVID-19 to protect themselves. He brought this up on 20 November 2021, in light of the relatively few MoRA employees and members of the general public who are reluctant to get immunized. ^[10] Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has granted permission for the Turkiye and Syria Earthquake Humanitarian Fund and the National Committee for Turkiye and Syria Earthquake Humanitarian Fund to be established in the wake of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake. Him alongside Dato Nazmi attended the committee meeting on 14 February at Digadong Hall in their capacity as special advisors. ^[11]

During Pehin Badaruddin's tenure in February 2015, the MoHA announced that the government of Brunei had placed severe limitations on Chinese New Year performances as part of a gradual crackdown against non-Muslim cultural and religious activities in the nation. Lion dances may only be seen for a short while on just three days (February 19–21) and on three specific locations (the temple, Chinese residences, and school hallways). It is definitely forbidden to hold performances in any kind of public space or commercial institution. ^[12]

Once again under Pehin Badaruddin's leadership, MoRA has apparently visited local businesses to make sure they are not putting up Christmas decorations, such as Santa hats and banners with holiday wishes. ^[13] Local Islamic religious authorities have supported the ban, stating that, according to some interpretations of Islam, embracing Christmas customs was equivalent to copying another religion and is therefore forbidden. ^[14] MoRA stated in a statement that "these enforcement measures are... intended to control the act of celebrating Christmas excessively and openly, which could damage the aqidah of the Muslim community." ^[15]

The government of Brunei was emphasising that the new legislation, Syariah Penal Code (2013), was not intended to discriminate and was encouraging opponents to hold off until they see how it was implemented, amid a global outrage over the country's intention to apply syariah law. According to Pehin Badaruddin, the nation sought to impose Islamic rule as early as 1974, which was ten years prior to gaining independence from Britain. But at the time, he said, the nation lacked the necessary number of qualified individuals to move on with it. Instead, they gathered the required information and sought advice from experts, and in 2007 they were able to produce a draft of the Syariah penal code. ^[16]

Political positions

Brunei is a "negara zikir, negara beradat," according to Pehin Badaruddin in 2018. This phrase encapsulates the notion of a nation focused on Islamic devotional actions, God-remembrance, as well as its customs and traditions. ^[17] According to syariah law, children who have lost their father, children born out of wedlock or abandoned, or children disowned due to an oath taken by a husband and wife denying parenthood are all considered orphans, according to Badaruddin. ^[18]

Mass media

See also: Mass media in Brunei

In 1994, the government was concerned over foreign TV broadcasts would have on the values of the nation. In response, he stated during a broadcasters' training session that Brunei needed to address the problem even if it was challenging to monitor international transmissions. ^[19] In 2018, he expressed the opinion that the Western mass media occasionally has a tendency to misinterpret the ideologies of the ASEAN region's governments and citizens. ^[20] Unaccustomed to media attention, the Bruneian government has expressed disapproval of some of this coverage, particularly from Western media outlets. ^[21]

Pehin Badaruddin attacked remarks made by a number of non-Legislative Council (LegCo) parties who believe his ministry's increased budget allocation was a waste and a hindrance to the nation's development strategy. In his motion of adjournment on the last day of the 15th LegCo session on 22 March 2019, the minister referred to the ideology as unwise and not local, attributing their viewpoints to those who lack comprehension and grasp of the national education policy and objectives. ^[22]

Social media posts that make disparaging and slanderous comments against the MoRA have the potential to undermine Islamic principles. On 1 March 2022, on the fifth day of the 18th LegCo Meeting, he stated that anyone who makes such statements may face legal repercussions. ^[23]

Melayu Islam Beraja

As the Director of Information, Pehin Badaruddin defined the term MIB in two papers that were given at seminars and printed in Pelita Brunei. He restated that, conceptually speaking, the proposal was not new because Brunei has always been home to a Malay sultanate. According to him, the MIB concept holds that Brunei cannot be regarded as a multiracial, multireligious, or multicultural society even if its population also consists of non-Malays and non-Muslims. ^[24] He has been a prominent figure in the limited group of political leaders, leading the more orthodox branch of Islam. In the 1990s, opposing the move toward a materialistic, consumer-oriented society was a central tenet of MIB ideology. ^[25]

Personal life

Pehin Badaruddin is married and has six children; ^[6] including Nabil Daraina. ^[26]

Nabil Daraina and Ramzidah Abdul Rahman, a husband and wife team have been charged with 152 counts of corruption relating to stealing more than $7 million from Brunei's judicial system. Up until January 2018, they were both senior judges in Brunei's judicial system. Police detained them in relation to the theft of money from the Bankruptcy Office of the High Court. The funds were reportedly used to purchase high-end vehicles and other valuable items worth $3.2 million. ^[26] Former Senior Magistrate Hj Nabil was charged with eight counts of money laundering; he was found guilty on six of them and exonerated on the other two owing to inadequate evidence. ^{[27] [28]}

Books

• Kemerdekaan (in Malay). Jabatan Penerangan, Jabatan Perdana Menteri. 1984.
• Episod-episod Si Awang (in Malay). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei, Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. 1998. ISBN   9789991701301.
• Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abd. Rahman, (Pengiran Haji) (2006). Keunggulan bahasa dan sastera Melayu/Indonesia menyongsong tatanan baru dunia (in Malay). DBP Brunei.
• Agama rasmi (in Malay). Jabatan Penerangan, Jabatan Perdana Menteri. 2008. ISBN   9789991749044.
• Hidup diharungi, mati ditempuhi (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah, Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama. 2009. ISBN   9789991735986.
• Dari atas mimbar (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah, Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama. 2011. ISBN   9789991755458.
• Tahu Bersyukur. Pusat Da'wah Islamiah, Kementerian Hal-Ehwal Ugama. 2011. ISBN   9789991755304.
• Takdir itu begini (in Malay). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei, Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. 2010. ISBN   9789991707082.
• Ilahi selamatkan Brunei Darussalam (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah, Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama Negara Brunei Darussalam. 2010. ISBN   9789991755021.
• Kita terlanjur Allah maha pengampun (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah, Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama. 2014. ISBN   9789991762500.
• Memandang ke hadapan sambil menoleh ke belakang (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah. 2018. ISBN   9789991783376.
• Calak bangsa (in Malay). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei, Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. 2018. ISBN   9789991768298.
• Dari atas mimbar (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah. 2020. ISBN   9789991783772.
• Hemat2 (in Malay). Pusat Da'wah Islamiah. 2020. ISBN   9789991783840.

Awards and honours

Pehin Badaruddin holds the Manteri title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable) Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia. Additionally, he has earned the following awards and honours; ^{[6] [29]}

Awards

• Lee Kuan Yew Fellowship (1995)
• S.E.A Write Award (1998) ^[30]
• Mastera Literary Award (1999)

Honours

Main article: Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei

• Order of Islam Brunei First Class (PSSUB; 1998) – Dato Paduka Seri Setia
• Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB; 1987) – Dato Paduka
• Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 2010)
• Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI; 2002)
• Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 1998)
• Long Service Medal (PKL; 1999)
• Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
• Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)

References

1. Journal of Asian Affairs. Center for Asian Studies, State University of New York at Buffalo. 1979. p. 90.
2. "New Cabinet unveiled » Borneo Bulletin Online". New Cabinet unveiled. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
3. Lansford, Tom; Muller, Tom (2 April 2012). Political Handbook of the World 2012. SAGE. p. 186. ISBN   978-1-60871-995-2.
4. Poole, Peter A. (18 November 2014). Politics and Society in Southeast Asia. McFarland. p. 150. ISBN   978-0-7864-5802-8.
5. Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 31. ISBN   978-0-8108-7078-9.
6. "Laman Utama – Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama". www.mora.gov.bn. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
7. Kershaw, Roger (4 January 2002). Monarchy in South East Asia: The Faces of Tradition in Transition. Routledge. p. 229. ISBN   978-1-134-66707-9.
8. Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 31. ISBN   978-0-8108-7078-9.
9. The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2010. Oxford Business Group. 2010. p. 15. ISBN   978-1-907065-29-3.
10. "Unvaccinated in Brunei urged to get in queue". The Star. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
11. "Brunei sets up humanitarian fund for Turkiye and Syria". The Star. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
12. Parameswaran, Prashanth. "Brunei Cracks Down on Chinese New Year". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
13. "Foreigners vacate Brunei, where Christmas is banned – UCA News". ucanews.com. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
14. Sehmer, Alexander (22 December 2015). "Brunei bans Christmas: Sultan warns those celebrating could face up to five years in jail". independent. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
15. Murdoch, Lindsay (22 December 2015). "Brunei bans Christmas celebrations in public, including wearing Santa hats". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
16. Correspondent, Eileen Ng (12 April 2019). "Brunei defends move to implement syariah law amid global outrage". www.straitstimes.com. ISSN   0585-3923 . Retrieved 22 April 2024.{{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
17. Samad, Nur E’zzati Rasyidah (2023), Kwen Fee, Lian; Carnegie, Paul J.; Hassan, Noor Hasharina (eds.), "Traditional Malay Marriage Ceremonies in Brunei Darussalam: Between Adat and Syariah", (Re)presenting Brunei Darussalam: A Sociology of the Everyday, Asia in Transition, vol. 20, Singapore: Springer Nature, pp. 15–33, doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-6059-8_2 , ISBN   978-981-19-6059-8
18. BEGAWAN, Quratul-Ain Bandial BANDAR SERI (2 April 2016). "Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman". Islam in Indonesia. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
19. The Muslim World. Motamar al-Alam al-Islami; World Muslim Congress. 1994. p. 7.
20. Singh, Daljit; Cook, Malcolm (21 November 2018). Turning Points and Transitions: Selections from Southeast Asian Affairs 1974–2018. ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. p. 188. ISBN   978-981-4843-07-2.
21. Southeast Asian Affairs. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. 1985. p. 107.
22. Hayat, Hakim (23 March 2019). "76 per cent of MoRA budget for religious education: Minister". borneobulletin.com.bn. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
23. Othman, Azlan (2 March 2022). "Slanderous remarks against MoRA punishable » Borneo Bulletin Online". borneobulletin.com.bn. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
24. Siddique, Sharon (11 June 2018), "Brunei Darussalam in 1985: A Year of Nation-Building", Southeast Asian Affairs 1986, ISEAS Publishing, pp. 45–52, doi:10.1355/9789812306760-006, ISBN   978-981-230-676-0 , retrieved 22 April 2024
25. Poole, Peter A. (18 November 2014). Politics and Society in Southeast Asia. McFarland. p. 150. ISBN   978-0-7864-5802-8.
26. Ain Bandial (23 July 2018). "Disgraced judges accused of stealing $7mn from court coffers". The Scoop. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
27. Ain Bandial (15 January 2020). "Ex-judges convicted of siphoning over $15mn from Bankruptcy Office". The Scoop. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
28. "Extra jail time on the cards for former judiciary couple in Brunei". The Star. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
29. "Keluaran Khas Sempena Pelantikan Menteri-Menteri Kabinet dan Timbalan-Timbalan Menteri" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 12 June 2010. p. 6.
30. "Badaruddin H.O. :S.E.A Write Award 1998. – National Library". www.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 26 May 2023.

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by –	Ambassador of Brunei to Indonesia August 1986 – March 1987	Succeeded by Husin Ahmad
Political offices
Preceded by Pengiran Mohammad	3rd Minister of Religious Affairs 22 October 2015–present	Succeeded by Incumbent
Preceded by Adanan Yusuf	4th Minister of Home Affairs 29 May 2010 – 22 October 2015	Succeeded by Abu Bakar Apong
Preceded by Yahya Ibrahim	2nd Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs 25 May 2005 – 29 May 2010	Succeeded by Pengiran Bahrom