High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Brunei | |
---|---|
Foreign and Commonwealth Office British High Commission, Bandar Seri Begawan | |
Style | His Excellency |
Reports to | Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs |
Residence | Bandar Seri Begawan |
Appointer | The Crown on advice of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom |
Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure |
Precursor | British Resident |
Inaugural holder | Dennis Charles White First High Commissioner to Brunei |
Formation | 29 September 1959 |
Website | British High Commission – Bandar Seri Begawan |
The High Commissioner from the United Kingdom to Brunei is the United Kingdom's foremost diplomatic representative in Brunei, and in charge of the United Kingdom's diplomatic mission in Brunei.
Brunei was a British protectorate from 1888 until the state gained full independence on 1 January 1984. As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Kingdom and Brunei exchange High Commissioners rather than ambassadors. In 1958 the constitution was changed, the post of British Resident was abolished and the full on British High Commission for Brunei was established. [2] Sir Dennis Charles White, who had been appointed as Resident the previous year, became the first High Commissioner under the new Constitution. [3]
No. | Name | Took office | Left office | Monarch | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dennis Charles White | 29 September 1959 | 31 March 1963 | Elizabeth II | [4] |
2 | Angus MacKay Mackintosh | 1 April 1963 | 9 December 1963 | [5] [4] | |
3 | Edgar Ord Laird | 9 December 1963 | 1965 | [6] [7] | |
4 | Fernley Douglas Webber | 1 August 1965 | October 1967 | [8] [9] | |
5 | Arthur Robin Adair | December 1967 | January 1972 | [10] [11] | |
6 | Peter Gautrey | 12 January 1972 | 14 January 1975 | [12] | |
7 | James Alfred Davidson | January 1975 | 1978 | [13] | |
8 | Arthur Christopher Watson | October 1978 | 31 December 1983 | [14] [15] | |
9 | Robert Francis Cornish | 6 November 1983 | 5 August 1986 | [16] | |
10 | Roger Westbrook | 1986 | 1991 | [16] | |
11 | Adrian Sindall | 1991 | 1994 | [16] | |
12 | Ivan Roy Callan | 1994 | 1998 | [16] | |
13 | Stuart Laing | 1998 | 2002 | [17] | |
14 | Andrew Caie | January 2002 | 2005 | [18] [17] | |
15 | John Saville | 2005 | 2009 | [19] | |
16 | Rob Fenn | 2009 | 2013 | [20] | |
17 | David Campbell | 2013 | 2017 | [21] | |
18 | Richard Lindsay | 2017 | 2020 | [22] [23] | |
19 | John Virgoe | August 2020 | August 2024 | [24] [25] | |
20 | Alexandra McKenzie | August 2024 | present | Charles III |
Bandar Seri Begawan, colloquially referred to as BSB, is the capital and largest city of Brunei. It is officially a municipal area with an area of 100.36 square kilometres (38.75 sq mi) and an estimated population of 100,700 as of 2007. It is part of Brunei-Muara District, the smallest yet most populous district which is home to over 70 per cent of the country's population. It is the country's largest urban centre and nominally the country's only city. The capital is home to Brunei's seat of government, as well as a commercial and cultural centre. It was formerly known as Brunei Town until it was renamed in 1970 in honour of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei and the father of the current Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah.
The prime minister of Brunei is the head of government of Brunei. Concurrently, the title is held by the sultan of Brunei, who as sultan is also the head of state of the country. The prime minister, minister of foreign affairs, minister of finance and economy, and minister of defence are all the Sultan of Brunei. He is Brunei's Supreme Executive Authority in his capacity as the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan. The Privy Council, the Council of Succession, the Religious Council, the Council of Cabinet Ministers, and the Legislative Council support him in carrying out his responsibilities.
Pengiran Jaya bin Pengiran Haji Rajid was a nobleman and the first Brunei local to be appointed as Brunei's Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and appointed as the Brunei High Commissioner to several countries. Notably, he was also a member of the Legislative Council.
Australia and Brunei established diplomatic relations in 1984. Australia has a high commission in Bandar Seri Begawan, and Brunei has a high commission in Canberra.
The Bubungan Dua Belas is located about 1 mile (1.6 km) from south of Pusat Bandar of Bandar Seri Begawan and built in 1907, is a prominent example of Colonial and Malay Vernacular architecture. Originally serving as the official residence a total of 25 British Residents and High Commissioners during Brunei’s colonial period, the building showcases the unique blend of British colonial design with traditional Malay elements. Once a key diplomatic residence, the building is now closed for renovations, marking the end of its functional use while retaining its historical and architectural significance in Brunei’s landscape. Notably, it is one of the oldest buildings in the country.
The Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien College (SOASC), natively known as Maktab Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien (MSOAS), is a government boys' secondary school in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is the first English secondary school in the country. The school is also one of the only three boys' secondary schools nationwide, with the other two being Muda Hashim Secondary School and Ma'had Islam Brunei. The school provides five years of secondary education leading up to GCE 'O' Level and IGCSE qualification.
The Ministry of Development is a cabinet-level ministry in the government of Brunei which is responsible for public works, land use, environment, public housing, and surveying in the sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. It was established immediately upon Brunei's independence from the United Kingdom (UK) on 1 January 1984. It is currently led by a minister, and the incumbent is Muhammad Juanda Abd. Rashid who took office since 7 June 2022. The ministry is headquartered in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
The Istana Darussalam is the former residence of Omar Ali Saifuddien III and birthplace of Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. The palace is located at Jalan Darussalam, Sumbiling Lama, Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. The building has become a tourist attraction and currently under the protection of the Antiquities and Treasure Trove Act of the Museums Department.
Bolkiah Garrison, also referred to as Bolkiah Camp from its original name, is one of the military bases in Mukim Berakas 'A', Bandar Seri Begawan. It contains the main building for the Ministry of Defence (MinDef), and is also the headquarters of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). International defence collaborations, meetings and bilateral exercises are planned and considered within this military base.
Chung Hwa Middle School, Bandar Seri Begawan or colloquially known as Wén Zhōng (汶中), is a co-educational private school located in Kampong Berangan of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. It is known as the country's largest and oldest Chinese private school since its establishment in 1922.
Major Edgar Ord Laird, sometimes referred to as AwangE.O. Laird, was a diplomat and formerly the British High Commissioner to Brunei.
Major Fernley Douglas Webber, sometimes referred to as Awang F.D. Webber, was a British diplomat and formerly the British High Commissioner to Brunei.
Major Arthur Robin Adair, sometimes referred to as Awang A.R. Adair, was a diplomat and formerly the British High Commissioner to Brunei. With nearly four years as High Commissioner for Brunei, he held the record for the longest tenure.
Captain Peter Gautrey DK, sometimes referred to as Dato Utama Peter Gauntrey, was a diplomat and formerly the British High Commissioner to Brunei, Swaziland and Guyana.
Abdul Hapidz bin Haji Abdul Razak, also sometimes referred to as Pehin Hapidz, was a Bruneian aristocrat, politician and businessman who formerly was the managing director of Abdul Razak Holdings (ARH), President of Malay Brunei Darussalam Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1964 to 1999, the director of Laksamana College of Business (LCB), a member of the country's executive council, and legislative council.
Eric Ernest Falk Pretty (1891–1967) or commonly referred to as Dato Pretty, was a civil servant and resident minister who formerly held the position of British Resident to Brunei.
Malai Ahmad Murad bin Syed Haji Mashhor (1943–2004) was a Brunei diplomat who became the ambassador to the Philippines from 1993 to 1996, Japan from 1997 to 2001, United Arab Emirates from 2001 to 2004, and the high commissioner to Australia from 1996 to 1997.
The Istana Banderung Kayangan is a 20th century royal palace that served as the former residence of Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei. The palace is situated in Kampong Tumasek, next to Istana Darul Hana surau and the rear entrance to Istana Nurul Iman. Another name for the palace is Istana Tumasek.
Othman bin Bidin was a Bruneian teacher, renowned for being the first local to serve as principal of the Brunei Malay Teachers' College (MPMB), first principal of the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers College (MPUSB), and member of the Legislative Council in the 1970s. He was a strong advocate for enhancing the role of teachers and played a crucial role in championing their rights and welfare. Alongside other key figures, Othman made significant contributions to the development of Brunei's educational system, particularly through his commitment to improving teaching standards and promoting the value of education in the country.