View source for Yasmin Umar

{{Short description|Bruneian politician (born 1956)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}{{Use British English|date=May 2024}}
{{Malay name|Mohammad Yasmin|Umar|note=on}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    = [[Malay styles and titles#Honorary styles|Yang Dimuliakan]] [[Manteri|Pehin Datu Singamanteri]] [[Colonel|Colonel (Retired)]] [[Malay styles and titles|Dato Seri Setia]]
| name                = Yasmin Umar
| honorific_suffix    = [[Order of Setia Negara Brunei|PSNB]] [[Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei|SPMB DPMB SMB]] [[Pingat Hassanal Bolkiah Sultan|PHBS]] [[Order of Sikatuna|GCrS]]
| native_name         = {{No bold|ياسمين عمر}}
| image               = Yasmin Umar, 2013 (cropped).jpg
| caption             = [[Minister (government)|Minister]] Yasmin in 2013
| office              = 3rd [[Ministry of Energy (Brunei)|Minister of Energy]]
| monarch             = [[Hassanal Bolkiah]]
| term_start          = {{Start date|2010|05|29|df=y}}
| term_end            = {{End date|2018|01|30|df=y}}
| predecessor         = [[Mohammad bin Daud|Mohammad Daud]]
| successor           = [[Mat Suny]]
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Other positions|titlestyle=border:1px dashed lightgrey}} {{Infobox officeholder|embed=yes
|office1         = 2nd [[Ministry of Defence (Brunei)|Deputy Minister of Defence]]
|minister1       = Hassanal Bolkiah
|termstart1      = {{Start date|2005|05|24|df=y}}
|termend1        = {{End date|2010|05|29|df=y}}
|successor1      = [[Mustappa bin Sirat|Mustappa Sirat]]
|predecessor1    = [[Pengiran Ibnu Basit]]
|office2         = Member of [[Legislative Council of Brunei|Legislative Council]]
|term_start2     = {{Start date|2004|09|06|df=y}}
|term_end2       = {{End date|2005|05|24|df=y}}
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1956|04|23|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Tungkadeh]], [[Brunei Town]], [[Brunei]]
| alma_mater          = {{Ubil|[[Anthony Abell College]]|[[University of Wales]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BSc]])|[[Loughborough University]] ([[Master of Science|MSc]])}}
| profession          = {{flatlist|
*Engineer
*military officer
*politician}}
| allegiance          = {{Flag|Brunei}}
| branch              = {{Navy|Brunei}}
| serviceyears        = 1981–1988
| rank                = [[File:14.RBrN-COL.svg|20px|alt=]] [[Colonel]]
| commands            = {{Ubil|Directorate of Strategic Planning|Director of Logistics|Director of Intelligence and Security}}
}}
'''Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar''' (born 23 April 1956) is a Bruneian aristocrat, politician and retired military officer who held the positions of [[Ministry of Energy (Brunei)|Minister of Energy]] from 2010 to 2018 and [[Ministry of Defence (Brunei)|Deputy Minister of Defence]] from 2005 to 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sultanate.com/news_server/2008/1_feb_1.html|title=HRH Prince General in working visit to RBN|website=Sultanate.com|access-date=2023-02-28}}</ref>
==Early life and education==
Yasmin was born on 23 April 1956.  In the 1970s, he studied at [[Anthony Abell College]] in [[Seria]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=1972|title=Anthony Abell College Annual Magazine 1972|url=https://aacclassof1970.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1972-aac-yearbook.pdf|website=AACclassof1970.wordpress.com|pages=81, 85|access-date=2024-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1972-01-05|title=Keputusan Penoh Perereksaan L.C.E.|url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1972/5%20januari%201972.pdf|website=PelitaBrunei.gov.bn|page=6|access-date=2024-04-11}}</ref>  His [[Bachelor of Science]] ([[Honours degree|Hons]]) in Electronics degree from the [[University of Wales]] in the United Kingdom (UK) was awarded to him on 12 July 1979.  He continued on to the [[Loughborough University|University of Loughborough]] (also in the UK) to pursue a [[Master's degree]] in Digital Communication Systems, and on 1 December 1981, he received his Master of Science from the faculty of [[Electrical and electronic engineering]].  On 25 June 1986, the [[Institution of Chartered Engineers]] presented him with the certified [[Chartered Engineer (UK)|Chartered Engineer]] (C Eng) insignia.  On 28 April 2008, he has been a Fellow of the [[Institute of Engineering and Technology]] (IET) in the United Kingdom.  He has also taken classes, seminars, and workshops in the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Japan, and the United States.  The 22nd Army Staff Course Division 1 at the [[Royal Military College of Science]] (RMCS), United Kingdom, in 1987; the Defence Research Fellow Exchange Programme at the National Institute of Defence Studies, Japan, in 1991; and the [[Australian Defence College|Defence College]], Australia, in 1999 are a few examples.<ref name=MinisterOfEnergy>{{Cite web|url=https://www.information.gov.bn/SitePages/Minister%20of%20Energy.aspx|title=Minister of Energy|website=Information Department}}</ref>
==Military career==
Yasmin joined the [[Royal Brunei Armed Forces]] (RBAF / ABDB)  as an [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned officer]], and on 9 November 1981, he was promoted to [[Lieutenant]].  He has held a variety of positions in the fields of policy, [[Management|corporate management]], logistics, and strategy.  He began his career as an [[Engineer officer|engineering officer]], and was first employed by the [[Royal Brunei Navy]] (RBN / TLDB) as a weapons engineering officer.  He was appointed Senior Engineering Officer to lead the Naval Engineering Department on 1 April 1988.  On 14 September 1990, he was appointed Head of Research in the Defence Minister's Office and Directorate of Strategic Planning (DMO / DSP).  Two years later, he accepted a position as a [[Staff (military)|Staff Officer]] Grade 1 Maintenance at the Directorate of Logistics, where he was in charge of creating the maintenance guidelines for equipment used by the armed forces.  He was reassigned to DMO / DSP on 2 May 1994, to fill a Staff Officer Grade 1 position.  He was named Director of Intelligence and Security on 14 July 1995, and he held that position through December 1998.<ref name=MinisterOfEnergy/>
==Political career==
Yasmin was appointed by [[Hassanal Bolkiah|Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah]] as an official member of the [[Legislative Council of Brunei|legislative council]] on 6 September 2004, and on 24 May 2005, he was appointed [[Ministry of Defence (Brunei)|deputy minister of defence]] at the Sultan's direction.  He was appointed as the [[Prime Minister's Office (Brunei)|Prime Minister's Office's]] Minister of Energy since 29 May 2010.<ref name=MinisterOfEnergy/>  He warned foreign businesses doing business in Brunei not to obstruct investigations into allegations of wrongdoing.  He reiterated the government's policy of having no tolerance for corruption, and added that such criminals had no place in Brunei on 3 November 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zero tolerance for corruption|url=https://btarchive.org/news/national/2016/11/04/zero-tolerance-corruption|website=btarchive.org|access-date=2023-08-21}}</ref>
On 7 May 2017, the [[Politics of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabian government]]'s [[Ministry of Energy (Saudi Arabia)|Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources]], [[Khalid A. Al-Falih|Khalid Al-Falih]], paid Yasmin a courtesy call to further strengthen the close relationship and cooperation between Brunei and the Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Berita – Brunei – Arab Saudi terokai kerjasama dua... |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Lists/Berita/NewDisplayForm.aspx?ID=10229&ContentTypeId=0x0100BC31BF6D2ED1E4459ACCF88DA3E23BA8|trans-title= |language=ms|website=PelitaBrunei.gov.bn|access-date=2023-02-28}}</ref>  He criticised [[Brunei Shell Petroleum|Brunei Shell Corporation]], the nation's largest oil and natural gas producer, for enabling big businesses to dominate energy contracts at the detriment of [[small and medium-sized enterprises]] (SMEs).  To encourage the growth of SMEs in the nation's energy industry, he called for better openness and quicker vendor registration.<ref>{{Citation|last=Bower|first=Ernest Z.|date=2011-11-09|title=Two Models for Integrating Asia: A Must Win for President Obama|url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/two-models-integrating-asia-must-win-president-obama-0}}</ref>
==Controversies==
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced a significant government overhaul in the last few days of January 2018.  Two years had passed since the last restructuring.  [[Council of Cabinet Ministers|Cabinet]] changes typically take place every five years.  Six of the nation's senior ministers were replaced by him.  The former Minister of Energy was a defendant in a Brunei Shell [[lawsuit]] for $45&nbsp;million.  According to Amrtur Corporation, its contracts were broken by the government and Shell Brunei.  Between 2012 and 2016, it reported a loss in [[revenue]].  While serving as Minister, Yasmin was a member of the board of Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP).  The Sultan made reference to a [[conflict of interest]] like this in his speech.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-19|title=The underlying reason behind Brunei's cabinet reshuffle|url=https://www.aseantoday.com/2018/02/the-underlying-reason-behind-bruneis-cabinet-reshuffle/|website=ASEANToday.com|publisher=ASEAN Today|access-date=2023-08-21}}</ref>
A letter before action was filed by Amrtur Corporation, a provider of drill pipes and other services to the oil sector, asserting a $45&nbsp;million claim against Brunei Shell's operation.  According to reports, the decision was brought on by budget cuts brought on by the drop in oil prices.  One of the twelve defendants, along with Pehin Yasmin, is Shell.  The assertion is claimed to have gained widespread attention on social media as a consequence of a letter about the disagreement being leaked.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Donovan|first=John|date=2017-08-08|title=$45m claim against Shell Brunei involving another leak|url=https://royaldutchshellplc.com/2017/08/08/45m-claim-against-shell-brunei-involving-another-leak/|website=RoyalDutchShellplc.com|access-date=2023-08-21}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Yasmin married Datin Hajah Noryasimah binti Abdullah on 5 August 1983, and they had a daughter together.<ref name=MinisterOfEnergy/>
==Honours==
[[File:160929-D-GO396-391 (29934958061).jpg|thumb|Pehin Yasmin meeting [[United States Secretary of Defense|U.S. Secretary of Defense]], [[Ash Carter]] in 2016|alt=|188x188px]]
On 1 May 2010, he was awarded the Fellow of Pertubuhan Ukur Jurutera & Arkitek Brunei.  Pehin Yasmin Umar received the DUBC medal for his efforts in fostering the strong defence connections between [[Brunei–Singapore relations|Singapore and Brunei]] while serving as Brunei's deputy [[Ministry of Defence (Brunei)|Defence Minister]] from 2005 to 2010.<ref name=MinDef.gov.sg>{{Cite web|title=Top military award conferred on Bruneian Energy Minister|url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2011/june/2011jun16-news-releases-01283/|website=MinDef.gov.sg|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Singapore)|Ministry of Defence]], Government of Singapore|date=16 Jun 2011|access-date=6 May 2024}}</ref>  He was bestowed the [[Manteri]] title of ''Yang Berhormat'' ([[The Honourable]]) ''Pehin Datu Singamanteri''.  Moreover, he has earned the following honours;<ref name=MinisterOfEnergy/>{{See also|Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei}}'''National'''
*[[File:BRU Order of the Crown of Brunei.svg|50px|alt=]] [[Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei]] First Class (SPMB; 15 July 2006) – ''Dato Seri Paduka'';<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sonia K |last2=Lyna Mohammad |date=2006-07-16 |title=His Majesty awards titles, medals to 56 |url=http://sultanate.com/news_server/2006/16_jul_2.html |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=sultanate.com}}</ref> Second Class (DPMB; 15 July 2003);<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-07-16 |title=22 orang dikurniakan Bintang kebesaran |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2003/16%20JULAI%202003.pdf |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |page=VI |language=ms}}</ref> Third Class (SMB)
*[[File:BRU Order of Loyalty to the State of Brunei.svg|50px|alt=]] [[Order of Setia Negara Brunei]] First Class (PSNB; 15 July 2011) – ''Dato Seri Setia''<ref name="adat-istiadat">{{Cite web |title=Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara – Senarai Ahli majlis Mesyuarat Adat Istiadat (2014–2015) |trans-title= |url=https://www.adat-istiadat.gov.bn/SitePages/Senarai%20Ahli%20majlis%20Mesyuarat%20Adat%20Istiadat%20(2014-2015).aspx |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=adat-istiadat.gov.bn}}</ref>
*[[File:Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal.gif|50px|alt=]] [[Pingat Hassanal Bolkiah Sultan|Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal]] First Class (PHBS; 15 July 2010)<ref name="adat-istiadat" />
*[[File:Sultan's Silver Jubilee Medal (1992).gif|50px|alt=]] Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
*[[File:Sultan's Golden Jubilee Medal (2017).jpg|50px|alt=]] Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal (5 October 2017)
*[[File:BRU Independence Medal ribbon.png|50x50px]] Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)
*[[File:Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal.jpg|50px|alt=]] Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal (31 May 1986)
*[[File:Royal Brunei Armed Forces Golden Jubilee Medal.jpg|50px|alt=]] Royal Brunei Armed Forces Golden Jubilee Medal (31 May 2011)
'''Foreign'''
*{{Flag|Singapore}}:
**[[File:Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) ribbon.png|50px|alt=]] [[Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)]] (DUBC; 16 June 2011)<ref name=MinDef.gov.sg/>
*{{Flag|Jordan}}:
**[[File:Order of Independence - Grand Cordon (Jordan).png|50px|alt=]] Grand Cordon of the [[Order of Independence (Jordan)|Order of Independence]] (13 May 2008)
*{{Flag|Philippines}}:
**[[File:PHI Order of Sikatuna 2003 Grand Cross BAR.svg|50px|alt=]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of Sikatuna]] (GCrS; 24 August 2008)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Deputy Minister of Defence conferred the Philippine Order of Sikatuna|url=https://www.mindef.gov.bn/airforce/Lists/News_Test/DispForm.aspx?ID=1700|website=MinDef.gov.bn|publisher=[[Royal Brunei Air Force]]|date=24 August 2008}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://www.siew.gov.sg/media/5qs-interviews/detail/5-questions-with-yang-berhormat-pehin-minister-of-energy-at-the-prime-minister%27s-office-of-brunei-darussalam 5 questions with Yang Berhormat Pehin]
{{S-start}}
{{S-off}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Mohammad bin Daud|Mohammad Daud]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=3rd [[Ministry of Energy (Brunei)|Minister of Energy]]|years=29 May 2010 – 30 January 2018}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Mat Suny]]}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Pengiran Ibnu Basit]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=2nd [[Ministry of Defence (Brunei)|Deputy Minister of Defence]]|years=24 May 2005 – 29 May 2010}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Mustappa bin Sirat|Mustappa Sirat]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{Current Brunei Cabinet}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Umar, Yasmin}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Bruneian Muslims]]
[[Category:Government ministers of Brunei]]
[[Category:Members of the Legislative Council of Brunei]]
[[Category:Bruneian military personnel]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Wales]]
[[Category:Alumni of Loughborough University]]
[[Category:Grand Cordons of the Order of Independence (Jordan)]]
[[Category:Bruneian colonels]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Institution of Engineering and Technology]]