Yahya Bakar

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

If we squander the Bornean rainforests, we threaten life itself. We must stay focused and commit more resources in order to preserve the last remaining tropical rainforests of the world – especially in the Heart of Borneo (HoB). There is a definite need to ‘reconvene’ the meeting of the Ministers responsible for Forestry from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia to take stock of the achievements so far and to refresh the HoB Declaration mandate after five years of progress on HoB issues. We need to continue to educate the public at large. It is vital to maintain and sustain public interest and momentum in the HoB Initiative as there are many other vested interests that have other more destructive plans for the HoB. Our education sector has the greatest opportunity to truly empower us and our future generations to make a difference.

— Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, World Wide Fund

US-ABC

Minister Yahya together with the delegation from National Commission on Muslim Filipinos in 2015.

On 22 May 2015, Pehin Dato Yahya urged the creation of a Brunei Darussalam-United States Small Business Alliance to aid Brunei in diversifying its economy and developing new markets for products other than oil and gas. He made this remark yesterday during a discussion session for Bruneian SMEs held at the Design and Technology Building in Anggerek Desa and sponsored by the US-Asean Business Council (US-ABC). He also emphasized the necessity for the nation to strengthen the capacities of its SMEs for them to become highly competitive, innovative, and capable of gaining from the globalization process and the TPP, given the strong forces of globalization and the upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). ^[5]

International Day of Forests 2014

During a speech begin by him at the International Day of Forests 2014 Launch Ceremony and the "GREENING THE CITY, SAVING THE PLANET: MAKING A DIFFERENCE, ONE TREE AT A TIME" Program Launch, he emphasized the need to strike a balance between social-economic development and environmental stability, and that the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources has taken several proactive steps to further protect and manage the nation's forest resources. Additionally, the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources will take strategic action to transfer timber harvesting from the forest reserve to the non-forest reserve or stateland forests in the Inter Riverine Zone (also known as IRZ) between the Belait and the Tutong Rivers in order to ensure that the forest resources are conserved. This strategy, known as the "Tree Farmland Concept," will mix logging and harvesting with replanting and reforestation activities. ^[6]

Other appointments

Throughout his career, he has also held several key positions such as the acting chairman of the board of directors of Brunei Investment Agnecy (BIA), member of the Brunei Oil and Gas Authority (BOGA), member of the board of directors of Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Company, member of the board of directors of the Semaun Holding Company, member of the board of directors of the Semaunprim Company, member of the board of directors of SEIWA Enterprise, member of the board of directors of SEAGRO, and member of the board of directors of SEMAUN SEAFOOD. ^[7]

Personal life

Yahya is married to Datin Dayang Hajjah Norlina binti Dato Haji Abu Bakar, ^[8] and together they have 5 children; 2 sons and 3 daughters. ^[7] He is also the younger brother of Dato Abdullah Bakar, former Minister of Communications. ^[9] Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Captain (Retired) Dato Abdul Rahman is another sibling of his. ^[10] His hobbies are reading and playing badminton. ^[7]

Honours

Yahya was bestowed the manteri title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable) Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama on 11 July 1996. Moreover, he has earned the following honours; ^{[3] [7]}

National

See also: Orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei

• Order of Setia Negara Brunei First Class (PSNB; 15 July 2006) – Dato Seri Setia ^[11]
• Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB; July 1998) – Dato Seri Paduka
• Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 15 February 1999)
• Excellent Service Medal (PIKB; 1989)
• Long Service Medal (PKL)

Foreign

•   United Kingdom
  • Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO; 1992)
•   France
  • Commander of the Legion of Honour (1997)

References

1. "Pehin Dato Yahya Bakar, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, : Interview – Asia 2014 – Oxford Business Group". 30 November 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
2. "H.E. Minister Pehin Dato Yahya Bakar". Forests Asia. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
3. "Keluaran Khas Sempena Pelantikan Menteri-Menteri Kabinet dan Timbalan-Timbalan Menteri" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 12 June 2010. p. 4.
4. "Brunei's Minister Pehin Yahya Bakar urges renewed commitment to the preservation of rainforests". wwf.panda.org. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
5. "US-ASEAN Business Council | Minister Calls for Brunei, US Small Business Alliance". US-ASEAN Business Council. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
6. "SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE PEHIN ORANG KAYA SERI UTAMA DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI YAHYA BIN BEGAWAN MUDIM DATO PADUKA HAJI BAKAR, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Brunei Darussalam at THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS 2014 and THE LAUNCHING OF "GREENING THE CITY, SAVING THE PLANET: MAKING A DIFFERENCE, ONE TREE AT A TIME" PROGRAMME" (PDF). Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
7. "BRUNEIresources.com – Yang Berhormat Pehin Dato Haji Yahya". www.bruneiresources.com. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
8. "Warm hospitality our common trait, says Brunei minister". Borneo Post Online. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
9. Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 14. ISBN   978-0-8108-7078-9.
10. "Permanent and Deputy Permanent Secretaries in Brunei (21 November 2016)". Permanent and Deputy Permanent Secretaries in Brunei (21 November 2016). Retrieved 11 August 2023.
11. "Brunei Honours 2006". Brunei Honours 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2023.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Yahya Bakar CVO PSNB SPMB
يحي بكر
Minister Yahya in 2015
3rd Minister of Industry and Primary Resources
In office 22 August 2008 –22 October 2015

Political offices
Preceded by Ahmad Jumat	3rd Minister of Industry and Primary Resources 22 August 2008 – 22 October 2015	Succeeded by Ali Apong
Preceded by Office established	1st Minister of Energy 24 May 2005 – 22 August 2008	Succeeded by Mohammad Daud

External links

• Interview with Pehin Dato Yahya Bakar