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| Allahyarham Yang Dimuliakan Orang Kaya Lela Raja Dato' Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman |
A truly heart wrenching news when the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), received the solemn news on 7 July, 2019 that ISDEV Advisor, Almarhum Yang Dimuliakan Orang Kaya Lela Raja Dato' Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abdul Karim had passed away that day. ISDEV founder, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh and former ISDEV Director, Associate Professor Dr Zakaria Bahari, representing USM and ISDEV respectively, were in Negara Brunei Darussalam when the heartbreaking news on his passing away was received.
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| Prof Syukri at the burial grounds. |
Having a magnanimous personality and renowned for his generosity, it was difficult to grasp that ISDEV had to finally bid farewell to its advisor that has served ISDEV splendidly well. A brilliant man known for his love for books, reading as well as a man with a very critical mind combined with the extraordinary gift of writing but deeply rooted within Islamic worldview based on Islamic epistemology, had inspired the hearts of many ISDEV members. A man of exceptional characters.
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| His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. |
Apart from Ministers and Brunei dignitaries, even His Majesty the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddin Sa'adul Khairi Waddein as well as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, were there to pay their last respects to the late Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Raja Dato' Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman which also received coverage in the official media of that country.
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| The write up of the official media in Negara Brunei Darussalam. |
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| The coverage made by Borneo Bulletin on 9 July, 2019. |
ISDEV news takes this opportunity to share a brief write up on Allahyarham Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Raja Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman Bin Haji Abdul Karim (1943 - 2019) that was received by ISDEV members from the Rector of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Negara Brunei Darussalam.
He was born on 9 January 1943 at Kampung Ujung Bukit, Brunei Town (presently known as Bandar Seri Begawan).
He receive his early education at Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Malay School and Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien College (both in Bandar Seri Begawan), he then continued his studies at the London School of Economic and the London University.
He received his Degree in Economic Studies in 1970. He tthen continued his Post Graduate Studies in Economic Development in Tokyo, Japan in 1972; and also at University of Manchester, United Kingdom in 1977.
With his background traced from a family with business background, the late Pehin was appointed as the Director of Financial Services and Managing Director of the Brunei Investment Agency. He was known tto those who know him and his family as a generous businessman who always contributed or the sake of other people. He was described "seorang hartawan dan ahli perniagaan yang pemurah dan banyak membantu orang-orang yang memerlukan."
On his service to the nation, He was appointed as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance in October 1986, and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence in December 1991.
After his retirement, the late Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Raja Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman was appointed as the Managing Director of Islamic Bank of Brunei.
He was bestowed the title of Pehin Manteri 32 as Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Raja in May 1996, and was also awarded the Most Distinguished Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa (2nd Class) or Dato Seri Laila Jasa; the Most Distinguished Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa (3rd Class); and the Meritorious Service Medal (PJK).
The late Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Raja Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman passed away on 7 July 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand at the age of 76. was laid to rest at the Ranggas cemetery near the capital.
It is ardently prayed that Allah SWT places
Almarhum Yang Dimuliakan Orang Kaya Lela Raja Dato' Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abdul Karim among the victorious and among those whom Allah SWT love. Aamiin.
Al-fatihah.
