Abdul Rahman Taha

Abdul Rahman bin Haji Mohammad Taha (27 April 1930 – 16 July 2005) was a Bruneian aristocrat and civil servant who served as the long-time chairman of the Public Service Commission (SPA) and held key roles, including Privy Councillor and member of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB). He was also part of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III's entourage during the 1962 hajj pilgrimage.

Early life and education Abdul Rahman was born on 27 April 1930, in Kampong Sungai Kedayan, Brunei Town. He was the son of Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Haji Mohd. Taha, a member of the aristocracy. He received his early education at the Brunei Town Malay School and later pursued studies at the Royal College of Art in London, driven by his passion for handicrafts.

Career From the founding of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation (YSHHB) in 1992 until 2001, Pehin Abdul Rahman served as its chairman. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah personally thanked him for his contributions to the YSHHB in a titah (speech), praising his leadership and commitment in its founding. He also played a significant role in establishing the Dana Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah for Orphans, serving as chairman of the board of trustees from its inception in 1998 for three years. Institute of Islamic Studies, Department of Scholarship Committee, and the legal committee for MUIB.

At the age of 75, Pehin Abdul Rahman died in Bandar Seri Begawan on 16 July 2005, at 8:00 p.m. while his brother, Mohd Nawawi, served as the personal and confidential secretary to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah until 2023. His children have also made significant achievements: Ahmad Morshidi served as a Legislative Councillor from 2011 to 2015 and is a businessperson; Mohammad Hanafi is the founder of Hanafi Konsaltan and the president of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam; and Mohammad Mahdi was permanent representative of Brunei to the United Nations in Geneva from 2014 to 2019.

Titles, styles and honours Titles and styles The Sultan have conferred several Manteri titles to Abdul Rahman as a way of honouring the contributions and dedication that he provided to the monarch and the nation. These titles include: 11 June 1970 – 12 April 1975: 12 April 1975 – 19 April 1979: 19 April 1979 – 24 August 1992: 24 August 1992 – 16 July 2005:

Honours

Foreign United Kingdom: