# Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof

Halbi bin Haji Mohammad Yussof (born 22 June 1956) is a Bruneian aristocrat, politician and retired military officer who is the incumbent Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II. He is a former member of the Legislative Council of Brunei, and previously served as the Minister of Defence II from 2018 to 2022, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports from 2015 to 2018, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), and Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF).

## Early life

Halbi was born in Kampong Kilanas near Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam on 22 June 1956. He is married to Datin Hajah Kalshom binti Haji Suhaili.

## Military career

On 11 August 1975, Halbi enlisted in the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR), now known as the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). On 6 February 1976, after completing six months of basic training, he was enrolled at the British Army's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in England, United Kingdom, and was made an officer cadet. After completing Sandhurst's Standard Military Course No. 13, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 7 April 1977.
From 1 February 2001 to 14 March 2003, Brigadier General Halbi became the fourth commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF). In 2004, he oversaw the Brunei Defence White Paper, along with its update in 2007. On 8 January 2005, he received a farewell call from the Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces, Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, and discussed improving the relations between the two countries via bilateral military relationships. He, along with Yasmin Umar and Abdul Halim Mohd Yussof, visited the recently arrived RSS Steadfast at Muara Naval Base during the opening ceremony of Exercise Pelican on 3 June 2008. After that, on 10 November 2009, Major General Halbi made his last visit to Singapore, which was concluded with a meeting with Desmond Kuek and an inspection of the Guard of Honour. The handover ceremony between Halbi and his successor, Aminuddin Ihsan, was held at Tutong Camp, Tutong on 31 December 2009.

### Military courses

Halbi has attended the following military training courses and staff colleges:
* Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, England, United Kingdom – initial officer training, Standard Military Course No 13, 6 February 1976 to 7 April 1977
* Platoon Commanders' Battle Cadre, United Kingdom, 1982
* Manpower and Security Officers' Course, Singapore, 1984
* Junior Staff Course, Malaysia, 1985
* Overseas Joint Warfare, Australian Defence College, Australia, 1987
* All Arms Tactic Course, United Kingdom, 1987
* Command and Staff College, Quetta, Pakistan, 1989
* Royal College of Defence Studies, Seaford House, London, England, 2000

### Ranks and promotions

When Halbi was serving in the RBAF, he was promoted to the following ranks:
* Second Lieutenant, 7 April 1977
* Brigadier General, 21 November 2002
* Major General, 1 March 2003

### Appointments and commands

Halbi has served in the RBAF and held the following positions of leadership or appointment throughout his military service:
* Military Assistant to the Commander of the RBAF
* Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion RBLF
* Staff Officer Grade 1 (SO1) Operations Directorate of Operations and Plans
* Acting Director of the Directorate of Strategic Planning of the Minister of Defence Office
* 4th Commander of the RBLF, 1 February 2001 to 14 March 2003
* 7th Commander of the RBAF, 28 March 2003

## Political career

In 2010, Halbi was appointed Brunei's High Commissioner to Malaysia. In the 2010 Bruneian cabinet reshuffle on 29 May, he was appointed the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Home Affairs, which he would hold until the 2015 Bruneian cabinet reshuffle on 22 October, in which he would be reappointed to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. On 18 November 2015, Minister Halbi met with Khairy Jamaluddin during the ASEAN+ Young Leaders Summit in order to tighten relationship between Brunei and Malaysia, to find ways to improve youth development and sports in both countries. Following a cabinet reshuffle on 30 January 2018, Halbi has been appointed the Second Minister in the Ministry of Defence.
In response to the 2017–2018 North Korea crisis on 11 February 2018, Minister Halbi and Erywan Yusof agreed with Taro Kono to apply pressure on North Korea, including the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions during the 45th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Later on 14 August, he made an introductory visit to Singapore, meeting Ng Eng Hen with the aim to strengthen the relationships of Brunei and Singapore. The 16th International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao was greeted by Minister Halbi at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines, during his visit to Manila on 30 August 2019.
On 7 June 2022, during the national cabinet reshuffle televised by the Sultan, Halbi was appointed the newly incumbent Minister at the Prime Minister's Office. Japan's Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi congratulated Halbi on his newly appointed position, followed up by raising concerns on regional security, the issues caused by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine in international order, and strengthening of relationships between the two nations militarily on 21 June 2022. As the acting Minister of Health on 25 July, he noted the downward trend in COVID-19 cases in Brunei.

## Honours

National
* Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Third Class (SMB; 1986)
* Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang First Class (DPKT) – Dato Paduka Seri (15 July 2003)
* Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal First Class (PHBS; 15 July 2010)
* Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
* Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal (31 May 1986)
* General Service Medal
* Long Service Medal and Good Conduct (PKLPB)
* Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)
Foreign
* Indonesia:
** Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (BYD; 20 December 2004)
** Honorary Member of the Indonesian Marine Corps (21 December 2004)
** Honorary Member of Kopassus (September 2002)
** Honorary Fist Class Pilot Wing (9 November 2006)
** Honorary Member of Korpaskhas (9 November 2006)
* Jordan:
** Grand Cordon of the Order of Independence (13 May 2008)
* Malaysia:
** Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PGAT; 30 November 2004)
** Honorary Member of the 10th Parachute Brigade (7 September 2007)
* Pakistan:
** Hilal-e-Imtiaz (28 June 2006)
** Pakistan Command and Staff College Centenary Medal (2006)
* Philippines:
** Commander of the Philippine Legion of Honor (CLH; 24 May 2006)
** Philippine Army Combat Commander's Badge (27 November 2009)
** Philippine Navy Command-At-Sea Badge (27 November 2009)
** Philippine Air Force Gold Wing Badge (27 November 2009)
* Singapore:
** Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) (PJG; 26 October 2002)
** Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (DUBC; 23 November 2004)
* Thailand:
** Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (PM (GCCT); 27 July 2009)