# Aminuddin Ihsan

Aminuddin Ihsan bin Haji Abidin (born 23 July 1966) is a retired Bruneian commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) who serves from 2009 until 2014 and also the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) from 2018 until 2022. Additionally, he led the first Bruneian contingent attached to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao.

## Early life and education

Aminuddin Ihsan was born on 23 July 1966 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in civil engineering and a Master of Arts (MA) degree in military studies. He later attended courses such as the United Nations Military Observer (UNMO) and Staff Officer Course, the Battalion Tactics Course and the Joint Staff Course in the United Kingdom. It is notable that he obtained fellowship while in the Australian Defence College's Defence & Strategic Studies Course.

## Military career

On 19 September 1988, he was officially commissioned into the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF) as a lieutenant. Aminuddin took up many positions during his military career such as a platoon leader of Company 'D' 1st Battalion (1Bn RBLF), troop leader of the Auxiliary Battalion, commanding officer in the Infantry Battalion, deputy commanding officer and commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion (2Bn RBLF), Commander of the Training Institute Royal Brunei Armed Forces (TI RBAF) and the Commander of the RBLF. He was a key figure in the founding of the Defence Academy RBAF in September 2008.
As part of his internationally tour of duty, Colonel Aminuddin led Brunei's IMT contingent Batch 1 in 2004–2005 to observe the progress of the negotiations for peace between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. On 13 October 2008, the Brunei contingent commander, along with four other former leaders and thirty-six members of the team, including him, received plaques and certificates of appreciation from the Philippine government for their assistance in keeping an eye on the peace process in Mindanao.
On 31 December 2009, he was appointed as the 8th Commander of the RBAF by succeeding Major General Halbi. Dato Aminuddin would then be succeeded by Mohammad Tawih on 29 January 2014.

## Political career

After retirement from the military, Dato Aminuddin carried out diplomatic tasks as the Brunei High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 15 May 2014 until 30 January 2018. On 12 November 2014, Queen Elizabeth II received credentials from high commissioner Aminuddin at Buckingham Palace, London. On 24 April 2017, Aminuddin Ihsan was named the 2017 Diplomat of the Year from Asia category during the Tata DIPLOMAT magazine Awards Ceremony.
On 30 January 2018, Dato Aminuddin became the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports after an announcement regarding the cabinet reshuffle was made by the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. After another cabinet reshuffle on 7 June 2022, he would then be succeeded by Nazmi Mohamad as the Minister.

## Personal life

Dato Aminuddin is married to Datin Nurhayana Janis binti Abdullah @ Janice Lim Liau Yan and they have three children together. He is the son of the late nobleman, Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abidin.

## Awards and honours
### Awards

* 2017 Diplomat of the Year from Asia (24 April 2017)

### Honours
#### National

* Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang First Class (DPKT; 15 July 2010) – Dato Paduka Seri
* Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Third Class (SMB; 2003)
* Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 2007)
* Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
* General Service Medal
* Long Service Medal and Good Conduct (PKLPB)
* Royal Brunei Armed Forces Golden Jubilee Medal (31 May 2011)

#### Foreign

* Philippines:
** Combat Commander’s Badge (2005)
* Singapore:
** Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) (PJG; 9 June 2010)
** Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (DUBC; 12 April 2012)
* Indonesia:
** Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (BYD; 22 August 2011)
* Malaysia:
** Courageous Commander of the Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera (PGAT; 4 October 2011)
* Thailand:
** Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (PM; 26 August 2011)