Ahmad bin Haji Isa (/ˈɑːmæd/) is a Bruneian lawyer who is the incumbent eighth Attorney General of Brunei from 2020 to 2024.[1] He practices in the fields of criminal prosecution and defense work, aviation, international law, business and commercial law, banking, real estate, joint ventures, and intellectual property.[2] He is also the chairman of the International School Brunei (ISB) Board of Directors,[3] the director of AEGIS Secure Solutions,[4] and member of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) council.[5] In November 2022, he was appointed Vice President of the Brunei Darussalam Swimming Association (BDSA).[6]
Ahmad Isa | |
---|---|
احمد عيسى | |
![]() Dato Ahmad in 2024 | |
8th Attorney General of Brunei | |
In office 6 October 2020 – 29 February 2024 | |
Monarch | Hassanal Bolkiah |
Preceded by | Hairol Arni |
Succeeded by | Nor Hashimah Taib |
Personal details | |
Born | Brunei |
Spouse | Faridah Yussof |
Children | Nur 'Azizah |
Parent(s) | Isa Ibrahim (father) Rosnah Abdullah (mother) |
Relatives |
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Alma mater | |
Profession | Lawyer |
Signature | ![]() |
Education
editAhmad graduated from the United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) and obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Law from the University of Kent, United Kingdom from 1982 to June 1985. He began work as a counsel and deputy public prosecutor at the Attorney General's Chamber from Sep 1985 to November 1990. He graduated from Universiti Malaya in Malaysia in 1986 with a Certificate of Legal Practice, and in 1987 he was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam. In 1994, he was chosen to serve as a Commissioner of Oaths.[2]
Career
editAhmad held the positions of Counsel and Deputy Public Prosecutor, Deputy Registrar of Trade Marks, Deputy Registrar of Companies, and Deputy Registrar of Business Names in the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) between 1985 and 1990. He was attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in addition to his responsibilities in the AGC from 1986 until October 1990.[7] In November 1990, after leaving the government, he joined Douglas Lind Ahmad Isa & Co. as a partner. Douglas Lind Ahmad Isa & Co. and Ibrahim Chee & Co. amalgamated to establish Ahmad Isa Lee & Lind in January 1992. In November 1997, Ahmad Isa Lee & Lind became Ahmad Isa & Partners.[2]
According to a broadcast on Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB) on 5 October 2020 night, Ahmad has been named the next attorney general of Brunei. He succeeds Dato Hairol Arni, who was replaced as interim attorney general in July by Zuraini Sharbawi. On 27 July, the Sultan's ministry unexpectedly terminated the latter's services without giving a reason.[7] On 6 October 2020, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah officially appointed him.[2]
Along with representatives from 30 Commonwealth member nations, Attorney General Ahmad attended the High-Level Meeting of the Commonwealth Law Ministers on 18 February 2021. The primary legal issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Commonwealth, including ensuring that everyone has access to justice, upholding the rule of law in the fight against the pandemic, and the legal obstacles to equitable access to life-saving medications, including vaccines and equipment, were on the agenda.[8]
As part of the S R Nathan Fellowship, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan invited Dato Ahmad Isa to visit Singapore from 15 to 17 February 2023. Lawrence Wong, Teo Chee Hean, Vivian Balakrishnan, and Edwin Tong all met with Dato Ahmad. Additionally, he has meetings with Sundaresh Menon and Lucien Wong planned. He went to briefings on the legal system, took tours of the Supreme Court, the Singapore Intellectual Property Office, the National University of Singapore's Faculty of Law, and the Centre for International Law.[9][10]
On 28 February 2024, it was officially announced that he would be succeeded by Nor Hashimah, and would come into effect on the following day.[11]
Personal life
editAhmad is the son of nobleman Pehin Dato Isa and Datin Rosnah,[7] this makes him the grandson of Pehin Dato Ibrahim. He is married to Faridah Yussof,[12] and they have a daughter named Nur 'Azizah, the first female president of the Law Society of Brunei.[13]
Honours
editAhmad has earned the following honours;
- Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB) – Dato Seri Paduka (15 July 2022)[14]
References
edit- ^ "History". www.agc.gov.bn. 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Chair – ALA Brunei Darussalam - ASEAN Law Association". www.aseanlawassociation.org. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Paduka Haji Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Isa". International School Brunei. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "AEGIS Celebrates 20 Years Anniversary". aegis.com.bn. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "Council - Universiti Brunei Darussalam". ubd.edu.bn. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ Fadhil Yunus (29 November 2022). "National swimming governing body renamed to BDSA". borneobulletin.com.bn. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Ain Bandial (5 October 2020). "Brunei sees appointment of new Attorney General". thescoop.co. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ Fadley Faisal (19 February 2021). "Attorney General joins Commonwealth meet on legal challenges". Borneo Bulletin Online. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "Visit of Yang Berhormat Dato Ahmad Isa, Attorney General of Brunei Darussalam, 15-17 February 2023". indiplomacy.com. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "Visit of Yang Berhormat Dato Ahmad Isa, Attorney General, Brunei Darussalam, under the S R Nathan Fellowship, 15 to 17 February 2023". www.mfa.gov.sg. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "New appointment of Attorney General". borneobulletin.com.bn. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Ms KAKUTA Hiromi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam". Embassy of Japan in Brunei Darussalam. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Brunei welcomes first female Law Society president". borneobulletin.com.bn. 4 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Nooratini Haji Abas (15 July 2022). "23 PENERIMA DIKURNIAKAN BINTANG-BINTANG KEBESARAN NBD" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 7 June 2024.
External links
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