Dato Setia Haji Abdul Hapidz bin Haji Abdul Razak (August 1930 – 16 July 2022), also sometimes referred to as Pehin Hapidz,[1][2] was a Bruneian nobleman, politician and businessman who formerly was the managing director of Abdul Razak Holdings (ARH),[3] President of Malay Brunei Darussalam Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1964 to 1999,[4][5] the director of Laksamana College of Business (LCB),[6][7] a member of the country's executive council,[8] and legislative council.[9][10]
Abdul Hapidz | |
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عبدالهاڤيذ | |
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President of Barisan Kemerdekaan Rakyat | |
In office August 1966 – 1967 | |
Member of Legislative Council | |
In office 1965 – 12 April 1970 | |
Monarch | Hassanal Bolkiah |
Personal details | |
Born | August 1930 Brunei |
Died | 16 July 2022 (aged 92) Brunei |
Other political affiliations | BARIP (1940s) PRB (1956–1962) PBKR (1966–1967) |
Occupation |
|
Known for | Managing director of Abdul Razak Holdings Director of Laksamana College of Business |
Early life and education
editAbdul Hapidz was born to into a privileged family in August 1930. He attended Pekan Brunei Malay School.[11]
Political career
editAbdul Hapidz was a member of the Barisan Pemuda (BARIP) movement in the 1940s. He then established the Persatuan Murid-Murid Tua (MUTU), in 1947 with sociocultural goals. He was selected to serve as Parti Rakyat Brunei (PRB)[12] treasurer from 1956 to 1958 and Deputy President from 1958 to 1962. He was elected in the August 1962 elections to the Legislative Council, and in September 1962, he was nominated to the Executive Council.[11] Despite this, he was jailed until the end of May 1963, despite not having involvement in the Brunei revolt. He was one of the political prisoners from the uprising who was released from prison to promote political engagement in the Sultanate.[13]
Abdul Hapidz proceed to win a legislative seat as an independent candidate in the 1965 elections.[11] He would go on to become the president of the Barisan Kemerdekaan Rakyat (PBKR) party in August 1966, previously expressed publicly his wish for Brunei to become a part of Malaysia.[13]
Once, Tunku Abdul Rahman informed the British High Commissioner to Brunei that either himself or Tun Abdul Razak would deal with Abdul Hapidz and provide him a higher position if he could bring Brunei into Malaysia, in the event that the Gurkha battalion departed from Brunei. Three of the political party's leading figures of the BAKER party, including Abdul Hapidz, resigned in September 1969. All stated personal (commercial) reasons for their resignations, although it was well known that they did so because they were no longer working to see Brunei's democratic system of government put into place.[13]
Business career
editHe was among the 7 founding family members of the ARH on 5 October 1978. Property development and hotel management are ARH's main businesses. ARH is one of Brunei's largest private property developers in the sector of real estate. They possessed commercial and residential buildings totaling roughly up to 2,200,000 square feet (200,000 m2) that have been constructed. During his ownership, a number of milestones were accomplished, including the completion of the Mile One complex in 1979, the inaugural project for ARH; the completion of Abdul Razak Plaza in 1986; the opening of Brunei's first ever bowling arena, Utama Bowling Centre in 1987; Porchester Court in London, England, was purchased by ARH, who turned it into exclusive apartments in 2000.[14][15]
He established Laksamana College in 2003 to teach and expose the next generation of Bruneians to the business world. The cornerstone of their existence has always been the development of entrepreneurs. He made a founding statement to Business Icon 2011 as follows:[2]
I believe that it is important to send out a message and ensure the next generation of people know what business is and find it enjoyable. This is one of the most important reasons why I decided to set up Laksamana College of Business.
— Pehin Orang Kaya Ratna Hapidz Setia Dato Setia Hj Awang Abdul Hapidz bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laksamana Hj Awang Abdul Razak, Business Icon 2011
An event called a "Royal Concert" including well-known performers from Brunei and Malaysia took place at Jerudong Park Amphitheater as part of the 59th birthday festivities of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Pehin Abdul Hapidz, the chairman of the organizing committee for the Fireworks Display and Decoration, revealed on 23 June 2005.[16] On 9 July 2006, Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah agreed to perform the ceremonial opening of the Rizqun International Hotel and The Mall shopping complex in Gadong. The chairman and managing director of Abdul Razak Holdings, Pehin Abdul Hapidz, welcomed the prince when he arrived.[17] As the Deputy Chief Commissioner of Persekutuan Pengakap Negara Brunei Darussalam (PPNBD), he noted that camping activity provides an opportunity for scouts to practice their knowledge obtained through scouting activities, during the 22nd Brunei National Scouts Camp, which ended on 22 March 2017.[18]
Personal life
editPehin Hapidz is the son of nobleman, Pehin Orang Kaya Laksamana Haji Awang Abdul Razak was married to Datin Munira binti Dato Haji Yunus. Moreover, he is also the brother of Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Di Raja Haji Mohd. Noor.[14] His residence is located at Jalan Elia Fatimah, Kampong Kiarong.[19]
On 17 April 2012, his wife passed away at the age of 49, in Singapore. She was brought back to Brunei soon after and prayers were conducted at her residence in Kampong Kiarong prior to her burial.[20][unreliable source?] He died on 16 July 2022.[21][unreliable source?] For him, the staff and students of LCB held a Tahlil prayer.[22]
Legacy
editNamesakes
edit- Jalan Pehin Dato Haji Awang Hapidz, a road in Gadong.
- Jambatan Pehin Dato Haji Awang Hapidz, a bridge in Gadong.
Honours
editDato Hapidz was bestowed the manteri title of Yang Dimuliakan (The Exalted One) Pehin Orang Kaya Ratna Setia by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on 24 April 2004, making him a member of manteri.[23] Moreover, he has been awarded the following honours;[24]
- Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB; 15 July 2006) – Dato Setia[25]
- Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB; 1984) – Dato Paduka[11]
- Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
References
edit- ^ "Pehin Hapidz". YES Inspire | Magazines. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ a b "About | Laksamana College of Business". lcbliveweb. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-8108-7078-9.
- ^ Brunei Darussalam. Department of Information, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei Darussalam. 1985. p. 8.
- ^ "DPPMB". dppmb.com.bn. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "Wawasan Brunei 2035 – Economic Strategy". www.wawasanbrunei.gov.bn. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ "Tahlil for dearly departed". Borneo Bulletin. 31 August 2022.
- ^ Office, Great Britain Colonial (1963). The Colonial Office List. H.M. Stationery Office. p. 102.
- ^ Brunei (1961). Annual Report on Brunei. Printed at the Brunei Press. p. 177.
- ^ Brunei (1964). Annual Report on Brunei. p. 177.
- ^ a b c d Mohamad Yusop Damit (1995). Brunei Darussalam 1944–1962: Constitutional and Political Development in a Malay-Muslim Sultanate. University of London 1995. pp. 400–401.
- ^ Horton, A.V.M. (2001). "Review of Historical dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. [Asian/Oceanian Historical Dictionaries 25.]". Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde. 157 (1): 192. ISSN 0006-2294. JSTOR 27865712.
- ^ a b c "BRUNEI'S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN 1966 AND 1984: CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES OVER ITS SECURITY AND SURVIVAL". docplayer.net. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ a b "OUR HISTORY". www.arhbrunei.com. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-8108-7078-9.
- ^ "Sultanate – News | Negara Brunei Darussalam | Royal Concert to enliven Sultan's b'day celebration". www.sultanate.com. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Sultanate – News | Negara Brunei Darussalam | Crown Prince opens hotel, mall". sultanate.com. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Camping helps scouts give back what they learnt". borneo363.rssing.com. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "Keluaran Khas Sempena Pelantikan Menteri-Menteri Kabinet dan Timbalan-Timbalan Menteri" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 12 June 2010. pp. 5–6.
- ^ "Pehin Hapidz's Wife Passes Away". BruDirect. 17 April 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ "إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ". kasakita.interiors. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ Othman, Azlan (30 August 2022). "Tahlil for dearly departed". lcbliveweb. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ "Empat lagi dikurniakan gelaran Pehin Manteri" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 28 April 2004. p. 1.
- ^ "MANTERI 16" (PDF). Adat Istiadat. 4 December 2019. p. 6.
- ^ Sonia K; Lyna Mohammad (16 July 2006). "His Majesty awards titles, medals to 56". sultanate.com. Retrieved 11 March 2023.