Minister of Health replaced
His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam delivered his titah last evening. Image courtesy of Hakim Hayat of Borneo Bulletin.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah reminds those entrusted with rank or authority not to use them to oppress others.
The Monarch says oppression or tyranny will never be allowed in Brunei Darussalam because it an enemy of the country and there will be no compromise in dealing with it. His Majesty emphasises the matter in a Titah in conjunction with Prophet Muhammad’s Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam birthday celebration which was broadcast by Radio Television Brunei earlier this evening. In the titah, His Majesty also reminds that any effort to dispute or belittle the Maulid Ar-Rasul Shallallahu ‘alaihi Wasallam will face legal action not simply advise or religious propagation. Source: RTB News
By command of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, it is hereby announces that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to the appointment of Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Dr Haji Md Isham bin Jaafar, Executive Director, Medical Director and Member of the Board of Jerudong Park Medical Centre, Jerudong, as Minister of Health to replace Yang Mulia Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi.
I know of Dato Paduka Dr Haji Md Isham through his work at Jerudong Park Medical Centre as I have covered a few of JPMC events with his presence. He is a very dedicated worker and many have commended him of his leadership for JPMC.
Dato Dr Isham graduated from Dundee University, Scotland in 1995. Following his housemanship in Dundee, he worked at Glasgow University as a lecturer, teaching Anatomy. Then, he proceeded to do his surgical rotation in England before returning to Brunei. From his vast experience in General Surgery, he later specialized in Cardiothoracic Surgery in the biggest cardiac hospital in region, Institute Jantung Negara (IJN). Following that he did his Fellowship at Papworth Hospital Cambridge, United Kingdom. He has been a consultant in Brunei since 2005.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and most of the racquet sports (badminton, tennis and table tennis).
Yang Mulia Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi was sworn in as the Minister of Health on the 22nd October 2015. That meant he would only have served two years as a Minister for the Brunei Government. It’s perhaps the shortest duration for a ministerial post that I have came across. I knew him during his UBD Vice-Chancellor’s days. He was promoted to Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education before being appointed as the Minister of Health in 2015.
The replacement has come to a shock to myself and many others as the usual reshuffling of the cabinet ministers happens every 5 years which is supposedly in 2020. With the sudden replacement, it’s an indication for better things in moving forward. I believe Dato Dr Isham will do a great job in his new role and level up with the rest of the ministries.
Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Dr Haji Md Isham bin Jaafar is the newly appointed Minister of Health. Image courtesy of Danial Norjidi of Borneo Bulletin.
By command of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty has also consented to the appointment and transfer of the following senior officers:
Yang Mulia Awang Haji Abdul Manap bin Othman, Director General of Public Service Department, Public Service Department as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health to replace Yang Mulia Awang Haji Zakaria bin Haji Serudin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health who has been transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as Senior Special Duties Officer. Yang Mulia Dr. Awang Hazri bin Haji Kifle, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health has been transferred to the Ministry of Education as Director of Planning, Development and Research: and
Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Dr. Dayang Hajah Maslina binti Haji Mohsin, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health has been transferred to the Ministry of Religious Affairs as Senior Special Duties Officer. The appointment of the Minister of Health as well as the appointment and transfer of the said officers are effective from Friday, 1st of December 2017.
This meant that all the higher positions in the Ministry of Health have been replaced.
Tags: MOH, Health, government, His Majesty