Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim (born 31 October 1954) is a Bruneian aristocrat, civil servant and politician who serve as a member of the Legislative Council of Brunei (LegCo) since 2023.
[1] He completed his primary and secondary education at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College before pursuing higher studies at the University of Hull, United Kingdom, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in economics in 1978.
In 2000, he was appointed permanent secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, and in 2001, he returned to MoF in the same role while simultaneously holding the position of acting managing director of the Brunei Investment Agency.
[6] Abdul Rahman's ministerial career began on 20 September 2004, when he was appointed deputy minister of finance with the consent of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, succeeding Yakub Abu Bakar.
[10] On 11 October, he urged the banking industry to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)in Brunei by offering accessible financial plans to reduce the nation's dependence on the oil and gas sector and encourage expansion in other economic areas.
[15] On the same day, he explained that the increase in the budget for the PMO was due to the special salary adjustment introduced in June 2006, the hiring of additional personnel, particularly in the police force, and several ongoing projects such as maintenance.
[19] Later, on 8 December, he commended Brunei's progress in global competitiveness, attributing the achievements to the sultan's leadership, while outlining initiatives to strengthen the financial sector, attract talent, and lower corporate taxes to boost investment.
[21] During the sixth session of LegCo on 15 March 2010, Abdul Rahman presented the 2010/2011 budget, focusing on defence, public safety, social welfare, poverty reduction, food security, private sector growth, and human capital development.
[27] During the eighth session of LegCo on 4 March 2012, Abdul Rahman discussed the government's ongoing efforts since 1984 to improve civil servants' financial well-being through bonuses, pay raises, and allowances such as housing, education, and transport subsidies.
[30] Abdul Rahman attended a royal audience at Istana Nurul Iman on 22 August 2013, where ministers and delegation leaders from Trans-Pacific Partnership member nations, as well as the Crown Prince and senior officials were present.
[31] At the 10th session of LegCo on 13 March 2014, Abdul Rahman presented MoF's budget for the 2014–2015 fiscal year, focusing on priorities such as food security, public sector efficiency, and national financial management.
[33] In May, Abdul Rahman became the 43rd Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow,[34] and in December, he signed three MoUs with South Korea in Seoul, covering agriculture, education, and fiscal matters, attended by both the sultan and President Park Geun-hye.
[39] During the 13th session of LegCo on 7 March 2017, Abdul Rahman introduced the 2017/2018 Supply Bill, highlighting priorities such as prudent spending, productivity, business promotion, human capital development, and public welfare, with a proposed expenditure of $5.3 billion and a continuing budget deficit.
He also discussed efforts to diversify the economy, attract investment, support small businesses, and launched the i-RDY initiative to boost productivity and job prospects for local graduates.
He highlighted the potential benefits of RKN 12 in improving living standards, economic growth, and attracting FDIs, and proposed issuing homestay permits or visas for up to ten years to boost international investment.
[51] On 10 April 2004, Abdul Rahman was honoured by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah with the manteri title of Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia, bearing the style Yang Dimuliakan.