Abdul Rahman Taib

Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Mohamed Taib (born 5 December 1942) is a nobleman and politician from Brunei who served as Speaker of Legislative Council since February 2015. He also took on the role of representing the Brunei Government In matters pertaining to trade, commerce, and education in regional and international organizations.

Early life and education
He was born on 5 December 1942. His education degrees include; Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Malaya in 1966, Advanced Course in Management and Diplomacy, University of Oxford, United Kingdom in 1978, Doctor of Law, honoris causa, University of Hull, United Kingdom in 1991, Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, University of Brunei Darussalam in 1996, and lastly a Honorary Fellowship of the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff in 2010.

Career
From 1966 to 1980, he worked in the Administrative Office in the Department of Government Secretary, Senior Administrative Officer for His Majesty's Advisor, Director of Personnel and Head of Diplomatic Service. Moreover, he was also a Member of the Council of Ministers, the Royal Council and the National Council. He became Minister of Development from 1 January 1984 to 21 October 1986 and State Secretary from 1980 to 1984. Abdul Rahman was the Minister of Education twice from 21 October 1986 to 30 November 1988 and from 24 May 2005 to 29 May 2010, making him the 2nd and 4th minister of that ministry respectively. Additionally, he was the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources from 30 November 1988 to 24 May 2005.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Legislative Council of Brunei was signed on 19 February 2019, by Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko and Legislative Council of Brunei Speaker Abdul Rahman. During the signing ceremony, she stated that this agreement was a significant step in preserving and enhancing ongoing communications between the parliamentarians of the two nations. Abdul Rahman emphasized that the agreement considers the interests of both the Russian and Bruneian people.

The ability of ASEAN to overcome and successfully address the difficulties it will encounter in the future depends on its unity and centrality. While attending the First Plenary Session of the 43rd ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Abdul Rahman provided an explanation of the situation. Additionally, he said that it is impossible to predict how COVID-19 will affect the economy, health, and education, so it needs to be given the utmost attention.

Personal life
Abdul Rahman is the son of a politician, Dato Setia Taib bin Besar, State Secretary of Brunei in the 1960s.

Honours
On 3 December 1981, he was given the manteri title of Yang Dimuliakan (The Exalted One) Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan. It would then be upgraded to Pehin Orang Kaya Lela on 1 April 2004. He has earned the following awards;


 * BRU_Order_of_Loyalty_to_the_State_of_Brunei.svg Order of Setia Negara Brunei First Class (PSNB) – Dato Seri Setia
 * BRU Order of Merit of Brunei.svg Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Third Class (SLJ)
 * Sultan_Hassanal_Bolkiah_Medal.gif Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)
 * Pingat_Jasa_Kiebaktian_(PJK).gif Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
 * Long_Service_Medal_(PKL).jpg Long Service Medal (PKL)
 * BRU_Independence_Medal_ribbon.png Proclamation of Independence Medal (10 March 1997)
 * Pingat Pertalaban Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.gif Coronation Medal (1 August 1968)
 * Sultan's Golden Jubilee Medal (2017).jpg Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal (5 October 2017)
 * Sultan's Silver Jubilee Medal (1992).gif Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
 * Brunei National Day Jubilee Medal.jpg National Day Silver Jubilee Medal (23 February 2009)