Abidin Abdul Rashid

Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin bin Abdul Rashid (10 August 1939 – 22 November 2010) was a Bruneian nobleman and politician whom formerly served as the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs from 1986 to 2002, and a member of the Privy Council.

Education
Abidin was born on 10 August 1939 in Kampong Danau, Tutong District. He attended Danau Malay School from 1948 to 1952, Seria English School from 1953 to 1955, and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College from 1956 to 1957 to pursue his education. In 1962–1963, he graduated with a Public Administration Special Course Certificate from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and in 1966–1967, he did the same at Manchester University in England.

Career
On 6 April 1957, Abidin began his first employment with the government as an official in the Information Department. He joined Brunei Administration Services (BAS) as a Cadet Officer two years later. As a top government servant, he was elevated to many administrative positions such as the Acting District Officer of Temburong and Assistant District Officer of Belait. He became an acting District Officer of Temburong from 8 November 1961 to 4 April 1962. He subsequently became the District Officer of Temburong after Pengiran Besar bin Pengiran Kula was killed during the Brunei revolt in December 1962.

He served as Senior Administrative Officer from 1963 to 1974 before being named Land Transport Controller from 1974 to 1979. As Brunei representatives, him alongside Pengiran Abdul Momin attended the United Nations (UN) seminar focusing on human rights for developing countries held in Kabul, Afghanistan from 12 to 18 May 1964. He served as the financial secretary to the Coronation Administrative Committee in 1968. From 1979 to 1986, he held the positions of National Registration Commissioner, Registration Status of Citizenship Controller, and Immigration Controller.

After retiring from public service, Pehin Abidin was appointed as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs from 21 October 1986 to 9 August 2002. On 6 September 2002, a notification under number GN 799/2003 of the Laws of Brunei came into force. Pehin Isa held a farewell ceremony and presented him a gift for his service on 30 August that same year, at the same time welcoming his successor, Adanan Yusof.

By the command of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Pehin Abidin was appointed as a member of the Legislative Council of Brunei on 5 September 2002.

Death
He passed away at 71 on 22 November 2010, at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital. At Pehin Abidin's home in Kampong Lambak 'A' on 22 November 2010, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, and Sultan Hassannal Bolkiah attended his funeral. Abdul Aziz Juned, the State Mufti, led the funeral prayer. Following the conclusion of prayers, the Sultan and others assisted in lifting the coffin before it was driven away in a hearse. He was buried in Kampong Kiarong's Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Cemetery.

Personal life
Abidin is the son of nobleman, Orang Kaya Perwira Abdul Rashid. He was married to Datin Hajah Fatimah binti Dato Seri Setia Abang Haji Razali and together they have six children; including Faaizah, Abdullah Soefri, Aminuddin Ihsan and Affendy. His siblings included Badaruddin and Rashidah.

Datin Hajah Fatimah binti Dato Abang Haji Razali was the joint Vice President of Persatuan Siswazah Wanita (Women Graduates' Association of Brunei); President of Women's Council of Brunei. Her father, Abang Haji Razali bin Abang Haji Zainuddin was a Muslim magistrate (kathi) in Belait District in the 1950s and Brunei-Muara in the 1960s. He has been bestowed SMB in 1966 and DSSUB in 1990.

Titles and honours
Abidin was bestowed the manteri title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable) Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok. has earned the following honours;
 * Ordine_della_Corona_del_Brunei_(Brunei).png Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB; 1999) – Dato Seri Paduka ; Second Class (DPMB; 1979); Third Class (SMB; 1970)
 * Omar_Ali_Saifuddin_Medal.jpg Omar Ali Saifuddin Medal Second Class (POAS; 9 August 1967)
 * Sultan's_Silver_Jubilee_Medal_(1992).gif Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
 * Pingat_Jasa_Kiebaktian_(PJK).gif Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 2 June 1976)
 * Pingat_Pertalaban_Haji_Hassanal_Bolkiah.gif Coronation Medal (1 August 1968)
 * Sultan_Hassanal_Bolkiah_Medal.gif Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)
 * Long_Service_Medal_(PKL).jpg Long Service Medal (PKL)