Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof

Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohammad Yussof (born 22 June 1956) is a Bruneian nobleman, military officer, and politician, who currently serves as a Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Defence II. He is a former member of the Legislative Council of Brunei, and previously served as the Minister of Defence II from 2018 to 2022, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports from 2015 to 2018, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), and Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF).

Early life
Halbi was born in Kampong Kilanas near Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam on 22 June 1956.

Military career
On 11 August 1975, Halbi enlisted in the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR), now known as the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). On 6 February 1976, after completing six months of basic training, he was enrolled at the British Army's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in England, United Kingdom, and was made an officer cadet. After completing Sandhurst's Standard Military Course No. 13, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 7 April 1977.

From 1 February 2001 to 14 March 2003, Brigadier General Halbi became the fourth commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF). In 2004, he oversaw the Brunei Defence White Paper, along with its update in 2007. On 8 January 2005, he received a farewell call from the Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces, Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, and discussed improving the relations between the two countries via bilateral military relationships. He, along with Yasmin Umar and Abdul Halim Mohd Yussof, visited the recently arrived RSS Steadfast at Muara Naval Base during the opening ceremony of Exercise Pelican on 3 June 2008. After that, on 10 November 2009, Major General Halbi made his last visit to Singapore, which was concluded with a meeting with Desmond Kuek and an inspection of the Guard of Honour. The handover ceremony between Halbi and his successor, Aminuddin Ihsan, was held at Tutong Camp, Tutong on 31 December 2009.

Military courses
Halbi has attended the following military training courses and staff colleges:
 * Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, England, United Kingdom – initial officer training, Standard Military Course No 13, 6 February 1976 to 7 April 1977
 * Platoon Commanders' Battle Cadre, United Kingdom, 1982
 * Manpower and Security Officers' Course, Singapore, 1984
 * Junior Staff Course, Malaysia, 1985
 * Overseas Joint Warfare, Australian Defence College, Australia, 1987
 * All Arms Tactic Course, United Kingdom, 1987
 * Command and Staff College, Quetta, Pakistan, 1989
 * Royal College of Defence Studies, Seaford House, London, England, 2000

Ranks and promotions
When Halbi was serving in the RBAF, he was promoted to the following ranks:
 * Second Lieutenant, 7 April 1977
 * Brigadier General, 21 November 2002
 * Major General, 1 March 2003

Appointments and commands
Halbi has served in the RBAF and held the following positions of leadership or appointment throughout his military service:
 * Military Assistant to the Commander of the RBAF
 * Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion RBLF
 * Staff Officer Grade 1 (SO1) Operations Directorate of Operations and Plans
 * Acting Director of the Directorate of Strategic Planning of the Minister of Defence Office
 * 4th Commander of the RBLF, 1 February 2001 to 14 March 2003
 * 7th Commander of the RBAF, 28 March 2003

Political career
In 2010, Halbi was appointed Brunei's High Commissioner to Malaysia. On 30 May 2015, he was appointed the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Home Affairs, which he would hold until 21 October 2015, in which he would be reappointed to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. On 18 November 2015, Minister Halbi met with Khairy Jamaluddin during the ASEAN+ Young Leaders Summit in order to tighten relationship between Brunei and Malaysia, to find ways to improve youth development and sports in both countries. During an official televised announcement by the Sultan on 30 January 2018, it became known that Halbi had been appointed the Second Minister in the Ministry of Defence.

In response to the 2017–2018 North Korea crisis on 11 February 2018, Minister Halbi and Erywan Yusof agreed with Taro Kono to apply pressure on North Korea, including the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions during the 45th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Later on 14 August, he made an introductory visit to Singapore, meeting Ng Eng Hen with the aim to strengthen the relationships of Brunei and Singapore. The 16th International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao was greeted by Minister Halbi at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines, during his visit to Manila on 30 August 2019.

In June 2022, during the national cabinet reshuffle televised by the Sultan, Halbi was appointed the newly incumbent Minister at the Prime Minister's Office. Japan's Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi congratulated Halbi on his newly appointed position, followed up by raising concerns on regional security, the issues caused by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine in international order, and strengthening of relationships between the two nations militarily on 21 June 2022. As the acting Minister of Health on 25 July, he noted the downward trend in COVID-19 cases in Brunei.

Honours
National Foreign
 * Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Third Class (SMB).jpg Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Third Class (SMB; 1986)
 * Ordine del Famoso Valore (Brunei).png Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang First Class (DPKT) – Dato Paduka Seri (15 July 2003)
 * Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal.gif Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS)
 * Sultan's Silver Jubilee Medal (1992).gif Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
 * Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal.jpg Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal (31 May 1986)
 * Brunei General Service Medal.png General Service Medal
 * Brunei_Long_Service_Medal.jpg Long Service Medal and Good Conduct (PKLPB)
 * BRU Independence Medal ribbon.png Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia:
 * Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (Indonesia).png Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (BYD; 20 December 2004)
 * Honorary Member of the Indonesian Marine Corps (21 December 2004)
 * Honorary Member of Kopassus (September 2002)
 * Honorary Fist Class Pilot Wing (9 November 2006)
 * Honorary Member of Korpaskhas (9 November 2006)
 * 🇯🇴 Jordan:
 * Order of Independence - Grand Cordon (Jordan).png Grand Cordon of the Order of Independence (13 May 2008)
 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia:
 * The Gallant Order of Military Service - Courageous Commander (Malaysia).svg Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PGAT; 30 November 2004)
 * Honorary Member of the 10th Parachute Brigade (7 September 2007)
 * 🇵🇰 Pakistan:
 * Hilal-e-Imtiaz.png Hilal-e-Imtiaz (28 June 2006)
 * Pakistan Command and Staff College Centenary Medal (2006)
 * 🇵🇭 Philippines:
 * PHI Legion of Honor 2003 Commander BAR.svg Commander of the Philippine Legion of Honor (CLH; 24 May 2006)
 * Philippine Army Combat Commander's Badge (27 November 2009)
 * Philippine Navy Command-At-Sea Badge (27 November 2009)
 * Philippine Air Force Gold Wing Badge (27 November 2009)
 * 🇸🇬 Singapore:
 * Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) ribbon.png Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) (PJG; October 2002)
 * Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) ribbon.png Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (DUBC; 23 November 2004)
 * 🇹🇭 Thailand:
 * Order of the Crown of Thailand - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (PM (GCCT); 27 July 2009)