Ya'akub Zainal

Dato Paduka Seri Haji Ya'akub bin Dato Paduka Haji Zainal (born 5 July 1941) is a Bruneian nobleman, politician and former police officer who served as the police commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) from 1997 to 2001, and member of Legislative Council (LegCo) from 2011 to 2015. Notably, he is the advisor of Retired Personnel of the Royal Brunei Police Force Association (POLSARA).

Early life and education
On 5 July 1941, Ya'akub is born in the Bruneian village of Kampong Lurong Dalam of Kampong Ayer. He had his early education at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College after attending Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Malay School (SMJA) to grade 5. He first began work as a Clerk Grade 'B' in the Department of Studies in the government of Brunei on 9 March 1961.

Police career
Ya'akub received approval to join the RBPF as a probationary inspector on 6 June 1962. Following his completion of basic training, he was posted to the Kuala Belait police station, specifically serving as the chief of police station's assistant. After serving in the police force for 39 years, he retired on 5 July 1996, with the title of deputy commissioner. On 11 March 1997, he returned to the service and served as police commissioner. He would officially be replaced on 9 April 2001, despite Abdul Rahman Johan was the acting police commissioner since 4 May 2000.

Political career
Borneo Bulletin formally declared on 31 May 2011, that he will join the Legislative Council, effective 1 June. He traveled from Brunei as part of the delegation to the 20th Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Japan from 8 to 12 January 2012, and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in September 2011.

Pehin Ya'akub proposed establishing halal product factories in Brunei during the 11th LegCo Meeting in March 2015, expecting government allocation of funds to ensure both national benefit and citizen welfare. He presented ideas and opinions on 18 March, regarding the creation of a national fund and the replacement of the current Brunei Museum with a new structure in Bandar Seri Begawan. On 23 March, he cited the migration of Kampong Ayer people to the mainland as a major element in the water village's decline. He noted a noticeable migration of locals in search of land for National Housing Scheme homes.

Personal life
Pehin Ya'akub is the son of a nobleman, Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Dato Paduka Haji Zainal.

Honours
Pehin Ya'akub is bestowed the manteri title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable) Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Kerna on 17 April 2004. He has earned the following honours:

National

 * Ordine_del_Famoso_Valore_(Brunei).png Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang First Class (DPKT) – Dato Paduka Seri
 * BRU_Order_of_Merit_of_Brunei.svg Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Second Class (DSLJ) – Dato Seri Laila Jasa
 * Pingat_Bakti_Laila_Ikhlas_(PBLI).gif Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI)
 * Pingat_Jasa_Kiebaktian_(PJK).gif Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
 * Medal_for_Service_to_State_(Brunei).jpg Excellent Service Medal (PIKB)
 * Brunei_Police_Long_Service_Medal.jpg Police Long Service Medal (PKLP)
 * Sultan's_Silver_Jubilee_Medal_(1992).gif Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
 * Police General Service Medal.jpg General Service Medal (Police)

Foreign

 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia:
 * MY Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara (Defender of the Realm) - SMN.svg Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (JMN)
 * 🇸🇬 Singapore:
 * Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang ribbon (from 1996).png Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (DUBC; 23 August 1999)