Yahya Ibrahim

Yahya bin Ibrahim (21 August 1939 – 14 March 2022), pen name Yahya M.S., was a nobleman, poet and politician from Brunei who served as the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs from 1986 to 2005, and the Chief Syar’ie Judge. He had a career in the government service of Brunei, in which he held a number of important positions such as being a member of the Privy Council of Brunei. Additionally, he was considered one of the first to write Islamic poetry in the country.

Early life and career
In Kampong Lurong Sikuna, Yahya was born on 21 August 1939. He was fluent in Malay, English, and Arabic. From 1955 to 1958, he attended the Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah in Singapore for his education. He then continued his education from 1958 to 1963 at the Kolej Islam Malaya in Klang, Selangor. At Al-Azhar University in Egypt, he pursued his studies from 1965 to 1967, earning a Master of Arts in the Department of Arabic Studies.

Career
There was a lot of reading and understanding required in Brunei's lengthy but poorly organised religious primary school curriculum, which contributed to many children failing their exams. This alteration affected both the textbooks that were utilized starting in the middle of the 1970s as well as the religious elementary school curriculum. Officers Zain Serudin, Yahya Ibrahim, and Amin Abdul Rahim contributed to the textbooks' authoring. Pehin Yahya authored Kaedah Belajar Al-Quran. On 1 June 1971, he was among the members selected to be a part of the Legal Committee and Judicial Committee and Muslim Religious Council for two years. In addition, he was first appointed as a member of the Privy Council up until 1984, and the Vice President of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council until 1975.

The International Seminar of Islamic Laws follows the Sultan's titah on 15 March during the Islamic Religious Council Conference and 15 July 1996, according to Syarie Chief Justice Pehin Yahya in his welcome speech. Pehin Yahya has been reappointed by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to the Privy Council in his individual capacity, effective as of 9 April 2015. The news was announced in a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office on the 11th. He was also a member of the Seri Begawan Teachers University College's committee.

Death
According to the community, Alumni of Al-Azhar Brunei Darussalam announced his death on 14 March 2022. The jenazah prayer was conducted at his home at Jalan Madang, Kampong Manggis Dua.

Books
Pehin Yahya has also used the aliases Maya Borneo, Madah Satria, Yusra Hariry, and Ani Seroja in addition to Yahya M.S.



Personal life
Pehin Yahya has a daughter named Dayang Hajah Siti Mahyana, Head of Islamic Development Division. In addition, his residence is located in Kampong Manggis, Bandar Seri Begawan.

Awards

 * S.E.A Write Award (1987)
 * Mastera Literary Award (2005; 2021)
 * Anugerah Kesusasteraan Islam (2008)
 * 9th Hadiah Sastera Mastera (8 October 2021)

Honours
Pehin Yahya was given the manteri title of Yang Berhormat (The Honourable) Pehin Siraja Khatib. Additionally, he has earned the following honours:
 * BRU_Islamic_Religious_Order_of_the_State_of_Brunei.svg Order of Islam Brunei First Class (PSSUB) – Dato Paduka Seri Setia; Second Class (DSSUB); Third Class (SSUB)
 * Long_Service_Medal_(PKL).jpg Long Service Medal (PKL)