Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof

Halbi bin Mohammad Yussof (Pehin Datu Lailaraja lieutenant General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohammad Yussof); born June 22, 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.

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

On August 11, 1975, Halbi enlisted in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) (Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei, ABDB), then known as the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR) (Askar Melayu Diraja Brunei, AMDB).

Following completion of six months basic training, on 6 February 1976, Halbi became an Officer Cadet whilst attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, England, in the United Kingdom.

On 7 April 1977, he graduated from the Standard Military Course No 13 at Sandhurst, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

From 1 February 2001 to 14 March 2003, Brigadier General Halbi became the fourth commander of the Royal Brunei Land Forces (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 Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces, Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, and discussed improving the relations of both countries via bilateral military relationships.

He alongside Yasmin Umar and Abdul Halim Mohd Yussof visited recently arrived RSS Steadfast (70) 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 inspection of the Guard of Honour.

The handover ceremony between Halbi and Aminuddin Ihsan was held at Tutong Camp, Tutong on 31 December 2009.

Halbi has attended the following military training courses and staff colleges:

Halbi was promoted to the following ranks during his military service in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF):

During his military service, Halbi has held the following commands or offices of appointment within the, or relating to Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF):

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.

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 Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF).

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, 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 Defense 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.