Sidek Ali Explained

Honorific Prefix:His Excellency Dato Paduka
Sidek Ali
Honorific Suffix:DPMB
Office:High Commissioner of Brunei to Singapore
Term Start:29 September 2020
Predecessor:Saifulbahri Mansor
Office1:High Commissioner of Brunei to India
Term Start1:16 May 2008
Term End1:2020
Predecessor1:Abdul Ghafar Ismail
Successor1:Alaihuddin Taha
Office2:Ambassador of Brunei to Laos
Term Start2:2006
Term End2:2008
Successor2:Johan Thani Abdullah
Birth Place:Brunei
Spouse:Mariaratnah Mohd Apong
Children:5

Sidek bin Ali is a Bruneian diplomat who formerly held the position of ambassador to Laos from 2006 to 2008, high commissioner to India from 2008 to 2020, and Singapore since 2020.[1]

Diplomatic career

In 1979, Sidek started working for the Ministry of Education as an education officer in the Brunei Civil Service. When Brunei gained independence in 1984, the Diplomatic Service Department, which he had joined in 1981, changed its name to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1997 to 1999, he was stationed in the Bruneian Embassy in Indonesia. Between 2006 and 2008, he served as Brunei's ambassador to Laos.[2] In March 2006, he welcomed Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah and Princess Sarah during their state visit to Laos.[3]

India

From 2008 until 2020, he served as Bruneian high commissioner to India. During his tenure in India, he served as both the non-resident ambassador of Brunei to Nepal[4] and the non-resident high commissioner of Brunei to Sri Lanka.[5] When Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his delegation arrived at Palam Air Force Station on 20 December 2012, he welcomed them.[6] He escorted Datin Romaizah to the 2018 ASIAN Summit on Education & Skills (ASES) in New Delhi.[7] On 28 February 2019, Brunei's representative, Dato Sidek, signed the Agreement for the Exchange of Information and Assistance in Collection with regard to Taxes (TIEA) between India and Brunei.[8] He also participated in the 2019 India ASEAN Expo and Summit on behalf of Brunei.[9]

Singapore

As the newly appointed high commissioner to Singapore, Dato Sidek had a meeting with Al-Muhtadee Billah on 9 December 2020.[10] On 29 September, he gave President Halimah Yacob his letter of credence during a ceremony held at the Istana. On 24 to 25 August 2022, he hosted Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Queen Saleha during their state visit to Singapore.[11] On 18 July 2023, the Supreme Courts of Singapore and Brunei Darussalam signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve cooperation, communication, and coordination on matters pertaining to the avoidance and settlement of disputes.[12]

Personal life

Datin Mariaratnah binti Haji Mohd Apong and Sidek are married, and together they have five children.

Honours

Sidek has earned the following honours;

National

Foreign

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Home . 2024-05-07 . www.mfa.gov.bn.
  2. Web site: Borneo Bulletin . 2006-01-15 . Two new Brunei envoys appointed . 2024-05-08 . sultanate.com.
  3. Web site: 2006-03-25 . Their Royal Highnesses end their three-day official visit to Laos . 2024-05-08 . sultanate.com.
  4. Web site: Brunei Darussalam – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA . 2024-05-07 . mofa.gov.np.
  5. Web site: 2020-09-29 . Presentation of Credentials, 29 September 2020 . 2024-05-07 . www.mfa.gov.sg . en.
  6. Web site: 2012-12-20 . Their Majesties Arrive In India . 2024-05-07 . Borneo Post Online . en-US.
  7. Web site: Dk Siti Farhana Binti Pg Hj Yusof . 2018-04-10 . Deputy Minister of Education Attend ASIAN Summit on Education & Skills (ASES) 2018 New Delhi India . 2024-05-07 . www.moe.gov.bn.
  8. Web site: 2019-03-04 . High Commission of India, Brunei Darussalam : Important Notice/Alerts . 2024-05-07 . www.hcindiabrunei.gov.in.
  9. Web site: 2019-02-21 . FICCI : Industry's Voice for Policy Change . 2024-05-08 . www.ficci.in . en.
  10. Web site: 2020-12-09 . DYTM DPMM MENERIMA MENGADAP PESURUHJAYA TINGGI NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM KE REPUBLIK SINGAPURA . 2024-05-07 . www.infofoto.gov.bn.
  11. Web site: 2022-08-23 . Keberangkatan Negara ke Republik Singapura . 2024-05-07 . www.jpm.gov.bn . ms.
  12. Web site: 2023-08-03 . MoU further seals Brunei-Singapore judicial ties . 2024-05-07 . borneobulletin.com.bn . en-US.
  13. Web site: Waleed PD Mahdini . 2010-07-16 . His Majesty at investiture ceremony . 2024-05-08 . www.sultanate.com.