Ali Apong

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific_prefix = Dato Seri Setia

| name = Ali Apong

| honorific_suffix = PSNB DPMB PJK PIKB PKL

| image = Ali Apong (2017).jpg

| caption = Ali in 2017

| office1 = 4th Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism

| term_start1 = 22 October 2015

| term_end1 = 7 June 2022

| monarch1 = Hassanal Bolkiah

| predecessor1 = Yahya Bakar

| successor1 = Abdul Manaf Metussin

| office2 = Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office

| term_start2 = 18 November 2010

| term_end2 = 22 October 2015

| alongside2 = Abdul Wahab Juned

| predecessor2 = Eusoff Agaki

| successor2 = Hamdan Abu Bakar
Roselan Daud

| office3 = 3rd Deputy Minister of Development

| term_start3 = 29 May 2010

| term_end3 = 18 November 2010

| minister3 = Abdullah Bakar

| predecessor3 = Mat Suny

| successor3 = Suhaimi Gafar

{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Other positions|titlestyle=border:1px dashed lightgrey;}} {{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes

| office4 = Chairman of Brunei Economic Development Board

| term_start4 = 18 November 2010

| term_end4 = 8 October 2018

| predecessor4 = Timothy Ong (Acting)

| successor4 = Amin Liew Abdullah

{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|10|19|df=y}}

| birth_place = Kampong Kuala Abang, Tutong, Brunei

| education = {{ubil|University of Reading (BA)|Imperial College London (MBA)}}

| occupation = {{Flatlist|

Civil servant
politician}}

| native_name = {{no bold|علي اڤوڠ}}

| signature = Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Apong signature.svg

}}

Ali bin Haji Apong (born 19 October 1958) is a Bruneian politician who serves as the Deputy Minister of Development and for the Prime Minister's Office from 2010 until 2015. He later became the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) from 2015 until 2022.

Early life and education

Ali Apong is born on 18 August 1958, in Kampong Kuala Abang, Tutong.{{Cite news |date=12 June 2010 |title=Keluaran Khas Sempena Pelantikan Menteri-Menteri Kabinet dan Timbalan-Timbalan Menteri |pages=7 |work=Pelita Brunei |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2010/Jun/EK120610.pdf}} He graduated from University of Reading with honours degree in Economics and later earned both his postgraduate diploma in Management and Master of Business Administration from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine.{{Cite web |title=Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam - Deputy Minister - Dato Paduka Haji Ali Bin Haji Apong |url=https://www.jpa.gov.bn/SitePages/Deputy%20Minister%20-%20Dato%20Paduka%20Haji%20Ali%20Bin%20Haji%20Apong.aspx |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.jpa.gov.bn}}

Early career

He first began his career as an Investment Officer in the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) in 1983, followed by a later appointment to an Assistant Managing Director on 1 September 1997. From 1999 until early 2002, he was part of a Ministry of Finance and Economy team to establish the Brunei International Financial Centre, before returning to his previous position in the BIA. In 2004, Ali Apong was appointed as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economy on October 21, 2004,{{Cite web |title=BRUNEIresources.com - Dato Ali bin Haji Apong |url=http://bruneiresources.com/datoali.html |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=bruneiresources.com}} and later transferred to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) with the same position on 24 September 2009. On 18 November 2010, he was appointed as the chairman of the Brunei Economic Development Board.{{Cite web |last=Azlan Othman |date=18 November 2010 |title=BEDB, JPKE placed under PM's Office |url=http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/2010/18_nov_4.html |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=www.sultanate.com |publisher=Borneo Bulletin |ref={{Harvid|Azlan|2010}}}}

Ministerial career

File:In the Spirit of Eid Al-Fitri, Indonesian Ambassador for Brunei Darussalam Hosts a Diplomatic Gathering 02.jpg in the Embassy of Indonesia during the 2022 Eid Al-Fitr celebration.]]

Ali was appointed deputy minister of development in the 2010 Bruneian cabinet reshuffle on 29 May.{{Cite web |title=Sultanate - News {{!}} Negara Brunei Darussalam {{!}} Sultan reveals major cabinet reshuffle |url=http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/2010/30_may_1.html |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.sultanate.com}} Later that year, on 18 November, he was reappointed deputy minister in the PMO,{{Cite web |title=H.E. Mr. Min Yongnian, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam, Pays Courtesy Call to Dato Paduka Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei Darussalam and New Chairman of the Brunei Economic Development Board |url=https://www.mfa.gov.cn/ce/cebn/eng/sgxws/t781215.htm |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.mfa.gov.cn}}{{Cite web |title=Dato Paduka Haji Ali Bin Haji Apong |url=https://www.agc.gov.bn/SitePages/Deputy%20Minister%20-%20Dato%20Paduka%20Haji%20Ali%20Bin%20Haji%20Apong.aspx |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Attorney General's Chambers}} until another cabinet reshuffle on 22 October 2015, where it was then announced that he had been reappointed as the first minister for the newly established Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.{{Cite web |title=Titah - Titah KDYMM Mengenai Rombakan Keahlian Majlis... |url=http://www.kheu.gov.bn/Lists/Titah/NewDisplayItem.aspx?ID=184 |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.kheu.gov.bn}}{{Cite web |title=Forestry Department - Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism |url=http://www.forestry.gov.bn/SitePages/Minister%20of%20Primary%20Resources%20and%20Tourism.aspx |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.forestry.gov.bn}}

Ali Apong had previously stated that sophisticated aquaculture technology employed by international businesses might increase output and encourage self-sufficiency earlier in March 2019. In the previous six years, the aquaculture industry in Brunei has reported a 440 percent rise in output, going from {{Convert|302|t}} ($3 million) in 2011 to 1,632 tonnes ($17 million) in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Scoop |first=The |date=2019-12-12 |title=Singapore company to build salmon farm in Brunei |url=http://thescoop.co/2019/12/12/singapore-company-to-build-salmon-farm-in-brunei/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=The Scoop |language=en-GB}}

Ali retained his position in the 2018 Bruneian cabinet reshuffle, which replaced six ministers.{{Cite web |last=Scoop |first=The |date=2018-01-30 |title=HM announces surprise cabinet reshuffle - full list of new appointees |url=http://thescoop.co/2018/01/30/hm-announces-cabinet-reshuffle/ |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=The Scoop |language=en-GB}}

By maximising the 1,000 hectares that are currently being actively farmed in Brunei, self-sufficiency can rise to 10% in 2020, according to him. Nine rice fields in Brunei-Muara are supplied with water by the Imang Dam, which has been upgraded and expanded in capacity.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Aaron |date=2020-02-09 |title=Kandol first harvest exceeding expectations |url=https://www.bizbrunei.com/2020/02/kandol-first-harvest-exceeding-expectations-paddyco/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Biz Brunei |language=en-US}}

Officials in Bandar Seri Begawan began by halting the coronavirus's spread to the sultanate during the COVID-19 outbreak in Brunei. In January 2020, the ministers of education and health of Brunei, Hamzah Sulaiman, Isham Jaafar, and Ali Apong, minister of primary resources and tourism, held a news conference to announce travel restrictions from China, namely the epicenter of Hubei Province.{{Cite web |last=Bodetti |first=Austin |title=How Brunei Beat COVID-19 |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/06/how-brunei-beat-covid-19/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}

In order to better understand the natural ecosystem of Brunei's forests, Ali Apong has urged for ongoing scientific study. The Brunei Darussalam Conference On Forest: Forests And Biodiversity: Unveiling Its Economic Potential, held in connection with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE) 2021, included him as the keynote speaker yesterday. He said:{{Cite web |title=Resources and Tourism Minister calls for research into Brunei forests |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/06/11/resources-and-tourism-minister-calls-for-research-into-brunei-forests |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=The Star |language=en}}

{{Cquote

| quote = These include clearing of forest areas to make way for these activities that result in deforestation and building dams for irrigation purposes, which may cause floods resulting in net forest loss, as well as loss of wildlife. That is why in the agriculture industry, it is important for us to consider modern or vertical farming, which includes different use of land to ensure the highest yield per hectare, instead of simply using up more land that only produces low yield. Forests provide us with the air we breathe, timber that we use, food for our sustenance, medicines to cure sickness and other essentials for our well-being. Forests also support environmental stability, provides watershed protection, prevent soil erosion, mitigate climate change and are also habitats for wildlife.

}}

The cabinet reshuffled again on 7 June 2022, his position as the Minister was succeeded by Abdul Manaf Metussin.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-07 |title=Sultan reshuffles cabinet, appoints first woman cabinet minister » Borneo Bulletin Online |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/sultan-reshuffles-cabinet-appoints-first-woman-minister/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Sultan reshuffles cabinet, appoints first woman cabinet minister |language=en-US}}

Honours

Ali has earned the following honours:{{Cite web |date=2020-03-09 |title=DEWAN MAJLIS |url=https://www.councils.gov.bn/JMM%20Images/Laporan%20Penuh%20Hansard%209%20Mac%202020.pdf |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=www.councils.gov.bn |page=2 |language=ms}}

50x50px Order of Setia Negara Brunei First Class (PSNB) – Dato Seri Setia{{Cite web |date=2021-10-14 |title=Building a shared future for all life on earth » Borneo Bulletin Online |url=https://borneobulletin.com.bn/building-a-shared-future-for-all-life-on-earth/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=Building a shared future for all life on earth |language=en-US}}
50x50px Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB; 15 July 2005) – Dato Paduka{{Cite web |last=Refa'ah Ali Osman |date=2005-07-20 |title=40 Dikurniakan Bintang Kebesaran |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2005/20%20JULAI%202005.pdf |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |page=10 |language=ms}}
50x50px Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
50x50px Excellent Service Medal (PIKB)
50x50px Long Service Medal (PKL)

References

External links

[https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/articles-interviews/taking-action-obg-talks-to-dato-ali-apong-minister-of-primary-resources-and-tourism-interview Interview with Ali Apong]
{{LinkedIn URL|url=https://bn.linkedin.com/in/ali-apong-88588052}}

{{s-bef

| before = Yahya Bakar

}}

{{s-ttl

| title = 4th Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism

| years = 22 October 2015 – 7 June 2022

}}

{{s-aft

| after = Abdul Manaf Metussin

}}

{{s-bef

| before = Eusoff Agaki