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Abdul Hapidz bin Haji Abdul Razak (August 1930 – 16 July 2022), also sometimes referred to as Pehin Hapidz,[1][2] was a Bruneian aristocrat, politician and businessman who formerly was the managing director of Abdul Razak Holdings (ARH),[3] President of Malay Brunei Darussalam Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1964 to 1999,[4][5] the director of Laksamana College of Business (LCB),[6][7] a member of the country's executive council,[8] and legislative council.[9][10]
Abdul Hapidz | |
|---|---|
| عبدالهاڤيذ | |
 | |
| President of Barisan Kemerdekaan Rakyat | |
| In office August 1966 – 1967 | |
| Member of Legislative Council | |
| In office 1965 – 12 April 1970 | |
| Monarch | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1930 Brunei |
| Died | 16 July 2022 (aged 92) Brunei |
| Other political affiliations | BARIP (1940s) PRB (1956–1962) PBKR (1966–1967) |
| Occupation |
|
| Known for | Managing director of Abdul Razak Holdings Director of Laksamana College of Business |
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Abdul Hapidz was born to into a privileged family in August 1930. He attended Pekan Brunei Malay School.[11]
Abdul Hapidz was a member of the Barisan Pemuda (BARIP) movement in the 1940s. He then established the Persatuan Murid-Murid Tua (MUTU), in 1947 with sociocultural goals. He was selected to serve as Parti Rakyat Brunei (PRB)[12] treasurer from 1956 to 1958 and Deputy President from 1958 to 1962. He was elected in the August 1962 elections to the Legislative Council,[13] and in September 1962, he was nominated to the Executive Council.[11] Despite this, he was jailed until the end of May 1963, despite not having involvement in the Brunei revolt. He was one of the political prisoners from the uprising who was released from prison to promote political engagement in the Sultanate.[14]
Abdul Hapidz proceed to win a legislative seat as an independent candidate in the 1965 elections.[11] He would go on to become the president of the Barisan Kemerdekaan Rakyat (PBKR) party in August 1966, previously expressed publicly his wish for Brunei to become a part of Malaysia.[14]
Once, Tunku Abdul Rahman informed the British High Commissioner to Brunei that either himself or Tun Abdul Razak would deal with Abdul Hapidz and provide him a higher position if he could bring Brunei into Malaysia, in the event that the Gurkha battalion departed from Brunei. Three of the political party's leading figures of the BAKER party, including Abdul Hapidz, resigned in September 1969. All stated personal (commercial) reasons for their resignations, although it was well known that they did so because they were no longer working to see Brunei's democratic system of government put into place.[14]
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He was among the 7 founding family members of the ARH on 5 October 1978. Property development and hotel management are ARH's main businesses. ARH is one of Brunei's largest private property developers in the sector of real estate. They possessed commercial and residential buildings totaling roughly up to 2,200,000 square feet (200,000 m2) that have been constructed. During his ownership, a number of milestones were accomplished, including the completion of the Mile One complex in 1979, the inaugural project for ARH; the completion of Abdul Razak Plaza in 1986; the opening of Brunei's first ever bowling arena, Utama Bowling Centre in 1987; Porchester Court in London, England, was purchased by ARH, who turned it into exclusive apartments in 2000.[15][16]
He established Laksamana College in 2003 to teach and expose the next generation of Bruneians to the business world. The cornerstone of their existence has always been the development of entrepreneurs. He made a founding statement to Business Icon 2011 as follows:[2]
I believe that it is important to send out a message and ensure the next generation of people know what business is and find it enjoyable. This is one of the most important reasons why I decided to set up Laksamana College of Business.
— Pehin Orang Kaya Ratna Hapidz Setia Dato Setia Hj Awang Abdul Hapidz bin Pehin Orang Kaya Laksamana Hj Awang Abdul Razak, Business Icon 2011
An event called a "Royal Concert" including well-known performers from Brunei and Malaysia took place at Jerudong Park Amphitheater as part of the 59th birthday festivities of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Pehin Abdul Hapidz, the chairman of the organizing committee for the Fireworks Display and Decoration, revealed on 23 June 2005.[17] On 9 July 2006, Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah agreed to perform the ceremonial opening of the Rizqun International Hotel and The Mall shopping complex in Gadong. The chairman and managing director of Abdul Razak Holdings, Pehin Abdul Hapidz, welcomed the prince when he arrived.[18] As the Deputy Chief Commissioner of Persekutuan Pengakap Negara Brunei Darussalam (PPNBD), he noted that camping activity provides an opportunity for scouts to practice their knowledge obtained through scouting activities, during the 22nd Brunei National Scouts Camp, which ended on 22 March 2017.[19]
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Pehin Hapidz is the son of an aristocrat, Pehin Orang Kaya Laksamana Haji Awang Abdul Razak was married to Datin Munira binti Dato Haji Yunus. Moreover, he is also the brother of Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Di Raja Haji Mohd. Noor.[15] His residence is located at Jalan Elia Fatimah, Kampong Kiarong.[20]
On 17 April 2012, his wife passed away at the age of 49, in Singapore. She was brought back to Brunei soon after and prayers were conducted at her residence in Kampong Kiarong prior to her burial.[21][unreliable source?] He died on 16 July 2022.[22][unreliable source?] He was laid to rest at the Tambang Pehin Kampong Limbongan Muslim Cemetery, Bandar Seri Begawan. For him, the staff and students of LCB held a Tahlil prayer.[23]
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Things named after him
- Jalan Pehin Dato Haji Awang Hapidz, a road in Gadong.
- Jambatan Pehin Dato Haji Awang Hapidz, a bridge in Gadong.
Honours
Dato Hapidz was bestowed the Manteri title of Yang Dimuliakan (The Exalted One) Pehin Orang Kaya Ratna Setia by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on 24 April 2004, making him a member of manteri.[24] Moreover, he has been awarded the following honours;[25]
Order of Setia Negara Brunei Second Class (DSNB; 15 July 2006) – Dato Setia[26]
Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB; 1984) – Dato Paduka[11]
Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
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