Abdul Manaf Metussin

Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin
Born	Brunei
Occupation(s)	Government official, politician
Years active	2016–present
Known for	Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism (2022–present); Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (2018–2022); Chairman of Royal Brunei Airlines (2021–2023)

Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin (born October 1966) is a Bruneian government official who has held the position of Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism since 2022. Prior to this, he served as the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy between 2018 and 2022, and chaired Royal Brunei Airlines from 2021 until 2023.

Education

Born in October 1966, Abdul Manaf is a Bruneian citizen who completed his undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering with honours at the University of Leeds. He further obtained a Master of Science degree specializing in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from the University of Bradford, followed by a doctoral degree in Management from Canterbury Business School at the University of Kent.

Political career

Abdul Manaf was named director of Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) on 4 May 2016. During his tenure, he championed the involvement of the private sector in promoting ecotourism and biodiversity conservation through the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Initiative, highlighting sustainable growth among participating countries. On 20 September 2018, he assumed the role of Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy and officially took his oath on 2 October.

On 4 January 2021, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah appointed him as Chairman of RBA. Following a cabinet reshuffle on 7 June 2022, Abdul Manaf succeeded Ali Apong as Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT).

At the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry meeting held on 26 October 2022, he underscored ASEAN’s priorities for economic recovery and digital economy adoption in response to COVID-19 challenges. He addressed issues such as food security crises, escalating prices for food and agricultural inputs, as well as increased costs related to logistics and production.

He introduced the Mandatory Reporting Directive requiring major Bruneian stakeholders to report their emissions to the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat by the end of 2022. Supported by the United Nations, Brunei collaborated with the Philippines to formulate the ASEAN Climate Finance Strategy framework.

In March 2023, Abdul Manaf announced an increase in Brunei’s agricultural and fisheries output from B$781 million in 2021 to B$857 million in 2022, with expectations to reach B$1 billion (US$740 million). During a keynote address at the October 2023 BIMP-EAGA roundtable focused on sustainable tourism, he stressed initiatives aimed at establishing Brunei as a premier ecotourism destination offering authentic nature, cultural, and adventure experiences.

Leading a delegation to the 27th ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting in Vientiane in January 2024, Abdul Manaf celebrated Kuala Belait’s designation as ASEAN’s fourth Clean Tourist City.

During the March 2024 session of the Legislative Council, he detailed plans to enhance tourism development through events such as the Brunei December Festival (BDF) and the "Kenali Negara Kitani" (KNK) program aimed at promoting regional tourism offerings. He also recognized the ASEAN–China Center’s vital contribution to strengthening tourism ties between China and ASEAN countries and pledged to achieve measurable outcomes from this collaboration.

Personal life

Abdul Manaf is married to Datin Paduka Dr Hjh Norlila Dato Hj Abdul Jalil, who previously served as Permanent Secretary at Brunei’s Ministry of Health.

Awards

• Distinguished Honorary Patron of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO)

Honours

• First Class of the Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei (SPMB) – titled Dato Seri Paduka
• First Class of the Order of Setia Negara Brunei (PSNB) – titled Dato Seri Setia
• Third Class of the Order of Setia Negara Brunei (SNB; awarded 15 July 2017)
• Medal for Long Service (PKL)
• Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal (awarded 5 October 2017)