https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Abdul_Ghafar_IsmailAbdul Ghafar Ismail - Revision history2026-08-08T05:02:36ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Abdul_Ghafar_Ismail&diff=484175&oldid=prevSheenaBayles at 18:46, 21 January 20262026-01-21T18:46:43Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Bruneian diplomat (born 1951)}}<br />
{{Malay name|Abdul Ghafar|Ismail| note = on}}<br />
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}<br />
{{Infobox officeholder<br />
| honorific_prefix = [[Dato Paduka]]<br />
| name = Abdul Ghafar Ismail<br />
| native_name = {{no bold| عبد الغفار إسماعيل}}<br />
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei|DPMB]]<br />
| image = HE Haji Abdul Ghafar Bin Haji Ismail.jpg<br />
| caption = President [[K. R. Narayanan|Narayanan]] receiving a letter of credence from Abdul Ghafar (right) in 2001<br />
| office = [[List of permanent representatives of Brunei to the United Nations|Permanent Representative of Brunei to the United Nations]]<br />
| term_start = 28 March 2013<br />
| term_end = 2019<br />
| predecessor = [[Latif Tuah]]<br />
| successor = [[Noor Qamar Sulaiman]]<br />
| office1 = [[Brunei–Singapore relations|High Commissioner of Brunei to Singapore]]<br />
| term_start1 = 29 November 2007<br />
| term_end1 = 2012<br />
| predecessor1 = [[Yusof Kula]]<br />
| successor1 = [[Saifulbahri Mansor]]<br />
| office2 = [[List of high commissioners of Brunei to India|High Commissioner of Brunei to India]]<br />
| term_start2 = August 2001<br />
| term_end2 = May 2007<br />
| predecessor2 = [[Abdul Mokti Daud]]<br />
| successor2 = [[Sidek Ali]]<br />
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|10|01|df=yes}}<br />
| birth_place = [[Kampong Danau]], [[Tutong District|Tutong]], Brunei<br />
| occupation = {{flatlist|<br />
*Diplomat<br />
*civil servant}}<br />
| spouse = Aishah Husain<br />
| children = 3<br />
| alma_mater = {{ubil|[[Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])|[[University of Staffordshire]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])}}<br />
}}<br />
'''Abdul Ghafar bin Haji Ismail''' (born 1 October 1952{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}) is a retired Bruneian diplomat who formerly held the position of high commissioner to India from 2001 to 2007, Singapore from 2007 to 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Azrol Azmi |date=2007-11-13 |title=Audience to new Brunei envoys |url=http://sultanate.com/news_server/2007/13_nov_1.html |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=sultanate.com}}</ref> and [[permanent representative]] of Brunei to the [[United Nations in New York]] from 2013 to 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2015-04-14 |title=MISSIONS OVERSEAS |url=https://borneobulletinyearbook.com.bn/missions-overseas/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Borneo Bulletin Year Book 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Education ==<br />
Abdul Ghafar graduated from the [[University of Staffordshire]] in the United Kingdom with a Bachelor of Arts ([[Honours degree|Hons]]) in geography from 1972 to 1975, and continued his [[Postgraduate certificate|PGCE]] studies at [[Reading University]] from 1981 to 1982.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} In 1985, he embarked on the Foreign Service & Diplomatic Course at the [[Australian National University]] and [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Brunei)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]], Australia. From [[Tufts University]]'s [[Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy]] in the United States with a Master of Arts (MA) in [[international law]] and diplomacy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |date=2010-11-11 |title=His Excellency Dato Abdul Ghafar Ismail |url=https://washdiplomat.com/his-excellency-dato-abdul-ghafar-ismail/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=washdiplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1994, he studied at [[Maastricht]], [[Netherlands]]'s European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=November 2007 |title=HAJI ABDUL GHAFAR BIN HAJI ISMAIL |url=https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2007/11/-/media/Files/MFA/Press-Releases/Archived/press_20071129_03_03.pdf |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=www.mfa.gov.sg}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Diplomatic career ==<br />
From 1978, Abdul Ghafar began his career in the Brunei Darussalam Government Service. After being posted abroad for the first time in 1984, to [[Bangkok]], he worked as assistant director of economics from 1988 to 1989 and as second secretary from 1985 to 1987 after joining the ministry. From 1989 until 1991, he served as a first secretary in the Bruneian embassy in [[Riyadh]]. Between 1991 and 1995, he held the same position of responsibility for the [[ASEAN]]. From 1992 to 1995, he was appointed as the deputy director of Protocol and Consular Affairs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><br />
<br />
From 1995 until 1998, Abdul Ghafar was Brunei's deputy [[Chamberlain (office)|grand chamberlain]]. He served as the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Brunei)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]]'s (MOFAT) Director of Multilateral Economics from 1988 to 1999 and Director of Politics II from 1999 to 2001. He served as the [[Brunei–India relations|Bruneian high commissioner to India]] from August 2001 to May 2007, while also holding accreditations in [[Nepal]] and [[Sri Lanka]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><br />
<br />
After being appointed as Brunei's high commissioner-designate to Singapore in August 2007,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-11-06 |title=His Majesty grants audience to new envoys |url=http://sultanate.com/news_server/2007/6_nov_1.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=sultanate.com}}</ref> Abdul Ghafar took office as [[Brunei–Singapore relations|Brunei's high commissioner to Singapore]] on 29 November 2007, in addition to his dual roles as [[Non-resident ambassador|non-resident high commissioner]] to South Africa and the [[Maldives]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> During his tenure, he saw Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah's official state visit to the country in January 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-01-13 |title=Crown Prince concludes visit |url=http://www.sultanate.com/news_server/2012/13_jan_1.html |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=www.sultanate.com}}</ref><br />
<br />
On 26 February 2013, [[Hassanal Bolkiah|Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah]] presented Abdul Gafar his letters of credence, as the newly appointed [[List of permanent representatives of Brunei to the United Nations|permanent representative of Brunei to the United Nations in New York]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-02-26 |title=His Majesty presents and receives letters of credence |url=https://www.information.gov.bn/Publication%20listsPDF/Brunei%20Darussalam%20Newsletter/2013/BDN%20February%202013%20latest%20280817.pdf |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=www.information.gov.bn |page=4}}</ref> He was present when Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Queen Saleha attended the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly on 29 September 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Department of Information, [[Prime Minister's Office (Brunei)|Prime Minister's Office]] |first= |date=2015-09-29 |title=70th Session of United Nations General Assembly |url=https://www.information.gov.bn/PublishingImages/SitePages/English%20Publication/BD%20SEPTEMBER%202015.pdf |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=www.information.gov.bn}}</ref> With the signing of a joint declaration by representatives from Abdul Gafar and the [[Bahamas]], [[Elliston Rahming]], Brunei formally established diplomatic ties on 21 November 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Affairs |date=2016-11-22 |title=Brunei – Kerajaan Bahamas jalin hubungan diplomatik |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Lists/Berita%202016/NewDisplayForm.aspx?ID=1318&ContentTypeId=0x0100C24655BC59DE97409F6389F990C938DB |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn |language=ms}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Personal life ==<br />
Abdul Ghafar is married to Datin Aishah Husain, together they have three children. He was born on 1 October 1952, in [[Kampong Danau]], [[Tutong District|Tutong]], Brunei.<ref name=":0" /> His hobbies included reading, jogging, golf and badminton.<ref name=":1" /><br />
<br />
== Honours ==<br />
Abdul Ghafar has earned the following honours;<ref name=":1" /><br />
<br />
'''National'''<br />
* [[File:Second_Class_of_the_Order_of_Seri_Paduka_Mahkota_Brunei_(DPMB).svg|50x50px]] [[Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei]] Second Class (DPMB; 15 July 2010) – ''Dato Paduka''<ref name=":422">{{Cite news |last=Hezlinawati Haji Abd. Karim |date=17 July 2010 |title=85 dikurniakan Bintang-Bintang Kebesaran |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2010/Julai/PB170710.pdf |access-date=2024-12-15 |work=Pelita Brunei |pages=14 |language=ms}}</ref><br />
* [[File:Third_Class_of_the_Order_of_Seri_Paduka_Mahkota_Brunei_(SMB).svg|50x50px]] Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Third Class (SMB; 1993)<br />
* [[File:Meritorious_Service_Medal_(PJK).svg|50x50px]] Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 2000)<br />
* [[File:Excellent_Service_Medal_(PIKB).svg|50x50px]] Excellent Service Medal (PIKB; 1989)<br />
* [[File:Long_Service_Medal_(PKL).svg|50x50px]] Long Service Medal (PKL; 2005)<br />
* [[File:Sultan_Hassanal_Bolkiah_Silver_Jubilee_Medal.svg|50x50px]] Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)<br />
* [[File:Proclamation_of_Independence_Medal_(Brunei).svg|50x50px]] Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)<br />
'''Foreign'''<br />
* {{flag|France}}:<br />
** [[File:Legion Honneur Commandeur ribbon.svg|50x50px]] Commandeur of the [[Legion of Honour]] (1997)<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
{{s-start}}<br />
{{s-dip}}<br />
{{s-bef<br />
| before = [[Latif Tuah]]<br />
}}<br />
{{s-ttl<br />
| title = [[List of permanent representatives of Brunei to the United Nations|Permanent Representative of Brunei to the United Nations]]<br />
| years = 28 March 2013 – 2019<br />
}}<br />
{{s-aft<br />
| after = [[Noor Qamar Sulaiman]]<br />
}}<br />
{{s-bef<br />
| before = [[Yusof Kula]]<br />
}}<br />
{{s-ttl<br />
| title = [[Brunei–Singapore relations|High Commissioner of Brunei to Singapore]]<br />
| years = August 2001 – 2012<br />
}}<br />
{{s-aft<br />
| after = [[Saifulbahri Mansor]]<br />
}}<br />
{{s-bef<br />
| before = [[Abdul Mokti Daud]]<br />
}}<br />
{{s-ttl<br />
| title = [[List of high commissioners of Brunei to India|High Commissioner of Brunei to India]]<br />
| years = September 1994 – May 2007<br />
}}<br />
{{s-aft<br />
| after = [[Sidek Ali]]<br />
}}<br />
{{s-end}}<br />
<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ismail, Abdul Ghafar}}<br />
[[Category:1951 births]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Bruneian Muslims]]<br />
[[Category:Bruneian diplomats]]<br />
[[Category:High commissioners of Brunei to Singapore]]<br />
[[Category:High commissioners of Brunei to India]]<br />
[[Category:High commissioners of Brunei to South Africa]]<br />
[[Category:High commissioners of Brunei to the Maldives]]<br />
[[Category:Ambassadors of Brunei to Nepal]]<br />
[[Category:High commissioners of Brunei to Sri Lanka]]<br />
[[Category:Permanent representatives of Brunei to the United Nations]]<br />
[[Category:The Fletcher School at Tufts University alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Alumni of Staffordshire University]]<br />
[[Category:Commanders of the Legion of Honour]]</div>SheenaBayles