Updates

Introduction
of
DATO PADUKA DR HAJI MORNI BIN OTHMAN

as the Chairman of the SESSION II: BIMP-EAGA IMPERATIVES
- Government and Private Sector Partnership
during the BIMP-EAGA Business Forum 98
- the International Conference on Business Opportunities and Strategies
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 21-22 May 1998

Chartered flight to Davao's BIMP-EAGA Agricultural Sector Meeting















Prepared by the BIMP-EABC Secretariat, May 1998

Dato Paduka Dr Hj Morni or Dr Morni, as he is fondly called, was born in December 1948 and started his primary education in Sengkurong, Brunei Darussalam in January 1955. After completing his Lower Six Science courses at Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin College in August 1968, he prepared for A level at Queen's Gate Tutorial College in London, England in October 1968. However, three months later, he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Agronomy at MacDonald College of McGill University in Canada where he graduated with honours in June 1973. After working briefly at the Agriculture Department, Dr Morni continued his studies in Agronomy at Lincoln College of University of Canterbury in New Zealand where he received a Doctorate for Philosophy in Plant Science in August 1979. His interest in studying did not cease and in addition to plant sciences, he continued to gain experience in the general areas of organisational, international and business management and entrepreneurship through short courses, symposiums, workshops, seminars, visits and conferences both here and overseas.

Upon completion of his formal education, Dr Morni devoted his time to public service. With the goal of developing a viable agriculture industry in Brunei Darussalam, he has worked in various posts under the Department of Agriculture. Starting as an agricultural officer in 1973, he became its Deputy Director in 1984 and Director in 1988. After a 5-year productive stewardship at the Department of Forestry from 1990-1995, he once again led the Department of Agriculture until 1996. As tribute to his leadership and sense of commitment to public service, he was awarded the Darjah (Bintang) Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia Darjah Ketiga (SMB) in 1986; Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) in 1989; Darjah (Bintang) Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia Darjah Kedua (DMPB) in 1995. This gave him the title Dato Paduka. He also received a Pingat Pengisytiharan Kemerdekaan (PPK) in 1997 and Pingat Kerja Lama (PKL) in 1998. Under his leadership the Departments of Agriculture and Forestry earned Excellence in Public Service Awards from the Prime Minister's Office. In September 1996, Dr Morni was called to lead the newly established Resource Centre at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources to serve as a nerve centre for the growth and development of small and medium enterprises in Brunei Darussalam.

One of the activities at the Agriculture Department

The first canopy walkway undertaken by the Forestry Department














One of the duties at the Agriculture Department



















Some of the staff at the Resource Centre
















Updates for Class of ‘73 Newsletter
of Macdonald College of McGill University

Prepared by The Class 1973 Executives, May 2003

Final year at Macdonald College of McGill University

[May 2nd 2003]

NEWS FLASH! Morni Othman is found!!! Now Dr. Morni Othman. He has moved from the Brunei Agriculture Department to Australia in early 1999! New address is PO Box 42588, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia. Dr. Morni Othman earned his Ph D in Plant Science in 1979 from Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. After that he worked in various positions with the Department of Agriculture in Brunei, becoming Deputy Director in 1984 and Director in 1988. He spent 1990-95 with the Department of Forestry, then went back to Department of Agriculture in 1996. Under his leadership, the Departments of Agriculture and Forestry earned Excellence in Public Service awards from the Prime Ministers' office. In 1996, Morni was called to lead a new resource centre at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, which served as a centre for growth and development of small and medium size businesses. Numerous international events and conferences allowed him plenty of travel during his years with the public sector. Morni says he was the first citizen of Brunei to obtain a PhD! In 1999 he moved to the Darwin area of Australia, became Chairman of Board of Directors of a number of companies owned by the Brunei government. Morni says" I retired from these companies early last year to concentrate on my private and family businesses". He was married to Rauyah in 1973, and there is one daughter (22) who is graduating in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Business from Northern Territory University. There are 3 sons, the eldest (19) in first year at NTU, another son (16) in Year 11 and a son (12) in year 7 at school. Morni says he goes back to Brunei about twice a month. Lately he is relaxing more, going fishing with friends and taking life easier. Pleased to be in touch with the class again, a newsletter has been mailed to him, and e-mail contacts with friends are welcome!

Source from Google Search under Morni Othman, August 2008

As a student of Macdonald College of McGill University, Canada

As an Agronomist of the Agriculture Department, Brunei Darussalam

As a post-graduate student of Lincoln College of Canterbury University, New Zealand

As a Director of Agriculture Department, Brunei Darussalam

As a Director of Forestry Department, Brunei Darussalam

Again as a Director of Agriculture Department, Brunei Darussalam

As a Special Duty Officer and Head of Resource Centre, Brunei Darussalam

As a Chairman and Executive Director of Jerambak Holdings Pty Ltd, Australia

As a businessman after retiring from the public sector

[September 2nd 2008]

In April 2004, Morni and his family have moved back to their hometown in Brunei Darussalam. His permanent home address is 33 Simpang 43, Jalan Sungai Tampoi, Kampong Sengkurong BG1921 and postal address is PO Box 29, Sengkurong Post Office, Kampong Sengkurong BG1183, Brunei Darussalam. However, in May 2005, Morni and his wife returned to Darwin in Australia due to the wishes of their 3 sons who wanted to continue their educations under Australian system. His daughter (Akustina) remained in Brunei Darussalam and later graduated from University of Brunei Darussalam with a Master in Public Policy. She now works with the Brunei Darussalam Permanent Mission in Geneva, Switzerland under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In February 2008, Morni and his family travelled for 5 days by cars from Darwin to Melbourne, finally settling down in the northern suburb of Melbourne. His new postal and email addresses in Australia are PO Box 510, Thomastown, VIC 3074 and manworld3@bigpond.com respectively. His 3 sons (Akustiman, Akustimin and Akustiadi) are now attending various Bachelor Degree courses in the Bundoora Campus of Latrobe University in Melbourne. While in Melbourne, Morni and his wife drove by car (and ship) to Tasmania visiting their New Zealand friends whom they have not met for more than 20 years. The friends live in Cygnet, the bottom end of Tasmania (in Australian context, Darwin is Top End while Tasmania is Bottom End, and they are more than 5000 km apart). In September 2008 until January 2009, Morni and his wife are visiting their daughter in Geneva. Morni regrets that he is not able to join the 35th Reunion of Macdonald College Class ’73.

Source from Dato Paduka Dr Haji Morni Othman, September 2008