| Post: | State Secretary |
| Body: | Brunei |
| Native Name: | Malay: Setiausaha Kerajaan Brunei |
| Insignia: | Emblem of Brunei.svg |
| Insigniasize: | 120px |
| Insigniacaption: | Emblem of Brunei |
| Type: | State Secretary |
| Department: | Government of Brunei State Secretary's Office |
| Style: | The Honourable (ms|Yang Berhormat) |
| Member Of: | State Secretary's Office Council of Ministers Executive Council |
| Reports To: | Menteri Besar |
| Seat: | Secretariat Building, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei |
| Appointer: | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Appointer Qualified: | as Sultan of Brunei |
| Termlength: | At His Majesty's pleasure |
| Constituting Instrument: | Constitution of Brunei |
| First: | Wan Ahmad Umar |
| Last: | Abdul Rahman Taib |
| Abolished: | 31 December 1983 |
The State Secretary (ms|Setiausaha Kerajaan; Jawi: ستياءوسها كراجأن) was established to manage Brunei’s internal administrative functions and support the Menteri Besar. Reserved for Malay Muslims, the position became a key figure under the 1959 Constitution, overseeing departmental coordination, advising the Sultan of Brunei, and holding a seat in the Council of Ministers.[1] The State Secretary's office was located at the Secretariat Building in Bandar Seri Begawan.[2]
The 1888 Protectorate Agreement and the 1905–1906 Supplementary Treaty between Brunei and the United Kingdom were initially enacted to protect Brunei’s territorial sovereignty, particularly from external threats. However, as Brunei's governance evolved to meet modern demands, especially during the adoption of a new constitution, a call to reassess these treaties emerged, particularly from residents of the Belait District. In response to these developments, the British Resident system, which had dominated Brunei's administration, was abolished. The role of the Resident, once the chief administrator, was downgraded to an advisory position to the Sultan of Brunei and the State Council. This shift officially paved the way for the creation of new roles such as the Menteri Besar and the State Secretary, which were essential to modernising Brunei's political structure and adapting to contemporary governance needs.
The State Secretary was established to support the Menteri Besar in overseeing Brunei's administrative functions. The position was specifically reserved for Malay Muslims and required nomination by the Sultan. Under the 1959 Constitution, the State Secretary became the principal officer managing internal administrative affairs, ensuring departmental coordination and policy consultation. The State Secretary also held a seat in the Council of Ministers, Executive Council[3] and worked alongside other key officials like the Attorney General and the State Financial Officer to implement the Sultan's executive authority. Additionally, in legal matters involving government personnel, documents signed by the State Secretary, such as those certifying employment details, were accepted as conclusive evidence in court.[4]
| Portrait | Name[5] | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Monarch | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | Ibrahim Mohammad Jahfar Malay: {{Script|Arab|إبراهيم محمد جهفر | 1941 | 1945 | 3 years | Ahmad Tajuddin | [6] | ||
| 1 | Wan Ahmad Umar Malay: {{Script|Arab|مرسل ماون | 29 September 1959 | 1 January 1962 | Omar Ali Saifuddien III | [7] [8] | |||
| 2 | Raja Azam Malay: {{Script|Arab|مرسل ماون | 1 January 1962 | 18 January 1964 | Omar Ali Saifuddien III | ||||
| 3 | Pengiran Muhammad Yusuf Malay: {{Script|Arab|ڤڠيرن محمد يوسف | 18 January 1964 | 1 June 1967 | Omar Ali Saifuddien III | [9] [10] | |||
| – | Taib Besar Malay: {{Script|Arab|طائب بسر | 1 June 1967 | 25 March 1970 | Omar Ali Saifuddien III | [11] [12] | |||
| 4 | Pengiran Abdul Momin Malay: {{Script|Arab|ڤڠيرن عبدالمومين | 25 March 1970 | 15 May 1972 | Hassanal Bolkiah | [13] | |||
| – | Matnor McAfee Malay: {{Script|Arab|متنور مچفياي | 15 May 1972 | 15 February 1973 | Hassanal Bolkiah | [14] | |||
| 5 | Abdul Aziz Umar Malay: {{Script|Arab|عبدالعزيز عمر | 1 July 1974 | 1 September 1981 | Hassanal Bolkiah | [15] [16] | |||
| 6 | Abdul Rahman Taib Malay: {{Script|Arab|عبدالرحمن طائب | 1 September 1981 | 31 December 1983 | Hassanal Bolkiah | [17] |