Lim Jock Seng (; born 22 January 1944) or also referred to as Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, is a Bruneian nobleman, politician and diplomat who served as first Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade II. Additionally, he was a member of the Privy Council in 2003, and Legislative Council of Brunei in 2004. Other than holding government offices, he was also the chairman of Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and Board of Directors of Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA).
Biography
Early life and education
Lim Jock Seng was born in Muara town on 22 January 1944. He obtained his early education at the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in economics from Swansea University, Wales and received a Master of Philosophy (Mphil) in social anthropology from the London School of Economics.
Early career
He joined the civil service on 23 July 1969, starting his career as a curator in the Museums Department. He entered the Diplomatic Service Department in 1982. After he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brunei, he first held roles such as Director General of ASEAN Department, then the Director of Politics and the Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner to New Zealand.
In 1986, Lim Jock Seng's The Inter-relationship of Technology, Economy and Social Organization in a Fishing Village in Brunei was published in the Brunei Museum Journal, one of six monographs published since 1970 by the journal. In October 1986, he was named Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2001 until 2003, he was international chair on the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council. He was also afterwards a member of the ASEAN Eminent Persons Group.
Second Minister of Foreign Affairs
On 24 May 2005, he was named Second Minister of Foreign Affairs. Before he was re-appointed as Foreign Minister, he served as the chairman of both Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sendirian Berhad and Royal Brunei Airlines.
In January 2016 he met with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. At that time, Seng's official role was "Minister at Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam."
Personal life
Pehin Lim is married to Datin Lim Bee Yong.
Honours
Lim was bestowed the manteri title of Yang Dimuliakan (The Exalted One) Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa in 2004. Throughout his career, he has earned the following honours:
National
Order of Setia Negara Brunei First Class (PSNB) – Dato Seri Setia (15 July 2006) Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei First Class (SPMB) – Dato Seri Paduka Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS) Meritorious Service Medal (PJK) Long Service Medal (PKL)
Foreign
: Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia Honorary Commander (PSM) (2015)
: Honorary Fellow and Honorary Doctorate Honorary degree Swansea University (1991)