Jakarta, 16 June 2025: Dr Hajah May Fa'ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy, Trade and Industry) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE), Brunei Darussalam, has appointed Ms Heidi Farah Sia Binti Abd Rahman, Acting Director of the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS), as Brunei’s new representative to the Governing Board of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

In her current role, Ms Sia oversees national economic monitoring, statistics, and consumer affairs. Her previous roles include Director of Competition and Consumer Affairs, where she was instrumental in the development and enforcement of Brunei’s competition law and the establishment of the Competition Commission, on which she now serves as Commissioner.

Earlier in her career, Ms Sia was a founding member of Brunei’s first policy think tank, the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS). She holds academic qualifications in Business Administration, Accounting, and Public Policy.

The ERIA Governing Board, composed of representatives from all 16 member countries and the ASEAN Secretary-General, is ERIA’s highest decision-making body. Ms Sia’s appointment is warmly welcomed, and her broad expertise is expected to contribute significantly to ERIA’s strategic research agenda, supporting the region’s long-term economic growth and resilience.