Congratulations: Mohammad (second from left) shaking hands with Jen Muhammad Hafizuddeain during the ceremony at Wisma Pertahanan yesterday. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Jen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman is the new Armed Forces chief.
Jen Mohammad, who was promoted to Army chief in March, will now lead the Armed Forces as its 22th chief.
The posting was made official yesterday at Wisma Pertahanan after a handing over of duties between him and outgoing Armed Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang.
In a separate ceremony, Jen Mohammad handed over the post of Army chief to Segamat-born Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, who was previously its deputy chief.
The post as the new Army chief also came with a promotion to general for Muhammad Hafizuddeain, who started his career in 1986 after enlisting as a cadet officer following his secondary school graduation from the Royal Military College (RMC).
“Even though there are changes in the leaderships, I hope that the steadfastness, high professionalism and spirit of loyalty shown will continue to be exemplified by all members of the Armed Forces.
“It is my hope, the Defence Ministry and Armed Forces that this new leadership will lead the Armed Forces to newer heights and to greater achievements,” Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said in his speech.
Jen Affendi, or better known by his pilot callsign Apai, has had a decades-long career that included stints as a MiG-29 Fulcrum pilot and as the founder of the aeronautical acrobatic team, the Smokey Bandits.
He was also a key player during the government’s Covid-19 pandemic response, through Op Penawar and Op Benteng which saw members of the Armed Forces working together with the police on the frontlines.
Mohamad said the services of Jen Affendi had been exemplary and that the country and people of Malaysia owed him an immeasurable debt of gratitude.
“To Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang, allow me to pass over the highest appreciation to you for your noble sacrifice to this country that we love.
“Forty-three years (of service) is a period that is out of the ordinary and there are no titles or appreciation events that can ever be enough to repay your long and amazing service,” he said.
