Armed forces to have new chief soon, sources claim

Summary

• The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is said to have a new chief soon.

• A source claims the candidate is not from among the chiefs of MAF branches.

• Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin indicates that an official announcement will be made soon.

The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) will have a new chief soon, according to sources privy to the matter.

Malaysiakini learned that the Armed Forces Council held a meeting last week where it decided on the next armed forces chief, who will take over from Mohammad Ab Rahman whose contract of service is expiring soon.

The name has been proposed to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is the armed forces field marshall, for approval.

“Yes, there will be a new armed forces chief. The announcement will be made soon and the handover ceremony is expected to be held by the end of this month,” said one of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Mohammad, who comes from the army branch, was appointed as the MAF chief on Sept 6, 2023, and had been on an extended service contract since he reached his mandatory retirement age in March last year.

Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin when contacted declined to comment, but indicated there will be a statement issued on the matter soon.

“Wait for the announcement,” he said in a brief text message.

Sources remained tightlipped on the identity of the incoming MAF chief pending official announcement, but one hinted that the candidate might not come from among the chiefs of the three MAF branches (army, navy, and air force).

Instead, the insider claimed, the candidate is a “highly decorated” three-star general who has served as commander in international missions and also a master of several foreign languages.

Malaysiakini also asked Khaled about a message that had gone viral on social media, claiming there would also be changes in the top leadership for the army, Royal Malaysian Navy, and Royal Malaysian Air Force branches.

To this, the minister replied in the negative.

“Untrue,” Khaled said.

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