Mohammad named as new chief of defence force

 

Former army chief Mohammad Ab Rahman has been appointed as Malaysia’s 22nd chief of defence force, effective today.

The 59-year-old takes over the number one defence post from Affendi Buang who goes on mandatory retirement.

The handover of duties ceremony was graced by Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan at Wisma Pertahanan in Kuala Lumpur earlier today.

Born in Machang, Kelantan on March 15, 1964, Mohammad was made the army chief on March 22 this year.

He began his secondary education at the Sekolah Menengah Sains Kelantan before continuing his studies at the Royal Military College in 1980.

Mohammad pursued his undergraduate studies in Computer Science at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, United States.

He was commissioned as a young officer in the Royal Malay Regiment on July 1, 1987.

Throughout his service, Mohammad attended various courses locally and abroad, including the Staff and Tactics Course Grade 2 in Waiouru, New Zealand, and the Army Command and Staff College in Queenscliffe, Australia.

He is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Defence College in Kuala Lumpur, holding a Master's degree in defence studies from the University of Canberra, Australia, and a Master of social science (defence studies) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Among significant positions held by Mohammad are deputy army chief, commander of the army western field, army training commander, acting director of domestic operations at the joint force headquarters, chief of staff at the 3rd infantry brigade headquarters and chief of staff at the 3rd infantry division headquarters.

Also present at the ceremony were Royal Malaysian Air Force Chief Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, and Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Abdul Rahman Ayob.

- Bernama