Malek Razak Sulaiman

T General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Haji, PMN SPMP SPKK SSPK PSAT PGDK PAT KAT AMK BCK PJK PJM, MA in Defence Studies (King's College London), MA in Strategic and Defence Studies (UKM), Fellow Scholar (NDUM), nrc, mpat, psc (j) O Chief of Defence Force, Malaysian Armed Forces B xx.xx.xxxx BP Batu Pahat, Johor F Married to Puan Sri Datin Seri Hajah Siti Juana binti Md Ibrahim and blessed with three children E Underwent officer cadet training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, before being commissioned into the Royal Malay Regiment. Professional and academic qualifications include: i) Advanced Command and Staff Course, UK; ii) Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College; iii) Malaysian National Resilience College; iv) Master of Arts in Defence Studies, King's College London, UK; v) Master of Social Science in Defence Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; vi) Fellow Scholar, National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM/UPNM); vii) PhD (ongoing) - Azman Hashim International Business School, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Ca Tan Sri began his military career on 28 August, 1985, and subsequently underwent officer cadet training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the Royal Malay Regiment on 11 December, 1987. Over his four decades of distinguished military service, he has held a broad range of commands and staff appointments at tactical, operational, and strategic levels. Notable appointments include: i) Platoon Commander, 21st Battalion Royal Malay Regiment; ii) Commanding Officer, 25th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment; iii) Director of Planning and Development, Army Headquarters; iv) Commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade; v) Commander, 5th Infantry Division; vi) Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations and Training, Army Headquarters; vii) Assistant Chief of Staff, Defence Operations and Training, Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters; viii) Army Field Western Commander, Malaysian Army; ix) the 24th Chief of Defence Force, Malaysian Armed Forces (effective 1 February 2026) Ach Tan Sri has come full circle from being a cadet officer more than forty years ago, to now holding the highest professional military appointment as the 24th Chief of Defence Force. Some of his major career achievements include commanding at the battalion, brigade division, and field-command levels. As the Chief of Defence Force, his leadership places strong emphasis on operational readiness, integrity, professional military standards, sound governance, and the development of a credible and future-ready Malaysian Armed Forces. His leadership philosophy is anchored in three principal pillars: "Akhlak Teras, Tatakelola Tuntas, Martabat Tempur" (Character as the Foundation, Comprehensive Governance, Combat Excellence) WaCW While he has not authored any books, Tan Sri has issued and delivered various official strategic directives, speeches and professional military addresses, including his Inaugural Directive as the 24th Chief of Defence Force (Perintah Ulung Panglima Angkatan Tentera Ke-24) CaSA Beyond his military responsibilities, Tan Sri is actively involved in initiatives that strengthen civil-military relations, national resilience, human-capital development, education, and cooperation between the Malaysian Armed Forces and wider society. He also supports programmes aimed at improving the welfare and professional development of military personnel. This includes strategic human-capital initiatives such as Work-Based learning (WBL) 2.0 which recognises military experience and competencies as pathways towards recognised academic qualifications while enhancing personnel preparedness for their second careers after military service H Reading, sports, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle LS Malay, English J His journey has been one of service, responsibility, and continuous learning. He began his military career in 1985 and had the privilege of undergoing officer training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst before being commissioned into the Royal Malay Regiment in 1987. Over nearly four decades, he served in various command and staff appointments, from platoon and battalion to brigade, division, field command, and finally at the Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters. Each new appointment further shaped his understanding of leadership, responsibility, and the importance of placing the organization and the nation above oneself. On 1 February, 2026, he was entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the 24th Chief of Defence Force. He regards the appointment not as a personal privilege but as a national responsibility and an obligation to the men and women of the Malaysian Armed Forces and to the country he swore to defend. His priority is to strengthen the Malaysian Armed Forces as a credible, professional, integrated, and combat-ready force, founded upon strong character, sound governance, and operational excellence. Ultimately, he hopes his journey will be remembered not merely by the positions he held, but by the institution, people, and values that he helped to strengthen for the next generation.