KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy army chief Lt Gen Hafizuddeain Jantan has been appointed as the country's 30th army chief, effective today.
With the appointment, Hafizuddeain was also promoted to the rank of General.
He replaces General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman.
The conferment of rank and handover of duties ceremony was witnessed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan at Wisma Pertahanan.
Muhammad Hafizuddeain, 55, who was born in Segamat, Johor, on April 18, 1968, was appointed as deputy army chief on March 23.
Having received his secondary education at the Royal Military College in 1985, he began his service as a cadet officer on Aug 19, 1986, before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Malay Regiment two years later.
The father of three has extensive experience, having held various positions in the army and the Defence Ministry as a leader, staff member and trainer.
Throughout his service, he has obtained various qualifications, including a master's degree in Social Sciences (Defence Studies) at the Armed Forces Defence College, an Infantry Officer Advanced Course in the United States, and at the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.
Some of the key positions he has held include the commanding officer of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (2003-2005), Commander of the Fifth Malaysian Infantry Brigade (2018-2020), and Commander of the Army Western Field (2021-2023).
He has also served as the Chief of Staff at the 8th Malaysian Infantry Brigade headquarters (2009-2010), and Chief of Staff at the 3rd Malaysian Infantry Division headquarters (2016-2017). — BERNAMA