Malek Razak Sulaiman
Malek Razak Sulaiman | |
|---|---|
| مالك رزاق سليمان | |
Official portrait, 2026 | |
| 24th Chief of Defence Force | |
| Assumed office 1 February 2026 | |
| Monarch | Ibrahim |
| Prime Minister | Anwar Ibrahim |
| Minister | Mohamed Khaled Nordin |
| Preceded by | Zulhelmy Ithnain (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Malek Razak bin Sulaiman 24 March 1967 |
| Spouse | Siti Juana Md Ibrahim |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Royal Military College |
| Alma mater | National University of Malaysia (Dip, MSc) King's College London (MA) |
| Occupation | Military officer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Malaysia |
| Branch/service | Malaysian Army |
| Years of service | 1987–present |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | Royal Malay Regiment |
| Commands | Second Malayan Emergency |
Malek Razak bin Sulaiman (Jawi: مالك رزاق بن سليمان; born 24 March 1967) is a Malaysian military officer who has served as the 24th Chief of Defence Force since 1 February 2026.[1][2][3][4] Previously, he served as the Army Western Field Commander of the Malaysian Army.[5]
Early life and education
Malek Razak bin Sulaiman was born in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia. He holds a Diploma in Strategy and Security from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College London, and a Master of Social Science (Defence Studies) from UKM.
Military career (1985–present)
Malek Razak joined the Malaysian Army as an Overseas Officer Cadet at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom in 1985 and he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 11 December 1987.
Over four decades of service, he held various key command positions, including the Commanding Officer of the 25th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, the Commander of the Second Infantry Brigade and the Commander of the Fifth Infantry Division. His expertise in operations and training was later strengthened through appointments at headquarters level as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Army Operations and Training and the Assistant Chief of Staff, Defence Operations and Training, Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters before being entrusted as the Commander of the Western Field of the Army.
Malek Razak was promoted from the rank Lieutenant-General to a full General. He was also appointed as the 24th Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces on 1 February 2026, thus assuming the highest responsibility to lead the Malaysian Armed Forces.[1][3][5]
Personal life
Malek Razak is married to Siti Juana binti Md Ibrahim and they have three children. He enjoys reading, playing sports and practicing a healthy lifestyle.
Honours
Honours of Malaysia
- Malaysia
- Recipient of the Loyal Service Medal (PPS)
- Recipient of the General Service Medal (PPA)
- Recipient of the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal (2017)
- Recipient of the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal (2019)
- Malaysian Armed Forces
- Loyal Commander of the Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PSAT)
- Warrior of the Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PAT)
- Officer of the Most Gallant Order of Military Service (KAT)
- Recipient of the Malaysian Service Medal (PJM)
- Kedah
- Member of the Order of the Crown of Kedah (AMK) (2014)[6]
- Recipient of the State of Kedah Distinguished Service Star (BCK) (2003)[7]
- Recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal (PJK)
- Sabah
- Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (PGDK) – Datuk (2023)[8][9]
Foreign honours
- United Kingdom
- Recipient of the Sandhurst Medal
References
- ^ a b "Jeneral Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman dilantik Panglima Angkatan Tentera baharu". Berita Harian (in Malay). 31 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ^ Nordin, Khaled (31 January 2026). "Malek Razak appointed as New Chief of Defence Force". BERNAMA.
- ^ a b Reporters, FMT (31 January 2026). "Malek Razak takes over as armed forces chief". Free Malaysia Today.
- ^ TMR, Zukri (31 January 2026). "Malek Razak appointed as new Chief of Defence Force". The Malaysian Reserve.
- ^ a b BERNAMA, Berita (31 January 2026). "Army Western Field Commander Malek Razak is new Malaysian Armed Forces chief". Malay Mail.
- ^ "Senarai Darjah Kehormatan Sempena Ulang Tahun Hari Keputeraan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Sultan Negeri Kedah Darul Aman Tahun 2014" (PDF). Warta Kerajaan Negeri Kedah Darul Aman (in Malay). 8 May 2014.
- ^ "Senarai Darjah Kehormatan Sempena Ulang Tahun Hari Keputeraan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Sultan Negeri Kedah Darul Aman Tahun 2003" (PDF). Warta Kerajaan Negeri Kedah Darul Aman (in Malay). 3 July 2003.
- ^ "Senarai Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Sabah Tahun 2023" (PDF). www.sabah.gov.my.
- ^ Olivia Miwil (6 October 2023). "Former IGP Acryl tops list of 1,209 Sabah State Award honourees". New Straits Times. Retrieved 29 September 2024.